As They Sleep Interview, As They Sleep 2010 Jesusfreakhideout.com Interview

Solid State Records' latest signing, As They Sleep, recently released their debut album Dynasty, so Jesusfreakhideout.com's Wayne Reimer caught up with the band's vocalist Aaron Bridgewater to discuss the band's new recording...
This interview took place on: 12/14/10.

Jesus freak Hideout (Wayne Reimer): First of all, I'd like to thank you for taking the time. So to begin, how has the move from your debut Blacken the Sun to a very successful Dynasty changed your daily band life?

Aaron Bridgewater: No, thank you! The move has drastically changed our band life. We basically went from a release on a small little indie label to a huge release on a huge label! It's just a very busy but awesome time for us right now!! Oh, and the move itself has been the most exciting part about it, they really treat us good at Solid State.

JFH (Wayne): When I listened to Dynasty for the first time, the top end of the music that really left an impression was your colorful array of guitar riffs. They really created a divide from all the incessant blast beats and breakdowns of generic death metal bands. What other elements did you intentionally bolster in order to sound different?

Aaron: Hmmmm, good question... Well, as much as I LOVE gutteral vocals on death metal, I also like to incorporate a lot of mid and high stuff to keep it all fresh. I'd say that definitely helps us break away from the typical death metal stereotypes.

JFH (Wayne): Your music is fairly technical. What were the most difficult areas to play? As They Sleep

Aaron: Haha, well, I'm sure the drumming takes the cake, right next to the guitars as well. I'll let you ask the drummer yourselves someday. Hahaha!

JFH (Wayne): Do you have a favorite song on the album?

Aaron: I favor "Oracle of the Dead," "Bedlam at the Nile," and "The Third Reich"... What can I say? I love it brutal.

JFH (Wayne): You all play together with such a high level of professionalism for only a sophomore album. Have any of you been in bands previous to As They Sleep?

Aaron: Well, yes, but it was just high school stuff. Let's just say we've been As They Sleep for a looooooong time. (About 8 years)

JFH (Wayne): Tell me about the recording process for Dynasty. How did it differ from Blacken the Sun considering the label change to Solid State?

Aaron: Actually, it didn't change much, but the amount of time we had to do it in did!!!

JFH (Wayne): How did the aforementioned label jump to Solid State happen?

Aaron: The old fashioned way! We actually played a show at a venue called "The District" in Lake Orion MI with Gwen Stacey... Turns out there was a Solid State A&R rep there and he happened to catch our set. We exchanged info and the rest is history!

JFH (Wayne): You've mentioned earlier that Dynasty's concept of empires rising and falling is comingled with modern day issues. Would you care to elaborate?

Aaron: Dynasty focuses mainly the rise and fall of various kingdoms, empires and dynasties throughout history... Both factual and mythological. It ties in the reasons for collapse with power and battle-lust, and intertwines it all with modern problems and politics that we are dealing with today. It pretty much outlines popular stories in history regarding false gods, struggle, famine, dictatorship, etc. and why these things didn't work. The album starts off with "Oracle of the Dead" - a balls to the wall look at Hades, the so-called "god of the underworld." It then ventures through history, examining ancient Egypt, the Mayan civilization, and even Attila the Hun (look him up, kids) only to wrap it all up with "The Unseen"... A kingdom we can only dream of and exists only through faith.

We chose "Dynasty" as it perfectly sums up the album, and even though it's a succession of rulers all from the same family or line, it symbolizes our inheritance of this earth as brothers and sisters. Whether we believe it or not, we're all worthy of inhabiting great things in the future, as long as we cleanse ourselves of the past.

JFH (Wayne): After releasing a widely accepted sophomore record, do you guys feel intimidated by the idea that your next album has to be even bigger and better?

Aaron: Not yet, haha. But I'm sure once we start writing it, it will sink in.

JFH (Wayne): What are your future tour plans?

Aaron: To do it a lot! Haha, we'll keep you posted. We're getting something cooking for another one real soon... Hopefully February.

JFH (Wayne): Being chosen as "The Next Great Metal Band" is a big deal, and having your album mixed by Jason Suecoff is obviously going attract some attention. So, did you guys ever expect to do so well?

Aaron: We had always hoped to do well, it's just really surreal that it has actually happened.

JFH (Wayne): What drives you forward when you're out on the road or writing new music? Where do you turn for motivation and inspiration?

Aaron: The thought of where it may end up an who it will affect is a solid drive for us. As far as motivation... I have no clue where that comes from, Ha.

JFH (Wayne): What bands have influenced you? Are there any artists you like to compare to your own music?

Aaron: Basically ALL death metal and metal from 1980 to present play a part in what we do (Sorry for the broad spectrum). As far as comparisons go, I'm not a big fan! We just do what we do, and it sounds the way it sounds, ya dig?

JFH (Wayne): You all as a band make a point to go above and beyond the expected monotony of modern metal. Do you hope to make an impact on aspiring bands in this way?

Aaron: YES, definitely... Nothing it worse than the same thing done over and over.

YES, definitely... Nothing it worse than the same thing done over and over.

YES, definitely... Nothing it worse than the same thing done over and over.

I think you get the point.

JFH (Wayne): What message do you ultimately want your fans to take away from your music?