www.metalblade.com
www.believerband.net
www.youtube.com/user/believerband
www.myspace.com/believerband
www.myspace.com/believermusic
www.myspace.com/believermusic2
www.myspace.com/michael_rosner
KB: Thank you!
Q. While discovering who Believer what initially caught my eye was the superb design of Gabriel’s Album cover who came up with the brilliant design can you give us the details in the graphic production of your cover?
KB: We really like it also. The artist's name is Michael Rosner (Roz) of Eye Level Studio. Roz and I had constant conversations about the cover for over a year before it was actually finished. We both wanted to have the artwork fit the music and vice versa. Roz and the team at Eye Level Studio are just brilliant. We wanted something different and they delivered. Please go to believerband.net where you can find links to more of his amazing work.
Q. How many pages of this masterpiece of Artwork will be included in Gabriel?
KB: There is a 16 page booklet included with the CD and they are really cool. We are also planning to do more projects with Roz that revolve around Gabriel so stay tuned!
Q. What motivated or inspired Believer to come back after a long hiatus and did the band continue to play live shows or write songs during this time?
KB: I actually relocated closer to Joey and we decided to get together for fun. We started writing some songs and realized the chemistry was still intact. Friends of ours encouraged us to record these songs and put them out for others to hear. We never had a "let's get the band back together" moment or conversation. One thing just led to another and you get Gabriel. We did not play any shows or write after Dimensions. I went back to school and obtained my PhD in Molecular Medicine and Joey played in other bands from the area.
Q. What I like about Gabriel is the old school metal sounds combined with the orchestrated mixes can you tell us the highlights of this Alum such as the collection of songs, guest appearances and any messages the band is conveying in their this Album?
KB: I'm really glad you like the mix of old and new. We didn't want to write another Sanity or Dimensions record. We did that already and I think they are still available. We wanted to experiment further with other musical directions, hence the reason we added a keyboard player (Jeff King) and more programming (Jeff and Elton Nestler). It was just something new for us, but I think the basic Believer sound is still intact. We had several guests on the record, again just to give it more dimensions sonically. As for messages, I think we just want people to use their minds and always seek wisdom. Be open-minded rather than close-minded.
Q. After listening to “Stoned” from your MySpace page I never experienced any throbbing headaches but the keyboards did add a nice trance like hypnotic feel to the sound do all the band members share the same influences for their music and do they like to experiment and try new things to their sound?
KB: I'm glad you didn't get sick. I think after listening to that section over and over again during the mix is what did it for Jeff and Kevin. Everyone likes to experiment with new styles and sounds. I think the other guys thought that Joey and I were insane for a bit, but they quickly slipped into our madness. We all have different influences and we listen to all styles of music. I think this is why we like to experiment so much and make the recordings as unique and dynamic as possible yet still keep the Believer heaviness and sound.
Q. How did the band land the opportunity to work with Howard Jones (of Cesspool recordings/Killswitch Engage), Joe Rico (of Sacrifice), Deron Miller (of Word Under Blood) and Rocky Gray (of Evanescence, Soul Embrace and Living Sacrifice) are these great Artists long time friends of the band?
KB: It turns out that Howard and Deron have been long time fans of Believer. Contact was made and we invited them into the studio. They are both great people and ultra talented. Howard then asked about us being his first release through Cesspool/Metal Blade and the rest is history. Joe Rico and Rocky are friends of ours from the past, so to have them play on the record was just awesome. We are very fortunate to have such talented friends.
Q. I noticed the lyrics of Gabriel was written on a more intelligent level more like in parables , strong in imagery but they are darker are the themes bases on the apocalypse and Armageddon?
KB: We have not been discussing the meaning behind the lyrics. We want our listeners to think about the possible meanings and come to their own interpretations. This makes the lyrics and music more of a personal experience for the listener. Depending on one's interpretation, the meanings could affect different individuals in completely different ways, which is great.
Q. I’m curious do you find that some of the themes you wrote in your lyrics in the past with regard to man’s greed, attitudes in society, crimes and sin are more evident today in the world on a broader scale?
KB: I don't think so actually. I just think there is more media access that highlights these themes. A analogy of this is if you were to only pay attention to popular media and look at air travel, you would think it is severely unsafe because they exploit crashes when in reality it is the safest way to travel. Greed, attitudes and crimes have always been a part of human society. We just have more access to visualize these unfortunate traits. Hopefully this access will in some way allow others to recognize their own moral deficiencies and change themselves for the better. We need to focus more on bettering our own lives rather than worry about everyone else. It is amazing how a positive change in oneself relfects on others and enables them to change also.
Q. Who are the spiritual influences for your songwriting and do all the band members contribute to the lyrical content of Believers music?
KB: Joey, Jeff and I contributed to the lyrics on Gabriel. We are spiritual beings that are influenced by all those we come into contact with throughout our lives. We are interested in the constant pursuit of knowledge and wisdom.
Q. Will Believer be producing any music videos from Gabriel’s song tracks soon?
KB: We have been discussing this lately. Keep checking our myspace and website for details and updates.
Q. What is the bands focus in the month’s ahead will Believer be concentrating on a tour or writing new material for another great masterpiece?
KB: We are in rehearsal mode at present. We want to play shows and maybe do some mini-tours in the near future. At every rehearsal the "tape is rolling" to capture any cool riffs or ideas for the next record, so the writing never stops.
Q. What is the bands opinion on the music scene today and have they noticed any dramatic changes in metal music scene since the late 80’s?
KB: It appears that the heavy music fan base has grown since the late 80's. Metal is everywhere today. This was not the case in the past except for a few outliers like Metallica, Slayer, etc. I think there are some incredible bands out there like Opeth, Mastadon, Obscura, just to name a few. It is encouraging that people are opening up to a more progressive metal sound.
Q. Before we wrap up our interview does Believer have any shout outs to friends or fans?
KB: First, I would like to thank HMTV Canada for interviewing us. It really means a lot to us. Our fans have been incredible and have been turning others onto Believer which is really cool. Hopefully we'll do some shows in Canada with Sacrifice once their new record comes out. (And their new record sounds amazing!!!)
I want to thank Believer and Metal Blade Records for this interview opportunity. You Rock HMTV Canada
Answered by Kurtis.
