Following
my review of their debut record, Brimstone Coven are sitting on the brink of a
date with one of most influential bands in doom metal, not only that, a much sort
after vinyl release on revered boutique label, STB
Records. With that in mind, I thought it
was about time we got the lowdown on how this coven started. So without further ado, here is my interview
with Corey Roth and chief axe slinger for Brimstone Coven. Enjoy.
SL)
Corey, welcome to the Sludgelord, I’m pleased to welcome you to our humble abode.
BC)
Thank you for having us! We are very grateful for the opportunity
SL) How are things at the Coven? What are your immediate plans for the rest of 2013?
SL) How are things at the Coven? What are your immediate plans for the rest of 2013?
BC)
Things are great! Lots of really cool things happening.
Immediate
plans would include more live shows for sure. We are quite excited to be
playing with the legendary PENTAGRAM on the 22nd of November. That’s
a huge honor for us. Now that the second album, “II” has been released, it’s
time to start writing and putting new tunes together, as well. No rest for the
wicked, as they say.
SL) Before we get onto the good stuff, (imminent vinyl release, 23/11/2013), Can you perhaps give us an idea of the roots behind the band? Who are you, that kind of thing? It is your opportunity to tell the world about yourselves.
SL) Before we get onto the good stuff, (imminent vinyl release, 23/11/2013), Can you perhaps give us an idea of the roots behind the band? Who are you, that kind of thing? It is your opportunity to tell the world about yourselves.
BC)
We’re just four laid back dudes with a strong passion for the music we make. We
all live in the heart of the tri-state area (Ohio ,
West Virginia & Pennsylvania )
known as the Ohio
SL). Call it nepotism, cronyism or the fact I am a major kiss ass, but Steve is a great guy and his attitude to the way he releases records is borne out of his love for music first and foremost, which then translates to a superior overall package. Doubtless to say, that the Coven will be another 5 star treatment. When did you guys first hook up with STB Records and how did it come about?
BC)
Shortly after we released our self titled album on bandcamp.com, Steve
contacted us and said that he was digging the tunes and wanted to work with us.
With the sound we have, vinyl was always something that we planned to do. Once
we saw the caliber of his work, we didn’t have to think about it.
SL) With the release perhaps only days / week away, what can you tell us about the release and what are your overall thoughts about having what is your debut released on vinyl, with a label with a proven track record, no pun intended?
BC)
The vinyl will feature the seven original tracks, as well as a live version of
“Blood on the wall”, which is track 4 on the new CD release, “II”. The vinyl
will be available in three, possibly four different versions, which include die
hard and sorcerer editions. The artwork, done by W. Ralph Walters, is super
cool and fits the overall theme of the band perfectly. You just can’t get any
cooler than vinyl and we’re excited to be a part of it! All the extra special
love and cool little touches that Steve puts into his records, sends them over
the top! Anyone interested, should definitely check out STB records!
SL).
Cyan and Gold /Silver vinyl, Sorcerer
and Die Hard edition, its fan boy stuff right?
You must be stoked
BC)
we are beyond stoked, to say the least.
SL). Taking the release as a whole, how much involvement did you have in terms of overall package? Do you feel added pressure considering previous STB releases have sold out, ha-ha (It’s inevitable it will, of course)
BC)
Well, we did the recording ourselves. Our bass player (Andrew), owns Sacred
Sound recording studio in Martins Ferry Ohio
SL) As music fans yourselves and given that music seems to be so disposal at times, it is important to offer a great package to your fans, and yet not alienate them by producing something which is not affordable. Did you approach the vinyl release with trepidation or were you confident that STB Records would produce a product you could be proud of? Have you seen the finished product and what are your thoughts, not it is finally done?
BC)
It’s of the utmost importance to offer a stellar product to our fans. From the
music to the art, to the overall package! Steve goes to great lengths to make
his records unique and really stand out above the rest. Once we checked out the
STB site, we jumped in with both feet! We don’t actually have the records in
our hands just yet, but we’ve seen other STB releases and pics of what our
finished products will look like and we can’t wait!
SL) Taking the vinyl release out of the equation for a moment, what are your thoughts about your debut record now, given that they were your first original songs and written for the most part by Corey. Are they representative of the direction your music is headed in the future?
BC)
Needless to say, those songs are always going to be special to us. They are the
trunk of the mighty Brimstone oak. The new songs and future songs are the
twisted branches that produce the forbidden fruit of the coven. So the music
will evolve, but I feel it won’t be far removed from the first born
SL)
Tell us some of your influences/heroes both musically and artistically, both
metal and non-metal? Was their a specific band or artist turned you guys onto
music and specifically introduced you to Heavy Metal/Rock and wanting to form a
band?
BC)
Late sixties, early seventies everything! It was just a witchy time frame.
There was so much cool shit going on! There was a heavy occult influence in
music and movies and even television. Badass cars and hot chicks were
everywhere. A lot of the music of that time gave off that mystical, eerie
essence and that’s definitely something that we knew we wanted to project as
well.
Of
course we all dig Sabbath. Who doesn’t? Ha-ha. Pentagram and Led Zeppelin. For
me (Corey), it was Kiss that made me want to rock out. I remember at a very
young age, five or six, getting into my mom’s eight tracks and records. Seeing
Gene Simmons in the artwork and live pics inside the records, I was immediately
hooked. Coolest shit I had ever seen! I know Drew and Dan are big Rush fans.
John digs Trower and Floyd. We’re all pretty versatile when it comes to what
kind of music we listen to though. I would say that Doom and Stoner rock are
definitely at the top of the list.
SL) Using those influences as a reference point, did they form the basis of the direction where you wanted to take the band and how approached writing BC?
BC)
Absolutely!
SL) What
are your thoughts on the emergence of
retro type bands such as Witchcraft and it increasing popularity and
what attracted you to that particular style of music with reference to your own
sound, is the tone of the instruments of yore, the occult nature and or singing
style. In short what is it about the
retro sound that made BC perhaps want to emulate that?
BC)
We totally dig bands like Witchcraft, Graveyard, and Kadavar. I feel that those
bands have captured some of that same magic from the early days, using those
elements. Occult themes, singing styles and such. I think the mix is the main
ingredient though. That old stripped down sound. That’s where the true magic
is. It’s nostalgia. Who doesn’t like that?
BC)
At the moment, I’m playing through a Blackstar HT50 tube head into a Kustom
4x12 angled cab. I have a Jeckyl and Hyde pedal to boost leads. On the first
album, I played through a Marshall JCM 900. I pretty much play Gibson SGs
exclusively. I have an SG Studio and a Classic Faded SG. Drew plays a Gibson
bass through an Orange Terror into an Ampeg SVT 8x10 cab. Dan plays Tama drums.
We play in standard tuning most of the time. Although, “Son of the Morning” is
played in drop D.
SL)
Has their been much opportunity for BC to do live shows and is playing live
important to BC, because touring can depend upon work commitments etc?
BC) Playing
live is the most important thing in the universe for us. On stage is when we
feel we are truly living. We play fairly often. When we are busy, we usually
play one or two shows every weekend. When we’re not so busy, we play once or
twice a month. Our jobs allow for a decent live schedule, so that’s a plus.
SL) How valuable are blogs and social media?
BC)
Incredibly valuable! Social media has been very good to us.
SL) Quick fire question, what’s your preference? Cassette, CD, Digital Download or Vinyl? And why?
BC)
When it comes to sound… vinyl all the way! Nothing sounds better!
Digital
Downloads and CDs still sound great and make things extremely quick and easy.
They are quite helpful tools when you want to get the word out to the masses.
SL)
Thanks for answering my questions, but one final question, you got anything you
like to say to your fans and what can we expect from Brimstone Coven, in the
future, new record? Tours
BC)
We absolutely want to give a HUGE thank you to all of our fans, friends and
families for all the love and support! From the beginning everyone has been
super cool and helped us out so much. Just this year alone has been insanely
amazing. A lot can happen in a year and it has. We have even bigger goals for
2014! We will definitely be playing shows in support of “II” and the vinyl
release of the debut album. We are also confident that “II” will be released on
vinyl as well. Demos for Brimstone Coven III are already in the works, so it
won’t be long before we have another beastly batch of Brimstone babies!
Again,
thank you so much for having us! We appreciate your time and effort. All hail
SLUDGELORD!!! \m/
Words and Interview by : Aaron Pickford
You can buy BC digital records here now and vinyl will be available here and here on 23/11/2013 starting at 12pm EST. You can read my review of the S/T record here
Pressing Info:
Sorcerer Edition
"Cyan" blue high grade matching vinyl limited to 125
Heavy weight "Night-shift" blue 100lb card stock
Metallic blue and black inks
Custom art work by W. Ralph Walters
Die Hard Edition
Gold and Silver color in color high quality vinyl limited to 50
Heavy duty 236lb natural white 100% cotton card stock cover
Letter pressed band logo
Incense Scented brown and black oiled inks
Distressed and burned cover to mimic an old spell book..
Custom artwork by W. Ralph Walters
For more information :
