First off, who am I speaking with and what do you
do in the band?
Michael Keene-Guitar
Your debut album, Akeldama, has been out for some time
now, how have fans accepted the album and the band?
I don't think we could've asked for a better acceptance for our debut
record. We've developed a following of diehard fans across the country. It
feels great to see people who know the words to all your songs, in places
you've never been before.
What does the name of the album mean, or where does it
come from?
Akeldama is a biblical reference, meaning "the fields of blood". It's
supposed to be an ironic title, because most of the album deals with the
pain and suffering that religion brings to the world.
How has touring been so far? How have the fans been
treating you, and do you have any interesting stories yet?
Touring has been amazing. We've been lucky enough to tour with some very
talented bands, play great shows, and meet awesome people. One of the
craziest stories I can think of was a couple of kids driving 9 hours to see
us in Tuscon, because they couldn't make it to the show in there town the
next day.
Your playing the New England Hardcore and Metalfest
very soon, how did you get hooked up with that? And how does it feel to be
playing along side some of the best metal/hardcore bands around these days?
We're stoked to be playing it. The guy who books the festival has booked us
in the past and worked it out with our booking agent. We're all truly
honored to be playing with Dimmu Borgir and Behemoth. They're both bands
that have heavily influenced our music.
After that, you are heading right off for the
Brutalitour, and than the Summer Slaughter tour, which have extremely
amazing line-ups, how did these tours come about?
Both of those tours are from the demented mind of our label owner/booking
agent. The man knows how to book a rad tour!
How does it feel to get all these awesome gigs after being such a young band
in the scene?
We definitely feel very lucky and appreciate it to the fullest. We worked
very hard to get here and it's nice to see our work start to pay off.
How did the writing process go for your debut album?
What influences your band in playing such a perfect, well blended style of
metal?
Half of the songs we had prepared and the other half, we wrote when we
decided to do the album. I feel that the 4 that were written specifically
for the album are my personal favorites. We all listen to very broad ranges
of music, spanning from Allan Holdsworth, and Frank Zappa, to Spawn of
Possession and Emperor. With that said, our writing process can kind of find
inspiration from all sorts of unsuspecting places.
How did you hook up with Sumerian records? And were
there any other labels looking to sign you guys?
Actually there were quite a few. I won't say specifically which ones, but a
few of the big ones. Sumerian really made us a deal too good to pass up. I
think it definitely worked out for the best and we're very happy with them.
How long has everyone in the band been playing for?
because everything on your album is so picture perfect, it seems as though
all of you have been trained/playing for many years?
We all got pretty early starts with music. Some earlier than others. My dad
is a guitarist, so I've always had guitar and music in my life, from the
time I was born.
How did you get such a classy/ clean production sound
on your first album, it sounds like it could have been an album put out on a
major record label?
Wow. Thank you. I recorded it. I made sure I was happy with the sound on
every step of the production and really took my time to do it right. I have
a studio in North Hollywood and that's what I do for a living when I'm not
on tour. I'm actually finishing up an album for a new Sumerian band right
now.
Every instrument seems to compliment and play off the
other with such perfection, does that have anything to do with each members
relationship with each other in the band? Do you guys get along really well
with one another?
It very well could I suppose. I think we just want our music to be
an intense, experience, with everything being strong. We're all best friends
really. It's almost unheard of for bands to go home from tour and hang out
together. We definitely do.
Are you guys working on any material for a new album
yet, not that you need to so soon, but just curious if you guys have any new
ideas?
We definitely are. We've got about 3 or 4 songs in the works right now.
We're already thinking about when we'll be recording our next cd.
What bands are the members of the Faceless currently
listening to on the road?
The music rotation in our van consists heavily of; Aeon, Bela Fleck, Spawn
of Possession, Necrophagist, and The Mars Volta.
Are there any pre-show rituals the members go through?
We just warm up mostly. I always make sure to go to the bathroom and eat
something. Nothing worse than being uncomfortable on stage.
Past or present, what three bands would you like to
play a tour with?
Cynic, Meshuggah, Necrophagist (which we've had the pleasure of)
Are there any side projects that any band members are
working on?
I'm going to be doing a solo guitar project. It'll be along the lines of
experimental, fusion, metal, solo guitar. I think Derek maybe doing a guest
appearance with his old band The Taste of Blood.
What else can we expect from The Faceless in the
future?
A new album in 08 and a video in the coming months.
Those are all the questions that I have for you right
now, I would like to thank you very much for taking the time to speak with
me today!! Any last words?
Keep it brutallic and grim!
