Interview:	SEVENDUST
Title:	Tough, but loving

A Grammy Award nomination for an American Rock band is a permanent and, above all, worldwide recognition of the entire hard music scene.

The heavy riffing alternative Hard Rockers have been active for almost three decades and with their new album „Truth Killer“, Sevendust are back with aplomb. After all, the latest follow-up to the 2020 longplayer „Blood & Stone“ cultivates the treasured strengths of the exceptionally consistent formation in a pleasingly diverse way.

„Truth Killer“ takes up a very hot topic that is being discussed more and more around the world - the multiple (opinion) power of today's media. Many music groups and artists are tackling this alarming topic. As guitarist Clint Lowery reveals, Sevendust also have a reason for doing so.

As I saw the cover artwork and the title „Truth Killer“ I turned on your side immediately. TV (News) seems truly to kill any truth. Many bands use that alarming topic - what is your main intention?

„I guess my main intention is to address the truth killer in all of us at times. Denial is another word. A lot of people like to deny certain truths about the world or themselves. Sometimes it can be easier to just change or bend the truth to make themselves feel better.“

When I see the new tracklist, many song titles seem to be in a thematic chain - is there a red line in the lyrics?

„Overall the songs have a bit of a theme or common thread. I wrote a lot of the lyrics for this record, so naturally when they come from one person’s perspective at a certain time frame - it’s bound to have a theme of some sort.“

As you surely became to attention, 'good old' Europe seems to be ‚divided‘ more and more on many fronts - as it's the same on your area of the planet unfortunately. Will it ever end? I love this quote from Jimi Hendrix: "When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace."

„It’s hard to tell. With media driving information to the masses, it’s kind of hard to figure out the true state of things. Personally, I concentrate on my family and my friends. I am always looking for chances to put some good in the world and to help others. That’s the only ripple effect I can create to do some good. We live on a rock floating in space. Humanity has always been divided and put into groups and categories. Like Jimi said though … we need a world based in love.“

Your new music is a pleasure to hear, even for me rather traditional Metalhead, because you guys lay worth on catchy, well balanced songs, which is the main thing for me anytime in many harder musical genres. How do you yourselves rate your new material compared to the last albums, as „Blood & Stone“ f.e.?

„I rate our latest album high because we worked so hard on it. Some of us were obsessed with it. We had a lot of time to organize it and find a direction. I think it’s a great body of work.“

The brilliant arranged and clever mixed vocals are performed sometimes like an instrument of their own, which suits perfectly to the specific parts of the songs - was it designed that way in long recording sessions or did it just happen that way because of the emotional and multiple harder or softer rocking passages?

„With us, it’s music first - designing the musical landscape, to inspire a melody or lyric. It’s the foundation of the song. Sometimes I’ll sing a melody or something acapella, but most of the time it’s music. Vocals are such a huge piece of the puzzle, they deserve great music to sing over.“ 


Your emphasized modern, but extremely well-functioning and praiseworthy independent sound is pretty touching despite the hard and complex 'face', kudos for that; therefore, are there any bands at all that can or have influenced you as a band?

„I have a life time of influences, old and current, different eras. I love so many genres. Sleep Token is a new band I get inspired by. Trent Reznor has always been a huge influence.“

Nearly everything has changed since Covid - the world, the music business, the societies - how much have you changed, how much have your views on true art changed now?

„Adapted is more of the word. I’ve tried to find gratitude in the changes. The world has been in worse situations over the centuries. My life is cushion compared to most that came before us. Creating art hasn’t changed for me. It’s just a matter of my drive to it and finding and keeping the passion.“ 


How did your collaboration for the new work go in these rather difficult times?

„Again, I don’t view it as difficult times personally. I see hard times. My attitude has changed when I come against struggles. Collaborations are the escape from hard times.“

Who of you guys out of the band did the lion's share of the new song material?

„I wrote the lion’s share of this record. Everyone has their part, but I love the process. I spend tons of time doing it. It’s not work for me. John C is similar and Morgan is kind of the guy that reels it all in and channels it. I truly feel honored having a voice in Sevendust and respect the others. They allow me to explore and deliver material and what they think matters to me. A lot of people think singers write the vocals or guitar players write the songs or producers, each band has a different dynamic. I used to want people to just assume whatever they wanted as far as who actually writes, but as a song writer trying to make a name - I feel like the credit should go to the writers. Of course, I can’t do what Lajon does. He’s a true singer. Everyone adds some ingredient, but the basic frame work for a lot of the songs come from me or John’s demos.“

How was the selection of songs for it done and was it difficult for the band?

„It’s always a challenge, but we try to lean on our producer to decide. To have that outside entity to referee it is important. Best song wins. Period.“

What is the o-n-e song with the most meaning for you on the new album and why?

„‚I Might Let The Devil Win‘. It’s about the struggle to do the right thing but sometimes you have to allow the devil to take over. To be aggressive, to fight, to live a little, but it’s a slippery slope.

Anything you would like to add? 
„We are very fortunate to still do this.“

© Markus Eck, 12.07.2023

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