Enochian Theory

MM: I can definitely hear a Tool influence without being a carbon copy of them. Are they an inspiration for the style of music you create? What other bands influenced you?
Ben: To deny the biggest modern progressive rock/metal band on the planet their rightful place, as an influence on us would be the worst lie I could ever tell. Sure they are an influence, it's what we like to hear and they are past masters at it ... but they didn't get to be as good as they are over the period of an album or two ... they've taken years to get it bang on ... and that is a motivation in itself. Just pushing yourself and writing records that mean something to you as an artist. But also saying that they are the ONLY things to influence us would be equally as stupid. We love ALL types of music and I believe we've got to a point as a band where we all agreed there is only 'Good Music' and 'Bad Music'. It really is as simple as that. Genre definition is a lazy way of covering a band and I feel it dilutes what the artist is trying to get across. You either like something or you don't, it is that simple. I could sit here and list every artist/band, but that would be doing them and ourselves a dis-service by being so blatant. We know what we like and you can hear it sometimes when it's glaringly obvious, but it really is more than us liking 'Band A' and 'Band B'. It's the more subtle influences that I like people to notice. But in summation, from metal, rock, world music and pop through to film scores, melodies you hear floating through the ether and much more. Our influences are more than just musical and that's what makes us what we are. Life is one big influence...if we didn't have something to say, then it would be pointless. Personal expression is vital.

MM: Did you create your own label out of frustration from trying to land a suitable deal, or did the band want total control of how they created and released the music?
Ben: The latter part of the question is the truth here. We always want to be in control and never want anyone telling us what we should or should not be doing, if it ever gets to that stage, I'm outta here! We always knew that we were not going to be an overnight success and nor would we want to be...so we didn't even try to contact labels with our original demo and the 'A Monument...' record. We wanted to evolve ourselves to the point now where we could approach a bigger label and say “Hey, look at all the hard work we've done and do daily." And despite some excellent feedback from bigger labels, we knew we had to get this record out ourselves again as it was the only way we could retain control of the band. We agreed in 2005 that the best way to do things would be to learn everything we could about the industry, building on our previous experiences and knowledge. Shaun runs the label full-time and works damn hard to push the band forward and we're lucky to be able to have someone in the band working for the band as I'm not sure anyone else would have the passion to push the bands as hard as we do.

MM: Did financing and self-producing your first two demos give you confidence in being able to set your own goals and limitations for the band?
Ben: Yes, I believe this is the case. The 1st demo was used to get us shows around the UK using contacts I had built through previous bands and it was a good experience, as at the time Shaun and Sam had never gigged before. With the 'A Monument...' EP, we knew we had to shake things up and push ourselves a bit more to be better and make a record that at the time we could be happy with ... and on the budget we had, we were pleased. As mentioned before, we had a plan ... the evolution of the band was paramount. We're only limited by money and ourselves...! But each recording sounds better and better...I'm sure come our next record when we've got Jeff Lynne and Devin Townsend producing us ... I can truly die a happy man!

MM: How did the recording of the new CD "Evolution: Creatio Ex Nihilio" go? Can you give the readers a taste of what to expect from the new songs?
Ben: The recording for the new album was as equally magical as it was infuriating. I spent 4 months writing the songs and we were refining them as a band along the way. When we finally got to recording, it was a relief as we were tight as hell and needed to get these songs on tape as soon as possible. Sadly due to various reasons, the recording dragged out over a longer period than we wanted, but in a way it was a blessing as it gave us time to reflect, listen and augment the recordings further as we had that little bit of extra time. We recorded in 3 different studios and doing that was very interesting! As for the new songs ... well ... what can I say? It’s a revolution in just listening... We're proud of it and they are a progression from the previous record ... and that is the most important thing to us. Not stagnating and not regurgitating the same record over and over! I'd rather let people decide for themselves, some will love it, some will not ... sort of like Marmite really!

MM: You must feel great about co-headlining the ProgPower Europe 2009 festival. There are some pretty impressive bands on the bill; do you think this gig will gain you more exposure worldwide?
Ben: It was incredible to be offered this slot at such a great festival made purely for the music we love. It's going to be a total 'muso wankfest' but it's ok, we're not really musicians and we can sneer into our luke warm beers all day! Hahaha! But in all seriousness though, we are very happy to have been given such a slot. When they first asked if we wanted to play, I assumed a nice midday slot on the opening day playing to 3 disinterested people would have been our role, but to be made co-headliners on the final day is something I did not see coming. But its proof that we're doing something right and the wonderful team at Prog Power saw that. We're hoping that the release of the new record and playing shows like this will raise the profile of the band for sure; we cannot see why it wouldn't. There has been some amazing bands play the festival over the years and we're very lucky to have be asked to play ... We'd like more of these types of shows for sure, any artist would want a chance to have your art realised on a world stage ... but it's getting our record out into the multiverse that I want!!! We want the new record to be heard as widely as possible and we know this is only the beginning for the rebirth of a band that simply doesn't know how to quit.

MM: Was Scott Ware's departure a difficult period for the band? Did you have any doubts about carrying on as a three-piece?
Ben: I think during your darker moments in life, you question everything ... it is natural. I also think that having some belief in yourselves and your convictions serves as a counterbalance to the negativity. We'd just done two tours with Scott and things were not working out for various reasons. My personal relationship outside the band was in a mess because I'd focussed on the band, we'd run out of money, Shaun and Sam would not talk to Scott and it all seemed a complete waste of time. It was all so much hassle that yes, we did doubt things sometimes but we're are still here now, stronger than ever. I believe we had simply moved apart as friends and as artists, I think the time on the road proved that. I like the guy, he's a great player but we couldn't work as a band anymore and there was no way we were going to end the band when we had done so much hard work. That would have been insulting to Scott's input and our collective hard work. I think after the tours, we knew something had to be done and just before Christmas that year, I made it very clear I wanted this resolved before the New Year as I wanted to go into it with a clear resolution and plan, | had no intention of hanging about. It was difficult, but Scott was man enough to know what he had to do and I respect that very much. At the time, there was lot of animosity between Scott and the guys, I felt trapped in the middle because I just wanted peace and harmony ... but it's done and we've not looked back. I think all doubts were dispelled when I said I'd pick up the guitar for the band and I penned the first song for the new record ('The Fire Around The Lotus.') We worked on it as a 3 piece, discussed our options and knew that we had something different now.... Different and exciting. A new dynamic was born and something had stepped forth from the darkness and was shining like a beacon to lead us towards a new mindset. A new confidence, a new trust and above all ... a great bunch of songs are proud to call Enochian Theory material. ... and the result of everything that tried to destroy us is 'Evolution: Creation Ex Nihilio' ... and the title itself sums up our defiance.

MM: Your Web site is impressive, as well as the CD cover art. Is the artwork an important element to your overall sound and concept as a band?
Ben: It is very important as we're don't just want an audio piece for people to enjoy, but a fully fledged 'artefact' that people can enjoy, show their friends and try to interpret! We had the amazing Robin Portnoff create the artwork and that man is quite frankly a legend in my eyes now. He worked SO damn hard to give us something that he thought was a correct reflection of our music and to find someone so 'in tune', yet still hundreds of miles away from us, was truly amazing. I remember being rather sceptical of the whole process because we'd always done everything ourselves and I had to be convinced but as soon as I saw Robin's dedication to the cause and the initial ideas, I was blown away ... I still am. I can afford a little smile to myself when I look at the record overall now.

MM: What's the next step for Enochian Theory and what do you hope to achieve?
Ben: That ... is a difficult question. I know where I'd like to be in a few years and that's making a true living from the band, the record label and the PR Company. Touring in support of our records and continuing to make better music each time. There are bands we'd like to tour with, places we'd like to travel to play and people we'd love to work with. We're improving every day, gaining more exposure and I'm sure that the minor success we'd achieved with the previous EP will be blown out of the water when the new record is released. We're proud of it and we know what we have to do ... and believe us, we'll keep trying till it stops being enjoyable.

Thanks for the interview; I hope the readers will get something from our new record. Contact us anytime my friends, I'm always curious to hear from people who have heard us and to discuss their thoughts.

Kelley Simms