BENEDICTUM
By Falber Teles • Mar 25th, 2008 • Category: Interviews
SOURCEWEBZINE – Hey Veronica a pleasure to have you again on Sourcewebzine ! How are you going ?
Veronica Freeman (V) – Glad to be back and talking to you! I am doing great!
SOURCEWEBZINE – How would you describe the sound of the new album “Seasons of Tragedy” ?
Veronica Freeman (V) – Hmm… I would say it is heavy and powerful. I think it is a step forward from the first one. We tried to put some more variety in it as well and take the listener on a journey! A lot of thought was put in to this album and we hope it translates over to the listener.
SOURCEWEBZINE – With the massive success of your first album, are your expectations really high for “Seasons of Tragedy”?
Veronica Freeman (V) – Of course one always hopes for the best but to be honest I really love the new album. So far it is getting really good reviews and fans seem to enjoy it and that is what counts. I have high hopes for it and can’t wait to get out and tour to support the album.
SOURCEWEBZINE – What CD do you own that people might be surprised about?
Veronica Freeman (V) – Probably more than you would care to know… I do have a few Cher lbums tucked away though…
SOURCEWEBZINE – When someone asks you what Benedictum sounds like, what do you tell them?
Veronica Freeman (V) – Classic metal with a modern edge. Powerful!
SOURCEWEBZINE – Why did you decide to cover Accept’s “Balls to the Wall” for your album?
Veronica Freeman (V) – I thought it would be a blast to have a woman sing that song. We basically just had fun with it! At first I had the idea and Jeff Pilson thought it would be a great song to do, but once we got started I realized how hard it was to do….. so I had to take a few tries at it and regain my confidence but I am happy with the way it turned out. Really it was meant to be fun and at the end of the day I had a lot of fun doing it!
SOURCEWEBZINE – Did you notice many differences between European and U.S. fans?
Veronica Freeman (V) – Not so much the fans as with the music scene. The U.S. fans are great! As are the European ones, but I think the European fans are more fortunate because here is a lot more acceptance and variety of all kinds of Metal where as here in the States the field is a lot more narrow with only certain styles really getting the big money and promotion and air play behind them.
SOURCEWEBZINE – Do you have plans of releasing a live DVD at some point in the future?
Veronica Freeman (V) – I would LOVE to do that and I hope that it can happen this year. A lot depends on the financial support we get from our label to make that happen.
SOURCEWEBZINE – Have you had any formal vocal training?
Veronica Freeman (V) – Unfortunately not. I have always just gone for it but I think over time I need to rethink that and get some serious formal training so that my voice will last.
SOURCEWEBZINE – What are for you the good things about life, what are the things you enjoy most, or appreciate most?
Veronica Freeman (V) – That is a really great question! I have to tell you that there are just some days that I am so grateful to be alive and today was one of them. I always try to make a conscious effort to be grateful for all the things around me and today I was riding in my Jeep, just feeling good, the sky was so blue and for some reason I just had a great sense of well being. It is moments like that that I appreciate when you can just feel appreciative for the very state of being.
SOURCEWEBZINE – Do you feel that your band and your music is a way of communication and relating with people?
Veronica Freeman (V) – Absolutely and I will go a step further and say that for me personally it is an expression and outlet that I am so grateful to have. I struggle a lot with my own life and my own personal demons if you will and music and writing is a way for me to exorcise myself if you will.
SOURCEWEBZINE – The internet is a very important source for many metal fans – how do you use the internet and how important is it for you and other bands?
Veronica Freeman (V) – It really is quickly becoming the life blood for many bands and a lot of new music. Soon I think you will see more and more record companies changing the way they do business as well. For us sites like Myspace have been a valuable resource to connect with other bands and we have picked up some shows and a lot of promotion via Myspace.
SOURCEWEBZINE – Has downloading negatively impacted Benedictum ?
Veronica Freeman (V) – So far we haven’t felt too much of a negative impact but I am sure that we have had our share of music downloaded illegally. I guess that comes with the territory now a days. But in truth we have had some fans contact us and tell us that they did download it at first but liked it and went out and bought it! You never know!
SOURCEWEBZINE – What occupies your time outside of music?
Veronica Freeman (V) – My new business. I am starting a business which sells motorcycle accessories to convert sport bikes into “streetfighter” style bikes www.streetfightersinc.com. We ship all over the world so if you mention this article I will give you a discount ha ha! J But seriously starting a new business takes a lot of time and of course Benedictum … I travel back and forth from San Diego to Phoenix (where I live now) and it seems that I am constantly involved in something band related, but I am glad to have the chance to do it! This has been my dream!
SOURCEWEBZINE – Thanks for the interview. Anything you want to say to your fans before we wrap things up?
Veronica Freeman (V) – We love you! We can’t wait to play for you and keep banging your
head to Benedictum !
Falber Teles
Email this author | All posts by Falber Teles
