ENCOMIUM #9/2023: Benediction

Needless to say, it was a great honor to interview Dave Ingram from Benediction. The band is working on a new album, so I thought I'd ask what's in store for us. Of course, we've covered many other topics, so scroll down to find the information you need.

Hi Dave!!! Your previous album "Scriptures" was extremely successful in every possible way, so it would be very interesting to know where you will go musically and lyrically on your upcoming release?

In truth, I can't really say too much about the new album. We like to keep things as secret as possible. Though I can tell you that it's still going to be Benediction through and through, with dark lyrics as always. There'll be the odd lighter note, but it's still going to have a death metal aesthetic all round. No worries there!

You have a new bassist in the person of Nik Sampson from Omicida, where actually your former bassist Dan Bate also plays. What was the reason for Dan leaving and are you happy with Nik's performance so far?

- Dan made a choice to leave as our schedule was too much for him with his family, and it's an admirable decision that I totally respect him for. He is a good man. As is Nik, too. Indeed, we are happy with him, else he wouldn't have stayed around. He fits in well with our sense of humour also, and that is an added bonus.

You recently played a show at the Beyond the Grave festival. It was a 2-day festival with lots of participants. What was it like? What setlist did you perform there? As I can see, you will be very busy in 2024, I have already counted at least 5 confirmed festivals for you. Are you planning regular tours for next year as well?

- It was hot and sweaty, and grimy because it was in London... but I loved every minute of it. We did change the set list around a little for this one, as it was needed since we played in London last year. I think we will soon be totally re-vamping the live tracks once the new album is done, so we may bring back some unplayed tracks as well as favourites. We will see, as there's only a certain amount we get to play live, I wish we could play them all.

This year was the 30th anniversary of the "Transcend the Rubicon" album, and for the first time Back On Black reissued all 11 tracks on one vinyl, which is great. What memories do you have of this record? Do you keep in touch with drummer Ian Treacy and bassist Frank Healy?

30 years is a long time ago, so the memory can get a little blurred. I guess beer was involved also. I remember the recording very well, as Karl Willetts and Jan-Chris were in the studio with us, along with some friends, and were doing backing vocals. Then we went out on tour in '93 around Europe with Atheist, and that was absolutely magnificent. Fond memories were made on that tour. And long lasting friendships.

Speaking of reissues. A completely annoying and yet totally unofficial 7" reissue of "The Grotesque/Ashen Epitaph" was released recently. What do you think of bootlegs like this? I guess no one told you there was going to be a release like this, did they?

- There was no consultation with me about it. I've heard that the quality is very bad, so it will really be down to the individual person if a copy is to be bought. I don't care for it at all.

In addition to Benediction, you are also active in many other extreme underground formations. Are there plans for new releases with any of them in the near future?

- Absolutely! I'm currently working on a new project called Sand Cadaver, and will soon after write for a new Stygian Dark album, new Down Among The Dead Men album, and then the next Hellfrost And Fire album. Plus, if anything else comes along the way I'll be doing that too... maybe a new Formaldehydist also.

You currently live in Copenhagen, Denmark. What's the metal life like there? What is your favorite store to buy vinyls? What were the last five vinyls you bought?

- I buy a lot from a Danish website called iMusic, and head into the city to record shops such as Accord and Sound. I also try to buy from Danish sellers on Discogs, and in fact I have a couple of packages on their way to me now. I really ought to slow down for the time being and focus on Xmas... and maybe listening to the ones I've already bought this last month! The last 5 vinyls were Mountain "Nantucket Sleighride", Metal Massacre VI, Tom Waits "The Black Rider", Slayer "Undisputed Attitude" and Black Sabbath "The Sunday Show BBC Broadcasting House, Live".

Many of your old musician friends are still in the game, in bands such as Cancer, Carcass, Napalm Death or the more recent Memoriam. Have you listened to any of these bands' latest releases? What do you think of them? Do you have any absolute favorites among them?

- I heard some of the latest Napalm Death, which was outstanding! I also got a listen to the new Carcass (well, last year wasn't it?) and found that pretty damn awesome too. Strangely enough, I don't listen to a lot of death metal these days. There's a couple of bands that I'm dedicated to, but for the most I'm into desert rock, stoner and old heavy metal and rock. I guess I'm mellowing in my old age, but I do LOVE to write and record death metal. It's in my veins!

Benediction is one of the few death metal bands in the underground that has stayed with their label since the beginning. How is this even possible, I mean from 1990? What kind of deal do you actually have with Nuclear Blast? I mean, how many more albums are you still under contract for?

- I can't really answer that since I was out of Benediction for 23 years and don't know all the details. Since my return there has been a wonderful relationship which shows strength and maturity in both parties. It can only grow stronger through time... especially when they hear the power and might of the next album.

In closing, please give your final thoughts to the Ukrainian Benediction fans. And if I missed something important, please add it here. Thank you very much for the interview.

Check out these two albums that are my favourite releases of 2023: Triumph of Death "Resurrection of the Flesh", Queens of the Stone Age "In Times New Roman...".