In an ever expanding effort to expose and inform, we are pursing interviews from local bands, helping aspiring artists to connect with a broader base of listeners so that they can be converted to devoted followers. Again, through the miracle of MySpace, we were able to conduct an email interview with the articulate and insightful Aaron of Seattle based metal band 7 Horns 7 Eyes.

HC What inspired the name of your band?
7H7E It comes from the Bible, where in Revelation 5:6 it describes Jesus as a lamb with seven horns and seven eyes. Throughout the Bible, the number seven is used to connote completeness or perfection, so in this case, the seven horns describe that Jesus’ power is complete and perfect, and the seven eyes that his knowledge and vision are complete and perfect. It really is just a statement about the nature of God.

HC When did your band go from the dream stage to actually putting tracks down and going on the road?
7H7E This band is made up of members who have played in previous bands, and it actually spawned from the death of a previous band, so it was never actually at a purely “dream stage”. However, it officially began in March of 2006.

HC How would you describe your musical style?
7H7E We are definitely a metal band. Our music is dynamic, polyrhythmic at times, generally ambient, often quite epic sounding, and overall quite heavy.

HC Where are you at currently in terms of writing and/or releasing an album?
7H7E We begin drum tracking for our debut full length in just a couple weeks (late April 2009)!

HC Where can those interested best connect with you to find out about news, releases and tours?
7H7E Myspace has been our most effective tool of communication thus far, which also links to all other relevant internet locations (merchandise, YouTube, etc.): http://www.myspace.com/7horns7eyes

HC From the concept of your band, the makeup of its members and the lyrics of your songs, would you say that there is a prominent theme (i.e. religious, political, philosophical, etc)?
7H7E Our lyrics are written from a Christian perspective, and cover various subjects that we have either dealt with personally or can somehow identify with.

HC Where are you currently grabbing inspiration and/or frustration from and how has this been affecting your music?
7H7E The musical tone has largely been affected by Meshuggah (to a certain degree), as well as bands like Opeth, Swallow The Sun, and Strapping Young Lad. Lyrically it’s harder to pin down, although hearing a good sermon definitely helps!

HC What have been some of the most important lessons for you as struggling-artists?
7H7E I’m not entirely sure how to best answer this question, although we have definitely learned that in order to have the best chance at success, we need to be like-minded and transparent with each other in every way possible.

HC Are there any favorite/funny/scary memories from your current tour that you’d like to share?
7H7E We are not currently on tour, although when we played at Creation fest 2008 in George, WA our transmission overheated, and the fluid boiled over and caught on fire while we were crossing the Cascade mountains. We were very close to losing the entire van, and perhaps the trailer full of gear as well! You can view our three-part Creation video blog at http://www.youtube.com/7horns7eyesofficial

HC What has been your favorite tour stop so far? What new foods have you discovered (scary or good)?
7H7E we have not yet embarked on an actual tour, although four of us drove our van down to the NAMM convention in Anaheim, CA last February and enjoyed a few In ‘N’ Out burgers, which we do not often get to eat!

HC What has been the most challenging part of taking your band public?
7H7E We’ve encountered some criticism in regards to trying to pair Christianity with metal, but for us it’s a position that occurs comfortably and naturally, so it’s difficult to legitimately criticize.

HC Any words of encouragement for aspiring bands?
7H7E Write original music, approach all that you do with professionalism, and seek like-mindedness in band members’ goals and desires.

Becoming The Archetype (BTA) from their outset have set a high bar for what we will call technical-brutality. With this third offering, Dichotomy, they have added the elements of the enigmatic (a taste of Danny Elfman goes hardcore) and again taken their music to another realm of eardrum battering fantastic-ness.

The men of Becoming The Archetype have fashioned a medium that is solid in its execution and a beacon in the sincerity of its message. If you took your grandma to a worship service led by Becoming The Archetype, either the headbanger within would erupt or she would pass out, especially when she hears the BTA rendition of the classic How Great Thou Art.

Hardcore and worship is something that is close to my heart, understand that BTA is not a “worship” band, but one of my fondest worship experiences was when I attended my first Becoming The Archetype show. I believe it was also the first Young Bloods Tour produced by Solid State Records where I saw them at Chain Reaction in Anaheim (CA). You too will enjoy BTA whether you experience them live, in album or even partaking of some tasty In-N-Out. I recommend all of the above as these are good dudes with some great music.