Decided to post this exciting update a few days early!
I am excited to announce that the Metal Blessing Radio band of the month for May 2009 is none other than I Built the Cross! IBTC has gained quite a following over the internet recently, and for good reason. Their killer brand of brutal technical death metal has been getting lots of deserved attention lately. IBTC's debut album titled "Bridging the Gap Between Mind and Heart" is scheduled to be released within the next few months through Open Grave Records. This will definitely be a release you wont want to miss!
I had the opportunity to interview the band and here is the full interview below:
MBR: Hey guys, thanks for doing this interview. If you would, please introduce yourselves, and your roles in the band.
IBTC:Gare - Vocals
Reed - Guitar
Jason - Guitar
Zak - Bass
Steven - Drums
MBR: Your debut album “Bridging the Gap Between Mind and Heart” is scheduled to be released very soon through Open Grave Records. How many songs are planned for this release?
IBTC: According to the contract it'll be a full ten songs!
Just under 40 minutes. Party on.
MBR: I seem to remember reading that you had used a drum machine for the benefit of better recording quality. Are your songs going to be re-recorded for the actual album?
IBTC: What you've read remains true. Better recording quality wasn't the only motive though, however. We actually did it in the first place due to lack of a real drummer. Yes, the four songs we have on myspace will be re-recorded and released on the full length. Hopefully we'll be able to give a fresh breath of air to the older songs and keep them enjoyable to the fans.
MBR: What can you tell us about the cover art for the new album? Can you explain the intended meaning behind the artwork?
IBTC: No problem. The original concept we used as a rubric was to get a design that shows the torso of a body opened up, and a bridge leading from the mind to the heart. As you can tell, the actual album art isn't exactly what we were looking for verbdum, but we were well pleased with what we recieved. The meaning behind the imagery is that intellectual acceptance of the validity of christian beliefs must be connected with a personal desire to have a relationship based on love with the big guy upstairs
As I've once heard it worded "What I belive in my heart must first make sense in my mind."
That's the concept we were trying to get at.
MBR: There is no question that I Built the Cross is a ministry oriented band, but what is the preferred focus of your lyrics? By this I mean, do you prefer to teach, preach, or relate to real-life situations?
IBTC: Great question. We try to do a little bit of everything. I do have a heart to talk about things that other christian bands (not that I'm some spiritual giant that can take on what other christians are in fear of talking about or anything, haha) might not wanna go near, such as pornography and it's addictive and deceptive qualities (To Deface Grace). As a whole, we want to uplift and Glorify Jesus through our lyrics, regardless of the underlying content. We definitely do try to scream about "real life" topics though.
MBR: Have you received a lot of criticism due to your boldness and devotion to Christ? I’ve always said that as a Christian, if we are being criticized for our ministry efforts then that must mean we are doing something right! If you get hate mail just remember what Jesus said in John 15:18.
IBTC: Oh man, ahaha.
Since the start of IBTC about a year ago our faith has been challenged and criticized on a level we had not yet experienced. Every day a new kid would start the "stump the christian" game with us and point out certain bible verses (taken very out of context, like usual) attempting to get us to sound stupid. However, I'll be the first to tell you that we could not be more grateful! The amount that we've grown and learned due to people calling us out is not even explainable. For those of you that don't know, the verse says "If the world hates you, you should realize that it hated me before you", and boy does it ring true!
MBR: I like how you seem to have a good relationship with your fans. Not many bands take the time to commune with, and teach their fans Biblical truths. Do you think your blog posts have helped you bring your fans closer?
IBTC: Without a doubt. We've recieved plenty of messages telling us how much we've encouraged people and strengthened spiritual walks (don't take me wrong, I'm saying this in humility). It's been pretty amazing though. Even though we were the ones that typed the original blog subjects, we've learned so, so, so much through the debates that go on in the comments section.
MBR: Have you received a pretty positive response to your music in both the Christian and secular music scene?
IBTC: To our music? Absolutely. As a whole, people seem to be pretty interested in our style. Having said that, you'd be surprised by how many people judge our music based on how they judge our lifestyle. Take a look at the comments on our EP on itunes, and you'll see my point, haha. The quote "minus one star for christianity" sums it up.
MBR: You recently replaced your drummer, how is he working out for you? And has he been able to learn all your songs?
IBTC: Wouldn't know yet!
He's actually flying out here from Florida in about a week.
We have heard him play in his ex-band, and he was pretty darn good. I'd send the link so you could hear for yourself, but they took the music down since the broke up!
MBR: I see you are going to be playing at Cornerstone this year. Will this be your first performance, or have you been playing shows locally in Nevada?
IBTC: Hopefully that won't be our very first! haha. We're already scared enough as it is. To answer your question though, we havne't played any shows as IBTC yet. We're planning on playing at least a few smaller local shows before hitting up the stage at cornerstone.
MBR: What are some of your major musical influences, and what are some of your favorite things to listen to in general?
IBTC (Gare): well, my vocal influences are mainly Impending Doom and Whitechapel. I love how "powerful" their vocal style sounds.
As far as what I listen to on my ipod, I don't even know. I love Snow Patrol and Input.
IBTC (Reed): Anything from Andy Mckee,John mayer, and Erik Mongrain, to Between the Buried and Me, Beneath the Massacre, and Conducting from the grave.
MBR: If you could play a show with any three bands who would they be, and why?
IBTC: (Gare): Impending Doom (inspire us like no other), Whitechapel (Brutal), and Plea for Purging (their funny as heck).
IBTC: (Reed): I would like to second Gare.
IBTC: (Jason): Origin because I would like to see how they play live, Necrophagist because I would like to experience their technicality, and Cannibal Corpse becuase they have great stage presence.
MBR: Now lets find out a bit more about the band members. What are some things you guys like to do in your spare time? Does anyone have any hobbies?
IBTC: Well, aside from IBTC (and things involved in the ministry, like bible study), we don't really do anything! haha. We love to eat (for fun or comptetitively) and play video games till we can't see straight. That's honestly about it.
MBR: Off the top of your head, what is the one thing as a band that stands out as your most memorable moment or experience?
IBTC: When we first started the band, we typed the "why would a loving God..." blog, and when we woke up the next morning, there was a lot of negative (hostile, mostly) feedback and arguments against christianity that we'd never heard. It was really shaking and quite the trial.
MBR: Do you have any favorite scriptures, or passages from the Bible? If so would you mind sharing them with the readers?
IBTC: Galations 2:20
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
MBR: Lastly, I want to thank you for doing this interview. Is there anything you would like to say for anyone who may be reading this interview?
IBTC: Carefully examine your beliefs before dogmatically defending them...Oh, and GO HORDE OR GO HOME!
Subject: May 09 Band of the month - I Built the Cross 
Tue Apr 28, 2009 9:00 am
