David Ingram – „ Няма смисъл да порастваш, ако понякога не можеш да се държиш детински.“

David Ingram-“There’s no point being grown up if you can’t be childish sometimes.”

An interview with the legendary voice of Benediction, Down Among the Dead Men, Echelon, Bolt Thrower.

1.Can you tell us where you are now and what are you at currently? Which of the project you participate at, is holding your attention?

Hello Rhiannon, thank you for the interview! Here’s what I’m currently working on:

DOWN AMONG THE DEAD MEN: A project with me and Rogga Johansson. We’ve just completed recording of our third full-length album “…And You Will Obey Me” which will be out on Transcending Obscurity Records.

ECHELON: Another with Rogga, and also Travis Ruvo (among others.) We’ll begin recording our third album, as yet untitled, in 2018. Also signed to Transcending Obscurity Records

URSINNE: A band featuring myself and Jonny Pettersson, and now also Sonia Nusselder. Our debut “Swim With The Leviathan” was recently released on Transcending Obscurity Records, and we will begin our second full-length, 2 disc album in 2018.

HELLFROST AND FIRE: Myself and Rick DeMusiss make some Celtic Frost and Hellhammer worship, with original songs inspired by the aforementioned bands, as well as some cover versions. Planned date is….also 2018.

JUST BEFORE DAWN: Live shows are booked for 2018, so keep an eye out for us. If anyone knows of good festivals we could play then drop us a line.
TROIKADON: The triple fronted band with me, Kam Lee and Karl Willetts, also with Rogga, Jonny Pettersson and Travis Ruvo. Out in 2018

Holy shit, 2018 is going to be one busy fucking year!

2.You have released great death metal album in old school tradition with Ursine. Your “Britain” death metal vocal style matches perfectly the unmistakable Swedish guitar sound. What is the idea of “Swim With The Leviathan”?

Jonny contacted me to see if I’d do a guest spot for one of his releases, and I mentioned we ought to do a full length together. That became the debut album, and now with the addition of Sonia Nusselder we are planning out 2nd album for next year already. Tracks are slowly being constructed.

3.This year you recruited Sonia “Anubis” Nusselder as a bass player, young girl at her 18 with good experience in death metal. Tell us more about her? Do you believe that she has the potential to become the new Jo Bench as an example? In comparison to the 80s, is it easier nowadays to become metal musician?

I think Sonia already has a good standing in the scene, and doesn’t need to stand in the light of other musicians. She is incredibly talented and will make an even greater name for herself in the future. I hope I’m still around to see it.

These days, musicians can have a hard time starting out BUT they should learn to use the technology at their disposal to gain a greater audience.

4.The extreme scene is lot more feminized in the recent years in comparison to the 80s and 90s. When you listen to some death metal bands you cannot really recognize if the vocal is male or female. There are female vocals that are in no way inferior to the male vocals. What is the reason for this to happen? Do you think it is a good tendency?

It’s definitely a good thing, but I don’t think it was quite as rare as some people think. One of my favourite bands is Bathsheba, and their album “Severus” is constantly on my iPod and stereo at home. Michelle (their vocalist) is a good friend of mine, too.

5.In the beginning of 90s, when I was listening to a band, I was able immediately to recognise if this is Karl Willetts, Dave Ingram, Mark Grewe and etc. Don’t you think that currently there are way to many bands that sound very alike 90s and do not build their own identity at all?

I love that bands keep flying the old school flag, and I don’t see a problem with it. Not all of them sound like clones, as there are some with that unique style that sets them apart from the rest. I love to hear these type of bands…Hell, I’m old school myself!

6.As I mentioned already, you have really strong, authentic and emblematic voice, which is still that strong as in the beginning. What are you doing to keep it like this? How did to work out your timbre, your vocal techniques? Which are your influences?

Influences were (still are, too) early Venom, Amebix, Celtic Frost, Crass, Rudimentary Peni, Jethro Tull and – of course – the legendary Kam Lee. He IS the guy that invented this style of singing!

I try to take care of my voice to keep it strong. I quit smoking about 6 years ago and that really helped. Not just my voice but my lung capacity too.

7.What is the situation with Down Among the Dead Men? You have two really good albums with them. Can we expect any development?

We’ve just completed recording of our third full-length album “…And You Will Obey Me” which will be out on Transcending Obscurity Records in 2018.

8.What is your opinion on bands oriented more in technical death metal?

It’s not totally my thing, but I can appreciate the musicianship involved in the creative and recording process. Those guys put a lot into their work, and that really does demand respect.

9.I often ask emblematic figures in the death metal this question – which vocal fits best Bolt Thrower in your opinion?

I was a fan of the band before I joined, so I heard Karl all the time. When I was asked to join it was a REAL fanboy moment! As for the vocals, I think both myself and Karl fitted to the periods we were both in the band. It’s how bands work.

10.Recently you performed with another legend of the British death metal – Karl Willetts. What was the occasion and what was the atmosphere, emotions?

That was the Memoriam show where I came on for a guest spot to sing the Bolt Thrower track “Inside The Wire” with them. It was very emotional, considering the path that both myself and Кarl had trodden to get to that point. We had both been through some pain, and that initial time brought an end to it. It was very emotional, but incredible fun. If people haven’t seеn it then I suggest the search for “Memoriam Inside The Wire Eindhoven 2016” on YouTube.

11.Are you still close with the musicians you worked back in 90s? Which are they? Do you miss something or someone from that time? Who do you want to work with?

I speak to Frank from Benediction, and also the rest of Memoriam. I sometimes email Jo from Bolt Thrower, but these past few months I have been very busy and neglecting a lot of people…something I need to rectify. Memoriam are awesome, and as I said before I cannot wait for the new album!

12.Would you perform on stage with Lady Gaga, as Metallica did? If yes, what would be the price?

I’m guessing a lot of people would say NO to this, but I sure would! I quite like her kookiness, and I thought she was great in both the seasons of American Horror Story that she was in. (“Hotel” was exceptional!) So, yeah…I’d love to perform a song with her. Maybe one of the Ursinne tracks, probably “Bullet Bitten” as it’s a tribute to Lemmy.

13.May you share interesting moment/moments from tours or concerts?

Oh man, there’s WAY too many to list, as it was always a good time. I think playing with GWAR in 1991 (when Benediction played in Copenhagen) was a good memory. It was when GWR were touring for my favourite album “Scumdogs Of The Universe” so I got to see them soundcheck in street clothes. Fucking awesome! Other times? Well it was always a blast in the studio when recording. I cherish my memories of that – and touring – with Bolt Thrower, and I always will.

14.Do you believe that Benediction has lost its authentic presence after you left the band? What is the real reason to for you to leave the band?

My departure from Benediction was simply because I had been kept out of the information loop (gigs/tours/recording) and wasn’t told, or even asked in advance, about any events. I got pretty tired of it, and when I moved to Denmark I told the then manager that I had to be consulted for every decision. Again I wasn’t, so I quit. That’s why I left.

15.What differentiate the British death metal scene from the rest? Do you believe that the British bands in 80s and 90s have their specific and unique appearance compared to the bands from US and Sweden?

There was definitely an different sound and edge to the British bands at that time. England was quite industrialised and I believe that added to the sound and feel of the music. It gave it a dirty edge, while US bands had that ‘clean’ tone. Sweden just turned everything onto full volume. Those crazy Vikings! (I should know, I have lived among the Danes for 20 years, and have been adopted by them!)

16.Would you perform in a project with clean singing? Something like doom in Black Sabbath style and how would such project sound?

I’d be interested to try, but I’m certainly no clean singer. It may sound terrible! Thing is, I am starting a solo project (more of a hobby at the moment since I am so busy with MANY other things) which will incorporate some clean singing, if I think it sounds good enough. A Black Sabbath sounding one? Hmmm….I’ll have to ask Rogga and Jonny if they’d be into that.

17.Is there anything in musical aspect that you wanted to do but you did not manage yet?

I’ve sang on some industrial-esque tracks via Rogga, but I would very much love to try my hand at something along the lines of Godflesh. Maybe my solo project “A Gravid Mind” can incorporate that.

18.Do you have favorite bands?

Absolutely! Queens of the Stone Age, Black Sabbath, Kiss, Iron Maiden, Amebix, Jethro Tull, Slade, Kyuss, Desert Sessions, Eagles of Death Metal, Celtic Frost, early Venom and Venom Inc, Delia Derbyshire, Fever Ray, De La Soul, Duke Ellington, Woody Herman, Benny Goodman….I could go on forever, really.

19.Tell us more about the person Dave Ingram. What is your credo in life, your philosophy, ideology?

My credo is a quote from Doctor Who, said by the Fourth Doctor (played by Tom Baker) and it is this. “There’s no point being grown up if you can’t be childish sometimes.”

My philosophy of choice is Satanism. It resonates with me as I resonate with it. I am a member of the Church of Satan, and have been elevated to the degree of Warlock. I’m sure this will inspire many questions in people, so I suggest you visit www.churchofsatan.com and read the FAQ section.

20.What is your advice to anybody who just decided to enter the music business?

Don’t sell yourselves short, ask for more than you’ll need and then you’ll get closer to what you actually wanted. Be aware of people in the industry around you and make sure you read the small print! If you have a passion for what you do then let it drive you. Also, make sure you trust all the people you are directly involved with. If you don’t then it will cause problems a lot longer down the road. Stay true to your art. No compromise.

21.Benediction is a cult here in Bulgaria among the death metal fans. Would you visit Bulgaria with any of your bands?

Most certainly! In fact, in 2018 JUST BEFORE DAWN are playing live shows so if anyone knows of anything that would be suitable for us then feel free to contact me at any of the links listed below. Additionally, Ursinne would like to tour in 2019 so there is that option for the future as well.

22.Please, say few words for MH18 audience.

Many thanks for this kickass interview! I hope everyone enjoys reading it as much I did answering, Keep the scene alive, be true to your genre, and support whenever you can. And with that…here’s some links that may be of interest:

www.facebook.com/MetalBreakfastIngram – Personal Profile
www.facebook.com/DownAmongTheDeadMen
www.facebook.com/MetalBreakfastRadio
www.facebook.com/DaveIngramOfficial
www.facebook.com/LambertsBasement
www.facebook.com/EchelonOfficial
www.facebook.com/UrsinneBand
www.facebook.com/Troikadon
www.metalbreakfastradio.com
www.darksentinel.dk

Twitter/Instagram/Tumblr/Snapchat: @MetalBreakfast

And here is some FREE music. It’s my old band Downlord.
http://www.metalbreakfastradio.com/Downlord.zip

And finally…my current top 5 albums (for 2017):

Memoriam – For The Fallen
Paganizer – Land Of Weeping Souls
Venom Inc – Ave
Bathsheba – Severus
Queens of the Stone Age – Villains

Hail Satan!

An interview made by Rhiannon and MadButcher