1. Can you tell us a little bit about the band for those that have never heard of you before?
Stone Magnum is a Northwest Indiana/Chicago based heavy metal band, with obvious stylings from doom and traditional metal. Stone Magnum formed in 2010 and after a number of lineup changes and the release of a demo in 2011, Stone Magnum released our debut album on Chicago’s Rest In Peace Records in January of 2012.
2. How would you describe your musical sound?
I think the apparent sound of Stone Magnum harkens back to classic heavy metal music. Some would describe us as a Doom band, which could be an accurate assessment of our style, but I think we also capture elements of classic heavy metal as well. Unlike a lot of doom bands, Stone Magnum does not rest in a straight forward slow, drawn out style of music. We like to switch things up and have uptempo songs, as well slower powerful music. Some of the influences of the band are obviously Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Judas Priest, Venom, Pentagram, Candlemass, Count Raven to name a few.
3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
A great deal of our lyrics depict the disturbing side of man’s existence, and the forces controlling such. Throughout history man has been controlled by forces, both apparent, and unknown, and our lyrics can be interpreted in such a way that the narrator of the song portrays the role of those forces or beings who are in control of others, in most cases. Some songs are introspective, questioning the mind’s sanity, and contemplating the choices made throughout times of turmoil.
4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the bands name?
The name has no specific meaning. Stone Magnum is a name that has been kicked around for 20 years in different contexts. At one time it was a nickname given to me in a previous band, and it has just always been lying around waiting to be used in a band scenario. For this band, and the style of music we play, it seemed like the perfect title for our band.
5. According to the Metal Archives page, one of the members has a background in black metal, as a musician how would you compare that musical style to the more traditional slower metal the band plays nowadays?
Yes, I was a member of one of the early primitive American black metal bands. It really has no bearing on what we do in Stone Magnum. Stone Magnum is a completely different band and is comprised of actual musicians writing and preparing music that comes naturally based on our skills and abilities, rather than a pre-outlined script of the way a certain style or outcome should be. In the black metal bands, we wrote strictly for the purpose of sounding black metal. Stone Magnum is different…our songs are not written in such a manner of achieving this preconceived notion of how the band should sound..
6. What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?
I think without a doubt the best show so far, as far as crowd response and turnout was our show in Chicago with Macabre. It was a packed house and the response was great. The other notable experience for us was our spot on the 2012 Days Of The Doomed Festival in Milwaukee. The lineup of bands that were on that bill was a perfect compliment to the style of music that we play, so our music fit in perfectly with the theme of the festival and the audience in attendance. We’ve had a number of great shows. I think maybe the most memorable show we’ve played was our first show opening for the legendary Raven.
7. Do you have any touring plans for the future?
We have a few things in the works. I don’t believe Stone Magnum will ever be a heavy touring band, but we will take to the road for a few dates on the east coast in Late 2013. Of course we would entertain any offers that come our way as far as extended tour dates, but the situation would have to be ideal for us.
8. The new album came out on R.I.P Records, how did you get in contact with this label and how would you describe the support that have given you so far?
Our debut album, Stone Magnum, was released on R.I.P. Records in January 2012 on vinyl only format. The album was recorded with our previous 4 piece lineup, prior to the addition of a new bass player and permanent vocalist. R.I.P. Records is a label that I have worked with in my previous band, and they have always believed in the music that I’m involved with. R.I.P. was also somewhat responsible for Stone Magnum developing into a full blown band, since initially there was no concept for the band until R.I.P. heard a couple of crude demo songs and immediately began it’s agenda for the formation of a permanent band to perform these songs.
9. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of doom metal?
Everyday Stone Magnum is picking up fans in every corner of the globe. We don’t do much promotion, and have remained somewhat hidden from the mainstream doom and metal circles, so we expect this will take time before all self respecting metalheads notice the power and majesty of Stone Magnum. We are an underground band, and plan to always be underground, so this suits us fine. 99% of feedback and reviews from our debut album has been met with much praise and positive response. We think that with the release of our upcoming new album “From Time…To Eternity” that another step in exposing more people to our music will be taken in the right direction.
10. What is going on with the other musical projects these days?
Stone Magnum is the only musical project currently happening.
11. What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?
It’s hard to say. We have been categorized mostly as a doom metal band, which I think is a fair assessment given the styles of the songs and the subject matter in our music, and I don’t see that changing dratstically. I think as we gel as a band, and grow as musicans, the music could become more complex at times…or perhaps it could become simpler…or maybe not change at all. It really depends on circumstances, emotions, life situations as to how things will pan out musically.
12. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
We are all aging old men who have been around heavy rock/metal music for 30+ years or more, so the list of influences can go on forever. The obvious influences would be Sabbath, Purple, Priest, Candlemass, Trouble, Pentagram, Venom, etc… But really everything from The Beatles, Cream, Blue Cheer, Frank Marino, or Leslie West can be considered an influence. Also, huge influence is taken from old death metal bands such as Carnage, Dismember, Unleashed, etc…. While maybe we don’t replicate those sounds in such a way that it is apparent, they are all influences in some respect.
13. Outside of music what are some of your interests?
Shooting guns, Steel, logging, record hunting, going to concerts, and tactical defensive training.
14. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?
Thanks for the interview. Always keep your eyes open, and take notice of what is happening in the world around you….for those with eyes unopened..there shall be no mercy! Visit www.stonemagnum.com for more band info, concert announcements, merchandise etc. Visit www.restinpeacerecords.us to inquire about all of R.I.P. Records releases and propaganda.
Stone Magnum is a Northwest Indiana/Chicago based heavy metal band, with obvious stylings from doom and traditional metal. Stone Magnum formed in 2010 and after a number of lineup changes and the release of a demo in 2011, Stone Magnum released our debut album on Chicago’s Rest In Peace Records in January of 2012.
2. How would you describe your musical sound?
I think the apparent sound of Stone Magnum harkens back to classic heavy metal music. Some would describe us as a Doom band, which could be an accurate assessment of our style, but I think we also capture elements of classic heavy metal as well. Unlike a lot of doom bands, Stone Magnum does not rest in a straight forward slow, drawn out style of music. We like to switch things up and have uptempo songs, as well slower powerful music. Some of the influences of the band are obviously Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Judas Priest, Venom, Pentagram, Candlemass, Count Raven to name a few.
3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
A great deal of our lyrics depict the disturbing side of man’s existence, and the forces controlling such. Throughout history man has been controlled by forces, both apparent, and unknown, and our lyrics can be interpreted in such a way that the narrator of the song portrays the role of those forces or beings who are in control of others, in most cases. Some songs are introspective, questioning the mind’s sanity, and contemplating the choices made throughout times of turmoil.
4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the bands name?
The name has no specific meaning. Stone Magnum is a name that has been kicked around for 20 years in different contexts. At one time it was a nickname given to me in a previous band, and it has just always been lying around waiting to be used in a band scenario. For this band, and the style of music we play, it seemed like the perfect title for our band.
5. According to the Metal Archives page, one of the members has a background in black metal, as a musician how would you compare that musical style to the more traditional slower metal the band plays nowadays?
Yes, I was a member of one of the early primitive American black metal bands. It really has no bearing on what we do in Stone Magnum. Stone Magnum is a completely different band and is comprised of actual musicians writing and preparing music that comes naturally based on our skills and abilities, rather than a pre-outlined script of the way a certain style or outcome should be. In the black metal bands, we wrote strictly for the purpose of sounding black metal. Stone Magnum is different…our songs are not written in such a manner of achieving this preconceived notion of how the band should sound..
6. What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?
I think without a doubt the best show so far, as far as crowd response and turnout was our show in Chicago with Macabre. It was a packed house and the response was great. The other notable experience for us was our spot on the 2012 Days Of The Doomed Festival in Milwaukee. The lineup of bands that were on that bill was a perfect compliment to the style of music that we play, so our music fit in perfectly with the theme of the festival and the audience in attendance. We’ve had a number of great shows. I think maybe the most memorable show we’ve played was our first show opening for the legendary Raven.
7. Do you have any touring plans for the future?
We have a few things in the works. I don’t believe Stone Magnum will ever be a heavy touring band, but we will take to the road for a few dates on the east coast in Late 2013. Of course we would entertain any offers that come our way as far as extended tour dates, but the situation would have to be ideal for us.
8. The new album came out on R.I.P Records, how did you get in contact with this label and how would you describe the support that have given you so far?
Our debut album, Stone Magnum, was released on R.I.P. Records in January 2012 on vinyl only format. The album was recorded with our previous 4 piece lineup, prior to the addition of a new bass player and permanent vocalist. R.I.P. Records is a label that I have worked with in my previous band, and they have always believed in the music that I’m involved with. R.I.P. was also somewhat responsible for Stone Magnum developing into a full blown band, since initially there was no concept for the band until R.I.P. heard a couple of crude demo songs and immediately began it’s agenda for the formation of a permanent band to perform these songs.
9. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of doom metal?
Everyday Stone Magnum is picking up fans in every corner of the globe. We don’t do much promotion, and have remained somewhat hidden from the mainstream doom and metal circles, so we expect this will take time before all self respecting metalheads notice the power and majesty of Stone Magnum. We are an underground band, and plan to always be underground, so this suits us fine. 99% of feedback and reviews from our debut album has been met with much praise and positive response. We think that with the release of our upcoming new album “From Time…To Eternity” that another step in exposing more people to our music will be taken in the right direction.
10. What is going on with the other musical projects these days?
Stone Magnum is the only musical project currently happening.
11. What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?
It’s hard to say. We have been categorized mostly as a doom metal band, which I think is a fair assessment given the styles of the songs and the subject matter in our music, and I don’t see that changing dratstically. I think as we gel as a band, and grow as musicans, the music could become more complex at times…or perhaps it could become simpler…or maybe not change at all. It really depends on circumstances, emotions, life situations as to how things will pan out musically.
12. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
We are all aging old men who have been around heavy rock/metal music for 30+ years or more, so the list of influences can go on forever. The obvious influences would be Sabbath, Purple, Priest, Candlemass, Trouble, Pentagram, Venom, etc… But really everything from The Beatles, Cream, Blue Cheer, Frank Marino, or Leslie West can be considered an influence. Also, huge influence is taken from old death metal bands such as Carnage, Dismember, Unleashed, etc…. While maybe we don’t replicate those sounds in such a way that it is apparent, they are all influences in some respect.
13. Outside of music what are some of your interests?
Shooting guns, Steel, logging, record hunting, going to concerts, and tactical defensive training.
14. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?
Thanks for the interview. Always keep your eyes open, and take notice of what is happening in the world around you….for those with eyes unopened..there shall be no mercy! Visit www.stonemagnum.com for more band info, concert announcements, merchandise etc. Visit www.restinpeacerecords.us to inquire about all of R.I.P. Records releases and propaganda.
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