Phil Demmel plays guitar for Machine Head and has since 2002. The band recently finished up its tour with the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival, and took the time to speak with Editor Ellen Eldridge about his role in the band and his contributions to the forthcom
ing release, Unto The Locust due out on Roadrunner Records Sept. 27.
After admitting to Phil Demmel that I especially liked the first and last tracks on the forthcoming Unto the Locust, he told me track one, “I Am Hell” and the closing track, “Who We Are,” act as bookends where the outro acts speaks like an epilogue to the story-telling throughout the album. Instantly, Demmel back-tracked to clear up any misconception that Unto The Locust is a concept album by saying, “Each song is so different, like a different chapter” connected by the musicianship of Machine Head. “Each song acts like a ride;” some rides more closely related to roller coasters and some more like the Haunted mansion, but all are “full of emotion” and, “If you read through the lyrics you can see how these songs are therapeutic for us.”
On which songs did you contribute to the lyric writing?
”Be Still and Know,” and on “Locust” I came up with the concept; the metaphor of a locust for somebody who comes into your life under false pretenses – as a co-worker, a friend, lover, etc. – and robs you of your resources. Then, when discovered, they just fly away and into the next person’s life. I’m sure you know someone like that!”
Do you want a list? (smirk)
What other songs did you contribute lyrics to?
For “Pearls Before Swine” I contributed more of the concept – Robb [Flynn] had lyrics, and I came up with writing the story of addiction – not any particular thing, though. I am a big fan of the show “Breaking Bad” so I took the ideas of something slimy, dirty, not hopeful at all.
The concept or idea behind “I Am Hell,” the opening track, dealt with telling a story of a pyromaniac – a female because, apparently, females have a higher percentage of involvement with arson, and crime in general, from passion and love, which makes them more dangerous. I imagined a pyromaniac writing in her journal about the process – realizing a sickness existed, and writing about the feelings surrounding the obsessions.
We had the music first and I wrote some lyrics that Robb fit for the cadence of the song – as he does with all contributed lyrics. Some words or phrases just fit the cadence better.
What do you have to say about the moods across Unto the Locust?
The moods of the lyrics fit the music like on “I Am Hell” the mood is burning – literally – with fast, angry music and guitar work. “Be Still and Know” has more of a mood indicating hope, struggle, and a knowing that the light at the end of the tunnel is light inside of you. That’s been on my mind a lot lately, keeping me going.
Was there a greater sense of pressure when recording Unto The Locust due to the critical acclaim and success of The Blackening?
No, no pressure. We probably felt more pressure in writin The Blackening, but with this one we just had to write a record we liked and were all proud of, which we did.
How did playing on the Mayhem Festival benefit Machine Head?
We got to play on the main stage for half the tour and I think the combination of aggression and melody won over a lot of Godsmack, Disturbed, and Megadeth fans.
If you could sub in with any band that ever existed, what band?
Metallica (no hesitation in this answer). We grew up in the Bay area so we saw them before Kill ‘Em All – everybody in a metal band owes a lot to Metallica
Have you ever been star-struck?
(laughs a little) Well, back in 2000 with Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi, all the guys in Black Sabbath. They were so good, so legendary, such humble, and down-to-Earth, awe-striking guys.
What live show has most impressed you?
I saw a band called Muselast year. They had such great music and an amazing light show. I also saw Rammstein – what a spectacle of flames and fire!
What fall metal release are you most looking forward to?
Mastodon should be pretty good and Lamb Of God has a new one coming out next year, I think.
Be sure to check out Unto The Locust Sept. 27 and stay tuned for the next U.S. tour for Machine Head!
Be sure to visit: http://www.machinehead1.com/news.html
Interview conducted by Ellen Eldridge
