3 minute read
MIDNIGHT
Advertisement
INTERVIEW WITH PROJECT MASTERMIND JAMIE WALTERS BY CHRISTOPHER J. HARRINGTON
In a press release by Metal Blade for Midnight’s January-released album, Rebirth By Blasphemy, Jamie Walters, aka Athenar, spoke of his life-long relationship with the label.
“Well, I sent a demo tape of my band to Metal Blade Records back in 1987. It only took them 32 years to respond, and guess what? They want to release a record? Patience is a virtue.” seem to be going anywhere, and the same with me; I’ve been wandering around since 1973 and don't plan on leaving anytime soon.”
Now that’s what you call “I’m a pretty boring person,” commitment. Walters laughs. “One-dimensional. My only interest in life “If anything, it speaks to the has been music. I was never long-term existence of the rereally interested in anything cord label and myself,” Walelse. I mean, if you give me the ters explains. “They’ve been option of listening to Bathory around since 1982 and don’t or reading a book, I’m listening to Bathory every time.” accuracy that Walters wades in. This is a punk record with Rebirth By Blasphemy contains technical refinement. It’s songs of endurance and guts. raw as hell, but crafted like a Take “Escape The Grave,” a basket made of angel’s hair. speed metal behemoth about Perhaps that’s the difference fighting against the inevitable, between the album and its era living with passion and force. of inspiration. It has a timeless Or the cryptic “Rising Scum,” a spirit, but a contemporary edge. protest anthem against obstaHovering between simultanecles in life, alive or dead. Every ous worlds, it is genre-less. song on the album is spirited with longevity, a homage to “It’s rock,” Walters explains. “I the sacrifice of rock. mean, things became punk so much later on because met“A lot of sacrial became too much. You go fice, that’s for back to metal in 1979, and if sure,” Walters that was around today, people says. “I’ve givwould say it was punk.” en up a lot of normal people One thing’s for sure: it is life type of things.” absolute. The blood, sweat and tears, a story as real as In classic Midthunder in the mountains. It is night fashion, Midnight. It is Athenar. It is Jathe record goes mie Walters. by so fast you’re left in a dust of “I’m not bright enough to bones, smoking make up a fantasy novel,” the night of red Walters laughs. “So, the stuff visions and dark that is there, it’s what I got; I light. Its presenhave no other legacy in life; tation is a repthat’s what it is. If you look me resentation of its up in the past as a kid, I don't method. Walters exist.” �� �� �� works fast. The record took a few weeks to record, and Metal Blade picked it up shortly thereafter.
And so, Midnight’s raw and punishing rock ’n’ roll is a reflection of a belief in one’s self, of one’s mission, of one’s purpose in life. It is existential and materialism refined. Pure expression. Complete dedication.
“I mean, how long can you possibly take,” Walters laughs. “It’s not like it’s a race to do anything, but when I’m ready to record it, I just record it; there’s never a thought of who’s going to release it, or what the format will be, or how many colors of vinyl it will be; I don't care. I’m going to record a record the way I want to.”
Repeated listens of Rebirth By Blasphemy will give you the sense of the confidence and
