Interview by Angela Croudace
For fans of death metal, Benediction needs no introduction. With a history that spans decades, the band has continually pushed boundaries, proving that their music is not only timeless but still relevant today. As the band gears up for the release of their highly anticipated album Ravage of Empires, we sat down with Daz Brookes, one of the founding members, to chat about their enduring success, the return of Dave Ingram, and what’s next for the legendary group.
It’s been over 30 years since Benediction first made its mark on the death metal scene, but for Daz, it still feels like the dream is alive. "I’m living the dream, man. That’s what I wanted to do when I was a kid, and I’m still doing it at 56 years old," he says. "I still get the same buzz I did when I was younger. I’m still excited about gigs and new releases. I’ve got no intention of giving up yet."
Perhaps one of the most significant moments in Benediction's recent history was the return of Dave Ingram to the fold for Scriptures. After a 21-year hiatus, the reunion marked a new chapter for the band. Daz recalls, "It was almost like he'd never left. It felt natural, like nothing had changed, despite all the time apart. We’d had some awkward years after he left, but time heals all, right?"
Their reunion was not just about the past, but about reinvigorating the band for the future. "When it came down to writing the album, Dave put his vocals exactly where we’d expect him to," Daz explains. "It felt like he’d never been gone."
On the new album, Benediction continues to evolve musically. "We don’t do album fillers," Daz insists. "We want every track to be strong, and that’s what we’ve been doing for years now." Despite the challenges of distance - Daz and guitarist Peter Rewinsky live in the UK, while Ingram resides in Denmark and Gio in Italy - the band’s writing process remains a collaborative one. "We send riffs back and forth, and when we all come together, it’s like a well-oiled machine."
When asked about the current state of death metal, Daz doesn’t mince words. "It’s become a competition for speed and extremity," he says. "Everybody’s trying to outdo the last band, and it’s kind of losing its essence. When we perform, whether it’s in front of 70,000 people or 500, it’s the same feeling. People are singing our songs, and that’s what it’s all about."
Benediction’s music remains grounded in simplicity. "We don’t need to reinvent the wheel," Daz adds. "We just do what we do, and people respond to that. Simple is good."
As the band heads into their Europ
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