A Whosoevers interview with Head and Fieldy

I just wanted to share a very special interview with Head and Fieldy of Korn. This interview (below) begins with the two musicians early years in high school and Korn and progresses to their respective conversions to Christianity. This interview is all the more remarkable in my eyes considering that Head and Fieldy were two fifths of one of the biggest metal bands in the world; Head chose to leave the band upon his conversion in 2005 while Fieldy decided to remain after his own conversion shortly afterward. Korn's influence within the metal world is undeniable, they were among a very select few groups of bands that launched the phenomenon that became known as nu-metal. Nu-metal's meteoric rise in popularity saw Korn launched into the stratosphere and join the pantheon of legendary metal and hard rock bands such as Black Sabbath, Led Zepplin, Metallica and Slayer. Similarly, along with material success, popularity and fame came with it a 24/7 party lifestyle of drugs, alcohol and sex. They were quite literally living like rockstars with the full legitimacy of actually being two of the most successful and influential musicians of the '90s.

This interview is testimony to the power of God that after the world had swallowed them up and spat them out leading to broken marriages, self-destructive addictions and depression that verged on the suicidal He would meet with them where they were, lift them up, heal and restore them. Several years have passed since the two men gave their lives to Christ and now they are using their talent and fame to help others know the love of God. Both men have released autobiographies documenting their journey to faith but until recently there had not been much contact between them. Again this interview is testimony to the reconciliatory nature of God's love that has brought both men back together again not just as friends or fellow musicians but as brothers in Christ - with a cause to see the lost saved. The harmony God so graciously blesses us with in our lives and relationships is beautiful and this interview is such an amazing reflection of this.

This interview means alot to me because my own faith has been encouraged so profoundly through their own testimonies and careers since becoming Christians. But it also means so much to me because of their history, because of the fact that when I was a teenager these two men, along with their band members in Korn were some of the most powerful cultural influences of our youth. Although I was always more into P.O.D. nevertheless Korn still played an important role in initiating my friendship circle into the world of alternative culture and nu-metal. I can still remember hanging out at my friends houses, their bedroom walls covered in Korn posters. Being so intimate with their careers makes this interview all the more wonderful because it truly proves the extraordinary power of the Gospel to bring light into darkness and hope into despair.

Enjoy.

The Whosoevers

The Whosoevers aren't exactly new, they were established in 2009 so have been around for a few years now, but while I have been following their events from a distance, casually taking a passing interest in them it's only recently that I've been really impacted by their mission and message!

So who or what are the Whosoevers? The founders of the Whosoevers are Ryan Ries, Sonny Sandoval (P.O.D.) and Brian 'Head' Welch (Love and Death/ex-Korn). The Whosoevers are a movement - a lifestyle and a positive stance against the depravity of the world and the artificiality of religion. The Whosoevers aren't a church or a denomination, they are a group of Christians prepared to live for Christ - their message is one of love and repentance leading to a personal relationship with God.

P.O.D. have been a major influence in my life for the past 11 years. They completely and radically revolutionized my view of Christianity. The Whosoevers are a natural extension of Sonny's career and ministry in P.O.D. - it is the part of Sonny's faith that lies behind the passion in P.O.D.'s music. Sonny's relationship with Christ and his experiences touring the world with P.O.D. have profoundly impacted his life and given him a heart to save the youth of today. It is this desire that led him to co-found the Whosoevers. Worship is more than music - it is a lifestyle and this is precisely what the Whosoevers are about: a true worshipful lifestyle.

The great thing about the nature of the Whosoevers is that anyone who is a Christian can identify themselves as a Whosoever based on the truth of John 3:16 from which the movement bases its name from:

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever shall believe in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

Seeing a movement that's not based around religion, a movement that is the very definition of grass-roots Christianity fills me with awe and excitement. And the Whosoevers are a grass-roots movement - the alternative music and culture that they are so intrinsically connected with is the vehicle with which they live out their faith, as an expression of the counter-cultural nature of the Gospel. Christianity is not about conformity to this world's values - it is about killing the flesh, dying to one's self and submitting to another: Jesus Christ. This is the culture that I was initiated into through P.O.D. but for so long they remained the sole source and reference of another view of Christianity. Now the Whosoevers has birthed that lifestyle as a movement for the Kingdom of God. That is a movement and a Kingdom I want to be a part of; a movement that stands for truth, love and hope. Therefore I am a Whosoever!

for more information: www.thewhosoevers.com

The Dark Knight Rises Trailer 3

Excited does not do this film justice. For over a decade my favourite film has been the Matrix; a film that was groundbreaking for its time with an intelligent plot, superb special effects and top quality fight choreography. The film had everything: style and substance, action and emotion, intelligence and spirituality, which is why for so long no other film has come close to touching its greatness in my eyes. That is until now. The Dark Knight Rises has the potential to replace the Matrix as my favourite film of all time. So what is so special about the Dark Knight Rises? The latest trailer is the best indication yet of just how good this film could be. I will now break down the reasons why I have such high expectations of this film:

Batman:
I want to start with the most obvious - the protagonist, Batman. Batman is my favourite comic book superhero - he's highly intelligent (an expert in criminology), he's athletic and strong with genuine martial arts training from Asia not just some conveniently endowed super powers; he fights out of a strong moral conviction in the injustice of evil and is the personification of the virtues he seeks to encourage in Gotham City. Above all he's a man with an unwavering sense of hope that Gotham is redeemable from the crime and evil that ensnares it. Very few other comic book environments take on anthropormorphic qualities such as Gotham City, it's as if the city itself is forsaken in the perpetual clutches of evil but Batman alone stands as the vanguard and bulwark of all that is good and decent and righteous. Christopher Nolan has truly captured the essence of Batman as a character in his portrayal of Bruce Wayne/Batman played by Christian Bale. Bale's Batman is a far more imposing physical specimen than any of his predecessors incarnations as well as having a far greater sense of authenticity from Bale's other action roles. What I love most about Nolan's reboot is his emphasis on Batman as the Dark Knight. This was a sublime and genius decision and piece of storytelling. The Dark Knight bears all the right connotations connected with the character of Batman: an edgy antihero that inspires fear and intimidation into his enemies as well as a servant, a guardian and a protector of all that is good in Gotham.

Bane:

Every great hero needs a great villain and the antagonist for Nolan's swansong is non other than the most physically dominant and one of the most highly intelligent villains in the entire Batman legend - Bane. While the Joker will always be Batman's arch-nemesis and the late Heath Ledger's iconic portrayal was a masterpiece that will stand the test of time, Nolan was right to keep Bane till last. While the Joker is pure evil - a self confessed "agent of chaos", Bane was the first villain to break into the Batcave and break Batman's spine, in the cult classic graphic novel Knightfall. There could be no better villain to end the trilogy than the villain who legitimately defeated the Dark Knight in the comics. This automatically creates the speculation, will the film stay true to the comics and will this be the end for Bale's Batman or is the allusion to the Knightfall story in the new trailer a red herring? Nolan has intelligently created massive hype for this film simply through Bane's inclusion, because of the vast amounts of options Bane as a character gives him. But just as Bale is a casting triumph, so too I believe is Tom Hardy as Bane. Hardy's shaved head, mask wearing Bane may seem far more human that the Lucha Libra masked, venom enhanced Bane of the comic books but he is altogether far more sinister. This brings me to what I believe is so special about Hardy's Bane: the voice. There is something innately sinister about not being able to discern someone's true voice. The distortion and muffled effect of Bane's mask upon his voice gives me chills. His image, his gait, his screen pressence is absolutely undeniable, when you see Bane on screen you are drawn in, compelled to watch what he does and yet terrified at the same time of the horror he is capable of unleashing.

Catwoman:
No Batman trilogy would be complete without Catwoman, Bruce Wayne's on/off love interest in the graphic novels makes her debut along with Bane in the Dark Knight Rises. Again like Bane, Nolan's inclusion of Catwoman automatically sparks interest and speculation - is she good or bad? Will she become Wayne's girlfriend or sidekick? Will she meet a happy or tragic end? The casting of Anne Hathaway came as a suprise to some but like the rest of Nolan's casting I am sure it will be vindicated. From the latest trailer Hathaway's Catwoman is true to the comic books and will play an instrumental part in the story's conclusion. I am very much looking forward to the interplay and chemistry between Batman and Catwoman as hinted at in the trailer.

Technology:
Where would Batman be without his gadgets? Batman Begins introduced the Batmobile, the Dark Knight the Batpod and now the Dark Knight Rises the Batwing. The scale of the final film is truly phenomenal judging from the trailers, from the opening prologue of an aeroplane heist, to all out civil war and an aerial battle with the Batwing.

Films get bigger and better every year so it takes something very special and extraordinary to break the mould and stand above all the high tech special effects. Everything in the Dark Knight Rises trailer suggests this film will be one of the greatest films of all time. The trilogy has amazing depth in scope, storyline, character development, casting and action.

Love and Death 'Chemicals' EP review

'Chemicals' is the debut EP from Brian 'Head' Welch's new band Love and Death. The EP itself is but an appetiser for the forth coming debut album to be released later this year. The EP consists of five tracks, lead single Paralyzed, Devo cover track Whip It and title track Chemicals, along with two remixes of Paralyzed and Chemicals. Immediately fans of Korn and Head's solo album will hear the trademark signature guitar sounds that made Korn so iconic back in the mid to late 90s. To the informed listener 'Chemicals' sounds like a band with a strong sense of identity: Brian has managed to evolve his style further through the blending and syncronising of his efforts in Korn and his solo endeavour. The music is heavy, at times crushing and at others atmospheric, but every chorus containing infectious hooks. Brian has managed to capture the energy that characterised his earlier riffs with Korn that made their music so dark and powerful.

Lyrically, Brian reaches into those dark aspects of his past and continues his cathartic exorcism of his former demons. The lyrics will resonate very strongly with those who appreciated his solo album as well as Korn fans who found a voice for their pain and struggles in Jonathan Davis bearing his soul. Brian and his new band members have crafted a strong gothic image for Love and Death and this is reflected in the subject matter of the lyrics. 'Chemicals' is a dark and edgy EP that has rediscovered Brian's unique guitar style that reverberates as powerfully across the heavy music landscape today as it did back in 1994. If 'Chemicals' is anything to go by Love and Death are a band that will satisfy the cravings and longings of many heavy music fans for years to come.

My only criticism of the EP (and it is a minor one considering the calibre of the tracks) is that it is so short. Only two original songs, plus a cover track and two remixes. However, the EP serves perfectly to put Love and Death on the map ready for the full length album later in the year and is still great value for the low price its available for on itunes.

The Lord of Hosts

It is hard for me to articulate just what I experienced tonight. Tonight I had one of the most profound spiritual experiences of my life. There was a point tonight where I felt as if I almost literally connected with eternity, or rather eternity connected with me as God manifested His presence and spoke through His Word. The Word was brought tonight by an intern, an unassuming type of guy who had a talent for understatement so this experience was certainly not through some demagogical manipulation. No God spoke through His Word - His God breathed, Spirit inspired Word. That is the power of revelation where the boundaries of human comprehension end and God illuminates.

"A son honours his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honour? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name." Malachi 1:6


Malachi was communicating God's dissatisfaction at the priests of Israel who were offering blemished sacrifices in the Temple. A blemished animal was no sacrifice at all as it had no value. To offer such an animal to God was an insult to Him as it would not have been fit to give to human authorities let alone the Creator of the universe and the personal deliverer and salvation of Israel. I was convicted of the times when I have been half-hearted in my devotion to God, when I have failed to truly grasp the magnitude and majesty of the holiness of God. Tonight I felt swallowed up by the granduer of God, completely and totally inconsequential compared to the enormity of God. The reality became so grave as I sat there listening to the sermon it blew my mind in the fullest sense of the term. We often misuse words and expressions until they become meaningless but tonight I was in awe of the Lord of Hosts. 


The worship songs afterwards were well chosen and conducive to the praise due God's holy name and I joined in full voice with the choruses of "Hallelujah", very seldom had that word carried with it its fullest connotation before but now that word seemed the only appropriate response to the knowledge and revelation of God tonight, at least as far as human language goes. As I sang the words and reflected on the message from Malachi it was as if time stood still, as if in that moment I was before the throne of God not that I could see it with my eyes, just feel it in my spirit. The words from Isaiah chapter 6 came to my mind and the power of Isaiah's vision became so vivid to me:


"In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory!”

And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!" 

I don't expect people to fully understand my experience tonight, some may dismiss it but I hope that maybe even if only in a small way you may meet with God and fall before His throne giving Him the reverence due His name of the Lord of Hosts.

P.O.D. Lost in Forever review

Four years after the release of their last album, P.O.D. are back with a new logo and a new single. 'Lost in Forever' is the first single off of the band's forthcoming album 'Murdered Love' due to be released on the 19th June. 'Lost in Forever' will feel very familiar to die hard P.O.D. fans; instantly the catchy, anthemic choruses that made P.O.D. so famous back in the era of nu-metal hook the listener with the simple yet rememberable lyrics. Musically the song showcases P.O.D.'s penchant for blending melody with distorted riffs and is a great example of the band's evolution into hard rock that 'When Angels & Serpents Dance' pioneered. After listening to 'Lost in Forever' it is clear that on the band's own personal spectrum this is a very radio friendly song, chosen to give the band as much exposure through radio and media as possible. Indeed this song will appeal to the die hard and casual fan alike.

This single is a statement, on the one hand it is a musical statement that the band is still relevant and still belongs with the current generation of chart music and on the other, a lyrical statement that the band have not forgotten their identity that made them so unique amongst their peers. As in previous P.O.D. singles lead vocalist Sonny Sandoval manages to craft lyrics that will resonate with his audience on several levels, placing his finger upon the crux of the matter, appealing directly to the human condition: "Am I just hanging around all alone in my mindless haze...we live and we die. Given to faith and fear. When my time is over, where do I go from here?"

Long time listeners of P.O.D. will immediately recognise the many sonic elements that define guitarist Marcos and drummer Wuv's distinctive style. Bassist Traa's low end rhythms adds depth to the track and completes the song's accessible yet well crafted sound, while Sonny's vocals exhibit his quirky, hip-hop tinged yet soaring melodies. Overall this song draws listeners in compellingly and opens up their imagination as the music and melodies compliment the lyrical themes giving this song an almost ethereal like quality while remaining firmly accessible to the casual listener.

'Lost in Forever' is available now for download on itunes and expect the music video soon. 

You can listen to the new single on P.O.D.'s website where there is a link to the itunes store.

www.payableondeath.com

Simon's Tale Part 2: Encounter

Simon stared at the ceiling of his room; his wife lay next to him soundly asleep impervious to the thoughts that kept her husband awake. As Simon lay still, horizontally on his mattress he couldn’t help but think of Jesus’ dead body wrapped from neck to toe in his burial cloth laying in that cold, dark, empty tomb. Time passed, slowly but eventually his eyes begun to droop as his eyelids grew heavier and heavier until he fell fast asleep, his body desperate for rest.

                 

The next morning Simon awoke, it was the Sabbath and the day of the Passover festival. All the preparation had been done the day before and all that was left was to partake of the meal. “I can’t believe you got involved in that man’s execution!” rebuked his wife; “how come the Romans chose you?” she said disapprovingly. “I don’t know…” replied Simon his voice somewhat distant as he reflected on the bizarre turn of events: “Maybe they didn’t? Maybe it was the Lord?” “The Lord?! Don’t speak foolishly Simon; the man was a condemned criminal.” “Condemned yes, but a criminal? I’m not so sure; you didn’t see him didn’t look into his eyes – you were not there at the end like I was…” Simon’s wife gave him a searching look trying to comprehend her husband’s strange attitude. Rufus and Alexander ran to the table eager to hear their father’s story. “You carried his cross-beam papa? Why did they kill that man?” Simon stroked Alexander’s hair affectionately; “Why didn’t he carry his cross-beam papa?” Rufus asked naively. “He couldn’t carry his cross-beam Rufus because he was too weak, you see the Romans are a very cruel people and they treat criminals without any mercy. He was flogged many times before being executed so his body was already hurting.” Alexander’s eyes lit up in astonishment and shock. “And they killed him dear Alexander because he said many things that angered the Chief Priests and the Pharisees.” Alexander scratched his head unable to understand why anyone would be killed over mere words. “What was his name?” “Jesus, his name was Jesus” replied Simon reverently, and then smiling and gesturing towards the kitchen encouraged his sons: “now go and help your mother the meal is nearly ready!”

                

The family sat around the table and gave thanks to God for the meal and for rescuing their ancestors from Egypt; as they began to eat Rufus commented “Jesus… that is a common name; what was so special about this man?” Simon startled by the question stopped chewing and reflected, there had been something special about this man but what was it? After giving it some thought he gave an answer hoping it would abate his young son’s curiosity: “well this Jesus had a sign above his head that read ‘King of the Jews’ it was commissioned by Pilate, the Governor of Jerusalem so this man must have got into trouble with the Romans.” Rufus seemed content with his father’s answer although it had triggered a train of thought in his father that he was unaware of. Seeing her husband’s vacant look, Simon’s wife interrupted her husband’s musings: “let us not forget why we are in Jerusalem and what we are celebrating this day! We are remembering Adonai’s mercy to us in sparing the first born sons of our ancestors from the angel of death!” Simon nodded in agreement and smiled as he finished his lamb. “Adonai is good and faithful my dear; we are eternally indebted to the Lord for all the kindness He shows”. Simon had no sooner responded to his wife than he realized the symbolism of Jesus’ crucifixion. “You know the name Jesus means ‘Adonai saves’ –like in the Passover, when Adonai saved our ancestors by the blood of lambs as a substitute. This Jesus, well what if he was the King of the Jews…what if he was the Messiah foretold long ago?” His wife looked at him thoroughly annoyed by now at her husband’s constant speculation, “the Messiah is meant to free our people; this man died a criminal – you carried his cross-beam yourself! Be reasonable Simon how could he possibly be the Messiah!?”

                 

The next day Simon awoke to hear the sound of animated voices and the sound of many feet hurriedly running to and fro outside. He propped himself up on his elbows, his eyes half shut and still blurry “wh…what is going on?” His wife rubbed her eyes and listened just as perplexed as Simon. Simon got up out of bed and put on his sandals and went outside. Grabbing the person closest to him he asked what the commotion was all about, “they say he’s risen! The man Jesus whom they executed just three days ago, apparently he’s alive again!” Simon let go of the stranger’s arm and with a puzzled expression on his face looked down the street as if he half expected to find Jesus walking along it in his direction. In the distance Simon could hear many voices: “Have you seen him yet?” “His tomb is completely empty!” “Apparently there were angels”, he went inside to find his wife looking worriedly at him: “how can this be? It is impossible!” Simon shrugged his shoulders; “I don’t know my love…could it be true?” Then all of a sudden behind his wife he saw a man clothed in white, beautiful and fair. Turning to see what her husband was staring at Simon’s wife gasped in astonishment as the man raised his hands to reveal the holes the nails had left and simply said “Simon”.

                 

Jesus’ voice was loving and kind but carried with it a sense of authority. Simon and his wife bowed upon their knees, their faces to the ground in fear. Kneeling beside them Jesus placed his hand on Simon’s shoulder and commanded “arise”. Simon and his wife slowly got to their feet and cuddled each other for support. Tears began to stream down Simon’s face as he was filled with remorse for his involvement in Jesus’ execution. “Do not cry Simon, for there was no hatred in your heart as you bore my burden. I have come to thank you for helping me to fulfil my destiny, for my hour had come and everything that transpired that day was ordained by my Father.” “Your…your Father?” asked Simon timidly full of amazement that there was no anger in Jesus. “Yes my Father who is in Heaven” replied Jesus his eyes bright and glowing. Simon let go of his wife and walked towards Jesus a huge smile appearing on his face: “you’re not dead!” he began to say gleefully, full of relief that his doubts about Jesus’ innocence had been proven true. Jesus laughed with Simon and nodded his arms open wide as if to receive him, “that’s right Simon; I’m not dead but have been brought back to life. I will shortly return to my Father in Heaven and you will no longer see me. I want you to follow me Simon, you and your whole family. I want you to return to Cyrene and tell people there of me. I am the Son of God, your Messiah and one day I will return.” “My Lord” Simon replied full of admiration and reverence. Simon’s wife trembled with guilt: “forgive me Lord for I did not know, I…” before she could finish her sentence Jesus interjected but without any condemnation in his voice: “all is forgiven. Have faith my child and teach your two sons of my teachings. Go find my Disciples, seek out the eleven, they will teach you all you need to know.” With these words Jesus left them.

                 

Simon and his wife praised God and began singing joyfully at meeting the true King of Israel. Alexander and Rufus came through to find out the cause of their parents’ happiness and were picked up into their parents’ arms. “We have seen Adonai!” cried Simon in excitement and the four continued giving thanks and praise to God. From that day forth, Simon and his family became disciples of Jesus and took the message of the Gospel back to Cyrene where they shared their testimony with all the people.