IMR: Was there a plan that you were going to do a concept album or it just happened along the way?
Infernal Wrath(JP):Yes we decided on a concept before writing the material.
IMR: What feelings & images do you want to feed onto the listener’s mind with INSIDE OF ME's music, artwork & lyrics?
Infernal Wrath(JP):The message of self-realisation. That this is our journey. A journey we all take of life and its experiences. This album deals with all those who had realised the ultimate truth within their lifetime have spent a considerable amount of time spreading the message of what they had realised. Throughout the time that mankind has existed, many have reached this pinnacle. And the rest only merely followed the literal words & actions and never comprehended of what it actually means. Not only have their teaching have become the basis of every religion, but all of them, speak of the same universal values, which sadly only a few have understood.
When most of the scriptures are understood holistically, all of them explain the very same thing that the most important place to search for truth, the ultimate knowledge of the universe, is within ourselves.
In this album, we have shown the journey of this messiah - through the events that have been prophesied by these various prophets; the feelings, the emotions, the turmoil that he will go through under these extremely difficult scenarios. And His realisation of his true identity.
The Messiah is an archetype or essential aspect of our innermost being which can be activated and brought to the surface of our consciousness. That is, if we choose, we may express through our actions the attributes of the Messiah and take on his roles in our lives. The Messiah is within all of us, so in a real sense everyone is the Messiah. All one has to do is realise it.
What makes this relevant to our present global geo-political situation is that most of the foreign policies that are being made, the present conflict that are being pursued, the religious lobbies are putting a pressure on the governments of their countries to make political decisions. They are pushing their agenda so that it will fulfil these prophecies & their respective Messiahs shall ‘return’.
And it’s not just them. Anywhere there are propagating an extremely narrow-minded view of religion. There has been an increasing fear that the “End of Days” is upon them and the politicians, along with the priestly class of all major religions, are using this to keep the general masses in fear and hysteria to such an extent that under pressure, the people will want and demand those Armageddon like scenarios to actually take place, hoping for that elusive ‘Messiah’ to appear and save them from their plight.
So, in the light of the present scenario, we want to shed a completely different perspective, so that individuals can understand their true role.
IMR: How much material did you actually gather in total for INSIDE OF ME? Was it difficult whittling that down to what we see in the final piece?
Infernal Wrath(JP): It was not difficult, but it took quite some time for these 11 songs. First time we are working on a project like this. So at times there used to be long arguments and debates on the songs, both musically and concept wise. But all together we enjoyed all this time in the jam room while we were writing.
IMR: As for the lyrics, where do you usually obtain subjects for lyrics and what kind of issues do you mainly deal with?
Infernal Wrath(JP): We write on subjects we feel strongly about. Our lyrics deals with prophecies which have been written by sages and prophets of various regions and time. Some of these prophecies have occurred in history while some still remain prophecies. All we have done is that we took the prophecies which deal with the events preceding to the Apocalypse.
What makes it interesting is that these very verses are used by the priests and politicians to forward their self interest. We want to use the same scriptures to talk about life and realization of one's self.
IMR: What made you choose COUNTER CULTURE RECORDS for the release of INSIDE OF ME?
Infernal Wrath(JP): There is no particular reason for that. They have been very helpul to quite a lot of Indian bands and so do us.
IMR: Do you plan to tour for this release? What else do you have in the works for 2009?
Infernal Wrath(JP): Yes we plan to tour all the major cities for promoting the album. The Album promotional tour starts in September.
IMR: What is your vision for the band? What would you like to accomplish as an artist?
Infernal Wrath(JP): Vision of the band is to be honest, honest with one self and to be honest with our music and keep on writing music till we can. We would love when people love our album both musically and more importantly understand the concept.
IMR: The new album consists of 11 ambient/heavy songs. Can you make a small introduction for the songs?
Infernal Wrath(JP): The songs are very self explanatory. The song are in sequence of the narrative of the concept. The music helps experience the trails and tribulations of this 'Messiah' in the vast journey the album undertakes.
The song list is as follows:
1. Truth
2. Inside of Me
3. Turmoil
4. Behold Ezekiel
5. This Forever Lasting Journey
6. Funeral Pyre
7. The Swordbearer
8. At the Foothills of Palestine
9. The Creation of the Lotus
10. The Destruction of the Third Temple
11. Siddh Arth
IMR: Do you think the band has developed music wise during all these years? If so - in what way?
Infernal Wrath(JP): Yes. If you keep the same process on and on for years , you will be good at it. In all sense individual playing, composing songs, band chemistry, developing patients.
IMR: OK! And now for the last question: Would you like to give a message to your fans or to people who will come to see you live?
Infernal Wrath(JP): We thank all our fans for buying our album, to keep coming for the shows, thank you for all your support. Music is a performing art, so without you guys we are incomplete.
And once again we thank Pravin and Indian music revolution for all their support and time.
Pravin Prajapati(LordMessiah)
