Chris Barnes is a Heavy Metal vocalist who spent 26 years innovating the Rock movement. From 1988 to 1993, Barnes spent time with his band Cannibal Corpse from Buffalo New York, by which he branched off in 1993 with his current band Six Feet Under stemming from Tampa Florida.
He gained additional fame by forming a death metal band from Turku Finlad in 2002 called Torture Killer. A musician who “likes a well-told story” and it is an honor and privilege to discuss that well told story in regards to Six Feet Unders’ new album Crypt of the Devil coming out May 5th, 2015. Without further adieu, MetalMachine give you Mr. Chris Barnes!
1.From the era 0f 1988 to 1995 when playing with Cannibal Corpse, death metal, and thrash metal had more of a cult-underground following. After a while it became more mainstream.. Would you say that there is such thing as art being “too mainstream?” Does the mainstream distort your musics popularity in any way?
Well there is good and bad to the exposure within the mainstream. On one hand, you want as many people to understand your music and its message, but the way the media shows your style of music along with the internet can have negative outlooks to what you do.
2. While transitioning your time from Cannibal Corpse to Six Feet Under in 1993 and establishing your band Torture Killer in 2002, would you say that your style of music evolved or changed through transitions? Essentially what are the different interpretations from each group? (I.E. Eaten Back to Life (1990) For Maggots to Devour (2003) Warpath 1997)
Actually I simply take it from song to song.. No matter what, the point is to first and foremost let the music dictate and lead you along the way. Where it leads me depends on how I felt during that time. Basically just make a sound and get into it from that point on.
3. Your style of singing is mostly known for its low death snarls and growls. What appealed you that style, and how do you maintain that voice for so long?
At the time I felt it out and took the sound as it came. What I did was try to match the sound of my vocals with the depth of the guitar as I shifted my tone of voice.
4. What drew you into metal? While guys like Black Sabbath and Grateful Dead paved the road, was there a particular story you wanted to tell?
I wanted to examine the emotion and aggressive feel that I had and see how it matched with the instruments. So it wasn’t so much of a story, but rather the emotionality behind it.
5. What do you think of the stigma towards heavy metal? In other words, like other forms of entertainment, music gets blamed for current violence. How do you break that stereotype in regards to your own philosophies? Besides the small “bible” towns, society passed that stigma.
I feel that stereotypes of this musical genre are more of a passed thought. This goes back to your first question in regards to reaching the mainstream. Time moves forward, and people from that era are now in nursing homes, and are no longer around to stop it. The under-ground is now meeting the masses, and people are not getting frightened of the movement like they used to. It eventually became a “catch-23.”
6.Lets talk about Six Feet Under and your new release of Crypt of the Devil. Congratulations on the finished project by the way. You mention its taken from the perspective of a serial killer. When you go through the list ranging from Gruesome to Eternal Darkness, does the character you project have one continuous story, or is each song self contained?
Its actually not necessarily taken from the mind of a serial killer. Its more fragmented and instead based on the dark part of the human perception and the shadows that dwell in our souls and spirits. Its basically about the morbid actions of humans. I also worked this out from the basis of horror films, and the fact that some things can be so shocking especially if we have never been exposed to them before. For example, people who look at art ponder about things that they are not used to causing a dialogue which doesn’t necessarily have to be about metal. This takes them on a journey with their self, and forces us to not be as frightened. Eventually the mystique is sketched out.
7. You state that this album is a “winding journey through your mind.” Elaborate. What makes this journey different from other iterations in regards to your music?
Well (in regards to his journey) I am not trying to get far away with what I do well. Rather, its a feeling of perfecting what I do to its best. Whats different about this story line, is how the darkness is being carried. It concentrates more on the presence of darkness and the dark feeling being given.
8. You say the songs are not “necessarily linear.” Please explain that. For example, is Lost Remains on a different plain than The Night Bleeds?
Well for instance, Lost Remains deals with a victim or soul who is lost and alone. The idea that they could be dead or not exist in a field somewhere, and no body would know who they are. The Night Bleeds deals with the idea of all lost souls being lost, and people not existing as a collective.
9. Would you say that Crypt of the Devil is your Magnum Opus, or is there always a step further to take? What can us Metal fans expect? Fans can expect that I am always moving forward. I’ll never be O.K. with thinking that a certain album is “my last”, because there is always something else to give.
10. You have stated “We’re here for a reason, and we’re gifted by life for sure.” How does your personal beliefs incorporate into your music? Is there this complex message your trying to send your fans, or at the end of the day is it just mere show biz? I tend to use my own philosophies and things I often wonder and feel about in my music. We as people are always learning about ourselves and I like to use symbolism and metaphors in my work.
Its an honor and privilege to have you shed some light, or should I say darkness with MetalMachine.net and teaching us how to keep the headbanging movement alive and kicking. HORNS UP! MetalMachine will keep your legacy going for sure.
BY: ADAM VEGA
