(In this new edition of Andy Synn‘s interview series devoted to lyrics in metal, he got input from Bryce Seditz of the Ohio band Plaguewielder.)
We – and that’s the collective we, not the royal we – have been big fans and followers of Ohio Blackened Sludge-bringers Plaguewielder for quite some time now.
You may even recall that we were lucky enough to host the premiere of their latest (and greatest) album, Covenant Death, back in March – and I can confidently say that it’s still one of my favourite albums of the year so far.
So, for this particular edition of Waxing Lyrical I/we thought it was high time we caught up with Plaguewielder vocalist/guitarist Bryce Seditz to find out exactly what it is that fuels the band’s thematic fire.
BEGINNINGS…
I started writing when I was 10 or 11. This was before I started listening to Metal. I’d write out my thoughts and lyrics for whatever I thought I was doing then.
But when I was 12 I was in a band singing and that’s when I started taking it more seriously.
So, in general, I’ve been writing for a long time now.
For Plaguewielder I’ve been the main songwriter and lyricist since the first incantation of the band.
INSPIRATIONS…
In terms of my inspirations, I guess it’s just from life, dreams I’ve had. Feelings of helplessness and worthlessness. depression and anxiety. That sort of thing.
On our latest album, Covenant Death, I wrote a song about my Grandma, Betty, who had recently died. So inspiration comes from a lot of different places.
Horror movies and documentaries are also a big thing that inspire me lyrically, and I also like to come up with lyrics while having conversations about personal shit with friends. It just comes naturally to me.
For the last album I had some lyrics for 3 of the songs when it came time to record vocals. I wrote everything else on the spot.
I’d sit at my computer, write lyrics, pattern them, and record them. It’s the best way for me.
I used to sit and replay the song over and over and write everything down on my phone, but it was too tedious and left me questioning a lot of my ideas.
On the spot is the way go.
INFLUENCES…
There’s a quote from Choke by Chuck Palahniuk that’s one of my all time favourites.
“Even after all that rushing around, where we’ve ended up is the middle of nowhere in the middle of the night”
It resonates with me in the sense that as people we spend most of our time rushing around doing this or that, hoping for this, wishing for that, but we always end up in the in same place as before, thinking about what could have been.
CHANGES…
If anything writing lyrics has gotten a lot easier with time. Its more free flowing now.
Being able to record on my own has helped my writing out a lot. Just being able to record my ideas and hear them back goes a long way. I don’t really question it any more.
SOMETHING OLD…
“A Corpse’s Caress” was written about a dream that I had.
I was walking down the street in a busy place. I turned a corner and came back to the same spot I was at before, at which point I noticed that everyone I just saw was much older now.
At some point during the dream I realized that I was a vampire and I was watching everyone I loved die and experiencing the pain of immortality
all I perceive
has passed me in shadows
and all I love
left to erode
sink my teeth
in virgin skin
the cold caress of a corpse
SOMETHING NEW…
“A Death That Knows No End” was written on the spot. Its a very personal song and a lot of it is about the lifestyle I’ve chosen and being in a band.
There are many things that you sacrifice when it comes to being a musician, as I’ve learned over the years. I’m 31. Ive never been married and I don’t have any children. Most people out of high school don’t go on tours. They live a normal life. Get married and have kids. I guess I never wanted that.
All I’ve ever wanted to do was make music. So the thought of living a “normal life” never came into question. I just always wanted to be on the go. On the move. See where this takes me. That kind of thing.
It comes with a price though, which is why this song is so lonely and sad. It’s about all of the things I’ve given up on to be the person I am today. Which comes with a lot of regret about the things that I’ve missed out on.
I’ve fallen
descending in this hell
trapped within my mind
an everlasting spell
a death that knows no end
a love I can’t replace
haunted by memories
a life full of disgrace
all my fears have come to life
dwelling on the sacrifice
that comes with this life
hear my cries
as tears fill my eyes.
AND FINALLY…
Thanks to Bryce for participating. Plaguewielder will appear at The Maryland Doom Fest this year, set for Halloween weekend (October 28-31) in Frederick, MD. Details HERE.