Q: Where is Monotheist from?
A: Orlando/Gainesville, Florida area
Q: How long has Monotheist been together?
A: Originally, Monotheist was just Mike composing the music by himself but he decided that he wanted to take the band a bit further, so he began recruiting people. Mike and I were introduced through a mutual friend and we immediately became good friends and band mates.
Q: How many members are in Monotheist? Names? Instruments?
A: As of now, we have Michael Moore on lead guitar, Elyssa Coultas on bass and singing clean vocals, Xander Rodriguez playing rhythm guitar, and Kirk Cowart.
Q: What is the age range of the band members?
A: 17-22
Q: What (if any) is the message behind Monotheist’s lyrics?
A: We are a Christian band and we try to witness to people by portraying Christ’s sacrifice and his love.
Q: Who are your biggest influences?
A:
- Extol
- Opeth
- Death
- Immortal
- Dawn
- Necrophagist
- Pulse ultra
- Daylight Dies
- Katatonia
- Epica
Q: In general, what has Monotheist been up to lately?
A: Mike and I are working on recording my vocals onto the new album, “Unforsaken”, and we’re also planning out the EP that will shortly follow up this first album. Along with that, we are working on organizing and filming a music video in the near future.
Q: How do you categorize Monotheist’s sound when people say “What kind of music is it” Death, Black, Metal, What?
A: We have more of a combination of different styles such as death, doom, black, gothic, thrash, ethnic, folk, acoustic and even jazz. “Unforsaken” has a heavy, fast feel but also has melodic riffs.
Q: Any Monotheist members from other bands, or currently working on other projects?
A: Yes, Mike has multiple side projects and bands alongside Monotheist and Xander has another band, Black Willow Trail. Mike and I have actually started three side projects together. We are planning on composing an gothic/operatic metal song, we’re working on a Christmas album and we have a Christian worship band.
Q: Any plans for the next CD yet, or are you still working on supporting the current release?
A: Well we’re working on finishing up the first CD, but yes, we’re also brainstorming ideas and songs for the next album and the album after that. We’ve already completed one song for the EP and we’re working on two or three more songs. Our third album is going to have a more ethnic but dark feel to each song.
Q: Besides Monotheist, what are the various band members into when not, touring, rehearsing, recording music?
A: Mike is really into primetime TV shows like Lost, 24, and Prison Break. Elyssa likes to draw, likes photography, and like opera and ballets.
Q: What is your opinion on the current state of the world? (terror, the war in Iraq, and so on…)
A: It’s pretty obvious from one look at the world around us that we are in a state of severe moral depravity, which I’ve come to believe is the result of a lack of God’s influence in people’s lives. People have shut out the true Word of Christ, motivated by greed and selfish desires to gain their own ends, which lead to wars and death beyond what most people even know.
Q: Anything I left out that you want to say?
A: Thanks for the interview and God bless. Thanks for the support and keep spreading the word.
be sure to visit Montheist’s MySpace page.
