As They Sleep | “Re-inventing The Wheel Isn’t Always The Best Route”
aking their Solid State debut with their second album Dynasty, As They Sleep is really making a stir in the technical death-metal mob. Out of Michigan, this quintet has given aspiring musicians something to strive for by taking something boring and over-done; and mangling it into something you can’t look away from. Made up of Aaron Bridgewater, vocals; Nick Morris, guitar; Barry Gomez, guitar; Derek Kosiba, bass; and Tony Lukitsh, drums. It’s brutal, it’s face-melting, it’s, it’s…As They Sleep!
With an album title like Dynasty and songs like “God of War” and “The Third Reich”, there is an implied album theme. What kind of messages are you trying to convey throughout the album?
Aaron Bridgewater: Yes, definitely an implied theme. Basically, we’re just trying to convey the idea that re-inventing the wheel isn’t always the best route, I mean, if we keep doing what we’ve been doing (with greed and money especially) we’ll keep getting what we’ve been getting. Just comparing these ancient empires with ours kind of proves this concept the most. It’s a common theme in which ALL songs have individual significance.
“I mean, if we keep doing what we’ve been doing (with greed and money especially) we’ll keep getting what we’ve been getting. Just comparing these ancient empires with ours kind of proves this concept
the most.”The album art for this CD is very interesting. Is there any symbolization going on there?
AB: Definitely. The old man symbolizes a sort of washed up ruler/emperor left with old relics acquired over time. Maybe he’s a hoarder or a result of his own greed. It’s really whatever you want it to be. In the end, material possessions are just that, meaningless possessions.
Have things changed for you, as a group, since debuting with Solid State? Is it less stressful, or more demanding being signed?
AB: I definitely wouldn’t say less stressful but it’s tends to be stressful in a good way (laughs). Before we could take our sweet time with everything but now it’s very fast paced and exciting. We wouldn’t trade it for the world! Since debuting with SS we have grown even more as a band, we’ve all got the “go time” attitude towards everything now.
Did you do anything during recording on Dynasty that you wish to do differently on future albums?
AB: Yes. I wish we could make someone else do it for us. Just messin’! But anyone who has ever spent a lot of time in any studio will tell you it ain’t easy…
What was your experience working with a Mixmaster like Jason Suecof?
AB: Tedious would best describe that (laughs). It was definitely a cool experience though. I mean, the album sounds freakin’ awesome! He knows what’s up that’s for sure.
What is the agenda of this group? What things would you use to identify your passion for music?
AB: World domination. Or at least some free stuff. No, seriously though, we just want to keep plugging away and build this thing up as big as it can possibly get. I think things happen every day whether it be politically or just running up to the grocery store that help us identify our passion for music. Anything can be written about or inspire music. 
