Here's a Metal band moving up in the business with their own style and some amazing vocals from Veronica Freeman! This kick ass band has blown this writer away after being asked to check them out. These guys have already become popular overseas and have really been making their name known here in the US. The band originally popped on the scene out of San Diego California, like so many others, but this band isn't slowing down or taking any shit! "Uncreation" which was their debut release has gotten some rave reviews and they've even had the opportunity to open for bands such as Guns N Roses, Korn and Alice In Chains. This is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to telling you about this phenomenal group of people and their talent. What can they offer the world of Heavy Metal? Well the best way to know is just to sit down and ask the right questions.

Metal Monthly: Veronica, I just have to say first, thanks for this opportunity, I'm sure it's been fun trying to find the time in your busy schedule.

Veronica:
Well the thanks should go to you my friend. We appreciate the opportunity to get the word out about Benedictum. Yes, my schedule has been insane lately since we are gearing up for the release of our next album “Seasons of Tragedy” but any time I can get a chance to meet new people and possibly generate some interest in our music is a great time!

Metal Monthly: Hell I’m just going to come straight out and say it, after checking out the band and listening to the music, I’ve been thrown for a loop! You guys just KICK ASS! Your music and your vocals alone have their own unique style. You have a new fan here girl! What sort of advice would you give someone just starting off in the business?

Veronica: Wow, that is a cool question. I would definitely say “persistence” is the key. This really needs to be something that you LOVE to do. Surround yourself with people that have integrity and have YOUR best interest at heart. Believe me in this business that quest alone will keep you very busy. There are a lot of negative people out there, this business is rough enough without that so make sure and check out who you are with as well as what you are about!

How much of the overall CD creation process are you involved in ?

Veronica :
: I would say every aspect. Pete Wells and I write the majority of the songs together. I get inspired by his riffs and throw out the lyrics and melody. Jeff Pilson (formerly Dokken, now with Foreigner) has taught us so much in the way of song writing and production. But I make myself available every step of the way so that I can learn more about the process and keep involved with where it is going musically and conceptually.

Metal Monthly :  What would you say is the one thing that drives you to succeed ?

Veronica
The fact that I have always wanted to do this. I have been performing for a long time and now it just seems that some of the right elements have come together that allows me to pursue my passion. I believe that if you truly are passionate about something you will succeed at it on some level.

You’ve played in lots of places. Where do you personally feel Metal is strongest ?

Veronica : As far as the market for metal, especially the style that we do, I would say metal is very strong in Europe. The United States is starting to make a come back as far as having room for more diverse types of metal but there was quite a while where you just had to go out and seek different bands it wasn’t like they were in your face like the market once was. Although I have never been to South America, I hear there are some serious Metal Heads down there! Can’t wait to meet them. But all in all , wherever you go you find individuals that just LOVE their metal, and a lot of different types of it to.
That is what keeps it interesting!

Metal Monthly : Do you have any particular regimen to keep yourself fit vocally and physically ?

Veronica :
Absolutely none and I kick myself in the ass about it all the time. I do think that I take my voice for granted. I sing with a lot of power and it is rough on my voice, I keep promising myself that I will take better care of it so hopefully I will follow through wit that… hey that would be a great New Years resolution!
Metal Monthly: I'm sure you've been asked this question many times, but just wanting to cover all the bases for some of our readers and the fans of the site that have not been given the opportunity to check you out. Your name, Benedictum; ok I just have to know. Where did this come from, who's idea and the meaning behind it?

Veronica: Who came first us or the Pope ha ha. I had written a song calle “Benedictum” many years ago with Pete Wells (guitar player). That song came about because I had a “writers block” and just want coming up with cool lyrics or melodies. I finally got so frustrated that I just started making up sounds… they started to fit the idea I was looking for and I converted that into some phrases in Latin. The name Benedictum has its root in the meaning “blessings”. When we first were shopping for a deal and Locomotive took us on they didn’t like our name which at the time was Regime or something like that.. they hear the song Benedictum on our demo and decided we should be called Benedictum.
A few months later… the new Pope was elected… that was a cool coincidence.

Metal Monthly: Now I've read that you write all the lyrics for Benedictum. Could you let the readers know what your influences were and even still what got you first interested in moving towards a music career?

Veronica:
I am influenced by things experientially and other times I just pick a subject I am interested in and write about that. It depends on the music and how I am moved. As far as first moving towards a music career, well I am still in that process. Craig Goldy (DIO) is a long time friend and has been very instrumental in pointing us in the right direction and giving us advice. He has a program called “Destiny Bridge” which I would recommend to others as well. It has a lot of info based on his experiences etc. Right now I would love for this to turn in to a lucrative career but let me tell you, it is expensive to be in a band at this stage,  I call this our awkward adolescent phase, still growing but not quite there yet. It is not like it was “back in the day” where large labels threw money at you indiscriminately. We struggle sometimes, especially being in the States and playing mostly in Europe. I wouldn’t miss it for the world but it would be a blast to some day have this pay the bills ha ha!

Metal Monthly: We can’t mention Benedictum without going into whom else is behind the name. These guys stand out on they’re own as well. We have Pete Wells, Chris Morgan, Blackie Sanchez and Jesse Wright. How did you all hook up and get this going?

Veronica: We have all known each other for a while and most of us had played with eachother in one band or another over the years or at one point in time. We just finally decided to come together and try to make this project a reality. We now have a new drummer named Paul Courtois and a new keyboard player too named Tony Diaz.
So we are changing and growing along the way.

Metal Monthly: I’m sure your fans would really like to know what’s going to be coming our direction in the near future….Any hints?

Veronica: Straight out! I am very excited about the new album. It is called “Seasons of Tragedy” and it will be released in Europe on the 11th of January 2008 and here in the United States on the  4th of March 2008. We have some cool guests on this CD too.
The mighty George Lynch stopped by to loan us his talent on two tracks, we have Manni Schmidt (Grave Digger) who does a dueling solo with Pete and of course on the limited release digi-pack will be our dear friend Craig Goldy throwing down another masterful solo! Jeff Pilson also produced this album and he also plays the bass on a track with George Lynch. That was cool to see! I think this album is a bit heavier and some tracks find us stretching ourselves a bit to grow musically. I hope people enjoy it!

Metal Monthly: You’ve managed to make your way over to myspace, which to be honest is one kick ass way to network your music and build up your fan base. How’s it feel keeping it real with the fans?

Veronica: I wouldn’t have it any other way. We have the myspace site and our official site which is www.benedictum.net and I make it a point to answer every email that comes via the site. Pete is always on that myspace site making new friends and hooking up with cool people. It is what keeps us connected.

Metal Monthly : Describe Benedictum in one word :

Veronica :

VALIDUS
(latin word meaning powerful and forceful)

Metal Monthly : Where can new finds go to find you on the World Wide Web ?

Veronica :
www.myspace.com/benedictum
www.benedictum.net

Metal Monthly : Any words for the readers of Metal Monthly ?

Veronica : I am never at a loss for words ha ha!! I just want to express how cool it is to be able to communicate with other lovers of music out there. This is a way to let others know we exist! Thanks for giving us the opportunity and I hope some of you readers out there will give Benedictum a listen!

Metal Monthly: Damn, it’s that time I hate the most! Ending this interview, but of course it’s been great talking to you and I wish you all the best with your music! A special thanks goes out to all of you! Keep it real guys and keep Kicking Ass!