Déa: Tell us a little about yourself...
Demented: Aeturnus Dominion is a five piece, bastard metal band that play a hybrid blend of all metal genres fused to an old school backbone. Formed in early 2003 the current line up consists of Jesse Aiken (Jester / age 30) on vocals (original member), Ted Foster (Demented / age 38) on guitar and vocals (founder/original member), Grant Campbell (Thrax / age 32) on guitar and vocals (joined July 05), Tait Kristen (Spud / age 20) on bass and vocals (joined early `04 on guitar, left early 2005 rejoined on bass November `05) and Steve Austin (Ozi / age 30) on drums (original member).
Déa: What have you got in store for 2006?
Demented: Well our first CD `Semper Tyranis` (2004) is due out for re-release through Grindhead Records late Jan / early Feb. This will be followed by our second release, `Psychotic`, which after many months is finally complete. At the moment we are working on brand new material for our third recording which has the working title of `Annihilation Process`. We have some new merchandise in the works and a couple of video shoots also pending. 2006 will also see us get down to the southern states for a long overdue gig or two.
Déa: You mentioned the possibility of a music video...
Demented: You mean other than our high quality `Meathook` & `Holocaust` ones made from live footage? Haha… Yeah we have already looked into doing a professional video shoot for a song or two and have a few ideas floating around.
Déa: What is the inspiration behind your latest material?
Demented: The pending `Psychotic` CD features primarily back catalogue songs. We felt we needed to record them and put them behind us. The new stuff we are currently working on though is where we are today. It`s a little more intricate and heavier, but retaining some groove.
Déa: How hard has it been to get to this point?
Demented: We have been lucky and received great support from those within the local metal scene and due to this, we have managed to gather a solid fan base. But getting anywhere with music in Australia is a hard task at the best of times. It`s even harder when metal is your preferred choice. We`ve had a few set-backs, especially last year with a few line-up changes. Things were looking grim at one stage, but we`ve come through it all the better for it.
Déa: Where does your main fan base/support tend to lie?
Demented: Through the internet, we have managed to gain a global following, which is cool. We have a decent fan base in California and Canada, among other countries. Locally, I`d have to say our fans are primarily in the Sydney to Newcastle area and then spread throughout Australia.
Déa: Have you got a favourite song you like to play and is there one in particular you`ve noticed your fans have started asking for?
Demented: Haha...yeah this one is easy. Our fans love `Meathook`! This song is continually requested between every other bloody song at our gigs. But, it`s a ripper to play live, so it`s mutual. Although `Traumatic Amputation` ranks highly as the bands favourite. It has an awesome mosh riff in the verse!
Déa: If you were playing at a metal festival, who would you prefer was playing alongside you and where would that be?
Demented: I`d have to say sharing the stage at the `Wacken Open Air Festival` with Slayer, Iron Maiden, Carcass, Testament, Exodus, Bolt Thrower, Dark Tranquility and Napalm Death would be a fuckin` awesome experience. But even getting onto a local festival such as `Metal for the Brain`,`Bloodlust` or `Overcranked` with some of Aussie`s top metal bands would be wicked.
Déa: What would be your most memorable gig / performance to date?
Demented: Ahh... shit there are so many favourable ones…its hard to choose. The NYE gig we did with Dungeon was cool. So was the first `Metalstock`, but yeah its hard to pick just one. Our worst gig would be when we played at `Goredo Fest` (last year). It was to be the last gig for the original line up. Rat had announced his sudden departure and as it turned out, Spud followed a few days later.
Déa: Where can people purchase your music and merchandise from?
Demented: Our music is available to purchase online through Unsanitized Records via download sites or by emailing grindheadrecords@hotmail.com for CD purchases. All other merchandise is available by contacting sales@aeturnusdominion.com.
Déa: Anything you`d like to say to your fans?
Demented: Yeah, cheers for the support and hope to catch you at a gig soon. Stay Metal \m/.
All pictures courtesy of `Aeturnus Dominion`.
