*Hi Veronica, first of all I want to congratulate you about your new and excellent second album.

Now I'd like to know your musical course before BENEDICTUM ?

I had dabbled in a few projects here and there and really got serious later on in my life when I realized that it had become a passion for me.

*How did you arrive in the world of the music?

I was always a "creative"person, I loved dance, art and music. As far as the world of music as I am in it now, that really started when I met Craig Goldy and he encouraged me to sing Metal. I really didn't take all of that too seriously at first and stopped for quite some time. After a while I really missed it and started to sing in bands again and totally felt at home with "Metal". Once I met Pete Wells I think that was a major turning point because we really started to write music in a more serious way and I really enjoyed that vehicle of expression that music allowed me.

*How was BENEDICTUM formed?

Pete and I were in a band called Malady in San Diego for a while. We had fun with it and wrote a lot of music together but it really wasn't going where we wanted to go so we decided to make a change and start a new project. Enlisting the help of other musicians we had worked with in the past we started what is now called Benedcictum. Of course we were not called Benedictum at the time. We were kicking around a lot of ideas for names and things really got started when Craig listened to some of our rehearsal recordings and felt that this was something he could really get behind. He then introduced us to Jeff Pilson who agreed to work with us and produce a 3 song demo that we in turn used to shop for a record deal.

*Which are the influences of the band ?

We have a wide variety of influences, I love Rush, Dio, Dream Theater, Tina Turner, and old Mowtown, Pete loves old Ozzy, Pantera, Dokken, Fight, Jeese loves Pantera a highlight for Jesse was when we played the Gods of Metal in Italy and Down was on the bill and he was able to hang out with Phil and Rex!!! Paul our drummer loves all music but Dream Theater is one of his biggest influences.

*From where does the name of the band come from? And why this name?

Actually Benedictum was not our original name. It was a name of a song we wrote and that was one of the songs that was on our original 3 song demo that I mentioned earlier. At that time we were calling ourselves "Bound" but the label didn't think it was "Metal" enough and they really liked the name "Benedictum". Since we couldn't come up with anything else that they liked better we had to stick with that. It took us a while to get used to it though but now we are comfortable with it J.

*Why the drummer Blackie Sanchez left the band ? How the new drummer, Paul Coutois was recruited ?

We parted ways with Blackie due to musical differences. He wanted to see us go in a different direction musically and we weren't comfortable heading down that road musically. We were so lucky to find a replacement as fast as we did!! Pete had learned of Paul just days after the split with Blackie, Paul was playing in local band and they just happened to be playing a show that same week, so Pete talked Jesse and I in to going down to see him play. Paul had no idea we were coming to the show to see him play or that we were looking for a replacement drummer!! We were blown away with his playing live both his performance musically and theatrically! We approached him after the show and talked about him working with the band. So as it turned out, we had a suitable replacement within a week of the split with Blackie and we could not be happier!!! Paul is a terrific drummer, a great friend and leader in the band!!!

*For you what are the differences between "Uncreation" and Seasons of tragedy" ?

The main difference is the overall sound quality. Jeff Pilson did an amazing job producing Seasons of Tragedy!!!! We are all very pleased at how well the CD turned out. Another thing about the new CD is the diversity of the music.

*Have you a favorite song on this new album (and of course why ;-) ?

Actually that seems to change for me from time to time but I would say that I have two favorites right now. One would be the title track "Seasons of Tragedy" I feel it shows the calibre of musicians that cpmprise Benedictum. It takes the listener on a journey and was a bit of a departure for us and gave us a chance to try out a few different things on one song. The other would be "Steel Rain". It was cool to be able to do a song with not quite as much aggression in my voice. I had a chance to show the other side of my voice for a change.

*Where do you draw your inspiration for lyrics ?

I guess from all the crazy stuff that rolls around in my head… it's a jungle in there!! Really I draw from things I may be going through whether on a spiritual, physical or emotional level and then there are time when I just find a subject fascinating and will write about that.

*Your sound is more european than american, is it really what you wanted or it's not calculated ? and do you feel an interest for your music, your band, in your country (where metal music is not very popular today)? (because in Europe your band begins making a name!)

Yeah the whole European thing is quite a blessing for us. To be honest when Jeff first heard our music he made the statement that we had a very European sound. We just said "ok" not fully realizing what that meant. It was not intentional but I think just a combination of our collective influences and styles. Looking at it now I totally get it. Benedictum is definitely not a formula band. Our music comes from our roots. The music we grew up listening to.

There is some interest here in the States though as well, I think the whole thing is also reflective of the fact that Metal really doesn't get much play out here unless it is maybe one or two particular styles. That seems to be changing slowly and only time will tell how that will bode for us.

*What do you think some people tell that you are a Female Dio ?
*Personaly I don't think so, for me your voice is more similar to Skin (who was in the band Skunk Anansie), Lita Ford (in the end of the song "seasons of tragedy") and Tina Turner. What are yours influences, your models ? Do you work your voice ?

I LOVE it when I get called that! Who wouldn't? J But you hit it dead on with the Tina Turner thing. I think she is awesome and very powerful. Of course Dio was and is a major influence as well as many other artists from all styles of music. I try to listen to a lot of variety of music so that I can learn from other approaches and "mind sets" towards music and songwriting in general.

*How Jeff PILSON became your producer ? Who had the idea to invite George Lynch on two tracks ?
*Did you a fan of DOKKEN before ?

I was definitely a Dokken fan and that is why we were so thrilled to be able to work with Jeff as our producer. When we were doing the first album we were too intimidated to ask if we could have George Lynch involved. By the time the second album came around we had become very close to Jeff and thought it wouldn't hurt to at least ask. When Jeff told us that George would do something on the album we were thrilled. I got a call the day after George was in the studio, originally he was just going to do a solo on "Balls to the Wall" but Jeff informed me that he was having a good time and decided to do one more so he did "Bare Bones" as well. That was awesome! Unplanned, but awesome!

o There will be some gigs to support your new album ? a date
in France (the country least metal in the world but in june there will be Hellfest Festival with more than 50 bands on 3 days : Ministry, Opeth, Testament, Megadeth...maybe BENEDICTUM ? !!) ? and festivals the next summer ?
*You played in one of the biggest metal festival in the world, Wacken Festival in Germany; what memories do you keep ?

Now we would LOVE to play in France! We haven't done that yet so let's see what the future holds. At this time we do have some confirmed dates in Germany and are working on other dates while we are out there. France would be great. The confirmed shows at this time are the "Rock Harz Festival " and the Headbangers Festival both in Germany both in July. We should be coming back out to Europe again sometime in October 2008 as well.
As far as Wacken, that was a personal dream come true for me and an experience I shall never forget! I think the overall festival was run very professionally and we were treated like gold! I would love to do that again (soon!) J

*BENEDICTUM offers a perfect mix between heavy of the 80's and modern metal. What do you think of the musical evolution since the Eighties?

As with all things, change is inevitable. All things morph and grow so that is also the case with Metal. There is a lot of good stuff out there it is just unfortunate that not all of it gets the attention it deserves.

*What do you think of the Internet, the remote loadings, the mp3's...?

Again, things change. I think of lot of new music would not be discovered if not for the internet. It is like a double edged sword and really depends on the integrity of the person downloading. I know of people that download music and if they like it they go and purchase the CD. That to me is important, to just download music and not support the band behind it is rough. However so much music is out there and CD s aren't cheap so many find it a way to "try before you buy" and I can live with that I guess.
Sites like Myspace for example have really helped many bands, including ours by being a vehicle for others to see what is out there. We are grateful to sites like that and to fans and people seeking music!

*How do you see the future of musical industry?

Everything is really changing very quickly. Independent labels are everywhere, many people are producing and promoting there own albums so who knows where that will lead?

Now a few quick hits:
o First concert you ever saw ?
Led Zepplin

o Last concert you saw ?
Heart---- they were playing at an Arabian Horse show out here in Phoenix and they were flawless ! Just amazing !

o Worst concert you ever saw ?

Hmm I think I will pass on that one. I know what it is like to have a rough night so I wont
judge any one else J
o Best concert you ever saw ?

Would have to be QUEEN and RUSH

o First album you buy ?

I can't remember that far back ha ha but I would say Rainbow Rising was one of them.

o Last album you bought ?

Avantasia - The Scarecrow

o The most embarrassing album in your collection ?

NONE! I love all the albums and CDs I have collected over the years!

o What are your top 5 all time songs ?
Now that is hard to narrow down but this is what comes to mind.

Gates of Babylon- Rainbow
Book of Heavy Metal- Dream Evil
The Trees - Rush
Manhattan Project- Rush
Nutbush City Limits - Ike & Tina Turner

o And your top 5 albums ?

Queen II-Queen
Exit Stage Left- Rush
Tales of Mystery and Imagination- Alan Parsons Project
Images & Words - Dream Theater
All the Best- Tina Turner

o What is your dream band ?
- If your talking about a super group I would have to say Mike Portnoy on drums, Gedde Lee on Bass, Jordan Rudess on keyboards, Tony MacAlpine on guitars and Ronnie James Dio on vocals or Tina Turner hahahahhaaaaaaa!

o The one thing Veronica is best at is ?

Getting stressed out !

o The one thing Veronica is worst is ?

Staying calm !

o Veronica 's guilty pleasure is ?

Too many too mention, but I love a good glass of wine now and then…. Aaaah !

*Little question concerning France, what in this country inspires you? And
do you know French bands or singers?

I had the pleasure of going to Paris with a company I used to work for. I was totally enchanted with it. I was able to stay for 10 days and just walked and walked around the city. Everyone was so wonderful and I vowed I would come back, so hopefully I can make good on that and return to France and actually play some shows. That would be a dream!
As far as French bands I have a promo CD from a band called Kragens… very cool stuff!

*Honestly, it's not too difficult to be a woman in a metal band, even today ? What do you do when some people are very rude with you on stage ?
*You're very attractive, others musicians are not jealous that audience just look the frontwoman of BENEDICTUM ;-) ?
For the most part I have been very fortunate when it comes to that sort of thing. I have a blast on stage and love the fans with all my heart so far nothing too bad has happened. As far as other musicians being jealous, I must be honest and say that there are times when Pete totally steals the show and rightfully so! We have a great time playing live and there are fans that flock to other members of the band besides me and that is just fine as far as I am concerned, they all deserve it!

*What do you think about elections in your country (Obama, Clinton, Mc Cain...) ? what do you think about the Bush area ?
My dear all I can say is that it is time for a change!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*Thanks a lot Veronica for your patience, sorry for my poor english and if you want to tell me something it's the moment
Your English was just fine and I thank you for the chance to do this interview! We are doing our best to make some plans to be in France this year. I think we can make it happen. Thanks for all the support from our fans and publications like yours.

Stay Metal

The V