The Obelisk Questionnaire is a series of open questions intended to give the answerer an opportunity to explore these ideas and stories from their life as deeply as they choose. Answers can be short or long, and that reveals something in itself, but the most important factor is honesty.

Based on the Proust Questionnaire, the goal over time is to show a diverse range of perspectives as those who take part bring their own points of view to answering the same questions. To see all The Obelisk Questionnaire posts, click here.

Thank you for reading and thanks to all who participate.

The Obelisk Questionnaire: Aaron Lewis of When the Deadbolt Breaks

—

How do you define what you do and how did you come to do it?

Musically, I used to consider what I or we (When the Deadbolt Breaks), does as experimental, psychedelic doom, but now I feel it has evolved into so much more, that I have a hard time classifying it.  Which, I thoroughly enjoy.  Music and art is subjective and means something different to everyone, so to categorize it and tell someone what it is seems self-defeating.   We started doing this band 15 years ago.  I wrote the first riff to the first When the Deadbolt Breaks song while I was co-DJ’ing at a local radio station, and I tried to incorporate it into a few bands over the year or two, and it didn’t work.  It was too slow, and oddball for what those bands were doing. Eventually, I decided to write a record based around the entire feeling of that one riff.    A drummer and myself started recording ideas, and they kept getting more and more unique, heavy and spacey.  That eventually became our first record, “In the Ruins, No Light Shall Shine”.   We’ve kept at it.

Describe your first musical memory.

This is maybe not my first, but certainly one of the best.  I remember being in 3rd grade, and I had a small handheld tape recorder that I brought with me everywhere.  It was one of those blue and white ones with the huge buttons, and my friend had stolen the first Black Sabbath cassette from his brother.  So we decided to listen to it at lunch on the playground.  I remember hearing the song Black Sabbath for the first time that day.  I had no idea what the hell was happening.  It was a bright sunny day out, but when the intro to that tune began, it was like the clouds rolled in and something evil were coming.   It was an amazing feeling and that feeling has never left. It made a huge impression on me and helped to mold my musical tastes.

Describe your best musical memory to date.

Playing Stoner Hands of Doom Fest in Youngstown Ohio at Nyabinghi & The Kennefit at CBGB’s while I was playing guitar for Cable are easily two of the most amazing shows I have ever played.  I am sure there are plenty more to come, but the opportunity to play with Cable and do those shows came at the right time, and I will always be grateful for that.

When was a time when a firmly held belief was tested?

Lately, this seems to happen a lot.  I am not a religious person at all, in fact, I despise organized religion, but I do believe in being good to those who deserve it, and just not being a prick in general.   But the more time goes on, the more I realize that this is not an easy thing to ask from people.   But, I roll with the flow, and avoid what needs to be avoided in order to keep my head up.

Where do you feel artistic progression leads?

It’s a gateway drug for sure.  With my photography and music, if I don’t take chances I fear that I will become stagnant and boring.  Trying new things, stepping out of that comfort zone, only lends itself to strengthening a vision and opening the door for new possibilities that may not have otherwise been found.   If that makes sense at all…

How do you define success?

Happiness.  I am not rich by any means, but I am doing the job that I dreamed of as a kid, I play in bands that I love and enjoy working with, and both my music and photography have introduced me to some amazing experiences and people.  I consider that to be a great success.

What is something you have seen that you wish you hadn’t?

I remember when I was younger, my friends and I were tripping on LSD, and the girl I was with had gotten sick, and threw up everywhere… I can’t say that I wish I hadn’t seen it, but that’s a lot to work with when you’re on a trip.

Describe something you haven’t created yet that you’d like to create.

As for musically, When the Deadbolt Breaks has already started with an idea for our 10th record, and it is going to be something really unique when we get it all down. But, as a bondage photographer I am working on plans for a pretty crazy shoot.  I don’t want to get into details here, but it will be a weird accomplishment if I can make it happen.

What do you believe is the most essential function of art?

Personally I know that art is subjective, but I feel like the essential function is to evoke emotion. No matter if that emotion is to just relax and be calm, get excited and throw shit, art is here for us to feel… or not feel.

Something non-musical that you’re looking forward to?

Work-wise, I have had a great opportunity to begin working with a new client that could be the beginning of something I have been trying to obtain for a long time.  I am very much looking forward to where this is all going to go.

https://www.facebook.com/WhentheDeadboltBreaks/
https://whenthedeadboltbreaks.bandcamp.com/
www.argonautarecords.com
www.facebook.com/argonautarecords
https://www.facebook.com/TalonRecordsUSA/
https://talonrecordsusa.bandcamp.com/
https://www.electrictalonrecords.com/

When The Deadbolt Breaks, As Hope Valley Burns: Eulogy (2021)

Back in May, long-running Connecticut atmospheric/extreme doomers When the Deadbolt Breaks announced they’d release their next full-length, As Hope Valley Burns, through Argonauta Records. I’m still not sure when that’s actually coming out, but the band, along with Electric Talon Records, have set an Oct. 31 arrival for As Hope Valley Burns: Eulogy, a companion-piece/continuation to the album itself. So. It’s entirely possible As Hope Valley Burns will be out by the time As Hope Valley Burns: Eulogy is issued. Definitely possible. But you might also be getting what they call ‘part two’ before ‘part one’ arrives.

This is very much in the vein of Deadbolt. For over a decade and a half and amid a rotating cast around founding gutiarist/vocalist Aaron Lewis, the band have explored the darker recesses of doom — sometimes they’re downright creepy — and have refused any and all compromise or attempt to inhibit that mission. Their years have brought them into alignment with labels like Salt of the Earth, Sliptrick, Spare Change, FuzzTown and Ear One, and the expanses they’ve created have no doubt alienated as many as they’ve swallowed whole. That’s just how they do.

You can stream “I Live in the Dirt” on the player at the bottom of the post. PR wire info follows:

WHEN THE DEADBOLT BREAKS to Release As Hope Valley Burns: Eulogy

Connecticut psychedelic doom band WHEN THE DEADBOLT BREAKS have joined forces with Electric Talon Records for the release of their 9th album, As Hope Valley Burns: Eulogy. Featuring four original tracks and a mind-bending cover of THE DOORS’ “Not to Touch the Earth,” As Hope Valley Burns: Eulogy ushers in a new era of doom.

Stream album track “I Live In The Dirt” at https://talonrecordsusa.bandcamp.com/track/i-live-in-dirt

Electric Talon Records will release As Hope Valley Burns: Eulogy on digital, CD and vinyl formats on October 31.

As Hope Valley Burns: Eulogy is the second chapter of a story that starts with As Hope Valley Burns (to be released in late 2021 by Argonauta Records). The band comments on the dual releases:

“’As Hope Valley Burns’ and ‘As Hope Valley Burns: Eulogy,’ are unique albums for WHEN THE DEADBOLT BREAKS. We have pushed our boundaries sonically. Originally recorded with the intention of a 10-song record, we found that the length of the songs did not fit the time frame of a single release. The decision was made to split the songs up, and release it as essentially, part one and part two. The heavy is heavier, and the mellow, spacial parts are even more so. Akin to our first few records, we have returned to more aggressive drumming, and psychedelic spaces, yet this record has a certain depth and maturity to it that was missing in the past.”

The album was written and recorded during the early part of the pandemic, sonically reflects uncertainty and hopelessness with massive volume. With gorgeous artwork crafted by Leanne Peters, and layout by the infamous Bill Kole, this album is a monstrous sculpture of beauty, angst and despair.

Music for As Hope Valley Burns: Eulogy was recorded and produced at Room SevenZeroEight. Drums were recorded and produced at Project 7:06 by Rob Birkbeck. The album was mastered by Juno-Six.

TRACK LISTING:
1) I Live In The Dirt
2) Cleanse the Death
3) Gods Eyes
4) Forever in the Fire
5) Not to Touch the Earth

Recorded by: Aaron Lewis at Project 7:06 HQ (except drums)
Engineered and mixed by: Aaron Lewis at Room Sevenzeroeight
Mastered by: Juno-Six
Cover Image by: Leanne Peters
CD Layout by: Bill Kole

Personnel:
Aaron Lewis: Guitar & Vocals
Charlie Platteborze: Bass & Vocals
Rob Birkbeck: Drums
Steve Wieda: Synth/Soundscapes
Ambler Leigh: Additional Vocals

https://www.facebook.com/WhentheDeadboltBreaks/
https://whenthedeadboltbreaks.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/TalonRecordsUSA/
https://talonrecordsusa.bandcamp.com/
https://www.electrictalonrecords.com/

When The Deadbolt Breaks, As Hope Valley Burns: Eulogy (2021)