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: Michael Smario of Monster God

—

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

I love this question because this has been up for debate for some time. Not a huge fan of “genre” labels or categories. Monster God the band started with Kyuss and “stoner” metal as its main influence then morphed into something completely different. My writing style incorporates a lot of different styles from Doom to Stoner to bands like Neurosis who is a huge influence for me. It all comes full circle though because I feel like everything all comes back to Black Sabbath lol. All three of us grew up in the heyday of the bay area California metal scene. Our bass player Mike Kauffman was the founding member of the thrash band Defiance and our drummer Karl and me played in a band called Inhalent with Harald O (now former D.R.I. bassist) all throughout the ’90s. Karl and myself after a 10-year hiatus decided to start playing music together again in like 2017 and Monster God formed from that past relationship.

Describe your first musical memory.

Honestly, I think KISS was the first band I really fell in love with. One of my father’s employees handed me the dressed to kill album when I was like 6 and it was all downhill from there! After that Black Sabbath, AC/DC then on into Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Scorpions etc. When I heard Accept Fast as a Shark that blew me away then I heard Kill Em All from Metallica and that was that. I took drum lessons early on because I loved Peter Criss then that led into playing guitar when I was like 12 I think.

Describe your best musical memory to date.

The first thing that came to mind when I read this was seeing KISS in 1979. Feeling the heat from the flames and that stage show had a huge affect on me.

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

I was raised Lutheran, went to Sunday school, and took communion and all that jazz. I had a good friend of mine; really cool guy and he was Jewish. One time in Sunday school, I asked the Pastor, “I have a friend who is Jewish, since he does not accept Jesus as his lord what will happen to him when he dies?” The Pastor said straight up, “unless he accepts Jesus as his lord and savior he was going to hell.” It was at that very moment I decided the whole religion thing was not for me and shattered a lot of what I thought were truths.

Where do you feel artistic progression leads?

Enlightenment. Release. Evolution in ideas and thoughts. Growth as a person.

How do you define success?

Waking up on this side of the dirt lol. I battle with depression so getting through the day with a smile is success for me. Enjoying time with the people I love. Musical success? I have already achieved what I consider success, I play music and recorded music. I never wanted to make money or be famous doing this, seemed too far out of reach, especially at my age now!

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

When I was younger, I drove tow truck for a company for while and we had the fatality contract. Basically, if there was a car accident and someone was killed, we had to do the tow. Seen a few dead bodies but one in particular sticks out. An entire family was hit on the interstate, Mom, Dad and two small children in car seats. The car burst into flames, and they were all burned to a crisp. I had to hook up that car with the bodies still inside and get the car to the side of the road where they could tarp it off the do the body extractions. Seeing those kids burned up was really hard and stuck with me.

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

I have always wanted to write and record an acoustic solo album and let that side of my creativity flow.

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

Sanity. Music – listening to and playing music, that’s my safe space. Creating and fostering emotions, good and bad. Visual art as well, but music is really my form of expression as well as my release and escape from depression. When I am really feeling down though the number one rule is “DO NOT listen to Alice in Chains Dirt,” that album can send my into a spiral emotional because it is so fucking raw. Down in Hole, Rain when I Die, man those songs hurt to listen to now. Masterpiece of pain and struggle right there.

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

Watching my boys grow up. Waking up tomorrow! lol

www.facebook.com/MNSTRGOD
https://instagram.com/monster_god_official
https://monstergod1.bandcamp.com/

www.facebook.com/SaltOfTheEarthRec
www.YouTube.com/SaltOfTheEarthRecords
www.Instagram.com/SaltOfTheEarthRecords
www.SaltOfTheEarthRecords.com

Monster God, Clouds of Grey (2022)

Oakland sludge rockers Monster God will release their upcoming album, Clouds of Grey, through Salt of the Earth Records, and if I told you how many days it’s been that I’ve been trying to get together a news post to say so you would rightly laugh in my fucking face. The Connecticut imprint and California trio join forces at the behest of label honcho Scott “of the Earth” Harrington, whose passion for the music he puts out is as infectious as ever. Dude believes, in a way few I’ve ever met have believed, and backs it with hustle. I’ll support that every time.

Even if it takes a few more days than I’d prefer.

But there’s no set release date that I’ve seen, so I only feel somewhat behind the times on the signing announcement, at least as much as usual. More to come.

And while we’re here, I’m not sure I agree with the point of view in their 2017 single “Respect the Fire,” as we’ve now pretty much seen that burning in action, but I definitely get where they’re coming from.

From the PR wire:

MONSTER GOD SIGNS WITH SALT OF THE EARTH RECORDS

With the belief that one good turn, deserves another SALT OF THE EARTH RECORDS has the esteem honor to announce the signing of Oakland CA’s Doom Filled Sludge Metal Band, MONSTER GOD.

A 3 piece powerhouse who deliver some of the heaviest riffs this side of the San Andreas Fault… something wicked this way comes, and MONSTER GOD is its name.

“Clouds Of Grey” will be the second release from Monster God, and the bands first to come out on all formats, including vinyl. The band did extensive preproduction work before entering Trident Studios with Juan Ortega at the production helm. Music this heavy, is not rushed. It’s forged. It comes from deep hardships and perseverance. And that is evident in this deeply personal collection of songs.

Monster God:
Mike Smario – Vocals / Guitars
Mike Kaufman – Bass
Karl Casolari – Drums

www.facebook.com/MNSTRGOD
https://instagram.com/monster_god_official
https://monstergod1.bandcamp.com/

www.facebook.com/SaltOfTheEarthRec
www.YouTube.com/SaltOfTheEarthRecords
www.Instagram.com/SaltOfTheEarthRecords
www.SaltOfTheEarthRecords.com

Monster God, “Respect the Fire”

Maryland Doom Fest 2021 is set for Halloween Weekend, Oct. 28-31, in Frederick, Maryland. Some of the acts on the newly announced bill are carryovers from the first-delayed-then-canceled 2020 edition — among them Sasquatch, Worshipper, and so on — but it’s worth noting that among those and others, the likes of The Age of Truth will have a new record out by this Fall, and pre-pandemic, Boozewa didn’t even exist. So yes, things have changed.

For further proof of the festival’s stylistic branching out — and with this many bands, they’d just have have to — you’ll note the departure in the poster art from the fest-standard purple toward a greater range of color. The music they’re pushing is likewise broader in palette, and to think of seeing the likes of Howling Giant and Revvnant alongside Arduini/Balich, Omen Stones, and Place of Skulls is an encouraging thought indeed. This even was much-missed last year.

Expect a time-table sooner than later, as organizer JB Matson doesn’t screw around when it comes to that kind of thing. The lineup announcement — short and sweet, as ever — is further proof of same.

I don’t know what the world’s gonna look like come Halloween, but I know damn well this is one reason I’m glad I got that vaccine.

[UPDATE 04/30: Black Road and Vessel of Light can’t make it. Lo-Pan and When the Deadbolt Breaks have been added. If there are any further changes, I’ll probably just make a new post.]

To wit:

Here is the Md Doom Fest 2021 roster folks!!!
Halloween weekend – Oct 28-31, 2021
WE CANNOT WAIT TO DOOM WITH YOU!!

Lineup:

Poobah, Sasquatch, Place of Skulls, Lo-Pan, Lost Breed, Cavern, Horseburner, Spiral Grave, The Age of Truth, Mangog, Wrath of Typhon, Helgamite, Almost Honest, Indus Valley Kings, VRSA, Monster God, Et Mors, Astral Void, Worshipper, Boozewa, Admiral Browning, Omen Stones, Formula 400, Molasses Barge, Arduini/Balich, Dirt Eater, Dyerwolf, Ol’ Time Moonshine, Shadow Witch, Revvnant, Bloodshot, Ritual Earth, Gardens of Nocturne, Conclave, Crow Hunter, Bailjack, Warmask, Akris, Alms, Thunderbird Divine, Strange Highways, Howling Giant, Yatra, Jaketehhawk, When the Deadbolt Breaks, Grave Huffer, Dust Prophet, Plague Wielder, Weed Coughin, Morganthus, Tines

www.marylanddoomfest.com
#4daysofdoom

https://www.facebook.com/MdDoomFest/
https://www.instagram.com/marylanddoomfest/
www.marylanddoomfest.com