Black Pyramid Interview

Massachusetts' Doom band Black Pyramid's Andy Beresky (guitars, vocals) and Clay Neely (drums) took time out from kicking major ass to talk to Neutronium Core about the new album, plans for the tour and a few other things.

The Core: Congratulations on the new album, how has the response been?

Clay: Well, it leaked before it was released so that's my first taste of 21st century 'success'. It's only available through our label's record online distribution at the moment but so far we've been very happy that so many people have enjoyed it and had many kind words about the CD.

Andy: The response has been overwhelmingly positive, considering the "official" release date isn't until July 14th. You can only get the album at this point from Meteorcity's All That Is Heavy store, or from us directly at a show, but still, a good number of people have heard it and seem to be digging on it. Truthfully I was surprised and flattered by some of the comments and comparisons.

The Core: Any chance on touring beyond the North East to support the new album?

Andy: We're hoping in the fall to tour down the Northeast, and also the upper Midwest, plus we'll be playing the Stoner Hand of Doom festival in the fall, and we're really excited about traveling to Maryland for that one.

Clay: If the opportunity is right and there's a remote chance we won't dig ourselves into an insurmountable financial hole, we're up for touring anywhere.


The Core: It seems like the two biggest areas for new DOOM in the U.S. is in Massachusetts and Maryland, is it something in the water?

Andy: Well, the whole Maryland, DC, and Virginia area has always been a haven for great doom over the years. Mass may not be as much of a "doom capital", but it's not like there has ever been a real drought in quality doom and sludge. Grief and Warhorse were both from here, Planet Gemini has been recording quality Mass doom for awhile. Now you've got some newer bands like Elder and Bloodhorse making a name for themselves, and although we're tight with Elder and a lot of the rock and metal bands, you don't have that same sense of a tight scene that's similar to an extended family like you find around the DC area. Not yet anyways...

Clay: It's unfluoridated in my town, that's all I can tell you. Maybe that helps.

The Core: You are writing new material for the upcoming split with Old One, how did you get hooked up with them?

Andy: Well, we were both on the most recent Stonerrock.com compilation, and both of our contributions seemed to have been appreciated, so when they asked us to do a split with them, it seemed like it would be a good fit. Splits are always a good thing, as both bands basically get automatic exposure to the others audience. With us and Old One, you've got two bands doing two totally different things, and yet the sounds are still pretty compatible.

The Core: Any insight on what the new material is about?

Andy: It's going to be two songs, one is more of a war metal number in the vein of "No Life King", but it has a bit more of an arrangement musically. Lyrically, it's called "Warswine", so you can pretty much guess what that one's all about. The second song is epic and complicated, it's got more of an old-school doom vibe to it, with some strange twists and turns. It's definitely the most experimental thing we've worked on up to this point.


The Core: How did you come up with the name Black Pyramid? Does it signify anything in particular?

Andy: Well, we needed a name, I had suggested The Eye In The Pyramid, then someone said "why not just Pyramid?" Then it became Black Pyramid, which does have a little more meaning to us. The suggestion of a pyramid refers to our sound: heavy, old, and monolithic. Adding the "black" to it references the more out there aspects of the band, the UFO and psychedelic connotations.


The Core: Will Meteorcity or Electric Earth be pressing any vinyl for your self-titled album? If so, when can we expect to see it?

Clay: Yes, Electric Earth will be releasing a double gatefold later on this summer. We're extremely excited to work with them again as they are an extremely proficient operation that has supported us from the get go. It's a bonus that we get to release our full length with them. Also, we have an extra vinyl only bonus track that will hopefully encourage some vinyl sales.

The Core: Anything else you want to discuss?

Andy: Just like to thank you for your support of the band, and for taking the time to help us out a bit. To everyone else out there, read books that make you think, listen to music that makes you deaf, and drink beer that makes you drunk; get away from this reality by creating your own...


A MAJOR thank you to Black Pyramid for taking the time to talk to us.

Find a way to go and see Black Pyramid live this summer when they come to your town.

Make sure to buy the new album and don't forget to pick up the Visions of Gehenna 7" (there are only 400 copies in the world and All That is Heavy has them in stock) so jump on over there and show Black Pyramid your support by buying something!

You can buy the full length self-titled album here

You can buy Visions of Gehenna here

When the vinyl comes out we are going to post a review, so stay tuned.