This week we’re shining the Meet The Band spotlight on the New Hampshire blackened melodic death metal band Begat The Nephilim. Their debut album Begat The Nephilim I: The Surreptitious Prophecy/Mother Of The Blasphemy was just released. Drummer Josh Richardson introduces us to his band.
Chad Bowar: Give us a brief history of Begat The Nephilim.
Josh Richardson: Since the bands inception in August 2012 Begat The Nephilim has shared the stage with genre giants including Suffocation, Dying Fetus, The Red Chord, Job For A Cowboy and Dillinger Escape Plan as well as participating in tours/festivals including Summer Slaughter 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017, and the New England Metal and Hardcore Festival 2015, 2016, 2017, Rock and Shock 2016 as well as many tours throughout the continental United States, some of which supported bands such as Internal Bleeding, Enfold Darkness and Invoking The Abstract.
Begat The Nephilim has a heavy yet melodic sound and Dillinger Escape Plan-like stage presence leaving a lasting impression on crowds nationwide. We made an impression on worldwide management company Extreme Management Group and joined their massive roster in 2015. We have locked in a record deal with Unholy Anarchy Records and our debut album will be out worldwide June 15th.
Describe the songwriting and recording process for Begat The Nephilim I.
Cam actually takes care of all the main songwriting. He writes everything as a whole on Guitar Pro. Then when practicing we make minor changes as we go. Recording took a while because we did it when we had money rather than going in for a full week or whatever. Went in for drums, then guitars and bass got the main songs down, then vocals started while they were finishing everything.
What’s the lyrical concept?
The album tells the tale of the Mother of Blasphemy, an ancient godlike Nephilim, and her rise to power and the resulting consequences facing mankind and the world.
How would you characterize the album’s style/sound?
Riff soup. We have a bit of everything. It can go from straight Black Dahlia to Between The Buried And Me to Cattle Decapitation. It bounces around alot and has a bit of everything.
How did you come to sign with Unholy Anarchy Records?
Our management had been shopping us for a while and told us we had an offer from UA. And Ryan is also originally from New Hampshire which is cool so we figured we would give it a shot. We loved everything he was telling us.
What are your goals and expectations for the album?
Hopefully to tour as much as we can from it. Try to reach as many people as possible.
What has been your most memorable Begat The Nephilim live show?
We have had so many. For good, would have to be Summer Slaughter a few years ago at The Nephilim in Worcester, MA with Cannibal Corpse. Our stage got rushed and people were moshing on stage while we were playing.
How did you get started in music?
I was born into it. My father, cousin and uncle are all musicians so I just grew up around it. I was 5 years old running around bars while my father played.
Who were your early influences and inspirations?
My dad got me into it, but my older cousin helped me grow. He helped me find Kiss, then Slipknot, Dream Theater, Suffocation, etc. And would show me drum videos and explain things more. So that was a big part of it.
What was the first metal concert you attended?
Mine was Gigantour: Megadeth, Dream Theater, Nevermore, Dillinger Escape Plan, Fear Factory, Bobaflex. First one so I went all out with VIP for Dream Theater. Is was pretty insane.
What is the best metal concert you’ve attended?
There’s so many. I don’t think I could pick just one. First time seeing Slipknot, seeing Between The Buried And Me side stage, I honestly can’t pick there has been so many.
What’s the metal scene like in New Hampshire?
It’s interesting. There are a few venues, like two or four or so, but the promoters don’t really get along with each other. So it kind of divides the scene a bit. There are a ton of good bands from the area though. Black metal, death metal, metalcore, basically everything has some killer bands, just not a whole lot of places to play.
What’s currently in your heavy musical rotation?
I have been listening to a lot of The Red Chord Pandora. It plays everything I need to get through the work day.
Anything else you’d like to mention or promote?
Our debut album Begat The Nephilim 1: The Surreptitious Prophecy is out on Unholy Anarchy Records. It’s available for sale in Indiemerchstore. We’re on tour in July and hope to see you all on the road real soon!
(interview published June 16, 2018)
