BENEDICTION’s Unstoppable Legacy: A Conversation With DAZ BROOKES

Interview by Angela Croudace
For fans of death metal, Benediction needs no introduction. With a
history that spans decades, the band has continually pushed
boundaries, proving that their music is not only timeless but still
relevant today. As the band gears up for the release of their
highly anticipated album Ravage of Empires, we sat down with Daz
Brookes, one of the founding members, to chat about their enduring
success, the return of Dave Ingram, and what’s next for the
legendary group.
It’s been over 30 years since Benediction first made its mark on
the death metal scene, but for Daz, it still feels like the dream
is alive. "I’m living the dream, man. That’s what I wanted to do
when I was a kid, and I’m still doing it at 56 years old," he says.
"I still get the same buzz I did when I was younger. I’m still
excited about gigs and new releases. I’ve got no intention of
giving up yet."
Perhaps one of the most significant moments in Benediction's recent
history was the return of Dave Ingram to the fold for Scriptures.
After a 21-year hiatus, the reunion marked a new chapter for the
band. Daz recalls, "It was almost like he'd never left. It felt
natural, like nothing had changed, despite all the time apart. We’d
had some awkward years after he left, but time heals all,
right?"
Their reunion was not just about the past, but about reinvigorating
the band for the future. "When it came down to writing the album,
Dave put his vocals exactly where we’d expect him to," Daz
explains. "It felt like he’d never been gone."
On the new album, Benediction continues to evolve musically. "We
don’t do album fillers," Daz insists. "We want every track to be
strong, and that’s what we’ve been doing for years now." Despite
the challenges of distance - Daz and guitarist Peter Rewinsky live
in the UK, while Ingram resides in Denmark and Gio in Italy - the
band’s writing process remains a collaborative one. "We send riffs
back and forth, and when we all come together, it’s like a
well-oiled machine."
When asked about the current state of death metal, Daz doesn’t
mince words. "It’s become a competition for speed and extremity,"
he says. "Everybody’s trying to outdo the last band, and it’s kind
of losing its essence. When we perform, whether it’s in front of
70,000 people or 500, it’s the same feeling. People are singing our
songs, and that’s what it’s all about."
Benediction’s music remains grounded in simplicity. "We don’t need
to reinvent the wheel," Daz adds. "We just do what we do, and
people respond to that. Simple is good."
As the band heads into their Europ


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