Interview: Manic Abraxas
This isn't really a concept album per se but there are recurring themes throughout the album that are all tied together, even some characters that appear a few times.
Bangor, Maine doom/metal trio Manic Abraxas return with their explosive new album Skinformation, the follow up to their 2022 album Foreign Winds, and it sees the band in fine form as they blast their way through eight tracks of supreme bleak and dystopian metal. To celebrate the release of Skinformation, Gavin Brown caught up with Manic Abraxas guitarist/vocalist/synth player Dallas Seger and bassist/vocalist/synth player Justin Hamm as they tell us all about the album as well as touching on other subjects such as Manic Abraxas live shows, Dallas’ guitar company and all kinds of guitar related talk.
In addition to talking to the band, Echoes and Dust are proud to bring you an exclusive premiere of the whole of the Skinformation album which you can find below for your listening pleasure.
E&D: Your new album Skinformation is out very soon. How was the experience of creating this album?
Dallas: Cathartic but also exhausting. It takes many, many hours as a team to prepare and then perform on a recording. It’s all been well worth it; the production and material is our best yet.
E&D: What were the biggest influences on the sound of Skinformation?
Justin: We took a lot of influences from the cyberpunk genre as a whole. Whether it be from the writings of William Gibson, PKD, Rudy Rucker as well as Cronenberg films. The 40k universe was also another big one, Necromunda to be specific, we are avid hobby gamers.
E&D: What subjects do the songs on Skinformation deal with?
Justin: The subjects for most of the songs I guess boil down to speaking about a future where your privacy is not only almost nonexistent but others would kill to get it from you. Not far off from where we are currently if you think about it.
E&D: What does the title of the album refer to?
Dallas: Rather than spelling it out, I encourage people to listen to the album, it should be apparent after a few spins. This isn’t really a concept album per se but there are recurring themes throughout the album that are all tied together, even some characters that appear a few times.
E&D: How was the experience of working with Steve Austin again on the album?
Dallas: Working with Steve is always a pleasure. It’s just the four of us in his studio, everyone is completely focused on making as perfect and pleasing a sound as possible while at the same time we keep it relaxed and joke around. In short it’s the best environment for us.
E&D: Steve has worked on all of the Manic Abraxas albums, what have you learned the most from working with him?
Dallas: We understand his work flow and philosophy so we can come in well prepared. Once in the studio we track extremely fast. Steve is so focused on making the best tone possible; it’s impressive watching him use different mics or pres for specific purposes – he always knows the exact gear or technique for any situatio.
E&D: How have Manic Abraxas changed as a band since your last album Foreign Winds?
Justin: think we really took to heart that as a band we don’t want to just look like a bunch of regular 9 to 5ers on stage. Music is supposed to be an escape from reality so we decided to roll with that.
Dallas: Exactly, plus with covid everybody had music taken away from them. We swore that if we got it back we would be freaks.
E&D: Can you tell us about the brilliant cover and artwork for Skinformation and how that relates to the tracks in the album?
Dallas: Gage Lindsten did the artwork for Foreign Winds too. The big difference is on the last album he was too busy for a custom album layout so we bought a pre existing piece from him. This time, we had the great fortune of him doing not only the cover but the entire layout. We gave him the songs, the lyrics and what everything meant and he combined it all into what you see.
E&D: What are your live plans once Skinformation comes out?
Dallas: It’s a catch 22 – The situation is nobody wants to book us except in Maine and we don’t want to play in Maine at all. We’d love to get out of state or play Canada more.
E&D: What have been some of the most memorable live shows that Manic Abraxas have ever played?
Dallas: We played Montreal late last year and that was probably the funnest, craziest show we’ve ever had.
E&D: How did Manic Abraxas start as a band?
Dallas: Myself and my buddies DJ and Trevor started playing shows in 2012 or 2013.
E&D: What is the heavy music scene like in your hometown of Bangor, Maine at the moment and what bands would you recommend checking out?
Justin: We don’t really play up here much / go to shows but two bands I think deserve the spotlight are Saprus and Militia. The first two bands in this area have us genuinely excited about the younger generation of musicians in Maine. Check them out!
Dallas: We’re the only band in Maine!
E&D: Dallas, Can you tell us about your Seger Guitars company and how it started?
Dallas: I’ve built guitars since I was a kid, it was a semi-professional hobby for many years. I began Seger Guitars as something new in 2012 already having a few hundred guitars under my belt. It was still part time when it began, since 2019 it’s all that I do.
E&D: Your guitars are used by Matt Pike (High On Fire, Sleep), Dallas Green (Alexisonfire), Tim Sult (Clutch) amongst others. How did you hook up with those guys and have them playing your guitars?
Dallas: All great people, I’m very fortunate to have many many great customers. My friend Sean Libby introduced Matt and I, he ended up with the sunburst YG you still see him with today. Stabby Dave (Dave Grooman) is Tim’s guitar tech and I think he and I would chat on insta sometimes. Clutch came to town one day and Dave introduced us, Tim left with a guitar I loaned him and he played it on stage that night. I think Dallas heard of me through insta too and emailed me one day asking if I had anything in stock.
E&D: What have Seger Guitars got planned for the rest of the year?
Dallas: Nothing has changed for Seger guitars. I’m still improving my skills and finding ways to make my shop more productive so I can make the world’s best guitars a little better and a little faster.
E&D: Who would you love to play one of your guitars?
Dallas: Tim Mahoney is the first guy that comes to mind. Okoi from Bolzer should have one too. It’s such a pleasure seeing some of my personal favorite artists use something that I made.
E&D: What guitar setup do you favour these days?
Dallas: The key to the sound I want with Manic Abraxas is a Seger Guitar with a Bill Lawrence L500L, a Matamp and a cab with Greenbacks. I’m in heaven every time I plug in.
E&D: What are some of your favourite guitars of all time?
Dallas: I’ve been pretty spoiled in that regard, getting my hands on hundreds of vintage guitars, some of which are the exact ones you see in print. Customs and boutiques too. Seger Guitars are the best.
E&D: Who are your biggest influences and favourites as a guitar player?
Dallas: I realized a few years ago that Tim Mahoney from 311 has been very influential on my playing to this day. I liked the band a lot as a kid and never really learned much material on guitar. His penchant for syncopation and angular riffs is something that’s rubbed off on me. Of course we sound nothing like 311 but it’s there, Matt Pike is a huge influence; I think his style is so unique and recognizable. Iommi is another situation where I’ve never learned a ton of Sabbath stuff on guitar but the vibe rubbed off on me a lot. Tragedy is another one. I’m really just a student of guitar so all the classic guitar heroes have each shaped me a bit.
E&D: Who do you feel are the most underrated guitarists ever?
Dallas: The guy from Saturnalia Temple.
E&D: What are your favourite ever guitar riffs?
Dallas: Favourite is too hard. Instead, I have very clear memories of hearing these for the first time: ‘Baghdad’ by High On Fire, ‘Quantum Mystic’ by YOB and when Justin showed me ‘Aion of Drakon’ by Saturnalia Temple.
E&D: What band or bands have the best ever guitar tone in your opinion?
Justin: Rope Sect and Okkultokrati are two contemporary bands that come to mind first
