(((O))) Interview: Mackenzie Chami from God Is War

Boogeyman Inc. is the intense new album from God Is War, the brilliantly abrasive experimental electronic project of Mackenzie Chami, and listening to the record is a formidable and thrilling sonic experience in the best possible way. Gavin Brown caught up with Mackenzie Chami to talk about God Is War and Boogeyman Inc. as well as discussing hip hop, breaking boundaries, hostile reactions to his music and his other project Terror Cell Unit.

E&D: Your new album Boogeyman Inc. has recently been released. What has the reaction to it been like so far?      

Mackenzie: The reaction overall has been positive from the reviews that have been posted online. Really have been thankful that people are seeing this release less as a noise album and more of an electronic music album. However if you look toward the comments on Youtube you will find a lot more negative and colorful comments.

E&D: What are the biggest influences on the sound of the record? 

Mackenzie: None. I don’t really approach albums thinking and wishing to be like someone else. Sure people can inspire me but I don’t try to recreate someone else’s vision.

E&D: You did a track with Toronto rapper New Villain last year, how was that experience and will you work with more rap artists in the future? 

Mackenzie: It was great. Granted we didn’t hang out in a studio and make it happen in person but overall excellent. Yes, I will be working with more rap artists in the future including him.

E&D: Who would you love to rhyme over a God Is War instrumental? 

Mackenzie: Man…what a question. It would be an absolute dream to have Roc Marciano, Wedtside Gunn, Conway The Machine, Benny The Butcher, Retch, BigbodyBes, Al Divino, Eto. I could go on and on and on. Also its a massive reach but it would be fucking insane to have Trigga Loc 1400, Young Iggz, GB (Ghetto Boy), Babywoodface, AWAX4, Rico 2 Smoove on a track but like I said…a massive reach as they are very active and REAL (four of these artists are currently incarcerated at the time of this interview).  

E&D: What hip hop and electronic artists are the biggest inspiration for you and your music?

Mackenzie: As for hip hop, Griselda and their affiliated camp has been a massive inspiration in terms of how I approached releasing. In many ways myself and Sam used to direct their marketing tactics and apply them to our own work. As for electronic artists the greatest source of inspiration is from Scorn, Anthony Baldino, Surachai, and Richard Devine. Im learning more about techno and enjoying stuff from Spiderwrap, VCRHeadcleaner, and other L.A.U.R.A. affiliated artists.

E&D: Are you looking to break boundaries with every relate you put out? 

Mackenzie: If I can yes, however more importantly is outdoing the previous album. “You are only as strong as your most recent release.” Is a bit of advice that has always stuck with me.

E&D: Can you tell us about the guests who feature on the album and what they brought to the tracks they feature on? 

Mackenzie: The guests I had on this album were Sam Torres, Kevin BRB>voicemail , Adam Jennings. Sam is my brother and musical partner for over 14 years. Adam Jennings is another brother and someone who I’ve known even longer. We both were in Winters in Osaka. As for Kevin I had the pleasure of meeting and performing alongside with on my UK tour for multiple shows. Kevin’s contribution to the opening track are the sound sources. Sam Torres constructed 95% of ‘The Opium Den’. All I did was the synth line that sounds like an eastern string instrument on that track. Adam Jennings supplied the hypnotic synth line that comes in at around the 1/4 mark of the track on ‘With The Snap Of A Finger…’

E&D: The albums song titles are phenomenal. Did you want to be as inflammatory and mocking as possible? 

Mackenzie: Yes. Simply put song titles like this don’t exist in the electronic music world so I’m forging my own path. I feel like often electronic music and techno can be cold and soulless. Artists that have little to no connection with their track titles and artwork seems to be the norm and I have a real problem with doing “the norm” ever with anything in my life. An example would be like the techno artist SAWF whom I really enjoy and respect. They have a Dodge pickup truck in the snow for the cover art of an amazing EP. That doesn’t illicit anything out of anyone unless you are a big Dodge Ram fan. Often from what I can see its a competition of who can be more elusive and obscure/obtuse. This doesn’t mean I hate these people but this is what their art says to me, which is nothing. So this is why I’m going in quite the opposite direction. Not interested in fitting in, only more interested in causing artistic discussion on my name whether it’s positive or negative. Some song titles are inspired from my own experiences in life, movies, literature, etc. The idea of what’s appropriate or correct when making electronic music is silly and asinine.

E&D: Have you ever had any hostile reactions in real life due to the abrasive nature of your music? 

Mackenzie: Absolutely. I have for sure had people “confront” me at the merch table after a God Is War set. They usually are upset with the backing video that I’m currently using. By “confront” they whine and bitch at me and either I embarrass them or tell them I don’t fucking care and “too bad”.

E&D: Are you looking forward to your upcoming tour with Lockstep?

Mackenzie: Extremely. Going to be really cool to get out and mix things up not playing a metal tour.

E&D: How have your recent live shows gone? 

Mackenzie: They’ve been awesome! Since I do electronic music I’m mostly relying on the PA and sound guy, so if things suck, I swear its out of my hands hahaha. Ive made things dummy proof on my end to ensure a killer set always. Always ready to rip one too!

E&D: How has the material from Boogeyman Inc. been going down in a live environment? 

Mackenzie: Its been received quite well, I actually debuted most of the album when I toured with Knoll.

E&D: What have been some of your favourite live performances that God Is War has done so far? 

Mackenzie: Stand out performances to me include: Edmonton-Calgary on the run with Knoll, Boise, Idaho on the Blood Incantation/Full of Hell, London with Am Not and S.T.A.B. Electronics, Leeds with Natural Causes, any performance at Substation in Seattle.

E&D: How did your last tour of the UK go and will you be making it back over soon? Hopefully you will! 

Mackenzie: The last tour as GIW in the UK was nothing short of phenomenal. Steve is an absolute gent and unbelievable promoter and label curator. Was one of the best experiences of my life. Was incredible getting to meet so many amazing people, catch up with an old friend Peter J Woods as well as see him perform!  There is a strong chance I’ll be back in 2025!

E&D: How was the experience of touring with Knoll last year and what were some of the highlights of the run?

Mackenzie: It was a very, very unique and special tour that I will forever hold in my heart. Got to legitimately live out of a van for the first time. Highlights included: being apart of the morning crew for driving. Getting to drive through the rockies across Canada. Getting to know an incredible group of young men who are very dedicated to their craft. Loads of jokes and tons of laughs.

E&D: You also toured with Blood Incantation, Full, Vermin Womb and Mortuous a couple of years ago. How was that experience?

Mackenzie: Another ultra special tour. First large scale professional tour Ive ever done in my life. Riding with the Vermin Womb crew was hilarious and the absolute most fun. Getting wished a happy birthday with fucking metal guitar solos from Blood Incantation on my birthday was also legendary and amazing.

E&D: Do you find it fun playing on more metal bills? 

Mackenzie: For me it’s fun to play on any bill as long as the sound system is good. Having a projector to play my backing video goes a long way too. People are addicted to screens so if I can have it running usually people stay ultra engaged.

E&D: Who would you love to tour with in the future? 

Mackenzie: I’d love to hit the road with Many Blessings/Spiritual Poisoning. Im down to tour with any project/band anywhere, anytime.

E&D: What have been some of the best and most exciting live shows you have ever seen? 

Mackenzie: Blacklisted/Comeback Kid, Premonitions of War 3X, Sunn O)))/Boris, Throwdown/Most Precious Blood/With Honor, Bodies In The Gears Of The Apparatus, Behold…The Arctopus/Mouth Of The Architect, Genocide Organ 3X, Iron Fist Of The Sun, Am Not, S.T.A.B. Electronics, Kevlar, DJ Earl/DJ Taso, Endless Humiliation 2X, Circle Of Dead Children 3X, Andy Stott/Demdike Stare, Richard Devine/Anthony Baldino/Surachai, Ghost Ice.

E&D: What are most abrasive pieces of music that you have ever heard? 

Mackenzie: Endless Humiliation – ‘My Wife Is Willing’, Paranoid Time – ‘Pinched Sack’, Toadliquor – ‘The Hortator’s Lament’, Cadavoracity – ‘Vitiosus Forma Exilium’, Intestinal Engorgement – ‘Putrefying Consumption Of Dismemberment’, Last Days Of Humanity – ‘Putrefaction In Progress’, Trichomoniasis – ‘Makeshift Crematoria’, Aaron Dilloway – ‘Modern Jester’ (The track dedicated to Robert Turman will test anyone). Forgetting others but these were the most that came to mind first.

E&D: With your other project Terror Cell Unit celebrating your ten year anniversary, what have been the highlights so far and what have you got planned for the future?

Mackenzie: Highlights were playing some incredibly special shows opening for the Nothing/Full Of Hell collab as a part of Sound and Fury, opening up for Uniform and World Peace in SF, and performing alongside Hide in LA. We have a new album and artwork that’s in the labels hands to be pressed and ready for next year.

E&D: What other music from our many musical projects are you also working on so far? 

Mackenzie: Currently in the works is a collaboration of The Body/Terror Cell Unit. GIW is already working on the follow up to Boogeyman Inc. Looking to start a new duo electronics group as well in the next year or so. Would love to get a hardcore band going but ya know you don’t get everything you want in life.