Benedictum
Encyclopedia
Benedictum is an American
heavy metal
band formed in 2005 in San Diego
, California
. Their current line-up consists of vocalist Veronica Freeman
, guitarist
Pete Wells, bassist
Chris Shrum, keyboardist
Tony Diaz, and drummer
Micky Pannone. Since their formation the band released three studio album
s, debuting with Uncreation
in 2006, followed by Seasons of Tragedy
in 2008, both through Madrid
, Spain-based label Locomotive Music
, before signing with Italy's Frontiers Records
for their latest album, Dominion
, issued in 2011.
and guitarist Pete Wells in San Diego
, California
in 2005. The two founding members had been in the band known as Malady for over ten years. Freeman and Wells recruited drummer Blackie Sanchez and keyboardist Chris Morgan. and produced a three-track demo with the aid of producer Jeff Pilson
, who also contributed playing bass guitar. In late 2005, they signed a record deal with the Spanish label Locomotive Records.
After signing with Locomotive Records, Benedictum entered in the studio to record their debut album with production by Jeff Pilson and mixing by Pilson and Tommy Henriksen
. The band recorded eleven songs including the covers of Black Sabbath
′s songs "Heaven and Hell
" and "The Mob Rules
". Uncreation
was initially due to be released on October 17, 2005, but was delayed to January 20, 2006, according with statement of vocalist Veronica Freeman:
Garnering strong reviews for Uncreation
, including a "bands to watch in 2006" pick by Classic Rock
, the band toured Europe for the first time in the summer of that same year, kicking things off at Italy's massive Gods Of Metal festival near Milan
. Benedictum also landed a slot on the Winter 2006 Doro European tour.
Their 2008 sophomore release, Seasons of Tragedy
, saw the group continue their close working relationship with mentor/producer Jeff Pilson who brought in former Dokken
band mate George Lynch
to contribute guest guitar solos on "Bare Bones" and a cover of the Accept classic "Balls to the Wall". Long-time friend, guitarist Craig Goldy
, also made an appearance on the album. The band supported the album in Europe with several festival shows and completed a fall tour with NWOBHM veterans Girlschool
.
With regard to Seasons of Tragedy, Allmusic reviewer Stewart Mason stated that "Singer Veronica Freeman has a powerful, hectoring voice, similar at times to Grace Slick
's potent bellow from the Jefferson Starship
days, and keyboardist Chris Morgan prefers to add subtle coloration and powerful drone parts rather than lame Keith Emerson
-style twiddling."
Prior to commencing work on their third album, Dominion
, the band underwent significant line-up changes with only core members Veronica Freeman and Pete Wells remaining. Benedictum would also leave their original record company, Locomotive Music, and sign a new deal with Frontiers Records
. Due to Jeff Pilson's commitments with Foreigner
, main producing duties for the new album were handled by Grammy Award
winning engineer/producer, Ryan Greene, whose credits include Megadeth
and NOFX
. Pilson and Craig Goldy would make guest appearances on the album as did legendary bassist Rudy Sarzo
on the song "Bang". Continuing the tradition of covering at least one classic track on each album, the band cut "Overture" / "The Temples of Syrinx" / "Grand Finale" off of 2112
by Rush
, which is featured as a bonus track.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band formed in 2005 in San Diego
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Their current line-up consists of vocalist Veronica Freeman
Veronica Freeman
Veronica Freeman in San Diego is the lead vocalist of the American heavy metal band Benedictum. Her most recent album with Benedictum is Dominion released through Frontiers Records in 2011- Biography :...
, guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
Pete Wells, bassist
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
Chris Shrum, keyboardist
Keyboardist
A keyboardist is a musician who plays keyboard instruments. Until the early 1960s musicians who played keyboards were generally classified as either pianists or organists. Since the mid-1960s, a plethora of new musical instruments with keyboards have come into common usage, requiring a more...
Tony Diaz, and drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
Micky Pannone. Since their formation the band released three studio album
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
s, debuting with Uncreation
Uncreation
Uncreation is the debut album by the American heavy metal band Benedictum, released through Locomotive Records on March 14, 2006. The album was originally due to be released in late 2005, but was delayed to 2006 to allow for some creative tweaking....
in 2006, followed by Seasons of Tragedy
Seasons of Tragedy
Seasons of Tragedy is the second studio album by the American heavy metal band Benedictum, released through Locomotive Records in 2008.-Track listing:#"Dawn of Seasons" – 1:26#"Shell Shock" – 4:25#"Burn It Out" – 3:32#"Bare Bones" – 5:11...
in 2008, both through Madrid
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
, Spain-based label Locomotive Music
Locomotive Music
Locomotive Music or Locomotive Records is an independent record label based in Spain.-Selected artists:* A.O.K.* Adagio* AlogiA* Anthenora* Anubis Gate* Astral Doors* Barón Rojo* Before the Dawn* Benedictum* Blood Stain Child* Crystallion...
, before signing with Italy's Frontiers Records
Frontiers Records
Frontiers Records is an Italian record label, predominantly producing melodic rock. It was formed in 1996 by Serafino Perugino and is based in Naples, Italy.-History:...
for their latest album, Dominion
Dominion (Benedictum album)
Dominion is the third studio album by the American heavy metal band Benedictum, released through Frontier Records in 2011.-Track listing:#"Dominion" 4:18#"At the Gates" 3:59#"Seer" 4:34#"Grind It" 2:44#"Prodigal Son" 4:55#"The Shadowlands" 4:56...
, issued in 2011.
Uncreation
Benedictum was formed originally as Bound by vocalist Veronica FreemanVeronica Freeman
Veronica Freeman in San Diego is the lead vocalist of the American heavy metal band Benedictum. Her most recent album with Benedictum is Dominion released through Frontiers Records in 2011- Biography :...
and guitarist Pete Wells in San Diego
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
in 2005. The two founding members had been in the band known as Malady for over ten years. Freeman and Wells recruited drummer Blackie Sanchez and keyboardist Chris Morgan. and produced a three-track demo with the aid of producer Jeff Pilson
Jeff Pilson
Jeff Pilson is an American bass guitarist, best known for his stint in the heavy metal band Dokken...
, who also contributed playing bass guitar. In late 2005, they signed a record deal with the Spanish label Locomotive Records.
After signing with Locomotive Records, Benedictum entered in the studio to record their debut album with production by Jeff Pilson and mixing by Pilson and Tommy Henriksen
Tommy Henriksen
Tommy Henriksen is an American singer-songwriter from Port Jefferson, New York.Henriksen first moved to Los Angeles to start his music career in 1991. He did tech work for Alice Cooper before beginning performance work with Keith Forsey on a full-length solo album...
. The band recorded eleven songs including the covers of Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
′s songs "Heaven and Hell
Heaven and Hell (Black Sabbath song)
"Heaven and Hell" is the title track to Black Sabbath's ninth studio album, Heaven and Hell. It was written mainly by Tony Iommi, but as with almost all Black Sabbath albums, credit is given to the entire band. The lyrics were written entirely by then-newcomer Ronnie James Dio...
" and "The Mob Rules
The Mob Rules
"The Mob Rules" is a song by British heavy metal band Black Sabbath from their 1981 album, Mob Rules.- Covers :*American heavy metal band Fozzy covered the song on their 2002 album Happenstance....
". Uncreation
Uncreation
Uncreation is the debut album by the American heavy metal band Benedictum, released through Locomotive Records on March 14, 2006. The album was originally due to be released in late 2005, but was delayed to 2006 to allow for some creative tweaking....
was initially due to be released on October 17, 2005, but was delayed to January 20, 2006, according with statement of vocalist Veronica Freeman:
Garnering strong reviews for Uncreation
Uncreation
Uncreation is the debut album by the American heavy metal band Benedictum, released through Locomotive Records on March 14, 2006. The album was originally due to be released in late 2005, but was delayed to 2006 to allow for some creative tweaking....
, including a "bands to watch in 2006" pick by Classic Rock
Classic Rock (magazine)
Classic Rock is a British magazine dedicated to the radio format of classic rock, published by Future Publishing, who are also responsible for its "sister" publication Metal Hammer. Although firmly focusing on key bands from the 1960s through early 1990s, it also includes articles and reviews of...
, the band toured Europe for the first time in the summer of that same year, kicking things off at Italy's massive Gods Of Metal festival near Milan
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
. Benedictum also landed a slot on the Winter 2006 Doro European tour.
Their 2008 sophomore release, Seasons of Tragedy
Seasons of Tragedy
Seasons of Tragedy is the second studio album by the American heavy metal band Benedictum, released through Locomotive Records in 2008.-Track listing:#"Dawn of Seasons" – 1:26#"Shell Shock" – 4:25#"Burn It Out" – 3:32#"Bare Bones" – 5:11...
, saw the group continue their close working relationship with mentor/producer Jeff Pilson who brought in former Dokken
Dokken
Dokken is an American heavy metal and hard rock band formed in 1978. They split up in 1989 but reformed four years later. The group accumulated numerous charting singles and has sold more than 10 million albums worldwide...
band mate George Lynch
George Lynch (musician)
George Lynch is a hard rock/heavy metal guitarist best known as a member of the band Dokken, his own bands Lynch Mob and Souls of We.-Pre Dokken:...
to contribute guest guitar solos on "Bare Bones" and a cover of the Accept classic "Balls to the Wall". Long-time friend, guitarist Craig Goldy
Craig Goldy
Craig Goldy is an American guitarist, mostly notably of the band Dio.Before Dio, he played in the bands Vengeance, Rough Cutt, and Giuffria. He replaced Jake E. Lee in Rough Cutt and was himself replaced by Amir Derakh in this group. Prior to joining Rough Cutt, he had played in the band Vengeance...
, also made an appearance on the album. The band supported the album in Europe with several festival shows and completed a fall tour with NWOBHM veterans Girlschool
Girlschool
Girlschool are a British heavy metal band originating out of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal scene in 1978 and frequently associated with contemporaries Motörhead. They are the longest running all-female rock band, still active after more than 30 years...
.
With regard to Seasons of Tragedy, Allmusic reviewer Stewart Mason stated that "Singer Veronica Freeman has a powerful, hectoring voice, similar at times to Grace Slick
Grace Slick
Grace Slick is an American singer and songwriter, who was one of the lead singers of the rock groups The Great Society, Jefferson Airplane, Jefferson Starship, and Starship, and was a solo artist, for nearly three decades, from the mid-1960s to the mid-1990s...
's potent bellow from the Jefferson Starship
Jefferson Starship
Jefferson Starship is an American rock band formed in the early 1970s. The group is a spin-off from the iconic 1960s psychedelic/folk group Jefferson Airplane. The band has undergone several major changes in personnel and genres through the years while retaining the same Jefferson Starship name...
days, and keyboardist Chris Morgan prefers to add subtle coloration and powerful drone parts rather than lame Keith Emerson
Keith Emerson
Keith Noel Emerson is an English keyboard player and composer. Formerly a member of the Keith Emerson Trio, John Brown's Bodies, The T-Bones, V.I.P.s, P.P. Arnold's backing band, and The Nice , he was a founder of Emerson, Lake & Palmer , one of the early supergroups, in 1970...
-style twiddling."
Prior to commencing work on their third album, Dominion
Dominion (Benedictum album)
Dominion is the third studio album by the American heavy metal band Benedictum, released through Frontier Records in 2011.-Track listing:#"Dominion" 4:18#"At the Gates" 3:59#"Seer" 4:34#"Grind It" 2:44#"Prodigal Son" 4:55#"The Shadowlands" 4:56...
, the band underwent significant line-up changes with only core members Veronica Freeman and Pete Wells remaining. Benedictum would also leave their original record company, Locomotive Music, and sign a new deal with Frontiers Records
Frontiers Records
Frontiers Records is an Italian record label, predominantly producing melodic rock. It was formed in 1996 by Serafino Perugino and is based in Naples, Italy.-History:...
. Due to Jeff Pilson's commitments with Foreigner
Foreigner (band)
Foreigner is a British-American rock band, originally formed in 1976 by veteran English musicians Mick Jones and ex-King Crimson member Ian McDonald along with American vocalist Lou Gramm...
, main producing duties for the new album were handled by Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
winning engineer/producer, Ryan Greene, whose credits include Megadeth
Megadeth
Megadeth is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California which was formed in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, bassist Dave Ellefson and guitarist Greg Handevidt, following Mustaine's expulsion from Metallica. The band has since released 13 studio albums, three live albums, two...
and NOFX
NOFX
NOFX is an American punk rock band from Los Angeles, California .The band was formed in 1983 by vocalist/bassist Fat Mike and guitarist Eric Melvin. Drummer Erik Sandin joined NOFX shortly after. In 1991 El Hefe joined to play lead guitar and trumpet, rounding out the current line-up...
. Pilson and Craig Goldy would make guest appearances on the album as did legendary bassist Rudy Sarzo
Rudy Sarzo
Rudy Sarzo is a Cuban American hard rock/heavy metal bassist. Sarzo has played with many well known heavy metal acts including Quiet Riot, Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake, Manic Eden, Dio and Blue Öyster Cult.-Early life:...
on the song "Bang". Continuing the tradition of covering at least one classic track on each album, the band cut "Overture" / "The Temples of Syrinx" / "Grand Finale" off of 2112
2112 (album)
2112 is the fourth studio album by Canadian rock band Rush, released in 1976.The album features an eponymous seven-part suite written by Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, with lyrics written by Neil Peart telling a dystopian story set in the year 2112. The album is sometimes described as a concept album...
by Rush
Rush (band)
Rush is a Canadian rock band formed in August 1968, in the Willowdale neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario. The band is composed of bassist, keyboardist, and lead vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer and lyricist Neil Peart...
, which is featured as a bonus track.
Studio albums
- UncreationUncreationUncreation is the debut album by the American heavy metal band Benedictum, released through Locomotive Records on March 14, 2006. The album was originally due to be released in late 2005, but was delayed to 2006 to allow for some creative tweaking....
(2006) - Seasons of TragedySeasons of TragedySeasons of Tragedy is the second studio album by the American heavy metal band Benedictum, released through Locomotive Records in 2008.-Track listing:#"Dawn of Seasons" – 1:26#"Shell Shock" – 4:25#"Burn It Out" – 3:32#"Bare Bones" – 5:11...
(2008) - DominionDominion (Benedictum album)Dominion is the third studio album by the American heavy metal band Benedictum, released through Frontier Records in 2011.-Track listing:#"Dominion" 4:18#"At the Gates" 3:59#"Seer" 4:34#"Grind It" 2:44#"Prodigal Son" 4:55#"The Shadowlands" 4:56...
(2011)
Current members
- Veronica Freeman – vocals
- Pete Wells – guitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
- Tony Diaz – keyboardKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
- Chris Shrum – bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Mikey Pannone – drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
Former members
- Blackie Sanchez – drums
- Jesse Wright - bass
- Chris Morgan (StormHammer) - keyboards
- Paul Courtois - drums
Trivia
- Veronica, Blackie and Chris are former members of a DioDio (band)Dio was an American heavy metal band from Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Formed in 1982 and led by vocalist Ronnie James Dio, after he left Black Sabbath with intentions to form a new band with fellow former Black Sabbath member, drummer Vinny Appice. Naming the band Dio made sense from a commercial...
tribute band called Evilution. That is one the reasons for their Dio cover of "Rainbow in the DarkRainbow in the Dark"Rainbow in the Dark" was the second single released by heavy metal band Dio, taken from their 1983 album, Holy Diver. It was numbered 13 on VH1's "Top 40 Greatest Metal Songs."...
" on their demo and "The Mob Rules" and "Heaven and Hell" on Uncreation, both Black SabbathBlack SabbathBlack Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
songs from the Dio era. - In the song "The Mob Rules" on Uncreation, Jimmy BainJimmy BainJames Stewart 'Jimmy' Bain is a Scottish bassist most famous for playing in the bands Rainbow and Dio with Ronnie James Dio. He has worked with Thin Lizzy frontman Phil Lynott, co-writing on his solo albums....
(former RainbowRainbowA rainbow is an optical and meteorological phenomenon that causes a spectrum of light to appear in the sky when the Sun shines on to droplets of moisture in the Earth's atmosphere. It takes the form of a multicoloured arc...
and Dio member) plays as a guest. - Also in the "Valkyrie Rising" song on the same album Craig GoldyCraig GoldyCraig Goldy is an American guitarist, mostly notably of the band Dio.Before Dio, he played in the bands Vengeance, Rough Cutt, and Giuffria. He replaced Jake E. Lee in Rough Cutt and was himself replaced by Amir Derakh in this group. Prior to joining Rough Cutt, he had played in the band Vengeance...
from Dio is guested. - Their producer Jeff PilsonJeff PilsonJeff Pilson is an American bass guitarist, best known for his stint in the heavy metal band Dokken...
is the former bassist of Dio, among other active and non-active bands.