Christian Mistress - Agony and Ecstasy

By: Darren Cowan

After 30 years, the New Wave of British Heavy Metal is not so new, yet it remains a musical phenomenon. Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Motorhead and the bands they spawned—Metallica and Exodus—are as popular and relevant now as ever. Along with Sabbath, all metal bands owe their existence to these groups; some just show their appreciation in a more obvious manner. While Olympia, Washington-based five piece Christian Mistress does not perceive its music as throwback or retro, the NWOBHM influence is undeniable.

Although released in 2010, Christian Mistress’s debut full length Agony & Opium recalls the days when mullets and 8-track players were the hip thing. Said album contains the occasional Maiden-esque melody, catchy guitar fret play of early Metallica and Diamond Head, audible bass lines that one would expect to hear from Lemmy, and up-tempo drumming that brings it all together. Singer Christine Davis has a raspy tongue suitable for pop music, but has a tinge of aggression perfect for metallic ears.

Drummer Rueben Storey makes it perfectly clear in the following interview that Christian Mistress is a modern American band. He seems perturbed at all the comparisons journalists have made to his group. Even if we don’t understand where he and his mates are coming from, one thing is for sure, we all love this band. I have yet to read a negative comment about his group. Some bands have a way of sticking with you, and Christian Mistress is one of those groups. Either way, the forthright skins man deserves a forum to tell us about his group in his own words, so read on and learn about this hot upcoming act.

Blistering.com: How long did you take to record Agony and Opium?

Rueben Storey: We took three days for the tracking and overdubs and one day for mixing. All the basic tracks including rhythm guitars, drums and bass were recorded live to two tracks. I love this way of recording because you can't hesitate. Once that record button is hit, you just gotta GO.

Blistering.com: What was the writing process like? Who wrote the lyrics?

Storey: This was also done in a blitzkrieg style fashion, Oscar would bring the majority of a song to the table and Christine would write lyrics while we fleshed out the song. We would just jam until it clicked. We gave five out of the six songs on the LP this treatment, the remainder being a song we've had since our inception.

Blistering.com: Does the album title refer to a specific song or lyric?

Storey: Agony & Opium is a lyric in the song “Black Vigil.” It's from The Theater and Its Double and is describing an apocalyptic scene of a city afflicted by the plague where rivers flow the colors of agony and opium.

Blistering.com: Agony & Opium sounds as if it you recorded it in the early eighties. Were you going for an older sound, and what did you and your producer do to get this production?

Storey: Well, we definitely didn't want a modern sound so in that context you could say we went for an older sound. We wanted a sound mostly that sounded like us. We wanted to sound like a real band playing real music, mistakes and disparities intact.

Blistering.com: Christian Mistress has a well-chronicled, definite NWOBHM style. When did you first start listening to this brand of music?

Storey: We've been listening to British heavy metal since adolescence. It's hard to avoid, what with Metallica exposing their influences recorded since their inception and Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Motorhead being classic gateways. While British music is undoubtedly an influence, I want to make it clear that we are a modern American band and quite literally have nothing to do with the NWOBHM. I feel our sound has as much to do with BOC and ZZ Top as is does Diamond Head and Saxon.

Blistering.com: Do you listen to newer bands? What’s the last new band you can remember spinning on your CD or record player?

Storey: I haven't been able to get the Mach II self-titled LP out of my recent listen stack in months--ripping hard rock from Ohio. Also, The Guild from Portland Oregon and the currently defunct Yellow Cross. I'm really anticipating the Cauchemar MLP though it has yet to reach my mailbox.

Blistering.com: The fact that you have a female vocalist playing NWOBHM-inspired music garners comparisons to Girlschool. How do you feel about this comparison? Are they an influence on Christian Mistress?

Storey: Girlschool is fine, but I can't recall once us jamming them at parties or in the van. I do think ignorance and laziness dictates the comparisons to other bands with similar configurations. I mean who can honestly say The Plasmatics and Fleetwood Mac have something to do with our sound?

Blistering.com: Christine, you have a raspy voice that led me to compare her to Melissa Etheridge and Stevie Nicks. Did pop music play a part in the shaping of your vocals?

Christine Davis: I have never listened to Melissa Etheridge but appreciate Stevie Nick's voice. It's hard to argue with the power she evokes in "Landslide.” If there is any pop influence in my vocals, it is because I have been singing since I was very young and have a gamut of influences behind me. The main shaping of my vocal style is from a combination of a hippy children's choir I was in at age ten to twelve where I Iearned to hear music in six-part harmonies. Also, I sang all over the (former) Soviet Union and I’ve sung in heavy metal bands for the past 7 years.

Blistering.com: You released a demo and single last year. Please tell our readers about these recordings. Where can our readers purchase these titles?

Storey: The demo is long gone but the single is still available through 20 Buck Spin. They are both recordings of the band at that time, as is our newest. If our sounds appeal then they are worth seeking.

Blistering.com: Christian Mistress is the only local band signed to 20 Buck Spin. Is the owner of the label a friend? What is the story of your signing?

Storey: Yes, Dave is our close friend. Olympia isn't necessarily known for heavy metal with only a few bands playing past the area. He lives here, we live here and in this climate, like-minded people should stick together.

Blistering.com: Press releases and ads list quotes from Fenriz of Darkthrone. One of your friends introduced your band to him. How did this transpire?

Storey: Our friend and incredible supporter, Dennis Dread, has been the artist behind Darkthrone's three most-recent LP's. He mentioned our band to Fenriz and suggested I send him a tape. The dude liked it…pretty dope!

Blistering.com: Does Christian Mistress play many gigs? Can we expect a tour?

Storey: We leave for a national tour September 27, 2010 supporting Thrones. We are out until Halloween. Check our website and the 20 Buck Spin site for dates.

www.20buckspin.com