Bill: How did Lamb of God get started as a band?
Mark: When we originally started it was in 94 and we were going under a different name, Burn the Priest. We didn’t really think about being a band or anything, we were just jamming in a basement. We were friends long before we were in a band together. We had known each other for years by the time we started playing music and how we got started was we would get together, write riffs and rocking them. No one was playing metal and we missed it. So we thought we’d take a swing at writing some songs ourselves and playing for the hell of it.
Bill: Do you still play Burn the Priest songs anymore?
Mark: We do. Every night we play a Burn the Priest song. Still sell a lot of Burn the Priest records.

Bill: How did you guys end up getting signed to Prosthetic Records?
Mark: Well, the Burn the Priest record had come out and we started to tour for that, just real small shows up and down the East Coast. We went and played the Milwaukee Metal Fest one year before we were signed and that got us a little attention. Metal Maniacs, was actually the first national magazine that picked up on what we were doing and started talking about us. I think that kind of profile combined with the fact that we were getting a lot of downloads on mp3.com. That’s what originally caught Prosthetic’s eye and when they heard the band and saw what we were doing they signed us right away.

Bill: What was the reason for switching to Epic Records?
Mark: They made us a deal we couldn’t possibly refuse.

Bill: What were your biggest influences while growing up?
Mark: I’ve been listening to music since I was 5, like KISS, AC/DC and Aerosmith back then. By the time I started picking up a guitar I was 13 and I was all about Megadeth, Slayer, early Metallica, and shortly after started getting into Pantera and Testament.

Bill: What music do you listen to that is out today?
Mark: A lot of different stuff. Not that much metal, only a little bit. In terms of metal, there’s this band A Life Once Lost. They’re really one of my favourite bands right now. Unearth I think it’s great. I listen to a lot of stuff that isn’t metal at all. I try to get influences from all around, from every angle.

Bill: How was the recording process for Ashes of the Wake?
Mark: The writing process was a lot quicker. We signed with Epic right after Palaces came out and Epic kind of wanted a record right away so we didn’t have the two year touring cycle we’d normally have on an album. It was more like 6 months and then we were home writing for this record that just came out. It was the fastest we’ve written a record, it was the longest it’s ever taken to record it. We tracked this record for 2 months, where Palaces we tracked it in 3 weeks. So, we had more time to really scrutinize the parts and really nail it and get it tight.

Bill: Who is the producer of this album?
Mark: Machine.
Bill: How is he different than Devin?
Mark: Totally different. With Devin it was more about making Willy and I focus on getting the perfect take. He’s such an amazing guitar player that we had so much respect for him on that level that we’d do whatever he said. If he said it was wrong, it was wrong and we’d do it again. Machine isn’t a musician but he’s a brilliant producer and with him it was all about learning how to get the sounds and balance.

Bill: How do you guys go about recording guitars?
Mark: It depends on what album you’re talking about. There aren’t a whole lot of over dubs on the new album. Some of the solos and stuff are, but it’s just a lot of takes and a lot of punching in and making sure you get it right.

Bill: What made you guys title this new album Ashes of the Wake?
Mark: It was just a concept that I came up with. It kind of spun off As the Palaces Burn. It’s just talking about our civilization as a whole, not just the US or Iraq or any one country.

Bill: What does the song “Laid to Rest” actually talk about?
Mark: “Laid to Rest” is about being in a fight with my girlfriend and just talking about lets just put it back.

Bill: How about, “Now You've Got Something To Die For”?
Mark: “Now You've Got Something To Die For” is about a government taking 18 year old kids to put them in a desert to get shot up. It’s just a phrase that came to me about the whole generation, these suits going, ‘Here you go. Now you’ve got something to die for.”

Bill: What do you like and dislike about the last few albums? Is there anything you wish you could go back on?
Mark: Not really. I’m so proud with what we do. I think we’re getting better at making records across the board. I think we’re writing better songs and making better records, but I don’t want to go back because I had to go through those steps to get where we are now.

Bill: Do you prefer playing smaller shows or bigger shows?
Mark: I don’t honestly have a preference. I love playing shows. Like, we played Ozzfest all summer long to 12 – 15 thousand people and then we play shows like this where we play close and on top of each other. It’s just two different animals and they’re both great.

Bill: What do you like most about being on the road?
Mark: Playing shows. That’s the only thing to like about it because you’re away and living out of a bag.

Bill: What kind of equipment do you prefer to use?
Mark: I play Jackson guitars and Mesaboogie amps. I’m really happy with the service and the sound.

Bill: How is the tour going?
Mark: It’s going good, really good.
Bill: Do you guys get along with all the bands?
Mark: Yeah, really well. We didn’t know Fear Factory or Bodom. We know Throwdown so we knew we’d get along with them, but you can’t take that for granted because it’s not always the smoothest thing in the world.

Bill: I wish I had more questions, but it was cool man. Take it easy and have a great show tonight.
Mark: Alright man. Thanks.

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