SIX FEET UNDER Frontman Says The Internet Has 'Ruined' The Music Industry

Sleepwalker of Beyond The Dark Horizon recently conducted an interview with SIX FEET UNDER vocalist Chris Barnes. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Beyond The Dark Horizon: Tell me about the title "Death Rituals". I hear it is one that you have had waiting for some time. How does it fit this record or what does it mean to you?

Chris: It's more important to me what it means to the listener, what someone else gets from it. I think all the stuff I write is a personal thing first and then it builds from there. I felt it was a title that could encompass the lyrics and the over all vibe of the record. I mean, I write all the time, so I have stuff just written down over the years compiled and something speaks to me at a certain point when I'm listening to what the guys are writing and let it go with the flow and let the music dictate to me what it is saying and how I will interpret it.

Beyond The Dark Horizon: If you were to compare this record to previous SIX FEET UNDER records, how does it differ? Was it created differently or did you approach writing it differently?

Chris: I don't like to compare things. I mean, they are separate entities and it's all new material, you know? I don't really like to compare; I don't think anything can be compared to anything else. It's kind of a funny way of looking at music, for me. I wrote all the lyrics and was really involved in this project so I look at it differently than someone else. "It sounds like this or it sounds like that" doesn't really equate with me when I listen to something that I helped put together. We attacked the writing process like we always do. What really works for us is writing each album, each song, like it's our first album that we have ever written. Just feel it out and see what sounds good to us and go from there.

Beyond The Dark Horizon: After all the years of doing what you do, how do you maintain a fresh outlook and continue to release quality stuff and stay true to your vision, you know what I mean?

Chris: Like I was saying earlier, we just approach each song like it's our first song we have ever written. We don't focus on anything we have done in the past or try and make something sound like something else. We just really go with what we think sounds good. That's how we have always done it. All the guys in the band come from that school of writing and that's where I come from, too. That's why we have such a good relationship over the years and enjoy what we do and not be bothered by anything else. We are lucky in that. I think that is the best way to write. Write for yourself not anybody else. That's what we do and it has been working well for us.

Beyond The Dark Horizon: How do you feel about the Internet and how it has revolutionized the music biz?

Chris: Oh, I think it has ruined it. I think everyone knew it back then and now it has grown into this monster that can't be stopped. Either you get on board and utilize the finer points of it or go the way of the dinosaur. I think it has ruined the music industry and I think any record company will tell you that.

Beyond The Dark Horizon: Has it greatly affected what you do?

Chris: Oh, yeah, definitely. I think it affects what people do more and more everyday, on all levels. It is what it is now and the machine must be fed.

Beyond The Dark Horizon: Some bands will release bonus material or stickers, you know, like extra packaging to dissuade people from downloading the album…

Chris: Oh, yeah, we've done it and it doesn't work.

Beyond The Dark Horizon: I didn't notice anything on this release like that and wanted to ask…

Chris: The European release has three bonus live tracks in a digipack.

Beyond The Dark Horizon: You don't think that's enough, huh?

Chris: Probably not, those songs will probably wind up on the Internet in two days.

Beyond The Dark Horizon: It's a real shame…

Chris: Our new album was put online a week and half ago. It's already been leaked out, you know? How is that a positive thing? I don't understand. That's why there won't be CDs anymore in about five years and there won't be record companies, so to speak, in the next five years. It will be hard for bands to tour with the economy. Basically, what's been going on with the Internet changing the music industry is that the fans have brought it upon themselves and will be the ones to ultimately suffer. I have never downloaded anything, not even legally. You know? If I want to listen to a band's music, I go buy a CD. I don't believe in anything else. The industry has been brought to its knees over this and it's ultimately going to cost everyone.

Read the entire interview from Beyond The Dark Horizon.