Interview with Greg Wenk of Veritas

I really enjoyed listening to Veritas's album Threads of Fatality. I thought they sounded a bit like Avenged Sevenfold. I got to ask Greg Wenk, who plays guitar for Veritas, some questions about it. Here's what he had to say.

1. I was listening to something you'd said in another interview about the meaning of the name Veritas relating to truth. Why is truth valuable to what you make? 

I think it's best to be truthful with yourself and others in everything you do. If you try and do what others expect of you just to make them happy, you'll never show the best of yourself and your abilities.

2. A sacrament is a ceremony of consecration. How does the idea of a ritual which makes something holy relate to the first song on Threads of Fatality, 'Prelude to a Sacrament"? What is being bought and sold? 

It's preparing the listener for the journey they are getting ready for, to begin with, the cd. Only time is bought and sold. You decide what to trade the hours of your life for. So choose wisely and don't waste time with trivial things

3. Have you ever wanted to quit playing music in front of other people? What do you do to talk yourself into performing anyway if you are nervous about it?

I love playing for people. I'm generally not too nervous anymore. That was more common when I was first learning and didn't want to make any mistakes. I still make mistakes but I don't let them get to me. I'm only human

4. The eighth track, "Moment of the Day" seems like it might be about a person who feels an unhappy distance between themselves and someone they want very badly to be understood by. What is the miscommunication about?  

I interpret it as someone who is frustrated and basically saying I can't help you to understand me or my point of view because I really don't know and understand myself. "Is it really worth it to you To sit around and spend your time on Trying to comprehend Not getting anywhere With what we're trying to say"

 

5. Which three influences can be most clearly identify in your sound? 

We have been told that it's for fans of Fates Warning, Queensryche, and early Dream Theater.  I personally would throw in some influence from Savatage, Vicious Rumors, Crimson Glory as well.

6. Much of what you make reminds me of progressive metal and hard rock from 35 years ago. What does that time period and sound evoke for you that you borrow from it so often? 

I'm not sure. I just really like the music and guitar sounds from that era. There are so many bands that just blew my mind the first time I heard them. It seemed like there were so much talent and innovation. We don't purposely try and write something from any era or musical style. Just music that we like and would enjoy listening to if we weren't in the band

7. What does the title Threads of Fatality mean? Do these 14 songs weave together to represent a bigger idea? How are they related?

To me, it means that everything in your life is tied to a thread or event that could ultimately lead to your death. No one knows when their last day will be. The songs are only related as far as them being on the same cd. Denny has written the lyrics so each listener can decide what it means to them and sort take them on their own journey.

8. How do you choose which order the songs go in? "If It's Over" is the last song on the album. What is over besides the record? Which master schemes are blinding whom to what?

Mainly we listen to the tracks and just try to get them in an order that flows well. Using the slower tracks and any ballads to try and build something faster. If It's Over just seemed like a good choice for a closing track as a sort of teaser of what to expect on the next cd. 

9. Where can everyone find you on the web? Where can we buy Threads of Fatality?

Our official site www. veritas.rocks

Facebook www.facebook.com/veritasmusickc

Veritas-Threads of Fatality is available worldwide wherever CDs are sold. Amazon, Barnes and Noble, FYE, Walmart, and any online or local record shop.  More links to the cd, digital, and merch at www. veritas.rocks/shop

10. Is there anyone you would especially like to mention or thank?

Thanks to Daryl Bolicek our engineer at Wild Horse Recording for an amazing job, Thomas Juth for mastering, Amplified Distribution for making our cd available worldwide, and to all our fans and family around the globe that have listened and purchased our music and helped support the band. You rock!! Also thank you to all the radio stations that have played and promoted our music along with the too numerous to list magazines, bloggers, reviewers, and interviewers that have taken the time to sit down and introduce their audiences to Veritas!

Veritas are: 

Denny Anthony/ vocals

Greg Wenk/ guitars

Geno Alberico/ bass

Mark Zonder / drums