Ben Bruce (Asking Alexandria) - going heavy again, playing old songs live + more
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- čas přidán 17. 05. 2023
- I chatted with Ben Bruce from Asking Alexandria about their new single "Dark Void." We talked about why this song is heavy no matter what gatekeepers say, whether we will hear old songs (like "Not The American Average") live again, his love for nu-metal, fatherhood, mental health and whether not you should wear a t shirt from a band that you don't listen to.
Be sure to check out Asking Alexandria's latest single "Dark Void"
open.spotify.com/track/5qI0O2...
• Asking Alexandria - Da...
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This is a great interview. It gives a lot of clarity to AA fans as to why they aren’t “heavy” anymore. They’re a great band and dark void is a catchy song. I’m glad that they’re still able to make music. You can always go back and listen to the old songs. Great interview man
Thanks for watching and for the kind words!
Or if the rest of the Band wants to be heavy and Danny can't do it BRING BACK DENIS!!!
@@stevenvick89as much as I enjoyed the black, Dennis shat on his own cornflakes there, stole past music from them for one of his new bands to the point where the label dropped that song from the album due to AA threatening a lawsuit, he's stole artwork in the past for that same band. I love the guy but he's too much drama
I hope some people read this. Us true fans know we wouldn’t mind at all if they had to use vocal back tracks to play some old songs. Screw the haters and gatekeepers. Don’t let them win
@@drummerTBM I agree
I LOVED this podcast/interview dude. Gave me the answers I needed to hear and reminding me why AA was the first band to deposit all my love.
Thanks for checking it out! Glad you dig it
Giggity.
Watching this interview it's awesome to see how much Ben has grown and matured over the years. It's great to see him clean and sober and obviously happy despite everything he went through to get to this point. Love or hate the new music it doesn't matter. They are still going strong. Looking forward to the new album drop!
This is one of the best interviews to come from Ben or anyone is AA in general. People do need to realize that Danny is not 18 anymore and just physically cant hit those notes anymore without risking the vocal cords again. Overall, Dark Void was an amazing song and gives us best of both worlds.
Dafuq? He CAN hit those notes! And he CAN scream and growl like a fockin demon! He just doesn't want to.
It's like what Ben said in the interview, technically he can, but it's not safe for him vocally in the long run. He mentioned his voice is hoarse and tired after doing the screaming portions and he already had multiple surgeries on his vocal cords because of past injuries. Personally, I'm glad he's taking care of himself.
He might be able to learn better vocal chord techniques, though (like Oli Sykes did). Just saying this in general/that it's prolly possible :)
@@Yourmomnowpeople need to realise that doing that style of vocals is different in a studio where you can take as many takes and rest for as long as you can afford compared to live when you have to do it for 30-90 minutes (depending on show) in 1 take and that could be nearly daily for a couple of weeks.
Just because you’ve ran a marathon doesn’t mean you could do 7 in a week…
I think that a lot of people are fine with the fact that danny cant scream like he used to. I def am, but im of the opinion that it was kinda shitty to advertise dark void as a heavy track. Again its fine that they dont want to produce that sound anymore, the easy solution to fans like me would be to stop listening to asking alexandria. Though why bring back old fans to hear a breakdown that was already shown through tik toks an youtube shorts, an have the rest of the song feel like the same thing theyve been producing for like 4 years.
I think that they need to remember that being heavy doesn’t mean that song MUST contain screams or lows. I’m not that harsh gatekeeper but for me the definition of heaviness in metalcore is sick and low tuned guitar riffs, metalcore drum beats and breakdowns. If they combine that with Danny’s today vocals with mature lyrics then I’ll be fine.
I think that many of us want something like that from Asking
Exactly. I mean Breakdown the Walls and Someone Somewhere don't have screams and are both heavy
The way Ben understands and talks about music as both a fan and a musician is so insanely cool. Love his way of thinking. AA has been an important band in my life for years. Heavy or not they’ll always be that band for me
This interview is amazing. It really brings a human element to it. Ben did an excellent job taling abiut everything and why theyve chosen to do what they do. Even if this album isn't the heavy that I may want (which idk if it is or not yet obviously) I'm genuinely excited now to hear what Danny cooked up for us despite the pain he endures for it. I feel bad for giving them so much shit over the years...
I loved this interview man, you asked some great questions. 🤘🏻
Thanks so much!
I had thought that potential damage to Danny’s voice was the reason for less screams and what is perceived as not as heavy. They lyrics got heavy and they made awesome music. I love what they’ve made across the board, and I love Danny’s voice
I love how AA has evolved over the years, both as a band & as people. It's probably not popular but I strongly prefer the older, more mature version of the band. I love the message of Dark Void. Great chat!
I could hear Ben talk all day.
I don't know why but every time I hear Ben's interviews it really surprises me how much we see eye to eye. I couldn't agree more with some of the things he said especially about music and family/relationships.
I always loved his honesty and the fact that he's so genuine! I wish I met him in the flesh! The kind of person I'd really to have a chat with!❤
this interview was amazing. just listened to dark void and it is a new favorite of mine.
All fans need more music/albums like R&R and FDTD
you just can't not love ben. he's such a great and down to the earth guy. always felt like he's the heart of the band. dark void was really great, can't wait for the next one.
If Danny can't do heavy vocals the band can still do metalcore instrumentals. They could write songs like Someone, Somewhere and Break Down The Walls and it would work. James can show off his pedal work and Ben could show off his riffs while Danny does his thing 🤷 i hope this album shows off their versatility, and they add really heavy songs even if they wont play them live
Great interview man!
Appreciate the support!
This was such a great interview! I loved hearing some insight into their upcoming record, as well as hearing why Danny didn’t scream as much on their last few releases (sounds like a perfectly good reason to me). This interview definitely made me even more excited for whatever Asking Alexandria will release next :)
And your random questions at the end were great 🤣
When is dropping the record?
@@josecanada7448 they haven’t released a date yet 😫
New songs are set to release next month
Hopefully sooner than later!
he also just doesn’t like heavy music and they were wanting to make rock music.
Thanks for watching!
Love yah brother totally appreciate the honesty.
I love all those different phases. I love the idea of bringing it all together. I'm stoked for this album 🤘🤘🤘 Also, I'm with Ben on what's "Heavy". There's always heavier stuff, and just because it's not the heaviest doesn't mean it's not heavy. Metal started with Led, reached Metallica and Pantera, then all kinds of split offs in the early 2000s with bands like AA, and things like deathcore and such were developing throughout most of that timeline, etc, etc, etc. And I swear subgenres get heavier every year. Not being the heaviest doesn't make you not heavy. I'm also very much with him about the strange argument of changing the name. Bands should be allowed to expand. Imagine telling Picasso he should have changed his name when he switched from his era of classical painting to inventing cubism? Theres a world of possibilities in art, its not meant to be "one way".
Man Ben is a completely different man compared to him from 2011
Interview changed my opinion on the new song, i still don't like it but I'm interested in the upcoming new album with the details he gave out and appreciate the song for what it is.
Also the way he could play that section in The Void, he should get pedal that drops the tuning with a expression pedal.
I agree, it’s a bit of a relief to hear that Dark avoid was just something in between heavy and their more catchier “rock” side and that their are more heavier songs on the album. Heavier doesn’t always mean better, but it’s not to see them visit their older sound.
I'm so glad that Ben was able to explain in a way that the fans understood. (Or seem to anyway) I LOVE the heavier AA, but you can't expect that forever, especially with the risk of ruining Danny's 'instrument' indefinitely. But that's the good thing about the internet, you can always go back and listen to that heavier stuff whenever you want, but let's just let AA move forward and do what they ENJOY and can safely do ❤❤ because regardless they are soo talented, I feel like most people are just comparing them to their old stuff and not even giving them a chance.
Either way, I LOVE the new album❤❤ great job my dudes
This was the best interview I've seen with ben bruce of AA love these guys been a fan since the beginning. I remember watching bryan stars interviews with them and they were hilarious even though i had to find out he's not such a good guy after all but still good interview none the less loved your questions the vibe just over all awesome to watch. I don't have tik tok but subscribed to this channel because i think your interviews are really good. Any chance you'll interview andy of bvb or Ronnie from falling in reverse would love to see it if you're down to interview them. To be honest miw bvb aa and fir are my fav bands. I love music so much it's what keeps me going. Anyways sorry to ramble anyways loved this keep up the good work
Thanks for support. Would love to interview some of those artists as well, hopefully I can make it happen one day!
Its mentally wearing how many people dont understand how hard it is to do the vocals that Danny does.. hes always in high registers for most choruses and using grit as well... Screams only make it even harder.. and or course all performance environments. I think if they also had a few lighter songs in the set, maybe even bringing the tuning down a half step to ease him up for a tour or two
Seen asking last year and danny was insane, screaming and cleans🤘🏼class
Great interview. I’ve been a fan of aa for years and love the new direction they’ve gone. Sure I miss the heavy stuff but I rather see Danny stay healthy then kill his voice. The old stuff is always there if I want the more heavy side.
I respect the fact that they know and understand their limitations instead of just pushing their bodies to the absolute max. When danny came back and the first album didnt scream as much as he used to, my step sister didn’t like them anymore because of that. And i just tell her, they didnt want to do the screaming anymore, why? Idk. But Danny doesnt want to scream anymore. But now we know why. And it is 100000000% respectable.
Benjamin' Bruce : The Professor😂.
🔥🔥🔥
I hope some people read this. Us true fans know we wouldn’t mind at all if they had to use vocal back tracks to play some old songs. Screw the haters and gatekeepers. Don’t let them win
how come on danny’s big comeback on 10 years in the black tour then he screamed through the whole set night after night… all the heavy classics. no issues 🤔 he just hates screaming & heavy music now, plain & simple. he gave fans what they wanted during his comeback & then went right back to where he wanted to be when he left to begin with.
He also did it on insta gram he took it down you can find it on CZcams still but he made a song just prove he could still do it and admitted he just don’t want to
He said a couple days ago, he is not at all interested in doing stuff like SUAS or R&R. He even rated those two albums his least favorite, after that is FDTD and his favorite is House On Fire, so that tells you alot about where he wants AA to go.
@@joshguy5221 exactly, it’s obvious the other guys wanted to be really heavy again (hence the black - a masterpiece) but they also wanted danny back i guess… you can’t always have the best of both world ya know 🤷♀️
@@MoriahxGrace yeah although Danny’s voice probably played a role in them being softer, they still would have been where they are now. Danny’s been wanting to make rock for 10 years now
@@jeux2322 yes but the other guys didn’t want to. i think now they’ve accepted it though and it is what it is
I'm a diehard AA fan. Love everything they release.
not without dennis'
Great interview and loved the answers Ben gave, but there are ways to do the heavy music still and it be okay. I understand being afraid of doing it but getting a vocal coach and practicing correct screaming would definitely help.
Oli tore his vocal cords and he sounds better than he did before it’s just about technique I feel.
But I also understand the aspect of maturing and not wanting to do the music as much too. I love AA regardless.
Screaming isnt punching walls with your voice if you're doing it properly, we've known this for at least 15 years.
Im glad Danny does it but to a point where hes comfortable now and i think kinda the Asking Nu Metal sound suits that.
The hate is ridiculous. We wont ever get the old AA. The guys grew up. They matured. Back then there was substance abuse. They were literally NEVER fucking sober. They were KIDS. They are grown adults who appreciate music further and don't feel the need to scream. They aren't angsty teens anymore. I love old AA but musically they evolved. Its not hard to grasp. Just because they are not screaming an entire song doesn't mean its not heavy. If you want heavy the old AA records still exist. Go listen to them.
When does the album come out?
what if AA did some guest screaming vocalist or maybe add on a screaming vocalist like other bands have done?
For people like you, stop living in the past, you’re not gon get the old AA back
I thought “Eve” for the Self-Tiltedwas great I loved his vocal style on that but now I wonder if that style was tough for him to go through.
40:39 you are goddamn right
I think Asking Alexandria should go for the Nu Metal sound but still sound like Asking Alexandria i think Dark Void is a great medium
Agreed, the nu metal sound especially with Danny's voice I think suits them quite well.
Its Bens lucky day to be interviewed by The Deep himself
Lol is that really him?
We need to go back to the White hills and the oceans.
The hoarseness in Danny’s voice frightens me. I know for a fact he knows people who can scream, he should ask for help!
Even doing it correctly can still lead to having a hoarse voice.
@@TheAmazingSpiderGuy_99 I mean yeah, just like talking for extended periods of time makes you hoarse. But part of knowing how to scream right is knowing when to take a break and drink some water. If you are sure to hydrate regularly and know when to stop, you will not go hoarse.
Or Just Let Him leave I mean he's clearly Holding Them Back!!! Bring Back Denis!!!
Add a screamer to the band? Let Danny hit the clean vocals and get a brutal heavy vocalist
I still remember the day Ben posted in dubai forum looking for a bassist for AA, they were extremely hated and I applied and he emailed me back asking me to join inspite of me being like 15 years older but I had a full time job and a baby
can you tell us more about that era? what were they like then
@@velikoblagorazymniy they were metalcore / emocore and it seems the local scene was super jealous of them and made a lot of jokes about them on the only Middle East underground music forum , Ben ofcourse is the only remaining member, I clearly remember someone bought an AA shirt locally produced and scribbled the words ‘ for my money back’ below the band logo , I’m sure now everyone is kissing ben ass cause they are the only dubai band to make it BIG😎
thank you@@xheadlessx
Well maybe Danny needs better technique, but I’m not too sure
Majority of this comment section is bitching 😂😂😂 fuckin’ A. I’m just happy they’re still making music in general. You fucking rock Ben 👍🏼👍🏼
I wish they release unreleased heavy songs like Parasite
Danny said just days ago that hes actually working on it!
@@werecomingforyou9041 where did you see that? Im curious
@@Jmarden97 on the subreddit somebody allegedly had talked to him through like cameo or something along those lines. thread probably still up
If Danny is struggling with doing screams and straining his voice when he also sings, it sounds like he needs to go see a professional harsh vocal coach like Melissa Cross. Clearly he’s not using proper technique if he’s hurting himself and not keeping good vocal hygiene like hydrating and doing a proper vocal warm up. I know he’s capable of doing it, but is he willing to take those steps so he can perform the songs live without tracks? Idk, doesn’t seem like it to me.
He should but probably he's more concern on singing than screaming anw. And other band members just have to adapt because of it.
@@Zim___ well if he got actual lessons on how to scream without it being detrimental to his voice, he would have to be concerned about nothing in a live sense.
Oli tore his vocal chords back during their amo era too. But Oli learned how to scream properly, and now does it all the time without any damage. As insane as it sounds coming from a nobody like me, I think Danny would benefit from some vocal coaching on screaming the proper way.
but we all know the outcome. he will never do it.
Oli definitely uses tracks live
If they want to actually go heavy they need to drop Danny cause he doesn’t want to go heavy 😢
He's actually happy enough doing it he just doesn't want to screw his vocal chords they can still make heavy without fuck loads of screaming listen to Judas Priest and stuff like that Painkiller Metal Meltdown Hell rider...
@@MartiniScreamz where did he say that?
@@noroyalbloodline3983 he's always said that since coming back
@@MartiniScreamz no from the videos I seen he still doesn't want to go as heavy anymore, ben said that too. Why do you think the newer albums are much more rock
I know it might upset older fans but.... maybe they could find new band member ... simply a screamer. I'm not hating or anything! I love AA, but god, I miss heavy stuff too.
;)
If was a question of damaging his voice, Matt from Trivium could help I don't know
You know, they always say that Danny does not scream because it damaged his vocal chords, but in Instagram live for Stand up and scream anniversary, he said that stuff never damaged his voice, so...
It has much more to do with Danny not liking scream at all since the beginning, he loves to sing and clasic hard rock/heavy metal
And... Its so strange, blew his voice recording THESE songs? How do deathcore vocalists do then...
@@leotavares9391 Exactly Dude Just Bring Back Denis Already Damn The Black To This Point Was Their Last Good Album
The first 2 albums they had the world at their fingertips but you can still be successful, appeal to fans, maintain your sound but still appeal to fans from the first to the last album aswell as new fans.
An example of this is the band As I Lay Dying (Metalcore mainly) who have had a similar sound in early albums in 2005 as the 2019 album but they have gotten even better but haven't changed to the extent of AA. Never lost any heaviness.
How do you know Ben is lying? he's opening his mounth...
Danny after vocal chords damage:
- Mitch Lurker memorial show
- 10th anniversary whole screaming
- famous instagram post where he recorded screaming song saying after that he can scream, but doesn't want to
Stop bullshiting of his incapabilities, he just doesnt want to, doesnt give single f**k about old music that made them famous, and their fans
Memorial show was over 10 years ago.
10th anniversary was over 5 years ago.
Instagram post was from years ago.
It's easy to make one song and never play it live. But hey, you know so much about AA and how they personally feel
Danny needs Melissa Cross
this
this
you cant say you're gonna do something heavy again. Coz if '' if its heavy it has to be the heaviest thing'' pls IF YOU DO SOMETHING MORE HEAVY THAN R&R, PLS do it for christmas
Clearly Based on this interview the whole band would like to be more heavy again but Danny is holding them back which we original fans already knew but i mean Damn Just Bring Back Denis!!!!
No lol
I like their new music more than the old, I hope we see a LAHOF like album in the future
Hell no, that’s their worst album of all time
@@NicholasColvard-pm9hb didn’t ask for your bullshit opinion
Danny Worsnops burner account lmao
@@clintbeasthood9758 ohhh noooo someone has a different opinion to yours… that means you have to attack them with tears in your eyes 🥹
@@NicholasColvard-pm9hb Hell Yea That Album Should've been Called Like a Dumpster on Fire lmao
Ben needs new camera😅
Internet connection
I unfortunately understand ben
But Danny needs to find
A way even if its getting lessons There's ways you can scream and protect your voice
so he admits to them using backing tracks for older songs. At least they admit it. They all know they can't do it anymore. Personally I think they;d be better off telling people that before the gigs.
yoo! add some timestamps bro itd help alot
i understand this but how does corey taylor do it? maybe bc he didnt have surgery? slipknot goes very heavy on a lot of songs for decades
"When you show the first 6 second from a song in every video and you said it will be Heavy again"
And the chorus lyrics is "Believe in me"
And the song is NOT heavy.
Bro😅
Ben: Dark Void is heavy but someone will argue against it saying it isn't.
This dude: Gatekeepers will talk shit.
No dude. In comparison to Stand Up and Scream, Reckless & Relentless, From Death to Destiny, and The Black, Dark Void is not heavy lol
If you mean heavy like Reckless and Relentless then I’m all ears but from the song I just heard, it’s pretty mid compared to what I know Danny can do.
People are upset cuz You guys using Playback backing tracks. Example: Run Free, breakdown has got the same mistake when it is starting on EVERY FUCKING CONCERT. I mean okay, Danny's voice are not the same as in the past, but do not lie, and do not cheat...
I love, We love Reckless and the New shit as well, just do not lie in to our face when We buy the tickets, not You...
How about just getting a new screamer and let Danny sing
That's actually a great solution. Most metalcore bands have 2 vocalists anyways
Yes bring Back Denis for screams and Danny for Singing
just cause the last song was in drop f doesn't make it the "heaviest". quite mid tbh. hope whatever they release next actually impresses :p
Is it possible to get an unclean vocalist to join the band for those screaming parts? What’s wrong with two vocalists 🤷🏻♂️ Blessthefall does it, Wage War does it so why not.
I’m hearing a lot of excuses
Literally EVERYONE just wants a heavy AA. Nothing else BEN
If Danny can't scream anymore he must have a shitty technique and needs vocal lessons on how to scream properly... he used to do it no issues, now he can't. There's obviously something wrong he's doing.
He should get lessons from melissa cross
@damien sky 100%. I get it he's getting older but there's people his age or older that scream crazier then he does no issues. Bands like Lorna Shore, Infant Annihilator, Suicide Silence, Motionless in White etc that do it all the time no issues. Danny needs to go to Melissa Cross or someone and get some screaming tips so he can play these songs live no issues.
Bring Denis back for harsh vocals then keep Danny for cleans get the best of both worlds asking would blow up bigger than ever
Or fuck it Ben does the screaming or anybody Godammit dog asking is done 😢
Denis was a dick.. at the end he was a shit person saddly
That's fair but I don't see Danny and Dennis working well together.
@@SFutureReacts they could go as fair as one doing there new stuff and Denis doin there old stuff plus keeping the black album alive
Dennis is not a good dude and hard to get along with
This is pretty sad I know you love Danny but it’s probably time he retired. If he can’t sing anymore call it a day rest
nah ben , we like the black
Dark void, is absolutely NOT a heavy song. What in the fuck?
Show me on the doll where the internet hurt you
It's heavy compared to the last three albums.
Exactly! AA knows what heavy is. They released R&R ffs!
Must be a hater
must be
Dark Void is not heavy and they know it
At this point just disband asking or bring denis back sorry but this danny ain’t it Ben.
Denis had his chance and he blew it hard
why would they bring him back? he had his chance and fucked it up lmao
Danny is an amazing vocalist bro come on.
You’re not a real fan then. Dennis isn’t coming back ever(Thank got), get over it already.
Denis left AA cause everyone wanted Danny back including me! and on top of that he left AA cause his home country is at war u can really blame Denis, and Danny on the other hand he should just leave Asking and resume his country project “We are harlot” which clearly he enjoys better! Danny is like another Jonny Craig but without the drugs and all that crazy drama he just let ur fans down Mai boi
Dark Void is not heavy. But neither was anything on the last album and every song was great. But Dark Void is mid at best
Nu metal is one of the more little girl Metal... it's cool, but not the best Metal.