RxMag: What is the meaning behind the name Seal of the Living God?
Vic: Seal was taken from the book of Revelation ch 7 verse 2. It made a really great name. It also represents us as Christians being Sealed for redemption through Christ.
RxMag: How would you describe your music?
Vic: Industrial/Instrumental/Soundtrack
RxMag: Your previous band Solid Mind was more of a rap/hardcore style whereas Seal of the Living God has more of atrance/movie soundtrack type vibe, did you intentionally try to break away from that scene?
Vic: Of Course. Solid was a tight very talented group as far as music and their musicianship was the best I've ever played for in a long time. (Besides Johnny Vasquez and his intense drumming techniques that I've played with in the past.) But, as far as Rap/core, its just wasn't there in my heart. It was hard for me to write material for that style cuz it wasn't where I was blessed at. Seal's material I've been working on for about 6 years and I felt maybe that was my calling since things flowed freely musically and I had freedom to do more then just one particular style. I had a musical freedom to do Soundtrack sounding then again industrial for some heaviness. plus dance which I always loved from the beginning. I really wanted to do something different since I've been in like 7 or 8 projects my whole life and I felt now was the time to break into something different without having any limitations on artistry in my own music. I also get some heat from the different people about leaving the project instrumental. They always ask "Dude, Where are the Vocals!" And I say go pick up a .rod laver or KoRn cd. I felt instrumentals give the music some dramatic feel and let the music do the talking and not a bunch of screaming and yelling. I'm not against the vocal thing, later in my newer recordings I will have good sounding vocals, but for now no.
"I have a vision musically for Seal and I want to make sure it gets there, and if going solo is the way to do it, then so be it."
RxMag: As a soloist do you often find it more difficult to write and arrange music, as opposed to having the inputs of other members?
Vic: You know I've worked with people before. Tony Aiello (guitarist for Solid Mind) worked with me before when the project was called Corronation. We kicked out a 4 or 5 song demo years back called Creation Reborn, It also had a few instrumental tracks and some vocal tracks but it was more of a death metal industrial style which really burned me out. But Working with Tony was a blast, good musician and very talented. But going solo wasn't really what I had in mind but I had a hard time finding people that liked the same musical tastes I did and everyone I worked with wasn't going for the same goal I was going for. I have a vision musically for Seal and I want to make sure it gets there, and if going solo is the way to do it, then so be it. But solo work can be frustrating, since it's just you, sometimes you lack some ideas on how to write and arrange. But I have an open ear to hear people's advise but I try to match their advise to see if it will fit with the project. And programing can be a pain sometimes with drum machines and such. I have good time doing it on my own like I said I'm free to do what I want as an artist and not just some guy to fill the shoes in some band. I can be artistic and creative all I want. I guess I can be stubborn when it comes to writing and arranging. But like I said earlier I want Seal to get to a place where it's visioned in my mind and create it that way as best as I can.
RxMag: In reviewing your CD, "Ancestors" I couldn't help but notice hints of Enigma. Would you say they have influenced our music in any way? Who else has influences you (besides Stryper)?
Vic: lol Stryper will always be a fave! Anyway, Enigma was a big influence in my music even in its early years. When I first heard their 2 album I was blown away totally and listening to the 3rd and new album I had to try something a little similar to them, but in more of a industrial rougher edge for more originality. I'd say Enigma are very original in what they play and their style is phenomenal. I also love Circle of Dust and admire all of Scott Albert's work (klay Scott now) His originality and song writing is a masterpiece. I also like Loreena Mckennit, Robert Miles, numerous Soundtrack composers Danny Elfman, Jerry Goldsmith. The list goes on and on. I really don't listen to much hard-core anymore.
RxMag: I know you are on several compilations, are there any record deals in the works?
Vic: Right now I just got on Flaming Fishes Mag/Comp the song Ancestors will be on that release, Bloodtreaty's Shocked comp, I think I will be the opening track for that one, Intro through the Bloodline 2 will open that comp. BloodTreaty wants to release another comp called Industrializing our world v 1 with a few artist with 2 or 3 songs from each. And he really wanted me to be on that one. And of Course Blacklight Records Escaping the Furnace vol 3 and 4, Ancestors will be featured on that comp. That will be released after Cornerstone. So there's a lot out there and I just got an email from Vox Corp. the editor for 7 Ball Mag and Echo, Christian Bride et etc, to be on a music sampler but I have to work out the details on that. But as far as big deals I'm currently shopping the music around but a part of me wants to stay indie and the other wants a deal but we'll see what God has. He knows me better then I do.
"Don't let anyone take away what you've done for God cuz it only matters in the eternity to come."
RxMag: "Idolatry of the Ancients" and "Ancestors" were both excellent CD's. Can we expect further releases in the near future?
Vic: Oh yes! Right now I just pulled together some old material and modified some tracks just recently and will be releasing a small 4 or 5 song demo called "Unearthed". It has more of soundtrack and industrial feel but like I said it's very old material that I had laying around from between '94 to 2000. I won't be releasing much of this stuff to anyone unless they ask for it. The style is a little different than Ancestors and Idolatry but not much. BloodTreaty Records agreed to repackage Idolatry and Ancestors under one self titled release. But Flaming Fish wanted to do the same. BloodTreaty felt it might of been a waste to release it since f/f wanted too also, but I told them their distribution might be different than flaming fish's. So B/T decided it might be better to release 2 more tracks on the self titles as a special edition. Which 2 songs from Unearthed will be featured on the self titled (Idolatry and Ancestors demo). After all this madness is over I will be working on new material for a full length I'll be recording independently myself titled "In Times Past" which I am aiming for 15 or so songs. I 'm going to try to attempt the movie scoring feel on this next one and a little vocals but not much. Some whisper works and such.
RxMag: Is Seal of the Living God a live show? If so, who do you have as a line-up and who is playing what?
Vic: Right now no live shows. Seal was supposed to be a studio thing cuz my work and school schedule got pretty busy that's kinda the reason why I left Solid Mind in the first place. Seal was just something I can do on my own and on my own time. But the live performances were getting tempting for a while I've asked a few friends to keep it in prayer (some local musicians) but not set on who will help me. There's ideas to throw around on who to play with but not yet confirmed. Marcus from Betrayal hooked up with me on a tag team phone call thing (we tried to get a hold of each other). We will be featured on the same Blacklight Comp Escaping the Furnace 3 and 4. He asked if I could join on his project and help him on his next album. But right now that's also in prayer.
RxMag: What are Seal of the Living God's immediate and/or long-term plans for the future?
Vic: Just continuing the writing process and see where God takes it. I would like to put out a few releases then relax for awhile. During that time I would like to produce solo artists and start a small recording thing on my own but that's all in prayer now too. Hopefully in the summer I'll be getting better recording equipment to start doing that. But I'd like to stay more of the electronic artist then just bands I'm not into the recording the band thing.
RxMag: I know from past interviews that your faith in God is what motivates your playing for Him and reaching an audience that wouldn't otherwise listen. What type of audience is Seal of the Living God aiming to reach?
Vic: I think more of the industrial scene, I couldn't say Gothic but it looks like it might go that way. I never really focused on what area of people but after I wrote the Seal demos more of the industrial area was locked on to it. Where there is a need, God will bring it to where it needs to be.
RxMag: Do you have anything you would like to say to anyone who might be reading this?
Vic: Just stay strong in what you believe in Jesus Christ, your music, or whatever talents God has gifted you in and pursue it for the Kingdom. Don't let anyone take away what you've done for God cuz it only matters in the eternity to come.
RxMag: For those people who would like to know more about Seal of the Living God could you let them in on where to find you on the web and how to get a hold of your CD's?
Vic:
Seal Of The Living God
c/o Vic Mendoza
16345 Willow St.
Hesperia, CA 92345
Phone: 760-218-9355 - Email: vm7573@aol.com
or www.angelfire.com/musicals/sealofthelivinggod
or mp3cd store
http://www.21stcenturyartists.com/artists/sealofthelivinggod.htm
or Jers i store https://www.angelfire.com/ok3/jerspage/index.html
Bloodtreaty Records and Flaming Fish info coming soon
RxMag: Thanks Vic. We're looking forward to hearing more great things from Seal of the Living God, Godbless.
Vic: Word!
