M.S: First of all, thanks for taking your time and welcome to Metal Symphony.
Bludgeon can presume of being the first band in which Joel Demaio is the producer.
How did it arise?
Mark: Joey got his hands on our demo from a local radio station. The DJ
gave it to him and some time later we got a call from Joey. At first, we were
like ‘yeah right this is Joey’, but it WAS Joey. He later flew to our house
in Chicago, and we gave him a private show and the rest is history…
M.S: Your first album with Demaio was "Crucigy the priest" (2002). Did that
album have success?
Mark: Hell yes! It’s our first CD and we recorded it live in our living
room. I think it turned out great for being live.
M.S: And now, 4 years later and working again with Demaio here it comes
your second album "World Controlled". Why did it take so long?
Mark: The band went through some line up changes because of musical differences.
M.S: In the album you have included a making-off video where we can see
Demaio in a very fatherly mood, giving you advises of how to understand the
band’s philosophy. We see you very interested in what he says. How can the veterany
of a very charismatic musician contribute to your music?
Mark: Joey helps in all sorts of ways. The thing about Joey is, he will
tell you what’s on his mind, truthfully and honestly, there’s no bullshit with
him. 
M.S: How is to work with a King of Metal?
Mark: We are honoured to be with the Knights of Magic Circle.
M.S: Demaio’s label, Magic Circle Music, work with bands like Manowar, Rhapsody,
Feinstein or Luca Turilli. How is to be the extreme metal band in the label?
Mark: It’s excellent! We’re among some great bands.
M.S: On the other hand, it’s obvious that Demaio has a determination to
promote his own band. In the video we can see lots of posters and pictures of
Manowar, even in the booklet of your cd appears the label’s catalogue and merchandising
of Manowar. But there’s no pic of you. Isn’t it a bit excessive?
Mark: No, we’re all one big happy family here at Magic Circle.
M.S: Talking about Bludgeon, the band is composed by Mark Duca (vocals &
guitar), Ryan Blazek "BLAZE" (drums), Carlos Álvarez (guitar) and Chris Studtmann
"CS" (bass). How did the idea of getting together to creat Bludgeon happen?
And where do the band members come from?
Mark: Bludgeon started in late 93. I was in another band at the time, and
it took some time to get all the right pieces, but it all came together. We
released some demo tapes and then made are first CD. That’s when Joey came into
the picture. One more change was made and in 02, when Carlos joined the band,
we released Crucify the Priest. Now with the new CD, World Controlled, there’s
some new additions to the band, CS and Blaze.
Carlos: Let’s start with our new bass player C.S. C.S is a 350-give or take
pounds- 6 foot 5 giant chef from Elmhurst Illinois. C.S. has been one of the
few giants to walk to the earth for thousands of years, and now has been a dear
friend to me. He came from a band called God Size, who he played with together
with his brother E-ride, guitar player and singer, who just recently passed
away (RIP). Mark and I knew by adding C.S. would add a great new sound to a
fresh new start of the world of Bludgeon. With a little persuading, with lots
of fresh red meat, and lots of beer, he agreed upon entering Bludgeon. Blaze
is the newest edition to Bludgeon, since the beginning of 06. People are already
saying that he played the drums to World Controlled, but he didn’t. And when
you hear the 3rd album, which is already half written, then you’ll know and
hear the difference With the influence that range from Buddy Guy to Fear Factory,
we played together off and on for many years, in an old band we used to play
together in, called God Help Us.
M.S: If we take a look at the video that appears in your album we see that
Chris is very hard on the vocalist, Mark. Is Chris like that all the time? If
it is, how can you handle it?
Mark: That actually was Eric, the old bass player, who left the band. As
for me dealing with it, it goes in one ear and out the other. I have selective
hearing.
M.S: Talking about the rest of the band, what does each of you do when composing
the songs and making the band work? 
Mark: We all work together and everyone gets a chance to be heard.
M.S: What’s the meaning of Bludgeon?
Mark: That’s what we do, we Bludgeon you with our music! Its
loud, hard and heavy, pounding your eardrums, and beating your chest.
M.S: And the title "World Controlled, what is it meant to transmit? I mean,
what are the lyrics about?
Mark: Everywhere you look, there’s a form of control, whether it’s what
you read, or watch on TV, or in everyday life. It seems like more and more we’re
being controlled or watched, telling us what to buy, what not to buy, with advertisements
and TV commercials, cell phones, and cars with GPS, cameras at stoplights and
intersections. Is this what a new world order is? It’s more like a world controlled.
Just look around, and don’t be fooled by its smoke screen.
M.S: How would you describe your sound? And which bands have influenced
you most?
Mark: I hope you’re ready for some heavy in- your- face raw power and aggression!
Just turn it up loud and bang your fucking head! . Slayer, Testament,
Exodus, Cannibal Corpse, Slipknot, Deicide, DRI, S.O.D, Anthrax, Lamb of God,
Kreator… I could go on forever, Sabbath, Zepplin…
M.S: Is there any tour plan?
Mark: We plan to play some festivals in the summer and possibly jump on
some on-going tours. We definitely want to get on the road, it’s on the top
of our list! The fans are always read and raring to go and you know there will
be a pit for sure!
M.S: Apart from Bludgeon, what do the band members do?
Mark: We all have different things we like to do. I like to surf the web,
watch horror movies, get wasted, fuck around with my dog and my cars.
M.S: Is there anything you want to tell our readers?
Mark: Make sure your head is well rested. I will see you at the show and
be prepared to be Bludgeon-ed!
Texto: Marcel.lí Dreamevil
Fotos: https://www.bludgeon.tv
