{"id":12609,"date":"2024-10-31T19:38:46","date_gmt":"2024-10-31T23:38:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/?p=12609"},"modified":"2024-11-01T18:28:21","modified_gmt":"2024-11-01T22:28:21","slug":"interview-getting-spooky-with-rocky-gray","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/index.php\/2024\/10\/31\/interview-getting-spooky-with-rocky-gray\/","title":{"rendered":"Exclusive Interview: Getting Spooky with Rocky Gray"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

by Seth Metoyer<\/a>, Heaven’s Metal Magazine,

Rocky Gray is a multifaceted musician, composer, producer, and writer known for his contributions to bands spanning multiple genres, including Evanescence, Living Sacrifice<\/a>, and Soul Embraced. Gray first gained widespread recognition as the drummer for Evanescence during their breakthrough Fallen<\/em> era, contributing to some of the band\u2019s most iconic tracks and winning two Grammy Awards in 2004. Before Evanescence, Gray was already a recognized figure in the metal scene as a guitarist for Living Sacrifice, a pioneering Christian metal band whose influence resonates within the extreme music<\/a> community. Living Sacrifice is one of my favorite bands, and Gray\u2019s other project, Soul Embraced, has been a major influence on my own music with Pulpit Vomit and Mangled Carpenter<\/a>. Like many, I became a fan of Evanescence with Fallen<\/em>, and I still have a huge appreciation for both Fallen<\/em> and The Open Door<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gray\u2019s talents extend beyond music; he has also made significant strides as a film composer and producer, specializing in horror. His scoring work spans independent horror films, lending an eerie and intense atmosphere that has become his signature style. Gray has even ventured into scoring for video games, bringing an immersive quality that enhances the gaming experience. In recent years, he\u2019s added film production to his resume, further exploring the horror genre and deepening his creative footprint in independent cinema. I recently had the honor of collaborating with Rocky on the CD layout artwork for his Killing Floor 2<\/em> score, and as a horror movie composer and producer myself, we\u2019ve developed a kinship over the past several years that I\u2019ve enjoyed greatly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a career that crosses mainstream rock, underground metal<\/a>, and the shadowed hallways of horror film and game scoring, Rocky Gray\u2019s creative journey is anything but conventional. As a drummer, he helped take Evanescence\u2019s Fallen<\/em> to global success, yet he\u2019s also spent decades pushing the boundaries of heavy music with his guitar work in Living Sacrifice and Soul Embraced. Gray\u2019s more recent ventures reveal a fascination with the darker side of storytelling\u2014whether through spine-chilling scores or behind-the-scenes work as a horror film producer. Today, he remains a restless creative force, capturing the raw intensity of metal and horror alike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With such a dynamic career spanning metal, mainstream rock, and the darker depths of horror, Rocky Gray continues to redefine what it means to be a true multi-genre artist. I caught up with Gray to dive into his journey, influences, and what keeps him pushing creative boundaries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Heaven\u2019s Metal Magazine Interview with Rocky Gray, by Seth Metoyer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

HM<\/strong>: Living Sacrifice has been such a cornerstone in metal. When you think back on your time with them, what were some of the defining moments that shaped you as a musician?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

RG<\/strong>: Just joining the band made me a better player. Living Sacrifice was already known for their intricate riffs and relentless sound, so it pushed me to step up my skills. I think it just set a standard for the type of music I wanted to play and how I wanted to challenge myself moving forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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HM<\/strong>: From Evanescence\u2019s Fallen<\/em> era to now, how do you feel your musical style has evolved? Do you think it would surprise your fans from back in the day?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

RG<\/strong>: I\u2019m not sure I have evolved, haha. I am kinda still that guy who just loves playing. I guess the only real evolution is that I\u2019ve learned more about production and technical elements, but my heart is still the same when it comes to making music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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HM<\/strong>: You\u2019ve been composing music for horror films for years. What about horror resonates with you as a composer, and how do you capture that atmosphere without falling into genre clich\u00e9s?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

RG<\/strong>: Honestly, I am sure I do fall into genre clich\u00e9s at times, but horror just gives me a way to explore sounds and feelings that aren\u2019t bound by typical music structure. It\u2019s freeing to let a scene dictate a sound rather than a beat or riff. There\u2019s always room to try new things without worrying too much about following any musical “rules.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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HM<\/strong>: Your game soundtrack work has an immersive quality. How different is your approach to scoring for games versus films, and do you find one more creatively challenging than the other?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

RG<\/strong>: They both have their challenges. One is not more challenging than the other; they are just different. In games, you have to think of how the player will experience the music, possibly looping over and over, so you want to avoid fatigue in that sense. Films are more about building tension in real-time and sometimes capturing a single scene\u2019s emotion, so I get to really zone in on that one moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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HM<\/strong>: As a multi-instrumentalist and composer, how do you decide what \u201csound\u201d or \u201cvibe\u201d fits best with a new project? Do you let the project dictate the style, or do you bring your personal stamp to it from the start?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

RG<\/strong>: I let the project dictate where I go with the music. My job is to give the project what it needs, so I usually try to fit the vibe it\u2019s looking for and see where it takes me. But, of course, there\u2019s always a bit of myself that will find its way in naturally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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HM<\/strong>: You\u2019ve covered a lot of musical ground, from mainstream success to underground heavy music. Is there a side of the industry you prefer, or do they each bring something unique that keeps you coming back?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

RG<\/strong>: Not really. It\u2019s all creative, and I love being part of both worlds. There\u2019s something rewarding about being able to contribute to music on multiple levels and reach different types of audiences. Each project feels like it offers something new.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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HM<\/strong>: Fans know you as someone with a foot in both the sacred and the sinister. How does faith shape your approach to making music and horror films, especially considering the themes often present in horror?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

RG<\/strong>: It doesn\u2019t really come into play when I\u2019m working on music or film. My faith is personal and stays with me, but I don\u2019t consciously try to blend it into the art. I\u2019m just creating what feels right for the project and letting it be what it is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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HM<\/strong>: What\u2019s something fans might be surprised to learn about your creative process? Any non-musical influences that have really shaped your sound or approach?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

RG<\/strong>: Some may be surprised that even artists like H.R. Giger and filmmakers like David Lynch influence my approach. Their ability to make things feel so otherworldly and unsettling is inspiring. That feeling of discomfort or surrealism is something I love bringing into music or film, even in subtle ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As Rocky Gray continues to create and push the boundaries of multiple genres, his dedication to both music and storytelling remains clear. From metal to horror scores, and from blockbuster releases to independent films, Gray\u2019s work has shown a versatility and depth that few can match. With a foot in both the divine and the dark, he\u2019s proved that art can transcend categories and resonate with audiences from all walks of life. We look forward to seeing where his journey takes him next, as he continues to bring his unique sound and vision to life.

For more on Rocky Gray\u2019s latest projects and releases, visit his official website here<\/em><\/strong><\/a>.

Watch the amazing full set of Living Sacrifice from Furnace Fest 2023 in 4k<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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