"Definetely. I did not start out with the intentions of making Epilog 6 a solo project. It simply worked out that way for lack of finding anyone else serious enough to take on a project of this size. I consider myself the captain of the ship at this point, just helping to steer it in the right direction. I'm working with my second guitarist, Marek, who has already had input on the upcoming "Revelations" album, and I am always open for input and ideas from other people. But since the "Witch Hunt" album and the entire concept of the band was elaborated in my own mind, I already have a clear vision of what I want to achieve with this project. I actually auditioned a couple other people at the beginning of the "Witch Hunt" sessions for vocals, I had no intentions of doing them myself. But as it turned out, I had the clearest picture in my mind of what I wanted them to sound like, and I realized that the best person for the job was myself. It was just easier to do it that way rather than try to describe my vision to someone else and make them sound like the voice in my head! "

" At the beginning of the Witch Hunt sessions, I had no intentions of making a conceptual album. Witch Hunt was one of the first songs I recorded for the album and it set a certain atmosphere that just grew upon itself. The idea behind it all is the Inquisition and Witch Hunts and Trials that plagued the world during that time at the introduction of Christianity. It was a very violent and dangerous time of change, and one of those time periods in history that I have always been intrigued by. I tried not to introduce any of my own beliefs into the lyrics, I just wanted to tell the story and capture some of that atmosphere. Another lesson in history, and human ignorance... it amazed me what we, as human beings, are capable of when facing the unknown.... and the ignorance and prejudice that can kill so many people and ideas. Things like this make great topics for lyrics of Metal Music!!!"

" Sheer, terrifying, powerfully bombastic, straight forward Heavy Metal!!! With a little touch of everything else!!! (loud laughter)

No, really.... I'm a metal-head. I grew up in the 80's listening to the likes of Priest, Maiden and Dio, Powerful, driving heavy metal. But I have so many other musical interests as well that tend to sneak into the picture now and again. I went through the death-metal thing, and the industrial craze like everyone else. But the music I listen to is extremely wide. I play metal, because nothing else can capture the power and verocity like metal can, and it will always be where my heart is... it expresses so much. There is so much emotion and atmosphere in metal. But I really listen to almost anything if it's done well. It's not unusual for me to listen to and thoroughly enjoy classical music, opera, or great talented legends from Roy Orbison to Cher!!! I love music and live performances of all types, I love BIG shows!!! There is far too much good music out there to limit yourself to one single category, you are cheating yourself out of so much if you do this. I'm just a music lover, metal is just what I enjoy playing the most."

"Yes, Epilog Studio is here in my home in Minnesota. I am very comfortable here and find myself most at ease in my own home, where I can concentrate and reach for ideas and spend as much time on them as I want. I love being alone sometimes, and it's very peaceful and inspiring here.

My equipment and studio have grown a lot since the recording of the Witch Hunt album, probably three times as much gear now! Witch Hunt was recorded with the very basic of gear... that is evident when you hear the tracks from the new album and compare them. The sound quality is so much better now, and I have more experience and knowledge of my own gear. Everything is Digital. I record through a Fostex Digital multitrack recorder and transfer that onto DAT (also Fostex) through fiber optic cable. I use Alesis M1 Active studio monitors for playback, they are awesome!

Guitar-wise, I'm using Marshalls, Valvestate power amps and Marshall preamps. I run through a variety of effects processors like Zoom's and an old Digitech GSP5. I have Nady EQ's and Compressors, and a variety of sampling capability, drum machines, and toys.... I love gear!!! My favorite guitars are my trusty American-made Charvel Jackson strat, and a Jackson Kelly Pro, both which I've modified with a variety of Seymour Duncan and Dimarzio pickups."

" I am very excited about taking Epilog 6 on the road, that's what it's all about for me. I love to travel and see new places, and the power of this band live will be fucking awesome! I'm working with my second guitarist, Marek Krawczyk from Chicago, who will probably be playing on the new album as well. We've known each other for many years and have shared this dream as well as a great friendship, it will be awesome to have him on stage with me. I have another guy here in Minnesota who is anxious to do some drumming for me and play live, another close friend. I am still searching for the perfect bassist!!! And I also need someone who can play a little background keyboard as well as run samples and effects to help create that atmosphere that I talk so much about. Anyone interested in joining the ranks of EPILOG 6 should contact us at epilog6@lakes.com "

"Revelations will not be a conceptual album like "Witch Hunt" was. Though it may have a few familiar threads that tie everything together, that just happens when I get into a certain vibe or feel. I'm working on a piece now for the new album which actually flows two completely different pieces into one long song.... it's very cool and atmospheric. I think that's a major key to Epilog 6, Atmosphere. I like to create moods and emotions with my music, like painting a picture. Lyrically, no, it will not be a conceptual piece. I'm having a lot of fun creating lots of different ideas. It has given me much more freedom in the lyrics to explore new ideas rather than making everything fit into a certain story-line. There will be a little something for everyone on this new one, and some of the best lyrics I've written, I think. Very powerful. And I'm working very hard on the vocal attack too, I think you will be impressed with the vocal approach I've taken to the new album.

" Fucking Heavy!!! I don't set out to record really heavy, it just happens. I'll record something then play it back, and say.... 'Fuck, that's the heaviest shit I've ever done!' . Very atmospheric, as Epilog 6 is. The new album is taking much longer to record than I had previously anticipated. I'm really taking my time with it, because of course I want it to be perfect. I have a lot of new gear this time also, and the production will be very much improved from the "Witch Hunt" album. "Revelations" will be the album that I want the whole world to hear. It's about half done right now and will be looking toward an early Spring release, March or April if all goes well. I have certainly impressed myself so far, which is very important to me.... and I think everyone will realize that is worth the long wait."

"Epilog 6 live.... this is my dream, one that will become reality very soon. I can't really put into words the visions I have of this band on stage. Very powerful, atmospheric, theatrical.... yes. I have always been a strong believer in putting on a great show for people. When you see Epilog 6 live, you will definately know it! This is a very theatrical project, and I will definately do all I can do to bring that atmosphere to the live arena. I want people to really be taken away into a different time and space, the ultimate escape... this is my goal."

"Since I started recording the "Witch Hunt" album, Epilog 6 has been my only love as far as music is concerned. I've dedicated myself to this project full heartedly. As I said, I'm a lover of many different genres of music, and would love to have the opportunity to spread out in different directions when that time comes. But for now, I truly believe in Epilog 6, and it is where my heart and soul are. I can see myself going into the studio and coming out with something really bizarre, perhaps some weird mix of industrial, trance, gothic, of course atmospheric..... maybe someday I will do something different, but not now..... Epilog 6 is a jealous lover."

" I think inspiration can come from anywhere at anytime. A good conversation, a book, a movie. Sometimes just listening to a great album that I love inspires me to create. An awesome live show. Sometimes it's deep, sometimes it isn't. I think it has to do more with being in tune with your surroundings. Many people drift through life and never take the opportunity to look around at the wonderfully magical life that we are surrounded by. I can be inspired by anything really. Nature inspires me, a sunset or sunrise. The snow outside my window, a bird in my back yard! It's endless. The human spirit is probably the biggest source of inspiration that I know, sometimes you just have to look inside yourself. I'm inspired by the life and people around me in this world.... it's a very emotional existance."

" Yes, find a band!!! (amused laughter) I didn't start out with the intention of being a solo project, it just happened that way, and I couldn't wait any longer for the 'right people' to come along. My time was ripe, and I took the project upon myself because there was nobody else to help me with it that understood the vision I had for this project. It has been very difficult to achieve what I have when nobody else believed in it. The first song from the new "Revelations" album is entitled "Isolation", and it pretty much sums up the struggles and the lonely feelings that I experienced when trying to launch this project. Though I don't regret how it has turned out, I have had total freedom to do whatever I want, and I rather like that idea! But also, I missed out on having that extra input from a full band, I find it very limiting at times.

If there is a lesson to be learned here, or a message, it's simply this. Do what you feel inside, wether anyone else shares your vision or not. Don't let the little things in life set you back from your dreams. All you have to do is believe in yourself, and the rest of the world will come around to it in it's own time.... as long as you're doing what makes yourself happy, fuck everyone else! When you have a dream this big, there is really nothing that can stop it.... it simply will not die."

Interviewed by Federico Marongiu

REVELATIONS - CD (2001)

William Hodges - All instruments