Heavy Frequency: What is Aaron Henges doing right now with the band(s) and life in general?

Aaron Henges: I am writing a lot of music and working at Harrah’s so I can pay bills and make money for the band.

HF: What do you think about the Kansas and Missouri heavy music scene?

Henges: It is getting better, but it still has room for improvement. There are many talented bands around here, but there seems to be a lack of interest as far as show attendance goes. Not to bash on any bands but I think it is better to conserve on how many shows you play a month so it is not the same crowd coming to watch you week after week, which is not bad, but you want to expand your fan base.

HF: What happened to the original members of Prometheus and/or Raise the Remains? Why the changes?

Henges: Well, towards the end of Prometheus we decided to kick out our singer. We were heading into a new direction with our music and he could not give us what we wanted from a vocalist standpoint. We replaced him with our former bass player, which is now our current singer, Creighton Bibbs. We then recruited bassist Justin Bird to fill in our sound. I am very happy with the choice we made. Our talent as musicians has grown, as well as our music. Mr. Bibbs is growing into a great vocalist and Justin is the perfect musical complement to the direction our sound was taking. Damon\'s [drums] playing has refined our sound as well. In Prometheus, Patrick and I did not write guitar parts with Damon in mind and we did not give him a whole lot of time to come up with his own parts for the songs. We pretty much said, \"Here is the song, we are playing it at our next show.\" Now we are taking more time to blend the two instruments and make a more cohesive arrangement.

HF: With what larger-scale bands have you played? With whom would you like to play someday?

Henges: We have had the opportunity to open for Mushroomhead, Twisted Method, All That Remains, Metal Church, and Three Inches of Blood. As for me, the bands I would love to play with are Killswitch Engage, In Flames, Unearth, God Forbid, etc. I could go on and on. We might not be as heavy as some as those bands, but they are who I look up to in this genre and get much inspiration from.

HF: How do you feel about rock musicians using a backing tape/track during their concerts?

Henges: I say if it helps them round out their live sound and the audience does not care, more power to them. But you should really concentrate on being the best musician you can be, whether that is with using someone pushing play to a track or going out there and giving it our all without it. I personally do not care to do that kind of stuff on stage.

HF: What are the primary differences between Prometheus and Raise the Remains?

Henges: Other than the personnel change, our musicianship and brotherhood has increased tremendously. Our talent as musicians has improved, and I am able to write more music that incorporates a heavier hardcore sound, as well as a softer sound. Having Mr. Bibbs as our vocalist gives me a lot of “give” to my writing. Not to mention having Bird in the band, as well as Patrick help me come with riffs or more importantly help arrange the songs better.

HF: What bands influence you as a musician?

Henges: Other than the gods of Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Megadeth, Priest, and Iron Maiden, it would have to be Killswitch Engage, In Flames, Unearth, God Forbid, Avenged Sevenfold, and of course Dream Theater. Once again, I could go on and on.

HF: How did you develop your personal sound as a guitarist?

Henges: To be honest this is my first band. When I met Pat, I was jamming with A.J. [Marchisello, former vocalist] and playing stuff like Thrice and Finch, which is not bad in my opinion, but Pat introduced me to Shadows Fall, God Forbid, In Flames, and Soilwork, et cetera - the metal I love today. Being influenced by these bands, I grew enormously as a guitarist and as a writer - the band has not run dry yet.

HF: What are some of your favorite local bands, and why?

Henges: Definitely Given With Honor, DS8 (R.I.P.), Moiré, Evermourn, Eyes of the Betrayer, and Flee the Seen. Why? Because they all bring something different to the table in a very talented way that I love and respect. All these bands deserve to be signed and be worry free of life’s little money problems and conquer the world.

HF: What are your individual goals as a musician?

Henges: What else can I say? To be the best I can I can be, and if not that, at least be better than Patrick.

HF: Describe your songwriting process and guitar-playing technique.

Henges: I do not know how helpful I can be, because I usually sit down in front of the television with a beer or a Jack and Coke, and crank one out. Whatever comes through my mind I will play a riff it and mix it with other riffs that I have floating through my head. Then I will piece everything together and arrange it. I usually make the chorus last. I am this huge epic chorus freak (it must be the Killswitch in me). For some reason the whole process only takes a half hour or so. I take the song to the guys in the band and ’’ percent of the time, they will love it. Mind you, they help me rearrange a bit, but usually that is how easy it is for me. Songs come together very quickly for us, not to say they are rushed in any way. We are very critical of what we produce, but it flows so naturally for us. My well has not run dry yet. But in the meantime, Patrick has written more of our popular songs with riffs I had lying around for a couple of years. He filled in the rest. Bird has written a song that just kills anyone in its path - so I am not alone in the writing process.