When tribal-metal fusion aficionados Human Ritual called it quits in 2003, things were not looking great for the Topeka extreme music scene. With a lack of decent venues to play in and the number of functional Topeka bands decreasing, the worst was expected. However, from turmoil always rises new birth, and such was the case with this group of musicians. After the band’s split, most of the members went their separate ways, but eventually it became evident that this same group of folks wanted to work together again. Half of Human Ritual’s members went on to form Violent by Design, a Lawrence-based metal project, and the other half started Godzai.

“Godzai initially started in spring of 2005 with intentions of having five members,” bassist Kristy Komahcheet recalls. “These members were all once members of Human Ritual, with a few taking on different instruments than what they played in Human Ritual. In the midst of preparing to play live, one of our guitarists ‘strayed’ for a period of time, so Godzai actually hit the stage with only four members.”

Those four members were Travis Komahcheet on guitar, Kristy Komahcheet on bass, vocalist Brad Oliver and drummer Ben Hammond (who originally played guitar in Human Ritual). After spending a period of time in Violent by Design, guitarist Matt Miller rejoined the other half of his former bandmates in Godzai in 2007, and thus the group started on a new leg of their journey.

“Godzai’s intentions were and currently are to go above and beyond in our writing and performance,” Kristy says. “Basically, we all share visions [of] what each of us want out of this and collaborate. We aim to absolutely floor people, so they walk away saying something positive, taking notice we are different and that we have more to offer.”

While the band’s members remain focused on their goals, it has not always been an easy path for them to take. Godzai was between vocalists for a time, an issue that plagued the group for several months and made long-term plans difficult.

“We have had a struggle with our vocalist. Brad has had some difficult decisions to overcome throughout the past year and he did decide to take a step back from Godzai. We tried several great vocalists out to fill his shoes, but let’s be honest: his shoes are really big to fill. Even though everyone we tried out was so damn talented, there just wasn’t anyone that compared.”

Ultimately, Oliver decided to stay with his metal family in Godzai, and the band is determined to get their eclectic blend of metal and rock out to the good people of the Midwest.

“As much as we love to have a show in our hometown and party with all of our hometown friends, it always feels really great to get out of town to play shows,” Kristy states. “I’d love to see Godzai tour, tour, tour—everywhere.”

One thing unique to Godzai is that a married couple makes up part of the band’s ranks. Kristy and Travis Komahcheet have been together for nearly 15 years, and their family includes two daughters, Olivia and Jaidah. While musicians are traditionally considered nomads, and it is thought that some men join bands to spend more time bonding with menfolk, the Komahcheets prove that such is not always the case.

“It is truly a gift,” Kristy says of being in a band with her husband. “It is very cool to share so many of the same dreams. You really connect on a different level. When we are practicing or on stage, I really don’t view Travis as my “significant other,” but so much more like my best bud, as I view each of the other guys. I don’t think they view us as the “married couple” so much either. I’d have to say it makes things easier because we have to be at the same place at the same time and we are able to jam/practice and write together.”

Godzai takes influence from many bands and many genres of music, but their roots lie in aggressive metal. The members feel most comfortable naming Soulfly, Fear Factor and Slayer as progenitors of their sound. Godzai has played with many well-known locals, including Origin and Unmerciful, and thus far has opened for one national band, Metal Church.

“It was even on a Sunday,” Kristy remarks about the Metal Church gig.

While Godzai’s future may not be written in the stars, their hopes are. The band is opening for national act Droid in March, and they plan to tour as much as possible when it’s feasible. And though many bands work extensively toward being signed to a record label, Godzai’s members don’t find it that important.

“Anymore, you can do a lot of the same things a label will do for you as long as you have the same characteristics, like the knowledge, the connections, the organization skills, the money, the business skills and the wisdom.”

Check Godzai out online at http://www.myspace.com/godzaimusic.