Lamb Of God frontman Randy Blythe and Testament guitarist Alex Skolnick have previously collaborated on a ballet, among other things, so it’s not surprising to see them working together again on a cultural pursuit somewhat outside of the metal realm. The pair have joined forces with Tom Bejgrowicz on ‘Unbuilt‘—a print magazine, for which all three serve as editors. Some words on that from them are available below:
Tom Bejgrowicz:
“While the three of us are bonded by music, that’s just the tip of the iceberg for who we are as people. Just as Alex and Randy have inspired so many, they’re equally inspired and motivated by a unique variety of people, places and things. It’s those very inspirations that make them who they are, their music sound like it does and their words ring true for so many. Unbuilt gives the three of us a platform to share those influences with whomever will listen.”
Randy Blythe:
“The very nature of most modern media renders it intangible — hence, easily discarded with a click of a button and immediately forgotten.”
“As a professional musician, I’ve traveled the world using the platform my band provides for artistic expression via my lyrics and voice. But for me, a four-and-a-half-minute heavy metal song doesn’t have the space to convey some of the more complex points I wish to make, nor does it allow me to express myself visually. As a writer and photographer, Unbuilt supplies a well-designed outlet for those other (and equally important) aspects of my creative life.”
Alex Skolnick:
“Having spent untold hours of my youth locked away with a guitar and some favorite records, ‘writer’ wasn’t a description I imagined for myself early on. Years later, however, I found a written voice, along with the discovery that writing can be every bit as expressively satisfying as music.”
$1 from every sale of the publication will be split between the Humane Society International and the International Committee Of The Red Cross. The publication will be independently published and ad-free with the first episode to begin shipping on April 26th. You can pre-order it here. As for what that issue contains, here’s the official synopsis:
“Issue 01 features interviews with activist artist Sue Coe, documentary/video director Tom Berninger, author and veteran Kevin Powers, Broadway pit musicians Jake Schwartz & Mat Fieldes, architect Maddy Samaddar, and Reiner Design, the artists behind the packaging for Metallica’s …And Justice For All and Metallica (a.k.a. the “Black Album”). Further, Blythe offers up exclusives like a photographic essay on surfing culture as well as an original short story written and photographed during a trip to the Cayman Islands. Additionally, Unbuilt’s “Exhibition Space” centerfold spread will spotlight a different artist in each issue with Pittsburgh’s Mike Egan gracing the inaugural edition.”
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