Ultimatum Interview

ULTIMATUM (ul-ti-ma-tum) n. 1. a final proposition. 2. one whose rejection will end negotiations and cause a definite action. 3. Choose this day who you will serve. 4. A metal band whose sound is a mixture of traditional heavy, power/speed/thrash metal and more modern grooves; brutal guitars, blazing leads, pounding drums, thundering bass and shrill, shrieking vocals.
Ultimatum began in early 1992 by founder Robert Gutierrez and guitarist Steve Trujillo. Scott joined in January 1993. At the same time, Ultimatum were looking for a permanent drummer. Mike Lynch joined the band in March of 1994.

In 1993 they released their first demo titled Fatal Delay that was sold worldwide and began to give them a dedicated following. The band was never real happy with the demo, feeling they could do much better. So, in the Winter of 1994 they went into a new studio and began recording a new demo titled Symphonic Extremities by Ultimatum. This five song demo was never released. Only about 50 copies were sent out to magazines, labels, and a few friends. Later that year they went back into the same studio and the first five tracks were re-recorded and recorded five more. A full length tape titled Symphonic Extremities by Ultimatum was released independently by the band and captured raving reviews in metal publications across the globe. In January of 1997 Ultimatum licensed Symphonic Extremities to Juke Box Media to be released on a national level with the added bonus cut, "World of Sin." "World of Sin" received airplay worldwide and was in the top 10 on the Pure Rock Report’s LOUD Chart for several weeks. "World of Sin" would be the last song recorded with drummer Mike Lynch. Current drummer Sean Griego joined the band in May 1997.

Since "World of Sin" was originally intended to be recorded for their second full length release, a new, slightly altered version appears on the band’s first Rowe Productions release, Puppet of Destruction. "Never" the only single to be released by Rowe, reached #7 on the Pure Rock charts. The album grabbed the attention of a few international labels that began to carry the cd in their mail order catalogues.

2000 saw Ultimatum record their third full length disc titled "The Mechanics of Perilous Times" During this time Ultimatum played various shows across the country to promote the disc, including the 2001 Stryper Expo. Also during this year, long time bassist Tom Micheals left the band and was replaced by California native Rob Whitlock.

"Our interests have never been to be the fastest, or the heaviest, or even the most bizarre. We really don’t care to be trendy. Rather we want to write good, heavy, memorable metal songs with lyrics that will challenge the listener." -vocalist, Scott Waters.

Scott you have been the front man for Ultimatum since 1993 and now with the release of “Into the Pit” what do you see on the immediate horizon for you and your band mates?
I'm just glad we finally got "Into the Pit" out. We've been working on it in one form or another since 2005. We recorded four songs for a demo that we sent out to labels to see if we could generate some interest. Two years later and the album is finally here. We are really proud of it. In the immediate future, we are doing various shows to support the CD. We hope to get out to Europe next summer. Pastor Bob from Sanctuary International was talking to me about this at Cornerstone this year, so hopefully that will pan out. We are also working on a DVD release that we hope to have out in early 2008. Also in the not too distant future we hope that Retroactive will put "Into the Pit" out on vinyl. Vinyl has made a bit of a comeback in the past few years, especially with thrash and metal fans. Many thrash bands are putting their new material out on CD and vinyl.

Few and far between are the bands that progress with each release without changing or modernizing their sound. Why have you guys stayed the course of ‘all metal- all the time’?
We are just doing what we love. Robert, Rob and I are all metal fans. It's just what we like. One thing that has worked in our favor is that Ultimatum has never been our source of income. None of us have ever made a dime from this band and we all work full time jobs to support our families. So, because of that, we are not forced to try to keep up with trends to stay afloat in a fickle music market. It's not about sales for us; it's just about playing the music we love to play. Thankfully there are many others out there like us who love heavy metal and thrash too. We have a very faithful fan base to which we are very grateful.

You guys have had opportunities to tour all around the place and see all kinds of things, what stands out most in your mind looking back over it all?
We've been around a long time. We've had a lot of great shows, met some awesome people and made a lot of friends along the way. It's really hard to pick out one particular thing that stands out. Looking back, I think opening for Mortification for the first time in 1995 was big highlight for me at that time. Being a fan of Mortification, it was awesome getting to meet Steve Rowe. On top of that, finding out he was a fan of us as well, was very cool. I also remember it being one of the biggest crowds we had performed in front of up till that time. I suppose one of the things I enjoy about being in Ultimatum over the years have been all the people I have met. I've had the opportunity to meet some people I respect both from a musical and spiritual standpoint.

Did you ever see Ultimatum coming this far or lasting this long when you first signed on?
Well, I don't that we've come very far. (laughs) I think we are just a bunch of guys who love the Lord and have a passion for playing heavy metal music. I myself am as much of a fan as I ever have been. I suppose when I first joined Ultimatum in 1993 I didn't think ahead enough to think I would still be performing and recording over a decade later. I'm 40 years old now and love doing what I do as much now as I did when I was in my twenties.

Who are some of the folks that influenced you along the way to get where you are today?
As a performer, I can name a whole lot of influences. I grew up on bands like Aerosmith, Judas Priest, Thin Lizzy, Ted Nugent, Angel, Alice Cooper, Kiss, etc. I was a child of the 70's. Many of these bands inspire me to this day. I was a big metal and thrash fan in the 1980's, so many bands from that era also inspire myself and the band musically. By the late 80's I was heavily into Christian metal. Vengeance Rising, Deliverance, Believer, Saint, Stryper, Barren Cross, Bloodgood, Lightfore, Whitecross, The Crucified, Trouble...these were the bands I was into before joining Ultimatum in 1993.

Some bands that had a big influence on how I handle things as a Christian are Sardonyx, The Moshketeers, Holy Saint and Mortification. Holy Saint, Sardonyx and The Moshketeers were never well known bands, but they had all had a big impact on my life personally. Long before Ultimatum ever formed I was friends with Chris Brooks from Holy Saint and I saw the love of Christ in Him and decided to give my life to Christ. This was back in the early 80's. When Ultimatum was first starting out, Paul Scozzafava from The Moshketeers, Tom Denlinger from Sardonyx and Steve Rowe from Mortification was all very supportive of the band. I saw something in them that I wanted as well. I wanted to share the love of Christ not only with my music, but in how I lived my life.
Probably my biggest influence, however, is my wife. She was the reason I even started doing this to begin with. It was her telling me "you can do it" that made me even give it a go to begin with.

Tell us about Scott Waters before Ultimatum.
Well, as I stated above, it was through the friendship of Chris Brooks, vocalist for Holy Saint that I gave my life to Christ in 1987. Before that time I had always considered myself a Christian. I went to church. I was active in my youth group. I actually thought I was better than many of the other kids in my youth group. I showed up to youth group in my Molly Hatchet and Aerosmith concert shirts and was the same person in church that I was outside of church. I knew many of those youth outside the group and while they put on their best Sunday suit for the pastor, outside they were doing the same things I was doing. Many in the church looked down at me because I didn't fit into what they wanted me to be and I resented them for it. However, I was no better than them. I was just being rebellious and had never truly trusted Christ. It was a matter of head knowledge and not true faith.

I was in college in the 80's and was at a concert with some friends from school. We were waiting to see Motorhead and Raven at the Penny Arcade in Rochester, NY. It was there I met the band Holy Saint as they were outside the club witnessing to people in the crowd. My roommate at the time was talking to them and made a comment to one of the Holy Saint guys that "Scott if religious". Indeed I was. I could talk the talk for sure. Chris and Rod from Holy Saint became my friends on that day. We hung out regularly and I went to church on Sunday mornings with them. They never said anything to me about my lifestyle or anything. However, I saw something in them that I knew I didn't have. I now realize that what they had was the Spirit of God that was given to them as the earnest of their salvation. I wanted that for myself. Driving home from a Bible study with them one night I just decided I wanted to trust God and something changed in my heart. I went back to my college dorm and announced to my roommates that I was a Christian and would no longer be drinking or taking part in the whole party scene we were involved in. It's amazing how fast your friends will drop you when you make an announcement like that. (laughs) I've been a believer ever since that time.

I always try to ask a question to really get to the heart of the person I am interviewing, letting our readers connect with and relate to at a deeper level, being totally transparent. So let’s talk personal hygiene for a bit. With having long hair what shampoo works best for you? Do you blow dry or just brush it out and be on your way? Favorite toothpaste? How long will you go wearing the same pair of jeans before they hit the washing machine? Do you clean up your own dinner plate immediately after eating or does it sit there to be used for breakfast the next day?
Well, I can honestly say I have never been asked this in an interview before. (laughs) Ok, I use whatever shampoo, conditioner and toothpaste my wife buys me. I don't blow dry my hair as it just dries it out. Blow drying is very damaging to your hair. I wear a different pair of pants every day. I also help do the wash at home and I fold laundry. My children do the dishes most of the time. My house is not ultra-clean. We are a busy family that runs around a lot. My kids are very involved in things like youth group, dance, sports, etc., so we don't worry about having an immaculate house. Saturday is usually cleaning day.

I have always believed you can tell a lot about someone by the music they listen to. Who do you have in your cd player right now?
At the moment of this interview I'm actually sitting here listening to Gary Moore - Dirty Fingers. However, some albums I've been listening to lately are the new albums from Dirty Looks, Coheed and Cambria, Overkill, 3 Inches of Blood and Ted Nugent. There is also a host of great new thrash bands out that I've been enjoying like Fueled by Fire, Merciless Death and Evile from the UK.

Give me your top 10 albums of all time.
Wow! Only 10? That's nearly impossible for me. I am an avid music fan and have thousands of records and CDs. OK; I'll give it a shot.

1. Aerosmith - Rocks
2. Ted Nugent -Double Live Gonzo
3. Thin Lizzy - Live and Dangerous
4. Judas Priest - Stained Class
5. Kiss - Alive
6. Iron Maiden - Killers
7. Motorhead - Overkill
8. Stryper - Soldiers Under Command
9. Black Sabbath - Master of Reality
10. Rainbow - Rising

that’s leaving out a whole lot of favorites bands like Vengeance Rising, Deliverance, Recon, UFO, Alice Cooper, Overkill, Anthrax, etc.

As life comes at you with all of its daily trials and tribulations where do you go to unwind and get your thoughts back together? What do you do for fun?
I go to the gym every day. At the gym there are no phones, no computers, no bosses...just me and the weights. Six years ago if you would have asked me I would have had a completely different response. I couldn't even have imagined myself at a gym working out every day. Now I am addicted to it.

I also like to spend time with my family. My daughter goes to the gym with me regularly and is very strong. We also are big hockey fans and have season tickets to the New Mexico Scorpions. I follow the CHL and the NHL. (Go Kings!) Also, as I said above, I am a big music collector. I have thousands of CDs, records, etc. It's more than a hobby. I'd say it was a passion. My wife would say it's an addiction. (laughs)

The Bible is full of history, wisdom and of course the incredible message of salvation. What is one of your favorite stories in the Bible and why?
I can't think of one story to list, but the Apostle Paul in his many New Testament writings has really spoken to me over the years. At times it convicts me, almost like looking into a mirror and seeing my imperfections. At the same time it comforts me, such as when I read that a man like Paul also struggled with sin and thought of himself as the chief of sinners. He shown me that I don't need to play religion to be holy, but rather, I am holy because of Jesus. That gives me a lot of comfort.

Let’s get back to Ultimatum’s new release. With this being your fourth full length recording featuring all new songs (released on Retroactive Records), and your first offering of new material in six years, what stands out most with “Into The Pit”?
Robert's guitar playing. He just outdid himself on this one. The riffs, the rhythm playing, and the solos I love it all. I truly enjoy listening to this CD from beginning to end. The production is much better than anything we've done in the past as well. It would be hard for me to pick out a favorite song as I really feel it's a solid CD from beginning to end. I must also give credit to Ysidro Garcia, our engineer at Sight16 Studios. He did a great job for us.

The songs on this disc are metal anthems, what I would consider to be the most dynamic yet! You guys sound heavier, and seem to have cranked the knobs up to '11'. Scott you seem to have reached a new level that exceeds efforts on previous albums. Extra vitamins this time around or what?
Indeed! Actually there is a line in the song "Heart of Metal" that states, "turn it up, push to eleven." Perhaps it's the constant pumping of iron at the gym, or the daily protein shakes. (laughs) Thanks for the compliment. We are very proud of this release. I do think it's our heaviest and our best yet. I think part of the reason it sounds so heavy is just because of the improved production and recording quality. Having recorded multiple demos and albums over the years we have just learned what works best for us and what doesn't. One thing that really helped this CD was having Robert record all the rhythm guitars. We are a two guitar band and in the past we've always had both guitarists record rhythms and we would pan them 80/20 into the mix. Having one guitarist record all the parts make for a much tighter sound. Another thing is the influence of bassist Rob Whitlock. Rob joined Ultimatum in 2002 and has been an important part of the writing process ever since.

On “Into the Pit” you covered an Iron Maiden tune “Wrathchild”. Why?
For years we had been doing a cover of Vengeance Rising's "Burn" in concert. However, since we mostly play in clubs and bars, most people we were playing to didn't even realize it was a cover. Many people assumed it was our song. We thought it might be cool to start playing a song more people were familiar with. Many times at clubs we get our regular fans who know our songs, but we also get crowds of people who are unfamiliar with Ultimatum and may just be there to have a few drinks or to see another band we are performing with. We thought a song like Wrathchild would give them something to connect to. Also, we are all Iron Maiden fans in Ultimatum, so it was just a natural song for us to cover. When it came time for us to record the new CD, I just suggested that we record it too. Like "Burn" we weren't playing it note for note as Vengeance had played it. We were making the song our own, so why not record "Wrathchild" and give it an Ultimatum sound. I think we accomplished keeping the integrity of the original composition but also making the song sound like Ultimatum.

Do you guys enjoy doing covers?
Yes, we enjoy doing covers. As I mentioned, we recorded "Burn" in the past, as well as "Wrathchild" and a cover of Testament's "Sins of Omission". We talked of covering other songs and I have even brought up the idea to the band about making our next release be a collection of cover songs. We've talked about a number of different songs in the past including Metallica's "Creeping Death", a few different Mortification songs, Deliverance "No Time", Riot's "Heavy Metal Machine" and even a Saint cover.

Well if and when you guys do a cover album, I would love to hear what Ultimatum can do with another Maiden tune “Run to the Hills” or maybe “Fight the Good Fight” by Triumph! Why did you guys re-record "Blink", a song off your first album, for "Into the Pit"?
Symphonic Extremities was basically a collection of demos that Juke Box Media released on CD as our first album. They were a small record company and didn't have the money to give us to go back and properly re-record the album. Quite frankly, at the time we were just happy to get our music out. However, we were never really satisfied with the recording of that album. We love many of the songs on that album and have been playing them live for over a decade. "Blink" is one that has almost always been in our set. I really just wanted the opportunity to record that song and have it sound the way it should have sounded to begin with. The new recording really captures how the song sounds live with Sean Griego's double bass assault and Robert's meaty guitar tone. I also love the new guitar solo. Augustine Ortiz played the solo. He kept the feel of the original guitar solo but added his own technique and flair. It's actually one of my favorite Ultimatum songs.

Share in 10 words or less… GOD.
My Father who loves me.

STORY BY JEFF COLLINS

©2008 HM Magazine - All Rights Reserved

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