Interviews
To date, we have conducted 1630 interviews. If your band is available for an interview, feel free to contact us and we'll see what we can do. Here are our latest:
Displaying records 801 - 825 of 1,630 1 2 ... 31 32 33 34 35 ... 65 66 Last
The Kandidate Steps Forward
Extreme. Aggressive. Confrontational. Intimidating. All familiar words in the heavy metal genre, but a single listen to The Kandidate will make you wonder whether you've wasted those words on lesser, undeserving bands. This Danish quartet pummels viciously away at your sense of physical safety until you can nearly smell the lead from the aural pipe swinging toward your head. But if you can withstand the beating, you'll marvel at The Kandidate's organic, streamlined blend of heavy subgenres that boasts a sly and infectious charm beneath its tough veneer.
One of the sources of that charm is guitarist Allan Tvedebrink, who graciously phoned me from his home in Denmark to discuss his love of music and songwriting, the stylistic evolution on The Kandidate's impending sophomore album "Facing The Imminent Prospect Of Death," and more.
Band Photo: Chthonic
Chthonic Discusses Terrorist Threat Against Tour
There's no other way to describe “Takasago Army” other than an absolute masterpiece of an album that's going to go down in history as one of the best metal albums of the past decade. It made enough of an impression on me that I absolutely had to meet the band myself. This was the first time since I was writing for Ultimate Poser Blog that interviewing a band had managed to turn me into a drooling fanboy. Thankfully, I was able to meet all of Chthonic, and found that everyone in the band is absolutely 100% awesome despite my wide-eyed fanboyism emanating as an aura around me. Freddy Lim was cool enough to chat with Metalunderground.com about Taiwanese politics, the Far East metal scene in Asia and Oceania, and an actual terrorist threat against the band's most recent North American tour.
Ed Warby Discusses The Making Of The 11th Hour
It may come easy for most to be sad, moody depressive and otherwise despondent in one’s daily life. Just through dealing with the world’s daily negativity or living through the death of loved ones and friends, it is easy to see how the road to sadness is a slippery one to travel. It is a whole other thing to tap sadness and despair so perfectly through music that it alters the listener’s emotional state. Now try to accomplish that essentially on your own. Welcome to the world of Ed Warby.
Warby, who is best known for his drum work with Gorefest and Hail of Bullets, caught up with Metal Underground to discuss the making of The 11th Hour’s “Lacrima Mortis,” which stands toe to toe with the greatest doom metal masterpieces of all time. With The 11th Hour set to unleash its tears of anguish onto a world already filled with so much despair, we learn that Warby is more than just a mere drummer. He is a one man band. Unlike other one man projects, with something not quite right with at least one of the instruments, Warby is a perfectionist who will work until “the 11th hour” to dazzle and stun the world to prove he is an aficionado of doom.
Band Photo: Arch Enemy
Michael Amott Discusses His Future
Michael Amott is by far one of the most influential names in metal, having released some of the most important metal albums of the past 20 years with both Arch Enemy and Carcass. Having spent his entire adult life on the road and still growing Arch Enemy's commercial potential, it's safe to say that Michael Amott has secured his name in metal history.
Metalunderground.com got the chance to meet with the guitar wizard himself to discuss his musical influences, juggling two bands and what it's like to have been in a band with your brother for a decade and a half.
Mastodon Discusses New Album And Tour Plans
Mastodon is one of those bands that can’t disappoint even if the band tried. Having seen Mastodon live twice I'll definitely say that anyone looking to see the group in concert is probably going to have a total blast.
What's more important is that the Mastodon guys are actually awesome in person. Troy Sanders and Brann Dailor sat down to talk about their new album “The Hunter,” their recent tour with The Dillinger Escape Plan, Elmyr and what original vocalist Eric Saner is up to.
Diecast Gearing Up To Storm The Metal Scene
Boston metalcore act Diecast has been relatively quiet since the release of 2006's "Internal Revolution," but that's just the calm before the storm as the band gears up for what may just be its biggest year yet.
With new material in the works and more tour dates being lined up, the band is excited to be headed back into the scene in a big way, and as details are still being finalized I got the chance to chat with guitarist Jon Kita.
Jon shared the history of the band, from the highs of touring with nationally known acts to the lows of dropping off the Century Media roster, and also filled me in on the band's upcoming output that will ensure 2012 will be the year of Diecast.
Clutch's Tim Sult Discusses Playing Special Shows
Heavy rock’n’groove maestros, Clutch recently returned to the United States after a European stint supporting Danish rockers Volbeat. As of December 27th, the Maryland-based group began a run of five dates in the east coast with Corrosion of Conformity. Ten days prior, the staff at the Austin, Texas nightclub, Emo’s flew Clutch out to play two special shows.
The first show, on the 17th, took place at Emo’s East. This large club formerly went under the guise of The Backroom. Since opening the new location, Emo’s has announced it will end fifteen years of punk and metal at its Sixth and Red River location. Emo’s has the reputation of being a legendary rock club, so the club decided to go out in style by bringing Clutch in to play an intimate show inside it’s club (the outdoor venue closed its doors a few weeks back).
Before and after taking Emo’s East’s large stage with tangible lighting, Metal Underground caught up with Space Master General, guitarist Tim Sult to get the details about these special shows, Clutch beer and new material.
Nothnegal Discusses Upcoming Album "Decadence"
Burgeoning Maldives based act Nothnegal is about to crack wide open the gates of the melodic death metal scene with the upcoming debut album "Decadence," which spices up the formula with the unexpected addition of industrial and symphonic elements. Check out Metalunderground.com's full review of "Decadence" at this location.
As the official release of "Decadence" nears, guitarist Hilarl and keyboardist Marco touched bases with us to discuss the upcoming album, signing with Season of Mist, and recording tracks for the release all around the world.
Check out the full interview below, or get a taste of "Decadence" by listening to the album's teaser trailer here.
Band Photo: Abnormal Thought Patterns
An Interview With Abnormal Thought Patterns
Jasun and Troy Tipton have been an unstoppable duo for over two decades. Making a name for themselves with the progressive metal act Zero Hour, they astounded listeners with Jasun’s guitar antics and Troy’s technical bass playing. However, in 2009, Zero Hour went on hiatus as Troy had ulnar nerve entrapment surgery. Ever since then, they have been busy with Cynthesis and a new instrumental project, Abnormal Thought Patterns. Abnormal Thought Patterns allows the brothers to let loose without a vocalist or traditional song structuring holding them back.
With an EP recently released, and new material being written, the band doesn’t seem to be a one-and-done project. Jasun Tipton spoke to me in early December about Abnormal Thought Patterns, an update on Troy’s condition, and what the future of Zero Hour may be.
Regal and Thunderous Ideas: An Interview With Czar
Chomping at the bit with energy, Chicago three-piece Czar has released an impressive EP and one album, titled "Vertical Mass Grave." Defining Czar's sound is a bit like searching for a black shirt in a dark room, although one thing is certain: It has a trail-blazing quality to it. Czar's Brian Elza, Dan Brill, and Jason Novak explain their craft, their songs, and themselves.
Heart Of Barf Talks Sax In Metal And More
Going about as far from the traditional metal lineup as you can before entirely leaving the genre behind, the Heart of Barf trio defies expectations by consisting of a drummer, sax player, and extreme vocalist.
If the lineup and the name makes you think the group is joke to laugh at for 10 seconds and move on, think again: although clearly not taking themselves too seriously, the guys from Heart of Barf make surprisingly well crafted music that effectively shows the sax is a metal instrument. You can check out several songs from the band by heading over here.
To get the inside scoop on Heart of Barf and find out how the bizarre combination of musicians came to be I got in contact with sax maestro Ed RosenBerg, who discussed the band's history, how metal groups have used sax in the past, and the difficulties of writing sax parts for a heavy and fast paced band.
A Chat With Megaton Leviathan's Andrew James Costa
Megaton Leviathan are a band just starting to gain some momentum, thanks in small part to a recent stint touring alongside Wolves in the Throne Room. The nationwide tour saw them take their drone/doom sound to plenty of fresh ears. The band lets their music do the talking, keeping the vocals very low in the mix and out of sight for minutes at a time.
It’s all about atmosphere for the band, and nowhere is that more evident than in their debut LP “Water Wealth Hell On Earth.” Featuring the 20-minute, two-part title track and a monstrous closer clocking in at a precise 33:33, the band has a lot to say and doesn’t like to rush through their music. I had a chance to send some questions via e-mail to vocalist/guitarist Andrew James Costa to get a better idea of what Megaton Leviathan is all about.
Mournful Congregation Comments on First U.S. Tour
For nearly twenty years, Australia-based Mournful Congregation has stamped its listeners’ mind’s eye with tales of agony and ecstasy, tragedy and harmony. While fanatics of the funeral doom fold were certainly aware of Mournful Congregation’s epic arrangements, the group hasn’t received much exposure in America. That is until now. Thanks to American distribution through 20 Buck Spin Records and a greater media presence via Earsplit PR, Mournful Congregation has gotten people talking.
2011 was a busy year for the Aussie troupe. In September, they released “Unspoken Hymns,” which consisted of material pulled from split albums, a Thergothen cover and a reworked song. Two months later, more melancholic tones found the ears and hearts of their listeners with new album “The Book of Kings.” In true funeral doom fashion, each track contains an emotional and time-wise heaviness rivaling the weight of Stonehenge’s megalithic slabs.
One can’t properly appreciate Mournful Congregation’s heaviness without experiencing their music in a live setting. I had the pleasure of witnessing their first tour in the U.S., which came a day after they closed the Rites of Darkness Festival in San Antonio. Three guitarists created a rumble that would make Zeus jealous. The group replicated this large trinity of sound through a choir of three vocalists on its ending track “Suicide Choir.” Before witnessing this tour de force, vocalist Damon Good and guitarist Justin Hartwig spoke to Metal Underground about composing such grand arrangements.
Fallen Martyr Chats About New Album "Shadows"
Washington D.C. based melodic metal act Fallen Martyr has been hard at work on the new full-length album "Shadows," which will follow the band's praised EP "The Six Roots of True Will."
As work winds down on the album and the band prepares to announce the label releasing "Shadows," I got in touch with guitarist Gabriel Luis to pick his brain on the direction of the new release and find out what Fallen Martyr has been up to over the past year. During our chat Gabriel talked about the mix of melody and brutality on the album, briefly working with Ken Sorceron from Abigail Williams, and the recent trend of dubstep remixes of metal tracks.
Interview With The Ritual
We shall wait to see what kind of impact The Ritual make outside their native country of Italy before we conclude whether justice indeed exists in the music world. They ought to get huge in the States. Brandishing a vital and diverse modern metal sound that's polished but always potent, emotional but never cheesy, and thunderous but deliciously melodic, they have something to offer nearly everyone under the metal and hard rock banner. I've made no secret of my delight with their recent debut album "Beyond The Fragile Horizon" (reviewed here), which makes their case with a catchy, deceptive simplicity that masks a complex and thoughtful intertwining of musical styles.
In the midst of relentless gigging in support of the album, bassist Liuk J. Abbott was generous enough to take time to correspond with me and discuss just that.
Band Photo: Cradle Of Filth
Dani Filth On New Releases, Past Members, And More
Following the latest full-length "Darkly, Darkly Venus Aversa," the infamous British act Cradle of Filth has dropped a special release for fans titled "Evermore Darkly" (reviewed here) to hold over the Gothic metal hungry masses until the next studio album.
Spending some time at home recharging after a run of tour dates, iconic front man Dani Filth got in touch with Metalunderground.com to chat about the recent "Evermore Darkly" EP, an upcoming entirely orchestral release titled "Midnight in the Labyrinth," and the progress of writing an entirely new album.
Below you can find our full conversation, which also dipped into musings about writing film scores, the band's surprising techno remix of "Forgive Me Father," and the double-edged sword of the "Jesus is a Cunt!" t-shirt.
Band Photo: Hate
Interview With ATF Sinner
Polish extreme metal band Hate has been supporting Mayhem on a very long trek through the U.S. Hate has been spreading an amalgamation of metal genres since the early 90s and has a reputation well established in Europe.
With a new record deal and a foot in the door touring in America, Hate is growing in popularity more than ever. I got to talk to vocalist Adam the First Sinner just after their set when they performed in New Orleans at The Hangar. A transcription follows the video below.
Band Photo: Sylosis
Sylosis Arrives In The States
Britain's latest and finest metal exports Sylosis have hordes of fans to gain on their maiden American tour, and - being real men - are not letting injuries or other such bollocks get in their way. In support of their recent sophomore effort "Edge Of The Earth," Sylosis have hit these shores in the coveted opening slot on As I Lay Dying's widespread "Decade Of Destruction" tour. While still gaining their true footing, the band are sure to win a loyal audience with their towering progressive death/thrash formula, which blends the old school with the modern without apparent effort.
In a cramped dressing room at the Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts (with the bloody racket of support act The Ghost Inside piercing the walls), I checked in with Sylosis' rhythm section, consisting of bassist Carl Parnell and drummer Rob Callard. Young touring guitarist Brandon Ellis - previously seen on stage with Arsis - was also silently present, having filled in for injured axeman Alex Bailey.
Betraying The Martyrs Talks U.S. Metal Scene
Betraying the Martyrs, a French deathcore act with some surprising progressive flourishes, is currently making its mark on the U.S. and picking up new fans touring alongside Born of Osiris, Veil of Maya, and Carnifex. The band is sharing its message Stateside in support of the versatile and crushing new album "Breathe In Life," currently available through Sumerian Records.
Shortly after arriving in the U.S. and only a handful of days into the tour, an unfortunately sick band front man Aaron Matts spoke with me about the new album and current run of shows. Below you can find a transcript of our conversation, in which Aaron reveals the band will be shooting an upcoming third music video, discusses the difference between the French and American metal scenes, and shares his love for Born of Osiris.
Band Photo: As I Lay Dying
As I Lay Dying Celebrates A Decade Of Destruction
San Diego's As I Lay Dying hardly need an introduction by now. On the heels of their new compilation release "Decas," these titans of the New Wave of American Heavy Metal have now launched their milestone "Decade Of Destruction" tour. The ten prolific years under their belt have seen As I Lay Dying grow from humble underground metalcore origins into a major modern extreme metal force and a Grammy-nominated, bestselling music group.
I crossed paths with the band on the fourth date of "Decade Of Destruction" at the Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts. Prior to showtime, I rendezvoused with drummer Jordan Mancino, who - together with frontman and bandleader Tim Lambesis - founded As I Lay Dying at the turn of the century. He reflected on his group's progress and accomplishments to date, the current tour, and plenty more, including hints of some exciting news for fans in 2012.
Single Bullet Theory Discusses New Album "IV"
On November 26th, 2011, I had the pleasure of interviewing Matt DiFabio of the metal band Single Bullet Theory. The band recently released their fourth album entitled "IV" through Goomba Records (read the review here.) Matt discussed the band's history, their latest album, his song writing process, and gives advice to aspiring musicians. I hope everyone enjoys his responses and picks up their latest album, "IV."
Intruder Talks 1980s, Self-Management, Beginnings
The bands from “the old days” of metal are growing increasingly rare and falling out one by one as the years pass. Intruder is a true hayday classic metal act, with their first album, “Live to Die,” being put out in the year between Metallica’s “Master of Puppets” and “…And Justice For All” albums. Hailing from Nashville, Intruder sports a blend of classic thrash with progressive tendencies, making them an interesting beast. Speaking to their drummer John Pieroni was an opportunity for me to connect with the mysterious “old days” of metal that I never got the chance to experience, having been born a year after that album was released.
The week after Intruder's reunion show, skinsman Pieroni and I dove into fish & chips and metal at an Irish pub in Nashville on November 17th. Pieoni shared the details on how the band came to be, gave some advice on band management, the inception of Intruder, and the band’s reunion. He also confirmed the band’s appearance in the upcoming 2012 Headbangers Open Air festival in Germany and an upcoming record.
Vildhjarta On New Album And Swedish Metal Scene
Newly signed to Century Media Records, Swedish act Vildhjarta is shaking up the djent scene with the new release "Måsstaden," which just dropped in Europe and North American earlier this week. "Måsstaden" is a concept album told as a fairy tale story, which the audience is meant to interpret both through the artwork and the music.
Speaking from home in Sweden, guitarist Calle Thomer recently had a chat with me about the album's concept, releasing two new music videos, and getting signed with Century Media. Calle also reveals the band name's roots in fantasy roleplaying and offers his thoughts on the metal scene in Sweden today.
Fallstaf's Hitman Discusses Brass Metal And More
Montreal brass metal act Fallstaf already has a unique take on metal to begin with, but throw in the fact that the band's trombone player is a masked hitman and you've got a recipe for some serious metal mayhem.
Fallstaf recently released its debut full-length album "Bastard Sons of a Pure Breed" (reviewed here), and in support of the release I got the chance to engage The Hitman in conversation to find out the low down on brass metal and the Montreal metal scene. Check out the full interview below.
Hirax at Most Productive, Stable Point of Career
Even though Hirax came out of the same Los Angeles, and San Francisco Bay Area thrash scene as Slayer, Megadeth and Metallica, the group has always flown well below those thrash Titan’s radar. Hirax is an essential part of thrash history. Brian Slagel saw their worth and released the group’s first two records, “Raging Violence” (1985) and “Hate, Fear and Power” (1986) to his budding Metal Blade label.
Hirax never became a household name like their friends in Metallica and Slayer because, in part, their 1986 release would be their last full-length recording until 2004. The group split in the late ‘80s, during the golden years of thrash, and returned in the late nineties. Since 2005, Hirax welcomed its most stable lineup and has spent those last few years inciting pits around the globe. The group is still pushing its 2009 release “El Rostro de la Muerte,” a speedy, Slayer-esque release, but is pushing forward with an upcoming album and record contract.
Original vocalist, Katon W. de Pena spoke with Metal Underground concerning these new developments. After having just unloaded his suitcase from a tour in Poland, the purveyor of true metal opined on playing the group’s first appearance in Texas at The Goregrowler’s Ball and the group’s recent business developments. He also flashed back to the early days of thrash metal. Hirax is at the top of its game. Read on and see why de Pena believes this is so.
Displaying records 801 - 825 of 1,630 1 2 ... 31 32 33 34 35 ... 65 66 Last