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:
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Whitechapel On "A New Era of Corruption" And Tour
With some hot new Billboard chart positions for their latest record, "A New Era of Corruption," and a five-band headlining tour, Metal Blade deathcore act Whitechapel is riding a wave of success. On October 22nd, that wave brought them back to Nashville in their home state of Tennessee for their largest headlining show. Before the ear damage began for the night, the charismatic guitarist Alex Wade and down-to-earth frontman Phil Bozeman took some time out for an interview.
Band Photo: Ayreon
Arjen Lucassen On Star One, Steve Lee, and Ayreon
The progressive metal force from the north, Netherlands-based guitar-player and songwriter Arjen Lucassen, has just finished up the second album for his project, Star One, which is set for the release date of October 26th for the US and November 1st for Europe. Arjen's been a busy man in the eight years between "Space Metal" and "Victims of the Modern Age." He's written, recorded, and put out several albums with Ayreon, Guilt Machine, Ambeon, and Stream of Passion -- Each one of them a banquet of musical styles, involving a lot of instrumentalists, vocalists, and musical talent. The man behind the helm of these projects took some time out for an interview to discuss these things, as well as the tragic death of Gotthard's Steve Lee, who had been a guest vocalist on the latest Ayreon album, "01011001."
Interview with Adam Warren of Oceano
Oceano hasn't been around long, but has had their share of problems. Van crashes on tour and the resignation of both guitarists have made for plenty of headlines while they only had one album released. 2010 has been more kind to Oceano, though. New guitarists Devin Shidaker and Nick Conser have joined the ranks and the album "Contagion" is on the way, due out November 9th. I caught up with vocalist Adam Warren in New York as they were shooting the video for "Weaponized" off the new album to talk about the new happenings of the band.
Forbidden Spreads The Despairing "Omega Wave"
After 13 years of near-silence, reactivated California thrashers Forbidden have dropped "Omega Wave," their new thrasterpiece heralding the coming of the apocalypse. Forbidden guitarist Craig Locicero clued us in on the themes of the album and how the recording process went, along with many other interesting insights ranging from the U.S. political process to his dream thrash lineup.
Thomas Youngblood Discusses New Album And Tour
U.S. based power metal act Kamelot has had a run of mixed luck lately. Kamelot has seen some of the band's highest chart positions ever with the new album "Poetry for the Poisoned," but also had to cancel a North American tour due to the health issues of vocalist Roy Khan. After the cancellation of the tour, I spoke with guitarist Thomas Youngblood about the new album and what the band has planned for the future.
Commenting on how the new album advances Kamelot's sound, Thomas said, "I guess you could say, in my opinion, the new record is a bit more progressive and maybe more diverse. It’s another Kamelot album, another step in the direction we want to go in. With this album the direction we wanted to go was a little more progressive and darker. I think we achieved that." He also discussed the band's brief attempt at continuing the ill fated tour with Circus Maximus vocalist Michael Eriksen and working with Elize Ryd of Amaranthe.
Band Photo: God Forbid
Interview with Byron Davis of God Forbid
I recently had the chance to conduct an interview with Byron Davis of New Jersey metal outfit God Forbid. The band was playing a gig at a small bar called Whiskey Tango that I frequented for the better half of a decade. So, before their set at the venue, located in the northeast section of Philadelphia, I was able to pick Byron’s brain a bit.
I’d also like to point out how gracious the guy was when setting this up. I literally e-mailed him about a day and a half before the show to set up the interview. He was quick to reply and quick to solidify details, something I’m not used to. After the interview, he was also kind enough to stand around and shoot the, well you know, with me for a while. It’s a nice change from being rushed doing some interviews to find the singer of this band just relaxed and polite. You can read the full interview after the jump.
Band Photo: No Redeeming Social Value
Interview With NRSV Vocalist Dean Miller
Since appearing in the New York Hardcore documentary movie in 1995, No Redeeming Social Value has become known to fans of the genre all across the world as a good time band who are as funny as they are a solid unit. I was recently given the opportunity to ask lead vocalist Dean Miller some questions and found that there was much more to the band than beer and hardcore...
Freddy Madball Discusses "Empire"
Madball is undoubtedly one of the hardest working bands in the world of hardcore. Having start when lead singer Freddy Cricien (aka Freddy Madball) was only nine years old, they have made a name for themselves as true legends of hardcore music. I was lucky enough to ask Freddy a few questions lately about the new album, "Empire," the situation with drummer Jay Weinberg and what he thinks of the modern day hardcore scene.
Band Photo: Atheist
Kelly Shaefer Discusses The Return Of Atheist
Legendary progressive death metal act Atheist is about to release a new full-length album entitled "Jupiter," which is the band's first studio album since 1993. Atheist vocalist Kelly Shaefer recently spoke with me about the long hiatus between albums, what he's been up to since '93, the themes of "Jupiter," and other topics as diverse as the pope and Bill Maher.
"I think we knocked it out of the park with this one, it’s the perfect continuation with where we left off," Shaefer stated about the new album. He also went on to further explain, "We’d just sit down and write and whatever happens, happens. That’s how we set our template. I couldn’t be happier with the way it turned out. I hate saying that, because everybody says that. If you are a fan of Atheist you are definitely going to love this record. It’s all over the place, and yet it’s right down the middle."
Interview With Black Label Society's Drummer
Will Hunt is the new drummer for Black Label Society. Initially, he was only going to stay with the band as a session artist for their new record “Order Of the Black.” Since Hunt is between records with his main band Evanescence, he has continued his stay with Black Label Society on the Ozzfest tour, and now the Bezerkus tour. The question remains: does Hunt have enough time to become a permanent drummer for Black Label Society? After seeing him live at The Rave in Wisconsin, all I can hope is he will since his drumming was phenomenal!
A Conversation With A Forest of Stars
Black metal has come a long way over the past two decades. What started out as straightforward blasting and tremolo picking has evolved far beyond the limited scale shown in the early years of the genre. Progressive elements crept in and pushed the genre into a direction most could not have foreseen. A Forest of Stars is one of the modern bands taking the fundamentals of black metal and incorporating psychedelic and folk elements to create lengthy, but stimulating, material.
With their second album, “Opportunistic Thieves of Spring,” pushing the band further away from the traditional black metal sound, things look very bright for the future of the quirky British act. Metalunderground.com recently had the chance to speak to guitarist T.S. Kettleburner about the challenge of long songs, the difference between the first and second album, and the importance of music over visuals in a live setting.
Band Photo: Iced Earth
Interview With Matt Barlow of Iced Earth
Many fans were angry that Matt Barlow left the band after "Horror Show," since Iced Earth is not quite the same band without him. In the early 2000’s he decided to pursue something quite non-musical (Law Enforcement), and Iced Earth found Tim Ripper Owens as a replacement for “The Glorious Burden” and “Framing Armageddon.” Even though Tim Ripper Owens has tremendous talent, Matt Barlow does more justice to Iced Earth with such a distinguished voice and even more memorable falsettos than Owens. Matt Barlow was asked to return with “The Crucible of Man….Something Wicked Pt. 2,” in 2008. With everything back in sync with the optimized lineup, Iced Earth is preparing for their next untitled studio album that will “Hopefully be out next summer or fall.”
TheDownGoing Explains New Album "I Am Become"
Australian godless two piece grinders thedowngoing have recently birthed the unholy abomination that is their debut album "I Am Become." Mastered by Alan Douches in New York and recorded in Sydney, the new album is the band's first full-length foray into the chaos of grindcore.
Describing the theme of the album, guitarist/vocalist Mathias Huxley stated, "'I Am Become' is our first CD, and is based around the birth of thedowngoing. Lyrically, the album focuses on a broad range of topics, but which all can be related back to the central theme of beginning, like the birth of nihilism and the void caused by that, for example." Throughout our interview Mathias explained the band's birth, his attraction to the ferocity of grindcore, and the album's distinctive artwork.
Demon Hunter Discusses New Music, Faith, And More
Seattle's Demon Hunter has become one of the most mainstream recognized Christian bands in metal lately, appealing to religious and non-religious audiences alike. The group released "The World is a Thorn" earlier this year, and is currently lining up a string of European dates. Demon Hunter's Jonathan Dunn spoke with about the band's concept and the issues behind the name, stating "The title is definitely not meant to be taken literally, although we do get some people who take it literally and that sometimes gets a little weird trying to explain that to them. It’s more trying to be in reference to your personal demons and issues you are dealing with and going through. It’s more in that aspect of hunting down demons."
Dunn goes on to discuss his personal faith and belief in Christianity, his musical roots and more recent influences, and the possibility of the band working on new material next year.
Band Photo: Neurosis
Steve Von Till Discusses New Neurosis Releases
U.S. based act Neurosis is a band that doesn't do labels and doesn't care about genres, and the members aren't shy about that fact. While discussing how the band is frequently referred to as sludge or atmospheric hardcore, guitarist/vocalist Steve Von Till stated,"The words people use to define microgenres are just ridiculous. Cyber death doom dip, whatever the hell. It doesn’t mean anything. What matters to us is if it has an emotional impact. Does it make you feel something real? Does it feel honest and genuine? Is it intense? Is it original? Nothing else matters."
Steve spoke with me recently about the band releasing the "Live at Roadburn 2007" album, as well as the re-release of the early "Enemy of the Sun" disc. We also discussed the writing of new Neurosis material, and what the group has planned for live appearances in the coming year.
Interview With Anthrax Frontman Joey Belladonna
A man that needs no introduction, but here's one anyway. Joey Belladonna is the singer from the classic lineup of the iconic thrashers Anthrax. In and out of the band, Joey is back to the delight of fans everywhere. Recently off of the Big Four Tour, Anthrax joins Megadeth and Slayer for the American Carnage Tour, carving it's way through the States as we speak. I had the chance to sit down and talk with Mr. Belladonna before his show in New Orleans where we discussed a new Anthrax album, his solo career, and just what it was like being on the show "Married...With Children." A transcription follows.
Band Photo: Katatonia
Interview With Katatonia Vocalist Jonas Renkse
Formed in Stockholm, Sweden in 1991 Katatonia has become one of Europe's top dark metal acts. Releasing eight influential albums during it's career, the band is continuing on without reprieve. Vocalist and Katatonia founder Jonas Renkse sat down with Metalunderground.com to talk about the band's latest offering "Night is the New Day" and the band's highly successful "New Night Over North America" tour.
Band Photo: The Absence
The Absence Explains New Album "Enemy Unbound"
Who says you have to hail from Sweden to make melodic death metal? Florida's The Absence is back for a third full-length album of Gothenburg goodness entitled "Enemy Unbound," which saw release earlier this month through Metal Blade Records. In support of the new album the band has recently shot a music video for the title track, and is also streaming the track "Maelstrom" via Metalunderground.com.
The Absence vocalist Jamie Stewart recently shared his thoughts with Metalunderground about the sound of "Enemy Unbound" and the direction of the lyrics, stating "The lyrics this time around deal with life in a band, the not-so-glamorous parts while still being able to enjoy the really great things like creating moving music with close friends and brothers, meeting people who really give a fuck and care about what we do, and take the time to express that." Jamie also discusses drummer Justin Reynold's car accident, recruiting Jeramie King, and the "shred off" contest that brought the band a guest guitar player.
Band Photo: Kataklysm
Kataklysm Guitarist Talks "Heaven's Venom"
Canadian death metal maestros Kataklysm took a brief break from their northern hyperblast sound to dip into Roman themes with the Ex Deo project. While Ex Deo continues, the members returned to Kataklysm to release the latest album "Heaven's Venom."
Guitarist Jean-François Dagenais took some time out during the band's recent North American tour dates to discuss the new album, stating "I think it’s a really aggressive album with a lot of emotions put out on the table because we’ve gone through a lot in the last few years. It’s one of my personal favorites. As soon as we finished at the studio I still played it and enjoyed it. Usually when we’re done with an album I’ve heard it too much, but this one I still enjoy months later." Jean-François also explained what Kataklysm and Ex Deo will be up to in the future.
Arkhum Spreads Cosmic Terror With "Anno Universum"
Oregon based, blackened death metal act Arkhum recently got picked up by Vendlus Records for the release of the band's debut full-length album "Anno Universum." Heavy on the technicality, and oozing an atmosphere of Lovecraft style sci-fi, the album is a surprising piece of metal mayhem from a band on the rise.
While discussing the themes of the album, Arkhum bassist Matt Edwards stated, "They’re our way of trying to convey the feelings we get of just looking out into the stars at night, wrapped in the shroud of science fiction and various scenarios taking place in the cosmos." He goes on to explain how he adds his own bass groove to a brutal death metal release, how the band works as a unit, and where Arkhum is going from here.
Band Photo: Exodus
Interview With Exodus
Exodus are one of the heaviest thrash metal bands to emerge out of the Bay Area Scene in the 80’s. Most of the bands that were the frontrunners of that era have all but faded away. Only the very best like: Slayer, Megadeth, Testament, Anthrax, Death Angel, and last but not least, Exodus have survived. With many lineup changes, including three different vocalists, one might worry about Exodus’s future. Lead singer, Rob Dukes was introduced in 2005 after the departure of Souza to create “Shovel Headed Kill Machine.” Now with three more studio albums under the belt, it seems that Exodus’s lineup is as strong as ever. I sat down with Rob Dukes before the concert at Reggies Rock House in Chicago. I followed up with some questions with Gary Holt immediately thereafter.
Band Photo: Accept
Wolf Hoffmann Discusses Accept's New Album
Iconic German heavy metal act Accept, which was recently covered in our Sunday Old School column, has reunited with a new vocalist to release the band's first album in 14 years. Guitarist Wolf Hoffmann recently discussed the band meeting up with new singer Mark Tornillo of TT Quick and the creation of the latest album, "Blood of the Nations."
While explaining the sound of the band's latest addition to heavy metal, Wolf stated, "It’s really not that different honestly. It’s pretty much what people would expect from Accept. We try to sort of go back in time and give them some good old school ‘80s kind of metal, but with new ideas and a modern drum and guitar sound. We really didn’t try to change much and we tried to stay true to the formula." Wolf also covered the band's upcoming tour schedule and the various Accept cover tunes that have appeared over the years.
Interview With Pilgrim Of Funeral Circle
The underground metal scene in Vancouver is one that is constantly thriving and growing each and every day and is a city that is constantly churning out new, young metal bands. Some are fantastic, some are good and some are down right terrible. One thing that remains a constant though is the fact that Vancouver has one of the top metal scenes in the world. A scene that has have given unholy birth to numerous internationally recognized bands.
One of the more respected and talented of these young Vancouver metal acts is Funeral Circle. Signed to the U.K. based Miskatonic Foundation; Funeral Circle have slowly become a name to be reckoned with throughout the world doom metal scene. Having released it's debut EP "Sinister Sacrilege" in December of 2009 the band are preparing their second onslaught to be unleashed upon the globe. Funeral Circle guitarist Pilgrim sat down with Metalunderground.com to discuss the band's history, present day and its blasphemous future.
Interview With Vifinita
I was able to catch up with the guitarist Mark Grillo and drummer Dan "Phoenix" De Lafe of Vifinita, an unsigned New Jersey metal band, last month. In the following interview, the band discusses their EP and upcoming album, their careers in metal thus far, and their local scene. The band gave very thorough answers and I learned how personal their music is to them. Enjoy:
Band Photo: Behemoth
An Interview With Orion From Black River/Behemoth
Tomasz “Orion” Wroblewski is best known as the bassist for extreme metal icons Behemoth. He is also the leader of symphonic black metal band Vesania, but his most unique side-project is the stoner/black n’ roll Black River. Fans of Orion’s other projects will definitely be surprised by how much groove the music has, and he seems to fit in just as well with this as he does with the more rambunctious Behemoth. Also featuring drummer Dariusz "Daray" Brzozowski of Dimmu Borgir and Vader fame, the band has just released their second album, “Black'n'Roll,” which is also the first look many in the U.S will get of the band. I recently had the chance to speak to Orion about Black River's new album, the current situation with Nergal, and what the future holds for Orion while he plays the waiting game with both Black River and Behemoth.
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