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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Red Circuit Reveals Third Album Under Way
At ProgPower USA XII, Germany’s Red Circuit made a hell of a debut on American soil with a powerful set on the second official day. During the event, Red Circuit keyboardist Markus Teske doubled as a sound engineer as well, contributing to what some attendees have called the “best-sounding” ProgPower festival yet. I have a hunch that the addition of drummer Michael Stein to the Red Circuit lineup also added to the punch.
Previously, Markus has recorded acts such as Symphony X, Vanden Plas, Saga, The Flower Kings, Mob Rules, and more. Somehow, Markus had a few minutes free to sit with me for an interview, in which he answers questions about the first two albums and the upcoming third, as well as discusses some audio topics and weigh in on his musical interests and music studies.
Indigo Darkpsych Discusses Maltese Metal Scene
Working to break past social barriers and start a rock revolution, Malta based female-fronted act Indigo Darkpsych released the new album "These Are The Roots" this summer. Along with the album, Indigo Darkpsych showed what underground bands can do with enough determination by releasing the "Not The End" music video.
The band's namesake and front woman Marvic "Indigo" Lewis recently got in contact with Metalunderground.com to talk about the band's history and future activity, as well as the challenges of performing rock and metal in the Maltese music scene.
Band Photo: Van Canto
Van Canto Speaks About The Nuances Of "Rakkatakka"
In 2006, somewhere along the banks of the mighty Rhein in Midwestern Germany, an idea was born. Out of the ashes of “regular power metal acts” like Jester’s Funeral, Fading Starlight and Deadly Sin, a new vocal project had quickly turned into what we now know as “power a cappella metal.” The idea seemed simple enough…take power metal songs and strip out all the instruments. While most metal fans roll their eyes and scoff at the idea of metal without guitar, laughing it off as an oddity and a gimmick, what resulted was arguably the most creative band ever assembled.
It started with “A Storm To Come,” an eerily prophetic title, and a cover of Metallica’s “Battery.” Unlike Apocalyptica’s cello version, the song was redefined with no loss of power despite the fact that the band is made up of only five singers and a drummer. Since then, Van Canto has gained momentum with two more releases (“Hero” and “Tribe Of Force”), hooking in fans with highly memorable original anthems and redefining covers of metal classics, culminating in the highly successful set at the 2011 Wacken festival.
Now, Van Canto is back with its fourth release, “Break the Silence” [reviewed here]. If the prophecy of the first release rang true, then the new album very well may break the silence to the rest of the world. Founder Stefan Schmidt spoke to metalundergound.com and explained the origins of the band, fighting through the criticism and the nuances of “rakkatakka.”
Hackneyed Talks New Album "Carnival Cadavre"
Taking a darkly humorous look at issues both serious and not-so-serious, Germany's Hackneyed recently dropped a new full-length appropriately titled "Carnival Cadavre" (check out the review here).
In the post release aftermath, Metalunderground.com got in touch with Hackneyed drummer Tim Cox to get an inside look at "Carnival Cadavre" and see what the band had to say about the writing, recording, and lyrical content of the album.
Within Temptation: "We Had To Renew Ourselves"
Within Temptation is one of the creators of the female fronted symphonic metal scene and has been innovating it since the late 1990’s. Since then, the genre has exploded and spawned hundreds of other bands who have followed in the band’s footsteps. Earlier this year, Within Temptation released “The Unforgiving,” a comic book, a short movie series and arguably the band’s defining record. However, in order to expand on the success of “The Heart Of Everything,” the band was forced to do serious soul searching to redefine a sound they had spent thirteen years perfecting. The path to new inspiration was found, not with the future, but buried deep within the past of co-founders/co-writers SHARON DEN ADEL (vocals) and husband Robert Westerholt (guitars).
Now, on the heels of a successful festival season in Europe, the band finds itself on the precipice of major progress breaking into the elusive North American scene. “The Unforgiving” tour starts with a small stint in Canada and the eastern coast of the United States and Metalunderground.com was on hand to speak with vocalist Sharon Den Adel for the first stop on American soil. The place was Worcester, Massachusetts and the venue was the mysterious and appropriately haunted Palladium, a stopping point on any major metal tour.
Sevendust Drummer Discusses Tour, Record, Lobsters
Sevendust has been at the grind for many years. Their latest release, “Cold Day Memory” (reviewed here,) sees the band at a high point in their fifteen-year career. The band is currently on the Rock Star Uproar tour with tour mates Avenged Sevenfold, Three Days Grace, Seether, Bullet For My Valentine, Black Tide, and others, making their way across the Northeast US for the month of September.
Drummer Morgan Rose touches base with MetalUnderground.com to reveal that the band’s ninth album is in the works. He also discusses the last record, the changing roles of record labels, and gives some insight to the life and times of one of the most successful metal bands to come out of the 1990s. The interview with Rose, who has been named by several publications as one of the top 100 drummers of all time, is below.
Misguided Aggression: "Autonomy Is Our Cause"
Out with the crushing new album "Flood the Common Ground," Misguided Aggression has already bowled over the Canadian east coast and is gearing up for new festival appearances and tour dates. As the band builds up to more devastating live shows, members Ben Dobson and Rob DeMedeiros shared their thoughts on the recording process for the album, as well as what the band accomplished this time around and how the music progressed from earlier releases.
Delving into the themes of the new album, Rob commented "Autonomy is our cause. We encourage thought. We encourage difference. Freedom is something everyone wishes to hold. All over the world, there are communities who have never experienced it, and there are those who have only had a glimpse of it. Many of us look down from above, believing we have obtained it, when in reality, it is only a mockery of what could be. When we band together though, and go out of our way to find the truth, we will hold the wisdom in our hands, and be able to change anything and everything."
Check out the full interview with Ben and Rob below.
Interview with Totimoshi
Totimoshi has been keeping busy with touring, recording, and otherwise spreading their hard-to-catagorize amazing music. Having recorded their latest album "Avenger" on their own over the last two years, Totimoshi is finally touring to promote it's release earlier this month. I caught up with them in New Orleans to talk about the trials of releasing "Avenger," another recording done as a split with their main influence The Melvins, and just where they think the music industry is headed. A transcription is below the film footage.
Band Photo: Anubis Gate
Anubis Gate Reveals Re-Releases, Talks Album
On the edge of the September 13th release of the self-titled behemoth of a 5th album (reviewed here,) Anubis Gate already stands on an impressive body of work. The band's last four albums have each been heaped with critical praise for the blend of sensible songwriting, progressive style, and stand-out vocal performances. Luckily, Anubis Gate hasn’t tired itself out and seem to be burning its next-stage-thrusters, pushing prog metal to some interesting heights.
Vocalist/Bassist Henrik Fevre took some time out to answer a few questions for MetalUnderground.com regarding the new album, the band’s history and future, and the label situation. Moreover, he gave a bit of breaking news regarding upcoming re-releases and exclusives. Given that the previous albums released on Locomotive Records have not been easy to find for certain countries, this is great news. Below is the interview.
Trapped Under Ice Gives the "Big Kiss Goodnight"
One might expect a band that names itself after a vintage early 80s Metallica song to be a high top-wearing, retro-thrash act. But Baltimore’s Trapped Under Ice has far more in common with Vision of Disorder, Madball and Hatebreed than Hetfield, Mustaine and company.
One of the most punishing forces on the current hardcore scene, Trapped Under Ice’s debut full-length, “The Big Kiss Goodnight,” is a violent blitz that pays homage to classic East Coast h/c, as well as West Coast brethren Terror. The disc is due out Oct. 11 on Good Fight Records.
Frontman Justice Tripp took a few minutes out from a break at his Baltimore home to talk with Metalunderground.com about the new album, what hardcore means to him and working with New Found Glory guitarist/producer Chad Gilbert (A Day to Remember, H2O, Shai Hulud).
Kamelot: Present And Future
The name Kamelot, by now, represents something of an institution for heavy metal fans who like their music both blissfully melodic and pulsing with intensity, at once a personal stream of emotion and an epic rush of symphonic glory. Even the recent departure of operatic Norwegian frontman Roy Khan hasn't diminished the power of this influential Floridian act, as delighted crowds on their current North American tour are now learning. In his place is talented Italian singer Fabio Lione (Rhapsody Of Fire), exceeding expectations and keeping the Kamelot train rolling.
Prior to the band's packed gig at Club Soda in Montreal, QC, I had the pleasure of sitting down with their brilliant and versatile German keyboardist Oliver Palotai, a longtime Kamelot collaborator and permanent member since 2005. He gracefully shared his thoughts on a range of subjects.
STEMM Talks "Crossroads," Scene Bands, And More
UFC soundtrack band STEMM is set to drop a new groove metal album titled "Crossroads" (reviewed here) this coming September 13th, 2011. To let fans know what's in store on "Crossroads," vocalist/guitarist Joe Cafarella checked in with Metalunderground.com and dished on the album's writing process, what's going on with the lyrics this time around, and his thoughts on the different styles within metal.
Joe also went into detail about the recently released "Left Behind" video, which skewers the many trends in modern metal. He commented on the inspiration behind the clip, "We had the 'scene' fans pick on us, even labels and managers tell us what we needed to do. Even when we did try to make others happy, it wasn't good enough and we were still the 'outcast' band. 'A band without a core' to say... Looking back over the years, I'm happy to say that STEMM is still here, doing our own thing and evolving how we want to. STEMM is not some bi-product of a metal genre. We're a rock band." Check out the full interview transcription below.
Interview With Doro Pesch
Doro Pesch is an incredible metal musician with a career that spans the decades without loss momentum. Gaining fame with her band Warlock, Doro has lead a very successful career with her band that's named after her. Recently, she took the mic for some dates with Dio Disciples, a band in tribute to the late, great Ronnie James Dio. And on the eve of releasing a career-retrospective DVD in America, Doro is keeping busy with recording a new album and touring the world. I had the honor of talking with Doro Pesch about the new album and DVD, the loss of one of metal's greatest musicians, and how she got into music as a child.
The Great AmeriCon On Tit Cakes And Bathhouses
Featuring members who have been involved with the likes of Ministry and Revolting Cocks, The Great AmeriCon is a new force on the rock and metal scene, having just released a self-titled EP and currently working on a debut full-length.
I caught up with the guys from The Great AmeriCon while the band was embarked on the Pros and Cons tour to chat with members Sin Quirin and Salvador Krk. Below you can find a transcription of our conversation about erotic cakes, find out what the group has in store for the coming year, and read an assurance that the band members are not sexually active with one another.
A Conversation With The Living Fields
It’s really difficult to begin to describe The Living Fields for the uninitiated. They seem like a standard doom metal band at first, but then the violins/violas come in, along with the multiple vocal styles. All of a sudden, this unassuming doom metal band has traversed through genres ranging from progressive rock to death metal. It’s a sound that is equally confusing and mesmerizing. Their second album, “Running Out Of Daylight,” makes you work for its attention. After the first dozen listens, it starts to pay off.
What’s most amazing about “Running Out Of Daylight” is that the album was done by long-distance communication. The band members are scattered throughout all parts of the world, and it took guitarist/bassist Jason Muxlow years to get everything together. Muxlow is the main composer of the band, and oversaw the whole creation of the album. I had an opportunity to speak to Muxlow in early August about “Running Out Of Daylight” and how long-distance songwriting works.
Interview With Eric Cruz of Archaios
It has been a long journey for Dominican metallers Archaios, one lasting nearly two decades. Although releasing their debut "Out of the Shadows" five years back, Archaios had yet to find a core audience outside of their island homeland due to lack of label support and logistics. This could very well change in 2011 when their new album "The Distant" is released. That darker thrash sound they were known for has metamorphosized into techno-melodic stylings that are sure to win over a serious, mature metal audience. Their new label, Dark Canvas, supports them all the way and is busy putting all the pieces in place for a tour of the US sometime in the coming year. We sat down with guitarist Eric Cruz to get inside the mindset of the Dominican Republic's premier thrash band and listen to his version of the path Archaios are on.
Interview With Wino Of Premonition 13/Saint Vitus
Scott "Wino" Weinrich seems to have an endless fountain of ideas spouting out of his brain. Just in the last year, he released “Adrift,” an acoustic follow up to the electrified “Punctuated Equilibrium,” as part of his solo-dubbed band. Earlier this year, he played guitar and sang on Premonition 13’s self-titled recording. He also put out a split record with Scott Kelly of Neurosis. Kelly and Wino also play together in Shrinebuilder with Dale Crover (The Melvins) and Al Cisneros (Sleep, Om). These projects are only a few of the many accredited to Wino throughout his 30-plus-year career.
In March, Wino once again manned the mic for doom metal icons and propagators of Black Sabbath, Saint Vitus, as part of the “Metal Alliance” tour with Crowbar, Helmet, Weedeater and others. Saint Vitus came together for a mini-tour and has big plans for the future, including a new album. In the midst of pre-show chaos, Metal Underground got the scoop on these forthcoming endeavors from an ambivalent Wino.
Interview With Fleshgod Apocalypse
"Agony" has elevated Fleshgod Apocalypse to the status of death metal superstars. Guitarist Tommaso Riccardi was able to talk to MetalUnderground.com at Chicago's House of Blues about the band's lyrics, upcoming tour plans for this October, the reception to Agony (reviewed here) and the Amanda Knox case.
Band Photo: Black Tide
Black Tide Chats About New Album "Post Mortem"
Not quite a year since our last interview with Black Tide, the young four-piece is about to drop sophomore album "Post Mortem" and embark on the Rockstar Energy Drink Uproar Festival.
To let fans know what to expect with album number two, drummer Steven Spence chatted with me about the release changing from a self-titled effort to the current title, changes in the structure of Black Tide songs, and recording with new guitarist Austin Diaz for the first time. Check out the full transcription of the interview below.
Band Photo: Jake Dreyer
Jake Dreyer Details Recording Solo Debut
Jake Dreyer is the all-American guitar prodigy. Much like guitar heroes “Dimebag” Darrell Abott and Randy Rhoads before him, Dreyer has accomplished much at a young age. At 13-years old, he professionally recorded his first album and opened for nationally recognized acts. He would have joined power metal icons Jag Panzer at the ripe-old age of 19 if the group hadn’t disbanded.
Dreyer was awarded Jagermeister’s guitarist of the year in 2008 and 2009. He has studied under David “The Shred Demon” Shankle (DSG, Ex-Manowar), Chris Broderick (Megadeth, Ex-Jag Panzer, Nevermore) and Rusty Cooley (Outworld). Barely old enough for strip clubs and the draft, Jake Dreyer has all the tools to place his name among his tutors with his first solo-dubbed recording.
“In the Shadows of Madness” (read the review) is a short instrumental EP. The album may be short, but Dreyer is long on chops. Modern, chugging groove, melody and more scales than a Weight Watchers clinic, “In the Shadows of Madness” offers a brief glimpse of greatness.
Metal Underground spoke to Dreyer via cyber land about his land mark release and his six-string obsession that brought him to his point.
Band Photo: Leprous
Leprous Talks New Album "Bilateral"
Norwegian metal sons Leprous have seen their brand of progressive rock-meets-metal gaining traction in the scene lately, with new material coming out soon and recently reaching a wider audience by acting as solo artist Ihsahn's backing band.
"Bilateral," the band's third full-length, sees official release at the end of the month and will be a must-have for fans of prog rock or avant-garde metal. In anticipation of the coming opus, Leprous vocalist / keyboardist Einar Solberg got in touch with Metalunderground.com to discuss the sound of the album, working with Ihsahn in the studio, and appearing on the latest StarOfAsh album as a guest musician.
Einar also shared his thoughts on the band's changes over three albums, and how the recent terrorist attack in his native Norway has affected the Norwegian people.
Macabre Discusses Old, New & Future Material
Macabre is a musical entity all of its own. Sure, the Chicago-area group pens songs about the most notorious killers in history. Their music often shares characteristics of death metal, and they often tour with death metal bands. However, death metal is an erroneous tag. Aspects of grind and thrash are also apparent in the band’s music, but their use of other genres besides rock music has resulted in a black-humored concoction known as “murder metal.”
Obviously, the murder metal tag became most apparent when the group named their album that in 2003, but the idea of utilizing other forms of music to accentuate their metal songs goes back much further. The “Sinister Slaughter” album from 1993 featured saloon-style piano notes (“Vampire of Düsseldorf”) and a campfire, sing-a-long acoustic (“Mary Bell"). The group took it even further on their follow up full-length “Dahmer.” A musical based on the life of convicted cannibal killer, Jeffry Dahmer, said album featured the Blues (“Jeffry Dahmer Blues”), a parody of the Umpa lumpa song featured in “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” (“Jeffry Dahmer and the Chocolate Factory”) and several nursery rhymes like “Grandmother’s House” and “Scrub a Dub Dub.”
The contrast of musical styles—metal meets nursery rhyme and so forth—gives Macabre comic qualities. Even though they write songs on taboo subject matter, their songs guarantee sing-a-longs. The group’s latest album, “Grim Scary Tales,” offers more necromantic nursery rhymes. Guitarist/singer, Corporate Death chatted with Metal Underground about his sordid subjects, using non-metal forms of music and a new album in the works.
Band Photo: This Is Hell
This Is Hell Checks In With Post-Studio Interview
Long Island hardcore act This is Hell recently wrapped up recording for the follow-up album to "Weight of the World," which is currently set for release sometime in October. Shortly after finishing up the studio stint, guitarist Rick Jimenez corresponded with Metalunderground.com to fill us in on the recording sessions and discuss what fans are going to hear on the upcoming album.
Jimenez delves into his recent obsession with all things Metallica and the new album's more metal-centric approach, the socially conscious lyrical content that will be found on the disc, New York's hardcore scene, and even the recent death of Cipher drummer Daniel Bobis. Check out the full interview below to get a glimpse into This Is Hell's world and find out about the band's upcoming live activity.
Interview With Away Of Voivod
It’s been over a year since Metal Underground.com has talked to Away, drummer for the long-standing band Voivod. Through decades of changes in personnel and sound, Voivod has remained a metal icon, recently playing at Maryland Death Fest IX and Roadburn Festival to screaming fans. They premiered a new song live at the fests which is part of a new album currently being written. I was able to talk to Away for some time about the album, Voivod's history, and the many influences that have shaped their sound.
Interview with Maria Brink of In This Moment
In This Moment has become of metal's biggest acts, landing a slot on multiple high profile tours over the past several years. In less than half a decade the band has risen from obscurity to superstar status thanks in no small part to the support of Century Media Records.
Metalunderground.com recently got the chance to talk to Maria Brink during the Chicago stop of the All Stars Tour.
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