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 701 - 725 of 1,630 1 2 ... 27 28 29 30 31 ... 65 66 Last
An Interview With Hammers Of Misfortune
For over a decade, Hammers Of Misfortune has been a prime example of an overlooked gem. Each of their albums, from their 2001 debut “The Bastard” to last year’s “17th Street,” has always delivered the musical goods. Their sound, which pulls from enough influences to write a novel about, is broad and jammed with variety. That is possibly one of the reasons why they haven’t been as embraced as they should be, but “17th Street” was the first sign of that changing. The band is gearing up for a brief U.S. tour, which starts this week (dates can be found here), and I had the chance to speak to guitarist John Cobbett about the tour and the band's current position in metal.
Blake Judd Discusses New Album "Silencing Machine"
Two years after "Assassins: Black Meddle Part II" (reviewed here), U.S. act Nachtmystium is shedding much of the psychedelic and experimental vibes from the previous two albums to bring back the harsh black metal sound for impending release "Silencing Machine."
The new album hits North America at the end of July, which will be preceded by a short run of live shows and a stop at the Gathering of Shadows fest. While the group gears up for the impending festivities, Nachtmystium front man Blake Judd took out some time to check in with us and discuss the new album. Check out the full interview below to see what Blake had to say about the changing sound on this new release, the guest musicians present on the album, and his distaste for the band Ghost.
Ereb Altor Talks Third Album
Starting with debut full-length "By Honour" (reviewed here), Sweden's Ereb Altor has been on a journey of musical discovery as the band breaks away from the doom sound of primary act Isole and heads into faster, more black metal influenced territory. While sophomore effort "The End" was originally meant to cap Ereb Altor's activity, inspiration struck again and now the band has released a third album, "Gastrike."
With the third release out now, Ereb Altor's Ragnar granted an interview to Metalunderground.com to discuss how the group's sound has evolved, why a new album happened at all, and how the band recently changed from a duo to a trio. Check out the full interview below.
Nile Discusses "At the Gate of Sethu"
South Carolina’s swampy, humid environs hardly recall the sand-swept, sun-baked where Pharaohs lay their bandaged heads. The electronically fused sounds of death metal also present a disparate comparison when juxtaposed against the organic sounds of exotic acoustic instruments. These locations and musical styles may seem Chimaira, but like the sun god Ra who rises in the East every mourning, Karl Sanders has illuminated the field of death metal with his hybrid creation, Nile.
Even though Sanders and the rest of the world do not know the precise sound of what emanated on the banks of their namesake, the instruments he uses combined with his knowledge of the ancient Near East has a cinematic effect on the mind. Horn-driven armies, incantation chants, hand drum rituals, “mummy growls,” chiming sitars and many other non-traditional metal instruments can create a hypnotic, blissful experience.
“At the Gate of Sethu,” the seventh chapter in Nile’s book of “Ithyphallic Metal,” shows the band testing the waters with numerous vocal techniques. Some parts consist of three separate vocal tones guarantee to open the mind’s third eye. These experimentations are important; Sanders feels many of today’s death metal acts fail to step out of the norm, vocally or musically. Nile’s fresh take on an old sound partially explains Nile’s position near the top of death metal’s great pyramid.
In the following interview, Sanders expressed a strong opinion about the importance of creativity in death metal. Additionally, he speaks on topics such as the making of “At the Gates of Sethu” and his time living with Morbid Angel.
Interview With Travis Ryan Of Cattle Decapitation
It's been sixteen years since Cattle Decapitation released their first creation unto the realm of metal. And since that time, they've gotten a reputation for spouting their beliefs with no regard for who might be offended by them. In particular, people have focused tightly on one topic that the band was unabashed about; the consumption of meat. However, vocalist Travis Ryan does not like to the attention paid to it these days as the rest of his lyrics get lost. I had a chance to talk with Travis before he heads out on another U.S. and European tour to talk about their new album, why he does not like to focus on animal rights, and where to get the best Mexican food.
Band Photo: Dark Empire
Dark Empire's Matt Moliti Gets Personal
Whether or not they’re harbingers of a prog-thrash revolution is for time to tell, but the men of Dark Empire have made a definitive statement in the release of their third album – they are here to destroy and rebuild the prog-thrash multiverse. With “From Refuge to Ruin” (reviewed here) just released on March 27th, the band has been receiving accolades from many sources, in large part crediting the work of the band’s lead guitarist and main songwriter, Matt Moliti. Able to shred and riff both mindfully and proficiently with the best of them, Moliti is more than a guitar prodigy for his ability to make the wildest of solos actually fit within the song without becoming a practice exercise.
Moliti offered some of his time to catch up with MetalUnderground.com’s Frank Serafine to answer a few questions about himself, the band’s past and present, the new album, and the surprising influence of prog rock and video game music on his writing. He also tells about working around a neurological condition that interferes with his fingers, making his playing that much more impressive.
4ARM Prepares To Wreck U.S. Necks
Not long ago, I was nearly convinced that today's young thrash metal movement had spun off its axis into repetitive farce, and was ready to throw in the towel. Aping the sounds, sights, and vibes of the '80s "Golden Agers" is admirable in theory, and once (briefly) rang with the charm of novelty. But now, what's the point when most of the big boys are still in fine form, cranking out career-topping masterworks and touring like they're twenty? You can have the real thing, or something that pretends to be the real thing. It doesn't take long for nature to weed out that redundancy.
4ARM, hailing from Melbourne, Australia, doesn't pretend to be the "real thing." They simply write towering, powerful, memorable metal songs, and for that reason, they ARE the real thing. This band has salvaged my hopes for the new generation of thrash, and if given the chance, may wind up leading a bold charge of authenticity that reclaims the genre as a current, vital force - and utterly does away with the fast-dying "retro" mentality.
4ARM will soon be hitting American shores for the first time. The so-named "Zombie Apocalypse" tour will span the bulk of July, wrapping up with a performance at the vaunted Bay Area Metal Festival. Just prior to the band's departure for the States, I was delighted to get in touch with guitarist/vocalist Danny Tomb and drummer Michael "Mick" Vafiotis. What follows is our extensive email correspondence.
Vintersorg Dives Into The Themes Of "Orkan"
Sweden's Vintersorg is nearing the release of an eighth full-length album titled "Orkan," which follows last year's "Jordpuls." The new folk-laden metal opus is set to drop at the end of the month in Europe and early next month in North America through Napalm Records.
With the official release just around the corner, the band's namesake spoke with Metalunderground.com to talk about the air and nature themed album. In the full interview below, Vintersorg discusses the differences between this new album and his work in the latest Borknagar release, as well as his plans to resurrect the earlier folk metal outfit Otyg.
Whitechapel Dissects The Band's New Album
Knoxville's deathcore champions Whitechapel are only days away now from the June 19th release via Metal Blade Records of an upcoming fourth full-length album. Feeling the new material is a pinnacle in their career, the six-piece decided to go with a self-titled release for this latest milestone in the continuing Whitechapel crusade.
The band is gearing up for a busy couple of months leading up to the end of the year, which will see Whitechapel hitting the road for the Rockstar Mayhem festival, a string of dates supporting Hatebreed, and a European tour with August Burns Red. While Whitechapel prepares for the grueling schedule, I got in touch with guitarist Alex Wade to chat about the new album and upcoming live assaults. Check out our full interview below, which covers working with Mark Lewis for the recording of the album, the band's recently completed music video for "I, Dementia," and the Tennessee metal scene.
The Dogs Divine Measure "The Size of the Fight"
The Dogs Divine will tell you rock-n-roll is not dead. Even though the mainstream music industry rarely shines the spotlight beyond front persons, The Dogs Divine know the guitar still rules. “The Size of the Fight,” the second album under the group’s collar, will get the ladies swaying their hips while their musician boyfriends lock in on the band’s face-melting guitar solos. The Dogs Divine flavor their music with the whiskey breathed sounds and attitude of Motley Crue, Guns-N-Roses and AC/DC with callus knuckled, Pantera-type abrasiveness not seen in their classic rock heroes. They pay homage to one of these heroes, Queen, on their rendition of “In Love With My Car,” taken from “Night At The Opera,” one of vocalist Jim Hart’s favorite albums. However, the group isn’t afraid of stepping outside the confines of rock, as seen on “Gypsy King” and “Gussie.” Both tracks contain non-traditional rock instruments such as acoustic slide guitar, upright bass and violin. Every dog has its day and the Dogs Divine’s day is here. Look out baby, here come the Dogs!
Interview With Stefan Lichtenberger of Kontrust
Kontrust has been seamlessly fusing together heavy metal guitars and vocals with upbeat, pop rhythms for just over a decade now. And in that time, Kontrust has also garnered awards and chart positions for their many singles and albums well-beloved by many. Kontrust released their third full-length this spring to the joy of their world-wide fanbase. I got to speak with male vocalist Stefan Lichtenberger about "Secondhand Wonderland," his multitude of influences, and what's on the plate for crossing the Atlantic.
An Interview With Scale The Summit
Scale The Summit is one of the well-known contemporary instrumental bands, dishing out music that has found a loyal following of technical-minded listeners. Their music is impressive from a playing standpoint, but it’s also full of great songwriting nuances that makes these songs more than just fodder for needless shredding. The band’s third album, “The Collective,” is seeped in dark and hostile undertones that is a 180 from the light antics of “Carving Desert Canyons.” I had the chance to speak to guitarist Chris Letchford in early June about the band’s current headlining tour, working with new bassist Mark Michell, and how he feels about people using cell phones at live shows.
Nachtblut Talks Dark Metal And New Album "Dogma"
Germany's Nachtblut defies the conventions of extreme music, freely mixing electronic sounds with black and symphonic metal, and that melding of opposing musical worlds has reached new heights with the band's latest release "Dogma" (reviewed here).
Vocalist Askeroth recently corresponded with Metalunderground.com to give fans a deeper look into the world of Nachtblut's dark metal, including signing on with Napalm Records and recording the latest album. Check out the full interview below for a run-down on the band's history, an explanation of the some of the lyrics, and to see Askeroth's incredulity when I mentioned that some of the music feels like it would make a great video game soundtrack.
To get a taste of "Dogma" for yourself, check out the album preview, or watch the new "Ich Trinke Blut" music video.
Band Photo: Fear Factory
Fear Factory Deconstructs "The Industrialist"
Fear Factory releases its eighth studio album “The Industrialist” this week—June 5th, 2012. Although containing different cast members from the days of their defining record “Demanufacture,” “The Industrialist” is what singer Burton C. Bell describes as “Demanufacture”-plus.
As most of our readers know, Gene Hoglan is one of the most sought after drummers in metal. The list of bands he’s drummed with is longer than most paragraphs in this article. It’s for this very reason that Hoglan couldn’t make it out on Fear Factory’s first North American tour promoting “The Industrialist.” Malignancy’s Mike Heller filled in his vacancy. Matt DeVries replaced Byron Stroud as the group’s bassist, which should come as a surprise to Chimaira fans who know him as their guitarist.
Metal Underground.com caught up with Bell on the first stop of the “Noise in the Machine” tour with Shadows Fall in San Antonio. Bell gave us the scoop on the new record, lineup changes (he declined commenting on his relationship with ex-drummer Raymond Herrera) and sharing a bus with Shadows Fall.
The Reticent Brings Introspection Into Music
Six years ago, Chris Hathcock was an established drummer for a death metal band in North Carolina when he decided to leave and create his own band. The project he created in his home studio, The Reticent, reflected a more acoustic and introspective side to him. Ever since the first album, "Hymns for the Dejected," Chris has carved out a niche as a dark balladeer with his band. Now on its third album, this one-man band/vehicle for Chris' inner musings has really started to create its own following. The Reticent's Chris Hathcock joins us today to discuss his latest album "Le Temps Detruit Tout" and gives us an inner look at what music and themes have been occupying his thoughts.
Band Photo: Trivium
Video Interview with Trivium Bassist
Trivium's popularity has gone from “Ember to Inferno” in five records on a quest for “Ascendancy,” all the while fighting “The Crusade” like “Shogun” warriors, to be able to have more and more fans flock “In Waves” to their shows. Though they are eternally cursed with detractors due to the unlucky fact that they hail from Florida (no Florida band gets a real break!), Trivium has made a big statement over the years by bringing a power-packed show to each venue they play. Lead guitarist/vocalist Matt Heafy is an especially charismatic force to see, as well as an expressive performer. The very last leg of their headlining shows in the US in early 2012 was in Nashville, TN at the Exit/In on May 25th, for which there was a show report written.
Before the show got rolling and was broadcast to viewers all across the world through Livestream.com, Trivium bassist Paolo Gregoletto caught up with MetalUnderground’s Frank Serafine for a video interview on the tour bus.
Negura Bunget Discusses New Material & U.S. Tour
For the first time in its 17-year existence, Negura Bunget (translated as “Dark Foggy Forest) showcased its disparate mix of Romanian folk music and atmospheric black metal to an American audience. Hearing these songs on home speakers was simply not the same as witnessing the band live. One can’t fully comprehend the band’s primordial forests and grim folklore without seeing the group live. For many, this was the closest they’ll ever get to sift the earth of the Carpathian Mountains through their fingers.
Before Negura Bunget and its strictly-folk project, Din Brad took the stage in San Antonio; Metal Underground.com spoke with drummer and founder, Negru. We discussed the group’s restructuring, their first visit to the U.S., the making of recent recordings and new material on the horizon. He also explained the superstitions still practiced by some in his country and his country’s greatest celebrity, Dracula.
Lita Ford On "Living Like A Runaway" And More
Rock icon Lita Ford will be releasing her new album "Living Like A Runaway" next month in North America through SPV/Steamhammer. With the album release and a tour with Poison on the horizon, I got the chance to chat up the metal mother herself to hear what she had to say about the creation of "Living Like A Runaway."
Commenting on what went into the album, Lita stated, "There’s a lot of emotions in this record and those are real. I think it comes across that way because it’s not something I’m trying to make up or I’m trying to conjure and sell, they’re real and it helps deliver the songs... We really want to keep it simple and I think sometimes less is more. In this situation, on this album, it turned out that way."
Read on to find out more about how Lita approached the album, her interest in getting The Runaways going again, being a mom in a rock band, and getting stoned with Ozzy Osbourne to create the iconic track "Close My Eyes Forever."
Interview With Nathan Opposition of Ancient Wisdom
Ancient VVisdom is not so ancient; the band has only been around since 2009. But in that time, the Austin, Texas, based band has grown to be well-known in the realm of metal. Ancient VVisdom doesn't rely on intense growls and extremely fast guitar playing to scare the devil into listeners; they have rather soothing music and play acoustic guitars. But they do invoke his unholiness and hail him a good bit. I got a chance to talk to mainman Nathan Opposition about their devilish lyrical material, a new album in the works, and what Satanism is to him.
Band Photo: DaiTribe
DaiTribe Discusses "Epochalypse A.D."
DaiTribe offers a brand of modern metal that both scrapes and soothes. Their debut CD “Epochalypse A.D.” features singing and screaming; distorted and clean guitars and speed and groove. The band used Sterling Winfield, known for his work with Pantera, to mix their album. Although Winfield’s didn’t influence the band to sound like Pantera, the Cowboys From Hell seemed to have left a drop or two of Black Tooth Grin on “Epochalypse A.D.”
Since 1998, DaiTribe has been hard at work on the road and at home in the Chicago area gigging and gaining new fans. Even though the group released “The Second Coming” EP in 2005, “Epochalypse A.D.” is their first full-length. With the addition of singer Rich Collins, DaiTribe has entered a new “epoch” in their career. The band hopes to carve its own niche in an uncertain time in the music industry. Read on further to find out more about “Epochalypse A.D.”
Unleashed Heralds A New Beginning After Ragnarök
The Swedish death metal vikings in Unleashed dropped new album "Odalheim" last month, which is preparing the metal masses for the coming changes after Ragnarök as the world is born anew.
If you haven't had a chance to hear the hymns of the new age dawning, or even if you've already taken the death metal beating offering by the album and risen again, drummer Anders Schultz dived into the creation of "Odalheim" with Metalunderground.com to let fans see further into the process.
In the full interview available below, Anders discusses recording the album at guitarist Fredrik Folkare's Chrome Studios, staying true to himself and his art over 20 years, the Swedish metal scene, and even the recent trend of releasing lyric clips over full music videos.
Deadborn Unleashes Its Mayhem Maniac Machine
Once upon a time there was a band named Necrophagist...and there still is. One of its band members went on to Obscura and two others went on to form the German death metal machine known as Deadborn. Already on its second full-length release, "Mayhem Maniac Machine," Deadborn does things the old school death metal way - composing unadulterated, delivering non-stop power and energy with deadly force. Vocalist (and part-time guitarist) Mario Petrovic caught up with Metal Underground when he had a gap in his busy schedule of shooting a video and gearing up for ExtremeFest 2012 in Germany to give us some insights into Deadborn's new album and some of the band's interesting history, letting us know that these Teutonic thrashers don't plan on letting up on the steam anytime soon.
Ihsahn Talks New Album "Eremita" And Past Projects
Forged in the fires of early Norwegian black metal and tempered by avant-garde projects like Peccatum, extreme metal icon Ihsahn will soon be releasing a fourth excursion titled "Eremita," which combines all his previous influences and takes the music on to the next level.
Fans still have a little over a month of waiting before getting to pick up "Eremita," so to tide over our readers and increase anticipation for the forthcoming release, I spoke with the band mastermind himself about what went into the creation of "Eremita." Over the course of our discussion, Ihsahn explained his creative process for making a new concept that eventually becomes an album, and shared his feelings on how fans should interpret the music however they want and make it their own.
Check out the full interview below, in which Ihsahn not only covers the upcoming new release, but also delves into his past to discuss projects like Thou Shalt Suffer, the fiddle experiment of Hardingrock, and working with his wife in StarofAsh.
Band Photo: Cannibal Corpse
Video Interview With Paul From Cannibal Corpse
Having just ended their first US tour for their newly-released 12th studio album, "Torture" (reviewed here), the members of Cannibal Corpse aren’t planning on resting long before touring again. MetalUnderground.com was on site for a show report on the band’s stop in Nashville, TN on April 30th and to catch up with drummer Paul Mazurkiewicz, who noted that Cannibal Corpse is going to Europe in June and coming back later in the summer to do the US Summer Slaughter tour. No stranger to video interviews, Paul discussed “Torture,” the songs he wrote on the album, staying fit through the brutality of aging, and professional sports with MetalUnderground’s Frank Serafine on video below.
Moonspell Explains New Album "Alpha Noir"
The Portuguese Gothic metal masters in Moonspell have now released their latest opus "Alpha Noir" (reviewed here), which was conceived as a double album alongside the companion piece "Omega White."
Just prior to the album's release, I got in contact with front man Fernando Ribeiro and we had a candid chat about the change in direction on "Alpha Noir" from previous album "Night Eternal," as well as the four year gap between the releases. Discussing how fans have reacted to the band's music and why the group changes sound over time, Ribeiro commented, "With a band, the past is just one of your influences, and the spectrum is actually way broader. Moonspell is always provoking people to say what we did in the past was the best and that’s something we have to live with... The crowd sees from the outside and we’re seeing it from the inside, so I think we always try for every album to have a quality concept and a vision of a story to tell, and 'Alpha Noir' is another page in the book. This is a chapter in the book where the action goes a little faster and it goes to a different place, and that’s the way I see Moonspell."
Below you can find Fernando's thoughts on how European metal bands from the '90s tend to have a different outlook on music, working with new label Napalm Records, and creating the "Lickanthrope" music video.
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