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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Interview Wuth Oystein Brun Of Borknagar
Borknagar is one of the premier Norway bands that blend metal with traditional folk elements. For over fifteen years, Borknagar has continued to release album after album of highly-rated music, and they are soon to release their tenth entitiled "Urd." I had a chance to talk to mastermind Oystein Brun about "Urd," it's emphasis on nature, and the mythology it derives from.
Band Photo: Unsu
Unsu Talks New MCD "The Filthy"
French death/grind act Unsu signed a multi-album deal with Kaotoxin Records earlier this year beginning with the release of "The Filthy," and we had the pleasure of premiering the new song "Kill Kyst" online prior to the album's official drop.
Now that the MCD is officially out and Unsu has wrapped up a run of U.K. shows with Merciless Precision, the band has decided to speak out to share with old and new fans about the creation of "The Filthy," the group's history, and what we can expect to hear from Unsu in the future. Below is our full interview with vocalist Micky, in which he talks all things Unsu and extends a cordial invitation to any and all females to submit naked pictures for the band's perusal.
Interview With Dez Fafara Of DevilDriver
DevilDriver is on the cusp of achieving legendary status. MIxing a fusion of blackened riffs, doom guitar lines, blast beat drums, shrieking vocals, this band has gotten slots on countless giant tours in the States, Europe and beyond. They have started pits the size of football fields and continue to release album after album to there growing fan base. I talked to vocalist Dez Fafara about this new era of the band, preachers talking through amps, and how much he loves his job.
An Interview With Beyond Dishonor
New Jersey’s Beyond Dishonor has been making waves in the Tri-state area since the release of last year’s “Travesty.” Their melodic death metal/deathcore sound, along with use of movie samples, made for a debut that had a load of potential behind it. The band is looking to make a bigger name for themselves with their second album, which they are presently in the early stages of writing. I had a chance to speak to vocalist Reese Dunlap and drummer Mike Lock about being an unsigned band, learning the finer points of the music business, and the ambitions they have for their sophomore release.
Band Photo: Dethklok
Brendon Small Sets The Stakes High
Creator of such shows as Home Movies and Metalocalypse, and mastermind behind the "pretend" band Dethklok, Brendon Small is now stepping away from the brutality and towards the melody with his upcoming new project Galaktikon. Described as "high stakes intergalactic extreme rock," the over the top new album is set to drop this coming April.
To find out more about the project, I got ahold of Brendon to chat about how Galaktikon came to be, and to hear his thoughts on the upcoming new season of Metalocalypse. Below you can read Brendon's explanation of how Galaktikon arose due to problems with the recording of the second Dethklok album, and find his assurances that the new Metalocalypse episodes will be crammed with more of the metallic, gory mayhem fans crave.
Band Photo: Havok
SXSW Thrashes Metal Underground: Havok
With just a few days before the Metal Underground-sponsored Motorbreath Entertainment SXSW Showcase, we bring our readers a conversation with the event’s headliner, Havok. The Denver-based group possesses an unbridled energy rarely matched in the live arena. Although these alpine metallers play a style most educated listeners would categorize as thrash, the group has a crossover appeal. The group has supported many acts including Exhumed, Malevolent Creation, English Dogs, White Wizzard, Forbidden and many others. Havok’s riff-heavy style and vigorous stage energy has added legions of hair-flinging, air-punching fans, regardless of style.
Havok is currently working on a new EP entitled “Point of No Return.” The short recording will feature two new Havok tracks, as well as a cover of the Sepultura classic “Arise” and a Slayer Medley. Metal Underground caught singer/guitarist David Sanchez at home before the group embarks upon another tour (they leave today). A lively Sanchez expressed only positive sentiments about past and future tours (bar their canceled European tour). He also showed excitement about playing another year of SXSW and filled in details concerning the group’s new recording.
SXSW Thrashes Metal Underground: Spellcaster
As part of the ongoing series of interviews promoting Motorbreath Entertainment's South By Southwest (SXSW) Showcase, which Metal Underground proudly sponsors, we bring you a chat with Portland, Oregon’s Spellcaster. This Heavy Artillery recording artist has youth and determination on its side. The “retro metal” movement is comprised of young artists, but most of these bands have released several albums and embarked on numerous tours opening for premier acts. With only three years under their bullet belts, one full-length recording, “Under The Spell” and a couple of tours, Spellcaster is a newcomer to a new scene.
The metal throwback movement is on the verge of becoming an old scene, and needs bands such as Spellcaster to infuse the scene with vibrancy and keep the fad rolling. However, the group understands the need to find its own voice or become a ghost of the fad. In the following interview, Spellcaster bassist Gabe Franco relates how his group’s diligent work ethic and superb musicianship will carry the band to a sound where tired-ass metal acronyms no longer apply. While waiting for his broken-toed guitarist to pick him up for their tour, Franco expressed his thoughts on the SXSW show and tour and the increasing potency of Spellcaster’s metal magic.
Band Photo: Children of Bodom
Some Colorful Remarks From Children Of Bodom
Meet Janne Wirman, virtuoso metal keyboardist; leader of Warmen, former collaborator with Masterplan and Kotipelto, and full-time melody man for Finnish heavyweights Children Of Bodom. As 2012 dawned, so too did the band's 15th anniversary, which - despite last year's acclaimed "Relentless Reckless Forever" - prompted a retrospective live setlist on a sweeping tour across North America, leaving no stone in the catalogue unturned. Thus it seemed only appropriate for Janne, near the tour's end in Montreal, Quebec, to reflect a bit on the past with me prior to the performance. Here's how it went down:
An Interview With The Contortionist
Tearing onto the scene in 2010 with “Exoplanet,” The Contortionist impressed many with their aggressive brand of progressive metal. They were unfairly handed down the “deathcore” tag by many, and though there were some sonic comparisons to that style, the band was far more than that generic label. The band were at their best with varying tempos and calmer, ambient sections on songs like the three-part title track and “Flourish.” Currently working on their second album, scheduled to be released in late spring/early summer, I got the opportunity to speak to guitarist Robby Baca about how the album is coming along so far.
Jungle Rot Chats About New Tour And Album
Extreme metallers Jungle Rot are currently out on the road melting faces and burning down cities in support of the new album "Kill On Command" alongside the legendary Deicide and Abigail Williams.
On the eve of the tour's kickoff I got in touch with Jungle Rot's vocalist Dave Matrise to chat about the impending North American devastation and the band's excitement to be crossing the border into Canada to spread the "Kill On Command" wrath to new audiences. Check out the full interview below, in which Matrise also talks about shooting the "Blood Ties" music video and the band's plans for upcoming tours throughout the rest of the year.
SXSW Thrashes Metal Underground: Speedwolf
With less than a week before Austin, Texas kicks off its annual music, film and interactive festival know as SXSW, Metal Underground offers our readers a series of interviews to promote Motorbreath Entertainment's Showcase, which Metal Underground has proudly sponsored. The Motorbreath concert is the only showcase at this year’s festival that primarily adheres to bands playing thrash and speed metal.
Hells Headbangers recording artist, Speedwolf is the first group featured in our ongoing coverage. Since 2008, the group has shaken the peaks of its native Denver mountains with punk-addled speed metal and a heavy dose of Motorhead. In the tradition of Motorhead, the group’s name and album cover references motorcycles. Their members obviously don’t turn into human-animal hybrids, as their album cover depicts, but they aren’t posers when it comes to riding. Due to the roar of his bike, vocalist Reed Bruemmer nearly missed my call. He caught it just in time, however, to convey how “revved” up he is about the group’s upcoming SXSW performances.
Band Photo: Eluveitie
Interview With Chrigel Glanzmann Of Eluveitie
As with most acts that helped popularize entire genres and subgenres, Switzerland's Eluveitie has found itself in a rare position vis-à-vis the so-dubbed "folk metal" movement: that of reluctant leader, the inspirational force with casual indifference to the trend that exploded around them. For this reason, the new LP "Helvetios" whisks the band yet a few echelons higher than the crowd and freshly re-stamps their inimitable brand of mournful, grinding Celtic fury. On the eve of the album's North American release, Eluveitie offered direct support to headliners Children Of Bodom at Montreal's Metropolis. It was here that band founder, songwriter, and frontman Chrigel Glanzmann made himself available for a few questions.
Band Photo: Imminent Sonic Destruction
A Chat With Imminent Sonic Destruction
Imminent Sonic Destruction is progressive metal far beyond the standard wistful keyboard solos and five-minute guitar solos. There are multiple songs with double-digit lengths, but there are also accessible numbers with potential mainstream appeal. Coming from the streets of Detroit, Michigan, this group came together after vocalist/guitarist Tony Piccoli had an album’s worth of songs that needed to be recorded by a group of musicians. However, this isn’t a solo project or just something brought together out of convenience alone; Imminent Sonic Destruction appears to be a tight unit capable of writing their own songs.
I had a chance to speak to Piccoli, keyboardist Pete Hopersberger, and drummer Pat DeLeon about the band’s debut album “Recurring Themes,” penning material from scratch together, and the advantages and disadvantages to self-releasing an album.
Jeffrey Nothing Talks Slipknot Tour and More
With the recent news of a possible tour with Slipknot, an album ("Beautiful Stories For Ugly Children"), several tours, and four years since my last interview with my friends in Mushroomhead, I felt it was high time that I reach out to Jeffrey Nothing for an interview and get an update regarding the bands current status since our last conversation, and what we may have to look forward to in the future. Due to proximity and schedule conflicts, Jeffrey agreed to do the interview via email. The following is a Metal Underground.com exclusive.
Rex Brown Recounts Joining Kill Devil Hill
Rex Brown is no stranger to the metal world. He played bass for over twenty years with arguably the most influential metal band of the nineties, Pantera. He also joined Pantera vocalist Phil Anselmo in the melodious, southern-fried Down. Brown later regrouped with Down band mates in New Orlean’s most celebrated doom/sludge band, Crowbar. After three decades of playing with established acts, Brown has joined a newcomer, Kill Devil Hill.
Kill Devil Hill will release its self-titled debut on March 26th, 2012. Although the group doesn’t have a full-length recording to build its fan base, the stickers and advertisements explaining who plays on the recordings should pique interest. Rex Brown joins drummer Vinny Appice (Dio, Black Sabbath/Heaven and Hell) in the completion of a dream rhythm section. Don’t expect the two to sit on their laurels while mindlessly hashing out elementary back beats. Kill Devil Hill's rhythm section shows an expertise of craft, carefully filling in gaps and showing a tightness normally reserved for artists with a long history together.
Although carrying a lighter resume, Kill Devil Hill members Mark Zavon and Dewey Bragg possess the chops necessary to follow Appice and Brown. Guitarist Zavon has experience playing in Mandy Lion’s WWIII and with Steven Pearcy of Ratt. Pantera is gone forever, but Zavon’s tricks, melodies and groove distantly echo Dimebag Darrell. Dewey Bragg possesses a voice in the tradition of fallen Alice In Chains singer, Layne Staley, but with the occasional aggressive bellow. His harmonies have a “whistle” quality that, according to Brown, is lacking in today’s heavy rock field.
Rex Brown had plenty to talk about in the following interview. His departure from Down, relationship with Vinny Appice, joining Kill Devil Hill and his opinion of Bragg and Zavon are all topics Brown addresses with honest thought. Read onward to learn of a new chapter is the legendary bassist’s career.
Riotgod Illuminates New Album "Invisible Empire"
Riotgod members Bob Pantella and Jim Baglino planted the first seeds of Riotgod while on tour with Monster Magnet in 2006. Because the two artists play in Monster Magnet—a group with resume that includes several radio hits—people are bound to compare the two bands. Both have retro-rock fittings, but there is no confusing the two. In fact, Bob and Jim started Riotgod as a vehicle to express ideas they couldn’t in Monster Magnet. The result is a collusion between 70s rock, modern stoner rock and alternative (grunge) influences.
“Invisible Empire,” Riotgod’s sophomore full-length release, may contain symbols and a title (as did their self-titled debut) that reference secret societies and Illuminati conspiracies, but the group seems to be using these ideas for show only, which is fine because these ideas aren’t tailored for radio-rock listeners. Although Riotgod keeps building on its fan base through touring, the band hardly boasts a large following. Having been compared to rock icons such as Chris Cornell, Robert Plant and Layne Staley, Riotgod certainly has the tools for its music to find regular rotation on your local radio station.
Metal Underground originally scheduled a live interview during Riotgod’s recent performance in Austin, Texas, but this didn’t happen due to unforeseen circumstances. Therefore, singer Mark Sunshine answered questions via email. Sunshine takes an humorous approach on many of his answers, and without the ability to offer follow up questions, some ideas may appear confusing. He did, however, provide honest answers concerning Riotgod’s professional goals, use of Illuminati symbols, association with Monster Magnet and other topics of interest. Read on to find out more about this group destined for stardom.
Piet Sielck Tells The Tale Of His Rebirth In Metal
Four years had passed before Iron Savior landed with the latest release “The Landing.” In the time since “Megatropolis,” founder/guitarist and producer/engineering mastermind Piet Sielck, unknown to many, was struggling to balance two bands, two record labels and three children. The collapse of his label Dockyard due to betrayal of trust with his partners, Sielck was abandoned with mounting debt which ate at his love of music to the point where he had consciously decided he might give it up.
However, AFM Records struck a deal to buy out the failing label giving Piet the light at the end the tunnel he needed. Then in late 2010, Piet picked up the guitar, the same one he picked up a year prior having found he lost the passion, and wrote half of what would become, ironically, the song “RU Ready.” The first song complete with lyrics would also foreshadow and embody the new Iron Savior, the true metal track “Heavy Metal Never Dies.” Piet had found his passion again and love for metal. In 2011, he managed to leave the nightmare of Dockyard behind, sign a new deal, shed one band (Savage Circus) and release one of the finest Iron Savior albums ever, “The Landing” (see Metal Underground’s review at this location).
Piet checked in with Metal Underground to tell the story of his re-birth in true metal.
Band Photo: Heidevolk
Heidevolk Guitarist Discusses New Album "Batavi"
Talk about a broadening of multicultural horizons. Through a stirring new concept album (reviewed here) worthy of mention in a future "Global Metal" sequel, the members of Dutch act Heidevolk have paid creative and passionate tribute to the history of their regional ancestors. As the release of "Batavi" drew nearer, guitarist Reamon "Bomenbreker" Bloem phoned me to provide some background on the album's subject matter. The discussion ultimately centered on the endless diversity of the metal genre at large, revealing some considerably greater musical depth and breadth than the superficial "folk metal" label with which Heidevolk tends to be stuck.
Band Photo: In Flames
An Interview With Niclas Engelin Of In Flames
To casual fans, Niclas Engelin may be the new "pledge" in the lineup of Swedish metal giants In Flames, but in truth, he's about as seasoned as new members come. A childhood friend and long-respected fixture of the legendary Gothenburg metal scene, Niclas and the band have crossed professional paths nearly half a dozen times. After temporarily replacing departed guitarist Glenn Ljungström to support "Whoracle" in 1997, Niclas returned intermittently to complete In Flames' lineup as a roiling battle with alcoholism consumed founding guitarist Jesper Strömblad, forcing him off the road. This relationship culminated in the band's February 2011 announcement that Niclas would permanently fill the slot vacated by Jesper a year prior. Later came a new studio album "Sounds Of A Playground Fading" (reviewed here), and now, a massive headlining tour across North America.
Prior to the performance at the Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts (reviewed here), Niclas and I sat down in a quiet boardroom off the lobby at the nearby Hilton. To his dismay, no coffee was available, but at least the M&M-filled cookies at the front desk were free. For half an hour, Niclas brought Metal Underground completely up to date.
Adavant Tells All About "Tale Untold"
Arizona isn't usually the first place thought of when discussing epic folk metal bands, but Adavänt defies the geographical odds with a huge symphonic sound and classic folk storytelling. The band dropped its first official full-length album "Tale Untold" (reviewed here) last year and is in the process of working on a follow-up.
Adavänt's Andy the Cunning checked in with Metalunderground.com to explain the recording process for the soaring album of characters on a fantastic journey, and to discuss how the band came together in an area not well known for this particular style. The full interview is available below, in which Andy talks about getting the album to sound like it had a full orchestra and choir with such a small cast, as well as the band's new RPG inspired single "A Random Encounter."
Band Photo: Jucifer
Interview With Amber Valentine Of Jucifer
Jucifer is one-of-a-kind for many reasons; they are an extremely heavy two-piece made up of man and wife team Amber Valentine on the mic and guitar and Edgar Livengood on the drums. For nearly twenty years, they have traveled the world without stopping with their incredible stage gear in tow; towers of amps that often fill the venues they play up to the ceiling. I was able to speak with the enigmatic Amber while she was on the road to talk about a nomadic lifestyle, their film career, and an album steadily being worked upon.
Interview With Martin Van Drunen of Asphyx
Since the 1980s, Asphyx has been a force in the realm of death metal, releasing album after album of crushing music. But through the decades, the band was inundated with problems from members leaving to entire breakups. But, after reforming in the 2000s, Asphyx seems stronger than ever and about to release a sure classic "Deathhammer." I was able to talk to vocalist Martin van Drunen about the album, the challenges the band has weathered, and what like-minded band he plans on spending time with in the States.
Subliminal Poison Talks Imagery, Rio, and More
Subliminal Poison is a female-fronted death metal band from Brazil that found a way to revamp the good old death metal in grand style. The act defines itself as "fresh borderline death metal" and I'm sure you can take that sound in the moment you push play. I recently talked with the guys from Subliminal Poison as they discussed music, aesthetics, social media, and upcoming band plans soon to be brought to a close. If you haven't heard of these guys yet, be sure they'll catch you very soon.
Band Photo: Autopsy
Autopsy's Chris Reifert Discusses New Compilation
Autopsy are death metal legends. No arguments there, but who knew they would come roaring back into prominence after being dormant for 15 years with last year’s “Macabre Eternal”? The band has a new lease on their career, warping the minds of a new generation, while crushing the necks of older fans. The band is getting ready to release a new compilation album, “All Tomorrow’s Funerals,” which will include all their EPs remastered, along with a couple of new tracks.
I had the chance to send drummer/vocalist Chris Reifert questions via e-mail, and he proceeded to take none of my questions seriously. Those looking for some insight into how “All Tomorrow’s Funerals” came together will be disappointed, but those that want a few good laughs at my expense will thoroughly enjoy reading this interview as much as I did.
Immolith Discusses Recording "StormDragon"
Norway gained a reputation for releasing the creating the second wave of black metal. Bands like Mayhem, Darkthrone, Emperor, Immortal and Burzum took the Satanic imagery and speed of Venom, Bathory and Celtic to a new level that had never been seen. Two decades have pasted since these bands released their genre-defining albums. Most of these groups have changed their sound and look, but legions of black metal heathens haven’t forgotten this magical period. Bands from around the world have sought to reclaim the dark ambiance from these bands. Some come across as cheap clones. Others, like New Jersey’s Immolith understand how to make an album wearing their influences on their sleeves, but still put their own personalities into the music.
Immolith’s first full-length, “Stormdragon” (read the review) is an example of a “kult” black metal album with a shadowing, witching atmosphere but with a strong mix. The group didn’t pursue a shiny, Hollywood production with a ton of out-of-place keyboards, but the guitars and vocals still freezes the air like an unclean spirit, which will cause a tingling of the spine. Metal Underground spoke to guitarist, vocalist and over-all evil mastermind, Greg Isiamon about achieving this sound and the band’s sources of inspiration.
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