Δευτέρα 13 Ιουλίου 2015

David T. Chastain interview - The Ruler Bleeds Metal!

David T. Chastain is an iconic and highly acclaimed metal guitarist, one of the longest standing in the United States. Having released countless albums including masterpieces of Heavy Metal music, he stands among those few respected metal musicians with common acceptance. Just few months before his upcoming new album “We Bleed Metal”, I had the chance to discuss with him about his music career and to present to you a great interview. Enjoy!

Back in the early 80s, what made you start the band under your name and how did you gather the members of Chastain? A rumor says that the band was put together by Mike Varney (Shrapnel Records) for a solo David T. Chastain album.

David T. Chastain: Mike Varney had heard my solo instrumental music as well as CJSS but didn't like either enough to invest in an album. He suggested I put a new band together. I brought along my CJSS bassist, Mike Skimmerhorn in the band. Varney knew Leather and Fred Coury and we liked each other's style so we did a few demos that rocked and decided to record the album "Mystery of Illusion". I still continued CJSS and my instrumental recordings just not with Mike Varney.

However, you had the band Spike from the late 70s if I am correct. What do you recall from this band?

David T. Chastain: Yes, there were numerous lineups over the years. The last lineup morphed into CJSS. The best Spike lineup to me was when Stephen Fredrick (Keznier, Kinrick) was handling the lead vocals. We did a short tour with Black Sabbath (with Ronnie James Dio) that probably was the band's high point. Spike released one album "The Price of Pleasure". I would call it commercial metal. About 1/2 of the songs are good the other half are too commercial!

The first two Chastain albums, "Mystery Of Illusion" (1985) and "Ruler Of The Wasteland" (1986), were released by Shrapnel Records. Give us a few words for those albums and your first years as a band.

David T. Chastain: The first album "Mystery of Illusion" was a very exciting record for all of us as it was our first so called "real record". There are lots of problems on that record as far as performance and meter but the energy is on 11! "Ruler of the Wasteland" is a much more "professional" record... everything is there: songs, performance and production. Considering each of those albums were on very low budgets (100 hours in the studio to record and mix), they both have stood the test of time. I think if both were released today for the first time with modern production they would still sound contemporary. 

From that moment and on, after the first two albums, you started your own label, Leviathan Records, and the majority of your next releases were issued by you. How did that came and how easy or difficult was to start running a label back in those days?

David T. Chastain: I had already released the Spike album on a label I ran so starting Leviathan Records with a friend, Steve McClure, was not that big of a deal. In those days it was MUCH EASIER releasing an album. Far less competition than it is today. Whereas there may have been 100 metal albums released a year in those days it is probably 100 a month now. 


Your next albums (almost all in Leviathan from that moment, as mentioned) were "The 7th Of Never" (1987), "The Voice Of The Cult" (1988) and "For Those Who Dare" (1990). That was a very strong period for the band, and also during 1990 you had your first video clip of "For Those Who Dare" on air. Again, give us a few words for those albums and that era.

David T. Chastain: Actually Roadrunner released "For Those Who Dare" worldwide. "The 7th" and "The Voice" were released on Leviathan and did very well. During those old days Roadrunner had released our albums in Europe for the most part so we felt if they had the whole world they would do a better job... however that was not the case. We sold more Chastain albums on Leviathan than Roadrunner. The problem with Roadrunner was that we were one of 50 bands and we were not their main concern. On Leviathan we only had 3 or 4 bands so Chastain was the top dog. Obviously Roadrunner can take a band big time if you are their main concern.
  
What about live shows back in that period? Which are the most memorable moments you had on the road?


David T. Chastain: For Chastain I guess the biggest live show was playing with KISS in a huge arena. However playing a venue in Cincinnati called Bogart's were the most enjoyable shows for the band. We played all over the US numerous times and there were some great shows and some not so great shows.... depended on the promotion.

During that period, there was a kind of partnership with Black Dragon Records from France and Leviathan, where each label licensed some releases to the other for European and US release. What do you remember from that co-operation?

David T. Chastain: Black Dragon was a good label during that era. They sold a lot of CJSS, Chastain and David T. Chastain albums. However once the Lp became extinct they sort of lost how to do business. I am still in contact with the owner of the company Agnes Desgranges. We released the Candlemass album "Epicus Doomicus Metalicus" for them in the US and it did pretty well.

What about the CJSS project that started in 1986 with the albums "World Gone Mad" and "Praise The Loud"? What made you start another band and what your goal was with CJSS?

David T. Chastain: As I mentioned previously CJSS was born out of Spike and was formed in the summer of 84... so it came before Chastain. I always considered CJSS an American Metal Band and Chastain more of a European sounding metal band.


Also, during those years, you released your first solo albums. Leone also released "Shock Waves" (1989) and before that she had a single with Malibu Barbie. How did you managed to do all these stuff and also having a label running? It seems that you have huge creativity in song-writing.

David T. Chastain: Every time I pickup the guitar I write music. I can literally write an album's worth of music in short order. So quantity was never a problem. Of course some people will argue the quality. Usually an album is just what I was writing at that moment. I have at least 1000 hours of music that has not been used for public consumption. The fun part for me is always writing the song and making a demo... everything after that becomes "business".
 

And then, when you entered the 90s, Leone left the band. Why this did happen and how was that period for metal music in the States?

David T. Chastain: After the "For Those Who Dare" tour Leather and I  just went our separate ways. There was no big fight, no one quit or was fired. We were just burned out. We had been recording one album a year and touring since 85 so we needed a break. She tried to find something new but never could for one reason or another so she just retired. I concentrated on my instrumental career. Around 94 I decided I wanted to do a vocal record with a male singing. I tried out numerous people but none fit the bill.... so I became the lead vocalist. I did a short tour with me doing vocals... then I met Kate French. 

Three Chastain albums followed later with Kate French (vocals). "Sick Society" (1995), "In Dementia" (1997), "In An Outrage" (2004). Give us few comments on them and what was the reaction of the fans and the press for those albums?

David T. Chastain: "Sick Society" shocked a lot of people They expected the same music with a new voice but what they got was different music with the same voice. The music on Sick Society was actually written for my vocals so Kate really didn't get to shine on that Cd. Strange as it my seem that Cd is one of the most profitable Chastain Cds because music from that album was used in numerous TV shows over the years. In quick order we released "In Dementia". For me, that is one of the top 2 Chastain albums of all time. Everything clicked on that one. Kate did an amazing job on writing and recording the vocals. It is a joy to listen to that one but you really need to listen with headphones to hear all of the vocal ear candy. Kate then married Larry Howe and had a son so music became a secondary matter for her... of course that is understandable. It took her forever to write and record her vocals for "In An Outrage". Therefore there was a 7 year break between albums. "In An Outrage" is a very good album but it is hard for me to enjoy since it was such a labor to make public. How did the fans and press react? It was mixed. Of course when Leather was in the band it was also mixed. During those old days, female vocalists were not given serious respect and it was an uphill battle. 

If you should name the best 5 albums you participate in, which ones would you chose and why?

David T. Chastain: Hard question and if you asked me tomorrow it would probably be different but today I feel of the ones I played on (in chronological order.):
Chastain "Ruler of the Wasteland" - The best of the early Leather era Cds
David T. Chastain "Instrumental Variations" - My first instrumental album and my biggest selling album of all my releases.
David T. Chastain "Next Planet Please" - Where I finally got to venture out into metal fusion which is really a favorite style of music of mine
Chastain "In Dementia" - The best of the Kate French era.
Southern Gentlemen "Exotic Dancer Blues" - Strangely my best reviewed Cd of all time even if I did the vocals! Also probably the most profitable because it was placed in 100s of TV Shows over the years. 
As far as the ones I produced:
Leather "Shock Waves" - A chance for Leather to shine
Kenziner "Timescape" - Jarno Keskinen and Stephen Fredrick really made a great Cd.
Firewind "Between Heaven and Hell" - Getting Gus G and this band together was an exciting time. Gus G is always fun to work with.

Which are the guitar players that you admire more and which ones are your inspirations as a guitar player and composer?

David T. Chastain: There are so many that I admire but I have never tried to copy any of them: Hendrix, Page, Holdsworth, Dimeola, Van Halen, Rhoads, Malmsteen, Stevie Ray Vaughn to name a few.  I guess Iommi for his metal compositions. I was never good at imitation so I always tried to do my own thing. For the last 10 years the only thing I listen to for enjoyment is classical music… preferably solo piano pieces.

During that period you had more solo albums released and some productions done, right? Give us a brief bio of those days outside of Chastain, until 2013…

David T. Chastain: Once again too many to list. Instrumental, Chastain Harris, Zanister, Southern Gentlemen, Kenziner, Kinrick, Firewind and more. There is a list at www.leviathanrecords.com/chasdisc.htm. Even I don't remember them all!! 

And in 2013 the album "Surrender To No One" is released with Leather Leone back in vocals. Powerful and aggressive, that was a cool comeback. Was it planned or just came? How all this happened?

David T. Chastain: Leather decided to come back and I offered to produce a solo album for her. However she wanted to try to do something else, Sledge Leather. It did fairly well but everyone was always asking her about a new Chastain. I had quite a bit of material backlogged so I let her hear some and she was excited about it. We demoed stuff for about 6 months before we decided we would record a new Chastain album. I knew Stian from his work on a couple of records I had produced: Firewind and Kinrick. I think the addition of Stian helped bring the band into a modern sound. I brought Mike Skimmerhorn back in the band to try to make Chastain as "original" as possible. The reception to the reunion was very positive. www.chastainmetal.com

You haven't played any live shows the last years, right? Why?

David T. Chastain: I much prefer the studio. While I enjoy the hour on stage I don't enjoy the other 23 hours involved in touring. Fortunately I have been able to make a living off of albums and TV placements so that I wasn't forced to have to tour. I have only played a show here or there over the last 20 years. Chastain received some very nice offers to play festivals, both small and large, since the reunion but I haven't seen anything I couldn't resist.


A new album is on the works. Give us all the details, please.

David T. Chastain: Chastain "We Bleed Metal" will be released worldwide on November 6. It is the same lineup as "Surrender To No One" Leather on vocals, myself on guitar, Mike Skimmerhorn on bass and Stian Kristoffersen on drums. The music is in the same ballpark as the last album. Definitely my most "shredtastic" guitar playing on a Chastain album since "The 7th of Never". Leather thinks it is a better album than "Surrender To No One" but I am too close to it to make that judgement. I usually don't formalize an opinion on one of my releases for at least 5 years after release. www.webleedmetal.com 

Last words…

David T. Chastain: Thanks for the support through all of these years! Hopefully the new album will not disappoint. WE BLEED METAL!!!
You can visit www.leviathanrecords.com for further info on all of my releases.


Κυριακή 10 Μαΐου 2015

Carl Canedy interview: From The Rods to Apollo Ra and beyond - Tales of a True Headbanger

Carl Canedy is one of those important persons of US Metal. Drummer of The Rods, highly acclaimed producer, songwriter, headbanger... With The Rods being strong again, arranging few reissues and his first solo album recently out, we had no other option and contacted our friend Carl for a detailed interview. Enjoy...
 

Back in your early days, what made you start beating the drums?

I remember seeing a drum kit at a wedding reception when I was 4 and half and it was as if the Angels were all around it singing Hallelujah. I'd wanted to play drums from that day on. I actually didn't get a kit until I was 13. I did my best to make up for lost time.
 


Your friendship and partnership with Dave Feinstein goes before The Rods, since you played drums for D.Feinstein's  Midnight Lady 7" single, 
right?

It has been said that I have but actually a drummer named Dave Galutz played drums on that track. David and I met during the early '70's. My band rehearsed in the Garage and Elf (with Ronnie Dio) rehearsed in the house so I've known David from the Elf days.

How did you and David decide to form The Rods?

We had tried working on a project that didn't get off the ground. It led to my becoming part of the initial Manowar. David and I decided that we were a good fit musically so it seemed like a logical choice for us to work together.

Did you play with Manowar also in their early days? Are there any recordings that you made together?

I did and there are some recordings I made of rehearsals and there is also the demo we recorded. I know fans have shared the demo on the internet. There were intense and exciting times with that band watching the music take shape. I'm proud to say I was there at the genesis of such a great and legendary band.

Back in The Rods, what do you remember from your first private release of 'Rock Hard'?

We began recording within the first three months of being together. Chris Bubacz (first Metallica album) was at Fredonia University and we would record there on our days off from gigs. It was an exciting time and releasing 'Crank it Up' as our first single and having it played on radio was a big thrill. I called a Rochester, NY Station to see if they'd received it and they told me how great it sounded on the air and that fans were calling in requesting it be played. A very exciting moment.

The Rods, Wild Dogs, In The Raw, Let Them Eat Metal, Heavier Than Thou... Golden years of The Rods in the first half of the 80s. During that period the band was one of the most iconic names of US Metal. What each album means for you?

The Rods: Fun, hard work, sex, no drugs and Rock and Roll. We played as much as possible and recorded that album in between gigs with Chris Bubacz in Fredonia, NY where he was a recording engineer student.

Wild Dogs: Exciting, frustrating (record label pressure, management problems). Doing the Iron Maiden dates was a huge thrill. All the English press was fun and interesting.

In The Raw: This was done in 48 hours again with Chris Bubacz engineering. We went into the studio, I found drums from all over the studio and built a kit. We played live and overdubbed the vocals and guitar solos. The photo was taken by our manager after being awake for almost two days (genius move). It's a demo but the fans love it and I believe they love the fact that it's The Rods live in the studio. Chris captured the band warts and all and I think that's why it's held up over time.

Live: was just simply that. It was live but it was tough to have recording gear follow you around. In the end I'm not sure recording many dates was a good idea. We might have done better recording one gig well. I still love 'Hellbound', which we've never recorded in a studio setting. Maybe one day...

Hollywood: A collection of songs that we felt should not have The Rods name attached (so the fans wouldn't be disappointed with the more melodic songs). David and I had material we'd written that we wanted out but it really didn't suit The Rods style. Rick Caudle came in to do vocals (suggested by Andrew Duck MacDonald who also suggested Joey Belladonna to me for Anthrax. Thanks Duck!). I really enjoyed working with Rick and there are some strong songs on this album.

Let Them Eat Metal: Again Chris Bubacz recording. Some really good songs on this album and we seem to get many requests from fans for songs from this album. I love playing 'Let Them Eat Metal' live. It was winter when we recorded it and it wasn't the most fun I've had recording but I did like the record.

Heavier Than Thou: This was really fun working with Shmoulik Avigal on vocals. Also a highlight for me was working, once again, with one of our first bass players Craig Gruber. Sadly Craig just passed a few days ago. It's been tough losing a good friend. Craig and I were such a great rhythm section and I loved playing with him in every band we were in together. Garry was on tour with Kim Simmons so Craig was the obvious choice. Shmoulik really killed it on vocals. He wasn't originally going to be the vocalist. David was going to sing these songs, but when he heard Shmoulik sing he felt Sam was the best choice for these songs. I think there are some great songs on this album. The album was getting some really strong national attention when the label went under. I felt it was one of our strongest albums.

What was the reaction of press during those years?

Press was strong at first, then they went for the throat on a couple of albums ('Live' and 'Hollywood') then came back with great reviews for 'Heavier Than Thou'. The fans always stayed with us. Hail all Wild Dogs!

Best and worst moment from your live shows back in the 80s?

Best moment for me was our first arena show in Binghamton, NY, opening for Blue Oyster Cult. It was my first show in front of 10,000 people and the crowd was very supportive and I threw my drum sticks into the crowd for the first time (and loved it but I was also told to never do it again to avoid a lawsuit).
Worst was opening for Judas Priest in Albany, NY at the Palace theater before we were signed. We didn't quite understand monitoring on a large stage and I could hear David's guitar and it was a huge mess. The Promoter of the show, who was considering us for management, suggested that both the bass player and myself be replaced. Not the best gig but it was awesome seeing Priest from our dressing room above the stage!

When did you start working as a producer and what made you occupy with that also?

I've always been interested in producing. Kelakos was my first real experience (just re-released www.Kelakosband.com). With The Rods, David and I just began producing ourselves because we were the only ones around. No money to hire one and so we started learning on our own.

You worked very close with Megaforce Records also, since you produced few of their best albums, including bands like Anthrax, Overkill and Exciter, among others. Which ones are your most notable moments of those years as a producer?

Those were whirlwind days for me. Each project had its trials and tribulations. I loved working with Exciter, I spent quite a bit of time with Anthrax, having worked with them on 2 albums and an EP, and Overkill were clearly talented and Blitz was a star! I loved Dickie Peterson from Blue Cheer. That band was a huge influence on me and it was an honor to work with them. Jon and Marsha are the best to work with.

Did you work in any album that didn't come up as you wished because of a label intervention?

I have regrets of one kind or another but I blame them on myself and budget constraints. I can't blame others for my shortcomings. I accept responsibility (even if it's a hard pill to swallow at times) The other side of that is that I'm very proud of many aspects of my work.

Why did The Rods split after 'Heavier Than Thou'?

It was never a problem between the members. I was producing, David had bought a restaurant (the Hollywood in Cortland, NY. A great restaurant and our one consistent endorser) and Garry was touring with Savoy Brown. It was just as simple as that.

Give me a few words for the following names:


Joey DeMaio:
He and I were a great rhythm section. Joey is a guy who walks the walk.
Jon Zazula:
Impresario, visionary, great guy!  
Jack Starr:
Talented and knows how to utilize talent around him.
Rhett Forrester:
A star. True charisma and an awesome vocalist. I had a lot of fun with Rhett.

Riot:
G
reat band!
Savatage:
Ground breaking. Great band!
Queensryche:
Loved them from the first album and looking forward to sharing the stage with them again June 13th in Endicott, NY
Armored Saint:
Powerful vocals
Anthrax: Driven.
Talented. Charismatic. Ground breaking.
Ronnie James Dio:
Legendary and the nicest guy. I don't have enough words. Eternally grateful that he was kind enough to sing a song I'd written. RIP RJD
 


Back in the late 80s you worked with Apollo Ra, a band that never made it back in the day, but their songs are jewels of what is called 'US Metal', since few metal fans nowadays consider 'Ra Pariah' as a masterpiece. When did you meet them, how did you work with them and why do you think they never made it back then?

I met them through David Carpin. He owned Shatter Records. He was an attorney who started a label. I was hired to produce them but his label went bankrupt before we finished the album. I financed the project and shopped it for them. We had strong interest from Monte Connor (another visionary), Roadrunner and Mike Faley from Metal Blade and Michael Alago from Elektra. Michael saw them live and decided to pass on the band and from that word the other labels pulled the plug on their offers so we self-released. It's been a sad tale that this band was not a major force. Super talented guys and fun and hard working as well. I'm thrilled that the fans have found their music and kept it alive for all these years. I believe it's a fantastic album.

Since many people are not familiar with your projects, what have you done during 1990 to 2010?

Performed with a local band, written music and children's plays for my daughter's group and had a children's theater for 12 years. I also did the occasional project, such as John Hahn's solo album.

The Rods are back in full force since few years with an album released in 2011 ('Vengeance') and some live shows over the past years. Do you plan to record a new album soon and which are your future plans with the band?

Yes, we just played in Chicago and we are heading to Europe for Heavy Sound Festival, Belgium, a club date in Lubeck, Germany, and Muskelrock in Sweden. We are beginning work on a new CD and we are releasing a single featuring Veronica Freeman from Benedictum on vocals. We are also booked for Keep It True 2016 and will announce more European dates soon.

Few months before you released your first solo album 'Headbanger' and I have to admit that it was one of the best releases of 2014. With all these guests, anyone can understand how important personality you are for the American metal scene. What made you write and release a solo album, and also, were these songs older, or written for this album?

Thank you for the kind words. I'm proud of the album. It's been better received than I could have imagined. Reviewers and fans have been very kind. Some of these songs are new and some had been previously released.

What was the reaction of fans and press about 'Headbanger?

Again, the fans and press have been so kind and generous with their words and support.

Last words...

Thank you for being a true metal fan and supporter. Thank you to the fans who've stayed true to The Rods over the years. I always encourage any fan to make an effort to say hi at gigs. We love meeting you so make the effort to say hi and thank you for being true "Wild Dogs".



www.TheRods.com

www.Facebook.com/CarlCanedy

www.Facebook.com/Canedy





Κυριακή 15 Μαρτίου 2015

IRONSWORD interview - Words of the Brave

The Hyperborean Hordes are back. The mighty IRONSWORD is here once again in full force. The new album “None But The Brave” will be released during May 2015 by Shadow Kingdom Records and we called at once our brother Tann to have a few words after so many years. 

Long time no see. What have you done all these years after the release of "Overlords of Chaos"?

Well, contrary to popular belief, IRONSWORD has never officially split up or anything like that. Unfortunately, due to health problems, I had to hold back on live shows and new releases. But, all this time I kept playing and writing new stuff. Shortly after I ended up with enough rough songs which eventually some of that music led to the new album “None But The Brave”. But I kept on composing new material… now imagine the amount of stuff I have on the shelf!

For the new fans and metalheads, give us a brief bio of IRONSWORD. When did you forge the 'sword and how were your early years as a band?

The band was formed in 1995. Released 2 promo tapes between 1995 and 1998. The first album was released in 2002, then the second album “Return of the Warrior” in 2004 both by The Miskatonic Foundation. In 2008, the third album “Overlords of Chaos” is released by Shadow Kingdom Records. In between, several line up changes. Our first show ever was in 2004, at the Keep It True Festival in Germany. And I guess the rest is history…
The early years were tough, because we started more or less when there was the big trendy Power Metal boom in the mid 90s, where bands were just copying Helloween and Blind Guardian. Since IRONSWORD was totally the opposite, people didn’t know what to think of the band, so therefore, was not taken seriously for a long time. The media and major labels in general considered traditional Heavy Metal was out-dated. To get some promotion, you had to write letters and send tons of tapes to all fanzines. For some time, IRONSWORD was kind of one man band, because all of my friends had their own bands and didn’t had time to dedicate to another one. Finding musicians that wanted to play 80s Heavy Metal was really hard. We were supposed to release the first album in the late 90s by a German label but they went bankrupt. We started recording a demo tape in the late 90s but the studio closed down and we never saw the master tapes. We were supposed to be on a split single with METALUCIFER, but the label back then thought our song was not good enough. Those were the days of high adventure ahahah! The turning point was the release of our debut in 2002, that’s when things really changed for the band.

A new album is ready for release by Shadow Kingdom Records again. When did you start working on that one, and can you give us few more details regarding the songs?

I started writing new songs while still doing the mixing and mastering for “Overlords of Chaos” back in 2008. My main goal was to write music less complex than “Overlords of Chaos”, more homogeneous, more in your face if you know what I mean. Some might say “None But The Brave” is the continuation of the previous album, that it continues the same pace as its predecessors etc. I like to think that the new album is kind of the missing link between “Return of the Warrior” and the debut album. Anyway, it’s in the typical raw IRONSWORD style, that 80s underground molten metal we always did and will continue to deliver.

Being an
IRONSWORD supporter since ages, for me every new album is better than the previous one, so "Overlords of Chaos" is so far my fave one. How do you see now the three previous albums?

Thanks for the support! You know, they are all very important albums to me and have a special spot in the band’s history. It’s funny because a lot of people say our best album is “Return of the Warrior”, others point out our debut or “Overlords of Chaos”. I’ve always had in mind to write quality heavy metal music, and reinvent ourselves at each release, it’s in my blood! But the most important thing for me, are the fans, they keep our music alive, and without our fans we are nothing!


There is a change in the line-up, right? Also, you already start booking live shows with the first ones in the festivals Harder Than Steel (September 2015, Germany), Play It Loud (October 2015, Italy) and Up The Hammers (March 2016, Greece). Which are your plans for the near future?

The current line up is me on guitars and vocals, João Monteiro on drums and Jorge Martins on bass. Yes, so far we are confirmed to play at Harder than Steel, Play It Loud and Up the Hammers festivals, and there are more to be confirmed soon in Spain, Canada and in Portugal. I can’t wait to get back on stage and I am anxious to meet again all my “brothers” and friends. It’s going to be a big Heavy Metal family reunion! It’s going to be a blast for sure…
Plans for the near future? There are no plans really, I just want to continue writing Heavy Metal music from the heart and soul, and try to play live as much as my health allows it…

Have you been watching underground metal the last years? It seems that in metal music, underground is the new mainstream with many reunions, re-releases and hype over and there. What do you believe and what's your  opinion on that?

That is not something new to me. I have witnessed that before. New trends pop up all the time, may it be created by the labels or by the media. To tell you the truth, it doesn’t bother me. I honestly don’t care less…

If there is such thing, what is "true" for you in metal music, in general?

I’ve learned to trust and follow my gut! How do you feel when listening to ANGELWITCH “Angel of Death”, HEAVY LOAD “Singing Swords” or EXCITER “Heavy Metal Maniac”! There is no “true” or “false”, there is only Metal! HEAVY METAL! It’s the music that matters and it usually tends to speak for itself!

Where do you think
IRONSWORD stand in today's metal scene?

We’ve been around for 20 years and I’ve never imagined we would last this long. Over the first years of the band it was extremely tough. We never followed the trends, but become somehow fairly popular in the underground, to the point where people appreciated our resilience. I’ve read somewhere we are considered sort of pioneers in a subset of genre, you may call it Epic Metal, Traditional Metal, True Metal, Barbaric Metal, Conan Metal whatever, being labelled as legends or cult band etc, I mean, I don’t even know where we belong or stand in today’s metal scene! Like I’ve said before, all this would not be possible if it wasn’t the undying support from our fans. Besides, we also got huge support from all the labels we’ve worked so far,  Miskatonic Foundation, Eat Metal Records, Metal Supremacy Records and of course Shadow Kingdom Records.

How is the metal scene in Portugal?

There’s been some development in the recent years. More live shows. More new bands coming out. There’s one band that really blew me away. THE UNHOLY. With a female vocalist and a very talented guitar player, they remind me somehow of early CHASTAIN and HELLION and a great humble attitude.

Can you give me just a word or two for the following names?

MANILLA ROAD:
 Up the hammers and down the nails! My fave band of all times!
OMEN: Another fave band of mine!
SOLSTICE: I really like “Lamentations”! That’s classic!
RAVENSIRE: Just heard a couple of songs and it’s cool.
HYBORIAN STEEL: Our Metal Brothers!
BATTLEROAR: Our Metal Brothers!
WARLORD: One of the greatest Epic Metal bands ever!
IRON MAIDEN: Maiden are very special to me. I got completely hooked in Heavy Metal music because of them!
MANOWAR: “Into Glory Ride”, “Hail To England” and “Sign of the Hammer” are masterpieces! The last album I really liked was “Louder Than Hell”…

What do you expect for the new album, considering there is a base of die-hard fans that were expecting for your return years now...

Ever since our label, Shadow Kingdom Records, placed online on their official facebook page, 3 advance tracks of our new album, I only have one word to describe it…INSANE!!! It’s been overwhelming the feedback we had so far. Some say its best album of 2015, best album of the band. Every release seems to surpass our expectations. I am extremely pleased about the way “None But the Brave” turned out, the production is top notch and it sounds fucking THUNDEROUS! The wait is worth it!

Last words upon you. Crom bless thee...

Thank you for doing this fine interview Andreas! Keep supporting underground Heavy Metal! Also a big hail to all our fans and friends! “None But the Brave” will officially be released in May, in CD, vinyl and cassette format! 


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