Interviews

I spoke to Stela Atanasova from Bulgarian Symphonic band, METALWINGS,
about her musical upbringing, the musical ‘language’ in her home
country, and the excellent new album, ‘A Whole New World’. We also had a
‘rig rundown’ with a difference. This one was about her choice of
viola. This is transcript only.

I spoke with Stevie D from BUCKCHERRY,
about lockdown, songwriting, recording the new album in Nashville,
shooting video clips in UFO country, you know stuff like that.
The new album is called ‘Hellbound’ and will be out June 25th.
Check it all out below.
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I spoke with Lala, drummer for BURNING WITCHES
about the new album, ‘The Witch Of The North’. This will be released on
May 28th, and to celebrate, there will be a free livestream the same
day.
Check it out below.
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I spoke with Justine Daaé from ELYOSE, about the latest EP,
‘Persona’ which came out late February. We also spoke about the
change from band to solo project, and the hard work put in as an
independent artist. Fascinating chat.
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I spoke with Seeb Levermann
from ORDEN OGAN about many
things, including the many issues faced during the recording of the
new album, ‘Final Days’. A great chat with him, check it all out
below.
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I spoke with Lars Nedland of WHITE VOID (also of BORKNEGAR and SOLEFALD)
about the WHITE VOID album being released March 12th. A great
insight into the ideas behind this band and how lockdown sped things
along while other things were on hold. Also, hear him tell a story
relating to a ‘Vodka sauna’.
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I spoke to Aaron Pauley from OF MICE AND MEN about playing bass
and covering all vocal duties after the previous singer left and how
it seemed the most organic solution, recording remotely and the move
to SharpTone Records.
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I spoke with Ricky Warwick, 
of BLACK STAR RIDERS / THIN LIZZY / THE
ALMIGHTY, about his excellent new solo album, ‘When
Life Was Hard And Fast’. As well as chatting about that, I also
asked him about the call to join THIN LIZZY, the transition to BLACK
STAR RIDERS, and the process behind my favourite BSR song. A
fascinating chat.
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I spoke once again to TUOMAS ROUNAKARI of Finnish band KORPIKLAANI about tours being cut short, empty calendars, isolation work, bodies buried in the swamp (not his doing), and the new KORPIKLAANI album, due out tomorrow (Friday 5th February). Always great to speak to him.

I spoke with SIMONE SIMONS of EPICA, about life in general, juggling family life with being one of 2 recording/touring musicians in the household, ‘70,000 Tons Of Metal’ / ‘The Little Mermaid’ memories and of the excellent upcoming EPICA album, ‘Omega’. She was awesome to chat to.

I spoke once again to WOLF HOFFMANN of ACCEPT, this time regarding the killer new ACCEPT album, ‘Too Mean To Die’, which is due out next week. It’s the first album since long time bassist Peter Baltes left the band. I spoke to Wolf about that as well. The band has 3 guitarists now. Why? Why not? Listen to him explain what the new members have brought to the band.

I spoke with ELINA and ALEX from LEAVES’ EYES about the new album, ‘The Last Viking’, and the epic saga contained within. Check it all out below.

I spoke with RYNO THERON from South Africa’s TRUTH DECAYED about the formation of the band, during lockdown mind you, and the path to the upcoming EP release.
Check it all out below.

I spoke with BRETT CAMPBELL from PALLBEARER about the new album, ‘Forgotten Days’, due out October 23rd.
Check it all out below.

I spoke with FREDRIK LARSSON of HAMMERFALL about the band’s new live album, due for release October 23rd.
Check it all out below.

I spoke with JOEY VERA of Los Angeles legends, ARMORED SAINT, about the new album, ‘Punching The Sky’, which is due out October 23rd. Great to talk to him, check it all out below.

I spoke to ELIZE RYD from AMARANTHE about the new album, ‘Manifest’, due out October 2nd, recording during lockdown, cancelled tours, whether to do livestreams or not, and the dynamics of having 3 vocalists in the band. Great to chat with her as always.

I spoke to BRITTNEY SLAYES from Canada’s UNLEASH THE ARCHERS about their new album, ‘Abyss’. Great album, check it out, it’s out now. You know the drill by now, check it all out below.

I spoke with RIINA RINKINEN from Finland’s SILENTIUM, about many things, including the upcoming release of the band’s new album, ‘Motiva’, due out August 28th.
Check it, and a bunch of other stuff, out below.

I spoke with ELIN LARSSON from BLUES PILLS about the formation of the band, the rapid rise, their second album debuting at number 1 in Germany, building their own studio and filling it with vintage equipment, and also the killer new album, ‘Holy Moly!’ which is out August 21st. Interview, press release, clips and purchase link all featured below.

I spoke with DAVID WHITE from legendary Bay Area thrashers, HEATHEN, about the upcoming release of ‘Empire Of The Blind’. We also spoke about Lee and Kragen filling in for Exodus and the bands touring together. As you know, I usually ask if there’s a funny tour story, wait til you hear the answer he gives me.
Check it all out below.

I spoke with Nige Rockett of ONSLAUGHT about a great many things, lockdown, streaming vs physical product, serial killers, the sweet smell of death, Lemmy in pyjamas, and the new album, ‘Generation Antichrist’, which is due out August 7th.
Check it all out below.

I chatted with ROBYN FERGUSON about her new release, ‘Falling Forward’, which is out now. When I heard it for the first time it took me back to when I heard JOE SATRIANI for the first time. Check it out, see what you think.
It was great to chat with her, she’s certainly made the most of everything.
Check it out below.

I chatted with MAT SINNER of PRIMAL FEAR about many things, not the least of which was the upcoming album, ‘Metal Commando’, which is due out July 24th. With his vast experience in recording, both as a musician and as a producer, I asked him about new and old recording techniques, and I love his answer.
Check it all out below.

I spoke with PAUL LIERMAN of THE WISE MAN’S FEAR about their excellent new album, ‘Valley of Kings’. We spoke about the theme of the album and how it completes a trilogy, connecting with the previous 2. What does that remind you of? Haha. It was a great chat, check it all out below.