New releases

I spoke with Oscar Dronjak from HAMMERFALL
about many things, including touring the US with Sabaton, finishing a
European headline tour just in time, using the first part of lockdown as
family time, writing songs on the road / Spinal Tap, and the recording
and release of the new album, ‘Hammer Of Dawn’, which is a ripper. Check it out here.
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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.