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Sacred Gate - Interview October 2012
1. Sacred Gate was born from the ashes of Made Of Iron (great record, by the way). Can you quickly explain this metamorphosis and introduce the musicians in Sacred Gate?
- Made of Iron existed from 1999 until 2005, there were some differences
between some band members and so it came to the split. In 2008 me, Jim and
Holger, all Made of Iron members, got in touch again and we decided to make a
new start, under a new name so we formed SACRED GATE. Unfortunately Holger left
the band in 2010 but we found very fast a replacement. The line up at the
moment consists of Jim Over on the vocals, Peter Beckers on the bass, Chris
Wolf on the drums and me on the guitars.
2. The debut album “When Eternity Ends” was just released. Tell us a little bit about the whole process (composing, recording, production).
- We had some songs from the Made of Iron era, for example ‘’Burning
Wings’’, but also some new material. We began with the recordings in November
2010, at the Metallurgy Studio which is in the middle of the city where we
live. We recorded the album in 12-13 days and we had another 5-6 for the the
mix and mastering. It is a classic metal album, I would say something between
Iron Maiden and Iced Earth. Of course we want to create our own style and sound
but in the beginning everyone compares you with some famous bands.
3. How did the collaboration with Italy’s Metal On Metal take place and how is it going so far?
- We sent emails and CDs to a lot of labels, and actually Jowita from
Metal on Metal records was the first person who replied. She said that she
liked the songs a lot and she wanted to offer us a deal for the release of the
album. We heard good things about Metal on Metal so we signed to them. We had
another 3 offers but this one was the most serious and the best for the band.
Everything goes very well so far, they are doing a good job and support all
their bands the best way they can.
4. The lyrics are always an important part of Heavy Metal. Would you like to highlight and explain some of the lyrics in “When Eternity Ends”?
- I write all the lyrics, and I like all of them, but the best ones for
me are those of ‘’In the Heart of the Iron Maiden’’ and ‘’ Vengeance’’ which
are very dark and mystical lyrics about an alchemist who is arrested, tortured
and killed by the Holy Inquisition. And also the lyrics of the song ‘’When
Eternity Ends’’ which is an anti-war song about some leaders of big nations and
their buddies from the industry who don’t care about the lives of innocent
people or their own soldiers, sending them to wars, just for their own
interests, or ‘’Creators of the Downfall’’ which is about the decline and fall
of our civilization by self destruction. ‘’The Realm of Hell’’ has also some
very interesting lyrics about a man who dies and goes to hell, very typical
heavy metal lyrics.
5. Playing this type of traditional Hard ‘N’ Heavy, which is not trendy or commercial, what are your thoughts on the current Hard ‘N’ Heavy scene? Are there any new bands that you like or you just stay faithful to the old school stuff?
- The most not-commercial bands in the heavy metal scene are in the
underground, many of them change their style when they sign to bigger record
companies, maybe they think they can sell more records by doing that... The
thing that matters is not if their sound is old school or modern but the music
itself. When I listen to music at home, I listen most of the time to older
albums. The bands that I like a lot at the moment are Grand Magus, Wizard, Amon
Amarth. The new Kreator album is also a great one.
6. Is there a tour already aligned to promote this record?
- No, there will be no tour, only some concerts. A tour is too expensive
for a new band and you need a very strong financially record company.
7. What are your plans for the nearest future?
- We are recording at the moment the next studio album that will be
released in 2013. It will be a concept album about the 300 Spartans and the
battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC. It will be a very epic, heavy but also
emotional album. We are in contact with a lot of promoters to play next summer
at some festivals, something that is not so easy as every band wants to play at
festivals, and we are organizing by
ourselves some gigs or with some friends of ours who play in other bands.
8. Thanks a lot for your time. Do you want to leave a final message to the Portuguese Metal fans?
- Thank you very much for this interview and your interest in SACRED
GATE. I want to say to all the metal fans in Portugal to continue supporting
all the bands they like, to buy their CDs and go to the concerts to keep the
metal scene alive, even if there are hard times at the moment, especially in
your country and my country Greece.
Interview by: Ricardo dSdS
Answers by: Nicko Nikolaidis (guitars) http://www.sacredgate.net/ / http://www.myspace.com/sacredgatemetal / http://www.facebook.com/sacredgatemetal / http://metal-on-metal.com/bands/sacred-gate/
Mortalicum - Interview October 2012
1. The new album “The
Endtime Prophecy” was just released. Tell us a little bit about the whole
process (composing, recording, production).
- It actually started in 2010 when I had written the first two songs for
the second album which were The Endtime Prophecy and My Dying Soul.
From there it went really smoothly with Henrik also bringing in great music to
the band. In the end we even had songs that we saved for a bonus release
(released by the band, not the label). We wanted to keep the album around 45
min. and it’s also great to have something extra to make available for the
fans. We began recording in our own studio in April 2011. We first tracked the
drums while the rest of us played along for reference. We don’t use
click-tracks, we don’t cut and paste, we just record our music the way it
sounds. After that we tracked bass, guitars, leads and vocals. No magic really.
Then in October I began the mixing and mastering process and in November we
handed over the complete album to the label. It was released in April this year
(2012).
2. This is the second
release through Metal On Metal. How did the collaboration with this Italian
independent take place and how is it going so far?
- It was back in late 2009 when we had recorded all songs for the Progress
of Doom album when I contacted the label. I used the song Into the Night
to get their attention and after they heard the whole album we signed the deal.
The collaboration is going very well and they are really dedicated to the
old-school metal and travel to practically every festival that exists. I must
praise their passion for metal!
3. Your sound is not
chained to a particular style but you blend several influences, ranging from
80s Traditional Metal to 70s Hard Rock going through some Heavy Doom. Which are
your main influences?
- Black Sabbath for sure is our biggest influence and inspiration, but
also Deep Purple, Thin Lizzy, Rainbow and all those classic bands that made
great music back in the 70’s and 80’s. Even though we play quite heavy music
the classic rock legacy must not be forgotten since it’s a big part of our
sound and style. We like to get the grooves and melodies in our music as well.
4. The lyrics are always an
important part of Heavy Metal. Would you like to highlight and explain some of
the lyrics on “The Endtime Prophecy”?
- Some songs share a conceptual theme about the endtime prophecies and
some questions and views on that theme. The songs The Endtime Prophecy,
Devil’s Hand, Embracing Our Doom and The End are all linked together
lyrically. The other lyrics in general are about life and death and the
struggles and questions surrounding that.
5. Playing this type of old
school Hard Rock / Metal, which is not trendy or commercial, what are your
thoughts on the current Hard ‘N’ Heavy scene? Are there any new bands that you
like or you just stay faithful to the old school stuff?
- I have to admit I mostly stay faithful to the old stuff. I think some
new bands try too hard to sound like something from the 70’s or so. But still,
who can blame them? The sound was great back then!
6. Is there a tour already
aligned to promote this record?
- No, there is no tour planned unfortunately.
7. What are your plans for
the nearest future?
- We are flying to Malta in early November to participate in the Malta
Doom Metal festival. It will be great to meet with friends and play at the
festival which is getting stronger every year. It’s their fourth edition
already!
8. Thanks a lot for your
time. Do you want to leave a final message to the Portuguese Metal fans?
- Thank you Ricardo for this interview! It is much appreciated! The
final message is: Support the underground bands and buy their albums! They are
the true metal heads who play music for the pure love of it. They hardly ever
get the money they’ve spent back, so every dime that finds its way back to the
bands is worth gold. And remember... Stay Metal!!!
Interview by: Ricardo dSdS
Answers by: Patrick Backlund (bass)http://www.myspace.com/mortalicum / http://www.facebook.com/mortalicum / http://metal-on-metal.com/bands/mortalicum/
Heathendom - Interview October 2012
1. The latest album “The Symbolist” was released more than a year ago through Metal On Metal. Tell us a little bit about the whole process (composing, recording, production).
- After finishing our “Nescience” album, an album that we have been
working for 2 years, we tried to evolve our music style. We kept the same
composing method but we added some thrash and prog elements. As a band we
always depend on our theatricality, we try to create pictures with our songs so
the lyrics are quite important when it comes to composing. We recorded again in
our personal studio where we have the full control of everything. The result in
my opinion is heavier than “Nescience” more diverse but it maintains our
identity.
2. After 3 albums on this
Italian label, what are your thoughts on this collaboration?
- Metal on Metal Records believed and invested in us from the start and
we are grateful for that. They are true heavy metal fans but also absolutely
professional.
3. This record is a blend
of different styles and influences, ranging from US Power to Doom Metal, from
Progressive Metal to horror soundtracks. Some bands are referred in your
press-release and the internet as your main influences and, I must say, those
are the obvious names that come to mind first. But I would like you to expand
on your musical influences and preferences.
- We can say names all night. The key is that every member has different
influences and background that all contribute in the final result. Lefteris is
into soundtracks, very influenced by Danny Elfman, and US and Scandinavian
power metal, Michail has more thrash references, Yiannis is a fan of
traditional doom/death, and I am more in to progressive music with Neil Peart
being my biggest influence in drumming and lyrics. In the end we have a blend
that combines all the above in a way that we are all satisfied.
4. Would you like to
highlight and explain some of the lyrics in “The Symbolist”? Is there a concept
behind the lyrics of this album? I’m asking this because I don’t have access to
the lyrics, but it seems to me that there is an overall feel to the album as a
whole. As if we were listening to an epic saga and the images are running
through our imagination. Perhaps it’s just how I’m reacting to the music itself
and the theatrical vocals.
- Well, yes and no. The songs have clearly a unity while speaking of
different things. The songs have a strong anti-religion/nihilistic core.
Speaking about the songs I wrote, I wanted to explore the conditions that lead
human to create and worship gods, the continuous struggle to explain Reason and
the relationship between man and authority of any kind.
5. After more than a year
apart from the release, what’s the balance in terms of reactions from the press
and fans? What about live shows?
- Well, the reaction from the press was quite enthusiastic. We received
only positive reviews and the fans showed that they enjoined “The Symbolist”.
We also made our first video for the homonymous song and that helped us to
expand our fanbase. We try to play live as much as we can, but the economic
situation in Greece has effected all of us making it more difficult for us to
invest the maximum in the band. But this year we played a couple of shows in
Athens and Cyprus and now we focus on composing music and of course try to play
anywhere we can.
6. What are your thoughts
on the current Hard ‘N’ Heavy scene? Are there any new bands that you like or
you just stay faithful to the old school stuff?
- Personally I think that heavy metal is constantly evolving. There are
bands mostly in the underground that play extraordinary music but they don’t
have the chance to be heard by a larger audience. A band that blew my mind was
Unexpect from Canada with their latest album. Also Diablo Swing Orchestra from
Sweden with three great albums is a band that stands out. From the old school
stuff I will always enjoy bands like Warlord, Crimson Glory, Jag Panzer and
many more.
7. How’s the Hard ‘N’ Heavy
scene nowadays in Greece? What bands would you like to highlight?
- I have to be honest. The scene in Greece has a tremendous versatility
with bands playing all kinds of metal. But despite the fact that we have plenty
of bands with quality, the fans aren’t very supportive. We have been in the
situation playing with three other very good bands and there is an audience of
fifty people, most of whom to be friends and relatives. To make some success
here you have to be re-introduced after you make a buzz in the rest of the
world. Obligatory army service and the fact that it applies here conscription
for at least a year, is something that pulls back all the bands. These things
have made all the domestic music products unattractive to companies that mostly
believe that the Greek bands do not work enough or are not willing to sacrifice
what needs to touring etc. And now we have and the economic crisis so you get
the picture. Personally I distinguish Dustynation from Thessaloniki, Planet of
Zeus from Athens, Innosense from Larisa, they all are great bands and I believe
that at some point they will stand out.
8. One final question,
music off-topic, and it concern the sign of times, since you’re from Greece and
I’m from Portugal, both countries economy is totally ruined. What’s your take
on what’s happening in Greece and the rest of Europe nowadays?
- Very interesting question, since I deal a lot with political and
economic developments. The situation in Greece is dramatic due to a wrong
policy applied by the wrong people, driving more and more Greeks into poverty
and strengthening extremist elements. I personally am in favor of the European
Union provided that it operates with policies in favor to growth. But at this
moment Germany is following the line of austerity, which is obvious who it
actually serves. In Greece, the IMF seems to try to impose a program that is
sure to fail in order to pressure Germany and the ECB to move into new haircut
of debt, but unfortunately this will only burden us. They are trying to do
something similar with Portugal. Of course the situation in Greece is burdened
by years of corruption, the client regimes and social lethargy which led to a
situation that can hardly be changed. The point is that if they do not find a
quick political solution, the crisis will soon hit the French economy and then
the game will end. I hope that there is light at the end of this tunnel and
that we and you will still manage to overcome the crisis with as little
sacrifice as possible.
9. Thanks a lot for your
time. Do you want to leave a final message to the Portuguese Metal fans?
- I thank you for the very interesting interview. First of all I would
like to wish the Portuguese people to endure this difficult situation. Always
listen to heavy metal and special thanks to those of you who liked our album
and supported our band. The rest of you, give us a chance, I think we play good
music that can satisfy fans of all kinds of metal. It would be great some day
to play in Portugal. Hails to you all!!!
Interview by: Ricardo dSdS
Answers
by: George Tsinanis (drums)http://www.heathendom.gr/ / http://www.myspace.com/heathendom / http://www.facebook.com/heathendom / http://metal-on-metal.com/bands/heathendom/
Skelator - Interview October 2012
1. First of all, can you
guide us into the world of Skelator, when did you start the band, releases,
important live shows and significant line–up changes?
- Me and my best friend Max started the idea of the band when were young
teenagers getting into Metallica. At first we wanted to write songs about
politics, war and religion because we were both raised under socialist ideals.
But later when we heard Slayer and Iron Maiden we decided to write songs that
would paint a picture in your mind and let you make up your own story to them.
I met Pat Seick in high school and he had been drumming for a few years at that
point so we thought we'd have a go at it and see what could be done. We wrote
some pretty awesome but really shitty thrash metal songs and played all over
San Diego spreading the blood of posers everywhere. Later we had a falling out
and then we went trough a whirlwind of new members until Pat came back and we
had Jesse and Rah in the band in 2004.
Thus began the second era of Skelator “The Time of the Sword Rulers”. We
had been listening to Manowar for a long time at that point and we wanted to go
for a more epic sound. We recorded the “Swords” EP in the Winter of 2004/05 and
began to send it out to the European labels/press and got some pretty cool
reviews here and there. In 2005 the “Swords” EP was nominated as the best Hard
Rock/Metal album by the San Diego Music Awards. During our first tour we
started writing more songs for our next release “The Gore of War”. This was a
split album with our friends GutRot. A lot of people did not understand why we
did a split with a Death Metal band but honestly we did it to promote not only
the San Diego metal scene but to promote diversity in the global metal scene
entirely. Then in 2005 Patrick left to Olympia, Washington to finish his
college degree. Robbie moved up to Seattle, Washington 6 months later and then
I followed 6 months after that when Pat was done with school and living in the
same place as Robbie. But in between all that we played one final show with
Helstar and Agent Steel at the Burning Star Festival in San Diego.
The third era of Skelator goes through even more members than I even
want to recollect, but we did get to opening up for bands like Slough Feg,
Doomsword, Zandelle, Thor, Rotting Christ, Mantic Ritual, Hatchet and
Witchaven. Patrick left the band in 2007 but to come back to the band in 2010
when we needed him the most...
The fourth era is where we are today with a band of hardened metal
warriors. “Death to All Nations” was our first album to really penetrate the
international market and the first album where we had found our true sound and
not just rip off our heroes. “Agents of Power” was another leap beyond that and
the response has been amazing from both our fans and the press around the
world. In this era we got to open up for bands like Primal Fear, Accept,
Symphony X, Anvil and Rhapsody of Fire.
2. How did the
collaboration with Italy’s Metal On Metal take place and how is it going so
far?
- In 2007 we played at the Swordbrothers Festival in Germany. After our
set Jowita came to us saying that she and her husband were starting a new label
(Metal on Metal) and that they were interested in signing us. We decided to
take it and they have treated us very well since. If it wasn't for them our
album not be available in many shops and mailorders, as well as on iTunes,
Spotify, Zune, Amazon MP3 and countless other official digital distribution
centers.
3. The new album “Agents Of
Power” was just released. Tell us a little bit about the whole process
(composing, recording, production).
- Well, like any album it takes a few months of collaborative songwriting to get even close to the recording process. We then took a week off to record all the drums, rhythm guitars and bass. Then another week to record all the fundamental vocals. After that it was every weekend recording guitar solos, backup vocals, falsettos and keyboards for another month or so. Then like 3 weeks of mixing and a week off to the guy to master it for CD and vinyl (coming later). Then we send it to the label and wait about 6 weeks till it is released and then another 6 weeks until we get our copies in the mail from Italy. By the time you get the CD in your hand you almost forget that you had just created an album and then you get happy again.
4. After four independent
tracks, the album continues with the conceptual alignment of tracks “Elric: The
Dragon Prince (A Tale Of Tragic Destiny In 12 Parts)”. Can you guide us through
this concept? Which books or stories particularly influence it? And what made
you choose this particular character, considering that so many bands already
did it in the past?
- I read the book in high school back when I started the band. It really
hit close to home for me. Elric of Melnibone is basically a mix of Darth Vader
meets Captain Kirk. He is full of hate and full of regret but he still knows
how to save the universe and get some sex on the side. I based our epic on the
first and third books of Elric because I feel they have the most important plot
points in his life. Obviously I heard all those other bands and they helped me
find the right aspect of Elric to sing about because they mainly covered the
sixth book, the end of his saga and the end of his universe. So don't wait for
us to write about that because Domine already beat us to it and did a better
job than we ever will.
5. Traditional Heavy Metal
is not exactly trendy these days. Although Skelator has some back history, it
is nonetheless an Underground band. Metal On Metal is also an Underground label
run by two Metal fans. What are your thoughts on the current Hard ‘N’ Heavy
scene? Are there any new bands that you like or you just stay faithful to the
old school stuff?
- Yes we are underground and we are fine with that. We never started
this band to make a bunch of money or fuck a bunch of chicks. We just want to
write Heavy Metal the way we see fit and have fun doing it. As for newer bands?
Evil Survives, Spellcaster, Vanlade, Borrowed Time, Split Heaven, Volture,
Stonewall and Enforcer are great bands that have the same passion for real
metal as we do and there are countless other bands as well.
6. Is there a tour already
aligned to promote this record?
- We are touring the west coast here in USA in a couple days and then we
will do a couple shows in Germany in early 2013.
7. What are your plans for
the nearest future?
- After our west coast tour we will find a new bassist and begin our
fifth wave in Skelator history. We are writing new songs and will continue to
do so until we break.
8. Thanks a lot for your
time. Do you want to leave a final message to the Portuguese Metal fans?
- Thanks for having us and we hope to play in Portugal someday and lay
waste to every poser in our sights with our metal and our might. The world is
ours to conquer, War is Declared, Death to the False. GIVE ME METAL OR GIVE ME
DEATH!!!!
Interview by: Ricardo dSdS
Answers
by: Jason Conde-Houston (vocals)http://www.myspace.com/skelator / http://www.facebook.com/TrueSkelator / http://metal-on-metal.com/bands/skelator/
Heretic - Interview October 2012
1. Hello Brian, how are
you? First of all, what made you reform Heretic after an insanely long hiatus
(1989 if I’m not mistaken)? Can you introduce the musicians for this new
line-up?
- Founder/myself Brian Korban – guitar (Reverend), Torture Knows No
Boundry era vocalist Julian Mendez (Stone Soldier), Glenn Rogers – guitar
(Hirax, Deliverance...), Angelo Espino – bass (Reverend, Hirax, Anger As Art,
Bitch...), Ignazio Coppola – drums. Glenn put the spark in me a few years ago,
telling me how much classic metal was alive in Europe. He was touring with the
band Hirax at the time. I remember seeing photos of him at festivals in front
of thousands of people, and thinking "I want that". So, when Julian
approached me about reforming, I jumped at the chance.
2. How did the
collaboration with Italy’s Metal On Metal take place and how is it going so
far?
- The band owes everything to guitarist Glenn Rogers. He started all
communications with the label, and they have been all that we could've hoped
for. They have given us nothing but support through the whole process and have
gone far beyond any of our expectations. Our CD packet/design says everything,
F-ing amazing!
3. The new album “A Time Of
Crisis” was just released. Tell us a little bit about the whole process
(composing, recording, production).
- When vocalist Julian Mendez approached me about doing a few local live
(California) shows, I couldn't say yes fast enough! I already had the idea in
my head because long time friend guitarist Glenn Rogers had been touring with
the band HIRAX, and he told me that a HERETIC reunion would do great in Europe.
From the beginning, we knew we had a special chemistry that was going to be
something incredible. The first thing I did was start writing new songs, and
before I knew it, we were recording "A Time Of Crisis" The songs came
together very fast. We recorded the CD in three sessions, three weekends to be
exact. We would pick three or four at a time (whatever we could afford) and
blast out everything in a few days. This would not have been possible without
our brilliant producer John Haddad. John brought out the best in everyone. We
have all been through the meat grinder, so we knew what was at stake. The
professionalism with this group of musicians really shines on each of these
tracks.
4. Traditional Heavy Metal
is not exactly trendy these days. Although Heretic has some back history, it is
nonetheless an Underground band. Metal On Metal is also an Underground label
run by two Metal fans. This is a labor of love, so to speak. What are your
thoughts on the current Hard ‘N’ Heavy scene? Are there any new bands that you
like or you just stay faithful to the old school stuff?
- I still listen to Priest, Maiden,
Motorhead, Sabbath, UFO, Scorpions and Accept, but I also like Mastodon,
Slipknot, In Flames and Machine Head, to name a few. I listen to all kinds of
music, the Beatles to Dead Can Dance.
5. The lyrics are always an
important part of Heavy Metal. Would you like to highlight and explain some of
the lyrics in “A Time Of Crisis”?
- Most songs deal with everyday life, and the consequences of our
actions. The lyrics deal with war, the world economy, government control,
personal freedoms, religious fanatics and greed. It is a look in the mirror for
mankind.
6. Is there a tour already
aligned to promote this record?
- We are in the process of putting together tour dates preceding our
2013 performance at Germany’s Headbangers Open Air festival. Several other
irons are in the fire but I don’t want to speak too soon.
7. What are your plans for
the nearest future?
- I'm already deep into writing the next CD, so the rest of the boys
better be ready to stick around for awhile. We will play shows locally in
California, and get ready for 2013.
8. Thanks a lot for your
time. Do you want to leave a final message to the Portuguese Metal fans?
- Thank you for the interview. I hope all the Portuguese Metal fans will check us out and enjoy our music.
Interview by: Ricardo dSdS
Answers
by: Brian Korban (guitar)http://www.hereticusa.com/ / http://www.myspace.com/hereticfromla / http://www.facebook.com/HERETICUSA / http://metal-on-metal.com/bands/heretic/
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