Tuesday

Meliah Rage - Interview January 2013



 
1.         Meliah Rage did not have a steady course since its formation in 1987 to these days. Lots of line-up changes, several record labels, change in musical style, etc. When you look back, how do you see 25 years of Hard ‘N’ Heavy over your shoulders?

Wow... 25 years! Who would have thought! Well, it would certainly be tough to keep any band together for 25 years without lineup changes... even the wealthy ones! I will say I/we have always made it a point to have at least three original members on any record we've ever done. Bands like Iced Earth, Anthrax, Metal Church, Exodus, Overkill, Testament and many others have done records with only 1 or 2 original members which to me at some point takes away from the legacy of the band. I put the number of having 3 original members or we wouldn't do a record. Again 25 years of making metal without making much money at it would be nearly impossible to keep all members for that amount of time!

As far as style change goes, being the primary music writer and arranger I just write what I feel. Of course our second vocalist Paul Souza brings a different vocal vibe to the table. Mike Munro was more Hetfield-ish and Paul is more melodic. They also write what they feel so it is what it is... A record sounding like our 1988 debut "Kill to Survive" probably isn't going to happen.
  
2.         New record, new label. “Dead To The World” was released in July 2011 through Italy’s Metal On Metal. How did the collaboration with this independent label take place and how is it going so far?

Metal on Metal contacted us after noticing our 'at the time' label wasn't doing their job. That label was on its last leg and did absolutely nothing to promote 2009's "Masquerade". We were just about ready to start searching for a label but after a few emails and calls from Metal on Metal there was no need.

How is it going? The label... Absolutely great. They're quite simply the best, most thorough, in touch with their genre, hard working label we've dealt with since Epic! Jowita at the label will give her feelings on the music, my bad spelling, photos or just about anything we present to her... That's a good thing! She cares!!!

Meliah Rage members, all being our 40s, we have other things going on and I wish we could give the effort and time the label does!

3.         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?
 
For the most part the reaction has been positive, but of course not everyone is going to like a new record without original frontman Munro. I will say a lot of the reviews seem to compliment the guitar work which I will always be proud of... that's what I do and if someone likes it that's cool!

Only one show booked so far. Next summer in Ohio at the Warriors of Metal festival.

4.         The lyrics are always an important part of Heavy Metal. Would you like to highlight and explain some of the lyrics in “Dead To The World”?

I'm not the lyrics writer so it's hard for me to give an explanation of the lyrics. There is no doubt that they have a dark tone to them. Paul was going thru some tough times when the record was being recorded and if you dig in you can see that!
 
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?

Funny you ask! I went to a club the other night to see a younger friend's band. There were 4 bands and they all had that newer type of singing. Not my cup of tea but they were all good at what they did. It's all generational. I remember older metal fans thinking thrash was unlistenable when Metallica and Megadeth were starting making waves in the mid '80s. They would say that singing is terrible... well now my generation is saying that about newer bands. Bottom line, if you're good at what you do that's all that counts!

What I like? Classic Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Arch Enemy, Queens of the Stone Age, AC/DC, Riot (Guy Spuranza records), Krokus "Harware" (not much of their other stuff), old Scorpions, Stones '67 to '72... etc., etc.

6.         What are your plans for the nearest future?

I have been working on a side project with Jon Hardy who is the singer/bassist from the indie band The Bags. The project is called MEXICAN APE-LORD and so far so good. It will sound a bit like Meliah but with a few different twists. Stay tuned!

7.         Thanks a lot for your time. Do you want to leave a final message to the Portuguese Metal fans?

Well, thanks for reading this if you made it this far!


Interview by: Ricardo dSdS
Answers by: Anthony Nichols (guitar)

http://www.myspace.com/meliahrage
http://www.meliahrage.com/


Fénix #1023 – 06 / January / 2013 – Special “Metal on Metal Records”

www.metal-on-metal.com

·         Motörhead – In The Name Of Tragedy – Inferno (Spv, 2004)
·         Sacred Gate – Burning Wings – When Eternity Ends (Metal On Metal, 2012)
·         Heretic – Tomorrow’s Plague – A Time Of Crisis (Metal On Metal, 2012)
·         Meliah Rage – Time Won’t Let Me Breathe – Dead To The World (Metal On Metal, 2011)
·         Battlerage – Black Sunday – True Metal Victory (Metal On Metal, 2011)
·         Skelator – Gates Of Thorbardin – Agents Of Power (Metal On Metal, 2012)
·         Heathendom – The Symbolist – The Symbolist (Metal On Metal, 2010)
·         Wishdoom – Helepolis – Helepolis (Metal On Metal, 2011)
·         Mortalicum – Dark Night – The Endtime Prophecy (Metal On Metal, 2012)
·         Saxon – Dragons Lair – Killing Ground (Spv, 2001)
·         Sacred Gate – The Realm Of Hell – When Eternity Ends (Metal On Metal, 2012)
·         Heretic – Child Of War – A Time Of Crisis (Metal On Metal, 2012)
·         Meliah Rage – Valley Of The Shadowless Souls – Dead To The World (Metal On Metal, 2011)
·         Battlerage – Blood On Iron – True Metal Victory (Metal On Metal, 2011)
·         Skelator – Rhythm Of The Chain – Agents Of Power (Metal On Metal, 2012)
·         Heathendom – Black Euphoria – The Symbolist (Metal On Metal, 2010)
·         Wishdoom – Cimmerian Plains / Son Of Crom – Helepolis (Metal On Metal, 2011)
·         Mortalicum – Ballad Of A Sorrowful Man – The Endtime Prophecy (Metal On Metal, 2012)
·         Savatage – Morphine Child – Poets And Madmen (Spv, 2001)
·         Riot – Burn The Sun – Through The Storm (Metal Blade, 2002)
·         Grave Digger – Back From The War – Heavy Metal Breakdown (Noise, 1985)

Fénix #1022 – 25 / November / 2012 – Crossover Rock - Playlist

·         Body Count - Body MF Count - Born Dead (1994)
·         Body Count - Body Count's in the House - Body Count (1992)
·         Stuck Mojo - (Here Comes) The Monster - Pigwalk (1996)
·         Senser - Age Of Panic - Stacked Up (1994)
·         Senser - What's Going On - Stacked Up (1994)
·         Public Enemy - Bring Tha Noize (Feat. Anthrax) - Apocalypse 91 The Enemy Strikes Black (91)
·         Beastie Boys - Sabotage - Ill Communication (1994)
·         Clawfinger - Biggest & the Best - Clawfinger (Remastered) (2004)
·         Clawfinger - Out To Get Me - A Whole Lot Of Nothing (2001)
·         System Of A Down & Wu-Tang Clan - Shame - Loud Rocks (2000)
·         Cypress Hill - Lick A Shot - Live At The Filmore (2000)
·         Cypress Hill - Get Out Of My Head - Skull & Bones (Bones ) (2000)
·         Cypress Hill - Trouble Seeker (Featuring Daron Malakian) - Rise Up (2010)
·         Rage Against The Machine - Killing In The Name - Rage Against The Machine (1992)
·         Rage Against The Machine - Know Your Enemy - Rage Against The Machine (1992)
·         Skindred - Nobody - Babylon (2004)
·         Skindred - Ratrace - Roots Rock Riot (2007)
·         Skindred - Living A Lie - Union Black (2011)
·         One Minute Silence - For Want Of A Better World - Available In All Colours (1998)
·         One Minute Silence - Food For The Brain - Buy Now...Saved Later (2000)
·         System of a Down - Violent Pornography - Mezmerize (2005)
·         Molotov - Por Qué No Te Haces Para Allá - Donde Jugarán Las Niñas (1997)
·         Puya - Fundamental - Fundamental (1999)
·         Korn - Got the Life - Follow The Leader (1998)
·         Korn - Ya'll Want A Single - Take a Look in the Mirror (2003)
·         Pitchshifter - What's In It For Me - wwwPitchshiftercom (1998)
·         Atari Teenage Riot - Atari Teenage Riot - Delete Yourself! (1995)
·         The Prodigy - Run With The Wolves - World's On Fire (2011)
·         The Prodigy - Smack My Bitch Up - World's On Fire (2011)
·         Suicidal Tendencies - Su Casa Es Mi Casa - Free Your Soul...And Save My Mind (2000)
·         Run DMC - Rock Box - Run DMC (1984)
·         Suicidal Tendencies - Feeding The Addiction - Prime Cuts (1997)
·         Necro - Suffocated to Death by God's Shadow - Death Rap (07)

Fénix #1021 – 25 / November / 2012 - Playlist

·         eX-Girl - 3 - Pretty You Ugly - Endangered Species (2004)
·         Dub Trio - En Passant - IV (2011)
·         Dub Trio - Noise - IV (2011)
·         Sax Ruins - Czerudmuntzail - Yawiquo (2009)
·         Rob Swift - Spartacuts - The Architect (2010)
·         Secret Chiefs 3 - Mourning in Ekstasis - Le Mani Destre Recise Degli Ultimi Uomini (09)
·         Secret Chiefs 3 - He Hates Us - Le Mani Destre Recise Degli Ultimi Uomini (09)
·         Secret Chiefs 3 - Psychism 1 Cytherea's Possession - Le Mani Destre Recise Degli Ultimi Uomini (09)
·         John Zorn - Two - Chimeras (2003)
·         John Zorn - II - Rituals (2005)
·         John Zorn - Chorek - Masada Anniversary Edition, Volume 5 Masada Rock (05)
·         Bester Quartet - The Magic Casket - Metamorphoses (2012)
·         Kaada/Patton - L'Absent - Romances (2004)
·         Einstürzende Neubauten - Steh auf Berlin - Kollaps (1988)
·         Einstürzende Neubauten - Headcleaner - Tabula Rasa (1993)
·         Foetus - Enter the Exterminator - Nail (1985)
·         Foetus Inc - Dead Christian - 'Sink' (1989)
·         The Young Gods - Jimmy - The Young Gods (1987)
·         The Young Gods - Pas Mal - L'Eau Rouge (1989)
·         Painkiller - Executioner - Buried Secrets (1992)
·         Naked City - Heretic 3 - Heretic, Jeux des Dames Cruelles (1992)
·         Scorn - Spasm - Vae Solis (1992)
·         Scorn - Lick Forever Dog - Vae Solis (1992)
·         Pitchshifter - Gatherer Of Data - Desensitized (1993)
·         Pitchshifter - Underachiever - Infotainment (1996)
·         Isis - Way Through Woven Branches - Temporal (2012)
·         dälek - Swollen Tongue Bums - Negro Necro Nekros (1998)
·         Steroid Maximus - Chain Reaction - Ectopia (2002)
·         Goblin - Suspiria - Suspiria (1997)
·         Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds - Do You Love Me - Let Love In (1994)

Fénix #1020 – 04 / November / 2012 – W.A.S.P. Live in Portugal - Playlist

·         I Wanna Be Somebody (Wasp 1984)
·         L.O.V.E. Machine (Wasp 1984)
·         Hellion (Wasp 1984)
·         On Your Knees (Wasp 1984)
·         Blind In Texas (The Last Command 1985)
·         Wild Child (The Last Command 1985)
·         Inside The Electric Circus (Inside The Electric Circus 1986)
·         I Don’t Need No Doctor (Ray Charles / Humble Pie Cover) (Inside The Electric Circus 1986)
·         Scream Until You Like It (Live In The Raw 1987)
·         The Heretic (The Lost Child) (The Headless Children 1989)
·         The Real Me (The Who Cover) (The Headless Children 1989)
·         The Neutron Bomber (The Headless Children 1989)
·         The Titanic Overture (The Crimson Idol 1992)
·         Arena Of Pleasure (The Crimson Idol 1992)
·         Chainsaw Charlie (Murders In The New Morgue) (The Crimson Idol 1992)
·         The Great Misconceptions Of Me (The Crimson Idol 1992)
·         Helldorado (Helldorado 1999)
·         My Wicked Heart (Dying For The World 2002)

·         Overkill – Soulitude (Horrorscope 1991)
·         Iced Earth – Melancholy (Holy Martyr) (The Melancholy Ep 2000)
·         Accept – Crucified (Predator 1996)
·         Saxon – Killing Ground (Killing Ground 2001)
·         Megadeth – 99 Ways To Die (Hidden Treasures 1995)
·         Bruce Dickinson / Adrian Smith / Bob Kulick / … – Black Widow (Humanary Stew A Tribute To Alice Cooper 1999)

Fénix #1019 – 28 / October / 2012 – Soundtracks & Exploitation Radio Trailers - Playlist

·         Red Pepper Intro 1
·         John Carpenter – Halloween 1978
·         Shaft Radio Spot
·         Red Pepper Intro 2
·         Curtis Mayfield – Superfly
·         Red Peppers Intro 3
·         Fabio Frizzi – Cannibal Ferox
·         Coffy Radio Spot
·         Toshiaki Tsushima – M3 Yakuza Papers 1 Battles Without Honor 1973
·         Shaw Bros Theme
·         Fabio Frizzi – Zombie
·         Flesh Eaters (Uk Trailer)
·         Feature Presentation
·         Ennio Morricone – Per Un Pugni Di Dollari #2
·         Ennio Morricone – Per Un Pugni Di Dollari (Finale)
·         Ennio Morricone – La Resa Dei Conti
·         Ennio Morricone – L’estasi Dell’oro
·         Ennio Morricone – Run Man Run (Titoli Di Testa)
·         Ennio Morricone – Yes Sir, No Sir (Dialogue)
·         Ennio Morricone – Driving Decoys
·         Ennio Morricone – Indagine Sur Un Citadino
·         Ennio Morricone – Vamos A Matar Compañeros
·         Ennio Morricone – 4 Mosche Di Velluto Grigio
·         Ennio Morricone – La Ballada Di Sacco #2
·         Ennio Morricone – Milano Odia
·         Jcvd – Bloodsport – Radio Spot
·         Jvcd – Kickboxer – Radio Spot
·         Steven Seagal – Hard To Kill – Radio Spot
·         Jackie Chan – Story Of Hero (Police Story 3)
·         Enter The Dragon – Radio Spot
·         Drive-In Intermission – It’s Refreshment Time
·         The 5,6,7,8’s – Woo Hoo
·         Luis Bacalov – Django
·         Dick Dale – Miserlou
·         Nouvelle Vague – Too Drunk To Fuck (Dead Kennedys Cover)
·         Black Belt Jones – Radio Spot
·         John Barry – James Bond Theme
·         Tito & Tarantula – Angry Cockroaches
·        Meiko Kaji – The Flower Of Carnage