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://metal-on-metal.com/bands/meliah-rage/

http://www.facebook.com/MeliahRage

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

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/

Impellitteri – Wicked Maiden (2009) – Metal Heaven

O guitarrista Norte-Americano Chris Impellitteri regressa às edições com “Wicked Maiden”. Nestes novos 10 temas faz-se acompanhar por Rob Rock (voz), James Pulli (baixo) e Brandon Wild (bateria). O que esperar de mais um disco de Impelliteri? Será escusado de explicar aos fãs da velha guarda, por certo. Muito Hard ‘N’ Heavy bem potente, pesado, melódico, velha escola do US Power. Secção rítmica potente; guitarra omnipresente com riffs assombrosos, solos inventivos e muita melodia aliada ao peso; e a “cereja no topo do bolo”, a fantástica voz de Rob Rock. Mais um capítulo importante na longa discografia do guitarrista. E os fãs agradecem. 85% www.myspace.com/impellitteriofficialsite / http://www.impellitterifanclub.info/ / http://www.metalheaven.net/
RDS

Fires Of Babylon – Fires Of Babylon (2008) – Metal Heaven

Fires Of Babylon é mais um dos inúmeros super projectos que abundam o cenário metálico hoje em dia. Este inclui o vocalista Rob Rock (ex-Impellitteri, Warrior, Axel Rudi Pell, etc), o guitarrista Lou St.Paul (Winters Bane), o baixista Kelly Conlon (ex-Death, ex-Monstrosity) e o baterista Robert Falzo (Shatter Messiah, ex-Annihilator). Como eu disse, mais um entre outros. Mas passará despercebido ou irá destacar-se? Fica um pouco acima da média, é um disco de bom Heavy Metal, mas não é um título que se irá tornar num clássico. Longe disso. Este disco homónimo do projecto inclui 10 temas, em cerca de 48 minutos, de Heavy Metal com pés assentes na década de 80, em particular, na vertente US do género. A qualidade dos músicos envolvidos é inegável (a voz de Rob Rock é, só por si, metade do disco), a composição está acima da média, e conseguem criar malhas fantásticas mas, no final, não ficamos com nenhum refrão ou melodia a “tocar” na nossa cabeça. Mas não fiquem com a ideia errada! O disco é bom, muito bom, mas apenas enquanto dura pois, depois de se ouvir a última nota, não há “ecos”. São 48 minutos de bom Heavy Metal para curtir, “headbanging”, “air guitar” e “horns up” incluídos. E só de olhar para esta fantástica capa, já temos disco! Para fãs do US Heavy / Power dos 80s. 75% http://www.metalheaven.net/ / http://www.germusica.com/
RDS