Interview – Page 6 – The Metalist

An Interview With : Ashmedi (Melechesh)

June 10, 2016 No Comments

Glorified to the masses life as a touring band can be deceptively misleading. Portrayed as a life of leisure and luxury the harsh truth is a far cry from the romanticised ideal. With record sales slowly on the rise, avenues for revenue need to be gained in other areas hence the eclectic touring packages of late. Coming out of their five year hibernation Melechesh unleashed their latest Mesopotamian opus Enki last year. Following a brilliant year, it was abruptly halted when Ashmedi was involved in an altercation which has understandably put a strain on him and the band. Personally feeling the man could do no harm unless it was truly warranted, from when we spoke he unveiled sage like wisdom. Regarding the recent matters in Jerusalem and asking why the bassist decided to verbalise quitting than being let go. This is a harsh look at what it truly is to be in control of your band and just how much work goes into keeping an entity like Melechesh alive. Take it away Ashmedi!

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An Interview With : Lord Ahriman (Dark Funeral)

June 1, 2016 No Comments

Metal as a subculture has always been under fire from the more conformist of ideologies. With rebellion in its foundations Metal is a vessel to break away from the norms of societies sometimes isolating those with a more open mind in the eyes of the mass. Coming up trumps in the Metal subgenres, Black Metal is its own following in itself. Created as a protest against religion the genre is a magnet to controversy. Set to release their brand new album Where Shadows Forever Reign on June 3rd (Century Media), Dark Funeral will mark their return after a six year absence. We were lucky enough to be able to speak to composer and geniune Black Metal maestro Lord Ahriman about an in depth look at the writing process and the controversy surrounding Black Metal and its censorship particularly in Russia.

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An Interview With : Chuck Billy (Testament)

May 17, 2016 No Comments

Pillars of our civilisation, ranging from the prehistoric times to the modern day symbolism has been ever present. Highlighting different ideologies uniting people in both good causes or sadly truly horrific principles Having released their last album in 2012 the devastating Dark Roots of Earth, Testament are set to return this year. Cementing bassist extraordinaire Steve DiGiorgio on bass in the band’s new line up the band have entered the studio to record their follow up The Brotherhood of The Snake. Just days before entering the studio to record their new album we spoke to vocalist Chuck Billy. Walking us through the album’s fascinating concept centred around religion and symbolism, the band’s plans for Europe with a little known Viking band later this year and Billy’s opinion on the current state of Thrash. Welcome to The Brotherhood of The Snake oh and bowling! The Dude most certainly abides.

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An Interview With : Mallika Sunduramurthy (Abnormality)

May 10, 2016 No Comments

As far as genres go Death Metal has very much been a DIY affair. From the likes of Cannibal Corpse right up until the new breed of Metal visionaries the genre has always relied on relentless touring, quick learning and of course being as sonically devastating as possible. These three ingredients make up Abnormality’s DNA, having just released their Metal Blade debut Mechanisms of Omniscience the band stake their claim as a truly ferocious band in the Death Metal arena. Kindly able to speak to us whilst on tour in the US we spoke to singer Mallika Sunduramurthy on the new record. From its lyrical meanings to its significantly impactful artwork, designed by Sunduramurthy and how Death Metal being DIY may have been rife in the past and is coincidentally in the future.

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An Interview With : Brad Marr (Massive)

May 4, 2016 No Comments

As the saying goes travel broadens the mind, a statement that would never be more apt for the life of a band on the road. Having just released their brand new album Destination Somewhere, Massive are beginning their next chapter in their career. Having penned the album all over the world, a deceptive meandering title for the bands unrelenting hunger to tour the world as much as possible. Which conseuqently had an affect of unintentionally creating a more rounded sound since their first listen. We were able to call up Massive singer Brad Marr to speak to the man about life on the road, the scene down under and of course Destination Somewhere.

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An Interview With : Jeff JJ Janiak and Tez (Discharge)

April 28, 2016 No Comments

You can’t teach an old dog new tricks or so the saying goes. Almost being forty years into their career Discharge have become synonymous with the anarchic nature of Punk. Known for their abrasive sound, creating sandpaper style guitars asphalt laden vocals spitting out songs in their now coined D-Beat style you would be excused if after as many years as 1982’s eponymous Hear Nothing,See Nothing,Say Nothing the band had run out of steam. Yet now the band are on the cusp of their brand new album End of Days seeing them begin yet another bandfaced chapter in their history. Shortly before performing in Tottenham’s legendary T-Chances venue we were able to sit down with singer Jeff JJ Janiak and an impromptu appearance from none other than Tez himself. Delving into how the band encountered troubles with material, making a record in the day and age of 2016 and some unexpected Doctor Who fans.

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An Interview With : Marjana Semkina (Iamthemorning)

April 26, 2016 No Comments

In the UK alone the rate for depression based suicide last year was at a staggering high. Often swept under the rug, depression can be one of the most serious mental illnesses out there. Not receiving the support needed people they are beginning to turn to other sources. Music has long since been a coping mechanism for many, emotions become more vivid, lyrics take on different meaning. Loosely based on the life and times of Silvia Plath and Virginia Woolf, Russian born Iamthemorning have created their latest masterpiece in the shape of Lighthouse. Acting as a beacon of hope for lost ships, the album is an emotional tour de force moving throughout the various planes of depression. We were very lucky to be able to be walked through Lighthouse by the band’s very own Marjana Semkina. Speaking about the imagery, metaphorical or otherwise, the singer illuminated the various different themes tackled on the conceptual story. Coupled with the album’s creative process and the band’s plans for the coming year. Join us as we take a stark and honest look into the world of Iamthemornings’s Lighthouse.

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An Interview With : Paolo Gregoletto (Trivium)

April 21, 2016 No Comments

Maintaining a close bond with fans is one of the most important aspects of being in music. Now more than ever with the appearance of the likes of IndieGoGo and crowd funding it seems to be that bands are slowly but surely closing the gap between them and their fans. Having always been very conscious of their fan base Trivium are one of the premier acts to look up to. After releasing their excellent Silence In The Snow in October of last year the band have been on a whirlwind tour of the world but not quite where you would think.