Colorado Thrashers Havok on This Weeks Focus on Metal

Episode 374 - Havok

Century Media artists Havok have been bringing the thrash since 2004. You would think that after all this time that spellcheck would not try to correct the band name but apparently technology can’t keep up with the relentless assault of these thrashers.

Richie spent a bit of time on the bus with the band when they had a tour stop in Worcester. He was able to talk with the whole band and that’s what we have in store for ya this week.

Here's some social commentary courtesy of Havok from their latest release

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, EarPeeler.com or subscribe on iTunes.

You can hear us every Tuesday night on Pure Rock Radio
and each Wednesday afternoon on Metal World Radio

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

And as always

Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

Night Demon Announce Upcoming Release "Darkness Remains via Century Media and tour with Anvil

Ventura, California based Metal outfit NIGHT DEMON have proclaimed their epic return in 2017, which comes in the form of the band's upcoming full length studio effort, Darkness Remains. The new album is the follow up to their debut record, Curse of the Damned, and is primed for an April 21st release on Century Media.

In addition to the impending release of Darkness Remains, Night Demon is also pleased to announce that they will be embarking on a US tour supporting the venerable likes of Anvil. The tour begins on March 2nd in Boston and will conclude on April 9th in Cleveland.The band will also be announcing a special album release show in Los Angeles

for April 17th.

Preorder Here

TOUR DATES

03/02/2017 - w/ Anvil - Great Scott - Boston - MA, US

03/03/2017 - w/ Anvil - Putnam Den - Saratoga Springs - NY

03/04/2017 - w/ Anvil - Johnny Brenda's - Philadelphia - PA

03/05/2017 - w/ Anvil - Webster Hall - New York - NY

03/07/2017 - Headline Show - Dingbatz - Clifton- NJ

03/09/2017 - w/ Anvil - Riffhouse Pub - Chesapeke, VA

03/10/2017 - w/ Anvil - Jammin Java - Vienna, VA

03/11/2017 - w/ Anvil - Reggie's 42nd St Tavern - Wilmington, NC

03/12/2017 - w/ Anvil - The Masquerade Atlanta GA

03/14/2017 - Headline Show - Churchill's Pub - Miami, FL

03/15/2017 - Headline Show - Kelly's Live - Sarasota, FL

03/16/2017 - w/ Anvil - Nighthawks - Jacksonville, FL

03/17/2017 - w/ Anvil - The State Theater - St Petersburg, FL

03/18/2017 - w/ Anvil - The West End Trading Co - Sanford, FL

03/22/2017 - w/ Anvil - Southport Hall - Jefferson, LA

03/23/2017 - w/ Anvil - White Oak Music Hall - Houston, TX

03/24/2017 - w/ Anvil - The Korova - San Antonio, TX

03/25/2017 - w/ Anvil - Diamond Jim's Saloon - Arlington, TX

03/26/2017 - w/ Anvil - Grizzly Hall - Austin, TX

03/30/2017 - w/ Anvil - Lookout Lounge - Omaha, NB

03/31/2017 - w/ Anvil - Thunder Alley - Oklahoma City, OK

04/01/2017 - w/ Anvil - The Riot Room - Kansas City, MO

04/02/2017 - w/ Anvil - Gabe's - Iowa City, IA

04/03/2017 - Headline Show - The Mad Frog - Cincinatti, OH

04/04/2017 - Headline Show - Fubar - St Louis, MO

04/05/2017 - Headline Show - Vaudeville Mews - Des Moines, IA

04/06/2017 - w/ Anvil -Token Lounge - Westland,  MI

04/07/2017 - w/ Anvil - The Metal Grill - Cudahy, WI

04/08/2017 - w/ Anvil - Reggies - Chicago, IL

04/09/2017 - w/ Anvil - Grog Shop - Cleveland , OH

04/17/2017 - Record Release Party - TBA - Los Angeles, CA

Just Posted: Cristina Scabbia of Lacuna Coil on This Weeks Focus On Metal

Episode 296 - Cristina Scabbia

No drummers this week instead we bring you a chat we had with Cristina Scabbia from Lacuna Coil, who recently released “Delirium” their 8th studio album. You can find out more about the band at lacunacoil.it/ 

Also this week we have Andrew Whiteman from Red Tide Rising. They are at redtiderising.com/

Track of the week is from Elm Street, off their new one on Massacre records, “Knock Em Out With A Metal Fist”.

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, or on iTunes.

You can hear us On Demand everyday on Platinum Rock Radio by going to this link

You can hear us every Wednesday on these great stations:
Pure Rock Radio & Metal World Radio

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

And as always Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

Jordan Rudess and Night Demon's Jarvis Leatherby on this weeks Focus on Metal

Episode 283 - Hanging With Jarvis

Richie hit the road and came back with two chats. First up is a talk he had with Jordan Rudess before DreamTheater’s Boston show for “The Astonishing”. A few days later he spent some time before and after Night Demon’s Boston date on the Final Curse Tour talking with bassist/vocalist Jarvis Leatherby.

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, or on iTunes.

You can hear us On Demand everyday on Platinum Rock Radio by going to this link

You can hear us every Wednesday on these great stations:
Pure Rock Radio & Metal World Radio

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

Focus on Metal is damn proud to be part of The Blast Syndicate. You can get this show as well as many other kick ass metal podcasts by clicking the link below.

And as always Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

Frost & Fire Festival Set To Bring America's Finest Traditional Heavy Metal Bands To Ventura

There is no denying that Europe has been the heavy metal hotbed on this planet for several decades, particularly when it comes to the traditional forms of the musical style: clean vocals, soaring guitar harmonies, and galloping rhythms. Even though America has proven time and again that it can produce world-class bands in the old-school metal realm and that it has the die-hard fans to support the genre, occurrences of all-out traditional heavy metal festivals have been few and far between, if any. But metalheads can now rejoice, as the beach town of Ventura, California is set to host a festival exactly of this nature on October 17, 2015 at Bombay Bar & Grill, featuring a hefty lineup of scintillating talent from all over America.
 

The festival will be headlined by Wichita, Kansas veterans, Manilla Road, who shall satiate their legion of followers with a sizable set of selections from their revered catalog. As direct support is a rare, special concert appearance by Tucson, Arizona metal cult heroes, Ashbury, performing their seminal record 'Endless Skies' in its entirety. Hometown mainstays, Night Demon, slot in third on this epic bill, summoning the Southern California faithful to get down to the ritual of drinking from their NWOBHM chalice and bask in the old-school righteousness of tunes from their Century Media debut full-length release 'Curse Of The Damned' as well as their self-titled EP. Metal Blade recording artists, Visigoth, from Salt Lake City, Utah, will set foot to reconquer these lands once again with musical tales of battle, and female-fronted Louisville, Kentucky-based Savage Master will cast a spell with their occult-themed metal sorcery.
 

Rounding out the 10-band lineup is BAT (Richmond, VA) featuring Ryan Waste of Municipal Waste, Los Angeles-based Metal Blade Records alumni Steel Prophet with guest vocalist Neil Turbin, Ventura's fantasy-themed rock 'n' roll quartet Gygax, Blade Killer (Los Angeles), Helion Prime (Sacramento, CA) and Wolfcross (Los Angeles, CA). As if this already isn't reason enough for old-school metalheads to attend, Tim Baker and Robert Garven, members of the mighty, ever-elusive Cirith Ungol, will be doing a meet-n-greet session. To say that this is a must-attend for fans of the genre would be the understatement of the year, and the event is not only expected to draw locals, but is also poised to welcome travelers from all corners of the country and beyond.
 

To purchase tickets and for more information, visit http://www.frostandfirefest.com.

For out of town guests, we have secured a discount rate at the Clocktower Inn (three blocks from the venue).  Just mention the name "Frost and Fire" upon booking to receive a reduced rate for your hotel stay the weekend of the festival.
http://clocktowerinnca.com/hotel_welcome.aspx

Night Demon are the featured guest on this week Focus on Metal

Episode 221 - Night Demon

Century Media artist Night Demon have just released a killer old school NWOBHM influenced disc entitled "Curse of The Damned". Richie was so psyched about the release that he went on a mission to get someone from the band on the show. The result is this weeks talk with bassist/vocalist Jarvis Leatherby. It's pretty apparent these guys live and breathe classic metal. We also engage in a quick discussion about the current state of AC/DC and give some thoughts about their latest release "In Rock We Trust".

Track of the week is another great one from our friends at Massacre Records. This week we feature a track off "The Judgement" the first release in thirteen years from German metal machine Scanner.

Get all your Night Demon info and merch at http://www.nightdemon.net/ and be sure to check out their awesome tour poster gallery while you're there. They are also on social media at https://www.facebook.com/nightdemonband

Check out the latest AC/DC news and all the world tour dates at http://www.acdc.com

Scanner can be found at http://www.scanner4u.de/ or https://www.facebook.com/Scanner.Heavy.Metal.Band

Get the latest episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, or on iTunes

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

And as always Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

Review - Starkill "Virus of The Mind" (2014 Century Media)

Virus of the Mind is the second album by Chicago’s Starkill. Born from the ashes of black metal band, Massakren, the four-piece have spent every second of their two year history either on the road or in the studio and it’s clearly paid off – if nothing else, this is an accomplished album.

Listen to the first few tracks and you might think you have the Starkill guys pinned: Melodic death with a touch of thrash and a smidgen of symphonic; the kind of thing Arch Enemy and The Agonist fans would lap up. Everything’s present and correct: the harmonic leads and chugging rhythm; the gravelled vocal, the occasional strings – all flawlessly delivered. But then comes the title track, a death-growled power ballad with a round of blast beats thrown in for good measure, and... well… it kind of throws you.  

To describe Virus as a melting pot is something of an understatement. One minute you’re on melodic death, the next symphonic black, the next power metal or power ballad… and sometimes, as is the case with Into Destiny or God of this World, you’ve got the whole shebang coming at you within a few beats.

In short, Virus of the Mind is an ambitious album. You have to applaud the ballsiness of it all, of course, especially in a band so young:  Starkill have taken everything that is metal, including the kitchen sink, and flung it with joyous abandon. Not since Nightwish released Imaginaerum has there been such a merry mix of mayhem. And yet at times, it’s this very quality that is the record’s undoing. With all the genre-hopping going on, it can prove difficult to find something to grasp hold off; to gain a foothold into the album or find some sort of connection. It can be exhausting and you have to wonder if in trying to be all things to all people, Starkill may ultimately alienate some of their listeners.

On the other hand, for those growing tired of the cut-and-pasteness of metalcore or the self-indulgent stubbornness of death and black, Virus of the Mind could be just what the doctor ordered.  

Release Date: October 2014

Label: Century Media

Website: https://www.facebook.com/StarkillOfficial

Review by Wayne Simmons (www.waynesimmons.org)

Interview with vocalist Chris Barretto from Monuments

    

   The label sent me a copy of the new Monuments album The Amanuensis out now on Century Media Records recently and I was blown away. Pounding riffs, stellar musicianship and a gem of a vocalist in the recently hired Chris Barretto. So what sort of metal are they? The band themselves don't want their music to be defined, it's either good or bad depending on who's listening. So I'm taking a leaf from their book and will only say that this is not only good but really really good.

   I jumped on the chance to interview someone from the band and Chris was back with answers lightning fast. So here we go:

1. You have a new vocalist Chris Barretto on the new release, can you tell us how you found him and was he familiar with the bands music.

CB: Hey dude! Chris here haha:) Well, we found each other quite by accident, chance, fate, whatever you'd like to call it. We've all had music profiles for a couple of years, me being with the bands I've been involved with for some time and Monuments being Monuments of course. We didn't have a dormal meeting until just last year, however. I was filling in for vocals with the band "The Haarp Machine" and Monuments was one of the bands that were a part of that tour. It's kinda funny actually. They're some of the most amazing people I've ever met, but they're fucking mental haha! And I mean that in the best way possible. I've also been a fan of the music they've produced for a while now, so I was no stranger to them. We developed a rapport on that tour that was pretty good i guess. I knew they were having troubles with their old singer and when I got home from that tour, they had fired him and were looking for a replacement. They put up that audition track (which is now "I, The Creator") and i seriously just couldn't stop listening to it. It was way too fun to get out of my head. So i hit them up and was like..."SUP! So is this a thing possibly?" They were very cool with the idea and I sent over a demo just like everyone else. I'm fortunate that they liked my interpretation just as much as we got along, cuz I ended up getting the gig and here we are!

2. Chris is an incredible singer and can easily go from a clean vocal style to an aggressive one. I'm often curious, when you have a vocalist with this range how do you decide what style to use for each song or part of the song.

CB: Why thank you! Might I say, you have impeccable taste ;) I really do appreciate the kind words though. Truth be told, the style kind of writes itself, if that makes sense. It's partially a feeling and also a little bit of the thought "what do I want to achieve here". As far as this record goes, those decisions were up to me and I feel like i made them, appropriately. To be fair, I was very conscious of wanting to do a bit more singing on this record, so that have been my only "pre-meditated" approach for this album. Otherwise, like I said before, it kind of writes itself.

3. Your first full length release Gnosis was well received. The follow up is normally more difficult. Did you feel any pressure with this one.

CB: We felt pressure but not for the reasons you'd expect. The pressure came form the need to complete this album in a very short time frame, by our standards. We have about 7 -8 months to get this record done and out to the people. That includes writing, recording, mastering, packaging. The whole nine. That was the only pressure we felt. Other than that, Gnosis wasn't even a ghost of a thought while doing this record. We just wanted to express our musical selves as honestly possible, this time around.

4. You went for a more stripped down sound for this one. Did the material lend itself to this approach or was the decision made well in advance.

CB: I wouldn't say stripped down. I would say subtle. There are some riffs on here that Browne loved to write but, sometimes, hates to play because of their technical difficulty. There are more harmonically moving passages on here than I believe were on Gnosis. On this record, we actually explored almost every key center possible. So in that one sense alone, it was way more involved than the previous record. Vocally, I honestly feel the same way. The subtlety of this album is greater and the real craftsmanship comes out in the little details that the common ear might not pick up because it's not whole-heartedly paying attention. Listen again and really pay attention. There's so much more going on than you'd initially expect.

5. Consider me a fly on the wall, take me through how a track is written from the bare bones up and is it the same with all the songs.

CB: well it would be like this, I suppose. Normally it's music first, so whether it's Browne, or Olly, or Swanny, or even Mike, there's always a tune that happens first initially. For Browne, he basically writes around the way he feels and let's his hands do the rest. We then arrange the song a whole bunch of times until we settle on a final version of sorts. then I come in and lay the vocals on top and provide some further tweak to the arrangement, should I find it necessary to suit an idea that I have. It's not always like that, we don't have a "definite" formula for writing. this just happens to be the most common approach we use.

6. We live in an age where everything has to be defined and have a place and yet in the press release for The Amanuensis you don't want the bands music to be classified. Was it one thing that made the band take such  stance.

CB: I guess we're just holding onto that piece of hope that people will truly just listen to the album and let the music speak for itself. There's all these categories and labels nowadays. To me, or to us, it's all just rock n roll or metal. Even that is too much. Just put it on and find out if you like it or not. That's all we're really asking.

7. From a musician's perspective what is your definition of success now that cd sales are not what they were.

CB: It's a multi-dimensional answer for sure. To be fair, cd sales still matter. They might not be as important in our little corner of music, but they still count. I guess it also matters how well you feel you did on the record. Did you really write something that was honest to yourself, as a musician? people also help shape the success of a record. If you write what you think is a bangin record, but no one buys it, is it really a success. Honestly, like a lot of things in life, it really comes down to that old phrase: "time will tell". But let me tell you this, if you got a #1 record in the charts and you can make a nice living off your music, there's no shame in that and you better enjoy it! it's becoming a rarer thing these days. For metal anyway.

8. You have a lot of upcoming tour dates, do you feel that this is still the best way to get the bands music heard.

CB: Nothing will ever replace the experience of live music. Connecting with people will be around long after the internet and electricity expire (hope that doesn't happen any time soon). Don't get me wrong, the internet has re-shaped the world and may provide a more immediate sense of connection with new music. But nothing will ever replace the profundity of hearing something live and having your mind blown.

9. The U.S leg of the tour features Scale The Summit and Glass Cloud, are you friends with any of those guys and/or familiar with their music.

CB: Well Josh Travis from Glass Cloud used to be in Monuments way back when so there's a little bit of history there! The rest of the guys we don't know quite as well but we look forward to the the hangs...if they can handle us ;)

So there you have it. The band are just starting a run of U.S dates and the full list of shows can be found at:

 http://www.centurymedia.com/artist.aspx?IdArtist=570

or say hello on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/thisismonuments

Richie.

Review - Arch Enemy "War Eternal" (Century Media)

With "War Eternal" Arch Enemy have once again proved why they are the undisputed rulers of their genre of metal. It's a tribute to the musical talent of this band that in a scene that can quickly be jammed up with hundreds of sound alike bands that Michael Amott and company continue to have a sound and a dynamic that is so completely and instantly identifiable as their own. There were many fans who had their doubts that this release would stand up to the legacy of the last few Arch Enemy releases because of the decision by longtime vocalist Angela Gossow to be part of the behind the scenes team rather than the voice of the band, Into this void came Alissa White-Gluz from The Agonist. As a long time follower of Alissa I knew that she was an excellent choice to replace such an iconic vocalist and Alissa has made it clear on War Eternal that she can more than deliver. The release of the album has seemed to go a long way towards silencing the skeptics.

Tempore Nihil Sanat (prelude in F minor)

Never Forgive, Never Forget

War Eternal

As The Pages Burn

No More Regrets

You Will Know My Name

Graveyard of Dreams

Stolen Life

Time is Black

On and On

Avalanche

Down To Nothing

Not Long For This World

Century Media offered the release in several formats and for the true Arch Enemy fan it's the only way to get this release. I myself got the limited edition digipak format. Yes, here at Focus on Metal we do get digital copies from the label but to truly review a release you need to get the physical media. The digipak is a great package to get. You get the 13 regular tracks plus a bonus track Shadow On The Wall, You also get a 24 page booklet with all the lyrics, photos, and artwork. Also inside is a sticker and in true metal fashion, a patch.

The word on this one is symphonic. In the past they have had elements like this but never in such an obvious form. The disc kicks of with Tempore Nihil Sanat (prelude in F minor) an all instrumental bit of classical music which ably announces some of the upcoming intentions. Don't get the wrong idea, this is an Arch Enemy release and once Never Forgive, Never Forget kicks in you damn well know it. However the longtime Arch Enemy follower will notice a certain TSO type leaning in some of the latter songs but it's been done in a somber and cohesive fashion which gives an even greater sense of the ominous subject matter. Michael Amott and Nick Cordle give impressive guitar performances throughout the entire disc. And all the elements of classic Arch Enemy guitar is present. Daniel Erlandsson is at the top of his game on drums and Sharlee D'Angelo is once again superb at holding down the low end on bass.

This one has the potential to become one of my favorite Arch Enemy releases. I'm not sure if it will topple Anthems of Rebellion but it's right up there. Just the fact that the triple punch of tracks 2 through 4 should be enough to convince a non-believer.

Top track: As The Pages Burn

On a scale of 1 through 10 I gave this one a 9 and I give Alissa a solid 10 for fearlessly stepping into some huge shoes and proving the naysayers and blog trolls that she is more than up for the task.

Review - Gus G.- I Am The Fire (Century Media Records)

For some people Gus G is Firewind so why bring out a solo effort at all. It's been a couple of years since Few Against Many so why no new album. Others will be curious to see what this actually sounds like. Is it Firewind with different vocalists. Well mostly no. People expecting this to sound like his main band will be sorely disappointed. If anything this is a hard rock album. Tracks like opener My Will Be Done and Blame It On Me sound like something off a Cinderella or Black N Blue album. The title track is more modern sounding. Long Way Down and Just Can't Let Go are great big ballads. Eyes Wide Open sounds like something Glenn Hughes was involved in. Summer Days is Journey. There are two instrumentals, both fast and in your face but they feel a little out of place on this. These are the tracks that could be off a Firewind album. It's as if he had to put something like these on there.

   It's well written and the performances are superb. Gus's playing is incredible and shows a lot more flexibility here then many may have thought he could achieve. He lets the strength of the songs shine through and it's not a wankfest like an Yngwie album where the singing gets in the way of him going off. As an album though it just doesn't flow because of all the guest vocalists. Sure the singers he has roped in fit the style of the song like Mats Leven on the opening track or Jeff Scott Soto on Summer Days. Albums like this tend not to work as people inevitably pick their favorite tracks based on who's singing what. Iommi's first solo album suffered because of this and the same with Jake E. Lee's recent Red Dragon Cartel release. Remember how strong Iommi's follow up Fused was, that's because Glenn Hughes sang on all of it. A solid release but I would love to hear just one vocalist next time.

 http://www.gusgofficial.com/

GUS G. appears on Fuse.tv's "Metalhead to Head"; announces "Ask Me Anything" chat on Mar. 31 via Reddit.com

GUS G. appears on Fuse.tv's "Metalhead to Head"; announces "Ask Me Anything" chat on Mar. 31 via Reddit.com        OZZY OSBOURNE guitarist and FIREWIND mastermind GUS G. recently completely an exclusive interview for Fuse.tv's series "Metalhead to Head". Joined by Mark Heylmun (SUICIDE SILENCE), GUS G. discusses trying out for OZZY OSBOURNE's band while showing off some signature guitar licks. To watch the video, head over to Fuse.tv now: http://www.fuse.tv/videos/2014/03/metalhead-to-head-mark-heylmun-gus-g On Mar. 31, GUS G. will take part in an "Ask Me Anything" chat on Reddit.com. Fans are welcome to submit questions from 9PM CET//12PM PST//3PM EST to 10:30PM CET//1:30PM PST//4:30PM EST. GUS G. comments: "Wanna know why and how I created my debut solo album? Wanna know how I got the gig with OZZY OSBOURNE? Funny tour stories? Wanna talk about cats? Tattoos? Guitars? Gear and playing tips? Heavy Metal? Action heroes? Guitar heroes? Join me on Reddit on March 31st and Ask Me Anything." GUS G. recently released his solo debut, I Am The Fire, worldwide via Century Media Records. To purchase the album, please visit iTunes for a digital copy or CM Distro for a variety of physical formats. For a preview of I Am The Fire, be sure to check out the following videos: --"My Will Be Done (feat. Mats Leven of CANDLEMASS, ex-YNGWIE MALMSTEEN/THERION)" music video --"I Am The Fire (Feat. DEVOUR THE DAY)" music video --I Am The Fire EPK  --I Am The Fire track-by-track  GUS G. handles all guitar, bass and keyboards on I Am The Fire, and is joined by a roster of friends and guests that helped bring his vision to fruition: drummers Jeff Friedl (A PERFECT CIRCLE, PUSCIFER, DEVO) and Daniel Erlandsson (ARCH ENEMY), bassists David Ellefson (MEGADETH), Billy Sheehan (MR. BIG, DAVID LEE ROTH) and Marty O'Brien (TOMMY LEE, WE ARE THE FALLEN), and vocalists Mats Leven (CANDLEMASS, ex-YNGWIE MALMSTEEN/THERION), Blake Allison (DEVOUR THE DAY), Michael Starr (STEEL PANTHER), Alexia Rodriguez (EYES SET TO KILL), Tom S. Englund (EVERGREY), Jacob Bunton (ADLER) and Jeff Scott Soto (TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA, ex-JOURNEY). I Am The Fire was mixed by Jay Ruston (ANTHRAX, STONE SOUR, STEEL PANTHER) and was recorded between Los Angeles and GUS G.'s home country of Greece through the latter half of 2013. The album showcases a well-balanced mix of active rock, classic hard rock, traditional metal and guitar-driven instrumentals, taking listeners on a diverse journey through GUS G.'s soulful playing. I Am The Fire track-listing 1. My Will Be Done (feat. Mats Levén) 2. Blame It On Me (feat. Mats Levén) 3. I Am The Fire (feat. DEVOUR THE DAY) 4. Vengeance (feat. David Ellefson) 5. Long Way Down (feat. Alexia Rodriguez) 6. Just Can't Let Go (feat. Jacob Bunton) 7. Terrified (feat. Billy Sheehan) 8. Eyes Wide Open (feat. Mats Levén) 9. Redemption (feat. Michael Starr) 10. Summer Days (feat. Jeff Scott Soto) 11. Dreamkeeper (feat. Tom S. Englund) 12. End Of The Line (feat. Mats Levén) GUS G. w/ Marty Friedman / "Guitar Universe 2" Co-Headline Tour: May 1 - Tampere (Finland) - Klubi May 2 - Helsinki (Finland) - Nosturi May 3 - Stockholm (Sweden) - Stockholm Rocks Festival May 5 - Gothenburg (Sweden) - Trädgårn  May 7 - Malmö (Sweden) - KB  May 9 - Krakow (Poland) - Lizzard King  May 10 - Warsaw (Poland) - Progresja  May 12 - Munich (Germany) - Backstage May 14 - Hannover (Germany) - Musikzentrum May 15 - Essen (Germany) - Turock May 16 - Zoetermeer (The Netherlands) - De Boerderij May 17 - Hasselt (Belgium) - MuziekoDroom     May 18 - Uden (The Netherlands) - De Pul May 20 - Savigny Le Temple (France) - L' Impreinte May 21 - London (UK) - O2 Islington Academy May 22 - Nuneaton (UK) - Queens Hall GUS G. online: http://www.gusgofficial.com https://www.facebook.com/officialgusg https://twitter.com/gusgofficial http://www.youtube.com/firetv

Massacre's guitarist Rick Rozz Sits down for an interview with Focus on Metal

  

   Want to know the one genre of metal I've only dipped my toes in? That would be death metal. The vocals always turned me off. The heaviest I go would be Slayer and Sepultura and even then there is no guttural growl you hear with those guys (ok Derrick Green can get there). This is one genre where I lump them ALL in after hearing a couple of tracks. Sure they can play but the singing is hard on the ear, well for me anyway.

   So fuck it, the first e-mail interview I've done is with death metal band Massacre who have a new album out after many years called Back From Beyond on Century Media Records. I wanted to find out a little about the band, their impact, hopes for the future and the genre in general. So what have I been missing? The guitarist Rick Rozz has been in the death metal game for a long time. Educate me please:

Richie: The press release for the new album Back From Beyond states the band is back to take care of unfinished business. Do you believe you have something to prove?

Rick: Nothing to prove, just the fact that Massacre is more powerful and heavier then ever.

Richie: Can you tell me how you found Ed Webb to sing in the band and what criteria did he have to get the gig?

Rick: I happened to see Ed's band Destined To Ruin play at one time but at that time Massacre was not even a thought. I was in another project at the time called M INC. and we were doing a gig together. As time went on and the Massacre idea came up that is when I thought of Ed. I did not even know his name at the time but had his guitar player (Damian Heftel) phone number so I gave him a call to ask if Ed would have any interest. A few weeks later I spoke with Ed, he started to listen to From Beyond to get to know the songs so we could jam- and that he did. He came out and kicked our asses- that was all the criteria we needed and the rest is history.

Richie: From the release of Promise in 1996 to Back From Beyond this year how in your opinion has death metal changed if at all. If it has changed was it difficult to retain that creative and innocent spark from years ago?

Rick: I would say death metal has lost it's "old school feel" but that is all about to change this year.

Richie: If I said death metal is the most misunderstood genre of metal how would you respond.

Rick: I think it's more understood now then ever with Back from Beyond.

Richie: Just like all the original thrash bands had their scene in the bay area or Sweden with melodic rock bands why is Florida so widely known for death metal?

Rick:  Florida just happened to get that label and there are all types of bands and music in the Florida area. I don't get out much to see them though, been staying at home to write music.

Richie: Knowing what you know now, if you were to go back in time to the From Beyond era what one piece of advice would you give yourself?

Rick: Don't take any advance money from labels before you sell records.

Richie: Outside of death metal what are your favorite bands and which ones have influenced your playing style the most.

Rick: Kiss, Soundgarden, ZZ Top, Blackfoot and Sabbath.

Richie; Do you have any career regrets?

Rick: Not at all, everything happens for a reason.

Richie: Finally, what does the future hold for Massacre.

Rick: Lots of touring and 2 more brutal crushing releases on Century Media Records. Cheers and Peace.

   So there you have it. Go buy the album and support the bands. See them too. Say hello.

https://www.facebook.com/MassacreFlorida

http://www.centurymedia.com/artist.aspx?IdArtist=565

Richie.