…Morgana Lefay and other NWOBHM offshoots. We reached out to Thomas through Skype and he was happy to bring up to date on the origins of the band, his thoughts on developing a clean voice, Alan Turing and his importance to World War II, as well as discussion on how Sweden has handled the pandemic plus thoughts on Candlemass and the future. Dead Rhetoric: At what point did you start getting into heavy metal and eventually wanting to play/perform in…
…res. We reached out to vocalist Keith McIntosh and guitarist Danny Mann on Skype and had a very engaging conversation to bring us up to speed on this quintet. Prepare to learn more about the history and development of their sound, plenty of insight into the preparation and execution related to this album, how they are fostering community through their social media engagement, plus thoughts on the Southern California metal scene and what to expect…
…the band has ever recorded. We reached out to guitarist Marko Tervonen on Skype and he was happy to bring Dead Rhetoric up to speed on the latest effort. You’ll learn more about the COVID-related delays that actually worked to the benefit of the final product, their production / sound philosophy, memories surrounding favorite and underrated albums in the catalog, thoughts on his son’s development in his own band, and what to expect from the band…
…d (pronounced like How-ard) Alvarez happily answered questions through our Skype connection. Through this interview you’ll learn more about how Warzaw came together, their video shoots and live performance philosophy, the diversity within their local Norwegian scene and how Warzaw will stand out amongst others, and their hopeful quick turnaround to release another album to the public. Dead Rhetoric: What memories do you have regarding music growin…
…et across musically and lyrically. We reached out to Diva Satanica through Skype who brought us up to speed on the new lineup, the album recording, the personal development and tools she used to get stronger as a vocalist, plus a bit of behind the scenes thoughts on her day job as a psychiatric nurse and juggling her work with another band Bloodhunter. Dead Rhetoric: Nervosa has gone through a major lineup change, as there are three new members in…
…n a catchy, entertaining song to song format. We reached out to Dushan via Skype to provide details on the newest singer Mike Slembrouck, his thoughts on Master of Masters, thoughts on the band’s expanding following, plus special plans for his love of superheroes and what he will be working on for the next couple of years for Magic Kingdom and Iron Mask. Dead Rhetoric: Tell us about discovering Belgian singer Mike Slembrouck – a huge fan of Iron M…
…– it’s all in there and more. We reached out to guitarist Matt Hanchuck on Skype to get the full lowdown on his activities, his musical upbringing, views on the thrash scene, and the trials and tribulations of handling the music industry as a band trying to climb their way out of the underground. Dead Rhetoric: What are some of your earliest memories surrounding music growing up – and how did you get turned onto metal and eventually picking up an…
…enre – incorporating more classic metal influences into the mix. Thanks to Skype we were able to probe the minds of vocalist Philly Byrne, bassist Joe McGuigan and guitarist Domo Dixon, where we shall learn more about the latest label deal, details of the nautical/ horror themes for the new record, the video shoots especially for the on location sequences of the title track – plus discussion of their early years and possibilities for a movie down…
…s. We reached out to guitarist/vocalist Piet Sielck again on a busy day of Skype interviews, and he was happy to give us an update on Jan’s cancer and recovery, the infusion of new ideas for Skycrest, thoughts on favorite recordings for the band, as well as a little political talk and future expectations to come down the pike. Dead Rhetoric: Earlier this year, bassist Jan-Soren Eckert was diagnosed with cancer and has fully recovered. Can you disc…
…g a veteran outfit. After a band rehearsal we got the chance to hook up on Skype with guitarist/vocalist Frank Thoms and guitarist René Schütz, who brought us up to date on the development of the new album – highlights and lowlights of the discography and touring, thoughts on their German metal scene, plus worries over long-term social distancing due to this pandemic. Dead Rhetoric: The eleventh studio album for Accuser is ironically self-titled….
…ple levels. We reached out to guitarist/main songwriter Simone Mularoni on Skype and he was happy to give us more insight into the process and outlook of the new record. We also discuss his role as a producer in his own Domination Studio, the impressive video work for “Flesh and Blood”, career highlights from the USA to Japan and China, and what’s on the horizon for the next year or so. Dead Rhetoric: Tragic Separation is the latest studio album f…
…. We spoke to both vocalists Elina Siirala and Alexander Krull on separate Skype sessions to get their thoughts on the new album and its rich history, as well as plenty of personalized questions for each member. The interview with Alex appears after the picture below. Dead Rhetoric: What do you feel defines The Last Viking? Elina Siirala: It’s an epic concept album. Alex will tell you more about it I’m sure, but it’s based on the life of Hardrada,…
…King of Misery.” It’s a great song. Unfortunately we had to do it all over Skype, but it was fantastic. Dead Rhetoric: You also worked with some other notable names on the tracks, was it surreal moving from an independent act to working with bigger names in the business? Bedsaul: Absolutely! Being in a band and doing it independently, you have these dreams and aspirations to meet with people or work on something together, or tour with some band. T…
…t/ vocalist Suvimarja Halemtoja and guitarist/vocalist Nico Kalliojärvi on Skype recently and they were happy to share their thoughts on the band. We talk about their backgrounds, their evolution from Dotma into Humavoid, signing with Noble Demon, their outlook on imagery and video work, plus discussion on how they work out their songwriting and a little bit of pandemic/ Meshuggah talk. Dead Rhetoric: What can you tell me about your musical memori…
…and Kamelot as well as Dream Theater in spots. We reached out for a group Skype chat with the band, of which bassist Diego Puppin, keyboardist Ryan Johnson, and vocalist Jessica Frost brought us up to speed on all the changes, the work on their new EP, thoughts on great performances, and how feel and emotion matter versus technicality when it comes to their songwriting. Dead Rhetoric: Tell us about the current lineup and introduce yourselves to t…
…nger to get to the public. We reached out to guitarist Chris Porcianko via Skype, and we had a fascinating time catching up on the six-year gap between releases. You’ll find out about Silvio’s vocal issues and recovery, a look at Chris’ development as a songwriter including some pinnacle Vanishing Point songs in the back catalog, thoughts on the music industry at 49, and where his hunger and passion lies with the genre and continuing forward with…
…usical figures she would love to share a dinner with in this fun half hour Skype conversation. Dead Rhetoric: Abyss is the latest album from Unleash the Archers – already receiving justified praise from musical peers and critics who have been able to hear it as a whole already. Tell us about the writing and recording process for this record – and are there specific moments you can pinpoint as you went along when you knew you had something special…
…r last studio record VI. We reached out to guitarist Nige Rockett for this Skype chat, and he was more than happy to bring us up to speed on the changes within the band including the loss of Sy Keeler, thoughts on how The Force record helped shape the direction of the new record – plus talk about the current music industry and his work within construction and the influence of helping the disabled through his work. Dead Rhetoric: It’s been seven ye…
…o vocalist Nick Holmes – a very friendly musician who despite the numerous Skype connection breakups and call backs, handled these questions as a seasoned professional should. We talk about the new record, video making, memories in the career banks, bucket list goals, the latest book about the band – and what the future holds. Dead Rhetoric: The latest and sixteenth Paradise Lost studio record is Obsidian. Given the fact that the band has been tog…
…the global atmospheric doom movement. We reached out to Ken and Brandon on Skype one Saturday morning and had an engaging, hour long discussion about the band. Prepare to learn a lot about how the band came together, the songwriting and Ovid/poem-inspired lyrical concepts, thoughts on the cover art and its importance in gaining a record deal, and some thoughts on specific albums/songs that got these musicians through tough times in their lives. De…
…rist/vocalist Maxim Beaulieu of Canadian metal band Warning Sign opens our Skype chat with the following line: ‘You’re depriving me of my last hour of work’. Considering most of the world has had to take on their day jobs at home if possible (or be furloughed / unemployed if not) unless an essential worker during these COVID-19, he has a great sense of enjoying his time with family while riding this pandemic out. The new album Path to Destruction…
…as a guitar instructor. Have you had to adjust your teaching to more video/Skype sessions because of the virus? Niemann: Absolutely. We are doing everything online since a month back. I work three days a week, I go to my work place because I have some drum students so I have a kit there and work with them on that. The rest of the days I sit with my computer, Skype and What’s App. It is what it is right now. I prefer teaching person to person in th…
…ical runs and shred-oriented leads from Gus G. We reached out to Gus G. on Skype and he was happy to bring us up to speed on the activities of the band. You’ll learn more about the deadlines to get the record done, the pivot the band is making with touring activities because of the pandemic – as well as thoughts on how they are handling another significant singer change, whether the imposed live concert shutdown will make people appreciate music m…
…to the ever-present COVID-19 pandemic. We talk a bit about that during our Skype interview, as well as the band’s guitarists shuffle, the Finnish/Russian conflict during World War II which shapes the lyrical themes for the new album, and frank discussion about the melodic death/extreme scene and thoughts on newer bands output versus the veterans. Dead Rhetoric: Wolves of Karelia is the fifth Wolfheart studio album – and first for session guitarist…
…hy itself, we were all too happy to sit down and have a chat with her over Skype about her thoughts behind the project. Not to mention discussing her insights from working with other acts, what got her into metal, and much more! Dead Rhetoric: Where did the idea for Ad Infinitum stem from? Melissa Bonny: The idea started a while ago – I went through my files recently and saw that I was already working on [Ad Infinitum] back in 2016. But that was a…
…ew converts to the mix. Guitarist Äxxl took the time to talk to us through Skype regarding their latest album release. We delve into the second guitarist shift, thoughts on their record label High Roller Records, plus insights on developing your own style as a younger band and what the Coronavirus means to their impending tour/festival plans. Dead Rhetoric: In between the last and latest album for Stallion, you lost guitarist Olli Gee and have add…
…f experimental tracks for fans to dive into. We chatted with the band over Skype to dig into some of these details, as well as a look back through the band’s relationships with other German metalcore bands, how they survived after metalcore had fallen from its peak, and more. Dead Rhetoric: Do you feel that taking a bit of a break allowed you to come back really refreshed when it came to songwriting time? Maik Weichert: Totally refreshed – we are…
…harmonies from their latest vocalist Laura Guldemond. Reaching out through Skype we were able to talk to drummer Lala Frischknecht with supplementary support from guitarist Romana Kalkuhl. You’ll learn more about the recent surgeries for these two women and subsequent recoveries, thoughts on releasing new material on an annual basis, band chemistry and respecting the good times as well as the bad, and thoughts also on overcoming discrimination wit…
…social media or Spotify. There’s t-shirts, paintings, handwritten lyrics, Skype hangouts – it’s definitely helped to grow this family that supports and helps each other. Again, it helps the people that really, truly care – I feel like I can go to them with any concerns or what I’m feeling any day and just tell them and it will be totally fine. They aren’t going to judge me like the rest of the social media world would. They really, really care. A…
…nd wife tandem of guitarist Colin Ryley and vocalist Marlee Ryley for this Skype talk. You’ll learn more about the inception of the group, the mental illness content that goes along with the new album, thoughts on favorite shows that include pinata use, and heartfelt discussion on the metal scene plus the community aspect of things. Dead Rhetoric: Tell me about your first memories surrounding music growing up – and how you discovered metal and eve…
