Backstage With DONITA SPARKS From L7 At GOOD THINGS FESTIVAL 2024

When Italian metal outfit Wind Rose swept onto the music world in 2009 it is fair to say that the landscape of metal changed forever.Playing a hybrid of power metal crossed with folk metal, it soon became apparent that Wind Rose weren't just another band looking to make a name for themselves.The wanted to be the one and only name on your lips and would use force if necessary!Their music was quickly dubbed Dwarf Metal - for reasons known only to those who came up with it - but Wind Rose have run with that description, incorporating dwarves and fantasy into their albums and music, taking listeners on a dark and wondrous journey with each passing release.Which is set to continue when their new album Trollslayer is unleashed on October 4.A powerful, epic, and captivating sonic journey through a land brought to life courtesy of Wind Rose's mischievous imaginations, Trollslayer marks yet another chapter in the continuing saga of good versus evil - with a few dwarves thrown in for good measure.HEAVY caught up with vocalist Francesco Cavalieri to find out more."Trollslayer… for the ones that already know our music style is a mix between Wintersaga and Warfront," he explained when describing what to expect from the new album. "Why? Because Warfront - our previous album - didn't have any party songs and also the main characteristic of the album was to be more solid and more epic but no party songs. No light sounding. So it was different from the previous album of Wind Rose. Now we've got back the keys of the dwarf metal, and we made a new dwarf metal album, more in the style of Wintersaga but with a new vision and more experience. We created a more complete album."In the full interview, Francesco talks more about Trollslayer and what to expect, the singles released and how they represent the album as a whole, what things they focussed on with Trollslayer, the instrumental track Of Ice & Blood that opens the album, the term dwarf metal and where it comes from, capturing the live feel and sound on a recording, their high energy live shows, the upcoming tour with Powerwolf and Hammerfall and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

23 Syys 202419min

Metal bands seem to get better with age. There are, of course, exceptions, but as a whole it seems metal grows old disgracefully much better than any other genre of music. Facts are facts…So it is with Swedish progressive titans Opeth who stand on the cusp of releasing their 14th studio album The Last Will And Testament on October 11.Three decades in the masters of metal have - according to those in the know - recorded one of their darkest and heaviest albums ever as well as being the most fearlessly progressive. It is also the first out-and-out concept album of their career, recounting the reading of one recently deceased man’s will to an audience of his surviving family members. Sonically, The Last Will And Testament is an all-inclusive and in depth journey brimming with haunting melodrama, shocking revelations and riveting composition set in the 1920s when the world was engulfed in war and inner turmoil. It is a sonic masterpiece of epic story telling and claustrophobic musical landscapes that takes you deep into the twisted imaginings of songwriter/ frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt and peels back even more layers of what makes Opeth tick as a band.HEAVY caught up with guitarist Fredrik Akesson to find out more."It's exciting times to see how the album's gonna be received," he smiled. "We do a lot of interviews right now and so far it seems like people really dig it. Of course, we have released two tracks, Paragraph 1 and Paragraph 3 and the reception is quite overwhelming, which makes us happy. The first criteria is we do an album that we feel 100% happy with, and in this case we do."We ask him to dive deeper into The Last Will And Testament musically."It kind of resembles the old Opeth and the more proggier Opeth," he measured, "in a more restless, compressed direction and also a step forward. The songs are slightly shorter, but they have more ingredients than ever. A little bit like modern day society, even though the theme of the album takes place in the 1920s, which is apparently quite some time ago (laughs). If you listen to Blackwater Park, certain sections are dwelled upon quite long, and that's different with this album. There's quite a lot of action, it's an action packed album. In a historical way, there is a big pod of the Opeth sound. You have the yin and yang thing, you have the really heavy section, and then you have something more melancholy like a big, beautiful ish type of forresty sounds."In the full interview, Fredrik described the album as a mix of old and newer styles, with shorter songs but more ingredients. He also mentioned that the album is darker and heavier than previous ones, but also beautiful at times. He explained that the album's direction was not pre-planned, but rather developed as they worked on it.Fredrik explained that the concept idea was present from the beginning of the writing process, but the story was crystallized a few weeks before they went into the studio. He emphasized that this album had more depth and thought put into it compared to their previous concept albums. HEAVY praised the use of atmospherics and moods in the album, and asked about the difficulty of creating emotions through music.Fredrik also explained that frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt brought back his death metal growls for the new album, a side of Opeth's music that makes a welcome return plus more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

22 Syys 202413min

Interview by Angela CroudaceRonnie Simmons talks about his new release with the Red Back Spiders and stories from his time with Rose Tattoo and beyond.We sat down with Ronnie Simmons, guitarist from Rose Tattoo, to talk about the latest release from his band, Ronnie Simmons and the Redback Spiders. The single Alone With You was released in true rockstar fashion atop a boat in the middle of Sydney Harbour! But if you thought a tiny bit of bone-chilling 40km winds would mess everything up, you’d be very wrong. Ronnie talks about everything from tour stories featuring Richie Ramone to his adoration for fellow bandmate Angry Anderson. Ronnie also gives some solid advice to aspiring musicians.Ronnie has toured with an array of artists that he grew up listening to that influenced the sound of Ronnie Simmons and the Redback Spiders: “I’m very fortunate that my resume now reflects my record collection, like the Ramones, Rose Tattoo, Faster Pussycat: they were all really big influences for me when I was starting out.”Check out the full interview below.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

22 Syys 202428min

Sludge metal experimentalists Sugar Horse have always been a band that pushes the boundaries when it comes to music.Since their 2021 debut album The Live Long After, Sugar Horse have been constantly evolving, searching for their definitive sound without placing too much emphasis on finding it. To them music is the reward and the less restrictions placed upon its creation the more natural and satisfying it will be.The band are on the cusp of releasing their second album, The Grand Scheme Of Things, which sees Sugar Horse edging closer towards their ultimate goal without jeopardising their addictive quirkiness and scope of production.HEAVY caught up with vocalist Ashley Tubbs to find out more."It's been a long time coming," he stressed. "The release campaign has been long, and we recorded it quite a while ago now. I'm itching to finally have it out in the world, so folks can hear it, and it's not just me listening to it by myself (laughs)."We ask Ash to tell us more about The Grand Scheme Of Things musically."Our previous releases have been pretty extended, between six and nine minutes long," he offered, "so we thought we'd try and move in a different direction for this record. So all of the songs are more… pop structure… so there's lots of verses and lots of choruses and everything tends to be under the five-minute mark. Most of our stuff… we plan stuff out from a songwriting challenge perspective, so the challenge is fun for us. Shortening - with music as slow as we play it - you get to (laughs) verse two and five minutes have already passed, so it was a big challenge to condense all of that into a four and a half minute song."In the full interview, Ash highlighted the band's shift from their traditional extended space rock style to a more concise pop structure, addressing the challenges of creating shorter songs and the editing process they underwent to refine their music. The conversation then turned to Sugar Horse's evolving music career, particularly their collaboration with various artists on the EP Waterloo Teeth, where he shared insights into his experimental approach to songwriting, drawing inspiration from diverse sources and visualizing concepts before crafting them into music. The meeting concluded with Ash expressing optimism and a clear sense of direction for his future projects, indicating potential for continued artistic growth.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

22 Syys 202419min

After fourteen years of metal in the Australian music scene, d-beat hardcore outfit Dark Horse feel they are only now just starting to hit their straps.Three albums deep, Dark Horse recently brought in a new bass player, in the process reinvigorating the line-up and providing greater impetus for the future. As well as nearing completion on a split 7" with Canberra based Blight Worms, Dark horse are also preparing to decimate the fifth annual Metal In The Mountains, to be held on November 30.To be held in the Beechworth Historic District and also featuring Sordid Ordeal, Mammon's Throne, Munitions, The Krugers and more, Metal In The Mountains promises to be even better this year with a talented line-up and ample space to make as much noise as possible.HEAVY caught up with vocalist Dennis and bass player Dale to talk more."I haven't been," Dennis replied when asked about Metal In The Mountains, "but know quite a few friends that have played there with their bands, and they said it's an excellent festival with very good organisation and lovely crowds. So I can't wait to actually go somewhere where we haven't been."We ask what punters can expect live from Dark Horse."It's the same Dark Horse energy," Dale began. "It's funny, I was a big fan of the band before I joined, and Dark Horse is one of the most consistent bands, rip your face off every time. It's 30 minutes of intense energy, riffs, and in your face and off your face."In the full interview, we discussed Dark Horse's sound and style, with Dale mentioning that they have found a formula over the years, which involves going fast, heavy, and being in-your-face. We also discussed songs to listen to in order to prepare for the live performance and Dale's background in playing in bands for 30 years. Dale shared that they were working on a 7-inch split with Canberra-based band Blight Worms, which they recorded in a single day. They also mentioned plans for a full-length album next year. In terms of live performances, Dale confirmed upcoming shows in Sydney, Melbourne, Erskineville, and Dulwich Hill plus more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

19 Syys 202413min

Interview by Angela CroudaceIt is hard to believe that the current line-up of the Hard-Ons (Blackie, Murray, Ray and Tim) have been together long enough to be putting out album number three, but it has to be true, because they are!I Like You A Lot Getting Older - which is out on October 4 - follows 2021's ARIA top 5 debuting I'm Sorry Sir, That Riff's Been Taken and last year's Top 30 debuting Ripper '23 and coincides with the band's 40th Anniversary Australian Tour PLUS the premiere of a new feature length documentary, The Most Australian Band Ever.These Aussie punk legends show no signs of slowing down. While I Like You A Lot Getting Older is undeniably a pop album, Blackie humorously labels it “Pop for old farts.” It’s the kind of pop that embodies the Hard-Ons' signature style - not the Taylor Swift variety as he made clear!Despite having so much going on, guitarist Peter Black (Blackie) found time to speak with HEAVY's newest contributor Angela Croudace.We start by asking if he can actually get his head around the fact the Hard-Ons are about to celebrate 40 years as a band."I'm that old?", he laughed, "Excellent. No, I can't believe it. When I actually stop to think about it - which I never do. I never stop and I never think. Those two things, what are they? But when I do stop to think about it, it's kind of like, far out, that's a long bloody time."Angela brings up the new doco, The Most Australian Band Ever."I don't know anything about it," Blackie laughed. "We're not making it. I call him Johnno, but Jonathan Sequeira is making it and he made the phenomenal doco on Radio Birdman, which I loved and have seen four times. So when he approached us and said I'd like to make a doco we all said shit yeah. The dude that made the Birdman doco, for sure. So I'll see it when you see it. If you wanna go see it, and I'm sure in his hands it's gonna be quite fun."Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

19 Syys 202424min

The Black Dahlia Murder were a band in limbo following the tragic passing of frontman and co-founder Trevor Strnad in 2022. Torn between allowing that event to force a premature end to their career or carrying on in their fallen brother’s charismatic spirit, there was no right or wrong choice.It was simply a matter of what emotional toll either decision would take.After an understandable period of grief and reflection co-founder Brian Eschbach, bassist Max Lavelle, drummer Alan Cassidy, and producer/guitarist Brandon Ellis were unanimous in their desire to continue, with Eschbach making the transition from guitarist to vocalist and former guitarist Ryan Knight recalled to assume guitar duties.It was very much a case of baby steps from there, with the future anything but known. But what was known was the remaining members of The Black Dahlia Murder found the resolve to continue, debuting with the new line-up in Detroit that October.It was a performance which solidified the bond between the bandmates and, fuelled by the passion and acceptance from their loyal fanbase, The Black Dahlia Murder slowly set about rebuilding their lives, due, in part, to the efforts put into writing for album number ten.That album is now finished and ready to celebrate the next chapter of The Black Dahlia Murder, with Servitude set for release on September 27. Preceded by the singles Aftermath and Mammoth's Hand, Servitude has been universally lauded by those who have been privy to an advance listen, labelled by some as a graceful return to form and by others as a ruthlessly ripping masterclass in death metal dynamics.One thing you can be sure of is The Black Dahlia Murder have returned to satiate our every sonic desire, with Knight joining HEAVY to discuss the new album and more."Good," he smiled when asked how he was feeling about the release. "We've been living with this thing for almost a year, and as the time ticks down, it feels like an eternity. We're ready for this thing to come out and really think everyone's gonna enjoy it."Twelve months is a long time to sit on unreleased material, allowing for second thoughts or revisions on already constructed work - should you be that way inclined mentally. We ask Knight if he is the sort of person who finishes an album then puts it to bed, or if having it sit there in a holding pattern was an annoyance."I feel like this time - at least on my end - I feel pretty solid about it," he measured. "I feel like for me with every record… I never give anything I do… I would never score it and say 'it's 100% score'. But this one I'm pretty happy with. No regrets for me."Ryan also discussed The Black Dahlia Murder's upcoming album Servitude in more depth, and how it showcases the influence of new band members and a diverse range of musical styles. He also talked about the significance of the singles Mammoth's Hand and Aftermath, which blend the band's classic sound with experimental elements. Ryan reflected on the band's evolution over the years and the balance between maintaining their core sound while incorporating new influences.We also talked about his reintegration into the band and Brian's transition from guitar to vocals, discussing the challenges of adapting to new roles and sounds. The positive crowd reaction from fans and the band's decision to continue after the loss of Trevor were also highlighted, along with their upcoming U.S. and Canadian tours.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

19 Syys 202415min

One of the beautiful things about music is its ability to transcend boundaries and expectations. Nothing can be taken for granted or thought of as a given, with each individual piece of music a different sonic representation of the people who wrote and played it.But sometimes things can surprise you out of the blue - especially collaborations - where bands from seemingly opposing sides of the musical fence combine to create something truly epic.Two bands that would generally never be considered as bedfellows - I Prevail and All Time Low - recently did just that, uniting for the just released track Hate This Song which sees both bands venture outside of their comfort zones to create something special irrespective of which band and/or genre you prefer.Hate This Song combines All Time Low's effervescent, three-chord charm and knack for melody with I Prevail's duelling vocals and riffy snarl. Essentially, Hate This Song is a modern breakup track that highlights how music is the universal love language with which we communicate.With I Prevail currently in the country as part of Parkway Drive's 20th Anniversary Tour, frontman Eric Vanlerberghe joined HEAVY to discuss both the tour and the new song, starting by asking him about the unlikely union with All Time Low."I think that was the plan and the magic of it," he smiled. "In between this last record, and before we start working on our new stuff, we had some opportunities to work with other bands, one of them being All Time Low. Our manager hit us up a while back and said 'hey, we got an email and request to do a collab with All Time Low' and it was like okay, sick, let's do the track. They sent the track over, and it's pretty much what you hear, except Brian wasn't singing the verse and the bridge was this instrumental thing. After hearing it a couple of times and listening to it and trying to get our heads around it, I knew that chorus… that chorus is a banger. It's a 10 out of 10 chorus. So we said yes, let's do it, now what do we do? Do they just want us to sing the parts they already wrote? After some talking back and forth with them, they said no, we want you to write something to it. Just take out whatever you want and put whatever you want in. So we had Brian sing the second verse and tweak some stuff up, then with the bridge we thought if they came to us, I'm sure they don't just want our poppy, melodic side. If they really wanted us, maybe they wanted to hear some riffage and our take on modern metal. So we banged our heads against the wall for a few hours and wrote this bridge part and made this abrupt left turn in the song and find a way to throw it back to the chorus. After a couple of days working on it, they were actually in our hometown of Detroit playing a show a couple of weeks later, so I ended up going to the show and getting to show them in person, and it was like, fair warning, it's pretty different. I played it for them, and they all were like, oh my God, this is sick, this is so sick. So we went back and tweaked it a little bit and here's the song. It was fun. It was a fun writing challenge to be able to really write outside the box of what typically I Prevail is. The same with our last collab with Halestorm, it was just a new tool for us to write stuff that's not typically I Prevail. Maybe it won't fit the record, but maybe we learned something on that journey. Or maybe we have a song now to feature a collab with a totally different artist. It was a lot of fun and a great experience."In the full interview Eric talks more about the unlikely marriage between I Prevail and All Time Low, how difficult it was to merge the two style and genres, their next album and how far advanced it is, the tour with Parkway Drive and how much it means to the band, how the shows will differ to when they were here last as part of Good Things last year and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

19 Syys 202419min