Swinging The Axe With BRIAN SLAGEL From METAL BLADE RECORDS

Interview by Kris PetersWhen the genesis of a band consists of musicians paying homage to one of the greats, then you just know from the outset something special is brewing.But when that band comprises members from that same band they are paying musical respect to the end result is infinitely more grandiose and exciting.Starting life to finish recording and releasing music originally penned by Dio - by none other than drummer Vinny Appice, bassist Jimmy Bain, guitarist Vivian Campbell, and keyboardist Claude Schnell - Last In Line reunited along with vocalist Andrew Freeman to perform the Dio songs they originally recorded. The band released a studio album of original material without Schnell titled Heavy Crown in February 2016.From there Last In Line grew more into a band of their own volition, still performing music from that great era of rock, but adding a touch of their own spice to the mix to give it their own unique flavour.The band are preparing to release their third studio album, Jericho, on March 31 and on the back of lead single Ghost Town have promised more of the rock fuelled greatness for which Last In Line have continued to stage their name and reputation.Current bass player Phil Soussan joined HEAVY earlier in the week to talk about the new album and the enduring legacy of Dio."Very happy with the album," he nodded. "It's been a very long time coming because we had to put this together during a trying and difficult time - as I'm sure everybody can appreciate - and I think we came out with something that we're proud of. Actually, better than I thought it was going to be because we had no idea how it was going to be with all of the hurdles and restrictions that had been placed in front of us during the process of coming up with this record." "I think people who have listened to the second album noticed a definite progression from the first album," he continued. "Obviously, sadly, Jimmy Bain is no longer with us and he was very much part of that first album. I originally was asked to come in to finish some shows for which there had been some obligations from the first record and during that time we realised there was a great chemistry going on with this band. Then the second album came up and when that was written, obviously I brought in some different influences and so people would hear the progression from that first to the second album and I'd like to say that we continue that trajectory to where Jericho now is. So it's different from the second album and it's definitely an evolution from what we did on that record. I think it's really nailed certain things that make this band unique and different from others."In the full interview, Phil talks more about the new album, writing to a formula, continuing the legacy of one of the biggest rock outfits in history, recording the album live and what that means, the early days of Last In Line, his joining the band, his relationship with Jimmy Bain and how that influenced his decision to join Last In Line, touring plans and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

6 Mars 202320min

Interview by Kris PetersMelbourne metal outfit Munt could easily lay claim to being one of the most brutal acts this country has produced. Their music is frenetic, dangerous, aggressive and strangely beautiful - to the point that despite the visceral carnage going on around you, you can't help but be swept up in the sonic musical landscape as it materialises and then disintegrates right before your ears.They are a formidable live machine - as anyone who has been in the same room as them with a stage anywhere near the vicinity can attest - but seldom does a band capture the feel and essence of the live arena as meticulously as these guys.As if to prove the point, Munt today drop their third EP Pain Ouroboros, five carefully crafted slabs of musical mayhem that obliterate the lines of traditional metal, in the process morphing into something much more sinister.HEAVY caught up with frontman Mothlord earlier this week to talk about the EP, starting with the last single released Apostate Sermon."An apostate, by the dictionary definition, is someone who defies or rejects religion in a political way of thinking," he measured. "And obviously a sermon is... I guess it's like a paradox. A sermon would be something you think of in a religious context , but instead it's a sermon for people who've shed that skin so to speak. The opening line is "my brethren I sing a song of joyful wrath", so it's kind of a call to arms and a message for like minded people."Apostate Sermon follows on from the first single The Vengeful March, so we press Mothlord on if those two tracks are a good sonic representation of the EP as a whole."Oh, yeah," he replied without thought. "I think we very intentionally chose those two songs to do music videos for. Like I said, Apostate's a bit more of the blackened epic sound, whereas The Vengeful March is a little bit more in the class of hard hitting, grindy sound of things. It's a very good representation of what we're about at the moment."In the full interview. Mothlord goes through each track individually and explains what they were going for with that particular song and what it's about, the title Pain Ouroborus and what it means, their sound and where it comes from, upcoming shows and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

2 Mars 202319min

Interview by Kris PetersAustralian heavy outfit Villa Morta have pulled no punches with their recent single The Abstract.The track highlights the maturing side to Villa Morta's music, helped in part by a professional production team that enabled the band to pull from parts of their musical psyche that hadn't been tested before.The Abstract comes with a thoughtful video clip which sees the band exploring their own unique personal experiences and the notion that each person has a different perception to the world around them.Vocalist Mosh and guitarist Masa joined HEAVY earlier this week to talk about the new single and more."I'm personally a big Northlane fan," Masa replied when asked to describe The Abstract musically, "so there's definitely a lot of influence for me in the type of riffs I like to write. But I also do the metalcore riffs, so I was definitely trying to blend all of the different elements that I like from a bunch of different areas of metal into a track. There's a lot of new things we're writing but it's all part of the process for me and figuring out the ways that work for me in writing the songs and putting it all together."In the full interview the boys talk more about the structure of The Abstract, making the music video, the benefits of using a professional production team, if The Abstract is part of a bigger musical picture, changing with the times, their upcoming single launch party at Stay Gold in Melbourne and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

1 Mars 202315min

Interview by Kris PetersUS rock outfit Soil are credited by many as being the pioneers of a genre that has birthed bands of the calibre of Godsmack, Spineshank and Mudvayne.Regardless whether you subscribe to that theory or not, one thing that is undeniable is the impact Soil have had on the music landscape since bursting onto the scene in 1997. The seeds for rock revolution were sewn, but it wasn't until Soil's major label debut album Scars in 2001 that the world stood to full attention.One song in particular from that album - Halo - is still on high rotation around the world to this day and is instantly recognisable as Soil and their trademark style.The album was that well universally received that Soil are returning to Australia in May for a run of shows with Static X where they will be performing that groundbreaking album in full - but with a unique twist.HEAVY caught up with bass player Tim King to find out more."We've toured many, many times over the years with Static X," he mentioned, "and they are great people and a great band so we're really looking forward to this one."With both bands in the upper echelon of their respective genres, HEAVY poses the question of whether Soil still had to actively seek the support slot."The first time we ever toured with Static X Wayne Static personally invited us," he smiled. "It was in 2002 and our album Scars was out and Wayne really liked that album a lot. The tour was with Static X, Soulfly and Soil and he personally requested that we be on that tour and we became really good friends with him and Tony and the rest of the band. From there on out we've toured with Static X many, many times. That one was never a management or agency thing. It was two bands that had mutual respect and were fans of each others music taking each other out on the road, and when Static X got back with this new incarnation we actually went to the UK and Europe with them in 2019 and that was awesome. Now we're going back to Australia with them so it's great to be able to continue to have all of our bands still out there doing it and going on tour with friends. It makes it more of a what we call "heavy metal Summer camp (laughs)."In the full interview, Tim talks more about what to expect from the shows, the new look Static X and how they sound without Wayne out the front, playing Scars in full and how difficult something like that is, his view on why Scars was and is such a popular album, the term "timeless" used in respect to Soil's music, their last covers album Play It Forward and how it gave the band a new lease on life, his side project Embryonic Autopsy, new music from Soil and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

1 Mars 202320min

Interview by Kris PetersThirty years is a long time in the music industry, and as such these milestones should always be celebrated. And what better way to do that than by bringing the band over to Australia, which is exactly what Irish rockers Ash plan to do this March.Not only that, New Zealand has also been included in the party, with Ash playing a run of shows across both countries dubbed the Teenage Wildlife Tour.Bass player Mark Hamilton joined HEAVY earlier this week to talk about the tour and 30 years of rocking out."It's kind of flown by," he laughed. "When you think it's 30 years... it seems so long. We did a big anniversary show in Belfast just before Christmas where we had a bunch of guests up and it was a wild milestone to hit. I guess when you're in a band and doing it all the time you really don't think about how long you've been doing it, because you're always looking forward. You're always looking at the next tour or the next album or whatever's on the horizon. You don't spend a lot of time looking back. It was kind of nice to do that almost greaest hits album (Teenage Wildlife) and go out and tour it. And coming to New Zealand, Australia and Japan, we had always intended for that to be part of the tour a couple of years ago but then there was the pandemic, so we're almost playing catch up to do it now."In the full interview, Mark talks more about what to expect from the tour, keeping things fresh after three decades, keeping your mind and body fit, the early days of Ash and where they fit in, the changing faces of music over the years, future plans and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

1 Mars 202312min

Interview by Kris PetersThese days the music industry is a beast unto itself.While the music is, and always will be the cornerstone of a bands success, it is also the way you spread and promote your music that has a large bearing on your career.Which is why younger bands such as New York punk/pop outfit Against The Current have that edge moving forwards. Because they are a band who can truly embrace the changing face of music.Staring life performing covers on YouTube, Against The Current started forging their own career little by little, until when, in 2017, the band collaborated with Riot Games and released their breakthrough single Legends Never Die as an exclusive track for the 2017 League Of Legends World Champion game.That one song launched Against The Current into the stratosphere of music and led to them performing alongside bands like Fall Out Boy, All Time Low and Good Charlotte as well as appearing at festivals like Reading and Leeds and the Warped tour.Now, Australian audiences get the chance to witness this young, emerging band first hand with the announcement of a run of shows this September.HEAVY sat down with Chrissy Costanza (vocals), Dan Gow (guitar), and Will Ferri (drums) to discuss the tour and plenty of other things."We're the surprise, right!" Chrissy exclaimed. "We haven't been there in so long at this point the fact we're showing up is a surprise (laughs), but we're very excited to come back. Probably playing a tonne of music that we haven't played live in Australia before because it has been so long - which is part of the fun part - and hopefully by that time playing some new music that is new to Against The Current as well."In the full interview we talk tour stuff like having Monday's off, the name of the tour and where it comes from, new music and what it is sounding like, what to expect from the shows, switching to being independant artists, the beginning of the band with YouTube and how the members used that to promote their own music, working with Riot Games and the impact it had on the band, growing as a band in the public spotlight and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

27 Feb 202313min

Interview by Kris PetersFor the first time in 13 years US post hardcore outfit Saosin are packing their bags and making the trek to Australia for an epic run of shows that will also be the first time since forever Aussie fans will get the chance to see the band with original vocalist Anthony Green back out the front.These will also be the bands first ever headlining shows in this country in what promises to be a massive trip down memory lane, playing tracks from their 2006 self titled debut all the way through to current material and everything in between.HEAVY sat down with guitarist Beau Burchell to find out more."I think I will be just as surprised as you are," he teased straight off the bat. "That's kind of how our shows go. We rehearse and we learn the songs to the best of our ability and then we play and if Anthony says 'we're playing this one next' we just gotta stay on our toes. The only thing I can probably guarantee is that you will see me cheesing real hard on stage (laughs). Probably shedding a few tears of joy, but it's just crazy, man. We don't really get to do this super often. I wouldn't say that we're a full time band. Both Chris (Sorenson, bass) and I have our own careers outside of the band. Anthony obviously has a very successful career on his own. Phil has his career with As I Lay Dying, so when we get together it's something pretty special and unique for us and rare when it happens. So when we do get together it's just this explosion of emotion and excitement that happens. I think the only thing I can really guarantee is if you're in the front row, or at least in the first ten rows, you'll see me cheesing real hard. Maybe I might fall over out of happiness (laughs). I don't know."In the full interview, Beau talks more about what to expect from Saosin, what has changed with the band since their last visit in 2010, bringing ALT as supports, the early days of the band, losing Anthony as singer after the first EP, welcoming him back into the band ten years later, new music and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

27 Feb 202318min

Interview by Erin EddyAs the emo kids of the 2000’s have exited their 20’s and are now in their 30’s (and some sailing into their 40’s) there’s a wave of nostalgia surfacing. Just as nu-metal has resurfaced and is being embraced with fondness, so is the emo and pop-punk genres.Story Of The Year kicked onto the scene in 2003. Like many bands from the aforementioned genres, while they may not be at the forefront of the collective minds of the music industry, they never actually faded away and those fans, the now-thirty-somethings I referred to in the first paragraph, are proudly reminding their parents “it wasn’t a phase.” Story Of The Year have continued kicking and in fact, they are about to release their sixth studio album, Tear Me To Pieces.Capitalising on the nostalgia wave, the band’s most recent single is titled 2005, and it is a musical walk down memory lane, as vocalist Dan Marsarla sings about the days when Story Of The Year had really found their stride within the scene.“The energy of this style of music is really back again, and it’s just a great time to be doing what we’re doing.” Dan says. “Not that I ever thought we were an ‘emo’ band, or that that was a thing, twenty years ago; that’s not even what anybody called this kind of stuff, but it’s all settled in to like, okay, all this together is this thing, and now we all appreciate it for the same reasons, ‘cause we grew up on it.”The music video for 2005 is a compilation of footage of the band from throughout the years, further solidifying that reflection on days gone by. But it’s not all about looking backwards and remembering the good old days, Story Of The Year are very much actively pressing forward, with a solid new album proving they’re around for the long haul and can still produce relevant and well written music.“We recorded with a guy named Colin Brittain, who’s a great producer, and it was just magical in the studio working with him. It was a really good vibe, we came up with a lot of cool stuff and it’s got a lot of youthful Story Of The Year energy, but a lot of progression as well.” Dan says of the recording process for Tear Me To Pieces.The band is also on it’s way out to Australia in March as part of the Knotfest circuit, and will be doing three sideshows as an added bonus.Listen to HEAVY’s interview with Dan to hear more about what to expect from the new album and their upcoming live shows.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

27 Feb 202317min