Entering The Fray With MARK ANTHONY From WORLD GONE COLD
Interview by Kris PetersThe term supergroup is far too often thrown around when trying to promote a new band and their music.So let's cut that straight away and call World Gone Cold for what they are.An awesome new hard rock band.Comprising members of P.O.D, Demon Hunter, Disciple, The Letter Black, and Attack Attack!, World Gone Cold are more than just the sum of their musical parts. They are a breath of fresh rock in a scene that is increasingly sounding familiar.By blending hard rock and metal with catchy hooks and melody - it's not rocket science, but how often do you hear it done right? - World Gone Cold have woven enough strands of musical DNA through their music that even the uncool metal kids might even discover something to their liking.The band launch their debut single Opposites Attract on February 3, a song which manages to capture the lifeblood of World Gone Cold while only scratching at the surface of their potential.Opposites Attract is taken from World Gone Cold's self titled debut EP, which will be out on March 17, and is the perfect introduction to the bands musical vision that already promises so much.Guitarist Mark Anthony joined HEAVY to discuss the evolution of World Gone Cold and their upcoming single."Opposites Attract is the first song off our debut EP," he began, "and it's kind of a nice mixture of heavy slash a bit of electronics and a bit of an ode to some of the stuff I grew up listening to. The singer is really good at writing these big, giant choruses so it's gonna be a lot of fun to see how people react to the message in the song."Musically World Gone Cold are a great mixture of rock and metal with catchy as fuck hooks, so much so that their music might even take our beloved genre to a wider, more commercialised market."I've always been a metal guy," he stressed, "so when I grew up the Big 4 were my go to's. Especially Megadeth and Metallica, they're probably the biggest influences on me as a guitar player. Growing up in the 80's that was the pinnacle for me of heavy metal. When someone asks me what our genre is it's really hard for me to say, but I call it heavy pop, and that's just because I write heavy music and Ryland the singer just writes there... I mean, he screams too, so it's not like he doesn't do anything insane, but he writes these big catchy, kinda pop melodies. I guess that's what you call it (laughs). It's hard to say, because I think Steven Tyler is pretty bad ass and I don't think Steven Tyler writes pop melodies, but they're catchy, right? It's something that you like. I feel like sometimes when I say pop I think of Justin Beiber or something (laughs) and that's not what this is! I think it's just that thing of... I think the biggest thing with this whole thing that we're doing here with this band was we just wanted to write heavy music that's good and is relatable. If it's catchy, cool. If not, none of us really give a shit. We just wanted to write good music. That's all there was to it."In the full interview, Mark talks more about Opposites Attract, choosing music to represent your band, the EP and the different styles that make it up, the band members and how they came to be part of World Gone Cold, finding the balance between each members individual influences, the future of World Gone Cold and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.
31 Jan 202318min
Bang For Your Buck With MIKE NESS From SOCIAL DISTORTION
Interview by Kris PetersTwo international heavyweights of the rock and punk movement touch down in Australia in just over two weeks when Social Distortion and Bad Religion combine for a co-headlining tour.Kicking off in Auckland on February 15 the show travels to Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth for a nostalgic look into the musical past that has also strongly shaped our future.In their 40 plus years of existence Social Distortion have only ever been to Australia once before and this run with Bad Religion also serves as their first headlining visit.HEAVY caught up with frontman Mike Ness to find out more, starting with choosing Bad Religion to celebrate the occasion."I just thought it was a cool opportunity," he shrugged. "We started about the same time. We've survived and managed to keep moving forward. There's a lot of similarities. I just thought it was a good idea of bringing two California bands that are equally well known and kind of making it a little more bang for the buck."Due to the fact Social Distortion have only ever toured Australia once before, it's fair to say that many local fans don't quite know what to expect. Sure, you can check out shows on YouTube and social media, but there's nothing that equals the intensity of actually being there."We might be getting older but we take this very seriously," he said. "We put on a high energy show. We start at the beginning of our career and work our way up in an hour and fifteen minutes. There's old stuff, there's not so old stuff and then there's a couple of new things because we are getting ready to record an album. We are going to be throwing in some new songs as well, as well as some classics that we haven't done in a long time."In the full interview, Mike talks more about what to expect from the tour, his memories of touring Australia, the early days of Social Distortion, the changing face of the music industry, refining your sound away from the mainstream, the new album and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.
31 Jan 202311min
Embracing The Carnage With MIKE SCHLEIBAUM From DARKEST HOUR
Interview by Kris PetersUS metal machine Darkest Hour are set to launch their first Australian tour in over a decade when they touch down for a series of shows starting in Adelaide on February 8.In a career spanning over a quarter of a century Darkest Hour have steadfastly refused to allow labels or trends dictate their music, instead cross-pollinating the metal genres to create a bastardised sound that is unmistakably their own.The band are also putting the finishing touches to their new album, the first since Godless Prophets & the Migrant Flora back in 2017.Guitarist Mike Schleibaum joined HEAVY earlier today to discuss the tour and the history of Darkest Hour. We start by pointing out the fact the band will be doing five shows in five days while here."The thing is, that's kind of how we do it in America," he shrugged. "We just run it out. We're not really good... days off are more dangerous than days on (laughs). Because we just get in a groove and get going. But as soon as we get a day off, and someone wants to climb a mountain or swim all day or get hammered the next day it's impossible. We're gonna be ready to go from day one because we've been trapped up in the studio for a whole month here together - everybody's having a good time - but it's not the same as when you're out there having an adventure. We are looking forward to getting back to the usual what it's like to be in a band rather than being trapped in a room arguing about notes, you know what I mean?"In the full interview Mike discusses the changes in Darkest Hour since they last toured Australia, balancing the setlist to please as many people as possible, what we can expect, the early days of the band and what inspired them, playing a cross section of metal and where it comes from, engineering that sound, the musical changes over the journey, finding your musical identity, work on the new album, their Patreon page, and how to secure your limited meet & greet package.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.
30 Jan 202323min
Rocking In Summer With PLINI
Interview by Kris PetersAustralian guitar extraordinaire Plini has traversed the globe in the last 12 to 18 months, playing headline shows in India and Scandinavia as well as playing festivals in Germany, Portugal and the U.K.But, as the saying goes, there's no place like home and the accentuate that point Plini is about to set off on a seven date tour through Newcastle, Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth which kicks off on January 28 in Sydney.Dubbed Plini's Summer Tour, Plini will be bringing over Canada's Protest The Hero plus taking Melbourne outfit I Built The Sky for the biggest tour Plini has been personally vested in to date.Plini joined HEAVY this morning for a chat about the run of shows and the enjoyment of playing in front of your home crowds."It's always fun," he smiled. "This time we're doing more than ever in terms of crew and production, and there's been so many different moving bits and pieces in the last few weeks. It's been exciting to do something that I've never done before and put on a big tour. It should be fun. Almost everything's sorted now so all we have to do is not ruin the songs (laughs)."In the full interview, Plini talks more about what to expect from the shows, the differences between playing in front of home fans and international, focussing on performing rather than what people think of you, the two support bands and why they were chosen, upcoming new music, plans for the rest of the year and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.
26 Jan 202310min
Clearing Murky Waters With MARTIJN WESTERHOLT From DELAIN
Interview by Kris PetersAfter a particularly turbulent period of their musical life, metal outfit Delain are set to release their latest album, the appropriately titled Dark Waters, on February 10.While remaining Delain at its core due to the long standing influence of original member and keyboardist and main songwriter Martijn Westerholt, Dark Waters is also a coming of age for Delain, ushering in new members Diana Leah (vocals) and Ludovico Cioffi (bass) who have imparted their own magic from the outset.Featuring a wide array of musical influences from pop to film score to blistering heavy metal, Dark Waters is both a statement and a coming of age which will set Delain further on the path to global acceptance.Westerholt sat down with HEAVY to discuss the new music."I'm really looking forward to it," he enthused of the release. "Of course, I haven't been playing for quite some time. We did a few songs end of last year, but not real tours. So I am extremely looking forward to that. We're gonna do a European tour in April and May, and we're gonna do an American tour in September, and of course festivals. There's a lot of cool stuff coming."We press Westerholt on the musical composition of Dark Waters."We had a really big split in the band a couple of years ago," he began, "so the question was there if Delain would continue. Fortunately some original band members returned and for me it was really important to capture the DNA of Delain with this record and I think that worked out well. We also had a guest musician returning who was present on three or four Delain albums already - that's Marko Hietala, the old singer of Nightwish and we had a guitar player who is in Within Temptation so we always have guests on our albums and this was the same. To me it was kind of going back to the roots a little bit with this album." In the full interview, Martjin talks more about the overall sound of Dark Waters, the contributions of the new members and what they brought to the music, the seperation of the band and the challenges in continuing, the early days of Delain as a solo project and how it transformed into a full band, giving away complete creative control when welcoming in more members, the diversity in Delain's music and keeping it sounding balanced and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.
24 Jan 202310min
The Golden Era Of Music With BAZ WARNE From THE STRANGLERS
Interview by Kris PetersThe Stranglers are part of the final frontier of the true genesis of the punk era.Not that the band can be called punk in the purest public sense of the word, but when it comes to attitude, swagger, and defiance there is no compromise.Since forming in 1974 The Stranglers have epitomised the working class ethos and fuck you persona that many mimic or attempt to harness. But there's is the real deal. No posing. No pretensions. No faking.From the beginning if you didn't like them or their music then The Stranglers quite simply couldn't care less.With a career that has spawned such hits as Golden Brown, Always The Sun, No More Heroes, Strange Little Girl and Peaches, The Stranglers still carry the torch for punk and roll in all of its magnificent glory, and are set to bring those songs and more to Australia with a five date run of shows this April.Guitarist Baz Warne sat down with HEAVY recently to discuss the tour and what life in the inner circle of The Stranglers is really like."The main thing that people are gonna notice immediately is that we've got a new keyboard player," he began. "Unfortunately. we lost the original keyboard player Dave Greenfield - who was in the band from 1975 to COVID in May 2020, which was a huge blow. But we managed to unbelievably find someone who was a student of Dave's - not literally - but somebody who loved The Stranglers and loved Dave's keyboard playing. We were lucky enough to find a guy called Toby Hounsham who plays with us now. He's been with us for two years, so we're looking forward to coming down and showing him off to everyone. We'll just be firing and rocking like we always are. It's such a blast to come to Australia. It always is and always has been."In the full interview baz talks more about the tour and what to expect, coming up with a set list to please everybody, the effects age can have on touring and playing live, his early days in the band, bringing his own swagger to The Stranglers, the longevity of the band, his three commandments of punk and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.
24 Jan 202320min
Bringing The Rage With NEVILLE PEARCE From SNAKE MOUNTAIN
Gold Coast based noise merchants Snake Mountain have been a little quiet for the last couple of years.Or to be more precise, since the band's last single The Hunted back in 2019.While there are many (valid) excuses for the time elapsed between releases, all that people need to know is Snake Mountain are back, and, if possible, even more brutal than they were when they left us.Touting a new, heavier direction, Snake Mountain unleash the proof of that claim at 7pm AEST January 25 via HEAVY with their latest offering Veins. True to form, Veins is an absolute beast of a track that channels the darkness inherent in The Black Knight with enough ferocity and venomous intent to ward evil-doers off for good.Vocalist Neville Pearce sat down with HEAVY recently to run us through the new track and other happenings with Snake Mountain."It is definitely heavier," he affirmed. "It's heavier than what we have done before and that's due to the members that joined during the... Apocolypse that happened. We had a bit of a change in lineup where Kristian (Rousell, drums) and Jaymes (Jackson, guitar) joined us, and they just brought a new energy and a new style that I guess we have been chasing for a long time. Jaymes, in particular, is an incredible song writer. He loves his tech-death, as you can probably hear in the song, and he's just really brought some new energy and life to Snake Mountain that we've needed for a while. Jackson Price, as well, who has recently joined us has a tonne of ideas he is bringing to the band as well and it's been amazing working with him and of course Jared (Day, bass) who has been with the band for a long time. I feel like we're a really good unit and friends."The press release calls Veins a demonstration of the new, heavier direction of Snake Mountain, a claim I pose to Pearce as being a little ambitious given their music is already heavier than a blow to the temple with a sledge hammer."The band started off many, many years ago with a totally different vibe," he measured. "When we started it had more of a Mastodon type vibe to it and it just got heavier over time, depending on the guitarists that jumped on board (laughs). But I'm into that sort of heavier tech stuff, so it's kind of more up my alley as well. I don't know. I don't know if there is heavier... I guess we could, and it's a challenge. I saw Werewolves the other night and they melted my face off, so maybe I will have to write a song called We Stole This From Werewolves (laughs)."In the full interview, Neville dives deeper into Veins, the heavier direction, the subject matter and inspiration for the song, tying it in to the Batman franchise, upcoming shows, future new music plans and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.
24 Jan 202315min
Building An Empire With GEOFF TATE
Interview by Erin EddyThey don’t come much more legendary than the likes of Geoff Tate.Frontman for the revered Queensryche, he will be back in Australia playing a small selection ofshows between February 8 th – 10 th .Playing two albums in their entirety, Rage For Order and Empire, this is an experience fans won’twant to miss.With the Covid years behind him, and feeling fitter than ever after open heart surgery, Geoff says hehas missed travelling and touring. With 2023 almost completely filled with touring, he’s eager to getback to what he loves and told HEAVY “This year I think I might have four days at home, if I’m lucky!”Have a listen to our interview with Geoff, discussing his Aussie tour and his thoughts on AItechnology, amongst other things!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.
24 Jan 202324min
