Interview: After Forever | May 2007

After Forever, named after the Black Sabbath track culled from the 1971 album Master of Reality, spawned in 1995 wielding their blend of Death Metal and Classical music. Current singer Floor Jansen joined the fold two years later, blessing the material with a more diverse approach while retaining the prominent Classical influences. Two subsequent demos called Wings of Illusion and Ephemeral saw After Forever iron out their rough edges in preparation for their 2000 debut Prison of Desire, immediately followed by 2001's Decipher. Treading in their footsteps, the mini album Exordium and the full length studio efforts Invisible Circles and Reimagine all benefited from global distribution. In their native Holland alone, After Forever have shared the stage with Nightwish and Charon. Even the major festivals Pinkpop, Lowlands, Dynamo and Ozzfest have boasted the group's inclusion in past lineups...

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Interview: Arawn | September 2007

Black Metal's creative talents have long paid homage to their ancestral forefathers, the blueprint being arguably laid down by Sweden's Bathory. Although 1988's Blood Fire Death bore audible traces of what was to come, it wasn't until its follow up Hammerheart (1990) that the blueprint had been well and truly defined. Less aggressive, the emphasis shifted to building an overwhelming atmosphere and inevitably saw a more epic songwriting approach being fostered. Since then, artists from both Scandinavia and other countries have flocked the genre in droves to proudly acclaim their heritage. While the motives of some are questionable (along with their level of research), the genre is still a burgeoning, evolving entity. The Scandinavian pond still looks particularly healthy, yet other ponds are sprouting their own respective talents. That specific pond is Wales, and the county happens to be Monmouthshire in its relevance here. One such talent is ambient solo project Arawn...

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Interview: Arch Enemy | November 2007

Collaboratively produced by both the group itself and Richard Bengtsson at Slaughterhouse Studio in Sweden, July 2005's Doomsday Machine earned eighty-seventh position courtesy of the Billboard 200 charts. Following the release of that album, guitarist Christopher Amott quit the group. Reasons cited were the fact that he felt he wasn't feeling musically creative, and his heart no longer lay within Arch Enemy. Firewind's Gus G. handled 2005 Ozzfest dates with the group, whereas axeman Fredrik Åkesson (Opeth, Talisman) occupied the vacancy until March 2007. A timely occurrence, Arch Enemy were due to record their seventh full length studio album...

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Interview: At The Gates | November 2007

Committed to tape during May-July 1995, Slaughter of the Soul was to be the fourth and final full length studio record released by Swedish legends At The Gates. Recorded with the then unknown producer Fredrik Nordström at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, the album hit stores during November 1995. Its title track boasted lyrics influenced by the comedical novel The Dice Man by author Luke Rhinehart, taking inspiration from the cynicism and dark humour of the 1971 book. Voted the number one album of 1995 by Sweden's Close-Up magazine, Slaughter of the Soul also garnered a nomination in the “Best Hard Rock” category at the Swedish Grammy Awards...

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Interview: Children of Bodom | March 2008

Sliding down the lane at a bowling alley in late January 2007, Children of Bodom frontman Alexi Laiho had actually accidently stepped over the foul line. Laiho slammed hard into the wall, and the result of the accident was a broken left shoulder. Doctors ordered that Laiho should rest for six weeks, and so the group's planned appearance at Dubai's Desert Rock festival in March was cancelled. On February 16^th at the Cable Factory in Helsinki, Finland, Children of Bodom garnered the “Band of the Year” award at the Finnish Metal Awards, held during the Finnish Metal Expo. At the same event, Laiho announced that the quintet would enter a rehearsal room in late February in order to begin writing material for the group's sixth studio album...

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Interview: Darkthrone | October 2007

After seven albums under Norwegian label Moonfog Productions, a reunion with Peaceville Records seemed imminent for Darkthrone. A celebrated act, their 1991 opus A Blaze in the Northern Sky was hailed a cornerstone in the Black Metal genre. It's great influence has been wide and far reaching, and spawned a host of copycats. Back in 1994 though, their fourth album Transilvanian Hunger was dogged by a racial issue that wouldn't go away. Using the phrase “Norsk Arisk Black Metal" on the back of their CD cover, the word “Arisk” was misinterpeted as “Aryan” (when it actually meant “Norwegian”). Darkthrone's apology further encouraged the flames, and later into the saga group and label parted ways. In 2005 though, all differences were set aside...

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Interview: Deathstars | January 2008

Forming via the ashes of Swordmaster, Stockholm, Sweden's Deathstars grouped in 2000. Its ranks boasted the following lineup; former Dissection drummer Ole Öhman (“Bone W Machine”), guitarist Emil Nödtveidt (“Nightmare Industries”), vocalist Andreas Bergh (“Whiplasher Bernadotte”), and second guitarist Erik Halvorsen (“Beast X Electric”). Debut album Synthetic Generation witnessed its inaugural release through LED Recordings during March 2002. In November 2003, legendary German label Nuclear Blast reissued the debut album. Only a month earlier, Jonas Kangur (“Skinny Disco”) was announced as the group's official bassist...

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Interview: DevilDriver | October 2007

When the smouldering ashes of Californian Alternative Metal act Coal Chamber, media pundits wondered where frontman Dez Fafara would next ply his trade. That materialised into what's now known as DevilDriver (formerly called Deathride), a collaboration with guitarist Evan Pitts. Two members soon evolved into a fully fledged band, and a debut album certainly became on the cards. Fafara had began cutting demos in between recording sessions for Coal Chamber's 2002 swansong Dark Days, yearning for pastures new...

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Interview: Empyreal Destroyer | April 2007

Black Metal group Empyreal Destroyer hail from London, an initial demo garnering favourable reviews from the likes of Zero Tolerance magazine and other respected media circles. November 2006 saw the self-release of debut single “Chaos Torrent”, with “The Destroyer” following five months later in March. Select cuts from these singles can be heard via the group's MySpace, while the singles are available for purchase through Empyreal Destroyer's official website. Dark, mysterious, a complex riddle, little information is public as concerns the group's history within the music scene...

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Interview: Entombed | July 2007 (Part One)

Sweden's Entombed boast many career accomplishments, not to mention four Swedish Grammy Award nominations. Swedish Death Metal certainly enjoys a rich, cultured background, and one that has bled the ears of dedicated fans for well over the past decade or two. 1990's Left Hand Path still remains a specific pinnacle of the European Death Metal genre which exploded onto airwaves in the early nineties, and a classic record which always deserves special mention. Entombed has their chapter in this hefty tome sealed, even garnering an induction into Decibel Magazine's Hall of Fame...

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Interview: Entombed | July 2007 (Part Two)

Sweden's Entombed boast many career accomplishments, not to mention four Swedish Grammy Award nominations. Swedish Death Metal certainly enjoys a rich, cultured background, and one that has bled the ears of dedicated fans for well over the past decade or two. 1990's Left Hand Path still remains a specific pinnacle of the European Death Metal genre which exploded onto airwaves in the early nineties, and a classic record which always deserves special mention. Entombed has their chapter in this hefty tome sealed, even garnering an induction into Decibel Magazine's Hall of Fame...

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Interview: Evile | October 2007

During the early millennium, Huddersfield college friends Matt Drake and Ben Carter jammed over old Thrash tracks. Matt's younger brother Ol decided to try out his older brother's guitar, and then the decision was made to form a band. An advert to recruit a bass player attracted the attention of Mike Alexander, who successfully applied for the vacant position. These comprised the humble beginnings of Metal Militia, a Metallica tribute act. Tired of playing cover interpretations, the group wished to usher freshly composed material into the set. Renamed Evile, things progressed from there...

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Interview: The Fluffy Jackets | August 2007 (Part One)

Whenever the hallowed Blues becomes a topic of debate, historians form a circle and share regurgitated tales as regards the mythical exploits of Robert Johnson and the rumours surrounding why he was so talented. Slide guitarists trace back their roots to the influential work of Mississippi native Elmore James, dubbed “The King of the Slide Guitar”. And which self respecting blues enthusiast would be without the gravelly towns of Howlin' Wolf, or Chicago's Muddy Waters who inspired a generation of sixties groups? The overtly Blues based Hard Rock found within the musical elements of such renowned groups as Cream and Lynyrd Skynyrd bear witness to that testament. The list is numerous, and goes on eternally. One such budding group adores the Blues, and bear the tools to carve a successful career in the music industry. They happen to hail from London, and go by the name of The Fluffy Jackets...

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Interview: The Fluffy Jackets | August 2007 (Part Two)

Whenever the hallowed Blues becomes a topic of debate, historians form a circle and share regurgitated tales as regards the mythical exploits of Robert Johnson and the rumours surrounding why he was so talented. Slide guitarists trace back their roots to the influential work of Mississippi native Elmore James, dubbed “The King of the Slide Guitar”. And which self respecting blues enthusiast would be without the gravelly towns of Howlin' Wolf, or Chicago's Muddy Waters who inspired a generation of sixties groups? The overtly Blues based Hard Rock found within the musical elements of such renowned groups as Cream and Lynyrd Skynyrd bear witness to that testament. The list is numerous, and goes on eternally. One such budding group adores the Blues, and bear the tools to carve a successful career in the music industry. They happen to hail from London, and go by the name of The Fluffy Jackets...

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Interview: Gotthard | May 2007

Rising like a star in ascendancy, Gotthard's eponymous 1992 debut effort stormed into the Swiss top album slot and marked a decade of supreme dominance within their homeland. Following years of national success, the group opted to split with label BMG in favour of a new home. This saw the band's label G Records handle home affairs with German Metal label Nuclear Blast handling international distribution. 2005's Lipservice which saw the band notch up yet another Swiss number one album, not to mention peaks of 31st in Germany and 58th in Austria respectively...

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Interview: Headhunter | September 2007

After almost a decade accredited as one third of the Big Three of Teutonic Thrash, the mighty Destruction wished to take their frantic riffery into a more technical direction. Frontman Marcel “Schmier” Schirmer didn't figure in these plans, and so the bassist / vocalist was unceremoniously ousted. A brief union with singer André yielded 1990's Cracked Brain, yet the title bore an uncanny similarity to the song name “Crack Brained”. The group in question? Headhunter, fronted by none other than erstwhile frontman Schmier...

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Interview: Iced Earth | July 2007

Way back in the year 1998 before the eve of the millennium, Iced Earth issued Something Wicked This Way Comes which proved to be their final 20th century full length studio effort. Closing that album's musical offerings proved to be a trio of tracks, now commonly referred to as the Something Wicked trilogy. Comprising the songs “Prophecy”, “Birth of the Wicked” and “The Coming Curse” respectively, it introduced the character of Set Abominae with a background on the tale. Set Abominae's story was to be the catalyst for a mammoth two album concept meant as the follow ups to their 1998 release, an intention stated in various press interviews by guitarist / lyricist Jon Schaffer at the time...

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Interview: Lamb of God | November 2007

August 2006 saw the issue of Heavy Metal full length Sacrament. Garnering mostly positive reviews, Revolver magazine hailed the effort as Album of the Year. In its first week of release, it shifted sixty-three thousand copies in the United States. Produced by Machine (Clutch, King Crimson, Eighteen Visions, Every Time I Die), it claimed eighth position on the Billboard charts. Less politically motivated than its predecessor (2004's Ashes of the Wake), the lyrics delve into more introspective and personal topics such as addiction, depression and self-doubt. Their fifth full length studio record, it emerged to become yet another chapter in the lives of Virginian Metal act Lamb of God...

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Interview: Lion's Share | August 2007

Four acclaimed albums were the crux of Swedish Melodic Metal greats Lion's Share contribution, namely Lion's Share (1995), Two (1997), Fallen from Grace (1999) and Entrance (2001). All worthy titles, and musical items that warrant further investigation. These great achievements fail to mention completed tours with some of the greatest names in history. Names that will be etched into the historical tomes forever, their bold print never fading. Deep Purple, Scorpions, Manowar, Iced Earth, Dio, Motörhead - need more names be shared? This is what a cursory glance at the group's biography reveals, though the intimate details are much more enticing. Following 2001's Entrance, their lone release for Massacre Records, the voice of Lion's Share grew silent somewhat...

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Interview: Lizzy Borden | November 2007

On the afternoon of May 17^th 2004, former Lizzy Borden guitarist Alex Nelson tragically passed away in a head-on collision. Nelson had replaced original Lizzy Borden axeman Tony Matuzak prior to the recording of 1986 live effort The Murderess Metal Show, gradually etching his name into the group's extensive history. Reportedly a fun loving, likeable personality. A move to Palm Springs, California with wife Angel Nelson was meant to be the start of a new chapter, with a new home and a rental business acquired. Sadly, it wasn't meant to be...

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Interview: Lyzanxia | January 2007

Winter 2006 heralded a glut of new Metal albums, all cut with varying degrees of success. Unsu, the third official studio album from French Thrash Metallers Lyzanxia came in September 2006, quietly bubbling under the surface, comfortably garnering a steady fanbase. A deal inked with Listenable Records in May of that year aided the smooth transgression, introducing the group to audiences unfamiliar with their output. Nowadays it isn't new to hear of French groups making headways into the Metal contingent, more known acts being Gojira and Scarve. For the past several years Studio Fredman has become host to Lyzanxia recordings, with 2001's Eden, 2003's Mindcrimes and now 2006's Unsu being cut there. With celebrated producer Fredrik Nordström aiding their efforts, little can go wrong...

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Interview: One Man Army and the Undead Quartet | March 2007

Johan Lindstrand’s longtime position as vocalist in Trollhättan group The Crown (or Crown of Thorns as older fans may still refer to them) assures the native Swede a note in the rich, varied history of Swedish Death Metal. While The Crown deserve more than just a mere reference, to devote this whole introduction to the split quintet would be disrespectful to Lindstrand’s latter day musical efforts...

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Interview: Samael | June 2007

If asked to name some of the premier Heavy Metal countries within the European borders, which would you name check in your response? Sweden? Definitely. Norway? Sure. Without trying to instigate a debate on which countries have offered more to the Heavy Metal globe, it's accurate to say all hold their own firm opinions upon the topic. If Switzerland's name entered the conversation, would you be the one righteously defending their status as a strong Heavy Metal area? The answer to that question isn't as obvious when compared to some other European places, though a little digging churns out the groups Hellhammer, Celtic Frost and Coroner to name some of the more known acts. It's likely a zillion demo tapes circulate their very underground scene, all with varying degrees of quality. One name that can proudly boast though is none other than: Samael...

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Interview: Sanctity | October 2007

The long term friendship of guitarist Zeff Childress and bassist Jeremy London began during their first grade class. Jamming together over the years, the pair formed a group during the seventh grade. The two individually shifted from group to group following that, and played in a myriad of genre variations. While sophomores in high school, London and Childress opted to perform together once more, and play Metal material. A host of vocalists and bassists shifted through the group's ranks. One live college date caught the attention of vocalist Jared MacEachern, who joined the budding outfit onstage for a rendition of Metallica's “Creeping Death”. MacEachern was offered the vocalist slot, and promptly left college. With a relatively stable lineup, the group was ready to take their career to a higher plateau. From thereon in, the rising star of North Carolina's Sanctity aspired to loftier heights...

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Interview: Six Feet Under | June 2007

Back in the year 1995, a Death Metal record entitled Haunted hit the shelves. The group responsible happened to be a Floridan outfit dubbed Six Feet Under, comprising a host of talented musicians pooled from well known Death Metal acts such as Cannibal Corpse, Massacre and Obituary. In that very same year the group transformed from a part time concern to a full time endeavour, especially following Chris Barnes' musical differences with his Cannibal Corpse members during the Vile album sessions...

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Interview: Sonata Arctica | April 2007

Notching up credits in the likes of Silent Voices, Requiem and Mandrake Root, keyboardist Henrik Klingenberg joined Finnish stalwarts Sonata Arctica in late 2002 following the departure of erstwhile member Mikko Härkin. Aware of the man's abilities, the group's decision to recruit the ivory tinkler rest upon his personality. Legendary German Metal label Nuclear Blast Records signed the band in late 2003 given Sonata Arctica's rightful reputation to question musical boundaries. August 23^rd 2004 saw the band garner yet another Finnish number one single in the form of “Don't Say A Word”, followed by a European supporting slot in the wake of fourth effort Reckoning Night for none other than Nightwish. With a decade's worth of memories firmly under their belt, Sonata Arctica now wish to take things a stage further...

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Interview: Therion | February 2007

In March 2006 Therion frontman Christofer Johnsson announced his decision to retire from vocal duties after close to two decades as the group’s main singer. This had followed the ambitious dual release of albums Lemuria and Sirius B in 2004 which marked the last recordings to contain vocal contributions from Johnsson, with new blood welcomed into the fold...

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Interview: Thunderstone | April 2007

Formed in the opening year of the millennium by erstwhile Antidote guitarist Nino Laurenne, Thunderstone cut several demos that year in preparation for their 2002 eponymous debut album. Amongst his chosen bandmates, Laurenne recruited Titus Hjelm who'd previously handled Antidote's bass duties during their final years. Thunderstone proved a strong yet not innovative effort, a weakness which the group attempted to rectify in the following releases that came; 2004's The Burning and 2005's Tools of Destruction. Notching up a notable support slot with Finnish legends Stratovarius, Thunderstone's decision to compete for the chance to represent Finland for 2007's Eurovision contest brought them to widespread attention in their native country. Despite coming second in the Finnish finals, it significantly raised their native status and now Thunderstone wish to take this to an international level...

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Interview: Unleashed | May 2008

Following the release of 1997's Warrior, premier Swedish Death Metal act Unleashed opted to shift away from the limelight, and take a break from the record industry. Two records followed, namely July 2002's Hell's Unleashed and July 2004's Sworn Allegiance respectively. Having fulfilled their contract with Century Media Records, Unleashed inked a record contract with SPV Records in July 2006...

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Interview: X-World/5 | May 2008

In March 2007, it was announced that Gothenburg Power Metal act HammerFall had lost longtime bassist Magnus Rosén from its ranks. Forbidden from stretching his creative talents, Rosén wasn't allowed to pen material in support of the group's full lengths. A man in his early forties, Rosén felt it was important to be afforded the opportunity to creatively prosper. Time could now be suitably donated towards X-World/5, an outfit whose existence was announced in December 2006...

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