Category Archives: Pure Metal/Interviews

Metal artist/band interviews.

Interview with MARCEL “SCHMIER” SCHIRMER (Destruction) – 8 October 2014

Fronting a band as legendary as the Thrash Metal trio Destruction for the better part of 31 years is probably not easy but Marcel “Schmier” Schirmer has managed to do so with passion and professionalism. Following a four year hiatus, … Continue reading

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Interview with TOM S ENGLUND & JOHAN NIEMANN (Evergrey) – 22 August 2014

Evergrey

Less than a year ago, following another unwanted line-up change, Evergrey were on the brink of calling it a day. A few months later, Evergrey welcomed back in its ranks two of its most important old members and with their … Continue reading

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Interview with NIGE ROCKETT (Onslaught) – 4 August 2014

Nige Rockett - Onslaught

British Thrash Metal combo Onslaught are a band I have been supporting since day one, so reviewing their London show and interviewing their long term guitarist Nige Rockett was something I was looking forward to. While the former was achieved … Continue reading

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Interview with MICHAEL BASTHOL DAHL (Artillery) – 20 July 2014

Michael Basthol Dahl - Artillery

Of the Thrash Metal bands that made their appearance in the early 80s, the one perhaps less deserving of the total lack of support provided by the music industry were the Danish quintet Artillery. Following a few well-documented break-ups and … Continue reading

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Interview with LARRY BARRAGAN (Helstar) – 12 June 2014

Helstar

Larry Barragan, guitarist and sole founding member of the American Power Metal institution Helstar, has been living and breathing Metal since the band’s inception back in 1982 and his passion and love for the said genre is certainly reflected in … Continue reading

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Interview with TIM BOWNESS – 19 June 2014

Tim Bowness

Singer, songwriter, record label owner…Tim Bowness has stuck his skilled fingers in many different  musical pies over the years but “Abandoned Dancehall Dreams”, his first proper solo effort,  finds the Englishman finally fully taking charge of his artistic destiny. Having … Continue reading

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Interview with MEM V.STEIN (Exumer) – 19 February 2014

As I assume many of you are already well aware, not every band that played good quality Thrash Metal back in the 80s managed to make a career in the music business and the German quartet Exumer is a perfect … Continue reading

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Interview with JOE McGUIAN (Gama Bomb) – 1 February 2014

While most young musicians first pick up their instrument in hope of fame and fortune Joe McGuian, bassist of the Irish Thrash Metal combo Gama Bomb chose, a long time ago, to do so for what he described as ‘all … Continue reading

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Interview with ANDREAS KISSER (Sepultura) – 6 February 2014

If you had told my 18 year old self that one day I would be sitting face to face with Andreas Kisser, having a conversation about a new album, I would almost certainly have laughed in your face. Well, this … Continue reading

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Interview with JILL JANUS (Huntress) – 18 January 2014

Passion, determination, organisation…apart from luck, these are all attributes that any band needs to be in possession of if it’s to have any chance of making a career in the music business these days. It takes less than a minute … Continue reading

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Interview with DAVID BOWER (Hell) – 16 January 2014

Technically proficient, passionate, flamboyant, entertaining…these are words that perfectly describe the Nottingham-based Heavy Metal institution Hell – a band which has managed to win the hearts and minds of riff lovers across the globe over the last three or so … Continue reading

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Interview with CHRISTOFER JOHNSSON & THOMAS VIKSTROM (Therion) – 20 December 2013

Kristofer Johnsson, leader and founding member of the Swedish Symphonic Metal giants Therion, is a man who has always been in possession of a clear musical vision – a vision that he has promoted and defended with much passion throughout … Continue reading

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Interview with ROB CAVESTANY (Death Angel) – 10 December 2013

Death Angel

It’s both humbling and  inspiring to find a band that has been around for as long as Californian Thrashers Death Angel have, still seemingly thirsty for success, especially when this thirst translates into the creation of songs as impressive as … Continue reading

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Interview with LEIF JENSEN (Dew-Scented) – 10 December 2013

Lady Luck has not always been on the side of the German Thrash/Death Metal powerhouse Dew-Scented but that never stopped them from pursuing their goal of performing honest and good quality music to their loyal fans. An hour or so … Continue reading

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Interview with LIV KRISTINE (Leaves’ Eyes) – 12 December 2013

Leaves

There are few people who I have thoroughly enjoyed talking to over the years in my capacity as a music journalist, and Liv Kristine, leading member of the Symphonic/Gothic Metal sextet Leave’s Eyes is certainly one of them. Hours prior … Continue reading

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Interview with MORGAN STEINMEYER HAKANSSON (Marduk) – 5 December 2013

I have spoken with quite a few musicians over the years but few can claim to have been as consistently enjoyable and professional as Marduk’s founding member Morgan Steinmeyer Håkansson. Currently on tour performing the “Those Of The Unlight” and … Continue reading

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Interview with OLA LINDGREN (Grave) – 5 December 2013

Ola Lindgren, Grave

When I decided to become involved in the world of music journalism a good decade ago, I did so with the hope that, in time, I would be given to meet some of my music heroes and get to talk … Continue reading

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Interview with TOR ODDMUND SUHRKE & ØYSTEIN LANDSVERK (Leprous) – 9 November 2013

Leprous are a group of five very skilled musicians who are better known in the wider Metal community as the backing band of guitar maestro and Emperor front man Ihsahn. Having quietly perfected their craft over the last twelve years, … Continue reading

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Interview with TED LUNDSTROM (Amon Amarth) – 17 November 2013

Ted Lundstrom - Amon Amarth

The Forum is a large London-based venue, a place that many bands dream of selling out but something which only a handful are capable of achieving. This old theatre has been the home of the Swedish Melodic Death Metal band … Continue reading

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Interview with ALEX STAROPOLI (Rhapsody Of Fire) – 7 November 2013

Name changes, line up changes, legal disputes: Rhapsody Of Fire have been through and survived all these last couple of years. What is quite surprising, though, is the fact that they have emerged looking stronger and with a top quality … Continue reading

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Interview with MICHAEL SCHENKER – 15 November 2013

Michael Schenker

If ever there was an example of looking to the past for a catalyst for the future, then ‘Bridge The Gap’ is it. Award winning guitarist Michael Schenker is back with some familiar faces on an album that plays to … Continue reading

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Interview with ANNEKE VAN GIERSBERGEN (ex-The Gathering) – 19 October 2013

Meeting an artist whose work over the years has had a profound effect on you on a purely emotional level is like a double-edged sword: a good experience can further enhance your appreciation of them, whereas the opposite can cause … Continue reading

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Rock Stars: Interview with ROINE STOLT (The Flower Kings) – 2 October 2013

Normally, by this time of year, most of you would have made a decision as to which  albums you consider as most important for 2013. Well, I strongly suggest that you postpone this exercise until the end of October, as … Continue reading

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Interview with MATT BARLOW (Ashes Of Ares, ex-Iced Earth) – 27 September 2013

There are not many singers whose contribution to the mid-90s Metal scene has been as instrumental as that of ex-Iced Earth front man Matt Barlow – a man whose unique pipes have blasted classic compositions, such as “Dante’s Inferno” and … Continue reading

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Interview with MAURIZIO IACONO (Ex Deo) – 10 September 2013

When you put a passionate and dedicated student of history (yours truly) in the same room as a very intelligent musician who loves all things related to ancient Rome, the likelihood of the conversation following a pre-planned line of questioning … Continue reading

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