Friday, August 20, 2010
Voivod Announces Free Montreal Show
Canadian metal innovators VOIVOD have scheduled a special free performance on Saturday, September 4 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The band will headline the M On The Quays festival on Quays of the Old Port Of Montreal. Other acts slated to appear include Montreal hard rockers PRIESTESS, Toronto's DD/MM/YYYY, WINTER GLOVES and new Secretly Canadian signings SUUNS, who will release their debut album via Sonic Unyon Distribution on October 12. The event is being put on by M For Montreal and presented by Sirius Satellite Radio.
This will be VOIVOD's only Canadian show during the month of September and it will serve as a warm-up gig for a series of South American concerts happening later that month.
VOIVOD's new DVD, "Tatsumaki: Voivod in Japan 2008", was released on November 17, 2009 via MVD Entertainment Group. The disc contains professionally filmed footage (three-camera shoot) of VOIVOD's September 20, 2008 concert at Club Citta in Kawasaki, Japan. The band was in Japan taking part in the two-night Thrash Domination 2008 event alongside TESTAMENT and FORBIDDEN.
"Infini", the latest album from VOIVOD, landed at position No. 67 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.
VOIVOD's final album featuring the group's late guitarist, Denis "Piggy" D'Amour, "Infini" was released in the U.S. on June 23, 2009 via Relapse Records. The CD, which was issued in Europe via Nuclear Blast, contains the last thirteen songs written by Piggy and again features bassist Jason "Jasonic" Newsted (ex-METALLICA). Jason played bass on all the songs and mixed the album, which was released as a deluxe, digipack CD and was also issued on vinyl as a double LP.
"Infini" was built from the final songs created by the band with D'Amour. All his original demo guitar tracks appear as they were recorded — with no re-amping and no overdubs; just Piggy as he played the tracks he envisioned in his small bachelor apartment, the amp in the bathroom, capturing his performance with the laptop given to him by Jason.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Children Of Bodom On New Album: 'Expect Nothing Less Than The Perfect Storm'
Finnish metallers CHILDREN OF BODOM have entered Finland's Petrax Studios to begin work on their as-yet-untitled seventh studio album. The band has enlisted famed rock producer Matt Hyde (SLAYER, MONSTER MAGNET) to oversee the new recording and will remain in the studio through late September. The new record will see release in early 2011.
"We're very excited to let everyone hear what we're creating with this new record," said the band in a statement. "Everything you love about CHILDREN OF BODOM has been magnified tenfold and we're pushing ourselves harder than ever before. Expect nothing less than 'the perfect storm!'"
Immediately upon the completion of the new album, CHILDREN OF BODOM will join Zakk Wylde's BLACK LABEL SOCIETY for a two-month North American tour. Dubbed the "Black Label Berzerkus" and described as "rock n' roll nights of excess and unique madness," the massive trek will kick off on September 21 at Roseland in Portland, Oregon and make stops across the U.S. and Canada.
In other news, BODOM guitarist/vocalist Alexi Laiho and Zakk will appear side-by-side on the cover of Guitar World's November 2010 issue — on newsstands September 21 (see cover sneak peek below).
Also on the CHILDREN OF BODOM-related front, the band has contributed the song "If You Want Peace...Prepare for War" to the upcoming music video game Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock. To "maximize players' shredability," Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock "delivers the next evolution in finger-fretting with an all-new, show-stopping guitar controller that was inspired and born from the game's unique art style and specifically made for shredding." CHILDREN OF BODOM will appear on the game alongside fellow heavyweights KISS, METALLICA, OZZY OSBOURNE, DEF LEPPARD, FOO FIGHTERS and more.
Symphorce: New Album Title, Artwork Unveiled
German melodic metallers SYMPHORCE, who feature in their ranks guitarist Cédric "Cede" Dupont and singer Andy B. Franck (BRAINSTORM), will release their new album, "Unrestricted", on Septemebr 24 via AFM Records.
Check out the cover artwork below.
Commented the band: "The [new SYMPHORCE] album recordings have been finished, the whole thing is mixed and mastered and what can we say? It sounds FUCKING AWESOME!
"There's no doubt that the small break we had turned out to be good for us, and we'll be back with the best SYMPHORCE record for sure. It's what we believe at least.
"We're absolutely excited, and so will you be when the album's out, we're pretty damn sure about that!"
SYMPHORCE's last CD, "Become Death", came out in February 2007 via Metal Blade Records. The CD was recorded at the House Of Music Studios in Winterbach (near Stuttgart), Germany with producer Dennis Ward (PINK CREAM 69). Mastering duties were handled by Achim Köhler (BRAINSTORM).
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Blind Illusion Interviewed At San Francisco's Tidal Wave Festival
Bassy Stacy of BayAreaRocks.com conducted an interview with BLIND ILLUSION when the group played the 2010 edition of the Tidal Wave free outdoor metal festival at John McLaren Park's Jerry Garcia Amphitheater in San
BLIND ILLUSION is an American band that was part of the Bay Area thrash metal scene. Formed in 1979 by lead guitarist and chief songwriter Marc Biedermann, the group had an extremely unstable lineup (Biedermann being the only constant member) and went through a few stylistic changes in its early years.
BLIND ILLUSION's debut studio album, "The Sane Asylum", was released in 1988.
After leaving BLIND ILLUSION, bassist Les Claypool and guitarist Larry LaLonde went on to form the alternative psychedelic funk metal band PRIMUS.
Biedermann reformed BLIND ILLUSION in 2009 and on July 7, 2010 the band released its sophomore album, "Demon Master".
BLIND ILLUSION 2010 is:
Marc Biedermann - Lead/Rhythm Guitar, Lead Vocals
Danny Harcourt - Bass
Robert Nystrom - Drums
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Agathodaimon Parts Ways With Guitarist, Announces Replacement
German black/death/gothic metallers AGATHODAIMON have parted ways with guitarist Jan Jansohn "due to musical and personal differences" and have replaced him with Thilo Feucht. The band states, "[Thilo's] no unknown musician to our fans; you will know him from various contributions and guest appearances he had on 'Chapter III' [2001] and 'Serpent's Embrace' [2004], back then under the nick name of Azrael. He has also joined us on stage several times in the past since 'Chapter III', and already for our recent gigs we had in
"We're proud that he joined our ranks as full member now, and look forward to working on our sixth album together.
"Speaking of album No. six, for which we can announce the working title 'In Darkness...' It will be a step back to our roots, girls and boys!
"A studio date is scheduled for early 2011. More news to come soon."
AGATHODAIMON's latest album, "Phoenix", was released in March 2009 via Massacre Records. The follow-up to "Serpent's Embrace" marked the debut of the band's new vocalist, Chris "Ashtrael" Bonner, who joined the group in 2008.
Professionally filmed video footage of AGATHODAIMON performing the song "Tongue Of Thorns" at the Winternachtstraum Festival on February 28, 2009 in Arnsberg-Oeventrop,
Heart Releases New Album ‘Red Velvet Car’
Legacy Recordings proudly announces the release of Red Velvet Car, the first new studio album in six years from the groundbreaking Seattle-based band Heart, available everywhere on Tuesday, August 31.
The release of Red Velvet Car heralds Legacy’s forthcoming reissues of the classic Heart catalog in new physical and digital editions.
For their first new album since 2004’s Jupiter’s Darling, the first ladies of arena rock took an acoustic approach to a collection of songs inspired by the world around them, arranged for an assortment of strings including guitar, mandolin, dobro, banjo, fiddle, viola, cello and autoharp, all played by Nancy Wilson and the album’s producer, Grammy winner Ben Mink.
Nine of the album’s songs were written for, and appear for the first time on Red Velvet Car. The album’s closer, “Sand,” is a newly recorded version of a song originally written and recorded by the Lovemongers, Ann and Nancy’s 1990’s acoustic side project.
Tracks on Red Velvet Car include “Death Valley,” “Safronia’s Mark,” “Red Velvet Car,” “Queen City,” “Sunflower,” “Wheels,” “There You Go,” “WTF,” “Hey You” and “Sand.”
Red Velvet Car marks the return of Heart to the Sony Music Entertainment family. Heart’s last Sony-related release was 1983’s Passionworks on Epic Records.
“It feels good to have Sony Music holding our new baby. It’s sort of like coming home, since we worked with them on Little Queen, Dog and Butterfly, Bebe le Strange, Private Audition and Passionworks, among others,” said Ann Wilson. “We’re excited about taking it on the road. A fresh sound with all the original Heart magic.”
“This album feels so right for the times,” said Nancy Wilson. “We can’t wait to share this one with the world!”
Heart has been performing songs from Red Velvet Car, as well as classics from the band’s repertoire, during shows at selected Lilith Fair dates and in headline concerts across the U.S. and Canada from July through September. Tour details available on the Heart website.
Red Velvet Car is slated for an August 31, 2010 release.
Ann Wilson and her younger sister, Nancy Wilson, first showed the world that women can rock when their band Heart stormed the charts in the ’70s with hits like “Crazy on You,” “Magic Man,” “Barracuda,” ‘Straight On,” “Even It Up,” “Kick It Out” and so many more. Not only did the Wilson sisters lead the band, they wrote the songs, and played the instruments too, making them the first women in rock to do so. Heart continued topping the charts through the ‘80s and into the ‘90s with huge hits like “These Dreams,” “Alone,” “What About Love,” “If Looks Could Kill,” “Never,” and a string of other hits that showcased the sisters’ enormous talents as both musicians and singers. Along the way, Heart sold more than 30 million records, had 21 top 40 hits, sold out arenas worldwide, and had a profound influence on rock music.
Iron Maiden: Ed Force One Tour 2011
Astraeus Airlines was the principle supplier of cargo and passenger carriage on the 2008 "Somewhere Back in Time" tour. The tour covered 20 cities in 13 countries over a period of three months. Astraeus Airlines converted a Boeing 757-200 into a combi aircraft with 20 business class seats with a seat pitch of 59 inches and 54 premium economy seats with 39 inches. The rear passenger cabin was converted to carry additional band equipment weighing up to 6.5 tonnes. Following extensive planning and preparation a dedicated crew accompanied the tour to deliver a bespoke service to meet the individual needs of the passengers whilst onboard.
Following extensive planning and preparation a dedicated crew accompanied the tour to deliver a bespoke service to meet the individual needs of the passengers whilst onboard.
"As a professional pilot and a professional singer with Iron Maiden, there was no doubt that Astraeus Airlines were the people for the job. The reliability was superb, and the outcome exceeded the band's wildest expectations. A unique airline, for a unique experience. Astraeus Airlines made it happen!"
Capt. Bruce Dickinson, Iron Maiden
(Captain with Astraeus and lead singer with Iron Maiden)
Following on from the success of the 2008 tour Iron Maiden chartered the combi aircraft again for the final
leg of their "Somewhere Back in Time“ 2009 world tour which started in February of this year. This tour saw
the aircraft take in 30 countries over a period of 54 days.
Along with last year’s previous destinations new destinations included Serbia, United Arab Emirates, Bali, New
Zealand, Fiji, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Barbados and Bermuda.
We are delighted to advise that Astraeus Airlines will be operating the Iron Maiden 2011 world tour. More
details will of course follow once known.
17 August 2010
The former frontman of the band Helloween Michael Kiske gave a brief telephone interview last Monday to radio station 106.7 Rockklassiker Sweden where he said the shows that made the country and his new band.
Interview follows below:
Rokklassiker: Good night Michael, is a pleasure to have you as a guest in this segment of the show.
Michael Kiske: Good night Steve and listeners, it is my pleasure to be able to talk to my fans in Sweden after the Sweden Rock Festival.
RK: Michael, the first question is obvious, as it was entering a stage after all these years?
MK: It was good despite the nervousness, this was something that was maturing in my head and I needed a good proposal to make and it came with Unisonic. It's tricky at first, it seems that something unexpected can happen, unlike when I was young and everything seemed easier, you know how when you're young you just go in waves, so the youth commits so many errors, I learned very well at that time and today I am more mature, the more complicated is going on stage, then everything flows, and with shows everything gets easier, it is the law of life, repetition.
RK: Do you think that is already fully adapted to the stage?
MK: Not yet, I could not give me 100% I am evolving, may only be able when I'm in a great tour, with shows more frequent, while I try to deliver the most and have the whole process, essays, compositions, projects, some issues that always appear, certain things that happen that make the process slow down, just when I'm on tour and it is just that I can say I am 100% on stage.
RK: How was it playing in Sweden Rock Festival, the reception of the audience was what you expected?
MK: Yes, we did some shows before as a preparation, the SRF structure was larger, a larger audience, I was stunned as though these years away fans still accompanied me, I signed several cds and were not the only Helloween, had quite a lot of my solo career, people came from other cities, even countries just to see Unisonic, it was rewarding, they managed to understand this new phase of my career, they understood that I do not deny what I did, just went into another level where I try to be true to myself, I'm real and I want people to see me, so when I climb the stage or enter the studio try to give my best, and when I try to do something is always my goal to help. The selfishness is killing mankind, we should donate more, there is more than that we want.
RK: You've talked about selfishness, some relationship with the years you've been in Helloween? once you commented that you did not like the music Mr. Ego, it still bothers you, those things of the past still bring you bad feelings?
MK: It was a difficult period my leaving of Helloween, I always thought I could continue and that everything would improve, and yes, there is some sad feelings, when I look back and I see that I was blind to believe in people who called themselves my friends and betrayed me, I just try to do better now and not make the same mistakes, I see that there are people who are going through it, somehow it is a kind of deja vu, I wanted the world to change and people gave value for those who really try to help you, if I had listened to those who really were on my side I would not have bothered me so much, and has certain things that I missed that era that can no longer recover, this is the hurt of these years. The music itself, never mind, I know who I am and I'm not like that, I try to leave it in the past.
RK: Would you be bothered to attend a festival in which the Helloween played on the same day, sure you stumbled through the halls, you'll refuse if this happen?
MK: I do not think about it, and this kind of situation that I leave for the day if it happens, for now I'm focused on other goals such as completing the design of the band, I try to put the best of me there, like that.
RK: Returning to the festival, you played almost Place Vendome, many people thought to listen to more music than Unisonic, what do you think about the set list?
MK: When we scheduled the show we thought we'd play more songs from Unisonic, there was the plan until the album was released before the show, only it ran into problems and was delayed, so I entered only one, more in general I think it was a good set list, we show a new song, we choose the Place Vendome music that we think would please and had those of my stage in Helloween, we knew we would have many fans who would like to listen to these songs, I think we did a good show over time that we had .
RK: The Souls Alive music is the music of the band's work?
MK: Actually I do not know, we have to see the final result, only after all the songs finalized that we can assess, we have to see the label for which the album came out, only then we'll decide, we just put it up on Myspace for being the music already we've been playing and because it is a song that described the moment, the lyric had to do with that specific time, the public apparently liked her when she is finished will be even better.
RK: The interplay between the band on stage, there is a chemical or did you find tricky in some moment?
MK: It was easy, they are great musicians and great people, of course there were problems, always exists, even in the beginning, problems that appear for all, nothing with them, with they all flowed normally, we help each other and we will evolve close together, in time everything will be easier.
RK: The album, which is already a release date, fans must be eagerly waiting for a date, can you comment something?
MK: We're still hitting some details, we will soon have something tangible to pass on to our fans.
RK: Judging by the music “Souls Alive” can expect something to that effect, or we'll have any surprise?.
MK: We are a group and everyone is working, it is obvious to expect that each song has your universe, it will be a rock record, we know that there will be comparisons, especially with the Place Vendome, we just want it seems Unisonic, we are a new band and gradually try to reach the people, there will always be comparisons, normal, we put our personality there, is like a signature, it is important to be honest with yourself and do better.
RK: You talk about comparisons, you stay pressed with the people expecting something that sounds Helloween or you overcame it?
MK: I'm over, people are realizing that the music has more value, I'm not denying the past, just do not want to be labeled and have to do the same thing, I'm not against the metal, if it appears to do good inspiration metal music, ok, positive music, because music is more than just sing, you pass a message, you become a messenger, so I am against the whole scene that exists in satanic metal, you can use good songs without having to use this and there is good metal bands who bother to do a song of quality, both technically and in terms of composition, the world is becoming too cold, the other side has much influence, I see people getting lost and it is in Everywhere, I have a friend named Narya and I see how these things can affect people, not the style but what is behind some movements, the music like everything in life has to make the person grow , have to show principles, I like metal and I like metal bands but I'm free to do what I like, and Unisonic is what I want for the moment, I want to pass something good for people, I can not please all most everything has a price, I hope people can see through the darkness and see that there is a world that can still be saved, We just can not quit.
RK: And you want to go on tour soon?
MK: We are planning it, with the album the most feasible way would be to divulgalos this, we are anxious for a great tour and reach the greatest number of fans, we are a band and a band has to be on the road.
RK: Well Michael, our time is short, thanks for providing a time for our listeners, we wish you luck and success with his band and his album.
MK: Thank you Steve thanks for the opportunity and support.
RK: I hope to have you with us into another opportunity to talk about the record.
MK: It would be a pleasure for me.
RK: So the next Michael, bye.
MK: bye, we see each other soon.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Disturbed: 'Asylum' Video Released
"Asylum", the new video from Chicago heavy rockers DISTURBED, can be viewed below. The clip was directed by Roboshobo (a.k.a. Robert Schober), who has previously worked with METALLICA, MASTODON and DEFTONES, among others. Roboshobo also helmed the video for "Another Way To Die", the first single from DISTURBED's new album, also titled "Asylum", which will arrive on August 31 via Reprise Records.
DISTURBED is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a special gift to fans: a documentary entitled "Decade of Disturbed". Starting August 26, five days before the release of DISTURBED's new album, "Asylum", "Decade of Disturbed" will play on the big screen in movie
The 75-plus-minute film, directed by Rafa Alcantara of Twentyfourcore Productions, candidly captures the band's ten-year history, with extensive behind-the-scenes and never-before-seen footage. "It basically tells the story of the band, from its inception to present day," says DISTURBED frontman David Draiman.
"The band has had its share of ups and downs along the way and I think we tried to be as open and honest about all of it as we could. It's very insightful and we hope it's something the fans will appreciate."
Full preview screening information can be found at this location.
"Decade of Disturbed" theatre screenings:
Aug. 26 - Toronto Underground Cinema - Toronto, ON
Aug. 26 - Crowfoot - Pontiac, MI
Aug. 27 - Peoria Theater - Peoria, IL
Aug. 27 - Madcap Theaters - Tempe, AZ
*Director Rafa Alcantara will be present
Aug. 27 - Georgetown 14 - Indianapolis, IN
Aug. 27 - Plaza Theatre - Atlanta, GA
Aug. 27 - Saint Anthony Main - Minneapolis, MN
Aug. 27 - Northwest Film Forum - Seattle, WA
Aug. 27 - Alamo Drafthouse Winchester - Winchester, VA
Aug. 27 - Music
Aug. 28 - Screenland Crossroads - Kansas City, MO
Aug. 28 - Tampa Pitcher Show - Tampa, FL
Aug. 30 - The Piazza - Philadelphia, PA
The "Asylum" limited-edition CD/DVD pre-order comes with the full album, including two bonus tracks (live recordings of "Down With The Sickness" and "Stricken"), expanded artwork, a DVD with the "Decade Of Disturbed" documentary plus nine "Disturbed Dissected" exclusive instrument video instuctionals, and an exclusive double-sided poster with guitar tabs. It is available only through Disturbed1.com.
The iTunes LP version of "Asylum" is also available to pre-order now. This version also includes a download featuring the "Decade of Disturbed" documentary, two bonus tracks (live recordings of "Down With The Sickness" and "Stricken"), an additional exclusive bonus track ("Leave It Alone"), and two "Disturbed Dissected" exclusive instrument video instructionals.
Ozzy Osbourne: 'Life Won't Wait' Video Sneak Peek
Ozzy Osbourne filmed a video for his new single, "Life Won't Wait", earlier this month at various locations in Los Angeles with Osbourne's son Jack in the director's chair.
A 19-second sneak peek at the clip is available below.
"Life Won't Wait" is the second single from Ozzy's latest album "Scream", which entered the charts in June in the Top Ten in more than 10 countries.
As previously reported, Ozzy's first-ever official free iTunes app — simply called Ozzy — is available now and allows fans to enter the world of The Prince of Darkness. Users can experience music from Ozzy's 30-year solo career with access to a full discography featuring direct links to his iTunes page for a one-stop link to purchase of any song or album from his catalog. In addition, once downloaded, users can view music videos and photo galleries, access Ozzy's current concert dates and buy tickets for upcoming shows, or can instantly post comments and photos from shows they've just attended. A built-in fan wall also allows users to communicate with each other and search (by location) to find fellow Ozzy fans in their town. The Ozzy app is fully integrated with his official Twitter feed and has direct links to all of his other social networking sites as well as Ozzy's official online store.
Ozzy recorded most of "Scream" at his Los Angeles home studio, The Bunker, and co-wrote all the songs, primarily with producer Kevin Churko. Notably, the album marks the first appearance of Ozzy's new guitar player, Gus G. (FIREWIND, ex-DREAM EVIL, ARCH ENEMY). Ozzy's band also features bassist Rob "Blasko" Nicholson, drummer Tommy Clufetos (ex-ROB ZOMBIE, ALICE COOPER) and keyboardist Adam Wakeman.
Megadeth's Dave Mustaine says he and Metallica have hugged out
Now he lays out the whole story in his autobiography, “Mustaine: A Heavy Metal Memoir” (HarperCollins, $25.99), released as he tours with Megadeth and fellow thrash-metal icons Slayer and Testament. Mustaine had more to say when I caught up with him between tour dates:
Q: You’ve said that after writing your autobiography, you felt like finally you’d been understood. What were the biggest misunderstandings about you that you wanted to clear up?
A: The biggest misunderstanding is all of the stuff in the past, the disagreements with other bands, stuff that is so old. None of us care about it anymore. You can see what happened with the “Big 4” reunion (the Megadeth stadium shows in Europe this summer with ‘80s thrash-metal bands Metallica, Slayer and Anthrax) and all of us playing together. It was like there was some kind of enjoyment having disagreements, this feud among all of us. A lot of people have disagreements. But there we were on stage playing together and hugging at the end. How can this be a feud when you have proof right there on film? It will be released on DVD -- the shot heard round the world. It shows you this whole terrible thing has been perpetuated by the press.
Q: Oh, c’mon Dave. You can’t deny that your relationship with those other bands has had its share of tension and competitiveness over the years.
A: Like Lars (Ulrich of Metallica) says, there is the relationship we have and the relationship the press thinks we all have. And the proof is when we were all doing the jam on (Diamond Head's) “Am I Evil,” I was listening to how loud the crowd was, and it was as loud when we hugged each other as when we played the song. It gave me chills. James (Hetfield of Metallica) and I being able to embrace on that world platform shows people that metal is a close-knit community. We don’t leave our wounded behind. Kerry (King of Slayer) says to me, “I don’t even know what I was mad about anymore.” What’s important is that the four pillars of the metal community are all in a great relationship right now. It’s a shame our politicians can’t get along as well. In America there is always that good-luck story and everyone wants to see the person win in the end. I’ve had a little redemption watching this whole thing come around full circle.
Q: Yet in the Metallica documentary (“Some Kind of Monster” in 2004) there is the scene where you and Lars talk and you come across like a guy who has never quite completely gotten over being fired from Metallica in 1983.
A: I think that’s pretty accurate. I care about those things. I still do. I was drinking and drugging, but I never got any warning from Lars and James when they fired me. They just put me on a bus and sent me home. The movie was something they were doing, and I didn’t know what it was about. I’d been through enough therapy myself, so I didn’t mind being put in that situation. All I wanted was some closure and to have a new relationship with those guys. We did so much damage to the relationship through drugs and alcohol. I still wanted to be friends with him. I knew sitting down and talking with that guy was going to address part of it. I just wanted closure with these guys so we could put the past behind us. We were kids when it all went down. But James wasn’t there when Lars and I had our talk (in the movie). James said to me at the Big 4 concert that he wished he had been there, and I was moved by that. I thought he was a gentleman, I was very proud of him. This is all so fantastic now. I am so exited about this new relationship I have with these guys.
Q: Is part of the reason for writing the book to give your take on Megadeth’s legacy, its place in rock history?
A: I am not so concerned about my legacy. I know I see a lot of stuff written about me in the past and it was painful. I’m just trying to live life as best I can, and be helpful to people in the music industry. I saw this tennis player with a really bad reputation when I was young, and I see him now and he still has that bad reputation. Is he tired of being that guy with the bad temper? I’m talking about John McEnroe. I don’t want to be this guy known forever for something that happened when I was 20.
Q: There’s a sense that the finest eras in rock grew out of a sense of competition, with people like the Stones, Beatles, Dylan, the Beach Boys all trying to outdo each other in the ‘60s, or the CBGB’s scene in the ‘70s. You say in the book after you left Metallica and formed Megadeth that you were “out for blood. I wanted to kick Metallica’s (behind).” Was there a sense of competition between you and the other metal bands in the ‘80s that made the music better?
A: Anybody whose heart’s beating is going to have a competitive edge if they are proud at all of what they’re doing. I don’t think anyone would outright say we compete because our musical styles are so different. If we all played the same exact stuff, it’d be different matter. But yeah, we were definitely looking over our shoulders at what the other bands were doing. I’d be a liar if I said otherwise.
Q: Was (2009 Megadeth album) “Endgame” an attempt to get back to the so-called classic Megadeth sound?
A: We certainly returned back to form, which to me means we’re more about the riff and not so much about the radio intent. When trying to work with a record label within the record industry, you have to make compromises. You have to be big enough to withstand that, or be creative enough to not have to do that. And if you don’t do it, you have to be prepared to suffer consequences. We were creative enough to withstand, but also compliant enough to make our way through. Our music has never been categorized by genre, but I thought it was pretty diverse. We got lumped into metal, but we also had our most successful record in 1992 (“Countdown to Extinction”) when it was all about grunge and alternative.
Q: Do you have a sense why “Countdown to Extinction” was so successful?
A: When a guy starts a band, you usually get together with guys who happen to play music, rather than musicians. Rarely does a musician find three other musicians to start out. I was a musician who gathered people who played music at first, which enabled me to later find musicians, who enabled me to become a star. We had all our lives to make our first album (“Killing is my Business … and Business is Good” in 1985) and 18 months to make (second album) “Peace Sells … but Who’s Buying?” (in 1986). That sophomore offering is the be-all or end-all of any band. You either go to the next level, or it’s the beginning of the nadir. If you’re second record doesn’t live up, you’re done. You take your best songs to put together your first record, then how do you come up with something just as good in 18 months? You force it, and that impulse was killing heavy metal, the glut of music that had to come out. When my first record came out, you were writing four songs per side. Then CDs came along, and you had to have 12 songs. That’s record-and-a-half every time. It ate up catalogues, cheapened music, made it really hard to consistently put out quality music. But I was pretty far along for a new band, because I’d already done a lot of writing in Metallica. I’ve always been blessed to have great players around me, even the ones I don’t have a lot of respect for. We had disagreements and don’t get along, but they contributed a lot to Megadeth. The “Countdown to Extinction” era, Megadeth reached a point where the musicianship in the band reached a really high level and it didn’t matter what was going on around us. We were trend-proof by that point.