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Category: Interviews

Interview: Efreeti

ChelseaInterviews

Efreeti is a Norwegian group of Extreme Metallers fronted by founding vocalist/guitarist Kristian Wangberg, and the band released the third chapter in their discography this spring with the latest record, Man of Sand. I had the chance to conduct a quick Q&A via email with Kristian, who was kind enough to take the time to give some insight into the band and record: “Man of Sand” marks the third full-length from Efreeti – what elements of the band’s sound and style do you feel you’ve kept consistent, and in what senses has it changed or evolved, since “Chapter One”?  I […]

Interview: Chris Caffery

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Spirits of Fire recently made their debut as a new project on Frontiers Music Srl with their self-title album, and just before its release, I had the chance to get on the phone with Chris Caffery to discuss the new band, the background and process behind it, Chris’ influences over the years as a guitarist, songwriter, and musician overall, being a part of TSO, plus a secret new project that’s in the works. Check out the interview below:  I want to start things right off with the main topic right now, Spirits of Fire, exciting self-titled album just about to […]

Interview: Tony Harnell

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Starbreaker released their first new album in over ten years at the start of 2019, to great critical acclaim and a solid spot in the Billboard charts. I had the chance to talk with frontman Tony Harnell (best known as the former frontman of TNT) just after Dysphoria came out, discussing the making of the record in depth, the experience of recording an album remotely across multiple countries, Tony’s side work as a vocal coach, and a bit about his recent move to Nashville. What brings you on the phone with me today is the recent release of Starbreaker’s new […]

Interview: Alex Skolnick

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Between Testament, Metal Allegiance, an improvisational jazz trio, and other collaborations, Alex Skolnick is one busy guitarist. Shortly after the simultaneous release of the latest Metal Allegiance record, Power Drunk Majesty, and the Alex Skolnick Trio record, Conundrum, I had the chance to do a phoner with Alex, where we discussed all of his various musical projects and how he finds the balance between it all, his involvement with Shredders of Metal, the Slayer tour, and his appreciation for New York. Check out the interview below: The new record Power Drunk Majesty from Metal Allegiance is officially out, you just […]

Interview: Bob Kulick

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This Fall, renowned Rock and Metal Producer/Musician Bob Kulick released Pure Fire – The Ultimate Kiss Tribute, a reissue of the star-studded compilation album known as Spin the Bottle from 2004. After the album’s release, I had the opportunity for a phoner with Bob himself, during which we had a thorough discussion of the original making of this record, in addition to Bob’s solo album Skeletons in the Closet, his appearances at the Kiss Expo, Rock n Roll Fantasy Camp, and Kiss Kruise Pre-Party, as well a prospective new Metal Christmas album on the horizon. Check out the interview below: […]

Interview: Brittney Slayes

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This Fall, Unleash the Archers embarked on the Apex North American tour, with fellow Canadians Striker and Helion Prime out of the U.S. as special guests along the way. When they reached their stop at the Kingsland in Brooklyn, I had the chance to sit down with Unleash The Archers’ frontwoman Brittney Slayes, where we covered a lot of ground, from Apex, influences, and Unleash the Archers’ evolution over time, to playing the upcoming 70,000 Tons of Metal Cruise, and Brittney’s excitement over the band’s recent visit to NASA.  Some of the latest news from the band is the “Ten […]

Interview: Striker

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The unveiling of Striker’s latest full-length Play To Win is almost here, with a release date of October 26th bringing the latest chapter in these Canadian Heavy Metallers’ discography to the world next week. The band has been on tour for the past month or so alongside fellow Heavy Metallers out of Canada, Unleash The Archers, and when the Apex tour brought them along to the Kingsland in Brooklyn, NY, I was there for all the action. I sat down (well, stood in a hallway/stairwell, technically…hey, it’s Brooklyn.) for a quick Q&A session with frontman Dan Cleary and guitarist Tim […]

Interview: Kobra Paige

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2018 has been a big year for Kobra and the Lotus so far, with the highly-anticipated Prevail II completing their double album series and kicking off a North American tour in support of the release. When the band came through the East Coast and made a stop at The Kingsland in Brooklyn, NY, I sat down with Kobra Paige before the show to discuss what’s behind the Prevail I and II records and the band’s latest unique music videos, as well as Kobra’s background as a lyricist and musician, digging into what it is that motivates her in studio and […]

Interview: Oscar Dronjak

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Hammerfall made a majestic return to North America this spring/summer, following their successful 2017 run with 2018’s “ReBuilt to Tour” as Flotsam and Jetsam filled the spot of special guests along for the ride. One of Hammerfall’s stops along the way was at NYC’s iconic Gramercy Theatre, and shortly before the band took to the stage, I had the chance to sit down with founder/guitarist Oscar Dronjak for an interview, during which we covered everything from the recent ReBuilt to Tour run and new music that’s on the way, to hockey, whisky, and champagne – an all-around good time and […]

Interview: Chris Lane of Station

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NYC Rockers Station recently released their second album More Than The Moon, followed by some touring which brought them to a newly opened venue in Smithtown, Long Island, New York known as The Rail on June 23rd, 2018. It’s a pleasure to catch up with this talented group – I first interviewed them when I was in college radio right around the time their self-titled debut record came out – always friendly and a lot of fun, Chris Lane and Patrick Kearney even came in studio to do an acoustic set. We always seem to touch base whenever they’re in […]

Interview: Geoff Tate on Operation: Mindcrime 30th Anniversary

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30 years of Operation: Mindcrime – Geoff Tate has been celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of the iconic record this summer by taking it to the road and performing the album live from start to finish. When he and his current band lineup made a stop at the Revolution in NY, I sat down with him for an interview on the latest in the world of Geoff Tate, where we discussed the anniversary celebration, Geoff’s recent activities with bands like Avantasia and Angra, his daughter Emily’s involvement in music and the current tour, the Insania Wines brand, and more.  So just […]

Interview: Marq Torien

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From Out of the Skies, Bulletboys have arrived with a new record this year, and the follow-up to Elefanté is full of surprises for fans, new and old ones alike. It’s always a pleasure to chat with the great Bulletboys frontman Marq Torien, and just before the band embarked on their first-ever journey to Australia, I was able to sit down for a in-depth phoner with Marq, discussing everything from the new record and tour to a few exciting announcements.  I’ll just get started right off talking about your new album, From Out of the Skies, I’m really excited about […]

Interview: Trauma

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Trauma is back with a killer new record, As The World Dies, recently released on May 11th. With the lineup of Donny Hillier (Vocals), Joe Fraulob (Guitar), Steve Robello (Guitar), Greg Christian (Bass), and Kris Gustofson (Drums), Trauma recently hit the road for a brief pre-release tour from West Coast to East and back again – and I sat down with the band in Brooklyn for a great chat about As The World Dies, the music videos set to accompany the record, how the current lineup of Trauma came together, plus plenty of stories from past 70,000 Tons of Metal […]

Interview: Rudy Sarzo

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Between his time in Quiet Riot, Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake, Dio, Blue Oyster Cult, and so many other iconic bands and projects, Rudy Sarzo is unquestionably a legend of the rock world – not too long ago, this legend made an appearance at the Long Island Kiss Expo, in support of his book Off The Rails. During his time at the Expo, Rudy took part in a Q&A session, giving the audience the opportunity to ask him questions about his remarkable career. Though I did get an extended opportunity to ask plenty of questions during our interview later on, I still […]

Interview: Michael Sweet

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Michael Sweet recently took to the Northeast for a few acoustic solo dates to kick off the month of March, and one of the stops along the way was the Chop Shop Pub in Seabrook, NH. There’s plenty to talk about in the world of Michael Sweet lately, so we sat down for an interview to discuss Stryper’s new record and new member, Sweet & Lynch, Joel Hoekstra, Michael’s autobiography, the Sole DVD release, and much more. After a brief pre-interview chat, the roles were reversed for a change, as things started out not with a question from me to Michael, […]