Circus Maximus interview

In this new interview, we speak with Mats Haugen, guitarist for the phenomenal Norwegian progressive metal band Circus Maximus...

For starters, can you give a brief history of the band for those unfamiliar with Circus Maximus?

Mats Haugen: After playing together for several years, Mike, Truls and myself finally got a full lineup with Glen on bass and Espen on keys. We wanted to do a full length album after a couple of years doing some well received demos. Then after hooking up with Intromental, Frontiers and Sensory records we finally, in 2004, recorded The 1st Chapter. The reception was overwhelming and we got tons of great reviews. It gave us the necessary boost to do a follow up. Then Espen quit the band and Lasse filled his spot. Then we released Isolate in 2007. The band was tighter than ever and the songwriting was taken to another level. We got to play alot of great shows with bands like Kamelot, Queensryche and so on, and of course the tour with Symphony X... The years so far have been great!

We are now in the making of the 3rd chapter. Cant wait to get on the road with it. The upcoming album will contain some seriously drop down in the basement riffs... hehe.

Who are some of the bands/musicians that have influenced your music?

For my part, I have tons of bands that influence me. Lately Opeth, Muse, Coldplay, Mew, to name a few, have been repeating a lot on my iPod.

How do you think the progressive metal scene is doing these days? Is it growing?

Few bands do Progressive metal better than Opeth these days. Metal in general! So if the genre is growing, they should get alot of credit for it.

How is your style received in Norway?

It's not top of the pops, but we are getting there. :)

Is there a favorite Circus Maximus song you have?

They happen to change all the time. For the moment I think "From Childhoods Hour" might be our best song. "Alive" is also up there. Hell, I love em all. They are like our kids. Some ugly, some pretty!

Could you walk us through the songwriting process that occurs when Circus Maximus comes up with a new tune?

It usually starts with me working out ideas in my homestudio. I program the song then I present it to the band. If it sounds good when we rehearse, it usually ends up on the album. We also bang our heads together in the studio on new ideas. Lots of cool stuff comes out when we jam. In the end, of course everyone contributes to get the final work done.

Can you tell us anything about new material in the works for your third album?

We have more or less 60-70% of the songs ready. The plan is to hit the studio in October, November.

Do you have any advice you'd give to aspiring young musicians or bands?

If you want it bad enough it will most definitely work out for you!

Last of all, can you think of any interview question you've always wanted to answer, but that no one has ever asked?

Who is your favorite drummer? Hehe.

A big thanks to Mats Haugen and all the members of Circus Maximus, for making this interview possible. You can find the band's official website at: www.circusmaximussite.com, and their official MySpace at: www.myspace.com/officialcm.

Manilla Road interview with Mark Shelton

(Originally from 10/02/07)

Mark "The Shark" Shelton of the classic heavy metal band Manilla Road gives us a brief moment of his time to discuss the new album in progress, the work that has gone into his music, and many other aspects...

To start off, can you give us a brief description of the band - for those who may not be familiar with the history or music of Manilla Road? 

Shark: We started as a heavy space rock band and over the first 3 albums between 1980 and 1983 we turned into what we called an Epic Metal Band. After 14 albums released we still try to experiment with fusing different styles of music into the metal. We have been to Europe touring several times now and always show up somewhere in the U.S. to do shows but our main concern is putting out the recordings.

I'll cut right to the question I'm sure fans want to hear answered the most - what can you tell us about a potential new record? 

Well, it is almost finished. I am finalizing the mix in our studio right now. We are hopeful to have it out by the first part of 2008. As for what it sounds like. I think it is a little darker and heavier than our last album Gates Of Fire. I'm not going to give up the name of the album yet but it is a concept project timing out at a little over one hour long. I am the only lead singer on this album. Bryan did not work on this project with us except to engineer a little bit in the studio. I think he will be touring with us though in 2008. I think the project has songs on it that seem to be a bit of a turn back to the Mystification style of writing.

Does it get any harder coming up with new songs or albums after Manilla Road has been around for 30 years? 

It's just getting harder to top what we have done before. You don't want to be stagnant and put out songs that are just repeats of past hits. So, yea, it does get harder as time goes on.

Can you tell us who are some of the bands/musicians that have inspired you? 

Michael Schenker, Pink Floyd, Sabbath, Hendrix, Rush, Hawkwind... man the list is huge. I have been inspired by everything that I have ever heard that I liked.

Do you have a favorite Manilla Road song? 

Usually it is the one that I am currently writing.

Would you describe the songwriting process that occurs when the band is coming up with new tunes? 

I start off by writing the guitar parts first and forming vocal melody lines to that. After I get a good arrangement together then I sit down and decide on the concept of the song and proceed onto the lyrics. Then I bring that to the rest of the band and they add their ideas to it as well.

What specific techniques or practice routines do you personally use to improve your playing ability? 

Top secret stuff there. If I told you I would have to kill you. Actually I just practice as often as I can, which is everyday, whether it be with amps or acoustics. Always keep searching for new chords and approaches to the music.

I have some relatives who actually live in Wichita, and from what I've seen it doesn't look like a very active place. Is there, or has there ever been much of a metal scene in Kansas? 

It is small but the metal fans that are here are steadfast.

Is there any advice you might give to aspiring musicians, bands or guitarists? 

Dedication and determination. Just don't give up. Follow your dreams. Adapt, improvise and overcome.

And last of all, is there an interview question you've always wanted to answer, but that no one has ever asked? 

Shark: Yes, Shark loves to eat pussy.

Special thanks to Mark "The Shark" Shelton and all the guys in Manilla Road for making this interview possible. You can visit their official website at truemetal.org/manillaroad and their MySpace page at www.myspace.com/manillaroadofficial. 

Reverend Bizarre interview

(Originally from 5/16/07)

Reverend Bizarre is the name of the mighty doom band hailing from Finland that has sought to revive the old, traditional ways of the genre ever since their debut in 2002. Now as their time together draws near the end, Father Peter Vicar (Kimi Kärki) - guitarist in the band - gives us insight into the mentality behind their music, a small description of their upcoming final album, and more!

I'm sure you've probably answered this a million times before, but for the sake of the unknowledgeable, can you give us a brief background and description of Reverend Bizarre's music and how the band came to be? 

Peter Vicar (Kimi Kärki): Uhh, yes I have indeed… I'll put it shortly.

Reverend Bizarre is doom metal down to the bone. We are very strict musically, following the footsteps of the mighty ancestors such as Black Sabbath, Saint Vitus, Pentagram, Witchfinder General, Trouble, and so forth. We decided to start the band in 1995 to honor the beforementioned titans and add our mad flavor to the tradition. We have done that with three official albums, some EPs, collections, and vinyls. I dare to say we have succeeded in what we aimed for and it's a good moment to kill the band now, before the end of this year.

We are now spreading out musically, Albert and his The Puritan will go to dark pits and abyss with their slow and torturing brand of music. Void will continue his many different bands he does not want to be mentioned, and I will continue with Orne (The Conjuration By The Fire is out from Black Widow Records) and Lord Vicar (featuring Christian Linderson of Count Raven / Saint Vitus / Terra Firma fame in vocals, Daniel Nyman of Oak in bass, and Gareth Millsted of Centurions Ghost in Drums.

The word has gotten out that the band intends to split up after the next full-length is released. Could explain why that decision has been made?

Our personal chemistry was never very good, and as some of us have severe mental problems it was easier to let it go finally, to ease the burden, pain and stress this band had brought. At the same breath I must say that once the decision was reached the mood was actually quite pleasant, and the last shows we did were unforgettable. The last studio sessions were, then again, mad and obsessed, but there was not too much tension… just madness. I must say that in the end I have great respect and love to my fellow Reverends. Hope they will prosper at least spiritually in their future.

Speaking of the next full-length, can you tell us anything about the new album, So Long Suckers?

It's now been mastered. The album is going to be a double-CD, very very heavy, seven songs in all. The musical adventures take us to different places within that record. Perhaps my favorite album of them all, and certainly the most rich album we did musically. Some may be surprised to hear some of the passages. It should be out in early August, and the single “Teutonic Witch” at the end of this month.

What bands/musicians are you influenced by the most?

All of the true doom metal bands. And in some twisted way all of the fucking poser stoner rock, “gothic metal”, and death doom bands we hate. Or at least used to hate, hah hah!

As a person I am also in love with old folk and progressive records of the late 60s and early 1970s. In my other band Orne I follow that tradition.

How does it usually occur when Reverend Bizarre writes new material?

Albert has written most of the material for Bizarre, as he already had an unhealthy number of finished songs when we started working seriously with the band at the turn of the millennium. We never jam, it's been either Albert or me completing the riffs and lyrics, and then teaching them to the others. Some minor arrangement details usually vary at the time of the recording, but mostly it's always been one vision at a time.

Is there a Reverend Bizarre song that you personally like somewhat more than the others?

There are some favourites, like “The Hour of Death”, “Sodoma Sunrise”, “Cirith Ungol”, “The Demons Annoying Me”, “The Wandering Jew”, “Cromwell”, “Sorrow”, “Anywhere Out of This World”… But I really cannot pick up one particular song. I love most of our material.

What guitar and recording equipment have you used on the upcoming record?

I always use the same Gibson SG Special through Laney tube head (though on Crush the Insects I had to use George Dennis Mighty Mouse, and was not as happy with the end result). The sound was taken in a separate room from cabinet to some good microphone obviously. We used Pro Tools for the first time which had its ups and downs. In solos I usually use phaser pedal and small Musicman combo, but this time I did most of the solos through Line six as I wanted some more variation. Some Cry baby wah in some parts as well.

Are there any sort of practice routines or techniques you use to improve your guitar playing or songwriting?

No. And we hardly ever rehearsed anyway. I just play the songs that come to my mind, until I am happy with them. I usually have the song title first, and when the narrative starts to shape in my head I listen to the riffs in my head and pick up the ones that fit the concept. Then I usually demo them with my laptop, try the vocal melodies and write the lyrics. For me it's not about the scales or technique but rather about the ideas and minimalism.

Do you have any advice you'd give to aspiring young musicians or bands?

Read a lot. Try to hold on to your passion despite the disappointments. Never think about money. Get a VERY flexible dayjob that makes you survive financially and allows you to tour.

Lastly, can you think of any interview question you've always wanted to answer but that no one has ever asked?

“Why do you keep on ranting about C.O.T.D. and true doom metal when there are so few fans to slow and boring riffs anyway?” I will not bother to answer that anyway as it should be evident when you read what is mostly written about the music we love.

Anyway, feel free to visit our online living room at www.hellridemusic.com/reverendbizarre.

Try to stay clean but use strength if needed! Love is the law, love under will.

Great thanks to Peter and everyone in Reverend Bizarre for letting this interview happen and for making such excellent music over the last several years. Their new album, So Long Suckers, is slotted for an August 8th release on Spinefarm Records. You can visit their official website at reverend.shows.it and the official RB forum at www.hellridemusic.com/reverendbizarre.

Martyr interview with Daniel Mongrain

(Originally from 5/15/07)

Martyr is a Canadian death metal band that plays a very technical, complex brand of the genre. Vocalist/guitarist Daniel Mongrain has graced us with an interview opportunity detailing the work put into their newest album, as well as his guitar tips, personal influences, and more...

For those who may be unfamiliar with the band and music that is Martyr, can you give us a brief history and description?

Daniel Mongrain: Martyr began in '94. My brother (Francois) and I formed the band and we wanted to express ourselves throughout metal-prog music cause we liked the aggressiveness of metal and the experimental side of prog music. We recorded a demo in 95 and recorded Hopeless Hopes in '97. We played a lot in Quebec and then recorded Warp Zone in 2000, we toured Canada in 2001 and then released a live album: Extracting The Core. We had musician changes as Patrice in 1997 on drums and Martin in 2003 for the guitar. Then we recorded Feeding the Abscess which is our new album. Our sound is a fusion of bands like Death, Meshuggah and Cynic with a very technical and progressive side. I think we have forged our sound throughout the years and that the new album sounds just more authentic for us. It sounds more like we have found our own vocabulary to express our thoughts and feelings throughout music.

Martyr's intricate and aggressive technical metal style is built on complex structures which ally a multitude of emotions from many different musical approaches. The music is not limited to the conventions of traditional metal music, the band striving to push those limits to create a more open-minded concept.

I have yet to hear the new album, but how has the response been thus far?

The response is great, reviews are great! We're very happy with the sales and there's a lot of people showing up at our shows, so everything is great so far!

What types of recording/guitar equipment was used?

We recorded in 4 different studios but basically drums and guitars were recorded at Wildstudio (Pierre Rémillard studio). Yamaha rock tour custom drums and my custom Liberatore guitar. Bass was done at Newton Communication studio with Sebastien Cloutier and the vocals were done at Clef de Fa studio with Breen Leboeuf (ex-Celine Dion bass player, solo artist, now with April Wine).

Who are some of the musicians/bands that have inspired you?

Allan Holdsworth, Mr.Bungle, Scott Henderson, Pat Martino, John Colrane, Greg Bissonette, Jason Becker, King Crimson, Voivod, UK, Sting, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Terry Gilliam, Tim Burton, The Simpsons, Danny Elfman, Zakk Wylde, Steve Vai, Marty Friedman, Jimmy Bruno, John Williams, Alan Sylvestri, Quentin Tarantino, Jack Nicholson, Christopher Walken, Larry David, etc... all which makes me twist my mind, makes me think, makes me feel odd, surprises me in a good or a bad way. Any kind of art which is accomplished with authentic creativity, that includes nature.

Can you give us an idea of the songwriting process Martyr usually goes through when crafting a new tune?

In fact, it took a long time to find our way for this album. I remember starting writing material in 2001 and still working on some songs from then to 2006. Things were much clearer from late 2003 when everyone decided to put an extra effort to get this done. Big difference is, this was really a team work and it felt just right through the whole process. I write most of the music but the new album was much more of a team work. We usually write a song from beginning to the end so it gives a logical progression to the song, at least for us. The ideas just come up naturally and then we write them on music sheets so everyone in the band can understand it and play it. It takes less time that way than to show everything by ear and there’s no misunderstanding of the parts. Then we develop around the ideas by playing them and listening to them, and imagining what could be the next part of the song from there. What do we want to hear after that part? And is there a better link we can do between those two parts? We worry a lot about the keys too, so the songs are not all in the key of the open big string. There’s no bad method to write music, I like to try different ways for each song so we never know how its gonna end up. After we get enough material, I record some parts and program the basic drum parts. Then I send the demo to the other guys and we play it together and work on the songs in the rehearsal room.

Do you have a personal favorite Martyr song?

My two faves are "Endless Vortex Towards Erasing Destiny" from the Warpzone album, I'm proud to have composed this one and I like to play it a lot. And "Dead Horizon" from the new album (Feeding The Abscess), its a 4 part song, very progressive and everybody in the band worked on it so it sounds more tri-dimensional. It's spooky, brutal, psycho, technical, prog... at the same time.

Are there any specific techniques or practice routines you like to use to improve your playing?

I used to practice a lot of alternate picking, sweeping and stuff like that but now I'm more into exploring different concept and colours throughout jazz improvisation, scales and chords. I do warm up a bit before a gig, playing modes scales and riffs but I rarely practice this stuff when I'm home. I just stay in good shape and apply different concepts in my playing. I play almost everyday though.

What is your opinion of the death metal scene today and where do you think Canada falls in that aspect?

I like many new bands but I think we've lost a bit of originality in the underground scene. I would say I like bands who find their own way of doing things. I mean, being influenced is okay but being a clone of a clone is not interesting. You don’t have to sound like In Flames or Dillinger Escape Plan. They are already there. I like to be surprised by a band. I think there is too much of a fashion going on in the metal scene now, for some bands at least.

We are from Quebec, Canada, probably the most metal province in Canada. There are many great bands here and most of them are all sounding very different and unique. That's what happens when you have lots of bands in a low population place. You have to sound different if you want to grab people's attention but it is also part of the heritage from Voivod which sound so unique, and bands like DBC, Obliveon, Annihilator, Gorguts etc... They have put the standards very high.

Is there any advice you would give to aspiring musicians or bands?

Practice, do it seriously and most important - have fun doing it. Persevere, don't be pissed off or arrogant, don't expect to be a rockstar. Be open minded to constructive comments and flush the destructive ones, be able to discern what's a constructive or destructive comment. Don't be a rip off, find your own way of doing things. Don't do it for the money or the fame, you might be very disapointed.

Finally, can you think of an interview question you've always wanted to answer but that no one has ever asked?

Would you like to be a fire extinguisher? No, I wouldn't.

A big thanks to Daniel Mongrain and all the guys in Martyr for making this interview possible. Their newest album Feeding The Abscess is out now on Galy Records. You can visit their official website at www.martyr-canada.com and their official MySpace page at myspace.com/martyrcanada.

Slough Feg interview

(Originally from 5/10/07)

Slough Feg is an interesting metal band that plays a style kin to the gods of old such as Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath. Their music also has some Celtic themes in both the lyrics and riffs. Guitarist/vocalist Michael Scalzi provides us with a few ideas of the work that goes into their material and his thoughts on the past, present and future...

For those who may be unfamiliar with the band and music of Slough Feg, can you give us a brief history and description?

Michael Scalzi: Not really. There are many places to find this info, and I'm sick of answering this question. Let's just say we've been around for 16 years and we've been through hell. We're putting out our sixth album and have been through hell, blah blah blah, you can probabaly guess the rest.

The band's full formal name is actually "The Lord Weird Slough Feg"; where does this come from and who came up with the idea for using it?

A comic book based on Celtic Mythology.

What types of guitar equipment do you like to use in your live set-up?

I use a Gold Top Les Paul and a '77 Marshall four input JMP through a newer Marshall cabinet with four celestion vintage 30 (60 watt) speakers. The amp has no master volume and I won't get it modified cause that would sound like shit, so I use an old DS! Boss distorion pedal. That's it.

Who are some of the musicians/bands that have inspired you?

Maiden, Priest, Sabbath, St. Vitus, Queen, Black Flag, Thin Lizzy.

Can you give us an idea of the songwriting process Slough Feg usually goes through when crafting a new tune?

I just write songs in my room on my guitar into a boom box. I write a riff, or some times I think of a melody in my head. Then I play it on guitar into a boom box and record it, and then I show it to the band and we play it over and over and add things. That's about it. Then I write lyrics and usually come up with th vocal melody later, over the guitar melody. Its really simple. Alot of other ideas come out later, in the studio or in the practice space. There's no theory to it. I play guitar and come up with riffs, like Tony Iommi did, and then it turns into a song.

Do you have a personal favorite Slough Feg song?

NO. But I really like "Wickerman" and "Agony Slalom" and, well a bunch of them. I like them all, otherwise I wouldn't have writen them.

Are there any specific techniques or practice routines you like to use to improve your playing? 

No. Maybe that's why my playing doesnt improve much. I've pretty much been the same kind of guitar player since I was like sixteen, or maybe twenty. I play alot, but I don't really consider it practicing. I'm more interested in songwriting. I spend all my time writing songs, plus I'm not really trying to get better at playing fast or anytthing, I just want to write better songs and solos. I guess I practice solos quite a bit, but there's no real technique to it, I just play them over and over until I have it down. The best practice is live practice though.

Is there any advice you would give to aspiring musicians or bands?

Yeah, give it up and go to college. Haha!! Actually, I have no idea what its like to start a band right now, and I am still an aspiring musician, so I think I'm the one who needs advice!! What the hell should I do? If you're in a band, you probabaly have to have a job or something, and what you do everyday for the most of the day has got to be enjoyable, or you'll be miserable. So I suppose if you have a job to support your musical career, or hobby or whatever, you better enjoy it, cause you only live once and you don't want to go through the whole thing miserable. So get a good job, or sell out and play nu-metal so you can enjoy a life of making shitty music, or something. I don't know, go to college!!

Finally, can you think of an interview question you've always wanted to answer but that no one has ever asked?

Oh, wow. How about, "Do you think that the music scene has changed so much in the last 15 years that being in a band is nothing like it was 15 years ago?" and my answer is yes, I think so. Being in a band back then was totally different, for me at least. Right now I can't see the forest for the tree, I mean, I'm so steeped in this life of making records and having toured, and touring in the future, and just having to do it along with the rest of my life that I don't really see outside of it. I'm going to continue to do it, I can't imagine life without it, but that's alot different than bands that started now, or even three years ago.

I can't see outside of my own little bubble, my own experiences. I guess no one can, so I can tell all sorts of stuff about what to do in a band or how to create music or whatever, but really you have to come up with it yourself, cause I'm trapped over here in my little mind. If you're trying to make money you're in the wrong business, I guess that's clear to everyone at this point. Just find something you do well and do it, people are kind of scared to do things well sometimes, because they feel like they'll be trying too hard or something and its not cool. I think alot of musicians are too shy about this, they want to say something but they hold it back because they're afriad of what everyone might think. That's silly, because the truth is no one is really thinking about them, they're too busy thinking about themselves and being shy about something else!! So you have to realize that none of this stuff really matters because no one's really looking at you anyway, and if they are, they'll forget about you soon enough and start thinking about themselves. So play some good music and stop worrying. In the end you're really just trying to entertain yourslef, that's what you have to remember, so just have fun with it.

I would like to thank Michael Scalzi for taking time to participate in this interview. You can visit the official Slough Feg website at www.sloughfeg.com and their official MySpace page at www.myspace.com/sloughfeg.