Interviews

On the eve of the release of album number 13, Solitude in Madness, we caught up with guitarist/vocalist/lone original member Piotr Wiwczarek via a one star worthy Skype connection to discuss shifting worldviews, how the need for speed translated into one of the fastest albums of the band’s discography, and looking at the bright side of a global pandemic.

We spoke with Robin Staps, founder and guitarist of progressive metal titans The Ocean (also known as The Ocean Collective), to learn how he and the band are doing now that they’ve released their latest record, Phanerozoic II: Mesozoic | Cenozoic. Staps shared the writing process behind the record, the band’s plans amidst the pandemic and for next year, the inner workings of the record label he founded, Pelagic Records, and more.

Dark Symphonies and Autumn Tears are going strong, with the latter releasing The Glow of Desperation in 2021 like they didn’t miss a beat. Between this welcomed return and Dark Symphonies outstanding reissue game with their sub-label The Crypt, Tringo certainly has his hands full.

When there’s nothing else to do, you write, write, and write some more with the result being Electrified Brain, the Waste’s rip roaring and highly nuanced seventh album. We sat down with guitarist Ryan Waste to discuss the result of the band’s pandemic activity, how things have changed for him at home and on the road, and what else he got up to after putting down the guitar and picking up a pen.

Interview with Max Cavalera by Dan SlessorPhotographs by Tim Tronckoe Cavalera Conspiracy is back with its fourth album, Psychosis, and the band is in rare...

Get your battle gear on, we are going to war! Military-esque legends Sabaton have released their newest album, The Great War. Inspired by the events of one of the most monumental wars in history, this World War I record shows the metal scene just how incredible real life history can be. We had the opportunity to go deep with Sabaton bassist Pär Sundström on everything to do with the battle metal band’s ninth record.

Lamb of God guitarist Mark Morton steps outside of his day job with his second solo effort Ether. Known for his extreme metal style of playing with Lamb of God, Morton strips the music down with five acoustic songs, including covers of The Black Crowe’s “She Talks to Angels” and Pearl Jam’s “Black.”

Cleveland metal act Mushroomhead has been creating its brand of electro industrial/alt-metal for 27 years. On its eighth full-length album, A Wonderful Life released via Napalm Records and its first in six years, the masked horror metal icons have crafted a dark, macabre masterpiece. Speaking with us during a recent phone interview, Steve Felton talked about A Wonderful Life, the band’s new members, his drumming techniques, and their so-called feud with Slipknot.

Lead guitarist Marc Motley of Los Angeles based mathcore band The Arson Choir talks about the band’s diverse influences, what it’s like trying to grow an up-and-coming band during a pandemic, and politics and racial divisions in America.

With their latest album, Bleed the Future, Archspire has carved out breathing room within tech death’s confines by upping the melody and infectiousness. We caught up with bassist Jared Smith and guitarist Dean Lamb to talk about musical catchiness, the relationship between cooking shows and tech death, and how Jason Momoa makes them nervous.