Metal Shock Finland (World Assault )

Interview by Ali Blackdiamond

Richard Ofsoski is a musician from Brisbane, Australia. He is the founder of the METAL FOR CANCER project, an organisation devoted to raising funds for cancer research on behalf of the metal community.

In 2011, Richard decided to invite many different artists from the world of metal to unite together, going by the name of the Dragon Slayer All Star Project, creating a very special song, “Let’s Unite In Rock”. I had a chat with Richard about the project, read what he had to say below:

Hi Richard and welcome to Metal Shock Finland, how are you today?

Very good thank you hope you are well yourself !

The whole Metal For Cancer project was conceived by you, can you tell our readers about how it all started?

MFC started as a result of losing my wife to cancer and wanting to contribute towards the battle against this nasty disease. It was a different approach to raising funds and is still developing somewhat.

What are your thoughts on the whole process of the project, from its inception to getting all the musicians on board and releasing the Dragon Slayer All Star Project single?

It was great ! A fantastic all star song written by Mr Henrik Flyman of the band Evil Masquerade and a great contingent of metal musicians from all over the world contributing their services for free. Also the graphic artists and webmasters who contributed.

The Metal For Cancer single “Let’s Unite In Rock,” which was written by Henrik Flyman, and you were also one of the artists on the recording, is very anthemic with a great metal sound. Can you tell me how you feel about the finished product and what it means to you?

Great song with great lyrics only available to MFC. Fantastic job by Mr Flyman and a the other musicians. Just wish it could get more exposure somehow but we are working on that.

Do you keep in touch with any of the musicians involved and would you make a song in this way again?

Of course I keep in touch with quite a few through Facebook mainly .Have developed some good cyberspace friendships. Ive been thinking of perhaps doing an All Star version of Deep Purple’s Smoke on the water and have had some musicians keen on the idea.

As well as “Let’s Unite In Rock”, there are also several other songs available to buy on the Metal For Cancer website, from bands such as Empires Of Eden and Eclipse Hunter. What are the next plans for Metal For Cancer?

A compilation CD is something Ive been thinking about and making it available as a physical CD as well as digitally. But we need to work out a marketing plan first perhaps setting up a stand at festivals could be an option plus available from the website. T Shirts would be cool also as we have had some great graphic artists contribute some cool designs. All these things would be great but we need to be able to sell them and that’s the main  area we have to look at.

Last year, you attended the opening of two world class research laboratories and also met Professor Ian Frazer (creator of the cervical cancer vaccine). How was that experience and what did you gain from seeing the work being done?

It was an absolute honour to meet him. People speak of their heroes, idols etc but this was a real true hero. A nice caring down to earth man who dedicates his life to fighting this disease. Not only did he create the cervical cancer vaccine but hes on the verge of a breakthrough with melanoma as well and its up to us to help him continue this great work !!

You also have your own band Sedition, can you tell me more about that and what’s happening at the moment, or any other projects you are involved in?

Sedition are no longer active due to the founding member and main songwriter being sick and unable to continue. I do my solo albums and also have a new side project I am currently recording with.

What are views on the metal scene in Australia today?

Its not huge but there is an underground scene. It’s strange because there are some world class bands who are more well known in Europe than here. There are some festivals starting up so hopefully that may help.

As your final words, please feel free to leave a message for the Metal Shock Finland audience.

Please support this great cause we need as many people as possible to help spread the word and purchase the music available. Cancer is a disease that affects everyone in some way and needs to be stopped and this is one way the metal community can unite and do its part in helping defeat this disease

Thanks for your time Richard!

Thank you!
Check out the video for “Let’s Unite In Rock” below:

Check out the METAL FOR CANCER website at this location

Also Blackdiamond had an interview  for Part One of this project with Henrik Flyman from EVIL MASQUERADE about his role in the METAL FOR CANCER project You can find the interview at this location.