Interview With ICED EARTH’s Raphael Saini: “I’ve been dreaming to join a band like ICED EARTH for my whole career, I want to be the best drummer they ever had.”

Interview by Ali Blackdiamond

Raphael Saini

American metal band ICED EARTH were created in 1985 by guitarist and songwriter Jon Schaffer. Even though they have had many line-up changes, it has never stopped them from producing masterpieces of metal and the next one, in the shape of eleventh studio album “Plagues Of Babylon,” is due for release in January 2014.

Brazilian born drummer Raphael Saini, previously of bands such as CHAOSWAVE, ONE MACHINE and more, who is also Director of drum school Bateras Beat Sardegna, joined ICED EARTH in May 2013.

Metal Shock Finland’s Blackdiamond caught up with Raphael for a chat recently. They discussed how he feels being a part of such an established band as ICED EARTH, as well as the upcoming album and even Raphael‘s favourite Sardinian meal!

The interview can be listened to on the audio player and some excerpts can be read below. Please note that Raphael could not hear clearly from his side, so Blackdiamond was busy typing the questions for him, which you can hear!

Raphael expressed his feelings about Jon Schaffer and working with him:

” I was impressed by Jon, I’ve never met anybody in my life who works as hard as he does; he’s a perfectionist, he makes things happen, he works really hard. If you work hard, he can be your best friend because he’s really cool. I’ve learned so much from Jon in two months. He wants the best for ICED EARTH, so if you understand this, then everything goes really easily with him. He just wants the best for everybody. ”

Discussing upcoming album “Plagues Of Babylon,” Raphael said:

” I was involved from the last part of the writing process, I had to write down drum parts and fills. It was very interesting because Jon made me do my things, actually he pushed me to do my best. You can hear a lot of new things happening with the drums.

I think the concept is really great, I really can’t wait for them to say what’s happening! I want to see the reaction of the crowd and the fans. The fans can expect something really powerful, I believe something very intense. ”