Metal Shock Finland (World Assault )

Only two months ago, Metal Shock Finland’s Blackdiamond interviewed the newest member to join metallers ICED EARTH, drummer Raphael Saini. But after recording the not yet released “Plagues Of Babylon” album and touring with the band, Raphael announced his departure from ICED EARTH.

So, Blackdiamond spoke to Raphael for an update on the situation, you can read the chat below:

Hi Raphael how are you doing?

Hey! I am doing great thank you, it’s been a very interesting period of my life.

Last time we spoke you were ICED EARTH’s newest member and had recorded the new album with them. It was a big surprise to see that recently you had left the band, can you explain what happened? And how do you feel about leaving?

Since the beginning I knew it was going to be temporary, but I did my best to help deliver it all. The band had a tight schedule with festivals and rehearshals/writing for the new album, so it was really challenging.

What Happened? It happened that something temporary can’t last forever 🙂

I feel its the best thing for the band as well as for me, and I am happy that Jon Dette is playing, I really like his style and playing and I am honored to know that he will be playing drum parts that I created.

How was your time in ICED EARTH, as you achieved a lot in a short space of time, such as touring and recording?

It was surely a great experience and a “School” that helped me out in my path on becoming a better musician. I never played this kind of “heavy metal” before: I was playing death metal, hardcore… so it was a challenge…I mean…everything was a challenge but you learn a lot from yourself: you learn that if you’re strong enough to keep the pressure and believe in yourself… you can do it.

We played some great festivals and shows plus I had the chance to work in the studio with Jon and this was the most interesting part: an amazing learning situation … something that is worth alone all this experience. I have a lot of respect for him and the way he works, so I am very happy for the opportunity I had of learning from him.

What would you like to say to the ICED EARTH fans who had welcomed you to the band?

I would like to say THANK YOU from the deep of my heart and I hope they appreciate my contribution on PLAGUES OF BABYLON.

Also please accept the fact that I am not part of the band anymore, don’t take it personally…. Things happen. This doesn’t mean that I don’t care about IE or i don’t care about the fans. Things happen and things change, Iced Earth will continue to kick asses and I will continue my path… I am pleased that we crossed our paths for a bit.

So what are your plans now, do you have any new projects?

Over the last 4 years I’ve been touring and recording with an impressive amount of bands :

Master (Usa), Abomination (Usa), Arhythmia (Italy), Chaoswave (Italy), Visions of Atlantis (Austria), Emergency gate (Germany), One Machine (the band of Steve Smyth ex testament and Ex Nevermore) and recently Iced Earth (Usa)…and more!

I’ve been jumping on headlining tours with 24 hours of advance, I’ve been fighting like crazy to prove to myself that I was able to do it all… and I did it.

It was something I did for myself mainly not for the “fame” or the “glory”, it was my personal war against my demons (I should write a book about a crazy story of a guy coming out from nowehere and having the chance to tour the world playing heavy metal music ahahahha). It was my way to prove that nothing can stop a man with a strong dream.

After I.E. I wanted to take a break… but one of my dearest friends and one of the best singers in the planet asked to join her new band.JADED STAR (https://www.facebook.com/jadedstarofficial)

Her name is Maxi Nil and we’ve been friends since I toured with her other band Visions of Atlantis in 2011. So here I am again doing pre-productions for this album.

Also I got an impressive number of purposals for new bands…. But I am not really on the mood to decide anything now, so we’ll see what will happen.

I mean surely I will not stop playing but now it’s to early to decide anything else…

Right now I just want to play drums and have fun… as I always did.

I know something good always comes on my way…it’s just a matter of working hard and staying positive.

You can follow me on facebook.com/officialraphaelsaini and see what is happening :

Thanks for your time Raphael and best wishes to you!

Thank you for your interest, best wishes to you too, It was a pleasure to answer to this interview!

Thank you!