Interview by Mohsen Fayyazi
It was Carl Sentance’s turn to be my guest this time. A heavy metal singer who carries the legacy from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal era. Carl had no idea that he was going to be the main man the leader of the band one day, when he accepted to front PERSIAN RISK.
The golden age of rock and metal music, the 1970’s to 1980’s, was not necessarily golden for all rockers and bands, there were plenty of names who couldn’t make it for various reasons. However, some of them are back stronger now, British heavy metal outfits HELL and PERSIAN RISK are good examples of these bands.
Today, PERSIAN RISK is back and here to stay and it is absolutely because of Carl Sentance. He seems to be determined and feels a huge amount of passion in his heart for what he wants to do. I had a chance to have an interview with him, thanks to my friend Helen. He was serious and chose to answer my questions in a short way but with a strong meaning. Now, let’s read what Carl has to say about his band and its newest album, “Who Am I?”.
Hello Carl, thanks for accepting to have an interview with me. How are you doing?
I’m good thanks, Hello to everyone in Finland!
To begin with, you are going to release “Who Am I?”, the third studio album of PERSIAN RISK in 2015, would you please tell our younger readers that who are you?
I’m Carl Sentance singer for Persian Risk! I have also been the singer for Krokus, Geezer Butler and more recently, Don Airey.
PERSIAN RISK re-activated by you in 2012, but before that the band was not active for a long prior of time as much as other 80’s metal bands as Manowar, Metallica, Helloween or Mötley Crüe. It seems the band was more active in the changing line-up than working on music, however I can not see any problem in the band’s music, so what was the true problem you think after going back and see the past days now?
The band broke up when I joined Geezer Butler in 86! It was a tough time, with manager problems, so it seemed to be the right thing to do.
You also released the band’s second album, “Once A King”, in 2012. Now in 2014, you have stated another album from PERSIAN RISK to come in 2015. Today, I would like to know how serious PERSIAN RISK are to work and stay in this music industry, which in my opinion is even more messy and harder for the bands to stay stable than 1970’s or 1980’s.
Persian Risk is here to stay! Yes – it’s hard now, but it wont stop this band! We are very serious!
So what are your plans for the future and how do you see the band 10 years from now?
Ha! If I’m still alive there will be more albums and hopefully a tour around the world.
OK, let’s talk about “Who Am I?”, I had a chance to have a few listen to the album and I can say it is a very brave work as it seems to be a tunnel in the time goes back to the golden age of metal music in the 1980’s without using modern elements in it. In other way it is 200% pure old-school heavy metal/rock. How do you feel about this and don’t you think it will make it harder for the band to encourage younger metalheads who are not familiar with those ages to come and check your music?
I think parts of the album are moving forwards but that’s just my opinion. I write how I feel and so far it’s working. Every show we’ve played has had young people in the crowds and they seem to like what we do.
From 50’s and 60’s blues moods and scales to the 80’s NWOBHM elements, you gathered all in this album, can you tell me about writing and recording process of this album, especially what was in you and other band’s member heads?
All songs were written by myself. The band’s current line-up is pretty new, but we are starting to write as a band! I always write riffs first, and melodies just come naturally. Then we jam it out in a rehearsal room.
Again PERSIAN RISK have used Don Airey as a guest keyboardist, would you please tell me how was working with him and what makes him special that encourage you to use him twice in your albums, of course apart from his career as a Deep Purple member.
Don plays on my albums because we are writing partners. He’s a friend and we write together for his project.
Would you like to tell us more about your upcoming shows and festival appearance, especially if you will have any planed tour for 2015 and supporting “Who Am I?” album?
At the moment we are talking to Festival people and hoping to find a manager/agent for the new year. At present we only have a hand full of shows inc, Spain and UK.
OK final question, how do you see the current rock and metal music industry, what exactly changed from the old-school eras?
There are so many styles now it’s confusing! All I can say is if you have a good song – that means good riff, great melody and hook, then its cool what ever style. It’s different because of computers – that’s why the old songs live forever! They were written from the heart.
Carl Sentence, thanks for giving me your time! Do you have any message for your fans and our viewers?
Stay tuned guys and we hope you like our new album “WHO AM I”! Hope to see you soon. Cheers!
PERSIAN RISK Online: |
Carl Sentence official website |
PERSIAN RISK official website |
PERSIAN RISK on Facebook |