Italian Alternative Metallers KRAMPUS are no longer a folk metal band, and maybe never have been one, really! Their continuously evolving music is freedom to experience all the colours of the borderline of metal and more. It’s a journey to the unknown, without losing the tracks, tradition and philosophy which KRAMPUS is proud of. KRAMPUS are: Filippo – Lead Vocals, Marika – Violin, Alessandro – Guitar & Backing Growl, Davide – Bass and Matteo – Bagpipes, Whistles, Flutes, Irish bouzouki.
Three years have passed since our last interview with KRAMPUS, so it was about time to find out what’s going on with the band today. Tarja Virmakari had a pleasant chat with the band’s vocalist Filippo, talking about their recent years, present activity and revealing that a new album is in the works. To find out more about the discussed topics, please join the chat below.
Since their humble beginnings in Karlstad, Sweden, back in 2011, EYES WIDE OPEN have more than just made themselves a name: In less than two years in existence as a band, they have gathered a huge following and 15 fan clubs worldwide. With the spring of 2012 marking the release of their debut EP; “Revelations”, this is a career seldomly seen. In this short period of time they have played two of Sweden’s largest rock/metal -festivals, toured throughout Sweden, Denmark and Norway, had a lot of airtime on alternative radio channels all over the planet, achieved no less than 62.000 followers on Facebook and much, much more. Their latest effort, the debut full-length “Aftermath” came out at the end of 2013, including 11 brand new tracks and a much more diverse sound. With this album, EYES WIDE OPEN further cement their position as a one of the frontrunners in Swedish metal today, with strong melodies, big riffs and their trademarked use of megaphones.
A couple of weeks ago Tarja Virmakari had a nice Skype chat with EYES WIDE OPEN guitarist Kristofer Strandberg, drummer Karl Adamsson and bassist Jesper Lindgren. The discussed topics were, of course, the band’s latest album “Aftermath”, recent European tour and the upcoming support shows with HATEBREED, on March 30th (at Re:Public in Minsk, Belarus) and 31th (at SENTRUM in Kiev, Ukraine). To find out more about what Tarja discussed with Kristofer, Karl and Jesper, join the chat below.
Melodic rock metal act SCAR FOR LIFE was formed by guitarist Alexandre Santos in 2008, releasing in the following years 3 full-length albums, one Live album and a Compilation. The latest effort, titled “Worlds Entwined” came out in 2014, released by British label Escape Music. This new work was mixed by Swedish producer Martin Kronlund and features special guests such as Vinny Appice (BLACK SABBATH / DIO), Mikael Carlsson (LOVER UNDER COVER) and Neil Fraser (TEN). A lyric video was also released for the single ‘Thirteen Revolution’. At the beginning of 2015 the band signed an exclusive management deal with Agentur EAM Event And Artist Management, and now, as we speak, SCAR FOR LIFE is preparing to a busy year with touring and festival appearances.
A couple of weeks ago Tarja Virmakari had a chance to interview SCAR FOR LIFE‘s vocalist Rob Mancini, talking about him joining the band, and of course about “Worlds Entwined”, the recent signing with Agentur EAM and about the future touring and plans. Besides these, Tarja and Rob talked also about the rock scene back in the ’90’s and how they were involved in these years. To find out more about the topics, listen to the audio chat below.
Releases:
Scar for Life Full-length 2009
Live and Acoustic Live album 2010
It All Fades Away Full-length 2010
3 Minute Silence Full-length 2012
Retrospective Compilation 2013
Worlds Entwined Full-length 2014
LION TWIN is a German metal-pop duo which was established in the early summer of 2011 by Jan (guitar) and Li (vocals). LION TWIN meld real metal with rock pop. Their debut album Nashville, released in 2013, builds on the sound of 80’s metal and weaves in today’s musical taste in the genre. The album features Udo Dirkschneider and it was mixed and mastered by the great Michael Wagener.
Li’s virtuoso and multi-layered vocals – deep, expressive and very broad – are the hallmark of LION TWIN. Each piece is different and contains surprises that never interrupt the flow of the song and yet make you curious to listen for more. LION TWIN has a familiar sound, but it’s also unconventional, especially regarding the songwriting and arrangements. The LION TWIN song lyrics are especially important, loaded with irony and ambiguity and often coded, dealing extensively with social issues and issues critical of society as it is today.
Just a couple of days ago Tarja Virmakari had a chance to interview Li and Jan, talking about Nashville, Touring plans, the band’s benefit concerts for Greenpeace and Amnesty International. Li told also about the upcoming Female Fronted Night II, set to be held on April 25th (further information about the event HERE).
Italian metallers ARTHEMIS were formed by guitarist Andy Martongelli back in 1999 and are the epitome of a hardworking metal band, with their thrashing, catchy heavy music! The band’s most recent album, “Live From Hell” was released in 2014 and recorded at Hard Rock Hell VII.
ARTHEMIS are now well into the “We Are The Fire” European Tour with GUS G. I caught up with guitarist Andy and drummer Kekko before the first show of the tour in Nottingham on 20th February. We discussed everything from the band and live music to cakes! Check out some excerpts below and the full chat on the audio player:
Andy Martongelli, ARTHEMIS, With Blackdiamond Nottingham 2015
Discussing ARTHEMIS in general since the release of last studio album “We Fight” in 2012, Kekko stated:
“We had some line-up changes – the rhythm section – bass and drummer (me!) and we recorded the live album “Live From Hell” with the new line-up which is great, very tight.”
Andy continued: “Me and Kekko were in Powerquest back in the day so we’ve known each other forever. JT the bass player is my good friend from 2002. This time it was so easy to get the real deal, the real Arthemis back as we wanted.”
The guys talked about what’s going on with the band at the moment and their views on playing the live circuit:
“We’re just writing a bunch of riffs here and there, putting together ideas. We’re working on the album, trying to find the right direction, cos we got so many ideas.
Five years ago you would see a tour, some gigs and studio album. But now, you see two years of touring sometimes. Probably, the proper album is not considered that much these days compared to the past, but the live scene is amazing now!
It makes it more like back in the seventies – where you had to see the real deal and see if the band is really good – they had to prove it straight away. We’ve been confirmed for a festival with Obituary and Angra for the summer and some more news to come soon. We keep gigging, so that’s good!”
FIREWIND creator and guitarist with Ozzy Osbourne, GUS G. has been very busy over the last year with his solo project. His debut album “I Am The Fire” was released in March 2014, featuring various artists including Mats Levén, Billy Sheehan and Jeff Scott Soto and received an overwhelming response from fans.
Gus has already done some touring with “I Am The Fire” but has just embarked on a new European “We Are The Fire” tour for 2015, along with vocalist Henning Basse, bass player Strutter and drummer Jo Nunez. Support on the tour comes from Italian metallers ARTHEMIS and young English rockers SKARLETT RIOT. I caught up with Gus before his first show in Nottingham on Friday 20th February, where we discussed the tour and future plans including shows and the next solo album. To hear what Gus revealed about his new album, favourite food and drink, FIREWIND and more, check out the interview on the audio player! You can also read some excerpts from the chat below.
GUS G, Blackdiamond Rescue Rooms, Nottingham February 2015
During our chat, Gus mentioned his next solo album, so I asked him more about it. Gus revealed:
“I’ve already written all the songs and we’ve just finished tracking drums. So once I go back home from this tour I’m gonna go back in the studio and start working on the guitars. So yeah, we’re aiming to finish it by summertime.”
Regarding guest musicians, Gus stated:
“It will still be very much like that (last album) but with less guests. It’s going to be more like a close group of people that I collaborate and co-write with. I’m excited about that, it’s a very high energy album actually. There’s a lot more up-tempo and heavier stuff on it, a lot of guitar in it – just focusing a lot on songwriting. I love to have catchy tunes on there that rock hard!
I co-wrote some songs with Mats Levénand also wrote a lot of songs with Jacob Bunton – he also sang on the first album, he has more of a leading role in this album. There’s a couple more people that I’m not gonna mention right now, because it’s still not set.”
Asked when we would hear more from FIREWIND, Gus expressed:
“The reason why I haven’t made any official statements on the band’s website is because I still haven’t found a singer that I’m comfortable working with on a long term basis yet – I’m pretty close to one right now. And also another factor is because I need to feel really one hundred percent confident that the material is going to be killer and it’s going to be a great album.
So we decided with the band there’s no rush to go back in the studio and do another album and tour cycle – we’ve been doing that for ten years nonstop. Right now I have some ideas that I’ve been working on that I’m excited about, but we’re going to start working with this new singer and we’ll see what happens, if he’s the right one.”
Check out “I Am The Fire” at the Rescue Rooms, Nottingham:
Gus G Nottingham 2015
THE ROCK ALCHEMIST – Italian Rock Band from Turin with a strong sonic identity that blends modern rock with progressive, hard, alternative, and pop elements!
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
