BLACKDIAMOND

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Interview With Stu Block, ICED EARTH: “I just see Iced Earth in my future, that’s all.”

Posted by aliblackdiamond on December 30, 2013
Posted in: Interviews. Tagged: , , , . 1 Comment

Interview By Ali Blackdiamond

429092_363445723695491_829477373_nSelf – described “hybrid vocalist,” due to his skill in different vocal styles and ranges, ICED EARTH‘s Stu Block is busy preparing for the imminent release of new album, “Plagues Of Babylon,” (6th January on Century Media Records) along with the Worldwide Plagues Tour. Stu joined ICED EARTH in 2011, replacing vocalist Matt Barlow and went on to release his first album with the band, the highly acclaimed “Dystopia.”

Blackdiamond had a chat with Stu just before Christmas to discuss the new album and all things ICED EARTH. Some excerpts from the interview can be read below and you can listen in full on the audio player:

Discussing new album “Plagues Of Babylon” Stu described his thoughts:

“I’m excited! It’s up to the fans – I can’t wait to see what they have to say about it. We’re happy with it, we’re proud of the album.

The first half is a concept piece about the zombie apocalypse, being sort of placed inside the Something Wicked universe and the second half is stand alone songs, ones that have their own subject matter. It’s all very dark and very heavy, we’re really proud of it.”

“Plagues Of Babylon” will also be released on vinyl, prompting a discussion:

“It’s something that a lot of people are holding onto again, I have a bit of a vinyl collection myself – you get more artwork on that kinda stuff, you can see more detail. You get picture discs, the sound is pretty cool, I think some people are getting back into it.”

On Stu‘s future, when asked if he had other plans as well as his role in ICED EARTH, he said:

“I just see Iced Earth in my future, that’s all.”

Plagues Of Babylon Iced Earth

Interview With Michael Weikath, HELLOWEEN: “The new album can be expected early in 2015, we don’t want to rush things…I’m kind of suffering a little from the last Muse album, please, I need more interesting Muse records in the future!”

Posted by aliblackdiamond on December 9, 2013
Posted in: Interviews. Tagged: , , . 1 Comment

Interview by Ali Blackdiamond

Michael WeikathBlackdiamond recently caught up with the original guitarist Michael Weikath from German power metallers HELLOWEEN, during a short break from the Hellish Rock Tour Part II with GAMMA RAY. Michael was very relaxed and drinking coffee in his home on the Canary Islands during the humorous chat.

We discussed everything from what’s happening with the band to MAC computers and U2. You can read some excerpts below and listen to the full interview on the audio player:

On the current album “Straight Out Of Hell,” Michael said: “The album has been fun with positive reviews. This is one of those things you always dream and hope would come along and we’re very proud of it. We hope we can repeat it a few times.”

About the next HELLOWEEN album, Michael expressed: “There’s general ideas hanging in mid air as usual, but there’s not the slightest idea of what it could be about. But we assume it’s going to be another record in the line of the last three or four, because that seems kind of a good approach. It can be expected in early 2015 – we want to do it properly and not rush things.”

We also talked about the music Michael enjoys listening to and he had plenty to say about a couple of bands:

“I’m kind of suffering a little bit from the last Muse album! I’m such a big Muse fan until the last record. It’s kind of sad to see how they copy Queen and U2, which nobody needs. I would prefer to hear original material. it’s great if it sells, but please, I need more interesting Muse records in the future!

U2 right now are the biggest band in the world, sadly. I don’t mean disrespect to the persons involved, it’s just that kind of music is not so great that it should be number one. They are selling a lot more than AC/DC. I don’t want to piss people off by what I say, that’s just what I think.”

965687_10151749948618907_248783043_o

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.”

Posted by aliblackdiamond on September 11, 2013
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Interview by Ali Blackdiamond

Raphael Saini

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. ”

ICED EARTH 2013

ICED EARTH 2013

Interview With PRIMITAI: Discuss New Album, Special Guest

Posted by aliblackdiamond on September 4, 2013
Posted in: Interviews. Tagged: , , , , . 1 Comment

PrimitaiBritish traditional metallers PRIMITAI have been busy since the release of their last album, 2010’s “The Line Of Fire.” They have toured the UK with the likes of metal heavyweights SAXON, GRAND MAGUS and EVILE as well as appearing at estivals such as Bloodstock, Hard Rock Hell and High Voltage.

PRIMITAI are now preparing for the release of their new studio album “Rise Again,” which is scheduled for release on October 14th. The band have just announced (since this interview!) that JUDAS PRIEST guitarist Ritchie Faulkner has appeared as special guest on the album and the single featuring Ritchie, entitled “Scream When You See Us” will be released on Monday 9th September. Fore more details check out the bands official website at this location.

Metal Shock Finland‘s Blackdiamond caught up with Chris and Jamie at this years Bloodstock Festival for a chat which you can listen to on the audio player below:

Check out the lyric video for the first track released from the album “Fortune Favours The Brave”:

 

Primitai

Interview With CYPHER 16: Bloodstock 2013

Posted by aliblackdiamond on August 25, 2013
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Interview by Ali Blackdiamond

English metal band CYPHER 16 started their life in 2007 and have had a very busy last few years. As well as recording EP’s, they have toured extensively, supporting DARK TRANQUILLITY and LACUNA COIL and also played in India five times, the last one being at a Metal Hammer sponsored event in 2012.

CYPHER 16 played their show on the Sophie Lancaster stage at this years Bloodstock and Blackdiamond caught up with the band for a chat, which you can listen to on the audio player below:

CYPHER 16

CYPHER 16

 

Interview With STATES OF PANIC: Bloodstock 2013

Posted by aliblackdiamond on August 24, 2013
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Interview by Ali Blackdiamond

British theatrical rockers STATES OF PANIC have been covering the festival circuit with earnest this summer, entertaining the crowds of Download, Les-Fest, Headbangers Balls and also Bloodstock where they played the Sophie Lancaster stage. STATES OF PANIC will also be appearing at Trash Fest in Helsinki which takes place on 4th and 5th October.

The band are currently completing work on their album and have released a single “One Of Us,” which is available as a free download on the STATES OF PANIC official website at this location.

Blackdiamond caught up with the whole band for a chat after their performance at Bloodstock, which you can listen to on the audio player below:

STATES OF PANIC Bloodstock 2013

STATES OF PANIC
Bloodstock 2013