Axe Crazy interview

1. For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?

So, Axe Crazy was formed in 2010 i polish town Lędziny. As you know we chose it’s name from a Jaguar’s song. We play traditional heavy metal so we are associated with the movement called NWOTHM. The Axe Crazy line up is: Michael Skotnicki – vocal, Robson Bigos – guitar, Andrzej Heczko – drums,  Kamil Pieściuk – bass, Adrian Bigos – guitar.

2. In April you had released an ep, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording?

Our music is inspired by classic heavy metal from the 80s, so we tried to also sonically refer to this period and get the typical oldschool, and it worked out what we can hear on the EP. But it was our first time in a professional studio J

3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?

We have a special theme for the lyrics, we write about what we are captured and just come to mind, but rather they are not lyrics about love ha ha J The inspiration sometimes is life itself, sometimes theme of fantasy or sci-fi.

 4. I know that the band name came from Jaguar song, how does this name fit in with your musical style?

Our style is rather classic heavy metal, but fairly fast, with high tempos, just like for example Jaguar’s "Axe Crazy", so we thought the name would fit us well. By the way, we're a little crazy, so everything integrates haha J

5. What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?

We did have some cool concerts, the best are always the ones where is a lot of people and hot fun under the stage. One of the best was definitely our performance in the Mega Club in Katowice, was perhaps the most professional in terms of the entire luminaire and the club where we were not once near the stage at concerts of the world's top hard rock and heavy metal bands, so play there was a real honor for us. Our stage performance as the music itself also refers to the best times of metal, so it is important to “fire” and movement on stage, appearance of the band and all concert design and effects like lights, smoke, etc.. Obviously we aren’t a band of world-class and we have a limited budget, but we try to do everything to make our concerts even in the slightest resemble the best metal performances.

6. Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?

We play concerts as often as possible, and of course we plan them as much as possible, but for now they are rather performances in the vicinity of your place of residence. We'd love to play concerts in Europe or even around the world, go on tour with a band as a support, but this unfortunately need the support from the label or concert agencies.

7. Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?

 Actually we signed a contract for the release of our EP “Angry Machines” on vinyl.

8. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of metal?

 It seems to us that the EP collects pretty good reviews and we guess the fans of classic metal like it, at least in most cases. Several record labels also interested in us, so we guess it's not bad :)

9. When can we expect a full length album and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

 Now we working on material for a full length album, the work goes quite well and in the spring we want to again enter the studio and record a full CD. We will stay with our style, which is the classic heavy metal.

10.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

Like we said, our inspirations begin at the hard rock of the 70 and end on heavy / power metal of the 80's and 90's. Bands that inspire us are Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Helloween, Blind Guardian, Kiss, Black Sabbath, Thin Lizzy, and hundreds of other classics metal bands. Currently we listen music from the 70s and 80s, but also many new bands inspired by those times, that is belonging to NWOTHM.

11.What are some of your non musical interests?

Each of us has different interests, but we all like girls, party, sports, automotive and porn movies from the 80s hahaha :)

12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

Thank you very much for this interview and interest in our music! Greetings to all fans of heavy metal and pretty girls ha ha ha :) Of course invite to our shows and on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/axecrazyband), where you will find informations about our concerts and through which you can order our EP.
STAY CRAZY!
\ m /

Team Data Amplifier Interview

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
1. Team Data Amplifier for now is a studio project but I hope to turn it into a live show in time. It actually started as an idea between myself and Andy DeVries a video editor buddy of mine from back in high school. The idea at first was to take ideas that I wrote and he would create video to accompany and visa versa. That is where the idea for the whole Blade Runner theme came from. I have a whole video clip that extends the entire EP. I guess its for the die hard Sci FI nuts like me. After I had written the entire Ep I showed it to Brad Hawes another friend of mine who plays drums on the album. He plays in a bunch of groups off and on including, The Projection People, Butt Funnel, and his main focus is his electronic project Echo Island. He had asked me to master "Hinerval" the new Echo Island full length and that is where Replicant Eyes came up. I sent it to him and like 5 minutes later he signed on to play drums. Up until that point I wasnt really planning to release the EP with a live recording. It was more just something for me to work on creatively but after that the idea of really spending some time recording it seemed more possible.
 Next I asked Dan Eichman who used to play with a group called The Abominable No Men that I recorded a few albums for to play bass. I really loved his playing, very tasteful and solid. Somehow he just seemed to pick the right notes every time.
   Shawn Conrad, the guitarist from a previous band I was in called Take me Tick Tock joined up. That was kind of what I had in mind from the get go. Shawn has a really unique and expressive playing style that he had really developed over the years I had been playing with him. I actually wrote his parts with him in mind, kind of mimicking his playing style. I think he really enjoyed recording those parts, they were tailored for him and he just took the ideas and pushed them 1000%.
 Lastly I asked a super old friend of mine Mike Braeckevelt to join. I used to pay music with him almost 10 years ago and I always missed the way he played. He lives about 3 hours away so I did not think to ask him right off the bat but then I realized with a studio project the distance doesnt play as big of a factor. Its exciting though there is a chance he is going to move to Madison in the spring to attend The Madison Media Institute. I went to that school to learn recording and I work there as an instructor as well as work as a recording engineer at The Blast House where I tracked the EP.

2.Recently you have released an ep, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording?
2. The album for me was an effort to make a continuous idea that while pushed different genres kept true to a solid theme. As far as the specific sonic quality I was really just trying to go for a clean sound without having to rely on processing after the fact. I think because of the way the album was written on a computer piece by piece it has a mechanical quality to it. Not that its a bad thing and lots of albums I love have that feel but for the next album I would like to go for a more organic/natural vibe. Its funny you mention a 90s sound. That is pretty unintentional. That is just the music I grew up on so I guess it kind of bled through.

3.The lyrics are based on the movie 'Blade Runner', can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this film?
3. For about 6 months when I was around 13 my brothers and sister moved to Louisiana to live with my father while my mother was stationed in Italy for a short term. There was a movie store called slick Sams that you could rent old movies 5 bucks for 5 movies. If I remember right the lunch was like 2.50 at the high school I attended so twice a week I would skip lunch so I could rent movies. It was in one of those batches that I rented blade runner. I remember wanting to see it because the back of the box of Akira a classic anime that pretty much got me into anime said “Makes Blade Runner look like Disney Land.” I read that more as inspired by BladeRunner. After watching it the first time my mind was blown. This was also the theatrical release that had Harrison Fords narration
that he really didn’t want to do and rushed through so it had an extra layer of cheese factor. Since then I have probably watched BladeRunner once a year. I had just watched it again last year and for some reason it had struck a deeper chord. Before it had just been a really cool Sci Fi but this time the themes of Fear, uncertainty of identity, and manipulation really stuck out. This is the backbone of Replicant Eyes. In many ways those same themes parallel issues I see in my life so it’s not entirely written specifically about Blade runner, more of a jumping off point. In all Blade Runner is just a great movie and the visual Fx is amazing especially for its time. The soundtrack is killer too. I do remember when I first saw it thinking it was just like an anime in film version. More like the anime I had been watching had already used Blade Runner as inspiration

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Team Data Amplifier'?

Team Data Amplifier is an uber-literal name: It’s a “Team,” because the group  extends beyond the band members to include visual artists and promotion professionals. “Data Amplifier” means taking information and ideas as far as they can go. So Team Data Amplifier is a collective of people pushing artistic ideas to the extreme.

5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?
5. We havent played any shows yet.

6.When can we expect a full length and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
6. We are working on new music now. The goal is to make the next project a collaberation. I have been super busy so when I find time I write ideas rather than full songs. I would like to push the music further into the realm of Prog. Not so much the music style but to abandon typical song structure. I would also like the next album to more dynamic and spacious.

7.What are some of your non musical interests?
7. I really like video games when I have some free time. Right now I am playing Dark Souls 2 its really good. 

Adrian Weiss Interview

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with your solos project these days?

I released my second full length solo album this July and have been promoting it since through print and online magazines. In September I released the first video clip of the song Camel´s Dance and the second video clip (Song: Awkward Silence) will be released this coming Sunday. I also have some concerts scheduled where I will be playing material from my solo albums. The official release concert will take place on Fr., Dec. 5th 2014 at the Pitcher in Düsseldorf, Germany. I am very honored to present
The Christian-Münzner-Band as well that night.

2. In July you had released your second solo album. How would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

The new album is quite a bit heavier and has more Rock and metal in it than my debut BIG TIME which was much more world music oriented with lots of acoustic arrangements. What both albums have in common is the melody orientation, although the new album also has quite a few riffs that drive the songs as well.

3. All  of your solos work so far has been instrumental, are you open to using any vocals on future releases?

Yes, I am planning also to work with vocalists on my next album. But half the songs I want to keep instrumental, taking turns with the vocal songs. I don´t think that concept has been followed by too many players so far. The idea is to feature different singers I got to know during my 20 years in the music scene.

4. What are some of the concepts and images you bring out with your music?

The concepts of the songs are basically tied to simple situations or feelings, not to any complex plots. For instance “Instant Relief” just describes what I think I hear in the song: Tension or pain, relief and maybe euphoria. The term of the song title as such actually was inspired by a tv add for a headache pill.
On my first album the titles and associations were more positive…”Summer Drive”, “Bright Awakening” etc.

5. Do you feel that working solo gives you a little bit more room to being creative than with a full band?

Yes - and also things can go a lot faster than when working with a band where everyone has a say and gives input. Plus in a band you are always depending on other people. Working alone there is never the excuse of having to wait for someone else. I only get done what I do myself.
And it can be very liberating to follow your own personal musical visions without having other people interfering. So I truly enjoy working on my stuff alone. And I have many years of band experience, so I know the difference.

6. On the new album you had a few quests, can you tell us a little bit more about them and their contributions to the recording?

Well, next to my steady line up (Lars Zeher on drums and Marcel Willnat on bass) there is Demian Heuke, an old friend from my home town who just recently released his first album “Treumal” by the way. He contributed 5 really cool solos on Easy Game. I also want to mention former Necrophagist and Obscura guitarist Christian Münzner who also has released two solo albums entitled Timewarp and Beyond The Wall Of Sleep. As I mentioned above I will be playing live with him on December 5th.
Also Jens Basten from my new heavy metal band Gloryful as well as former Gloryful guitarist Vito Papotto are featured with solos on “Offbeat Frankenstine”.
I also want to mention GUT-guitarist Thorsten Praest, a great jazz and fusion player from my home town Düsseldorf as well as mf-C, Jens Schäfer, Tim Schulte and Mischa Blum who are all featured guest musicians I got to know during my years in the scene.

7.Are you open to working with a label on your solos stuff or do you prefer the self released approach?

I would be open to label if I got a decent offer. But as long as I have the complete financial risk and have to pay for everything myself I don´t want to have to rely on someone else to get the album promoted and distributed. Usually labels want to have exclusive rights to all the music in addition. Plus there are hardly any labels interested in instrumental acts, so to be honest, I didn´t spend much time looking for a label to release EASY GAME.

8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to the new album by music fans?

The reactions from press and fans have been overwhelmingly positive. Germany´s Rock Hard Magazine awarded my new album best self released cd of the month of October this year (2014). But also lots of other zines from different countries wrote excellent reviews. So I´m very happy with the feedback!

9.What is going on with the other full time bands that you are a part of these days?

I have been a full time member of power metal band Gloryful since May of 2014 and we have been quite active playing all kinds of festivals this summer including Out´n Loud, Metalfest Loreley, Dong OA and many others. For me this year has been a blast and there are more shows coming up. We´re working on writing a new album that we plan to start recording sometime next year.
Forces At Work - my progressive metal band I´ve been in since late 2000 - has been very quiet this year, but we´re working on new songs.

10.Where do you see yourself heading into musically during the future?

I think I´d like to learn a little more Jazz, Blues and Fusion stuff and incorporate it into my playing. I love to listen to lots of those fusion players but I understand little about what´s going on a theoretical level. But basically I´m sure my style will stay what it is: Melody driven rock and metal.

11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

My first influences came from bands like AC/DC, Guns´n Roses and Metallica. Later on I got into Petrucci und Dream Theater and a lot of other progressive bands.
Plus of course I´ve been listening to all kinds of great known (MacAlpine, Vai, Satriani, Gilbert, Gary and Vinnie Moore etc.) and relatively unknown guitar players. To name a few of the lesser known people I´m currently into: Demian Heuke, Christian Münzner (who both also played on EASY GAME), Raimund Burke, Paul Wardingham, Hans Van Even, Dennis Hormes and of course Victor Smolski, who I guess is quite famous though and who I had the pleasure to feature as a guest on my first solo album BIG TIME.

12.What are some of your non musical interests?

Since I spend almost all of my free time involved in making and promoting my music my other interests are quite limited. But I like watching movies and tv-series her and there. I´m also into body weight strength training, which became my sport about two years ago due to the small amount of time and logistics required. I used to do a lot of running as well.

13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

Thanks again to the many people involved that made this new album possible! Please give EASY GAME a listen atwww.adrianweiss.bandcamp.com where you can also order the album on cd or as a download !
Check out my current video clip! www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3no7esvaAQ

Also keep your eyes open for my new video clip of the opening song Awkward Silence that will be released at 7 pm on October 19th2014!

In case you happen to be nearby come to see my band at the Pitcher on December 5th 2014 in Düsseldorf, Germany where I will be supporting the
Christian-Münzner-Band with its first concert ever!

And thank you for the interest and the interview!

Dissorted/I/2014 EP Review

  Dissorted  are  a  band  from  Germany  that  plays  a  very  melodic  form  of  thrash  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2014  ep  "I".

  A  very  heavy  and  old  school  thrash  metal  sound  starts  off  the  ep  and  a  few  seconds  later  vocals  are  added  into  the  music  that  are  very  aggressive  yet  melodic  at  the  same  time  and  you  can  also  hear  back  up  gang  shouts  and  more  melody  being  added  into  the  bands  musical  sound  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  When  solos  and  leads  are  added  into  the  music  they  take  the  ep  into  more  of  a  melodic  thrash  metal  direction  and  on  some  of  the  later  tracks  you  can  hear  the  vocals  getting  a  bit  deeper  and  adding  in  a  touch  of  death  metal   while  the  more  melodic  side  of  the  vocals  bring  in  elements  of  power  metal.  

  Dissorted  plays  a  very  old  school  style  of  thrash  that  is  more  on  the  melodic  side  of  things  and  they  also  bring  in  a  touch  of  power  metal  to  create  some  very  heavy  and  melodic  metal,  the  production  sounds  very  powerful  for  being  a  self  released  recording  while  the  lyrics  cover  political  and  real  life  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Dissorted  are  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  thrash  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Eaten  Alive"  and  "The  new  World".  8  out  of  10.

Foreseen Hki/Helskini Savagery/20 Buck Spin/2014 CD Review

  Foreseen  Hiki  are  a  band  from  Finland  that  plays  a  mixture  of  thrash  and  hardcore  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2014  album  "Helskini  Savagery"  which  will  be  released  in  November  by  20  Buck  Spin.

  War  sounds  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  more  of  an  old  school  thrash  metal  direction  along  with  some  blast  beats  and  after  awhile  solos  and  leads  which  also  display  a  great  amount  of  talent  and  skill  on  the  instrumental  which  is  also  utilized  later  are  added  into  the  music  along  with  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  all  of  the  music  is  very  heavily rooted  in  the  80's  era  of  extreme  metal.

  When  vocals  are  added  into  the  music  they  bring  elements  of  hardcore  onto  the  recording  along  with  some  back  up  gang  shouts  and  all  of  the musical  instruments  on  the  recording  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  after  awhile  the  bands  musical  style  starts  becoming  more  of  a  mixture  of  New  York  style  hardcore  and  bay  Area  thrash  and  they  also  stick  to  the  more  heavier  and  aggressive  parts  of  both  those  musical  genres.  

  Foreseen  Hiki  goes  back  to  the  80's  era  of  hardcore  and  thrash  metal  with  their  musical  style  and  writing  music  that  sound s like  it  could  of  easily  been  recorded  and  released  in  the  80's  and  there  is  never  a  soft  moment  present  anywhere  on  this  recording  along  with  every  minute  and  second  on  this  recording  sticking  to  a  very  heavy  musical  direction,  the  production  sounds  very  old  school  yet  professional  at  the  same  time  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark,  violent  and  hateful  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Foreseen  Hiki  are  a  very  great  sounding  crossover  mixture  of  thrash  metal  and  hardcore  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Death  Injection"  "Bonded  By  United  Blood"  "Delusion  Of  No  Consequence"  and  "Paving  the  Way".  8  out  of  10.  

Anguish/Mountain/Dark Descent Records/2014 CD Review

  Anguish  are  a  band  from  Sweden  that  plays  a  very  traditional  form  of  doom  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2014  album  "Mountain"  which  will  be  released  in  November  by  Dark  Descent  Records.

  Acoustic  guitars  start  off  the  album  and  they  give  the  music  a  very  dark  and  epic  edge  along  with  some  melodic  guitar  leads  and  after  the  intro  the  music  starts  getting  more  heavy  and  adds  in  a  doom  metal  sound  that  also  brings  in  a  great  amount  of  dark  sounding  melodies  in  the  80's  tradition  and  a  good  portion  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  When  vocals  are  added  into  the  music  they  are  in  a  more  aggressive  and  rough  direction  closer  to  first  wave  black  metal  while  they  do  have  their  melodic  moments  at  times  almost  while  the  solos  and  leads  continue  the  dark  and  melodic  tradition  of  epic  doom  metal  and  most  of  the  music  remains  true  to  a  very  slow,  dark  and  heavy  doom  metal  musical  style.  

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  the  acoustic  guitars  which  where  present  on  the  intro  also  make  their  return  on  some  of  the  later  tracks  in  certain  sections  and  as  the  album  progresses  spoken  word  parts  can be  heard  briefly  and  they  add  more  of  an  occult  and  ritualistic  feeling  to  the  bands  musical  style  and  the  melodies  also  start  bringing  in  more  of  a  depressive  approach  to  the  riffs  and  solos  and  some  of  the  later  tracks  also  bring  in  a  small  amount  of  organs  which  also  adds  a  psychedelic  70's  feeling  to  the  bands  heavy  doom  metal  sound.

  Anguish  creates  a  very  heavy  and  epic  style  of  doom  metal  that  is  heavily  rooted  in  the  80's  but  sounds  more  modern  and  also  uses  a  more  aggressive  vocals  and  heavier  sound  than  the  older  bands  as  well  as bringing  in  a  darker  atmosphere,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  and  heavy  while  the  lyrics  cover  cosmic  philosophy  and  dark  fantasy  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Anguish  are  a  very  great  sounding  epic  doom  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Makarian  Furnace"  "The  Woven  Shield"  and  "Snowhammer".  8  out  of  10.

Zex/Ragnarock Session/Medusa Crush Recordings/2014 Cassette Review

  Zex  are  a  band  from  Canada  that  plays  a  mixture  of  heavy  metal  and  punk  rock  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2014  cassette  "Ragnarock  Sessions"  which  was  released  by  Medusa  Crush  Recordings.

  A  70's  orientated  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  melodic guitar  leads  before  adding  in  old  school  punk  rock  elements  and  female  vocals  and  back  up  shouts  and  the  band  also  brings  in  influences  from  NWOBHM  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  All  of  the  songs  sound  like  they  could  of  easily  been  recorded  and  released  in  the  70's  and  the  band  also  brings  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  which  also  shows  the  beginnings  of  early  hardcore  punk  and  speed  metal  at  times  and  the  guitar  riffing  also  bring s in  a  good  amount  of  melody  at  times  along  with  a  great  amount  of  raw  energy.

  Zex  go  back  to  the  70's  era  of  heavy  metal  and  punk  rock  and  combine  these  2  genres  together  to  create  some  very  energetic,  raw,  retro  and  old  school  sounding  music,  the  production  sound s very  old  school  yet  professional  at  the  same  time  while  the  lyrics  cover  rebellious  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Zex  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  heavy  metal  and  punk rock  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Savage  City"  and  "Wild  blood".  8/5  out  of  10.