Friday, February 20, 2009

Interview with Machine Head Frontman Robb Flynn

Machine Head have had some great tours recently, including gigs opening for Metallica and Slipknot, but behind the scenes the members have had some serious problems. In Europe, frontman Robb Flynn nearly quit and flew home following endless fights with bassist Adam Duce. Guitarist Phil Demmel suffered recurrent health problems that caused him to pass out without warning, sometimes in the middle of a gig; and after one such incident, he awoke to find out his father had died.

In a moment of down time following the end of the U.S. Metallica tour, Flynn talked openly with HeadbangersBlog.com about how he and Duce have begun therapy to work out their differences, the illness that has haunted Demmel since he was in Vio-Lence in the late ’80s, Machine Head’s upcoming DVD and the incredible power of perseverance. Click here to download the podcast.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

interview with Lamb of God guitarist Mark Morton

Lamb of God's new album Wrath is as brutally heavy, scathing and unrepentant as anything from their last disc Sacrament, and the songs explode with a new level of confidence and authority, whether Lamb of God are ranting about politics or the people who've betrayed them over the years. We recently talked to guitarist Mark Morton about the creation of Wrath, the politics of metal, the first video from the album, "Set to Fail," and the changes the band has experienced since their first record came out in 1998 under the name Burn the Priest.Click here to listen to the podcast.

Interview with Slayer frontman Tom Araya

We recently talked to Slayer bassist and vocalist Tom Araya about the band's upcoming tour with Marilyn Mansin, their writing process, the new tune "Psycopothy Red," which was released on the Internet and "Playing With Dolls," which remains under lock and key. Araya also addressed rumors that Slayer's gonna hang up the inverted cross after the upcoming record, talked about working again with Rick Rubin and Greg Fidelman and shed some new hatred on Metallica's Death Magnetic, which Rubin and Fidelman also produced. Listen to the podcast here.

Interview with Cattle Decapitation frontman Travis Ryan

Cattle Decapitation's new album, The Harvest Floor, is a virulent feast of savage vocals, ear-bursting guitar scree and stomp-and-clomp rock rhythms that runs circles around the latest music by most of the bands they've been reluctantly sharing bills with. We recently phoned up vocalist Travis Ryan and talked about writing and recording The Harvest Floor the advantages of working under pressure, getting Jarboe to guest on the album, animal rights and the eventual death of deathcore. Click here for the podcast.

Friday, January 9, 2009

Interview with Hellyeah and ex-Pantera Drummer Vinnie Paul

In our podcast interview with Hellyeah drummer, ex-Pantera legend and brother of the late, great Dimebag Darrell, Vinnie Paul Abbott talked about how he put together the book "Dimebag Darrell: He Came to Rock!" the legacy of Pantera, how label reps used to try to convince Pantera and their producer Terry Date to integrate alternative and industrial styles within their songs and how Damageplan were misunderstood for most of their short career. Vinnie also recalled the time Dime met Eddie Van Halen, and he broke the news about an upcoming Nick Bowcott book about Darrell and Pantera. Click here to listen.

Interview with Whitechapel Guitarist Alex Wade

Unlike most deathcore groups, which rely on a rigid two guitar assault, Whitechapel have three axemen to carry out their orders of annihilation, providing more of a layered point-counterpoint dynamic to their songs. We recently hooked up with guitarist Alex Wade during some well-deserved time off the road and asked him about the history of the band, the popularity of deathcore, the influence of Jack the Ripper and other serial killers and how Whitechapel often get mistaken for Christian metal. Wade also told us about the creation of their latest album This Is Exile, plans for its follow-up and what awaits on the road in 2009. Click here to listen.

Interview with Sepultura Guitarist Andreas Kisser

We recently tracked down Sepultura guitarist and longtime band member Andreas Kisser at his Brazil home to talk about the band's new record A-Lex, a concept record about "A Clockwork Orange." During our conversation, Kisser addressed the joy of recording concept albums, the inspiration of Anthony Burgess and Stanley Kubrick and the new insights he developed about one of his favorite stories. Kisser also talked about the departure of former drummer Igor Cavalera, the addition of new drummer Jean Dolabella and why he's uninterested in a Roots-era Sepultura reunion. Click here to listen to the podcast.