Mario Erdmann of Wild Frontier

by Derric Miller
Staff Writer –

Hardrock Haven: Congrats on the great new album, 2012, Mario. To start things off, why don’t you give the readers a bit of the inside story on why the band went with 2012 as the title. Obviously, it’s the year 2012, but what about the numerology, the mythology behind the numbers, etc.?

Mario: 20.12 is the birthday of singer Jens, who has his birthday on Dec. 20. And the month December stands for the “12.” So we have 20.12. Also there should be a little bit mythology with the Mayan calendar, but I do not expect that world will going under on December.

HRH: Tell me about the opening track, the title track, the instrumental. Has Wild Frontier recorded an instrumental before?

Mario: Yes, on the Thousand Miles Away album we did also an instrumental intro which was called “In The Middle Of Nowhere.” And on Bite The Bullet we have “Lost And Found.” We love to produce mystic intros. This brings diversification to an album.

HRH: 2012 has been receiving some great reviews since it’s been released. The one track some people might not have accepted as fully is the ABBA cover, “Gimme Gimme Gimme.” Why’d the band decide to go that quirky route and cover ABBA?

Mario: Because we have also a second band called “Wild Night” which is a cover / tribute band and there we perform a few ABBA songs and many, many people suggested us to record one ABBA song as Wild Frontier and so we did it. And we want to show that Pop songs can also be Rock songs. We have also performed songs from the Backstreet Boys, Kim Wilde etc.

HRH: The first single was “It’s All Over Now” and you also have a kick ass video for it, one that already has about 6,000 views on YouTube. How’s the single doing for the band in Europe? And any other videos in the works?

Mario: Yes, I must admit that I am surprised that we got more than 6000 views in a month. We recorded a second video, for “Why don´t You Save Me,” which will be released on June. This video was filmed at the Sababurg, a castle where the Grimm fairytale “Sleeping Beauty” originated. The reactions of the video in Europe are very good, but let me tell you that the most visitors to our website are Americans. More than 65 percent of the visitors are from the United States and that shows us how important the market with their fans is.

HRH: Wild Frontier recently held a release party for the new album. Tell us a little bit about the party, who attended, and all that good stuff.

Mario: It was a familiar party with 250 of our closest fans. And we performed the best of Wild Frontiers from the last 22 years, and on the second set we performed the new material and finally Gary Moore’s “Out In The Fields”. That’s the song which brought Jens and me to Metal music.

HRH: On the “special thanks” in the liner notes, I snuck my way in there but so did a Hardrock Haven favorite Phil Vincent. Did the band write with Phil or how did he contribute to 2012?

Mario: We’ve known Phil for many years and he is also correcting the lyrics for us, because English is not our native language and therefore it is important to have someone like him and Derric Miller. Thanks a lot for their endless support.

HRH: Wild Frontier has finally found some permanent members this time around. Who are the new guys in the band?

Mario: Jens and me founded the band in 1990. In 2003, Thomas Ellenberger joined the band and in 2011 Sascha Fahrenbach and his brother Nico joined. Those guys both make us very happy because they have enormous musical potential. I think you can hear it on the album. Also it is more powerful performing live on stage with two guitars. They both were good guys who love good beer. We have had lot of fun with them so far.

HRH: On your website, it appears that you have a passion for brewing beer. What kind of beer do you make? Lager, ales, stouts, dark or light, etc? And what is your opinion on what we Americans call beer, like Miller Lite and Budweiser. Don’t hold back, cuz it’s truly awful stuff.

Mario: Yes, I love beer and I have a small home brewery. Mostly I´m brewing a German Helles which is not comparable to American beer brands. It is a vintage style and very smooth. Let me tell you that I am also a beer label collector. I own more than 35,000 different beer labels from all around the world. I know many American brands and my favorites are Schmidt, Michelob, Coors, Gordon Birsch.

HRH: Well, the festival season is hitting Europe now. What do Wild Frontier’s tour plans look like this Summer and into the Fall?

Mario: It is very difficult to join good shows at festivals here in Europe. We started working with a concert agency a few weeks ago (by the way the same agency who works with Bonfire) and we´re looking forward to some great shows. For next year we can announce a few shows in the Summer. This season is nearly closed. Maybe we will perform a few shows in Fall.

HRH: Is there anything I left out that you’d like to leave with all of our Hardrock Haven faithful?

Mario: We would like to thank you and all our fans around the world for supporting us. For us, it is a great honor to bring our tunes all around the world. Music connects people and that’s what we want. We’re doing music from fans to fans. That’s it. It makes me very proud to know Melodic Rock fans from all around the world. Thank you all!

Online: www.wildfrontier.de

John Schlitt

by Mark Allen
Staff Writer –

Back to the Rock: An Interview With John Schlitt

If you grew up in the ‘80s and ‘90s as a Christian rock fan, then the name John Schlitt is a familiar one. Following a drug-abusing stint with secular rock group Head East, Schlitt became a born again Christian and then became the lead singer for Grammy Award-winning Petra, easily the biggest band in the C-rock circle back in the day. Thanks to his distinctive rasp, he was recently named the greatest rock singer in Christian music by GospelMusicChannel.com and he proves why on his latest solo album, The Greater Cause, which finds the vocalist returning to the rock roots for which he is best known.

John recently took the time to chat with Hardrock Haven about funding an album through Kickstarter, why he didn’t join the Petra reunion, and whether he’ll ever do metal-core.

HRH: John, thanks for talking to me. Your fans lamented that your last few projects were pretty mellow compared to your output of old, but this new album, The Greater Cause, is definitely more of a rock album. Was that in response to fan demands or just a natural outcome of who you are as an artist these days?

SCHLITT: First of all, I hope the fans weren’t too disappointed in the [other] projects because I am very proud of them. At the time, they were what I felt I needed to do. Now, this CD is exactly what I should be doing at this time. I will admit that it is very natural for me, the style is very comfortable…it is me! The mellow stuff was a stretch for me but I wanted to stretch. Motivation? It was just time.

HRH: You funded this new album through Kickstarter, which some people call akin to begging while other folks call it the funding format of the future. What was that experience like?

SCHLITT: Initially I wrestled with those very thoughts. It took my team to help me see that there were people who would be excited to be part of a project of this sort. For every dollar that was pledged I tried my best to give them back worthwhile returns. And, as we went through the process, I discovered “yes,” this is the new way of doing things. The bonding between the artist and the pledge partners is very rewarding for both.

HRH: And the result is an album that any John Schlitt fan will find rewarding. Petra was often accused of chasing trends—even you yourself released an alternative rock CD (Unfit For Swine) during the peak of grunge—and typically defended it in the name of ministry. The Greater Cause, however, is really retro-rock and seems more an attempt to curry fan favor than reach out to a broad audience. Do you still feel that call to ministry and if so, how does that impact your musical choices?

SCHLITT: A true musician understands the structure of music and instead of fighting it, uses it. It stretches him. It brings new ideas and new ways of doing things. Additionally, it is wise to find out where the “listening ear” is at the time and use it. Petra’s and my roots are still rock but the term “rock” is broader than some would like to think. I believe the common denominator is energy and excitement. In respect to The Greater Cause, I think you are right—it is retro-rock and it exactly what I was hoping for! Music is cyclic. I believe there will be more interest in this style of music in the near future. The whole purpose of my music is to create an entertaining way of sharing a life-changing message. It always has been and always will be.

HRH: Sounds like your cause remains unchanged. Speaking of that, where did the title of the new album (The Greater Cause) come from and what does it mean?

SCHLITT: The title is very important and it needs to communicate the vision and spirit of the project in few words. The phrase, “The Greater Cause,” came to my wife and me during our quiet time and we realized that it was the heart of the direction this project would take us. The word “cause” means “a reason or motive.” Everyone has reasons/motives for what they care about and believe and act out of what they believe is true. We do it when it concerns our family, our work, our faith, and even our politics. This CD is meant to encourage the listener to consider and evaluate what the greater reason or motive is for their life.

HRH: A little self-evaluation is never bad advice. You have always been a rock singer; any interest in experimenting with another genre? Will we ever see a press release announcing John Schlitt has joined a metal-core band? Is there a great thrash-metal album lurking somewhere in your soul? Bet you would raise some eyebrows…

SCHLITT: As you pointed out earlier, I’ve already experimented with many different styles of rock. With the directions you mention, the answer is “no” and “no.” I don’t think so BUT!!

HRH: And here I was all ready to pitch you your next album title: Schlitt-Core! Toward the tail end of Petra’s run (before they recently resurfaced) the band’s popularity declined, sales plummeted, and fans seemed to be abandoning the Petra bandwagon like rats fleeing a sinking ship. How does it feel as a performer to be at the pinnacle one moment and then labeled a forgotten relic the next?

SCHLITT: Wow! You cut right to the tender heart of it, didn’t you? Seriously, our fans are still our fans. Petra was blessed with three generations of fans and that is almost unheard of. How can I complain about that? Times change, music tastes change, and the music business changes. As a result, our popularity has an ebb and flow like everything in life. Do I like the low times? No, but we don’t know what tomorrow may bring.

HRH: Hopefully what tomorrow brings is news that your CD has gone platinum. You recently performed a song with your original band Head East for the band’s induction into the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, following which you were accused in some religious circles as having back-slidden in your faith. Having survived the witch hunt (how’s that for an oldschool Petra reference?) of the ‘80s Christian rock controversy and now this, why do you think some Christians feel the need to rush to judgment and lash out at their brethren?

SCHLITT: Everybody has an opinion whether it is right or wrong. I’m not accountable to them. I’m accountable to God.

HRH: Well said. Your former band, Petra, have reunited under the moniker of Classic Petra and have brought your predecessor, Greg X. Volz, back into the fold for lead vocal duties. Is there a reason you are not involved in this new/old reincarnation of the band?

SCHLITT: This band is called “Classic” Petra. They represent the time of Petra I was not part of.

HRH: I think there are plenty of fans who would argue that your era of Petra is just as classic as the early days, but point taken. If Bob Hartman (Petra’s guitarist and founder) called today and wanted to reunite the Schlitt-era Petra lineup, what would you say to him?

SCHLITT: First of all, he has not called. Secondly, I am very focused on the direction God appears to be leading me, in this solo direction, which I am very excited about. But, who knows what the future holds?

HRH: Here’s hoping your future holds nothing but great blessings. John, thanks a bunch for speaking with me. We here at Hardrock Haven wish you the best of luck with this new album.

For more information on John Schlitt, please visit www.johnschlitt.net.

Meat Loaf Interview Available Online from TheCelebrityCafe.com

The Celebrity Cafe recently performed an interview with Meat Loaf about his new album and his upcoming Mad, Mad World Tour.

Discussing whether Hell in a Handbasket is any sort of continuation to Bat Out Of Hell collection and the kinds of experience planned to give fans on Mad, Mad World tour.

TheCelebrityCafe: “Hell in a Handbasket” is a very raw, emotional journey that contains everything from rock and roll to country music, what made you want to make such an eclectic album? Read more

Chris Laney of Laney’s Legion

by Alex Barbieri
Staff Writer –

Reason for the Legion: Interview with Chris Laney on Laney’s Legion …

Chris Laney: Producer, engineer, songwriter, artist. Classic Rock magazine called him, “One of Europe’s finest purveyors of sleazy but tuneful hard rock.” And Hardrock Haven wrote that Laney—along with his PLATFORM studio partner Anders Ringman—are “the Mutt Langes of the current hard rock scene.”
Laney’s production credits and client list are extensive: Candlemass, Europe, Crashdiet, Brian “Robbo” Robertson, Therion, Crazy Lixx, Steevi Jaimz, Zan Clan, Randy Piper’s Animal, The Quill, Vains of Jenna, Babylon Bombs, TV4, Dynazty and many more.

In 2009, he wrote and recorded his first solo album Pure, followed by the critically-acclaimed Only Come Out At Night in 2010. Now, Laney is ready to launch “his best band ever,” Laney’s Legion—now with the just-announced Rob Marcello on guitar.

Pull up a chair, pour a drink and let’s visit Laney at his studio in Stockholm, Sweden.

HRH: Chris! Good to finally talk again. Tell us the latest on Laney’s Legion: How is the recording going, and when do you think it will be released?

CL: The same man! The recording is pretty much done—but we are re-doing some guitars. Rob Marcello (Obsession, Marcello-Vestry, Danger Danger, House of Lords) joined the band a few weeks ago, so we wanna re-record the guitar tracks John Berg had recorded before.
I love John—he is like a baby brother to me, talented as fuck—but he just didn’t have that spark any longer. John’s heart wasn’t in the right place and to my joy, at that very moment, Rob calls me and wants to join the band … TIMING!!! I am so excited!

HRH: That’s awesome about Rob Marcello joining the band. Sounds like it was meant to be! His guitar work on Danger Danger’s 2009 Revolve album is nothing short of melodic rock brilliance. When will the Laney’s Legion album be released?

CL: I dunno when the album will be out, and I won’t rush it. I know we sit on a real treasure, so I want to give it the time it deserves.
If you think about it, I released two albums within two years (2009’s Pure and 2010’s Only Come Out at Night), so I still feel I can give it some extra love and time.

HRH: Who is in the band, and why did you decide to form a group instead of doing another solo project?

CL: The band is me on vocals and guitar, Mats Vassfjord on bass, Patrik Jansson on drums and Rob Marcello on guitar.
When we were asked to do the WASP tour, we talked about doing it as a REAL band, not just as “Chris Laney.” That is how we felt. But as contracts and shit were signed, we did the tour as Chris Laney. After that we had a meeting and decided to call it Laney’s Legion. That was Mats’ idea.

HRH: I read on Facebook that guitarist Rob Marcello was on a plane to Stockholm recently. How did that collaboration come about?

CL: Rob came to meet us and we had a blast, hit it off to the max. I have known Rob for years, but the other guys had not met him before. Rob will be coming over shortly to start the work on the album.

HRH: Do you have any touring plans for Laney’s Legion? Can you announce any show dates, and any chance we’ll get to see you live in the States?

CL: We will not tour or play any shows yet—we want to make sure everything is done the right way. Our first focus is on the album, then photos for the album, a video and then play live. U.S., hell yeah, this time we will play wherever they want us!

HRH: Cool. There are some fun summertime rock festivals in the States you should look into … the M3 Rock Festival in Maryland and Rocklahoma in Oklahoma, to name a few. Both are held in May. Maybe Laney’s Legion can play them next year! When you do play live with LL, will you just play new songs, or anything from your past solo and band catalog?

CL: We will play a lot of stuff from Chris Laney (solo), Laney’s Legion … we even talked about doing some other related stuff too. We are a band with histories and backgrounds—we do not underestimate where we all came from.

HRH: Aside from Laney’s Legion, what bands have you produced lately? Anyone we should know about and should be listening to?

CL: I produced a Finnish band called White Flame—their upcoming album is killer!!! Also check out the power pop album Casablanca with Ryan Roxie!

HRH: Have you ever thought about putting out a compilation album of all the artists you and Anders have recorded? That would be one killer hard rock album. I’d buy it!

CL: Thanks buddy!!! (Laughs out loud.) I already have one in my iTunes playlist! No, not really, but I have often thought of doing some of these songs live, like “Amazing” and “Something Good Something Bad” from the Steevi Jaimz album.

HRH: You just named two of my favorite songs from one of my favorite albums of the last few years.

Side note: Hardrock Haven readers, if you’re a fan of melodic hard rock/glam, check out former Tigertailz singer Steevi Jaimz’ album My Private Hell, which Laney produced. Here’s the review I wrote a few years ago: http://hardrockhaven.net/online/2010/09/steevi-jaimz-my-private-hell/

HRH: What bands/artists are you listening to lately? What’s on heavy rotation in the Laney household?

CL: Sixx AM, Nickleback, Van Halen, Mummyheads, Carrie Underwood, Foo Fighters, Bad City.

HRH: What are five favorite bands and albums of all time? (I know this is a tough one.)

CL: KISS Unmasked, JellyFish Spilt Milk, Shotgun Messiah’s first album, Def Leppard Pyromania and WASP self titled.

HRH: This question is for the techies and studio geeks out there: Please describe your studio setup—what kind of software do you use, microphones, amps, etc.

CL: This is the very first time I ever got asked this question!!!! It took some 15 years to my surprise! I use Mac, Logic Pro, Waves, SSL, Lexicon, Genelec 1030 monitors. Most sounds you hear is me fooling around with different microphones. I never use the same except for vocals. Nowadays, I always record with the Sure SM 7, it really just does the trick. For guitars, I blend my IR cabs with real cabs and mics and powersoak with a Palmer and then direct to my DAW. I use Hughes & Kettner Coreblade and Tubemeister as my main amps, they are so damn good all around, I do not need to bother testing anything else—just different mics and cabs. On drums, it is all about the room and drummer. Sometimes I use trigs. I have built my own drums samples for ages and if you’d hear them by themselves, you’d laugh. (I find) a good drum sound to start, and then just add on the ugly stuff that makes it sound Laney (smiles).

HRH: Is there anything else you want to say to the rock fans and Hardrock Haven readers around the world?

CL: I’M BACK WITH THE BEST BAND EVER!!! Join the Laney’s Legion Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chris-Laneys-Legion/220154594677951 and you will get the latest info and spread the word.

HRH: Chris, thank you again for your time. You’re always very gracious and a pleasure to talk to. Please give Anders our best from Hardrock Haven, and stay in touch.

CL: Thank you brother, and yeah, I’ll tell “Pants” or “Uncle Boobs” (Anders) you said hi!

Check out the official Chris Laney website:
www.chrislaney.com

Friend Chris Laney on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/laney.chris

Laney’s Legion Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chris-Laneys-Legion/220154594677951

Chris Laney Myspace page:
www.myspace.com/chrislaney

Watch the Laney’s Legion teaser on YouTube:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZLXl1WNLFE&list=UUuyzgwKvBM1dvJ7R-aYjeVQ&index=1&feature=plcp

Watch videos on Chris’ official YouTube channel:
www.youtube.com/user/chrislaney72?feature=results_main

John Allen of the Charm City Devils

by Deb Rao
Staff Writer –

One word that would describe the Charm City Devils in concert is “explosive.” The Baltimore based band is currently on the road in support of their latest release Sins on Fat Lady Music. I first had the opportunity to see the band perform on Cruefest a few years back and have been hooked ever since. The Charm City Devils have a hard-hitting blues sound but take it to the next level on their latest release Sins combining blues, rock, and metal. Singer John Allen is a dynamic front man always giving a 100 percent in concert. The first single, “Man Of Constant Sorrow” is currently burning up The Charts at Number 26 on Active Rock Radio. Be sure to catch Charm City Devils live this summer! In this Exclusive interview for Hardrock Haven, Singer John Allen gives the readers and in-depth look at the making of Sins plus an exclusive track by track.

HRH: John, How are you doing? The Charm City Devils are currently on the road touring in support of your latest release Sins. How is the tour going so far? How are the fans responding to the new material?

John: On tour it is has been phenomenal. I mean there are high-energy shows. People are going crazy losing their minds. The weirdest thing that has been going on. There has been a lot of sexual energy in the audiences out here in the last couple of weeks. That is something I haven’t experiences. Maybe there is an occasional female fan raising her top once in a while. I have seen my share of boobies over the years. But we have been having like full on sex acts taking place during the set throughout the West out here. We were in Iowa last Tuesday and I thought that wouldn’t be topped. Then in Spokane last night it was girl on girl with a guy thrown in. Another couple of girls on the other side. It was like a wildfire that started spreading throughout the audience. It was a very interesting evening last night.

HRH: I have to tell you. I love the new album. I love the first album but this album seems to have a lot more hooks. You are singing better than ever. Tell us about the writing process and how it differs from Let’s Rock And Roll.

JOHN: Let’s Rock And Roll was mostly just me on that record. Writing the songs and demoing the stuff early on. This time it was more of a band effort. Also, we enlisted the help of Skidd Mills who is a Grammy winning producer. I think that helped us achieve and work towards expanding our horizons. Whether we achieve that is up to the fans. As a listener we tried to broaden what we do in all facets. I am singing lower on this record. But I am also singing higher than before. Sonically, the sound of the record we tried to approve upon everything that we have done on the first record.

HRH: I love the rendition of “Man Of Constant Sorrow.” It is the first single off of the new CD Sins. The radio stations are really picking up on it seems.

JOHN: Thank you. It is amazing to me how it has caught on. It is very cool. It really seems to be resonating with the radio stations. The radio stations are telling us. We played it once and the phones just went crazy. People are calling in and asking who is doing that song? It is has been a trip.

HRH: Your first album really reflected the blues sound. But on Sins every song has a different vibe, which is really refreshing. How did you come up with the title Sins?

JOHN: Sickness inside never stops in my craziness. Depending on how you define Sins with your own personal belief or whatnot. To me it is meaning mistakes that you thought you have done wrong in your life. I think everybody has done that. If you haven’t sinned in some form of fashion sign you up for sainthood. We have all made mistakes. We have all been human at one time in our lives. I just felt that it was a universal theme that all people can relate to.

HRH: Is there anything else that you would like to say about Sins and your current tour?

JOHN: We are Number 26 on Active radio. It has resonated with people all across The States and I hope that continues to grow. We are playing Rocklahoma and Summerfest. I heard about Summerfest years and years now in Milwaukee. We are really looking forward to that one and Rocklahoma as well. We are playing Rocklahoma on that Sunday with Chickenfoot, Black Stone Cherry, and Hell Yeah.

Sins Exclusive Track By Track by John Allen:

“Spite” – We open the set with that one. That song is really about a F*U to people who didn’t believe in you and your abilities. That never gave you the time of day and thought you were never going to amount to anything. I think everyone can relate to that. Especially musicians. It is about the business. It is about anyone that ever said we would never do anything. That is what that song is about.

“Man Of Constant Sorrow” – I remember seeing Ralph Stanley perform that song on the Grammy’s. It blew me away. I always kept that in the back of my mind that might be a really cool song to cover one day. When we were talking about doing a cover for this record we said why don’t we try that? We worked it up. It seemed to kind of resonate with us. We thought if it connects with us it would connect with a larger audience.

“Still Alive” – I had skin cancer. I found out a couple of months after our first tour on Cruefest. That song kind of talks about all the things I would miss if I did succumb to the cancer and how it would impact my family.

“Walk Away” -Is about a relationship that has gone bad. Everybody can relate to that. Unless you have been incredibly blessed or lucky and have not gone through any kind of heartbreak.

“Devil Is A Woman” – That song is like the last record I guess. It has a nice groove. I can see strippers sliding up and down a pole to that song all across the United States.” (Laughter)

“Start It Up” – It is a really angry song. I wrote the lyric after there was a shooting about another kid who went off and shoot some. I wrote that about the Gabby Gifford instance. I kind of put myself into that guys head to get his kind of view. He was a crazy person that just wanted to be noticed and get the attention of the world. It was about how much I think he is messed up. It was a terrible tragedy.

“Love N War” – Me getting political. It is the mentality of people in government who are very quick to take us into battle. Meanwhile, here at home people are struggling to find work.

“Blame” – “Is another relationship song. It is about the parting of the ways of friends or a guy and girl relationship song.

Charm City Devils on the web: www.facebook.com/charmcitydevils

Andy Piller 70000 Tons of Metal Organizer

by Chris A.
Staff Writer –

Interview with Andy Piller Organizer/Skipper 70000 Tons of Metal/Barge to Hell

He’s the skipper and originator of the first and best of the music cruises, the now epic 70000 Tons of Metal. Andy Piller talks with Chris A., from Hardrock Haven about his dream of a heavy metal cruise becoming a reality. If you thought organizing a metal festival is a tough gig, try doing it on a ship at sea.

Hardrock Haven: How cool is it that your “idea” for a metal cruise is viewed by many as “must-do,” vacation for metal heads?

Andy: I wouldn’t say it’s a must-do. There are many interesting things to do in life and probably going to metal festivals is like, for a metalhead, you have to go and travel to all of these places but you don’t have to be at all of them. I understand the cruise is not for everyone, maybe some people don’t like the idea, maybe it’s too expensive for them or other things. But yeah, it is definitely, obviously something that is catching on and as we all know there is people who are doing similar things too. We’re glad that we’re the inventors, the original, we’re happy about that.

Hardrock Haven: When you step back and examine the entire 70000 Tons of Metal operation, the logistics, coordination, planning and all the things it took to make it happen, how much harder was it to create the cruise than your concept?

Andy: Well, (Laughing) the thing is, when you have an idea, at first you don’t envision all the obstacles that come along. When the idea was born, and we’re talking almost six years ago, four years before the first “70000 Tons.” You don’t think at first, in those first moments, of all that probably could go wrong or what is really needed to put it together. But still, and I said this on the first cruise and it’s why it took us a couple years and its getting easier for certain things because you know what you’re doing and we have the experience but we always learn and there is a learning curve and we always try to make things better and perpetuate this idea from year to year and from event to event. And for this it’s always good that we get good feedback from all of our customers that can help us and everyone to make this even more perfect than it is.

Hardrock Haven: Speaking of lessons learned, what were the three biggest lessons you learned putting the cruise together from a management or organizational perspective?

Andy: Woah, the three biggest lessons that I learned? That’s a tough question, to nail it down to three. Well, probably, lessons that I learned also earlier that proved me right are trust your instincts and your long time relationships. And that if you don’t succeed at first, try and try again. And the other lesson that I learned, but I knew, but it’s a nice reconfirmation, it’s probably the biggest one is the fantastic metal family. It’s a fantastic family, metal is, metal people, real metal people. Look, we had on this voyage, on the first, 49 or 55 different nations on board so you know it’s an amazing feeling. There was no stress, no arguments, no fights, no confrontations, it was everyone just having a good time. People from all over, different type of religions and non-religions, all of these people together, one big party. Metal.

Hardrock Haven: Is that what you’re the most proud of? Bringing all of those people together?
Andy: Maybe, maybe, you know, it’s bringing these people together and then bringing them back together, bringing knew people together. I mean, this is what such gatherings, I think the biggest thing we take, we of course remember some of the concerts, some more, some less, and some other events from everyone that does this. It’s a voyage, even for the people that actually go to it who live in Southern Florida, they drive to the port there. It’s a voyage because we go somewhere but it’s the encounters with the people and getting to know new friends from wherever they may be.

Hardrock Haven: As the guy who created this how would you explain the 70000 Tons of Metal experience to someone who has never been on it and is thinking about going?

Andy: (Laughing) I have, of course, a very unique perspective at the time of the actual cruise it’s not easy for me because I’m getting only two or three hours of sleep each night until the cruise is over and usually a couple of days before so for me this is really no vacation. That’s why I tell everyone else to have as much vacation as they can get. Look, imagine a big family get together and our whole world is very mobile so we all probably have brothers or sisters or aunts or other relatives or friends that move to another country or somewhere else far away. Imagine bringing all these people together and all of them bring a couple of new friends with them. All of them have a common interest of going to a heavy metal festival and then putting this into the incredible setting of a cruise ship in the Caribbean at the end and the beginning of the year when for half of the world it’s cold and people would rather go onto a sunny beach.

Hardrock Haven: I know you’re very busy on the cruise and I know it’s no party for you, What kind of things are you typically doing on the cruise Was it big decision stuff or or do you put out little fires all day?

Andy: Well, half and half and much more and there is, of course, a lot of executive decisions to make one way or another way and sometimes certain things don’t run the way you expected them or you have to reschedule certain things. Sometimes you have to make hard decisions like move a show time or a band, whatever and that doesn’t always go down easy and so on. Loading of equipment doesn’t work, that is broken and we have to get something last minute. Afterwards, you’re out in the ocean, you can’t just send a runner to a music store or wherever to get whatever is missing, or to go to a warehouse, uhh, so it’s very different on the first day and on the last day when we have load-in. During the cruise its mostly putting little fires out and doing a lot of representation work too. There is quite a number of (music) industry people that usually sail, some artist management, some agents, some press. We usually have a couple of TV crews on board so I have to give a whole bunch of interviews and so on. So, there is always something to do.

Hardrock Haven: Do you have a formula or a criteria for selecting what bands go on the cruise?

Andy: Well… when you put it that way, we want to make, what we always said, there is, at least on the two cruises that we’ve run so far, we all know that it’s a growing market there is more and more other ones (music cruises) some that try more in the glam-metal direction, older stuff and some probably focus more on new type of American metal, some other cruises. We want to have a big festival and there are bands that are bigger and bands that are smaller of course but there is no one headliner or two. This makes all the atmosphere on the boat. What we’ve always discussed here with 70000 Tons of Metal and Barge To Hell is all one family but it includes the bands. There is no super VIP treatment or whatever for anyone. It’s like everyone is the same, you’ve got to understand that and the bands have to understand that and the ones that sail with us, they understand that. That’s what probably sets us apart from some of the other music cruises that are around. This is also what makes a difference and the bands, well. On the last two 70000 Tons, nobody ever got harassed, none of them, none of the big bands, nobody complained. Nobody. Everything’s, cool and the ship is big enough but the sheer amount of musicians. We only sell 2000 tickets so it’s 10 percent musicians. When you go to Europe to a big open-air festival and you go backstage there is probably maximum 10 percent musicians or even less. With all the fans and the VIPs and the press and this and that, that is at those big festivals, you have exactly that.

Hardrock Haven: I like that attraction that everyone is a headliner and nobody is.

Andy: Everybody is equal. Everybody is equal, I mean billing wise, of course, it is totally understood that bands that might have gold or platinum classifications in some countries that play on the cruise may have the better slots, nice evening slots on the main stages. Maybe some of the bands have more or nice cabins than the rest but this is how we are going to advertise this or post this but it’s a bunch of bands hanging out with a bunch of fans but everyone is the same. Like, check your ego.

Hardrock Haven: Fan/band interaction on the ship has been nothing short of amazing. Have you had bands decline to sail because they didn’t want the environment?

Andy: Very, very rare but yes, from the first year, let’s put it that way, on the first 70000 Tons of Metal Cruise when we started actually seriously talking with bands about 18 months before, this was a common concern because at that time there was no track record, no one knew exactly how it would work out and some of the bands declined exactly for that reason. Actually, some of them played on the second 70000 Tons because they got the reaction and talked with other bands stuff and got the right story via the Internet or YouTube, whatever and they changed their minds. A common concern among people is that they don’t want to be stuck on a boat. Some people are claustrophobic or get sea sick or maybe they think they will get sea sick, Just like ewwww… you know? Some people just don’t want to go on a boat. As you said, we probably can’t get a stadium band on a boat. It just doesn’t work, we can’t fee wise. Can’t cannot also just pay somebody a shitload of money, he’s only doing the cruise for the money but he actually hates it. He’s probably getting sea sick or he locks himself up in his cabin the whole time just for the money.

Hardrock Haven: Imitation is the greatest form of flattery and several companies have snagged your idea and have started rock n roll cruises. Do you plan any change in strategy to keep your cruises special and unique?

Andy: Don’t fix something that is not broke. So the principal concept will stay the same. Look, I mean, we’ve had such fantastic customer feedback from the first two cruises. Repeat booking numbers from year one from 70000 Tons shows me we did something right. I think we improved and on the third one we’ll further improve. We’re also doing a couple things that other cruises may have a more corporate approach and of course everyone needs to make money, that’s all fine. We do a lot of things that you don’t see at first. We’ve not only spent money on some bands because not all of the other cruises build a stage on the pool deck or cover pools. On 70000 Tons and on Barge To Hell, again we will have the biggest open-air stage on the ocean. In addition on some of the cruises, there is assigned seating or benches in the theater. I don’t think that’s such a cool idea for a metal show personally. You may get older and you don’t get into a mosh pit anymore, I have been and so have many other metal heads at some point in their life and I think you shouldn’t have any seating or benches in front of the stage. We actually spend a lot of money to take that stuff out you know. It’s the little things.

Hardrock Haven: What can you tell me about Barge To Hell, Andy? Is there any intrinsic difference between it and 70000 Tons of Metal?

Andy: I would say it’s basically the same concept, similar numbers, similar setup, you can say we copied ourselves. We wanted to make a version that focused a little more on extreme stuff. So simply put there may not be as much power metal or symphonic metal or the kind of softer, more classic heavy metal on barge so we may go a little more into thrash and death metal and black metal and maybe ad some doom and industrial. I still have half the year. I don’t know if you know but today we added “Behemoth” and last week we had “At The Gates”. So for people who are more into the extremist styles or old European stuff, you know, two huge names and there are a couple more killers to come. It’s just a little bit louder and more extreme and more evil a version. Put it that way.

Hardrock Haven: The fans from the 50 plus countries who sailed on the cruse, they offer a lot of opinions and suggestions through social media. How much consideration do you give to the suggestions by your sailers and music fans sir?

Andy: A lot. It’s often not so immediately visible to the individual because everybody has an opinion. So imagine you have several thousand guests and several hundred crew, artists, production, security and so on. Everybody has an opinion so you have 2500 opinions. There is a lot of feedback coming and I know there are certain areas production wise that we already improved from the first to the second one and there are things that are still not perfect. The whole merchandise scenario is far from perfect, I think we improved a lot on meet and greet and signing sessions. Also, a lot of the production, you saw the stage on the second year, it was much bigger. But we still had some production issues at load in and it wasn’t ready on time so we’re not perfect but we’ll try to do better next time. There is feedback that is coming that we can consider to a certain degree more or less, you know. Selecting the bands you know is more like a wish list. Everybody that actually sails in the end, was more than happy. If there’s 40 bands, you’re not going to see 80 shows and you’re not going to like them all so whatever. Some people just like bitching!

Hardrock Haven: The next 70000 Tons of Metal is now scheduled. When’s that third voyage going to take place and where is it going?

Andy: Well we’re not going to tell you yet where we’re going. You’re going to have to keep holding out on that but we’ve given out the dates. Its January 28th through February 1st, so again the last week of January, Monday through Friday. I’m not telling you where we’re going yet and I’m not telling you who’s playing yet but we’re trying to make 70000 Tons of Metal III the original and the best and the biggest floating heavy metal festival in the world once again.

Hardrock Haven: Do you plan to create more “music cruises” in addition to 70000 Ton of Metal and BTH?

Andy: There are already ideas and plans that have been put into position and are in the works for more than those two, I also hinted to a few people on the last cruise that there may be a third cruise and maybe even a fourth. Some day and in some place. Cruises may not always be at the same time period every year and they may not happen at the same place. There are many oceans! That’s all I can hint you on. It’s a long process and you have to start at least 24 months ahead.

Hardrock Haven: Why does it take so long to book the bands and post the act list for the cruise?
Andy: When we announce bands it doesn’t always necessarily mean when we booked them. Sometimes we hold back on things for marketing reasons maybe. Sometimes we have restrictions from the artist side because they are playing exclusive announced shows someplace else and they don’t want to be announced until a certain date. It’s almost always from the artist side you konw. They may have other touring plans and December and January is not a huge festival season. Every heavy metal band in the summer, everybody goes to Europe and hops from one festival to the other.

Hardrock Haven: If it were up to you would you announce them as soon as you signed them?
Andy: Maybe, not always. Sometimes, even though some people disagree on certain things with me, that’s inevitable, I have my reasons for keeping certain things for a certain while or stagger the release of information and some people may be like it and some people like it less.

Hardrock Haven: Who are your top five favorite bands?

Andy: Yeah but still then I only have five names to say so that’s a question I will gladly decline now in answering because I have such a vast liking of metal and a lot of other music.

Hardrock Haven: Will you have more clinics like the Jeff Waters Guitar clinic?

Andy: Oh yes. Overall the educational part we really tried to develop. This is one of the things where we come back to the customer feedback and they mainly complain or they say “Andy, I had the best time of my fucking life” whatever, you know? Cool, but what information does this give me? Feedback really? Yeah, you make me proud you know all these high-five is really great but I like really thought through feedback and criticism also that I can learn from. It’s okay, absolutely.

Hardrock Haven: Going back to merch for a second, what’s your plan to improve the methodology or the process for selling merch?

Andy: This is maybe the most delicate, delicate issues and I don’t really want to talk bad about someone who isn’t around but, let’s put it this way, there are a lot of things that don’t make it easy. There are exclusive vending rights that the cruise line may have given to some concessionaires on the boat to sell non-food and non-drink products or provide some services. So they have some control over this. They also take commissions, it goes over their sales system and so on and so on. And it’s different from ship to ship. Overall, our ship, as much as we like it, it’s less used to party crowds and it’s not one of those cheaper party boats it’s a nice ship! You know. All of the people there not exactly used to (the party crowd). Suddenly there is 1000 people who want to buy a black T-shirt. These people they sell gift shop products, jewelry, tuxedo rental, whatever. This is why in the end, for the actual vending, I have my own people that actually sell the T-shirts. But the whole process of loading and counting and also settling money with us and all the bands is all controlled by a concessionaire on board. Well… there are certain things that are beyond our control. I’m trying. I flew a couple of times down to Miami before the first cruise and it was a mess. I knew it would be a mess. I had a number of meetings about this issue, shoreside and seaside about the merchandise scenario and we will try to make it for Barge and for 70000 Tons, better, but on some things, our hands are tied. Sorry.

Hardrock Haven: A final question for you. Is our next 700000 Tons of Metal cruise ship going to remain the same?

Andy: Yes, the next one will be the same ship but I can’t make a guarantee for always like this because from time to time ships have to be serviced and may not be available for a year or we could move to a sister ship. Maybe sometimes ships get retired or sold to another cruise line or whatever. So there may be some future changes in some future years but for the next two we stick to what we know what has proven to be fantastic!

Hardrock Haven: Well Andy, thank you for taking the time to speak with me

Andy: Thank you.

Rex Brown and Vinny Appice of Kill Devil Hill

by Steve Patrick
Staff Writer –

The latest supergroup on the block, Kill Devil Hill, is about to finally release their eponymous debut album on May 22nd. Due to some outstanding legal issues regarding the band’s name the album release was pushed back a couple months, but the long wait is nearly over.

The band is made up of bassist Rex Brown (Pantera, Down), drummer Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell, Dio), guitarist Mark Zavon (Ratt), and newcomer vocalist Dewey Bragg. Appice has previously described the band’s sound as “a cross between Black Sabbath, Alice in Chains and a little bit of Led Zeppelin thrown in.”

Originally, Hardrock Haven had done an interview with Brown to promote the album when it was set to come out in March. However, during the two month album delay, we also had the good fortune to speak with Appice about the new record as well. Both were excited to talk about their new combined effort and the prospect of creating music outside of the legendary bands that each are already associated with:

Listen to the Interview

Listen to the Interview

For more information on Kill Devil Hill, please visit www.killdevilhillmusic.com. The band’s self-titled debut album will be available wherever albums are sold on May 22, 2012.

Rana Freilich of Legacy Of Disorder

by Deb Rao
Staff Writer –

Fast rising metallists Legacy Of Disorder is currently taking the U.S. by storm. The band has just wrapped up a very successful tour with Gwar and is currently on the road with Fear Factory. Legacy Of Disorder is comprised of members that hail from New Zealand with the exception of Dallas, Texas drummer Matt Thompson. Other LOD members include Rana Freilich on guitar, singer James Robinson, and bassist Jason Keill.

Legacy Of Disorder has just released their sophomore CD entitled, Last Man Standing produced by Sterling Winfield and is available at all of their shows. Heavily influenced by Pantera, LOD unleash a powerful fury on their current release. Guitarist Rana Freilich has a style reminiscent of the late Dimebag Darrell Abbott.

Hardrock Haven recently caught up with LOD guitarist Rana Freilich. In this exclusive interview, Rana discusses LOD latest release and life on the road. As Legacy Of Disorder continue their whiplash trek across the U.S. with Fear Factory.

HRH: Rana, Welcome to the U.S. The band is currently on tour with Gwar. How is the tour going so far? I believe you are in my old stomping grounds of NH tonight.

Rana: It has been pretty grueling. We are doing 30 dates in 40 days but is has been awesome.

HRH: Has your new album Last Man Standing been released?

Rana: Yes. At the moment you can only buy it at the shows.

HRH: Tell us how Last Man Standing differs from your first release.

Rana: It is a bit of a progression. We are getting used to being in the studio now. It came together really well.

HRH: How long has the band been together as a unit?

Rana: The band has been together since 2008. It has been about 4 years now.

HRH: How would you describe the sound of Legacy Of Disorder?

Rana: Tight, heavy, original with elements of lots of music that we like.

HRH: As a guitarist who are some of your influences?

Rana: OK let’s see. Tony Iommi, K.K. Downing, Dimebag Darrell, Zakk Wylde, Jake E. Lee. There are plenty.

HRH: You are going on tour with Fear Factory on May 1st. Correct?

Rana: Yes, the Gwar tour finishes on April 28th. We start again with Fear Factory on May 1 in San Antonio. The Gwar tour has been a really fun tour.

HRH: Tell us a little bit about your live set and what the fans can expect to see on tour this summer.

Rana: We play half hour. In the half hour, we get to play eight songs. We just pound it out. Usually our music what you hear on CD is what we sound like live.

HRH: That is refreshing to hear. What is your favorite song on Last Man Standing?

Rana: That is kind of like choosing what child you like the most. (Laughter) I like them all. It really hard to pick.

HRH: Where does Legacy Of Disorder hail from?

Rana. Three of us are from New Zealand. Matt Thompson our drummer is from Dallas.

HRH: A young band on the rise, what is your goal in the music industry?

Rana: To get an album distribution in The States and just keep on touring. Just don’t take no for an answer and keep on doing what we are doing.

HRH: That is awesome. We wish you the best of luck. The year has been amazing for Legacy Of Disorder so far!

Visit the band on the web @ www.facebook.com/legacyofdisorder

Igz Kincaid and Lariyah Daniels of HËSSLER

by Alex Barbieri
Staff Writer –

Get On the Hess Xpress: An Interview with Igz Kincaid and Lariyah Daniels of HËSSLER

Not long ago, a friend of Hardrock Haven let us know, “You have to check out this band HËSSLER from Chicago! They kick ass! And the singer is super hot!” Not ones to ignore good advice from a well-respected rock fan, we put the call out to HËSSLER band and the result is the chat below. (Special thanks to friend and fellow hard rock fan, Andy Kalenowsky, for his input and help with this interview.)

HRH: Igz and Lariyah! Andy said we should check you out, so here we are! Thank you both for spending a little time with Hardrock Haven. Tell the hard rock fans around the world a little about

HËSSLER—What you’re about, describe your sound and philosophy.

IK: We are about high energy, playing only what we love, kicking ass and looking like a million bucks while doing it.

LD: The sound has evolved over time—the closer we are to each other, the longer we share the stage together, the more powerful we get.

HRH: How did the name come about, and who is HËSSLER named after?

IK: I spawned it. It involves lots of fire, lots of gasoline, a maniac’s mastermind, and a connection with spiritual and netherworld demons and beasts.

LD: ‘Nuff said.

HRH: You have a new album out called Bad Blood. Where did you record it? Who produced/engineered it? Are the songs and sound a step forward for HËSSLER?

IK: The drums were recorded in one day at Groovemasters Studios in Chicago, in the same room that Airbourne recorded their new record. Being limited financially, we recorded the guitars, vocals, bass, etc. at our loft/recording studio. The drums were engineered by Daniel Salcido at Groovemasters—an awesome young virtuoso—and the rest was guinea pigged by Adam Arling from The Last Vegas. Tony Mac did the mixing on the tunes with what we had to work with. All in all, we had great people working on it, but the budget and the rush to get it ready and pressed by the deadline for the album release show limited the end result. Bad Blood was actually released last year in April, and Lar can tell you about the new album.

LD: Well, I would say that the upcoming album is going to be the real HËSSLER as we are now. The majority of the songs have been written after Frank came back full time in September, and everyone has their part, a piece of their own soul, and it really shows. The songs are straight from the heart. We now work as a unit and that is what we always wanted to be. Passion, emotion, whether positive or negative, feeds the lyrics and the music, and that is what keeps it pure.

HRH: HËSSLER has really made a name from your lives shows. In 2011, you shared the stage with Steel Panther, Sebastian Bach, Dokken and Stephen Pearcy, to name a few. Who was your favorite band to open for and who treated you the best?

IK: We have yet to play with a national act that are assholes; everyone is always very nice to us, polite, and helpful but I think since we carry ourselves well, people show us more respect or at least look at us as equals. Fans showed Baz video footage of our show and he was mad he missed it! Luckily, we get to play with him again on May 12, 2012. I really enjoyed playing the same night as Sister Sin because they kick ass live and Liv is a babeasaurus. Loudness as I am huge fan of Akira Takasaki; also playing with Blaze Bayley because he is an AWESOME guy, fantastic singer and sang for Maiden \m/.

LD: Ohhh … Sebastian Bach … yes, yes, my biggest crush and definitely the most inspirational vocalist. When you are a kid you stare at his videos, dreaming to see him performing live, and then you get to play on the same stage. The feeling is just hard to explain. But, going back to your question, I think I most enjoyed playing with Steel Panther. Got to meet the band, Satchel was really nice to us, came over backstage and introduced himself. Michael Starr gave me a shout out on stage, and then Lexxi and Stix partied with the boys at our pad. Really nice people and top notch musicians. I would say the band that stole my heart was Sister Sin; Liv Jagrell was just a darling. Igz can say much more than I about it, I got to hang out with her only one day, they spent a little more time together, hanging out in Chicago between shows, and we became friends.

HRH: Lariyah, as an attractive and talented front woman, how do people react to you? Do you find that you are a source of inspiration for people, especially other women who want to sing or play music?

LD: I actually do, which is very flattering. I am proud that ladies come to me, ask questions, look for advice, and I am happy to help if I can. Some people come to our shows just to check out LD that they see online from the pictures, and after seeing US live they quickly realize it is not just an image. We are proud to say that our shows are not just visual but actually the music and performance make them one of a kind. It’s pure energy, pure passion, pure emotion; that’s when the look does not matter anymore; that’s where your personality and skills shine.

HRH: Over the past few years HËSSLER has gone through various lineup changes. When was it apparent you had all the right people to make HËSSLER what it is today?

IK: Ideally I wanted a singer, singer. The guys I had first in the band were great people, but what I wanted to achieve with the music of this band, was different to what they wanted to do which lead to initial line up changes. I’ve always known what I wanted, just needed the right gunslingers to believe 100 percent in the cause. Lar is a singer singer, and she was also virgin to singing the style I wanted for the Hess, thus making it a mouth watering situation to mold her over time into a banshee. The line up now is perfect for doing what is necessary to make us a deadly force on all sides.

LD: Hehe, damn right. From my Tarja Turunen and Christina Scabia influences, I gotta say that now on stage it’s a mix of Blackie Lawless, Doro and Sebastian Bach. Quite a change but DAMN it feels so good when you can sing your ass off, scream with the power of the devil and still maintain melodic softness for the slower songs. The new album will show it all. I just can’t wait for that!

HRH: How did the Pepsi commercial come about (starring Igz and Lariyah)?

IK: Lar was doing lots of commercials and she set it up.

LD: Yea, Igz never talks about it, but he does commercials and what not as well. The producers had an idea for us, called me and said to bring my guitarist. The good thing about the commercial is that it really shows us the way we are so a script was not really necessary for that particular spot. Plus the producers had some footage from one of our concerts and used that as well, so it turned out very realistic.

HRH: If HËSSLER could write an entrance theme for any wrestler, who would it be and why?

IK: HAHAHAHHAHAHA. BRET HIT MAN HART!!!!

LD: (Igz puts hand over Lar’s mouth) Sorry, I am HUGE wrestling fan. Once again Bret, or Rob Van Dam, or when we tour Japan and Vader wants to come back, I would love to scream IT’S TIME, IT’S TIME, IT’S (leans mic to crowd VADAHHH) TIME! (Lar throws Igz’s hand off) – oh HELL NO!

HRH: Tell us about the Hess-Express—what is that exactly?

IK: A nickname used for the band when we used to boast that we were “trainwreck rock.” Now we can say we are Heavy Metal because everyone actually knows their parts (disrespectful in my eyes to claim you’re heavy metal and everyone in the band does not know the song from A to Z), but we’re still the Hess Xpress!

LD: We consider Hess Xpress not only as us, but also our fans and friends. We all ride the same train to hell.

HRH: You’re scheduled to play Rocklahoma May 25, 2012. How psyched are you for that? Any other cool shows in the near future?

IK: We are playing with Sebastian Bach again on May 12, 2012. We are playing an awesome show I set up at Double Door in Chicago with all young, hungry bands including Wildstreet from NYC and Diemonds from Canada. May 24, we are in Kansas City and then Rocklahoma. Booking more battles for the summer.

LD: We are quite restless and we want this year to be the beginning of something really big. Being on the same festival with Megadeath, Rob Zombie, Slash and all of the bands during Rocklahoma is definitely what we are looking forward to in May. There are many more great things down on the rocks, as Igz said, but we won’t reveal them yet.

HRH: What are some other plans and goals for HËSSLER in 2012?

IK: We HAVE to record the new album to continue with our steady progress and show the world how the band has grown and how much Lar’s voice for this style of music has improved. I want to capture the deadliness of the band’s live performances on disc, and get our overseas invasions going.

LD: Couldn’t agree more.

HRH: Is there anything you want to say to your fans, and the Hardrock Haven readers around the world?
IK: Our new website is going up soon, that will be in html instead of flash. Stay tuned for updates and spread the disease on Facebook. As always, support the bands you love. Buy music, merch, and tickets for shows. Feed the machine, cause no one should ride for free in heavy metal; we keep alive the bands we love. I bought all of my Iron Maiden albums. Did you? \m/

LD: As always, thank you everyone for the great support, keep being so amazing and keep up with us as we steal the world. Thank you so much Hardrock Haven.

HRH: Igz and Lariyah, thank you so much for spending some time with Hardrock Haven today—you two are an awesome interview. All the best to HËSSLER in 2012 and please keep us posted on what you’re up to. Hardrock Haven readers, if you’re into fun, catchy and kick ass rock, check out HËSSLER!

Check out the official Hessler website:
http://www.hesslerchicago.com/#!news

Like the official HËSSLER Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/Hesslerchicago

Watch HËSSLER videos and commercials:
http://www.hesslerchicago.com/#!videos

Order HËSSLER Bad Blood and other swag:
http://www.hesslerchicago.com/#!shop

John Kevill of Warbringer

by Steve Patrick
Staff Writer –

The members of Californian thrash outfit Warbringer are unabashed fans of the old-school. Their latest record, 2011’s Worlds Torn Asunder, is a relentless attack of 80’s thrash sound and sensibility. Even luminaries of the original Bay Area thrash scene have thrown their support behind the up-and-coming Warbringer. For example, Bill Metoyer (Slayer) produced their debut album War without End and Gary Holt of Exodus produced their sophomore album Waking into Nightmares.

Recently Warbringer rolled through Columbus, OH supporting Symphony X and Iced Earth. After Warbringer’s set at the Newport Music Hall, lead singer John Kevill shared with Hardrock Haven the reason he loves thrash metal and what it would take to make him karate kick my mother:

For more information on Warbringer, please visit www.warbringermusic.com

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