Artist Interview
The following is an excerpt from the Anthrax feature in the Feb/Mar issue of Revolver. Here, Anthrax's Charlie Benante and Scott Ian explain how the band has been able to navigate recent roadblocks to create a stable situation for the new record, 'For All Kings.'
To read the rest, pick up the new issue on newsstands February 9 or get your copy here. Story by Jon Wiederhorn.
"I can play fine for about three weeks at a time and then my hand starts to hurt and feels really tight," Charlie Benante says from his home in Chicago while his bandmates wrap up dates in England with Jon Dette. "I can play great for about three weeks at a time and then that numbness comes back. So I need to take a break, but then I'm fine again."
"Look, the situation sucks, for sure," guitarist Scott Ian says. "But once again, a roadblock gets thrown in our path and we figure out how to navigate around it. We've been so lucky to have Dette. Yes, I would much rather have Charlie sitting behind the kit because he's the guy I've played with my whole life, and he's the best drummer, ever. But this is where we're at and we're just moving forward."
For now, Dette is stoked to be the on-call guy and Anthrax isn't losing any sleep. Over the past few decades they've faced far worse situations: Vocalists have come and gone, labels have collapsed, managers have steered them astray, and members have been at each other's throats. By comparison, having a drummer who can only play half the band's gigs is practically a blessing. As the iconic New York City- based thrash act enter their 35th year and prepare for the release of their eleventh full-length album and follow-up to 2011's 'Worship Music' (which also marked the return of vocalist Joey Belladonna for the second time), the monumental 'For All Kings,' there's more stability and optimism in the ranks than there has been since the early '90s when the group was scoring gold records and selling out large concert halls.
"After 'Worship Music' came out people were so enthusiastic about our music again, which really gave me that good momentum," Benante explains. "Nothing builds confidence and aids creativity like momentum."
"Basically, going into this album we could just be Anthrax," Ian adds. "We had a singer. We had a guitarist. And 'Worship Music' answered so many questions and squashed so many of our problems. Everything we'd regularly faced in the past—like are we even going to be a band after this record—was nonexistent. So we plowed ahead and tried to write the best songs we could."
To read the rest, pick up the new issue on newsstands February 9 or get your copy here.
Lacuna Coil's Cristina Scabbia appears on the cover of the next issue of Revolver (our horror-themed 25 Hottest Chicks in Hard Rock), which will hit newsstands on February 9 and is available for purchase online right now! You can view the cover below, which was photographed by Jimmy Hubbard.
Below, you also can read a few excerpted Q&As from the issue's cover story, written by Dan Epstein. In this section, the frontwoman talks about the new album, favorite horror character, the most horrifying thing she's seen on tour, and more!
REVOLVER Tell us about 'Delirium.' Is there a story behind the title?
CRISTINA SCABBIA There's a lot to say about it, and there's a lot of things that we still need to decide, and a lot of things that can change during the process. But overall, it's an album that will be centered on insanity—that was the main inspiration for this album. From simple types of insanity, like being in the same bed with your partner and not talking to each other but having your phone in your hand, or something more serious and specific, like Stockholm Syndrome, where a person loves another person in a crazy way, even if it's the wrong one. We even imagined that the entire record takes place in sort of a hospital or asylum, where different patients are telling us their stories.The photoshoot for this issue was inspired by 'Suspiria,' the 1977 horror classic by legendary Italian director Dario Argento. Is that your favorite Argento film?
No, actually my favorite one is 'Profondo Rosso.' [Released in 1975, the film was titled Deep Red in the U.S. and the U.K.] That's my favorite. 'Suspiria' is fantastic, visually—the colors, the locations, they're beautiful, they're gorgeous. But there is something about 'Profondo Rosso' that I like more. I think there is more tension there, and it's way scarier. And I love the main actress, because she's crazy [laughs]. It's my favorite horror movie—and it's probably the very first horror movie that I saw, as well.Do you have a favorite horror character?
I would say Captain Spaulding from House of 1000 Corpses. I fell in love with him! When we toured with Rob Zombie in 2006, I told him that I loved Captain Spaulding so much—he's such a wonderful character, and I loved the actor [Sid Haig] who played him. When we finished the tour, I had to go to Los Angeles for a photoshoot while the other guys were flying back home. And as soon as I got to the hotel in L.A., there was a box waiting for me from Rob—he'd sent me all this Captain Spaulding stuff, including a head-knocker [bobblehead] and a note from Rob thanking us for being on tour with him. It was amazing! And I still have my Captain Spaulding head- knocker and shirts at home!What's the most horrifying thing you've ever experienced on tour?
Some toilets [laughs]. Sometimes I wonder if I'm even a woman, because I don't know how many women could even keep up with this. Now it's so much better, but years ago it was not even common to have a shower in a venue. I remember this venue in Scotland where we played. It was a small venue, and the only chance to take a shower was to go to a hospitality apartment that the guys of the venue had. It was creepy as hell, and it had the dirtiest bathroom I've ever seen—but I so needed to take a shower, so I did it anyway. And it was horrifying! The tub was completely rusted and so was the wall. I opened the water and the water was rusty too, coming out all reddish. I was like, "Jesus Christ, what am I even doing?"
For the rest of the story, pick up the February/March issue.
Killswitch Engage recently released their new music video, "Strength of the Mind," which was directed by McFarland and Pecci. Today, the group has teamed up with Revolver to share a behind-the-scenes look from the music video shoot. Check it out below and let us know what you think in the comments!
Killswitch Engage's upcoming seventh album, 'Incarnate,' is due later this year. For more details on it, check out the new issue of Revolver!
Killswitch Engage have premiered a new song, "Hate by Design." Check it out below!
Frontman Jesse Leach wrote on his Instagram, "This song in particular is important for me due to the overwhelming amount of overt hatred (as well as subtle hatred) portrayed in mainstream media and news media. On a daily basis we are bombarded with other people's agendas that perpetuate the segregation of us as a human race. Hatred is embedded in all of us through, not just the media, but the way we were raised by family, influence from our environment and people that surround us. As we grow as humans hopefully we are able to discern what is wrong and what is right, what defines us and what does not. Often times that line of discernment is blurred due to situations and experiences that shape us as people.
"The song 'Hate by Design' starts with the line 'We are born free from the restrains of this society, helpless to what is instilled.' We are a bi-product of all of these elements that surround us and it takes effort to break free and choose what defines us. I find true inner strength comes from a place of love, a place of wisdom and understanding. Hatred is a poison that in time will tear you apart and destroy you. It is on all of us to realize we have a greater much more profound path we can choose in this life. When you decide to break away from this viscous cycle of inherit hate, you will have a radically different outlook on life. I speak from experience my friends. We must seek to find some understanding to redefine our lives. It's never too late to change the course of your life."
The group will release their new album, 'Incarnate,' on March 11 via Roadrunner Records. To pre-order the new album, visit the band's website.
Revolver's own Kevin Wilson was on hand to catch all the action for Lamb of God and Anthrax's show on January 25 at Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City. Check out the photos he captured for us below–you can also follow him on Twitter and Instagram.
Revolver's own Derek Soto was on hand to catch all the action for Epica, Moonspell and Starkill's show on January 21 at Irving Plaza. Check out the photos he captured for us below–you can also follow him on Twitter and Instagram.
Canadian metal act Striker will release their new album, 'Stand in the Fire,' on February 5 via Record Breaking Records. In anticipation, the band has teamed up with Revolver to premiere their new track, "Out for Blood." Check it out below and let us know what you think in the comments!
The band said, "'Out for Blood' is our little slice of '80s cop drama saxophone-filled metal. We wanted to go completely over the top, stuff it full of solos and crazy shred, and just go nuts on every aspect on the song. Thrash metal 'Miami Vice!'"
To get 'Stand in the Fire,' visit Amazon. For more on Striker, follow them on Twitter and Facebook.
Northern California-based hardcore act Lionheart is releasing their new album, 'Love Don't Live Here,' today via LHHC Records. Now, they have teamed up with Revolver to premiere their new music video for the title track. Check it out below and let us know what you think in the comments!
Vocalist Rob Watson said, "This is, by far, the most personal song I've ever written. I wrote this song about the darkest point in my life and when I was at my absolute lowest. In my opinion, this is one of the best songs we've ever written and the most important song on the album."
To get 'Love Don't Live Here,' visit All in Merch. For more on Lionheart, follow them on Twitter and Facebook.
Southern California-based metal act Holy Grail will release their new album, 'Times of Pride and Peril,' on February 12 via Prosthetic Records. In anticipation, the band has teamed up with Revolver to premiere their new track, "Crystal King." Check it out below and let us know what you think in the comments!
To get 'Times of Pride and Peril,' visit Prosthetic's webstore, iTunes or Amazon. For more on Holy Grail, follow them on Twitter and Facebook.
Tour Dates:
2/8 Phoenix, AZ - The Rebel Lounge ^
2/9 El Paso, TX - Tricky Falls ^
2/11 San Antonio, TX - Fitzgerald's ^
2/12 Houston, TX - Scout Bar ^
2/13 Dallas, TX - Trees ^
2/14 Little Rock, AR - Metroplex ^
2/16 Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade ^
2/17 Jacksonville, FL - Jack Rabbits ^
2/18 Orlando, FL - Backbooth ^
2/19 St. Petersburg, FL - The State Theatre ^
2/20 Ocala, FL - O'Malley's Alley
2/22 Greenville, SC - Gottrocks
2/23 Charlotte, NC - Milestone #
2/24 Virginia Beach, VA - Shakas #
2/25 Philadelphia, PA - Kung Fu Necktie #
2/26 Boston, MA - Once Ballroom #
2/27 Brooklyn, NY - Saint Vitus #
2/29 Burlington, VT - Nectars #
3/1 Quebec City, QC - Le Cercle #
3/2 Montreal, QC - Foufounes Electriques #
3/3 Toronto, ON - Hard Luck #
3/4 Detroit, MI - Berserker Fest @ The Masonic Temple #
3/5 Chicago, IL - Reggies #
3/6 Madison, WI - High Noon Saloon #
3/7 Minneapolis, MN - Triple Rock #
3/8 Fargo, ND - The Aquarium #
3/9 Winnipeg, MB - The Windsor Hotel #
3/11 Saskatoon, SK - Amigos Cantina #
3/12 Edmonton, AB - Brixx #
3/13 Calgary, AB - Palomino #
3/14 Kamloops, BC - The Office #
3/16 Vancouver, BC - The Biltmore #
3/17 Seattle, WA - El Corazon #
3/18 Spokane, WA - The Pin #
3/19 Portland, OR - Panic Room #
3/20 Bend, OR - Volcanic Theatre Pub #
3/22 Santa Cruz, CA - Catalyst #
3/23 San Francisco, CA - Thee Parkside #
3/24 Los Angeles, CA - Viper Room #
3/25 San Diego, CA - Brick by Brick #
3/26 Phoenix, AZ - Pub Rock #
3/28 Salt Lake City, UT - Metro Bar #
3/29 Denver, CO - Marquis Theater #
3/30 Kansas City, MO - Riot Room #
4/1 Indianapolis, IN - 5th Quarter #
4/2 Newport, KY - Southgate House #
^ with Marty Friedman
# with Black Tusk
Hard rock group Resurrection Kings–which features former Dio guitar player Craig Goldy–will release their new self-titled album on January 29 via Frontiers. In anticipation,we caught up with Goldy to ask about how the band got together, the new album and more!
REVOLVER How did all of you come together for this project and what made it all click?
CRAIG GOLDY It all started out with an email that I received from Serafino, the President of Frontiers Records, asking me if I was interested in doing an album with some other musicians that had made names for themselves in the '80s steering the over-all sound of this record to have a "Whitesnake, Dio, Rainbow-ish sound. I was more than happy to be a part of it! The entire lineup hadn't been fully put together yet and they were accepting song submissions for this album. The first song that came to mind was a song I wrote with Chas West called "Livin' Out Loud."
Then the singer, who also played bass that was in line for this album, fell through. So I asked Chas if he was interested and available, and fortunately for us, he was! And this made perfect sense—as the song "Livin' Out Loud" started to grow on the powers that be over at Frontiers, to the point where at one time, the band was going to be called "Livin' Out Loud," then it dawned on me. I saw Chas and Sean McNabb performing together and I was so impressed with the two of them, that back then we started talking about putting a band project together. So since we also now needed a bass player, I thought I would ask Sean. Fortunately, he too, was interested and available!
Then the drummer for the project fell through, in such a way as if he transformed from a world class drummer into an ex-girlfriend and walked away from the project in a very unprofessional way. But Vinny Appice and I had remained friends and were doing a recording session together at that very same time so I asked Vinny, and fortune once again had smiled upon the project that seemed to be falling apart to the naked eye! This lineup is so very special, that this album became stronger and more powerful and impressive than it ever would've been had the first not become the last, and the second outshine the first!
How does this project differ or stand out from your prior bands?
Well as previously stated this album has a very special lineup! There is a very interestingly, clever merge of individual and collective strengths that gives this album legs to stand on from the very get go. My best soloing, writing and recording techniques haven't been captured yet. My first solo album, 'Hidden in Plain Sight,' touches on it and the two songs that I recorded as my own personal tribute to Ronnie [James Dio] touches on them the closest—but I really got to stretch my wings on this record in a way that I hadn't been able to before. I had been in "learning mode" for so long by working side by side with Ronnie for so many years that it's actually really only now that I am able to utilize all that I have learned from him.
Take us inside the recording process.
Well, there are things that I did on this record in terms of the "recording process" that no one is doing right now, either anymore or never before. So I don't want to give that away right now as I'm still just starting to be able to utilize the techniques that I have learned over the years from Ronnie and gentlemen that have worked side by side with Zeppelin, John Lennon, Pink Floyd and so many others. But I can tell you that there are sometimes 29 guitar tracks going simultaneously throughout certain songs on this record, and you wouldn't even know it, unless they weren't there!!
Alessandro Del Vecchio wrote the major portion of this record. He is an amazing songwriter, singer and producer. He and I co-wrote "Fallin' for You" and "Silent Wonder."
What's on the docket for 2016?
Actually, we are so impressed with the way this album turned out that we are currently in negotiations with managers and agents to put together a tour to support the record in 2016, with hopes to do another album to follow!
To get 'Resurrection Kings,' visit Amazon or iTunes. For more on Resurrection Kings, follow them on Facebook.