US thrash veterans speak to Heavy Music Artwork “On our new album we more than ever felt an artistic obligation to our fans to give them a really big-sounding record,” says Katon W. De Pena the vocalist of the American thrash metal act HIRAX. He is referring to Immortal Legacy, the latest release by his…
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Heavy Music Artwork one-on-one with Buckcherry’s frontman! Hailing from California, Buckcherry belong to a dying breed of rockers: those whose creative drive comes from something deep and personal. Remember the days of Jim Morrison? When rock music was a reflection of culture, a commentary on what was transpiring around us and how the artist fit…
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HMA chats to the mighty Jocke Berg of Swedish rock legends Hardcore Superstar! Hardcore Superstar is one of my favorite bands. Period. When I was sixteen the Swedish glam and sleaze rock scene was just taking off with bands like Crashdïet and Hardcore Superstar standing at the forefront of the whole resurgence. They were inspired…
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Swedish sleaze/punk metal outfit SISTER, loud and in your face! SISTER was formed in early 2006. Glam/sleaze enthusiasts like me will probably remember them as a colourful gang of glammed-out teens who popped up almost out of nowhere. These guys were truly underground back then and everyone dug them thoroughly. There was a lot of…
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In conversation with France got talent Eths In their native France ETHS are superstars. The quintet from Marseilles has graced about every music magazine cover in their home country. Their success story began with the release of two EPs, which spread like wildfire and gained the young band cult status. “Autopsie” came out in the…
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Tad Morose reveals art direction for “Revenant” After a long recording hiatus, Swedish power metallers, Tad Morose, have returned with their brand new recording, “Revenant”. The album’s cover artwork, features a furious zombie-like creature emerging from a swamp. Somehow, this image seems to work as a metaphor for a band that came back from the…
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Heavy Music Artwork’s Andy Starz rolls the dice with Damn Dice Damn Dice are one of London’s many slick rock’n’roll offspring. One of the best things about them, I’d say, is that they’re a motley group of young French, Italian and English musicians which warms my heart, dear reader, because I’m a big fan of…
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Heavy Music Artwork uncovers the Spirit of Reckless Love! What’s up all you bizarre decadents and lovers of high-energy rock’n’roll? If you’re into hair metal then you probably know Reckless Love by now. They are one of Finland’s many fine contributions to rock music. Their first two albums Reckless Love (2010) and Animal Attraction (2011)…
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Heavy Music Artwork joins Rune master Wardruna Wardruna is a Norwegian music group founded by Einar Kvitrafn Selvik. In 2009 Wardruna enchanted their listeners with their mesmerizing debut album ‘gap var Ginnunga’, which also was the first part of a planned trilogy. In the ensuing years the group have spent a lot of time on…
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Interview with Orange County Grind legends Phobia Socio-political crustcore grind veterans Phobia have been tearing up the scene for going on 23 years now. Their smash up noise-fest rhythm section and four chord riffs are carried atop a slew of Shane Maclachlan’s guttural growls and searing screams, and whilst the lyrics and the band’s image…
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One-on-one with guitar master of the Quireboys, Guy Griffin The Quireboys are part of a long tradition of English rock’n’roll excellence. Formed way back in 1984 when rock music ruled the world and the demand for hairspray was making Aquanet’s owners filthy rich, the Quireboys have since enjoyed international fame. Their latest album ‘Beautiful Curse’…
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Interview with TYR frontman Heri Joensen Valkyrja, the 7 full-length album from the Faroe Islands natives TÝR, is a concept album with a story line based loosely around an nameless Viking age warrior who leaves his woman and goes off to impress the Valkyrie on the battlefield so that she may bring him to Valhalla,…
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Animal supremacist Cattle Decapitation speaks to HMA Originally founded in 1996, Cattle Decapitation’s songs protest the mistreatment and consumption of animals as well as the abuse of the environment. Lyrics may also focus on subjects such as misanthropy and genocide of the human race. Much of their music is based on putting humans in the…
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Heavy Music Artwork speaks to Pelle Ahman “It’s time to release our third album, and things have never felt this clear and pervasive before. This is a feeling that has permeated our whole lives during the latest year of writing and recording this album, as well as digesting and dealing with its consequences. And it…
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Interview with Tristania Anders Høyvik Hidle The Norwegian Gothic Metal pioneers revolving around charismatic front lady Mariangela Demurtars have the gift to combine heavy tunes with emotional finesse. This combination was brought to perfection on “Darkest White”, which was produced by Christer André Cederberg (e.g. Anathema). He has certainly given the album a new level…
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Interview with Germany Thrash outfits Dew-Scented Germany’s Dew-Scented have been part of the leading forces of a new breed of Thrash Metal ever since their foundations in 1992. After having released their first an only demo tape “Symbolization” the band signed to Steamhammer/SPV for their 1996 debut release “Immortelle”. Now on Metal Blade they have…
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Chad Gray & Vinnie Paul speak to Heavy Music Artwork Hellyeah are currently cruising the States on the Gigantour with Megadeth, Black Label Society, Newsted and Device. With the release of their incredible third album ‘Band of Brothers’ they are making a clear statement to the Metal world. They are a band that was once…
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Exclusive Blackjazz creators Jørgen Munkeby of Shining In this complex and confusing era of post modernity, it’s difficult to predict what’s around the corner, especially where music is concerned. As more and more genres are fired out by schizophrenic cannons claiming the rights to all kinds of vague new takes on whatever-cores and something-beats, it’s…
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Interview with Delain frontwoman Charlotte Wessels It’s a sunny spring afternoon as Delain’s spectacular, fiery haired frontwoman Charlotte Wessels sips contentedly from her glass of wine. Her day has been heavily filled with consecutive interviews (and wine) but she shows no sign of slowing down and she’s smiles ahoy as we explore all things recent…
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Interview with Spinefarm’s adrenaline junkie Santa Cruz Finland is a country well known for exporting some major names in metal and rock music. Santa Cruz is one of those names. A promising, young band, that stands out with its highly energetic guitar work, powerful lyrics and the ability to deliver a powerful live performance. After the…
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