This Season we are interviewing one of the latest bands who have become true supporters of The Metal Workout. They offer a nice mix of 70's Traditional Metal mixed with a nice punch of Nu-Metal. In a way, they remind me of that great Swedish Metal band Sentenced, due to the content and punch in their songs. Here is a quick sample of their, their latest video, and the exclusive Metal Workout interview with their lead singer , Ralph Buso, follows below.
What Metal band started your specific sub-genre?
In our style, we blend the best parts of
old school metal with nu-metal styles. The 2 major bands that started these are
definitely Black Sabbath and Korn. Basically, if Sabbath and Korn had a kid it
would be Serpent Underground! haha
How do
you personally think metal came into existence?
I think it all starts socially. It is the
idea that people always want to be different in some way. Looking for what
alternative outlet they can find. Looking at the big picture of music that one
idea has always held true. At one time Jazz, Blues & Rock & Roll, were
all the “outcasts”. Now Metal is the Outcast’s music. Kind of funny to think
about it, but even the Beatles were considered “The Devil’s Music” at one
point.
Which band musically
introduced you to Metal?
Obviously
there are so many great bands in metal, but I think the band that started it all
for me was Black Sabbath. While some of their songs can be classified as
traditional Hard-Rock, I think War Pigs can easily be classified as the first
Metal song, due to the musical scales played, drumming, song topic and
delivery.
At what age did you start playing in a band?
Personally,
I have been collaborating on & off with other musicians, in what is
considered “jam bands” since I was a teenager. But I played in my first band
when I was 20.
How did you start your band & what was the
motivating force for it to become what it is today?
Coming
up as a musician I was constantly experimenting with different sub-genres of
Metal. During that time I had been writing material on the side and those songs
became the concept to what is now Serpent Underground. The band really came to
life when I found my place in music.
Are there many sub-genres of
Metal that influence your band such as Power, Industrial, Death
Metal?
3 bands
that come to mind that have some influence on this band are Korn, Disturbed and
Slipknot. All 3 are amazing bands. My favorite songs from them are:
Korn –
Right Now
Slipknot
– Wait & Bleed
Disturbed
– Down with the Sickness
Do you
workout? If so, what are your favorite metal bands for working out?
Yes, I
have a routine that I do 5 days a week which involves kickboxing, boxing,
weight lifting and running.
What do
you think of Workout Supplements?
I would
say that over the years, the best results for me are natural alternatives such
as vitamins and a high protein diet. So I personally don't believe that it is
necessary to use additional workout supplements.
What do you think of our website "The Metal Workout.com"? Why?
I think it's an incredible source of motivation for people in
the Metal Community to stay fit! I think Metal is one of the best genres to
work out to, and the website is a great tool not just for working out but in
finding great bands you might not have heard about yet!!
What are your plans for touring?
Currently, we are finishing up
writing our new album and preparing our live show. There are plans for touring
in the near future and once the details are worked out we will be on the road,
and I will be tweeting you all about this!! Exciting times ahead!!
This Winter Season we are interviewing one of the few great bands that we have come across during our adventures in the Twitter World. It is a very rare find of a band with strong 80's Power Metal influences yet, heavy enough to make it in today's river of musical aggression. The band is MaelstroM and it hails out of New York and it is expected to grab quick hold of the American East Coast very soon!! Here is a quick sample of their work (a free download!) and the exclusive Metal Workout interview with their lead singer , Gary Vosganian, follows below.
I would have to classify MaelstroM as a Hybrid, of multiple genres blended to create an Epic, and let's say cinematic experience for the listener. Maelstrom has a long history, as we first came out in 1988. We were heavily influenced by european tech thrash from the 80s. Bands such as Sabbat, Kreator Destruction and Coroner definitely played a big role in our sound. We also took cues from the North American thrash scene such as Testament Slayer Flotsam and Overkill. In fact every band I just mentioned was covered in our first live show, that was one awesome set! We also loved much of what Death was doing as well as early Sepultura and some other death metal outfits. Even some power stuff especially Manowar was something we dug on and had its level of influence upon us. All of these bands and the styles they represented helped shape our sound. We sort of mixed that all together and created our own blend.
We always felt if something created the right mood in the right spot it did not matter if it was thrash or speed, doom or power, death or black, if it worked for the moments atmosphere then it was what was used. For MaelstroM it was always more about the story and the mood of the song and it's individual movements. Each song plays out as a chapter and each chapter has it's own ebbs and flows from triumph to melancholy from good to evil, we try to carve that narrative through sound and voice and let you experience a sonic movie.
What other up and coming bands on that similar genre would you mention? Are you willing to co-promote shows with them?
With respect to other bands that are similar in genre I guess I have a tough time nailing some down. Most play to a specific type of style and pretty much stick too it. Locally there is a band called THEM who started out as a King diamond tribute. They are good friends of ours going back to when we were kids and their members played in other bands like Cold Steel. THEM is now writing their own material and I think it's going to be amazing. Also some other old buddies from our local scene have reformed, some guys called Distorted Image. MaelstroM would be happy to co-promote with either of these guys, And for that matter any bands from anywhere that want to cross promote and feel it would be mutually beneficial we are down for.
Back in 1988 I started this thing called the long island scene report. It was a single page one sheet featuring 3-5 bands from the local metal scene here on long island. We had a vast ‘zine list of over 1000 mags, which back in the day could have been anything from a well distributed glossy like metal forces all the way to a twenty pager put together literally with pen and paper and had a run of 50 photo-statted copies.
But we hit them all and these guys and girls created the network of the underground movement, along with tape traders and UG college radio this was the start. So anyway we would send this report out to the ‘zines and many would insert it as is and just make it another page in their book. So that is the long answer to yes I strongly believe in cross promotion. And I am happy to do it.
Which major band (bands) are Maelstrom following closely now, and perhaps trying to follow some of their steps??
I would have to say for me Amon Amarth has been one of my current favorites, I got into them a little late, fate of norns was my first, but i have literally loved just about everything they have done. Dark tranquility is another, and i really dig on Bal Sagoth the power cosmic, and I was just turned on to Insomnium. I listened to iced earths framing Armegeddon like every day while i was recording "it was predestined." Though I sound nothing like ripper I found the album and his work on it very inspiring.
I have also become a big fan of Evile lately and think five serpents teeth is a fantastic piece of work, it honestly should have been Metallica's as follow up to justice, as i feel it fits in perfectly in that vein. So if you are looking for a band who gets that era right before that era went wrong, I would pick that up. Earache, as a label, have a ton of great stuff and have made some interesting signings lately. Since most of the MaelstroM material was written 20 plus years ago I am not certain how much influence many of the bands I mentioned will play on what you hear, but I am diggin’ on them right now.
What are the major hurdles facing Metal Music today, and slowing its spread to grab the appeal it had back in the 80's? How does Maelstrom plan to overcome them?
I am not entirely sure I agree with the statement that metals spread is slow. Some of that might be perspective, back when we were in high school in the 80’s We were in the thick of it, and so many people we hung with were into metal so perhaps it just seemed much bigger then. I think the scene has improved greatly given it's tanking in the mid 90s. I was just at big four a few months ago and it was pretty damn packed.
All that said i will say the major problems facing metal music today, at least in this country is that we are a little spoiled, and many fans will skip out on going to a show because it might not be the exact sub genre they love. Europe is a bit different people go to shows to be entertained and support their scene as a more holistic thing.
Regarding what MaelstroM plans to do to help spread the appeal of metal, for MaelstroM, we blend genres in hopes to create a different experience for the listener, so hopefully we can appeal to people who like different styles from thrash to death to even power, or guitar oriented music like Yngwie Malmsteen.
Ultimately though we want to make the most authentic MaelstroM album we can, to hold nothing back and make the music Joey Lodes and I dreamed of realizing over twenty years ago. After we do this and create the album we always wanted to hear and satisfy our own expectations of ourselves I believe people will gravitate around that. Conviction and authenticity have a great way of galvanizing people. I think fans are intelligent and when you put all your heart, soul, blood and effort into something people recognize that and want to support it.
What was the driving force for you to bring Maelstrom back together?
In the final analysis, To fulfill an unfinished part of our lives. It was something Joey and I needed to do, more so then just something we thought would be cool to resurrect. The timing and the scene for metal coming back certainly helped but ultimately we just had this story that was left ultimately unfinished that we knew had to be told. When you are an artist of any sort, projects that lie not fulfilled to your expectation eat you alive. Honestly one day Joey and I said to each other "you know we should really do the Maelstrom album once and for all", we realized it was feasible, so we began the process.
Do you and your band members listen to metal and its sub-genres exclusively or do you listen to other genres of music also? If so, what other genres of music do you listen to?
I personally listen mostly to metal, though I love some other stuff like some pro rock like rush, and the police. I also really enjoy the music of Billy Joel, and dig on classical music as well. Joey Lodes listens to so much stuff I could not list it all, he is a huge beetles fan, loves soundtracks as well. He listens to and is inspired by literally dozens of styles of music, but ultimately loves his metal. m/
Do you watch MMA? What Maelstrom song would you recommend to a fighter for his "Walk-down"?
That's some fun questions! No I do not personally watch MMA, with young boys at home who absorb and mimic everything I don't really want to get beat up more then I already do!
For a fighter’s walk down, in the UFC or Strikeforce, or whatever, I would say it depends on what the fighter is looking for. With that in mind if it's an epic feel - would recommend the back end of “Arise” from the solo section to the finish, it's pretty much, anything a fighter could want, glory, “epicness”, aggression, it's an all 'round great psych up piece! If it is pure aggression they want to hear I would go with "predestined" the middle break is some seriously brutal stuff with Dan Kleffmann killing the double bass,
I proudly say it's up there with the sickest material I have ever heard.
And if it's evil incarnate you are seeking, then You have to go with "A Futile Crusade." The beginning is literally the raising pure malevolence. Scary stuff!! Additionally there is very glorius segway which an MMA Pro might really dig, it has a military march rhythm and its melody is based on The William Tell Overture and it's coupled with some very aggressive vocals, that could be really interesting for a fighter. The song "Futile" is like seven songs in one so someone might have to analyze that one to find what they want.
Back in high school I played football, my HS was named H.F. Carey, our team used to come out to Manowar's Carry On, it fit great and pumped us all up.
MaelstroM would love to have someone from the MMA world walk out to our music, we would think it an honor.
As for recommendations on MaelstroM's music, for straight weightlifting I would go with "Arise" or "Predestined". For running I would recommend "Predestined" especially if it's a fast run, "Predestined" has a lot of classic gallop riffing and is a festival of double bass which is perfect for running.
What do you think of our website "The Metal Workout.com"?
I love your website, I think it's a fantastic idea. When me and my buddies were much younger and working out more aggressively we used to have Manowar workout sessions (are you sensing a theme), your site is the very advanced version of that, I love it!
Would you wear "The Metal Workout.com" T-shirts during your performances? :)
Yes I would definitely wear one, but it might be under some of my other "garb", I have not yet finalized my stage apparel yet! Not long ago I asked Joey if he ever wanted to play live with MaelstroM and his answer was "Absolutely, I can't wait to see what you wear! Ha!”
I would be happy to wear a "The Metal Workout" shirt anytime bro. I now just need to buy one.
Thank you so much for the interview my brother, best interview closing I can come up with for a site a named "The Metal Workout" is... “Keep it Heavy”sort of works on multiple levels here.
This season we interview the band Crunch - enjoy it and let us know what you think via Twitter @themetalworkout
Please tell us about you and your role in the band?
Hey everybody, I'm Florian the singer/shouter of the German Metal-Alternacore Band Crunch.
We want to say hello to all the visitors to "The Metal Workout" website and a big THANK YOU for your support in Twitter!
Please enjoy our song and interview answers below:
1. In your opinion which Metal Band really started the genre?
For example, if you play black metal, then what band started the black metal genre, and how?
Wow, tough question, I'd personally say that Iron Maiden had a huge effect on the rise of this Genre.
We are playing a mix of Metal, Hardcore and Alternative Rock, but you could consider Killswitch Engage
and Story of the Year to have started our genre. When you listen to those bands you will find some differences to us, though.
2. How do you personally think metal came into existence?
I guess various reasons led to such a strong metal scene. Socially there was a lot going on when metal came up.
I mean kids always wanted to differ from their parents and shock them with some rough music.
Probably we just wanted to be special and different.
3. Which band musically introduced you to Metal?
Ha, quite a lot of bands. My former girlfriend used to listen to metal a lot.
So I became interested in the bands and went to concerts of As I Lay Dying and Job for a cowboy.
Since then I more and more informed myself about new releases and different sub-genres.
Honestly, I still prefer As I Lay Dying over a lot of other metal bands. But also Iron Maiden plays a huge role on my Ipod ;)
I can't go anywhere without "The Trooper" :D
4. At what age did you start playing in a band?
I was about 14 when I started to play in a hardcore coverband.
We used to play some stuff by Boy Sets Fire, Rise Against and Killswitch Engage.
This project did not last very long, because I got more and more interested in writing my own songs and so I joined Crunch.
5. How did you start your band & what was the motivating force for Crunch to become what it is today?
At first Crunch was a project of friends who enjoyed making music.
After we achieved some great success in local band competitions and went recording in a German studio,
we decided to take it a step further and concentrate on publishing an album and play as many concerts in our area as we could.
I think the motivating force was always and will hopefully always be to have fun doing what we want to do.
Without fun we would have no ideas for new songs and probably would start to annoy each other.
6. Are there many sub-genres of Metal that influence your band such as Power, Industrial, Death Metal?
What are some bands you like, and you recommend?
Most influence has Killswitch Engage in the metal genre, but we all try to be opened for any other genre as well.
I would really recommend to listen to the band Job For A Cowboy, but that's only based on my own personal choice.
We as a band have nothing to do with them or their music ;)
7. Do you and your band members listen to metal and its sub-genres exclusively
or do you listen to other genres of music also? If so, what other genres of music do you listen to?
I guess we all listen to different genres quite a lot. Some prefer Punk Rock or Alternative.
I personally enjoy listening to Metalcore or Deathcore. But our Bass player likes Fusion and Jazz. Our musical horizon is quite broad I guess ;)
8. Do you workout? If so, what are your favourite metal bands for working out?
Yea, I work out. Enjoy working out to bands like As I Lay Dying or Bring Me The Horizon. Especially crunches :)
9. What do you think of our website "The Metal Workout.com"? Why?
I think it is a great idea and helps people lose weight or gain a trained body. Sometimes working out can be boring or arduous,
but with some great tunes you can enjoy lifting weights and make great progress.
So guys, you should download the songs from our website and add them to your workout playlist!!
If you take some of our songs we would be really happy. Don't hesitate to write us which song you can lift the most weight to!
10. What are your plans for touring? Are there any special goals that you want to achieve with that tour?
Since we are a German Band we are focused on playing here. This Fall we will start touring with Distance In Embrace
and play a few concerts with them. But we are definately looking forward to playing in America someday, and maybe we'll visit you in New York City!
Our main goal would be to get a fanbase in Germany, but in our modern time the internet might help us to get some friends all over the world.
We would not hesitate to publish our newest records on an American label.
But for now you can have most of our songs for free, eventhough they are high quality songs recorded in professional studios.
11. Would you wear "The Metal Workout.com" T-shirts during your tour? haha
Of course I would, helping the site get some overseas attention would be a great pleasure.
Send one over ;)
