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Interview DESTRUCTOR
A talk with DAVE OVERKILL (Guitars / Vocals)
METAL TO INFINITY
Cleveland's thrash metal legend Destructor released a new masterpiece ''Forever In Leather'' and we can't wait to hear some extra info about this release and future plans, because the band is stronger and heavier than ever before!
Q: First of all, I want to go back to the year 1985. The track ''Maximum Destruction'' was probably one of the most played and requested songs in my radio metal show OVERDRIVE on Radio Aktief. Together with Slayer's ''Reign In Blood'', you definitely dominate my all time top five playlist. Were you aware about the success that the band had in Europe?
WE HAD FAN MAIL FROM VARIOUS COUNTRIES BUT IT WAS MUCH HARDER TO COMMUNICATE WITH PEOPLE BEFORE THE INTERNET BACK THEN AS IT IS TODAY. WE KNEW THERE WAS AN INTEREST IN DESTRUCTOR BUT JUST HOW MUCH WE DID NOT REALIZE. THE UNDERGROUND IN THE 80s, AS IT IS TODAY, DID SO MUCH LEG WORK FOR MANY BANDS BY HELPING SPREAD THE WORD. TAPES WERE TRADED AROUND THE GLOBE AND FANZINES WROTE ABOUT THE BANDS. WE ARE VERY PROUD TO HAVE COME FROM THAT ERA AND STILL CONSIDER OURSELVES VERY PROUDLY UNDERGROUND!
Q: And how about the rest of the world? Was the reaction running parallel with the European interest in the band?
EUROPE IS AND ALWAYS HAS BEEN FAITHFULL TO HARD ROCK AND METAL. WE ALWAYS SEEM TO GET THE BEST REACTION FROM OVERSEAS. THE REACTION IS TOUGH TO TOP BUT WE DID DO VERY WELL HERE IN NORTH AMERICA WITH ''MAXIMUM DESTRUCTION''.
PAT RABID
Q: ''Maximum Destruction'' can be described as a new style and, for that period of time, unequalled and unrivalled...
WOW, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THOSE SONGS WERE THE FIRST SONGS DESTRUCTOR HAD COMPLETED BUT THEY REALLY WERE DERIVED FROM ALL OF WHAT CAME BEFORE US. WE WERE ALL FANS OF BANDS LIKE JUDAS PRIEST, AC/DC AND BLACK SABBATH IN OUR YOUNGER YEARS. THE 80'S WERE THE TIME THOUGH WHEN THINGS WOULD BECOME LESS TYPICAL IN METAL AND REALLY TURN THE MUSIC FASTER AND HARDER.
MATT FLAMMABLE
Q: What happened shortly after the release of the debut album? I guess that every member was stunned about the reaction and that it took you guys further and beyond your own personal expectations? What were the highlights in the years 85, 86 and 87?
WE WERE ON TOP OF THE WORLD IN OUR HOME TOWN OF CLEVELAND. WE HAD A GROWING FAN BASE AND IT WAS CREEPING FAST OUT OF OUR CITY. AFTER THE ALBUM CAME OUT, WE SUDDENLY WERE A HEADLINING BAND AND HEARD OUR SONGS BEING PLAYED ALL THE TIME ON THE RADIO. THE LOCAL PRESS GAVE US A LOT OF COVERAGE TOO. THE BIGGER METAL PUBLICATIONS LIKE KERRANG! AND HIT PARADER SOON FOLLOWED. EVERYTHING HAPPENED REALLY FAST.
BILL PETERS FROM AUBURN DID A GREAT JOB OF PROMOTING THE ALBUM. DESTRUCTOR HAD THE PLEASURE TO PLAY WITH MANY OTHER BANDS DURING THIS TIME PERIOD, INCLUDING MEGADETH, NASTY SAVAGE, SLAYER, METAL CHURCH, CELTIC FROST AND ANTHRAX TO NAME A FEW. THE THRASH MOVEMENT WAS SETTING IN THE STATES AND THE TOURS AND SHOWS WERE BIG PARTIES. WE ALSO PLAYED SOME OUT OF CLEVELAND SHOWS IN DETROIT, CHICAGO AND NEW YORK STATE.
WHILE ALL THIS WAS HAPPENING, WE STARTED WRITING SONGS FOR THE NEXT ALBUM WHICH WAS GOING TO BE TITLED ''DECIBAL CASUALTIES''. BILL WAS WORKING ON A MAJOR LABEL DEAL WITH ISLAND RECORDS FOR HIS LABEL AND WANTED US TO BE THE FIRST RELEASE ON THE NEW JOINT VENTURE. WE STARTED RECORDING THE ALBUM IN 1987 BUT THEN TRAGEDY HIT WHEN OUR BASS PLAYER DAVE IANNICCA WAS MURDERED ON JANUARY 1, 1988. THE LOSS HIT ALL OF US HARD AND EVERYTHING CAME TO A SCREECHING HALT.
Q: Are you still aiming for a worldwide domination, is it still possible after all those years to set your mark on the music scene, like you achieved with the debut album? There are so many things changed and the musical style and interest evolved through the years...
YES, THAT IS VERY TRUE. THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF CHANGES THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE OVER THE YEARS. WE JUST ARE LOOKING FOR THE SECOND CHANCE WE FEEL WE HAVE EARNED. TO HAVE ANOTHER RECORDING OUT LIKE "FOREVER IN LEATHER" AND TO HAVE THE FORTUNE TO PLAY SOME REALLY GREAT SHOWS IS ALL ANY BAND CAN ASK FOR. IT'S FUN TO BE IN THE HUNT AGAIN AND TO JUST GO ALONG FOR THE RIDE.
WE NEVER HAVE CHANGED AND WE KNOW THERE ARE STILL PEOPLE WHO WANT SOMETHING REAL AND RAW. WE ARE DOING THIS FOR THE LOVE OF THE MUSIC. THAT'S WHY WE ENJOY WORKING WITH BILL AND AUBURN SO MUCH. HE OPERATES THE LABEL THE SAME WAY AND HAS THE SAME VISION AS THE BAND.
Q: One thing is for sure. The metal heads that went through the mighty eighties will be pleased to hear that the band is alive and kicking and ready to smash some skulls, right?
WE HOPE SO. THERE ARE SO MANY YOUNGER METAL HEADS THAT ARE TIRED OF BANDS LIKE KORN AND SUCH THAT THRASH METAL IS COMMING BACK. THAT'S REALLY COOL. BANDS LIKE FUELED BY FIRE AND WARBRINGER ARE TURNING ON A WHOLE NEW GENERATION TO THE MUSIC WE CREATED FIRST BACK IN THE 80s. THE MUSIC IS TIMELESS.
Q: In 1987, the band recorded their highly anticipated second album ''Decibel Casualties'' on Island/Auburn Records. What was the main difference between this new one and the debut album?
NOT MUCH ACTUALLY. I THINK WE HAD PROGRESSED AS SONG WRITERS BUT THOSE SONGS WERE NOT WRITTEN THAT FAR APART FROM THE TIME WE HAD RECORDED "MAXIMUM DESTRUCTION" SO THEY HAD THE SAME SORT OF FEEL. SONGS LIKE 'SMASH YOUR SKULLS WITH POWER', 'POWER AGGRESSION' AND 'STORM OF STEEL' WOULD FIT IN JUST AS WELL WITH THE MIX OF SONGS ON OUR DEBUT.
Q: Inking a deal with Island Records in cooperation with Auburn Records set oneself a target to get the band on the next level in their career. Did Island Records reach their goal?
THE DEAL WITH ISLAND, AUBURN AND DESTRUCTOR NEVER CAME TO PASS BECAUSE OF THE SITUATION I MENTIONED EARLIER ABOUT THE TRAGIC LOSS OF OUR BASS PLAYER DAVE IANNICCA. WE HAD ALREADY STARTED RECORDING THE ALBUM AND HAD THE RHYTHM TRACKS FINISHED WHEN DAVE DIED. WE ALL WITNESSED THE MURDER. DAVE HAD JUST GOTTEN ENGAGED TO HIS FINANCE ON CHRISTMAS A FEW DAYS EARLIER. IT WAS A VERY SAD TIME FOR ALL OF US.
THE RECORDING STOPPED AND WE HAD TO GO THROUGH THE GRIEVING PROCESS. WE ALSO HAD TO GO THROUGH THE LEGAL PROCESS AND WERE CALLED TO TESTIFY AT THE COURT TRIALS TO HELP CONVICT THE PERSON WHO DID THIS. FORTUNATELY HE IS STILL IN PRISON SERVING TIME. ISLAND HAD ORIGINALLY TOLD BILL THEY WOULD WAIT AND BE PATIENT FOR US TO GET BACK UP AND RUNNING BUT DECIDED TO DROP US A MONTH LATER THINKING WE WOULD NEVER RECOVER AND BE THE SAME BAND.
BILL WAS REALLY UPSET WITH THIS DECISION. HE HAD AN ACTUAL LABEL DEAL WITH ISLAND AND DECIDED TO PULL OUT OF THE WHOLE DEAL ENTIRELY. IT TOOK HIM CLOSE TO A YEAR TO FINALLY GET OUT OF THE CONTRACT. DURING THIS TIME HE COULD NOT RELEASE ANY RECORDS SINCE HE WAS UNDER CONTRACT WITH ISLAND. HE LOST A LOT OF MONEY IN THE PROCESS BUT DID NOT WANT TO WORK WITH A COMPANY WHO WOULD BE SO INSENSITIVE AND UNCARING.
AT THE TIME, LOSING THE DEAL REALLY WAS THE LAST THING ON OUR MINDS. WE WERE TRYING TO HANDLE LOSING ONE OF OUR BEST FRIENDS AND ALL THE GUILT AND EMOTIONS THAT COME WITH IT. BILL WAS CLOSE TO DAVE TOO AND WAS HAVING HIS OWN TROUBLES DEALING WITH THE SITUATION, ON TOP OF ALL THE ISLAND STUFF.
Q: to be honest, I haven't heard that album at all... Perhaps the release was limited to the U.S. only?
THE RECORDING WAS NEVER FINISHED AND ONLY THE SONGS 'POWER AGRESSION', 'SMASH YOUR SKULLS WITH POWER' AND 'STORM OF STEEL' WERE RELEASED. THOSE SONGS APPEARED ON THE LISTENABLE RECORDS 1999 RE-ISSUE OF "MAXIMUM DESTRUCTION". WE DID NOT USE THE LP MIX OF ''MAXIMUM DESTRUCTION'' FOR THAT REISSUE BUT WILL BE RELEASING THE VERSION FANS ARE USED TO HEARING ON AUBURN IN THE NEAR FUTURE. WE RECORDED ANOTHER FULL ALBUM IN THE LATE 90s BUT IT WAS NEVER OFFICIALLY RELEASED EITHER. WE PLAN TO RELEASE IT SOON.
WE WOULD HAVE DONE IT SOONER BUT WE WANTED TO SHOW OURSELVES AND THE FANS THAT WE HAD NEW MATERIAL WHEN WE CAME BACK STRONG IN 2003. OUR CURRENT BASS PLAYER, JAMIE BOULDER, IS NOT ON THOSE RECORDINGS. WE HAD A DIFFERENT BASS PLAYER AT THE TIME. RE-ISSUES AND BACK CATALOGS ARE GREAT BUT IT IS WHAT YOU CAN PRODUCE NOW THAT IS WHAT EVERYONE REALLY WANTS TO KNOW. WE DO NOT WANT TO JUST LIVE IN THE PAST AND CONSIDER DESTRUCTOR TO BE AN ACTIVE, CURRENT BAND.
Q: Do you believe that a smaller label is able to get the band much further, because of the underground connections, and knowing precisely how to reach the metalheads?
YES. THE MUSIC BUISSNESS IS SO FUCKED UP THAT EVEN BIG BANDS WANT TO START UP THEIR OWN LABELS SO THEY CAN HAVE MORE CONTROL OVER DIRECTION ETC. AUBURN RECORDS IS REALLY AN EXTENSION OF US. BILL PETERS IS A GREAT PERSON TO WORK WITH AND A FIFTH MEMBER OF THE BAND. YOU REALLY WANT THE LABEL TO BE ON YOUR LEVEL AND IF YOU BUILD TOGETHER IT SEEMS TO BE A NATURAL PROGRESSION.
Q: Fate strikes when the band witnessed the murder of long time friend and bass player Dave Iannicca. Can you revive that time; what exactly happened?
RANDOM ACTS OF VIOLENCE HAPPEN EVERYWHERE AND ONE HAPPENED TO US AS I MENTIONED EARLIER. IN THE EARLY HOURS OF NEW YEAR'S DAY 1988, DAVE IANNICCA LOST HIS LIFE AT THE HANDS OF A PARTY CRASHER WHO WAS BENT ON MURDER AND FOUND HIS VICTIM. WE DID NOT KNOW THIS PERSON WHO COMMITED THIS ACT. WE WERE HAVING A SMALL PRIVATE PARTY AT OUR PRACTICE SPOT TO CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAY, THE BAND AND DAVE'S RECENT ENGAGEMENT.
A GUY FROM DOWN THE STREET WHO WAS AT A BAR WANDERED DOWN TO OUR PRACTICE SPOT AND WALKED IN UNINVITED. HE WAS DRUNK AND BOTHERING OUR GUESTS. WE POLITELY ASKED HIM TO LEAVE SEVERAL TIMES. FINALLY WE WERE ABLE TO GET HIM DOWN THE STEPS AND OUT THE DOOR BUT HE STAYED IN THE PARKING LOT. WE WERE CONCERNED HE WAS GOING TO POSSIBLY DAMAGE SOME CARS OR THE FACTORY WHERE WE RENTED THE PRACTICE SPOT FROM.
DAVE WALKED OUT INTO THE PARKING LOT WITH OPEN ARMS AND ASKED THE GUY TO PLEASE JUST LEAVE. HE PULLED OUT A KNIFE HE HAD HIDDEN BEHIND HIS BACK AND STABBED DAVE RIGHT THROUGH THE HEART. DAVE DIED IN THE BACK OF A CAR AS IT WAS TRYING TO TAKE HIM TO THE HOSPITAL. WE WERE ALL THERE WITH HIM. THE GUY TRIED TO RUN AWAY BUT SOME OF OUR FRIENDS CAUGHT AND HELD HIM UNTIL THE POLICE ARRIVED. IT IS REALLY TRAGIC AND VERY DIFFICULT TO SPEAK OF.
Q: This miserable event resulted into hiatus throughout the 90's. Do you agree that you lost a very important decade in the career of Destructor?
OF COURSE. DESTRUCTOR LOST THE RECORD DEAL WITH ISLAND RECORDS AND MORE IMPORTANTLY WE LOST DAVE. WE LOST THE MOMENTIUM WE HAD GOING AND NOT MANY BANDS CAN SURVIVE SUCH A BLOW. DAVE WAS NOT JUST A BASS PLAYER TO US. HE WAS A PART OF OUR FAMILY AND LONG TIME FRIEND. A TRUE BROTHER. I MISS HIM A LOT.
TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, WE HAD MANY BASS PLAYERS IN AND OUT OF THE BAND AND THINGS WERE CHANGING FAST FOR METAL, IN THE U.S. GRUNGE WAS TAKING OVER THE U.S. SCENE. WE JUST COULD NOT FIND THE RIGHT BASS PLAYER. DAVE WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO REPLACE. WE STRUGGLED THROUGHOUT THE 90s TRYING TO KEEP THE BAND GOING.
Q: Since Destructor cooperate with Auburn again, the band released two E.P.'s , starting with ''Sonic Bullet'' in 2003. Can you give us some more information on this release, what tracks featured the disc and was it mainly new written material?
ON THE ''SONIC BULLET'' EP, THE SONGS 'SONIC BULLET' AND 'HEAVY ARTILLERY' WERE BOTH BRAND NEW TRACKS WRITTEN WITH OUR NEW BASS PLAYER JAMIE BOULDER. JAMIE WAS THE BASS PLAYER WE HAD BEEN SEARCHING FOR ALL THOSE YEARS. THE MISSING LINK SO TO SPEAK. HE WAS A FAN OF DESTRUCTOR WHEN GROWING UP AND UNDERSTOOD WHAT WE WERE ALL ABOUT. 'SILENT ENEMY', 'THE TRIANGLE' AND 'G-FORCE' WERE SONGS FROM THE POST "MAXIMUM DESTRUCTION" YEARS.
JAMIE BOULDER
WE ALSO RECORDED A NEW VERSION OF HAWKWINDS SONG 'MASTER OF THE UNIVERSE'. WE WERE ALWAYS BIG HAWKWIND FANS AND EVEN HAD A SIDE PROJECT CALLED SPACECORE GOING AT ONE TIME THAT PLAYED ''SPACE METAL'' STYLE MUSIC. ODDLY ENOUGH, BILL HAD SUGGESTED WE COVER THAT HAWKWIND SONG BACK WHEN DAVE WAS STILL ALIVE. WE HAD WORKED IT UP JUST BEFORE DAVE DIED. BILL HAD SAID IT WAS THE LAST SONG HE HEARD US PLAY AT PRACTICE WITH DAVE IN THE BAND BEFORE HE WAS KILLED.
WE ALSO ADDED SOME LIVE RECORDINGS FROM 2002 OF 'IRON CURTAIN' AND 'POUNDING EVIL'. THESE WERE RECORDED IN CLEVELAND OPENING FOR SLAYER AND AT THE CLASSIC METAL FESTIVAL WITH ANVIL. DESTRUCTOR NEVER HAD MANY GOOD RECORDINGS OF LIVE SHOWS FROM THE EARLY DAYS SO WE WANTED TO RELEASE SOME LIVE STUFF FROM THE "NEW" ERA SO PEOPLE WHO HAVE NEVER SEEN US COULD HEAR WHAT WE SOUNDED LIKE ON STAGE.
Q: In 2007, the band released ''Storm Of Steel'' as a limited Keep It True Festival release. Was it only available at the festival and the band's homepage, and why this limitation?
WE ORIGINALLY HAD PLANNED TO RELEASE OUR NEW FULL-LENGTH ALBUM AT THE FESTIVAL BUT RAN INTO SOME RECORDING DELAYS. BILL CAME UP WITH THE IDEA TO RELEASE THE EP FOR THE FESTIVAL SO WE WOULD HAVE SONE NEW MATERIAL FOR THE FANS. OLI, THE PROMOTER FOR THE KEEP IT TRUE FESTIVAL, HAD NAMED THE FIRST NIGHT OF THE FESTIVAL ''STORM OF STEEL'' IN HONOR OF OUR APPEARANCE.
THIS IS WHY THE EP IS CALLED ''STORM OF STEEL'' AND THE SONG IS FEATURED IN 3 DIFFERENT VERSIONS - NEW STUDIO VERSION, LIVE VERSION AND THE ORIGINAL ''HEAVY ARTILLERY'' VERSION. WE ALSO INCLUDED 2 SONGS FROM THE NEW STUDIO ALBUM THAT WERE READY, 'TEAR DOWN THE HEAVENS' AND 'WORLD OF WAR', TO GIVE FANS A TASTE OF WHAT WAS COMING. THERE'S A LIVE VERSION OF 'SONIC BULLET' AND A DEMO OF 'WE ARE READY', A SONG WRITTEN DURING THE ''FOREVER IN LEATHER'' SESSIONS BUT NOT RECORDED ON THE ALBUM.
WE ACTUALLY HAD ANOTHER SONG READY TOO CALLED 'RESTORE CHAOS' BUT DID NOT RECORD IT. WE PLAN TO RECORD REAL VERSIONS OF BOTH OF THESE SONGS FOR A FUTURE RELEASE. THE EP WAS ORIGINALLY ONLY GOING TO BE SOLD AT THE KEEP IT TRUE FESTIVAL LAST APRIL TO MAKE IT A SPECIAL RELEASE BUT THERE WAS SO MUCH DEMAND FOR IT THAT BILL DECIDED TO MAKE IT AVAILABLE FOR A LIMITED TIME AFTER THE SHOW.
YOU CAN STILL FIND COPIES BUT AUBURN IS ALL OUT SO IF YOU ARE THINKING OF GETTING ONE I WOULD RECOMMEND DOING IT SOON BEFORE IT STARTS GOING FOR A LOT OF MONEY ON EBAY OR SOMETHING.
Q: Tracks like 'Tear Down The Heavens' and 'World Of War' also feature on the new album ''Forever In Leather''. Why precise these tracks? Where they the strongest songs on ''Storm Of Steel''?
THE TWO SONGS FROM ''FOREVER IN LEATHER'' THAT WERE FEATURED ON THE EP WERE ONES WE HAPPENED TO HAVE READY AT THE TIME TO USE. THE REST OF THE ALBUM WAS NOT MIXED AT THE TIME BILL WAS PUTTING THE EP TOGETHER. OUR PRODUCER, DON DEPEW, RAN INTO SOME HARDWARE PROBLEMS AT THE STUDIO SO EVERYTHING WAS PUSHED BACK AND DELAYED. THEY WERE OBVIOUSLY THE FEATURE TRACKS, ALONG WITH ''STORM OF STEEL'' WHICH WAS DEDICATED TO OLI AND THE KEEP IT TRUE FESTIVAL.
Q: Past year was a very important year for the band. You managed to play the warm up show and appearing on the main stage of Keep It True in Germany, you toured around the East Coast of the U.S. and Canada with Piledriver, headlining the 'Midwest Metal Anthem' in Chicago, and last but not least, you played your first gig in Belgium. How was on to be on stage in Eeklo at 'Meetjesland Metalfest'?
ABSOULTELY GREAT. ALL THE SHOWS HAVE BEEN REALLY GOOD. EUROPE IS FANTASTIC AND WE ARE REALLY STARTING TO NOTICE A SOLID FAN BASE IN BELGIUM. WE ARE PLANNING TO COME BACK WHILE WE ARE IN EUROPE THIS YEAR FOR OUR WACKEN OPEN AIR FESTIVAL APPEARANCE. THE FANS FROM BELGIUM HAVE BEEN TREMENDOUS.
Q: Also Laaz Rockit was on that bill that evening, and although the musical direction of both bands is incomparable, the people loved both acts! How do you look back on the Belgian gig?
IT WAS FUN. I THINK IT'S BETTER TO GIVE A SHOW WITH A BIT OF VARIETY THAN TO HAVE ALL THE SAME STYLE MUSIC IN ONE NIGHT. WE TRAVELED TO BELGIUM THE DAY FOLLOWING OUR KEEP IT TRUE PERFORMANCE. WE WERE TREATED GREAT BY THE PROMOTER, CLUB AND FANS AND WANT TO RETURN. AS I JUST SAID, WE PLAN ON MAKING A SPECIAL TRIP TO BELGIUM AFTER WACKEN.
Q: After the gig, we spoke to each other and it was cool to catch up and see that you guys are rather calm and collected. Is keeping one's distance coming with the years, with getting older, or are you guys just normal guys that have a passion for metal and like to bring it loud on stage only?
WE ARE JUST FANS AND MUSICIANS. WE LOVE TO SEE DIFFERENT PLACES AND TO HAVE THE CHANCE TO MEET PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD. WE ARE ENJOYING WHAT WE DO. WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY AND APPRECIATE EVERY MINUTE OF IT. MEETING FANS LIKE YOU IS VERY SPECIAL TO US.
Q: Back to the new album ''Forever In Leather''. Tell us something more about the title and the idea behind it?
THE TITLE ''FOREVER IN LEATHER'' SUMS UP WHAT DESTRUCTOR IS ALL ABOUT - UNCHANGED AND READY TO GIVE SOME NEW OLD SCHOOL METAL TO THE WORLD. WE ARE FOREVER THE SAME. TRUE AND FAITHFULL!
Q: The album contains 11 tracks of straight ahead, traditional Destructor-style thrash metal. And that's exactly what I like about it. It's not comparable with most thrash metal acts, it has an own style, songs with a head and tail, and you are also highly-gifted in strong breaks, twists and turns in the songs. Destructor is incomparable, isn't it?
HAHA. WELL, AGAIN THAT IS A GREAT COMPLEMENT YOU HAVE GIVEN US. THANK YOU. WE TRY TO GIVE THE BEST WE HAVE AND THERE IS MUCH MORE TO COME FROM DESTRUCTOR. OUR SONG WRITING HAS NEVER REALLY CHANGED. WE WORK VERY HARD ON CREATING THE BEST SONGS WE CAN. WHEN WE START TO PUT TOGETHER AN ALBUM, IT IS MORE ABOUT QUALITY THAN QUANTITY. WE ARE NOT THE TYPE OF BAND TO WRITE 30 SONGS QUICKLY AND THEN PICK 10 FOR THE ALBUM.
WE USUALLY WRITE JUST ENOUGH FOR THE RECORD AND ONLY HAVE A COUPLE OF EXTRAS LEFTOVER AT MOST. THE EXTRA SONGS THAT DO NOT MAKE THE RECORD USUALLY END UP GETTING RECORDED FOR A FUTURE RELEASE. WE ARE SURVIVALISTS AND DO NOT WASTE MUCH. THE SONGS ARE WELL THOUGHT OUT AND CRAFTED. WE REALLY DO PUT A LOT OF TIME INTO MAKING SURE THE SONGS ARE EXACTLY THE WAY WE WANT THEM. SOMETIMES THE PROCESS CAN BE SLOW BUT THE END RESULT IS REALLY WHAT MATTERS.
Q: The production of the new album was done by Don Depew, who's the guitarplayer of Breaker. How was the cooperation between Don and the members of Destructor?
DON IS A REALLY WELL ROUNDED PRODUCER AND HE IS A PLEASURE TO RECORD WITH. DON KNOWS HOW TO BRING OUT THE BEST IN WHO HE WORKS WITH. HE IS REALLY LOCKED INTO OUR SOUND AND UNDERSTANDS THE SOUND WE ARE LOOKING FOR. WE ARE NOT ALWAYS THE EASIEST BAND TO RECORD SINCE THE LIVE STAGE HAS ALWAYS BEEN OUR BEST FORUM. OUR CONNECTION WITH BREAKER GOES BACK MANY YEARS. THE TWO BANDS HAVE BEEN GOOD FRIENDS FOR A LONG TIME. WE EVEN USED DON TO FILL IN ON BASS FOR A SHOW.
Q: The sound is really awesome. From the first notes of 'Tear Down The Heavens', you have the right attitude and vibe that is so much needed for this kind of metal. Also Bill Peters worked on the album. What was his precise task, and what is the difference between the producer (Don Depew) and the executive producer (Bill Peters)?
BILL CONSULTS IN TERMS OF MOTIVATION AND QUALITY OF THE SESSION. HE IS ABLE TO STEP BACK AND LISTEN TO THINGS AS A FAN. HE GIVES GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT AND SUGGESTS THINGS FOR THE SONGS. THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT WHEN PUTTING TOGETHER A RECORD. DON IS THE MAN BEHIND THE BOARD AND HANDLES ALL THE SOUNDS AND TECHNICAL ISSUES. ALL OF US WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE THE BEST RECORD WE CAN AT THE TIME. WE REALLY ARE A GOOD TEAM TOGETHER.
DESTRUCTOR with BILL PETERS (in the middle)
Q: Bill is also owner of Auburn Records, and he had a little set back with the shipping of his overseas promotional contacts. He runs the label on a part time basis and a one man operation. I guess that sometimes it's really hard keeping up at times, but he's passionate and loves this kind of music. I guess it's really awesome to work with such a 'die hard' metal maniac?
BILL IS TRUE TO WHAT HE LIKES. WE ALL HAVE JOBS AND FAMILIES BUT THE COMMITMENT AND SUPPORT HE HAS IS CONSTANT. AUBURN SUFFERED THE SAME AS DESTRUCTOR FROM THE MURDER OF DAVE IANNICCA AS I TALKED ABOUT EARLIER. THIS IS AUBURN'S SECOND CHANCE AS WELL AND BILL REALLY WANTS TO DO THE BEST HE CAN WITH THE LABEL FOR THE FANS EVEN THOUGH HE OPERATES IT ON A PART TIME BASIS WHICH HAS ITS LIMITATIONS.
IT IS NOT ABOUT THE MONEY OR FAME FOR ANY OF US. WE ARE ALL ONLY DOING THIS OUT OF OUR LOVE FOR THE MUSIC. BILL IS MORE OF A FAN AND MUSICIAN THAN BUSINESS-TYPE GUY. HE STILL DOES HIS FRIDAY NIGHT ''METAL ON METAL'' RADIO SHOW HERE IN CLEVELAND, WHICH HAS BEEN ON FOR 25 YEARS, AND HAS A HUGE PERSONAL COLLECTION OF ALBUMS AND CDs.
Q: Can you give us some comment on the lyrics of the songs. They have typical metal topics and forceful language like 'Skull Splitter', 'Pounding Warriors' and 'World Of War',...etc.. Don't you have the urge to write about everyday life, things that you see on TV and give your opinion on what is going wrong in this world?
'WORLD OF WAR' IS ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE WORLD TODAY. SO IS 'DAMAGE CONTROL'. THE SONG 'UNEARTH THE EARTH' IS ABOUT LAND DEVELOPEMENT. 'TEAR DOWN THE HEAVENS' DEALS WITH FUTURE ARMAGGEDDON. 'SKULL SPLITER' HAS A LIGHT HEARTED THEME, ALTHOUGH CERTAINLY NOT AMUSING AT THE TIME, ABOUT MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCES AT THE BANG YOUR HEAD FESTIVAL IN 2004...HAHA... THE SONG 'FOREVER IN LEATHER' DEALS WITH OUR HEAVY METAL LIFESTYLE AND ABOUT STAYING TRUE TO YOURSELF AND THE MUSIC WE LOVE.
'STRAIGHT TO HELL' IS ANOTHER PERSONAL ONE FOR ME THAT IS ABOUT A WOMAN WHO USED TO BE IN MY LIFE. SOME ARE FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCES, WHILE OTHERS ARE ABOUT CURRENT OR PAST WORDLY EVENTS. 'IRON CURTAIN', FOR EXAMPLE, WAS WRITTEN AT THE TIME ABOUT THE SOVIET UNION AND ALL THE TENSIONS AT THE TIME. WE HAVE MANY DIFFERENT TOPICS WE WRITE ABOUT. ALL OF US CONTRIBUTE TO THE WRITING PROCESS.
'SILENT ENEMY', FROM THE ''SONIC BULLET'' RELEASE, IS ABOUT PEOPLE POISIONING THE EARTH. WE ALSO HAVE SONGS ABOUT THE UNKNOWN LIKE 'THE TRIANGLE' AND ABOUT WOMEN IN 'BONDAGE'. I WON'T TELL YOU IF THAT WAS FROM A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE OR NOT...HAHA...
Q: Of course, a heavy riff and blasting songs is demanding strong lyrics about blood, war and violence. How important is a lyric to a song? Can a lyric lift a song to a higher level?
YES, I BELIEVE SO. I THINK IF YOU LOOK INTO DESTRUCTORS LYRICS YOU WILL SEE A SPECIFIC TOPIC THAT SETS THE SCENE FOR THE MUSIC.
Q: And you also had a 'bondage mistress for some pictures in the booklet of the cd. Destructor proves that metal needs spikes, power, denim and leather!
BONDAGE MISTRESS??? HAHA...WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? ARE YOU SURE YOU ARE TALKING TO THE RIGHT BAND? HAHA... WE ARE ALL GOOD, CLEAN-CUT ALL-AMERICAN GUYS. ANYWAY, I DO THINK WE DELIVER "DESTRUCTOR" ON THIS CD!
Q: Concerning 2008, we can already inform that you will play the Wacken Open Air Festival in Germany, and I do hope that you will be able to play the main stage in stead of the creepy party stage... Is it already confirmed, and what time slot you will get?
I'M NOT SURE. THEY HAVE NOT GIVEN US A TIME OR DAY YET. THE SHOW IN WACKEN IS STILL A LONG WAY AWAY. A LOT OF DETAILS ARE STILL BEING WORKED OUT. WE ARE JUST HONORED TO HAVE BEEN INVITED. WACKEN HAS GROWN CONSIDERABLY OVER THE YEARS. WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO TURNING SOME NEW FANS ON TO OUR MUSIC. WE WILL PROUDLY REPRESENT THE TRUE METAL UNDERGROUND AT THE FESTIVAL AND GIVE THE BEST PERFORMACE WE CAN.
Q: Do you have any idea what Wacken is all about? Did you ever attend that festival, or perhaps see some video footage from other bands? Wacken is like Mekka for the Muslims!
I HAVE NEVER BEEN TO WACKEN YET AND I CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW THE WHOLE EVENT IS LIKE. I HAVE SEEN VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE.COM. BILL WENT WITH BREAKER BACK IN 2000 BUT THE FESTIVAL HAS DOUBLED IN SIZE SINCE THEN. BILL SAID EVERYONE AT WACKEN TREATED BREAKER GREAT FOR THEIR VISIT. WE PLAYED AT THE BANG YOUR HEAD FESTIVAL IN BALINGEN GERMANY. THAT WAS BIG BUT WACKEN WILL BE UNREAL.
IT IS THE 'SUPER BOWL OF HEAVY METAL'. PAT AND I WERE CONSIDERING GOING JUST AS FANS IN RECENT YEARS BUT TO BE ABLE TO GO AND PLAY IS EVEN BETTER. WE ARE ALL VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS TRIP. WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE LEAVE MESSAGES AT OUR MYSPACE PAGE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING US.
Q: How is the reaction on the new album so far?
GREAT! WE HAVE GOOD SALES AND STRONG REVIEWS. EVERYTING IS GOING WELL.
Q: Did you notice a lot of reviews, or is it too early to give comment on that?
QUITE A NUMBER OF GOOD REVIEWS SO FAR. BILL IS VERY GOOD AT PROMOTING AND MARKETING HIS AUBURN LABEL WITH THE LIMITED RESOURCES HE HAS TO WORK WITH. HE HAS A LOT OF LONG TIME TIES WITH PEOPLE AND TREATS EVERYONE THE SAME, WHETHER THEY BE A BIG MAGAZINE LIKE ROCK HARD OR A SMALL INTERNET FANZINE. WE HAVE BEEN DOING INTERVIEWS AND RECEIVING REVIEWS FROM EVERYONE ACROSS THE BOARD.
IT IS A GREAT FEELING TO KNOW PEOPLE ARE RESPONDING SO POSITIVE TO OUR RECORD. WE ALL PUT SO MUCH TIME INTO MAKING SURE THIS WAS A GREAT RELEASE FOR US. IT IS A MAJOR MILESTONE FOR THE BAND TO ACCOMPLISH THE RELEASE OF THIS ALBUM.
Q: Is there any chance that you will come to Europe for a full European tour, or is it limited to a few summer festivals?
WELL THAT IS HARD TO SAY. WE HAVE JUST A FEW SHOWS BOOKED SO FAR. IT IS VERY HARD TO GET EXTENDED TIME AWAY FROM OUR REGULAR LIVES AND THE COST TO TOUR IN EUROPE CAN BE EXPENSIVE. WE WILL TRY TO WORK SOMETHING OUT THOUGH. AT LEAST BY COMING OVER TO PLAY THE FESTIVALS WE CAN REACH A GOOD NUMBER OF PEOPLE TO MAXIMIZE THE LIMITED AMOUNT OF TIME WE HAVE TO TOUR.
Q: When the band was found, there was no internet. Times are changing and I wonder if you think that internet is a bless or a curse?
A BLESSING. THE BEST THING ABOUT IT IS I CAN WRITE PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD AND NOT HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE MAIL TO COME MONTHS LATER. THE REAL TIME ASPECT IS REVOLUTIONARY FOR CONNECTING WITH PEOPLE. IT REALLY HAS HELPED TURN MORE PEOPLE ON TO THE BAND.
Q: What about the homepage of the band. Can people buy the album online, and if so, give us full information please!
MANY OF THE BIGGER AND SMALLER DISTRIBUTORS HAVE THE CD, AS WELL AS AUBURN RECORDS.COM. WE HAVE EUROPE , THE STATES AND JAPAN SO FAR COVERED GOOD.
Q: Dave, do you have a final message for the readers and visitors of Metal To Infinity?
THANK YOU FOR THE INTEREST AND THE GREAT INTERVIEW. I HOPE EVERYONE WHO READS THIS HAS A CHANCE TO PICK UP ''FOREVER IN LEATHER"
Q: I want to thank you for this great new album. I do hope that we will meet again real soon, so we can have a hell of a time and bang our heads!
INDEED. UNTIL THEN, KEEP THE FAITH!
