Wintersoul, unblack gelado made in 'UK/Brasil

O Wintersoul se apresentou inicialmente com "Dawn Of Ice Hearts" em 2007 e logo se transformou num dos materiais mais esperado da cena 'unblack'. O lançamento do full-length “Frozen Storm Apocalypse”, chegou em 2010, cumprindo sua palavra, melhor dizendo, um registro dignamente extremo e gelado.  O baterista Nargath, deu um pouco do seu tempo para essa entrevista, que você pode conferir agora, 'sem cortes' rsrsrsrs

SINKILLER Primeiro, quero agradecer, por você ter um tempo para essa entrevista.

Nargath - Eu que agradeço
Em relação a cultura, você teve alguma dificuldade na adaptação com o pais.. Para alguém que esteja pensando mudar de pais, o que diria de bom e ruim.
A fase inicial de adaptação e o aprendizado da língua foram complicados. Não tive problemas com o clima chuvoso e temperaturas abaixo de zero! Porem a distancia da família e amigos, embora minimizada pela tecnologia dos dias atuais é ainda uma ferida aberta. Por outro lado foi um recomeço e uma experiência positiva em vários aspectos. Hoje estou casado, tenho uma família da qual amo e que me apoia muito. Posso dizer que amadureci e estou satisfeito com a oportunidade que me foi dada e as escolhas que tomei. Se alguém estiver pensando em se arriscar fora do Brasil lembre-se que aqui não tem carnaval.
Sua entrada no Ashen Mortality (banda formada por ex Paramaecium e Seventh Angel) foi uma boa noticias para os fãs do Clemency, mas porque não deu certo. 
Eu apenas toquei com eles por 4 meses e deixei a banda por motivos pessoais.
E o Khthon, foi só um aquecimento? risos. Tive um tempo legal no Khthon, porem o restante da banda mora a mais de 3 horas de onde estou. Portanto apos quase um ano optei por deixar a banda. 
Falando sobre a christian British scene dos anos 80, logo vem em mente, clássicos nomes, o citado antes , Detritus, Stairway e agora, o Wintersoul. Talvez você tenha algo para falar sobre isso aqui.
Sim, eu me recordo de grandes bandas dos anos 80. O cenário aqui no Reino Unido é fantástico. Eu mal posso acreditar que todas as bandas tocam por aqui regularmente. Não era dessa forma quando eu estava no Brasil. 
Não, existe uma grande cena aqui dos mais variados estilos. Existem muitas bandas, entretanto, apenas algumas conseguem maior destaque na mídia. Mas ainda assim temos uma saudavel e viva cena underground.
Eu não estou muito atualizado sobre a cena por ai especificamente, será que é por que ela não existe, pois quando vejo alguma coisa, sempre são de bandas voltadas ao mainstream, indie,típicas bandas de revistas como a Rollig Stone, Spin, NME. 

Nao, existe uma grande cena aqui dos mais variados estilos. Existem muitas bandas porem apenas algumas conseguem maior destaque na midia. Mas ainda assim temos uma saudavel e viva cena underground
O Destruction Fest ainda existe?
Ha muito tempo não tenho contato com as pessoas que organizam o festival, portanto não sei muito a respeito. 
Sobre suas influências musicais, quais mencionaria durante esse tempo seu na música?

Embora eu venha tocando bateria ha um bom tempo, minhas influencias como baterista continuam as mesmas: Dave Lombardo (SLAYER), Pete Sandoval (MORBID ANGEL), Lee Harrison (MONSTROSITY), Derek Roddy (HATE ETERNAL) e alguns outros. 
Aproveitando, que banda nova tem chamado sua atenção.
Eu não ando atualizado com a cena death/black metal, já não tenho tanta paciência para procurar por novas bandas. Eu continuo ouvindo meus discos velhos do Paradise Lost,Trouble e Morbid Angel. Atualmente eu venho escutando bastante Nile,Vardoger,Living Sacrifice e Kreator. 
Agora é vez de começar a falar sobre o Wintersoul, um dos meus favoritos de 2010. Você poderia apresentar seus comparsas e contar as qualidades que o levou a escolher para montar essa horda.
 Somos todos amigos de longa data, sempre conversamos a respeito de tocar juntos um dia e etc… Quando decidi formar o Wintersoul foi natural que eles fossem parte desse projeto. Os integrantes do Wintersoul estao ou estiveram envolvidos em varias bandas ao passar dos anos incluindo: Clemency Ashen Mortality,Masakra, Bloody Worm e outras…
No meu caso, umas das coisas que gosto nos bateristas são os blast beats. Isso foi um dos fatores a levar me a curtir ‘mais’ metal extremo. Bom, tem os corpse paint também. Risos.Você domina os blast beats... eu tenho notado uma certa fascinação por ele, por boa parte dessa levada de bandas do metal do momento, o metalcore.
Com certeza o blast beat tem chamado a atencao de muitos e não é algo exclusivo de um único gênero musical. Hoje em dia você pode encontrar livros e dvds forjados focado na finalidade de abordar o blast beat e suas variações. Sob esta motivação em aprimorar a técnica, eu não estou surpreso ao ver que esta nova geração de bateristas. Dia apos dia quebrando barreiras, elevando o nível e estabelecendo um novo conceito na musica extrema.
O título do álbum tem alguma coisa a ver com o fato do gelo ser uma espécie de castigo para quem é de um pais quente? Risos. Espero que entenda isso
Eu diria que não apenas o titulo do álbum, e sim, o nome da banda e todo o conceito. Foram diretamente influenciados pelo impetuoso inverno europeu.
 Nos diga  qual é a mensagem principal de Frozen Storm Apocalypse.
Com Wintersoul tentamos desafiar-nos e explorar novos territórios. As letras são de de certa forma, uma reflexão da minha própria jornada. Normalmente eu ou Melanie Sarah aparecemos com uma idéia e juntos exploramos os paralelos espirituais, intelectuais e psicológicos. O conceito de 'Frozen Storm Apocalypse' não esta relacionado com fantasia! Ele vai muito além de ventos frios, neve e gelo. Eles têm um significado e objetivo!
A cerca dos reviews, estão bons? Eu não entendi direito, o que o cara do site BLABBERMOUTH quis dizer. Ele ficou perdido (parece) pelo o fato de ter que engolir a seco, que todo o som era feito por cristãos.[???]

Tivemos algumas boas críticas e feedback excelente, mas ainda é um problema que alguns reveiwers (e outros) estão preocupados com a raça, crença religiosa, orientação sexual, etc de artistas ao invés de focar na música e se os artistas têm coisas interessantes a dizer . É estranho o que professa ser uma cultura de que tantas pessoas estão preocupadas e julgar desta forma. Para ser honesto você só tem que ficar por cima disso, pois trata de seus próprios medos e fraquezas. Ninguém é dono de um estilo de música e todos têm o direito de expressar o que querem, como  acharem mais adequado. Estou muito feliz com o que faço e quem eu sou e estou feliz que tantas pessoas apreciam a música que criamos.
Eu garanto, em dizer que sua música agrada em especial, os fas do velho Horde e também do Sanctifica, primeiro álbum. Quanto a você, arrisque sua sugestão. 
Espero que sim e espero que o material atraia atenção de varias pessoas – Lembrando que você deve ter um gosto razoavelmente extremo para gostar dele!
Suas ultimas palavras.
Muito obrigado pela atenção dispensada e comentarios com relação ao Wintersoul. Boas questões realmente gostei, tudo de bom...



http://www.myspace.com/wintersoulhorde/

Interview with Troy Dunmire of Creature Preacher

http://www.troydunmire.com/

The only thing I can say about Troy Dunmire is that he is an excellent artist with a different kind of message than most are used to in the underground (when it comes to his imagery). The Creature Preacher Speaks!! Pictures were taken from Creature 'zine #2.

Interview by Mike Coles sometime in 2000
The Outcast: So how long have you been drawing? Do you paint as well or practice any other type of art forms, artistically and musically?

Creature Preacher: I've been drawing since I was a little kid. Airbrush painting is my source of income. I do a lot of t-shirts and other custom painting. I sing, play guitar, play drums, the harmonica, and I am learning to play the violin. I record my own music on a 4-track recorder here at home.

The Outcast: What kind of music do you record on your 4 track? Do you release your material for the public to hear, or for yourself?

Creature Preacher: I did a 90 minute tape called the "Chopping Block", that can be ordered from my zine, "The Creature Preacher" issue #3. It's mainly heavy metal stuff combined with a lot of preaching. I record soundtracks for my live plays, videos and such. I'm into a lot of different music, but I usually do a lot of heavy guitar and melodic harmonies.

The Outcast: What bands and zines have you done work for? Do you do art work for secular bands and zines?

Creature Preacher: Mainly just Christian metal bands such as; Mortification, Lament, Metanoia, and a few others. Just a few zines.

The Outcast: Why mainly Christian zines/bands? Do you have trouble drawing things that you may be against, so to speak?

Creature Preacher: I don't promote Satanic or hate garbage, but I have to paint whatever makes the money. Since I've been involved in the Christian metal scene, I naturally do a lot of that kind of work. But I have to be flexible if I want to make a living doing art, so I do a lot of different things as well.

The Outcast: What inspires you to draw? Does your mood influence you on what you draw?

Creature Preacher: Sometimes I have a dream or a vision, or I just get an idea. But to make a living, I mainly draw/paint what other people pay me to do. Money can be an inspiration. It helps listening to music when doing a piece as well. Music always inspires me.

The Outcast: What are some of your favorite bands?

Creature Preacher: Some of my all time favorites are; Kiss, Black Sabbath, Manowar, Mercyful Fate, and older stuff like that.

The Outcast: So you don't have a problem listening to secular bands?

Creature Preacher: Not me, because most music I hear is not as inspirational as some of the secular music I like. I groove on the music and usually don't pay attention to the lyrics. Some people say that by listening to secular music that it affects them in a bad way, if that's your situation, then don't listen to it.

The Outcast: When did you become a Christian and what made you choose that path in life? What makes you certain that it's the right path to walk?

Creature Preacher: I accepted Jesus at the age of 21 while I was on a PCP trip. I had what seemed to be an out of body experience. I was descending downward into hell when I called on Jesus to save me, and he did. I know it's real because of how God answers my prayers. He does it all the time and I am so thankful.

The Outcast: But don't you think that because of the timing and how you came about your faith, do you not think someone will say, "Oh, you only found God because of your PCP trip." Has anyone ever used that against you?

Creature Preacher: I consider the experience I went through to be a gift from God because He used it to reach out to me. I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. God can use unexpected ways to work miracles in out lives. But no one has ever accused me of that, no.

The Outcast: How do you know that Christianity is the right path in life?

Creature Preacher: It's all about a personal relationship with God Himself. It is not about following a group of people or a religion. You have to read the Bible for your self and make your own decisions.

The Outcast: Do you think it is the ONLY way to have a peaceful afterlife?

Creature Preacher: I believe Jesus is the only way, like He said He is.

The Outcast: What is your opinion on religion?

Creature Preacher: There are some good things about religion, but also some bad. Religion is the devils playground. It can warp people's views of who God really is. We as humans make a lot of mistakes so our eyes should not be on others. We must each seek God personally if we want to know Him for who He really is.

The Outcast: Do you ever feel like a hypocrite?

Creature Preacher: Sure, because I'm not perfect, but I gotta watch out because the enemy will try to lay a guilt trip on me, like; "You're not worthy" to stop me from walking with God. It's only by God's grace that I can call myself a Christian.

The Outcast: What do you think of the philosophy to turn the other cheek?

Creature Preacher: I don't take that to mean I'm going to let someone beat me up without defending myself. It means to be merciful and cut the other guy some slack and seek peace instead of looking for a fight; to show love even if the other guy is wrong.

The Outcast: Have you ever had any problems with your artwork with other Christians?

Creature Preacher: Oh yes, but I've learned to "turn the other cheek" instead of always trying to prove I'm right. It can be a waste of my time.

The Outcast: What are some of the more common remarks you hear from people who can't understand your work?

Creature Preacher: Would Jesus do that? Your stuff looks evil. You're misrepresenting God, and stuff like that.

The Outcast: What is one thing you struggle with in your faith or in life in general?

Creature Preacher: Trying to make a living doing Christian stuff is hard. I hate to see my talents go to waste by compromising and working for the world when I want to be a full-time minister with my talents. Business and ministry don't always mix together the way I would like them to, so I have to do the work that makes the money and then do ministry as an offering. That's where I'm at right now anyway. Maybe someday that will change.

The Outcast: Why do you think this is so?

Creature Preacher: Because the main stream church does not relate to my style of ministry/art. The few who do relate to my style usually don't have the money to support it. The mainstream has the money but they do not see the need for such ministries that reach out to the "unreachable" Satanists, metal-heads, etc…

The Outcast: You used to do "Creature Zine", what happened with that? Do you still do it? How many issues did you release?

Creature Preacher: Creature #2 was the final release. It was too much for one man to continue to produce. I quit doing it when I back-slid. Since regaining my relationship with God since then, I started a smaller zine called; The Creature Preacher. I've done three of those so far.

The Outcast: In issue #2 I read the letters you and Vincent C. (Acheron) had written each other back and forth. Do you look back at that and think that was a childish thing you both did, almost as if "attacking" one another with child-like actions and maybe even words. I personally thought it made you both look like children trying to prove a point that is hard to prove, especially the way the letters were written.

Creature Preacher: It was a good thing at the time. The controversy from it got a lot of people's attention, and the readers loved it!

By The Outcast fanzine  | Issue #5

Sylvan Fortress | Screams Of Abel Issue#32

||| Unblack  for those  who love the extreme|||


Sylvan Fortress  tem sido um difunto por  algum tempo. Todos os nossos membros originais se mudaram para outros estados, exceto para o Lord Charles. No entanto, o bateristado Throne Yeldah  esteve voando algumas vezes por ano para ensaiar. Possivelmente, talvez, apenas, Sylvan Fortress  vai dar outra chance. Veremos ... [myspace]

Confira entrevista [antiga] do extinto fanzine screams of Abel. 

Screams Of Abel Issue#32 
By --Phil

http://www.myspace.com/sylvanfortress

Sylvan Fortress are one of the few American black metal bands that dare to take the step in incorporating "non-traditional" black metal musical concepts into their style, which I totally applaud. I felt that because of such a daring move that it be best for me to find out where they are as a band and to give everyone a chance to be introduced to them.

SOA: Describe to us what Sylvan Fortress is, as a band and as a concept. 

LORD CHARLES: Sylvan Fortress is a multi faceted entity. As a band, we are musicians who are exploring musical avenues to express our ideas and creativity. As a concept we are based on imagery dealing with medieval concepts and situations, fantasy, winter and nature, and situations in life that are often left un-addressed in the mainstream. We seek to intertwine all these ingredients in our conceptual lyrical approaches from a faith-based point of view.

SOA: Why do you think there is both: 1) a very small pool of black metal in America to choose from; 2) few black metal bands willing to take musical chances away from the "old school" formula? 

LC: For the first part of your question I would say there is definitely a small pool of "known" black metal to choose from. I would be willing to bet there are 100’s of small black metal bands roaming the local metal scenes in cities all across the USA. However, these bands have no financial or label support and forever lurk in the shadows of un-discovery. Also, there is a smaller fan base to support black metal in the USA. I would attribute this to the American media machine. I have seen how our TV, radio, and written text media entities in the United States have had a stunning impact on our culture as a whole. The USA media constantly tells us what we should like, what we should accept and so on and so forth. The end result is that extreme forms of music such as black metal do not fit into our cultivated lifestyles anymore. So ultimately there is a small fan base, which in turn supports a small pool of black metal bands. However, as I mentioned before, there is an underground scene that even though it is fragmented in local metal scenes, it will never die. There is a loyal underground scene that could be united. So the potential for more quality black metal bands does indeed exist in the USA. But this scene will never be as big as metal was in the 80’s.

For the second part of your question: I think the reason a lot of black metal bands are afraid to operate outside of the "old school" formula is because there is an attitude abounding right now that puts the music secondary to the lifestyle that black metal portrays. The groupies that follow these bands are more interested in creating an image of hate and evil than appreciating deep provoking music, so the bands that are starving for fan base will adhere to these inclinations and operate only within the pre-defined old school formula. This is not always the case, but it happens often enough that I have taken notice. Let me say that even the old school black metal style has many musical possibilities other than portraying a lifestyle of hate and evil. No music represents hate and evil better than old school black metal, but it has more to offer than just those elements. I very much like old school black metal. It has an awesome sound that can really transport me to another place. But I also think that the addition of synths and other variations to black metal has truly mapped a majestic art form to rival any creative format.

SOA: What is more important to you, the music being created or the music being "accurate to the style"? 

LC: On the surface, this appears to be a very simple question. I will not go into great detail with my answer, but I will expose the main idea. In short, my answer is the music being created is more important to me than being accurate to the style. I say this because I assume that when you say "accurate to the style" you are referring to the old school black metal style.

When I am writing music for Sylvan Fortress, I have a pre-defined style I am trying to achieve. The combination of words and music must stay close to the images and ideas I have in my head. This pre-defined style I am talking about has not been defined by any genre label that we are familiar with. It is instead based on the imagery and ideas I have in my head. So whatever the music has to do to accomplish this, so be it. I hope this answer makes sense. In doing this, there is no right or wrong way to write our music.

SOA: You have a few pieces available as free-download MP3 files. Do you see this as a way for an unknown band to "get the word out"? 

LC: Yes. In this day where people can just about download any song they want, it stands to reason that no one will pay money for music they do not thoroughly enjoy. If a new band is to have any chance of gaining a fan base, a few samples must be available.

SOA: Tell us about the cover version of Vaakevandring's "Some Day". What do you see is Sylvan Fortress' contribution to this original classic? 

LC: The melodies in this song are simple yet profound. The lyrics carry a message that holds deep meaning. This song came from a flesh and blood human being who journeyed through a time of trial. Morten was the author of this masterpiece. This song stands on its own and is perfect the way it is. They only thing Sylvan Fortress can contribute to this tune is to make it available to the fans again. The Vaakevandring demo on which this song appears is out of print and no longer available. The fact that Sylvan Fortress is covering this song now makes it available again.

SOA: What would you say is the direction of the overall message you wish to convey through your music to those unfamiliar with either your style or your faith? 

LC: Simply this: There is a real choice. The beauty of winter and nature speak of this choice. The mountains and rivers have whispered of it for centuries. The potential for evil and darkness exist, but in the same breath, the potential for good and hope burn with a fervent flame. What you choose has always been and will always be your own choice, just know that there is a choice. There is a God in heaven. He will not force Himself upon you or nag at you night and day. However, if you choose to "know" Him, He will fulfill your life in every capacity and secure you for eternity. Still, the choice is yours; just know there is a choice.

SOA: Do you believe that "corpse paint" is still relative to those involved into the black metal culture? Do you believe it can help to connect with those that are outside that culture? 

LC: I don’t believe that corpse paint is necessary any more for anyone other than the true old school black metal bands. But for the old school black metal bands, I do think it is still an element that is needed. Just close your eyes and try to imagine a true blasting black metal band of the old school style without their corpse paint. Corpse paint is just a part of that style. Black metal bands that incorporate more than the old school style can get away without wearing it I think. Sylvan Fortress could definitely get away without wearing it. We have worn it up to this point because it helps us create our performing image; it helps us get into our performing mode. I see black metal as an expression of sight and sound. The corpse paint adds to the sight aspect and adds to the visual performance.

The corpse paint does not help us connect with anyone outside of the black metal culture. It doesn’t give us any advantage or any edge. But in all honesty, our music doesn’t give any special advantages for connecting with people outside of the black metal culture either. We are a band seemingly built to connect with those inside the black metal culture. However, this is not an absolute. I think we have the potential to connect with those outside the black metal culture and I would indeed like to explore those possibilities. Don’t worry though; our music will not lighten up at all. Ha ha ha


SOA: Future plans that we might know about? 


LC: Yes. We are on a compilation disk with many other black metal bands called "Out of Darkness". "By the Blood Records" is releasing the comp. The CD should be ready for order in July of 2003. You can order this disk and many others by visiting the web site: www.bythebloodrecords.com.
We will also be releasing our own CD later this year. Check our site for details: www.sylvanfortress.com

SOA: Anything else? 

LC: Yes, we have had so many obstacles and delays. Our CD should have been released ages ago. I urge everyone to hang in there a little while longer. We have experienced massive drummer problems. We were determined not to use a drum machine or programmed drums on any of our products. All of our recordings so far have featured real human drummers. We want to give the fans real music by real musicians. We want to be able to perform on stage the exact songs in the same way that you hear on our recordings. Because of this painstaking commitment to realism, we have endured many delays in our releases. I do feel we are close to a resolution. However, if we receive enough mail from impatient fans, we might resolve to use programmed drums and have a CD out in a month. But the triumph of a real live drummer may be worth the wait. E-mail us and give us feedback on this issue.

I also want to thank you for this opportunity. You are a true brother to our beloved metal scene and will always be held in honor within the halls of the Sylvan Fortress.

Be blessed…

http://www.sylvanfortress.com

--Phil

Alice Cooper, entre a insanidade e a caretice

Por Jotabê Medeiros – O Estado de S.Paulo

 

Mario Anzuoni/Reuters – Cooper. ‘Sou como Anthony Hopkins, quando ele vira Hannibal Lecter’

Alice Cooper diz que Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie e Lady Gaga são seus “filhos desobedientes”. Figuraça do hard rock que plantou no gênero as bases de uma cultura teatral, performática, ele é um precursor dos concertos do tipo rock horror show – sangue falso, cobras gigantes de verdade, pirotecnia, maquiagem, susto.

“Sou uma caricatura, como Anthony Hopkins quando vira Hannibal Lecter. Nos dias normais, não sou Alice Cooper. Só quando faço discos e estou no palco”, diferencia. “Tenho 63 anos, ninguém me diz o que fazer ou que direção seguir, mas estou sempre interessado em feedback, sempre atento ao que meus fãs estão pensando”, disse Alice Cooper, falando por telefone ao Estado na segunda. Ele toca no Credicard Hall no dia 2.

Quando você vê esses shows teatrais, como Rob Zombie e Marilyn Manson, o que pensa?

Rob Zombie, Manson, Slipknot, adoro todos. Eu os chamo de “meus filhos desobedientes”. Não tenho o menor sentimento de competição, porque nós somos como os Rolling Stones dessa corrente – fomos influentes, e ainda somos.

Houve duas tragédias entre integrantes da banda Slipknot. Muita gente associa isso ao tipo de visualidade violenta que utilizam. O que você acha?

É tudo de brincadeira, como um filme de terror. E, assim como nos filmes de terror, você sabe que aquilo não vai te machucar, mas ao mesmo tempo ninguém sabe até que ponto aquilo pode estimular algo soturno. No caso do Slipknot, duas tragédias aconteceram, teve um integrante morto por abuso de drogas (o baixista Paul Gray, em 2010). Sempre digo o seguinte: se você está numa banda, não pode ter caras que usam drogas, não vai funcionar. O rock”n”roll já foi traído por isso. Os caras que tocam comigo tomam uma cervejinha, tomam seu vinho, mas não tomam droga. Quando alguém morre é que você se dá conta da insanidade.

Você já foi alcoólatra, não?

Sim, mas já estou há 30 anos sem tomar um trago. É assim com todo mundo. Mesmo Keith Richards teve de parar um dia. Quem o conheceu naqueles dias, não acredita que ainda esteja vivo.

Você conhece a história de como Johnny Rotten, dos Sex Pistols, começou fazendo uma imitação de Alice Cooper?

Claro, ele mesmo me contou. Disse que tinha 18 anos na época, e ia pelos metrôs de Londres cantando minhas músicas, ele e Syd Vicious. Disse que adorava cantar I Love the Dead, e que foi o que lhe ocorreu cantar na audição. Ele foi aprovado, e passou a integrar o grupo. Não acho que eu influenciei o punk rock. O rock”n”roll é uma mistura, e os seus protagonistas se destacam pela atitude.

Dizem que você se tornou cristão. É verdade?

Sim, é verdade. Eu sigo cristão porque é a única religião que fala à minha alma, e não ao intelecto. Vou à igreja de vez em quando. Não sou um frequentador assíduo porque há muitas igrejas nas quais eles te julgam por estar em uma banda de rock. Mas a minha relação com Jesus é a mesma de quando eu toco a guitarra e canto: é de sinceridade, de entrega.

Você entrou para o Hall da Fama do Rock”n”Roll. Qual foi o significado daquilo para você?

Foi como uma formatura. Quando você vê que, ao seu lado, estão Paul McCartney, Jeff Beck, Pete Townshend, Elton John, você sabe que concluiu o curso. No começo, eles eram os professores, eram caras que eu idolatrava quando era um garoto, e agora eu estava me juntando a eles como professor.

O que Alice Cooper, o personagem, pensa da política?

Tento me manter longe da política. Me divirto fazendo os outros se divertirem, é o meu negócio. É a fonte da minha emoção. Os roqueiros podem fazer coisas inteligentes e também estúpidas, assim como os políticos.

Como está o show atual da banda de Alice Cooper?

Mais pesado que nunca. Estamos com três guitarristas agora. Fmos fazer uma porção de shows na Inglaterra, ao lado de bandas de metal, como o Iron Maiden.Encorpamos o som.

Você é golfista profissional. O que pensa do que ocorreu com Tiger Woods?

Se você conversa com qualquer um que entende de golfe nos Estados Unidos, ele vai te dizer a mesma coisa: Tiger Woods ainda é o melhor do mundo. Em 2 ou 3 anos, vai se recuperar e voltar ao topo. Quanto ao que aconteceu fora de campo, foi espantoso. Falaram em 300 garotas. Isso é um número de Led Zeppelin, não de um golfista.

Fonte: Extraido [txt e foto] de http://blogs.estadao.com.br

Crossforce [old interview]

# Ext de http://christianmetalrealm.niceboard.com/t9205-crossforce # [quando eu conseguir tempo, tento traduzir]

Fohose of you who have the Crossforce demo tape from the mid eighties I thought I'd post this interview I conducted with drummer Mark Cassettari to give you a little more insight into the band. For those of you who dont have the tape, Crossforce was a bay area hard rock band that came along in the early stages of the white metal explosion of the mid eighties. The band released a self titled demo tape that garnered some attention and the bands song Rockin Til The Final Day saw some radio airplay on christian hard rock and metal shows around the country. The band saw some features in the fanzines of the day such as Heavens Metal, White Throne and Risen Roxx. The band also has two performance clips that can be seen on the Metal Mardi Gras 87 vhs or dvd re-release from Sanctuary. They didnt make a big splash but were a cool band with some good tunes non the less. mrelectric.39 I know these guys were based out of your back yard so-to-speak so feel free to enlighten us with some memories!

1). What were you doing prior to hooking up with Crossforce and what

compelled you to be a drummer for a christian rock band?

I have been playing the drums since I was 5 years old. I can't remember

wanting to do anything else. My next door neighbors were the Carmassi

family. Denny was the drummer for Montrose, and Heart. Billy was the

drummer for Aldo Nova. So there should be no questions who my influences

were! I was raised in a Christian home and when I turned 18 I played in

a secular cover band. I hung out with the "wrong crowd" and did stuff I

knew I shouldn't be doing. But I LOVED playing so I traveled down that 

path for a year. I had always wished I could find a band that "rocked

hard" but was Christian. I quit playing with the cover band and got my

life straightened out and one day I was looking through a "Classified Flea

Market" paper. This was a free paper distributed weekly that people

advertised in, selling items and services, and they had a "Musicians

Wanted" section. I came across a want ad for a Christian Drummer for a

rock band and I responded immediately. I got the gig and it was a garage

band that we hoped would go further than it did. But soon our guitar

player left and we needed both a guitar and bass player, so we placed an

ad in that same paper. One of the guys that showed up to audition was

Adam Alvarez from Golgatha. Golgatha was the "premier" Christian Rock band

in the Bay Area. They rocked hard, and I had seen them play in one of the

local clubs, so when I heard Adam was auditioning I knew they must have

been having some problems. We jammed and Adam ended up calling me a few

days later and asked me if I wanted to audition for Golgatha. Al Whelen,

their original drummer left and so did Gary Gladson their guitar player.

Tony Crider and Adam Alvarez started the band and they were going to put

it back together. Coincidentally, Todd Price the new guitar player was the

guitar player that had left the "garage" band. I auditioned and got the

gig. I was finally able to ROCK and spread the word of God! My dream had

come true!

2). Tell a little about Crossforce forming.

Golgatha played together for about another year. Tony and Adam, although

friends, bucked heads creatively and Tony decided to leave the band to

start a new one. I stuck around with Golgatha and we tried to keep things

together for awhile. Gary Gladson (Golgatha's original guitar

player)returned to the group and we auditioned lead singers. David Raymond

Reeves, of Neon Cross fame, even made the trip north to audition and had

the gig if he wanted, but felt the Lord wanted him to stay where he was.

Golgatha split for good shortly after. Meanwhile, Tony was hard at work

putting together his new group, Crossforce. Tony Crider had solicited the

talents of Phil Castillo (Guitar), and Jeff Scott (Bass). They were

writing and rehearsing and auditioning drummers. Tony knew Golgatha had

split and had called me to audition. I was resistant at first, as the last

six months of trying to help keep Golgatha together was exhausting for all

of us. I went in and auditioned and it felt like we had been playing

together all along. It was hard to explain. It just clicked, and

Crossforce was born! Are music evolved quickly to the melodic hard rock of

the 80's and we were writing stuff that, we thought, would sound good with

some keyboard accompaniment and Mark Rapley was added to round out the

line-up.

3). You guys were playing shows around the bay area. churches or clubs

or a mix of both?

I don't recall ever playing in church with Crossforce. It was primarily

nightclubs. We played the Bay Area club scene and were regulars at the

Mabuhay Gardens, and the Rock on Broadway in San Francisco, and the Omni

in Oakland. We played clubs in Fremont, and San Jose as well but their

names escape me. We wanted to play the secular clubs, but unlike Stryper,

who would only play with secular bands, we played with both christian and

secular bands.

4). What other bands did you guys play with?

We played with christian bands in the Bay Area like, Soldier, Valor, and

Believer. We've opened for Barren Cross, Bloodgood, Deliverance, and

Guardian. Not to mention we got to open the Metal Mardi Gras.

5). Tell a little about the Crossforce demo tape.

We had only been together for a short time, maybe three months, when Tony

said he knew a guy that was studying to be a recording engineer at Sonoma

State University. The guy needed to record a band for credit so he asked

if we wanted to record a demo. The only thing we would have to pay for

was the recording tape. So, one Friday night we drove to Cotati,

California to Sonoma State University and pulled an all night recording

session, recording the First three songs on the demo. Tomorrow Will Come,

Our Father, and Smoke Filled Room. It was my first time in a recording

studio and it was awesome! We were exhausted but thrilled to have 3 songs

recorded. It took about a month before we could get back to the studio

and record the final 3 songs. Ready and Waiting (My personal favorite),

Out Of The Darkness, and Rock Until The Final Day. During the month or so

hiatus, our engineer must have learned some new things because the sound

quality on the drums of the last three songs we recorded was a lot cleaner

and there was a definite difference in side A and Side B. In our infinite

wisdom, we decided we could fix it by leaving all the other tracks alone

and erasing and re-recording the drum tracks. Anybody that knows anything

about recording knows that was a HUGE mistake. I had no idea what a "click

track" was and trying to keep time with the old tracks and lay down new

drums was practically impossible. Phil ended up re-recording some guitar

tracks so we could play together and that helped some, but we ended up

with a side A that was less than perfect. The timing is off a taste

thanks to the new drum tracks but we were out of time and we had to settle

for what we had. I must tell you that I was pleasantly surprised when we

won 1987 demo tape of the year in Heaven's Metal magazine.

6). There was some backwards message on the tape, whats it say

backwards?

Ah yes! The infamous "back masking" message! At the end of "Our Father"

Tony ends the song with, "Don't you forget it!". Well, we decided it would

be kinda funny to run that backwards at the beginning of the song. There

was a lot of people running around back then playing secular records

backwards trying to convince people that there were satanic messages in

the songs. So this was, sort of, our attempt at humor. We weren't

downplaying what they were trying to do or the significance of it. They

were trying to steer kids from Heavy Metal and we were offering up Metal

with a positive twist.

7). Was Crossforce looking to sign with a label?

Most certainly! Frontline Records showed the most interest. They were

recording all the christian metal bands at that time. Jimmy Kempner,

their AR representative, had seen us play quite a bit. But nothing ever

materialized. I learned some years later that there may have been some

creative control issues between Tony and the label, but I don't know if

that's true or not.

. What was the Crossforce mission statement?

Simply to spread the word of God through our music. We took it to the

streets, literally. A lot of bands at that time were trying to bridge the

gap between christian and secular markets. Their lyrical content was

positive but could be interpreted either secular or christian. If you

listen to our lyrics there is no mistake that we were a christian band

delivering a christian message. We took that message to secular clubs and

made ourselves available to talk and pray with these kids if they felt led

to do so. I witnessed many kids turn their lives over to God and THAT was

worth more to me than any record deal.

9). You guys had the honor of opening at christian metals first ever

festival Metal Mardi Gras in 1987. Tell a little about that

experience.

That was a blast! The list of bands that played that day was like a Who's

Who in Christian Metal. We got to hang out and get to know everyone. It

was one of the best gigs we ever had the honor of playing. Here's a little

secret you probably don't know. Watch the Metal Mardi Gras tape and watch

the Crossforce performance, then watch the Bloodgood performance. Notice

anything??? Mark, the drummer for Bloodgood, is playing my drumset! They

were on tour at the time and they made a special trip to play the show but

Mark's drums never showed up! During our sound check Mark came by and

introduced himself and explained to me his dilemma. He had been scoping

out some of the other sets and asked me if I would mind if he used my set.

I agreed, of course!

10). There was a bay area branch of the famed heavy metal church,

Sanctuary. What was the bands affiliation to the church and what

was Sanctuary all about?

Sanctuary was a church started in Southern California by Pastor Bob

Beemon. Pastor Bob didn't look like your ordinary pastor. He had long hair

and was a rock and roller! Everyone was welcome at Sanctuary. He knew

that most of the bands were playing clubs on Saturday nights so his

services started later in the morning, even early afternoon too, I think. 

The music they played was rock. It was truly a "Rock for the King" kind of

church. Most of the christian metal bands were based out of the Southern

California area and a lot of them were affiliated with Sanctuary. Well,

the Northern California christan metal scene was in full bloom and Pastor

bob was looking into expanding North. Tony Crider was supposed to be one

of the pastors, but alas, that fell through as well.

11). In 1986 through 1989 christian hard rock and metal seemed to be

making quite an impact. There were other bands making up the scene

around San Fransisco most notably Soldier and Valor. Was there 

comradere between the bands? Any good memories?

We were all friends!! There was no competition between bands. There was

room for who ever wanted to play. Adam Alvarez started Valor after

Golgatha split. They went for a harder edge and they were good! Al Whelen,

the original drummer from Golgatha, was the drummer for Soldier. They all

had BIG hair and were good lookin', and put on a great stage show! Very

energetic! Believer was a three piece band that rocked with the best of

them. Crossforce was a five piece band that wanted to let the music speak

for itself. We tried not to get caught up in the "glam" side of the genre.

We loved to write music and loved to perform it even more.

12).Why did Crossforce split up and why do you think that the scence

ended so quickly?

Unfortunately, after two years, the "business" side of being in a band got

to us. Here's some advice for up and coming bands. Don't lose sight of

why you got into a band in the first place. When we first got together it

was all about the music and putting the best music out that we were

capable of playing. Then you start attracting attention and get a

following. Now you gain some interest from a record label and all of a

sudden, the goal changes. You don't have the right look. Your hair's not

long enough. This guy needs to lose weight, or that guy isn't strong

enough on his instrument, cut him loose and find someone else. The next

thing you know, you're jumping through hoops trying to make sure you look

the part. Excuse me, you LISTEN to an album. What about the music? It was

NUTS! Christian record labels and secular record labels have more in

common than you think. There MAIN objective is to make money. Period.

Tony was the first to leave the band, followed by Phil, and Mark Rapley.

Jeff Scott and I hooked up with Gary Gladson (from Golgatha) and tried to

make a go of it on our own starting a new band. The music was SOLID, but

the Bay Area lacked lead singers desperately and we finally gave up about

6 months later. This was late 1988, early 1989 and the Bay Area christian

metal scene faded fast.

13). I know that Tony Crider passed away a few years back, but do you

still keep tabs with the other guys in the band? Do you ever run into

some of the other guys from other bands around town?

There was a memorial service for Tony in May of 2002 (I believe). All the

guys from Crossforce were there. Adam Alvarez from Golgatha, Rick from

Soldier. It was a big reunion of a lot of guys who knew each other or

played in a band with Tony or Tony had touched their life in some way. It

was great to see all these guys again. The call had gone out for everyone

to bring all the pictures or videos they had and it was going to be a day

of reflecting. Phil had moved to San Diego and was playing in a christian

metal band called Krush. Great music! Mark Rapley had moved to Oregon.

Jeff Scott and I still live in the Bay Area and still see each other on

occasion. He's an awesome guy!

14). Are you current with todays christian hard rock and metal?

No, I can't say that I am.