 bst interviews norma jean by rob tatum On January 29th, we had the chance to talk with Cory Brandan , the new vocalist of Norma Jean. We spent some time talking about the band's new album, their upcoming tour, and the resurgance of heavy music. The following is a recap of the interview. If you are interested in learning more about and listening to Norma Jean, visit the band's official website, and Solid State Records. *Note: As always, interview responses reflect the ideas and feelings of individual bands and their members. Responses do not represent anything regarding the bst staff. bst: Please state your name and instrument. Cory: Cory Brandan and I use the vocal chord instrument.  bst: Tell us what listeners should expect from the new album. Cory: They should expect a diverse record; we went all the way and did whatever we wanted and with no expectations. We experimented musically and feel like we made a good record that we love. Can’t ask for much more. bst: It’s been quite a while between releases for you guys, do you think that has helped or hurt the overall perception of the band? Do you think it has created a high level of anticipation from listeners? Cory: I am the new guy, and from an outside looking in perspective, I think it’s definitely helped. The band as a whole has progressed musically, after touring on one record for such a long time, everyone has mastered their instruments a little more and their musical perception as well. The new record shows that. As far as anticipation goes... if Norma Jean has created anticipation… then that means we have good fans who look forward to hearing what we created. That is an incredible thing in our opinion. bst: I know you guys just shot a video recently. There are many that believe that hardcore/metal has become part of the mainstream with the resurgence of Headbanger’s Ball and the success of Ozzfest. Do you agree/disagree with this statement? Cory: I do think it is a lot more “mainstream”, but it’s pretty far from Brittney and Avril. I mean... it’s not that mainstream. This style of music may not be as trendy as mainstream radio but I think there will always have a group of people who breathe the music and live the life. bst: Has it affected you in any way? Do you think this popularity will dilute the quality of music that is being released?  Cory: No, it hasn't affected us. Maybe it will dilute it, but only on Tuesdays... bst: I’m not sure how big of Pantera fans you are, but even just as musicians, what are you thoughts on the tragic death of Dimebag Darrell? Has it affected your comfort level playing on stage? Do you think it was just an isolated incident, or do you think larger measures need to implemented to prevent it from happening to someone else? Cory: Dang, I don’t know. I haven’t played on stage since that happened seeing as we’ve been in the studio and everything, but I unquestionably think it’s pretty scary and really sad. I am certainly a big Pantera fan and generally it really just pisses me off. There is no rational motive for that by any means. bst: Since I mentioned playing on stage, you guys are known for your entertaining stage presence and antics. What are the worst injuries you have suffered on stage? Cory: Minor cuts and bruises typically, I feel like we have the on stage animation down as far as “antics” go... but before the Solid State tour last year I hurt my ankle pretty bad and had to wear a brace the whole tour. So, I hurt my ankle even more numerous more times throughout that tour, just from jumping off too many high things. Man, that was a fun tour bst: I know there is a lot of anticipation for the record release, but are you excited about the upcoming tour? Do you prefer playing the larger tours at the larger venues, or do you feel more at home at a smaller clubs? Cory: We are always excited about tour! We like everywhere… it just depends on how you feel. Sometimes its fun being on a big stage and sometimes its cool to be in a smaller setting... Either way we are going to try and bring everyone closer to us musically and personally. Playing live means everything to us. bst: What are your plans at the conclusion of this tour? More touring? Some R&R? Cory: We don’t neglect our breaks. In may we will spend time with our families and rest. I think if you are always touring then you may miss out on why you are touring. If I don’t get to see my family then I feel like there is no balance. That’s just me. If I get to rest it makes the next tour just as exciting as any and I feel like I have my energy back. bst: Anything else you would like to add? Cory: We like BBQ, Halo 2, and we believe in a real God who has done real great things for us. All glory is to Him. bst: Thanks a ton for taking the time to answer our questions. We really appreciate it. See you guys in Denver. Cory: Thank you… can’t wait to be there. |
Saturday, January 29, 2005
Interview: Norma Jean
Friday, January 28, 2005
Interview: Unearth
 bst interviews unearth by rob tatum Recently, bst had the chance to interview Trevor Phipps, the vocalist of the almighty Unearth. We spent some time asking Trevor about the band's upcoming tour, as well as hitting other topics such as Metal Blade Records, the resurgance of heavy music, and the tragedy of Dimebag Darrell. The following is a recap of the interview. If you are interested in learning more about and listening to Unearth, visit the band's official website, and Metal Blade Records. bst: Please state your name and role in the band. Trevor: Trevor Phipps - vocals  bst: How was working with Metal Blade been?Trevor: The entire staff rules. They know what they are doing and have treated us like family. bst: What should listeners expect in the next album? Trevor: Who knows?!? We are pushing the fuck out of this album and will continue to do so. If I were to guess, our next record will be an extension of what we do now. Perhaps the use of more blast beats and slower more crushing southern fried break downs, ala Crowbar style. bst: Some have said that hardcore/metal has become part of the mainstream with the resurgence of Headbanger’s Ball and the success of Ozzfest. How has this affected you? Do you agree/disagree with this statement? Trevor: Music this heavy is too brash to ever be mainstream. I agree that people are paying more attention to this music than they have in the past 10 years, but metal was huge in the 80's and early 90's. I think the major labels and major entertainment mediums finally realized that people want to hear real, hard rocking, metal music and no more of the cookie cutter "rock" they have been feeding us for the past decade. bst: Along the same lines, as the hardcore/metal genres continue to gain popularity through those outlets and larger labels are signing more and more bands, do you the quality of music suffering as a result? Why or why not?  Trevor: Hell no. The bands that are getting popular today are bands that have been around for years and fucking years. Bands like us, Lamb of God, Killswitch Engage, God Forbid, Bleeding Through, Every Time I Die, Shadows Fall, Throwdown, All That Remains, etc..., have been around and doing what we do for a long, long time. We all come from the underground and have hardcore roots. We won't ever sell out; this scene won't ever sell out. This music is real and we will not compromise our music for some bullshit producer or record company that thinks they can make a radio hit out of our sound. We are all getting recognition for not following the "sell-out" paths that bands like Metallica and Megadeth have taken before. We all grew up loving those bands and know how it felt when we heard their sell out records. We know how much it hurts to hear bands you admire play pop bullshit. Those bands and many others turned their backs on their roots. We never will. If anything we would love to follow the mold of bands like Pantera, Testament and Slayer. Those bands got as big as you can get without ever compromising their integrity. bst: I’m not sure how big of Pantera fans you are, but even just as musicians, what are you thoughts on the tragic death of Dimebag Darrell? Has it affected your comfort level playing on stage? Do you think it was just an isolated incident, or do you think larger measures need to implemented to prevent it from happening to someone else? Trevor: Dimebag was a friend of ours. He lit up our lives with his musicianship and friendship. We will forever miss both his music and simply hanging out with him. Pantera is and more than likely forever will be my #1 influence in metal. The world is worse off with the loss of Dimebag. As far as comfort on stage, I try not to think about it. I just hope clubs will understand that 99.999% of people are there for fun and to rock out, but every once in a while there is a weirdo lurking. Security needs to be tighter, on every entrance in the club. bst: Onto a less gloomy subject, are you excited about the upcoming tour? Do you prefer playing the larger tours at the larger venues, or do you feel more at home at a smaller show? Or does it even matter? Trevor: We are stoked to go back on the road. We always will prefer the intimacy of the smaller clubs. You can feel the energy of the crowd more. However, if a crowd at a bigger venue is pumped for the show, it can also be an amazing and different experience. bst: What are your plans at the conclusion of this tour? More touring? Recording? R&R? Trevor: We are headed to Japan and Australia for a tour with Atreyu and Norma Jean. After that more tours will follow, I just have no idea what they will be just yet. bst: Anything else you would like to add? Trevor: Go get our record and come see us on the road. bst: Thanks a ton for taking the time to answer the questions. We really appreciate it. |
Thursday, January 13, 2005
Review: Maroon - Endorsed by Hate
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Germany’s Maroon might not be a household name in the hardcore/metal world just yet, but trust me, those of you who enjoy the heavy breakdowns and powerful energy of Throwdown, Hatebreed, or Until the End, will fall in love with this band immediately. Endorsed by Hate is a brutal assault on your ears. Blast beats, breakdowns, metal riffs, and deep, raspy vocals (think along the lines of Throwdown with Keith) are all here to get you moving. As many of you have learned from reading my reviews, I prefer to hear technical, melodic bands, but somewhere lost in space is that dark side of me that can’t get enough of the in-your-face style of music that Maroon brings on this album. Sure the music isn’t super technical, and sure the vocals might take some getting used to (Andre’s voice is pretty deep), but the decent song structures and high energy are enough to appease my ears. For those of you who are straight edge, this band will suit you well lyrically as well. The songs on this album are full of passion and energy that is matched by few. Singer Andre Moraweck’s angry vocals fit the heavy, fast-paced songs perfectly. The guitar work is pretty impressive throughout, and the drumming is strong. Endorsed by Hate may not be my usual cup of tea, but I will certainly turn to it the next time I want something to get me moving. |
Monday, January 10, 2005
Review: Caliban - The Opposite From Within
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For anyone that has previously listened to Germany’s Caliban, The Opposite from Within may not please the ear on the first listen. The band is known for their unrelenting metal riffs and pure energy. They haven’t strayed from this formula entirely on this record, but they have incorporated much more melody and singing to their songs than on their previous releases. I happen to own all of Caliban’s previous releases and to be honest, I didn’t expect the transition, but after I few listens, I am very impressed by this album When I say that the band has added more melody and singing, don’t think that they have gone soft. This band is still just as powerful as ever, but think Killswitch Engage styled melodies. It took some getting used to, but the more that Caliban uses guitarist Denis Schmidt’s singing to compliment Andy Dorner’s raspy screams, the better the music flows. I’m sure that there are the skeptics out there saying they have gone soft or that they are just trying to sell records and all that bullshit, but I honestly think The Opposite from Within is the band’s most mature album. I had trouble listening to their previous albums (A Small Boy and a Grey Heaven, Vent, Shadow Hearts) on a regular basis, but I have found myself listening to this record quite frequently. Caliban’s biggest improvement on this record is definitely the songwriting. No longer do I skip to one particular song and ignore a chunk of the record. I genuinely enjoy every song on this album. Musically the band still carries Slayer-esque metal riffs and tempos, but the heavier emphasis on the hardcore and melody makes the music seem more complete than their previous releases. Lyrically things have remained largely the same with a little more focus on love hardships than before, but with the addition of the clean vocals, it seems to be fitting on this record. This is a very complete album and a must for any fan of metalcore or Caliban. |
