Interview Under Fire Podcast

Send us Fan Mail

It's a violent, frenetic, and aggressive world out there – and the sound of Bloodbather could not be more of a perfect example of that chaos. The Florida-based duo have just dropped one of the most vicious and hard hitting records of 2020, and we got the opportunity with chat with guitarist Salem Vex on the direction the band is going and the exciting goals that awaits this metallic-hardcore outfit. Salem speaks about signing with a prominent label like Rise Records and how it added to that catapulted well-deserved attention for them. Although a rewarding experience for Salem, the focus remains strong as he pushes along to continue creating music which also means new material on the horizon. Listen in to our conversation with Salem now and make sure to buy Bloodbather's newest ripper of an EP titled “Silence” out now on Rise Records.

Send us Fan Mail

Nashville, Tennessee is known for their rich history of music – most notably in blues and hard rock. Local music artist Tyler Bryant is making sure that continues as he pushes his own work into the helm. For 11 years, Tyler has fronted his band named Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown. The touring life for him personally is definitely something that he misses, especially since it allowed him to engage with his fans and other musicians worldwide. Now, being in lockdown, quarantine, or whatever it is you want to call it, Tyler is still doing what he does best - and that is creating music. The new album “Pressure” is what he describes as what everyone is feeling at this point, but at the same time the album allowed the members to grow mentally and artistically in ways they never have before. Tyler dives into the many collaborations and teamwork that paved the creativity for this album, and he could not be more prouder of the final product. Listen in now and make sure to buy and stream the new Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown album “Pressure”, out now via Snakefarm Records.

Send us Fan Mail

Cadaver makes their second appearance on IUF! This time, we welcome the prominent Dirk Verbeuren from the band. For over 3 decades, Dirk has been taking the stage and playing drums with some of the more impactful bands in metal music – alongside Soilwork, Megadeth, Bent Sea, and now Cadaver. Teaming up with bandmate Anders Odden, Dirk talks about the respect and chemistry they both have developed for each other. Cadaver has been through a few reincarnations, but now it feels as if the band is who they were meant to be - Pure, raw, and real within the sound of traditional death metal. Not only has Dirk learned from working with different artists like Anders and Dave Mustaine, but it also allowed him to learn more about himself as he pushes forward to build his musicianship. Dirk drew in his own influences from many others, notably Dave Lombardo, Sen Reinert, and Charlie Benante. Now, Dirk looks to create his own mark in music. As he is on his way doing so, he talks about the newest Cadaver record getting set to unleash this fall. Listen in now and pick up the new record titled “Edder & Bile” coming out November 27th on Nuclear Blast Records.

interviewunderfire.com

Send us Fan Mail

We welcome bassist Tyla Campbell from the band Phil Campbell And The Bastard Sons. Originating from the mind of former Motorhead's guitarist – Phil Campbell has assembled this heavy metal outfit filled with the talented line of his three sons along with vocalist Neil Starr. For 4 years, Phil and the Bastard Sons have made formidable noise throughout their tours and album releases. Tyla dives into that experience and his own influences and how his father was a big part of that upbringing. Tyla's first concert he ever attended was Motorhead, but now he is on the stage attempting to create that similar legacy for himself. From playing in multiple bands and sharing the stage alongside his father while creating music, Tyla looks forward to the many different goals he has in store for himself and the band – and a pandemic has nothing on this one of a kind ensemble of a hard rock group. Listen in to this episode now and make sure to buy/stream Phil Campbell And The Bastard Sons upcoming new record “We're The Bastards” out November 13th on Nuclear Blast Records.

Send us Fan Mail

Blackened Viking Heavy Metal - Probably the best way describe the sound of the newest Norwegian band, Hjelvik. We got the opportunity to speak with the band's solo creator and frontman Erlend Hjelvik. The debut album “Welcome To Hel” is on the horizon but it didn't come without the passion Erlend has always had for the music itself. This is a new and fresh beginning for him personally and artistically, and Hjelvik is what Erlend wants to take seriously to heart as he now shapes his path the way he wants it to – which maybe he has not had full control of previously in the past. As we discuss his influences and inspiration, Erlend ambitiously describes the new themes he incorporated with the sound of the new album and how proud he is of the latest craft he created. Between the new album's production, his career experiences, and even signing with a prominent music label like Nuclear Blast – Erlend could not be in a better position to make his newest debut. Tune in to this episode now and make sure to buy/stream Hjelvik's debut solo studio record “Welcome To Hel” unleashing November 20th on Nuclear Blast Records.

Send us Fan Mail

From sharing the stage with artists like Foo Fighters and Queens Of The Stone Age, to collaborating with people like John Dolmayan (System Of A Down) and Bob Burnquist (pro skateboarder)– it's just the beginning for this unique rock quintet called Ego Kill Talent. We are joined by bassist/guitarist Theo Van Der Loo as he describes his experiences from being raised in Sau Paulo, Brazil and the winding path that catapulted his band into the well-deserved popularity today. It did not come easy, Theo says. There were obstacles, struggles, hard work, and perseverance that was learned throughout. And, maybe a bit of luck. Their new studio album is getting ready for one of the more unique releases a band can imagine, and during a time of pandemic no less. Theo also adds the ideas they came up with to make this upcoming release a great experience for the fans - and lastly, we talk about the live presence Ego Kill Talent exhibits that makes them stand out from all the other artists to take the stage. Listen in now to a very dedicated musician and make sure to be on the lookout for Ego Kill Talent's newest album “The Dance Between Extremes” set to unleash soon on BMG Records.

Send us Fan Mail

Humbleness. If there's an example on how a musician handles that element of character, that is Jimmy Chamberlin. One of the more prominent and influential drummers of our time comes onto IUF as he talks about his growth personally, morally, and musically throughout his career. Whether it is playing in bands like Smashing Pumpkins, Jimmy Chamberlin Complex, or Skysaw – One thing has been a constant medium for him, that is the love he has for being a drummer and playing music. As we talk about the newest Complex record, he reminiscences about the timeline when this album was actually completed – which dates two years back. It wasn't until now that the newest album comes out but it was also about getting the music out there for the listeners to grasp onto during a time of uncertainty. From the music life, to his personal life, and within all the experience he has taken in – The dedication Jimmy has to his craft will always be there. As he puts it: “The same way you honor yourself, you have to honor your instrument.” Listen in now and make sure to pick up/purchase the new Jimmy Chamberlin Complex album “Honor” out now on Make Records.

Send us Fan Mail

We are joined by vocalist Dave Hunt (aka VITRIOL) from U.K. extreme metal band Anaal Nathrakh. It's been over 2 decades with the existence of Anaal Nathrakh, and with their new 11th studio album “Endarkenment” releasing, Dave talks to us about the new ideas and influences he had manifesting in his head during the entire process. The music for this album was written within in less than a week, and for experienced musicians like Anaal Nathrakh, this was just another creative process that came naturally. Teaming up throughout his career with bandmate Mick Kenney - laying down the tracks, composition, and production made the experience that much more fulfilling and yet always challenging as they continue to raise the bar within the sound of extreme industrial black metal and grindcore. The newest chapter for the duo progresses further for them as this is an episode you will not want to miss. Tune in now to listen in, and pick up Anaal Nathrakh's newest record “Endarkenment”, which comes out October 2nd on Metal Blade Records.

Send us Fan Mail

“I think the real message of the album is to give hope to everyone, no matter what they are struggling with.” At a time of uncertainty in the world, that is a message which is much needed among fans of music and people in general. We kick off season 4 with Czech artist Viktorie Surmøvá from the band, Surma. Being a young singer in an industry during a pandemic isn't the situation she asked for, but she made the best of the cards that were dealt to her. Teaming up with renowned Faroese guitarist Heri Joensen, Viktorie tells her journey from performing in theater ensembles to singing in a multitude of bands that opened the gateways to form the symphonic metal band, Surma. Now on track to release their debut record, it's another chapter in Viktorie's life that she is very proud to accomplish – though it didn't come easy. Tune in now to this up and coming vocalist who is set to make an impact in the new era of symphonic metal, and make sure to buy/stream Surma's debut studio album “The Light Within” set to unleash November 6th on Metal Blade Records.

Send us Fan Mail

The legend of Amaranthe continues. Originating from the storied metal city of Gothenburg, Sweden, the heavy metal band are preparing for another new album drop to make their place in the music world once again. We are joined by lead vocalist Elize Ryd as she tells her journey about the year to year growth in her musicality, all the way into quarantine times. It is quite the transition for everyone, but Elize talks about how writing this album has kept her busy throughout and what she has been doing to stay on top of her vocals being in perfect shape. She talks about the exciting things in her life - musically and personally, that range from working with the likes of metal icon Angela Gossow, to being a new aunt in her family. The sound of Amaranthe is heavy, beautiful, cinematic, and full of melodic and monumental impressions. Elize and her two other vocal counterparts in the band blend in a dose of darkness and light that will hold onto the listener throughout the experience to a point which will never be forgotten. And lastly, we put Elize on the “Hot Seat” to see if she recognizes any of her own lyrics from the band's discography. Tune in to this episode now and make sure to blast Amaranthe's newest epic “Manifest” set to release October 2nd on Nuclear Blast Records.