A+ "Bargain Bin" Bands

Some of my favorite bargain bin bands... what's that mean? Well, if you haven't gathered what it means, it just is "obscure" stuff most people listen to and say "yeah, that's pretty good.", but I love it. Here is my first installment of the soon to be small series. I will be writing an article about a few of these bands themselves in the future. Possibly all of them for their own reasons they are special and remain strong in my collection to this day.

Rage

This... now THIS I have listened to countless times, and was one of the first bands I got into when i started my metal journey what seems like many a year ago. They are a German power/speed metal band I grew fond of by hearing this song. I hadn't seen this video then, not sure it was on youtube then, but I did listen to their other albums such as Execution Guaranteed, Perfect Man, and Reflections of a Shadow. I haven't heard their latest stuff, although they're still active, and just recently released a new album that looks like I probably wouldn't be too interested in it, but you never know, I'll give it a shot. Either way, their classic stuff has a hard hitting punch that still keeps me coming back for more to this day. I've even got it on cassette!

Proud Existence

When my husband and I went to see the band Cauldron back in October Satan was with them, and Ian Chains asked if we had ever seen them live, to which we replied no, but I said I used to listen to them a lot and had a short time in high school when I listened to Court in the Act along with this here album back to back for some reason. I couldn't remember the name of the band, but described the album cover, and he knew what I was talking about. I hadn't tried to look them up in years, but the day after the Cauldron/Satan show I looked them up somehow, and found this, and it brought me back to that time of playing PS2 for hours, cheeze-it's, coca-cola, and sleeping a lot.... Those were the days... sort of. This album definitely still draws me in and holds me til the end, and if I can ever find it on vinyl or something, that'd be great. Ian said he heard of them from a CD they got in Greece from a street shop or something along those lines. Go listen to Cauldron if you haven't. Great music, and true metal dudes, and very nice ones, at that. That aside, this band from Holland came to form in 1980 as Pre-Existence, and then changed their name to Proud Existence, and only had this release in 1988. They split shortly after that. This album art is crap, but the music is choice.

Scanner

Yet another German power/speed metal band that is top notch, and among the first few bands I came across while heavily getting into metal. I remember seeing this cover and thinking it looked cool, and for some reason reminded me of one of the Darkness album covers, who are ANOTHER German metal band, a thrash one, at that who I am also a big fan of. Looking at the album covers now, I don't know what the hell 13 year old me was thinking their album covers looked like, but at any rate.... I Heard this album first, then looked into more of their stuff and listened to Hypertrace, which was their first album. They've been around since 1986, and are still going around playing today. Mainly at festivals, like most long time going on again off again bands. Classic power/speed metal, give them a listen if you haven't, they might be one of your favorites if you're into that type of metal.

Meliah Rage

This next band is from Boston, and has been active since 1987. They're classified as thrash metal, but I don't know if I'd consider them a specific metal genre. A lot of people seem to quarrel over that, but I never really went to deep into that conversation. When it's easy to categorize bands, sure, I'll identify them as that genre, but when the band tends to go between sounds, or just has a sound all their own, I don't like to dispute that much, and just think of them as their own thing in the heavy metal world. Which is what I think of Meliah Rage. Between this first album they had and the other powerhouse of an album Solitary Solitude, they have their own sound that'll knock you on your feet, and still leave me nodding my head today. I just recently bought a Kill To Survive shirt they released. Not sure if there's any left. And yes, Meliah Rage themselves did sell these. I don't buy bootleg shit.

Mysto Dysto

Now more people Probably know the other band this turned into Called Mandator that formed after the 1986 release of this album, which was the only thing they had released under the Name Mysto Dysto. I remember the name of the band sticking in my head, and would look them up whenever I didn't know what I wanted to listen to that day. I still listen to this gem... I probably don't need to keep mentioning that, I already said in the intro that the reason I'm listing these bands is because they've held up strong through the years for me. When I first started getting into metal I would write down bands from this youtube channel Wolfgangvonposerkila, or TheBurningOfSodom that made videos called "Thrash Metal Gems", and this was on one of them. I would write down all the bands on the list, then cross them out when I could remember several songs from the band, name of the album, and some info on the band. Yeah, that's stupid, so what? I loved it, and it helped me find so many great bands, and I wouldn't know these bands, or remember them, for that matter, if I hadn't done that. So here they are: Mysto Dysto. Check out Mandator if you like this stuff, too. They're a bit different, but still really good.

Powerlord

Maaaaan, this production quality sounds like ass, but it's the great kinda low budget sound that just adds to the sound! But what really matter is this slice of molten metal dripping with... well, awesomeness. The scream in this intro is ear shattering! I love the singer's voice whose name is unfortunately Dane Cook.... Yep. That shitass comedian wishes he had the talent this guy did. The band has since split up, and were (probably are, they didn't get shot off the earth upon disbanding)  Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The only release they had was the album this song is off of "The Awakening" in 1986 (good year, eh?). I wonder what those dudes are up to now? Probably have day jobs at some office with short hair and 5 kids or something. Either way, this is a great tune, off a great album in my opinion. That riff in this song is almost hypnotic...

Mezzrow

 These dudes don't mess around when it comes to thrash metal. A lot of great metal has come out of Sweden, and this is certainly among them for me. I think they definitely deserve more people hearing this than the amount that have heard it. This whole album "Then Came The Killing" is great from start to finish. Great guitar tone, I might add, and pretty good production sound for a small band with only one release. They have since split, and have a brief reunion in 2005 for a festival, which there apparently was a DVD of that only the band distributed directly. I feel like they should have used the picture they used on the back of the album instead of the picture they used on the front. i remember seeing the music video and thinking they were cool, then looked them up and saw the name of the album, and looked it up to see a bland-ass picture on the front, but, hey, a lot of kinda obscure stuff has lame covers, and great music. It's better to be more concerned with the content itself, instead of the cover and looking cool and all that jazz. I need to get this on vinyl, still. Very powerful, full sounding thrash with whit and force. Check 'em out! That's it for this one, stayed tuned for more, and thank you for reading, and listening! If you get this far, let me know what you think on the facebook fanpage for Thrashdance Fanzine!

Just Gimme some AXXION! Just Gimme some AXXION! Emily Merrick of Axxion interview (2017)

 This next interview comes from one of my favorite drummers, and no, I'm not just saying that because she agreed to do an interview with me, I really do mean it. Not only has she been in numerous bands, and still continues to be, she is a well disciplined, very skilled drummer with a no-nonsense attitude who is dedicated to metal, along with everything she is passionate about in her life. Along with all of that, she is a very nice person, and if you haven't heard any of her drumming work, you should give it all a listen, because it is well worth your time. Here are some great words from Emily Merrick of the wonderful Canadian heavy metal band: AXXION! Enjoy, and thank you for reading! And thank you, Emily (And Kevin for the use of all your awesome pictures)!

Photo taken by Adrienne Mignardi edited by me (Olivia)

The latest happening album wise for Axxion was "Back In Time", which came out October 15th, 2016. How long did that to come together, and was it a tough process?

Emily: It honestly took from the end of the EP in 2013 to pretty much early 2016. The song writing process itself wasn’t so long, but combing over all the fine details and getting everything to sound exactly how we wanted took forever. And I really mean everything from the right drum fills to the pronunciation of words, the vocal line, harmonies, writing and re-writing to fit it in. It was grueling, meticulous and we had a lot of ideas that were just not coming out exactly how we wanted so it was just a matter of doing it over and over again until it was perfect. Of course everyone who records their own record will always nit-pick about this and that but at the end of the day I always go back to the word ‘proud’ because that is exactly how I feel about this album!

Jason Decay joined the band on bass for this album, on wild racer, Chris Riley was on bass. What made you guys have Jason come in and do bass, and how was it to record with him?

Emily: Jay is just this whole package of hilarity and talent. It was super easy to work with him and we asked him to record on the album because he is a fantastic musician and we were short on bassists that could give us the sound and feel that we wanted. It was all really natural and overall a great experience.

Photo by Nic Pouliot

How has the overall response to the band Axxion been since you guys first put anything out, and how has it changed through the years?

Emily: We’ve been so fortunate to have the greatest fans. No one can expect to take us too seriously and I think most of our fans totally get that. If anything, I think our fans have become more supportive! I think initially we had a good response to the EP and Wild Racer, but Back in Time really put us out there and captured what we were really going for.

Dev Kerr does vocals, but is also listed as playing rhythm guitars on the album, but just sings live, what's the reason for that?

Emily: AS a band we agreed that it would be better for Devon to focus on really kicking ass at singing and being a frontman instead of having to be stuck with a guitar and having to focus on that.

This album seems to take it a step up in a way, not that Wild Racer isn't a great album, but it seems that Back In Time has really solidified a sound for Axxion, would you find any truth in that statement?

Emily: Absolutely, I really think that album captured the sound we were looking for. Everything from the melodies, wording, the way it was recorded etc.; we really got what we wanted out of this album.

Photo by Kevin Nunes

Were you a founding member of Axxion?

Emily: Totally! After Shred and I left Skull Fist, I knew I wasn’t going to give up that easily! So Devon had just left his previous band and we started jamming and writing songs and finally got the first line up together, and the rest, as they say, is history.

When your first record "Wild Racer" came out, was it well received, and did you guys get a lot of gigs to play? I remember you had that one with Accept a few years ago, that must've been pretty cool.

Emily: Yea we definitely did some small touring with that album and a few festivals (the song Headbangers didn’t come out of thin air!). We did have a fairly good response, especially in our hometown and in Europe. Playing with U.D.O was totally cool, I wish I had a change to sit down with Udo and pick his brain over a beer….alas my courage failed me that night. Not sure if I’ll get that chance ever again.

The onstage theatrics are certainly something to see, who came up the idea for that, and do you guys do it every show?

Emily: It seems to be an ever-changing thing to me. Sometimes we have this super babe (Jiordi) in stage with us for some murder/ whipping stuff (I must say I enjoy watching her beat up Devon haha!), it just depends on the show. The boys have also introduced the powersuits and that’s all on them. I’m gonna stick to my denim and leather, but they love the suits and hey man, they love ‘em so who am I to say who can wear what. Shred’s also the one who makes ‘em all so that’s pretty cool!

How is it that you guys are distributing your stuff, just on your own?

Emily: Yes, for the most part, everything we do is through us. We have some international distributors for the new album, but mostly we do it all ourselves through BigCartel (www.axxion.bigcartel.com)

What are some of your other favorite Canadian metal bands around now?

Emily: Where to begin!  Obviously Cauldron is on my go-to playlist all the time; Striker, our boys from the west. Black Moor, our boys from the east! Spell from B.C. seems to be kicking butt these days too….I know I’m forgetting a bunch sorry!

Where does Axxion practice, and do you guys get to practice pretty often?

Emily: Shred and I have a place together and he’s vamped up the basement with soundproofing and it’s super convenient we can keep whatever we want down there, don’t have to share the space and we can drink as much as we want when we jam haha!

Shred (Kenny)
Photo taken by Kevin Nunes

You're also a drummer in the band Phantom. Does that get complicated sometimes?

Emily: Well, Phantom has been pretty inactive for the past couple months, but that is mostly because of me to be honest. With all the work with AXXION and working crazy hours (I’m an RVT) I haven’t been able to commit much more time to the Phantom boys these days. I had a blast jamming and working on tunes and I know they will be entering the studio soon, but I’m just not sure what role I will be playing (literally!) at that time. I guess we’ll have to see what pans out!

You have to know the drums for both Axxion, and Phantom, does that get to be a lot when you sit down to practice?

Emily: Not at all. Once I know a song it’s stuck in my head, but I will say I have a hard time remembering intros ALL the time. I mean, how the song starts; and it could be any song, one I’ve played a hundred times even if we don’t have a big setlist. I’m not sure why it happen, but usually I sit down and really force myself to think over sets before a big show so I know I’m not gonna blank on the night of the show!

How long have you played drums, and what inspired you to start playing?

Emily: I started when I was 13, and I’ve been asked the second part of that question so often and I never really feel like I have a satisfying answer. I’ve always loved music; there is far too much videographic evidence of me and my siblings singing/ playing ridiculous things. I started piano at a very young age (though I hated it then) and my entire family is musical. So I was always drawn to it, but that doesn’t really explain the drumming. I remember one day just thinking “I want to learn drums”, there wasn’t any specific reason, it was just such a natural thought that I didn’t think anything of it; it was going to happen because I felt the need to inside of myself.

Photo by Kevin Nunes

Who would you say kind of influenced your playing style when you first started out playing drums?

Emily: Now and forever; Nicko Mcbrain. Yea yea everyone is going to say ‘how stereotypical!”, but as a young learner it was just such a shock to hear him play. The speed, the accuracy, the natural way he plays, nothing forced, and everything was always exactly how it should be you know? His fills are perfectly places and the timing is always in the pocket, there’s so much feel there. Of course other drummers have inspired me for other reasons (Mike Portnoy and George Kolias for the technical stuff), Sean Reinhart and Gene Hoglan both for the speed and just the insanity of it all. Though I do have to say that I’m a huge fan of everything just coming together and fitting in its place, to me, making your overall music sound better is going to make me fall in love with you as a drummer.

Other than playing drums, what are some of your other main interests?

Emily: I’m kind of all over the place. I work as an RVT (Registered Veterinary Technician), but my work is still something I love and take home with me (sometimes literally!). I’ve had my fair share of foster kittens kicking around the house bugging my other cats. I’ve also taken up piano again after a 14 year hiatus and it’s kind of nice to struggle again; to start from the beginning so to speak, and work your way up to the level you want to achieve. I’m sure it’s also pretty obvious from my social media stuff that I’m a HUGE nerd. Give me anything Zelda or Star Wars related and you won’t be able to shut me up. Videogames, movies, the occasional board game even. Along the nerd line I am a serious bookworm. Anything from anatomy textbooks to human evolution to sci-fi novels I can’t get enough. I love just getting out of my own head and being transformed into another world.

Photo by Kevin Nunes

Do you prefer any specific shoes to wear when you play drums? Might seem like an odd question, but I like to have something really thin and light to wear when i play.

Emily: I actually don’t wear any shoes at all. Sometimes I have socks (definitely at shows) but generally no shoes. I used to wear them, but I found a lot of the ones I had were restricting my ankle movement, added too much bulk and took away from that natural feel of the pedal. I always laugh because when we play I usually wear some serious heels to the show and people always ask “do you play in those?!”….sometimes I humour myself and tell them yes hah!

What's your favorite gig you've played so far from both Axxion, and Phantom?

Emily: Probably Headbangers in Germany a few years ago….2015? I’m really horrible with places and dates, but that was a great show. We played early everyone was hungover but still showed up for the set and I think it was a nice way to get everyone pumped for the rest of the day. I also had a huge drum riser and I could see the whole crowd (for once!) so it was a unique experience for me in that sense.

When the songs are written, is it more of a colaborative thing, or is there someone in particular that comes up with the riffs usually?

Emily: Shred definitely takes the bulk of this project! Devon will come with some songs in too, and we usually tweak those up. Of course I have freedom to play whatever on drums, sometimes we’ll all sit down and go over melodies and wording, harmonies etc. But I’ve definitely never written a song!

What's some of your favorite drum equipment you have, and what would you like to have in the future?

Emily: I just purchased a nice tasty pair of Speed Cobras from Tama and I actually can’t believe how much more I like them. I was a little skeptical about how much better they could possibly be than my Iron Cobras, but once I had them set up, they’re heaven. The footboard is a bit longer so that ‘sweet-spot’ is a little bigger and gives me a bit more leeway. The pedals in the case are heavy, but once you’re kicking they’re light as a feather! I also love my Black Beauty snare drum; I can’t play a show without it, it’s the best damn sounding thing I’ve ever owned.

If you had to pick one person to sit down and talk drums with, who would it be?

Emily: You guessed it…. Nicko Mcbrain! He’s my one and only.

Do you still use the name Alison Thunderland, or do you just go by Emily for the records and everything? I find myself calling you Allison sometimes by accident! And where did that name come from?

Photo by Kevin Nunes

Emily: After leaving Skull Fist in 2011, I wanted to really represent myself as who I am and since that name was made up for that band and I was cutting all my ties, I really wanted to leave it behind and be taken a bit more serious. Someone did once tell me it sounded like a porn star name so…yes I use my real name now and I’m digging it. I feel like I’m not hiding behind a gimmick or anything, I want people to appreciate my drumming and our music, nothing more.

Do you play any other instruments?

Emily: I can squeak by on guitar (especially if everyone else is drunk!), I’ve come back to piano (mostly classical conservatory stuff but I really dig it!), and I only sing in the show and in my car where no one else has to hear me. I think I could probably play a mean triangle if I really tried to.

What kind of stuff do you practice when you sit behind the kit, and do you practice a lot before gigs and everything?

Emily: As a band we definitely practice a bunch before shows. Personally, when I sit down to warm up I just kind of jam and work on whatever I feel like; speed, patterns, whatever I’m in the mood for.

What are some of your favorite bands, i know it's a typical interview question, but I like to know what my favorite musicians listen to.

Photo by Nic Pouliot

Emily: I’m all over the place. I love the trad stuff like Grim Reaper, Saxon, W.A.S.P, Dokken. Speedy stuff like Blind Guardian, Helloween. Also occasional find a black metal band that I can’t live without; Dissecton and more recently and American band called Dumal. But then I have a hundred other bands that I can’t even place into a general category; Tyr, Nightwish, Sabaton, Ensiferum, Dimmu Borgir. To me it’s less about the genre and more about what makes my brain just light up when I hear it.

How do you feel the Canadian metal scene has progressed over the years, or rather just your overall feelings on it?

Emily: I love the Canadian scene; we are small yes, but overall rather tight knit and supportive. It’s funny because 10 years ago I was just entering the scene and now seeing new people coming in, it’s pretty cool.

You guys were on high roller records for "wild Racer" but don't have one for "Back In Time", what made you guys leave high roller records?

Emily: We didn’t leave per say, we just decided to do “Back in Time” on our own. We had a good response to “Wild Racer” and wanted to try and promote this one ourselves.

Is the album title "Back In Time" kind of implying you guys sound like you are from a different time, or that you could go back in time, or that your minds are back in a different time?
Emily: I think you’ve got the right combination there; I suppose it’s a little bit of everything with an undertone that we were all born just a little too damn late in this world.

Photo by Kevin Nunes

What genre of music or metal do you seem to gravitate towards the most when you sit down and listen to something?

Emily: It’s usually metal, maybe some classical if I’m in the mood, or folky stuff; if I can find a mix of these within metal music I am one happy camper.

What are some of your favorite songs to play live from Axxion?
Emily: Headbangers for sure, Ride Thru Hel is my go-to speed song, but I think Sinner is my favourite, it has my favourite AXXION solo and we all get to sing a super sweet harmony at the end.

The album art I think represents the music on this record quite well, where did the idea for that come from, and who illustrated it?

Emily: This was 100% Shred. It’s actually him in the car on the cover, we snapped a shot in my little Mazda and he worked some editing magic to get it to where it is now!

Are there any bands that you like that people you think wouldn't expect you to, or are a "guilty pleasure" if you will. I don't believe in that stuff, though, if you like it, you like, nothin to feel guilty about.
Emily: I get made fun of for listening to bands like Nightwish and Sabaton; a lot of my buddies don’t go out of that old school genre. But I like what I like and I’m not apologizing…..poor Shred has had to listen to my live Nightwish DVD too many times….he usually hides in the basement and plays guitar when I put that one on haha!

Where can people get a hold of Axxion merch, and where can people see you jam on the drums? Any specific youtube channel and fanpage for that...?

Emily: Yea! You guys can get merch at our Bigcartel (www.axxion.bigcartel.com) and I’ve got a drumming page up on Facebook (Emily Anne Drumming) and the same on Youtube, though I haven’t had a serious drum cover up in a while. I am itching to get more up there though!

Emily and Jay Decay
Photo by Kevin Nunes

What are some of your personal goals for the future music wise, and what are some future goals and events for Axxion?

Emily: I think for all of us, we are aiming to make another record that we are all really proud of. I know will likely take a long time, and I am probably the worst for being a perfectionist about stuff, but I’m never going to rush through an album just to get it out you know? Personally, I’d like to make the time to put up some more videos, maybe get funky and compose something with multiple types of drums….who knows!

Robbie Rainey (Ex-Possessor) of Carriage Interview (2017)

This next interview is my pleasure to introduce. My first fresh interview from Virginia's own singer Robbie Rainey of Carriage, an evil, ear-peircing, skull-splitting heavy metal band out to show you your own soul, as they've stolen it with their riffs and high hitting notes. Want to know a thing or two about them, and Robbie? Well, here you go, a good look at what you should check out, if you haven't already!

All photos taken by Sarah Wilson and Valarie Ashberry

Shortly after the tour you did with your old band Possessor in 2015 with Viking, you guys split, what happened there if you don't mind me asking?

We were very thankful for the opportunity to tour with Viking and we had an absolute blast on that tour, we met some amazing fans and people along the way. At that time we had written and recorded the song Death Race Forever (which is one of my favorite songs I ever wrote in Possessor) and from there we wrote a few other new songs such as Cryptcrusher which we played live on that tour too. We were writing new music that didn't quite fit with Possessor and we didn't want it to be forced. That and our bass player Gage Shanahan was one of the main creative forces on those last few songs (which I wanted because musically I think he's a genius and he deserved a spotlight on his creative ideas) however these songs had a different vibe. All that coupled with personal differences and people just having different priorities that had brewed over time just culminated to us stepping away, our drummer and my longtime friend Chris Soblotne moved to Arizona and we had said we wouldn't continue without that core group so that was it. It wasn't easy to let it go but it was nice to not feel stuck anymore creatively and I think that's where we all were.

Were there any bands you were in before Possessor and Carriage?

I was in two bands before Possessor and Carriage, the first one was a hard rock group called Something Fierce I was in my senior year of high school. We played a few covers and a few originals and that was a great time. The next was Axe Bitch which was thrash metal and that lasted a few years and a lot of line up changes but that's what got me out into the scene. I used to bring an axe on stage. We had some cool songs, Zombie Wizard was played on the radio, headbanging bastard child of Satan, skeleton warriors, dead by dawn, and of course thrash with an axe, these songs bring back good memories and fun times. Both bands had Chris Soblotne on drums and he came with me to Possessor as well.

How different would you say Carriage is from Possessor for those familiar with Possessor, who would, no doubt, be interested in Carriage?

Carriage is different in that it doesn't have to be fast and aggressive. It can be, but it doesn't have to be. Carriage is more traditional heavy metal or nwobhm and Possessor was thrash. The vocals are cleaner and I get to show more off what I can do. The reaction to it has been all positive and people seem to like Carriage even better so that's a good sign. I feel Carriage will reach more people musically.

This picture not edited by me

How did you all meet, and or come to form the band?

I met Mike in Possessor via our guitarist Kevin Chappell. I remember he walked up and had these puffy Motley Crue stickers from 1984 shout at the devil tour on his guitar and unharmed just purchased the same stickers on eBay so I knew then he and I would be friends.
Mike knew Randy and River Ashberry (drummer and lead guitar) for years and when I pitched the idea of Carriage said they'd be perfect. And we both knew our bass player Steve because at one point he was almost in Possessor.

Tell us a bit about when the band started to get the ball rolling. Did the songs just flow right out?

The songs came really easily we all work perfectly together musically. Plus River is a riff making machine so everything came together quickly as I was inspired even more by the music that was being created.

When was your first gig as Carriage, and how did you guys decide on the stage decor'?

The first show was 8/8/2016 at The Riffhouse in Chesapeake Virginia. Initially the idea of this band was to in a nutshell have a horror theme and have an entertaining stage show to go along with it, so it's evolving as we go. First thing we did was Mike built "The Podium" and it's a perfect example of me having a random idea and Mike making it a reality. Fog comes out of the skulls and it lights up and has a detachable lantern that I can attach a microphone to. Love it! Then came Alucarda and Justine in their coffins. Mike built those too (and we all helped blow torch them, nothing like blowtorching coffins on a Saturday afternoon out in the yard!) We just think of what we'd like to see and we try and create that for the audience.

Carriage formed in October, 2015, so that must have been right after the disbanding of Possessor? How did that come about?

Wow, has it been that long? Time flies. We were all ready for a change so me and Mike carried on together into Carriage.

Were you a fan of Mamouth Black, This Gentle Horror, Heaven Falls Hard and, Von Doom, the other members' former bands? Besides Michael's of course, which is also Possessor.

Believe it or not I've only listened to Heaven Falls Hard out of those however I'm thankful for all the different things we've done because it brought us all here and the differences are what makes this project a bit more special.

The idea for the name Carriage; how did it come about, and had it been an idea that was floating around for a while? It reminds me a lot of King Diamond-esque album cover stuff, that being one of your (as a band, i believe) Main influences.

I had been wanting to do another project and have always had horror elements as an inspiration so me Mike and Gage were at what ended up being one of the last Possessor practices and in Chris' front yard was a big inflatable Carriage with a grim reaper on it. So Mike thought of Carriage and there it was
King Diamond was definitely an influence on this project in a few ways. I love King Diamonds stage show and I love Mercyful Fate. Lizzy Borden is a big influence, Grim Reaper, Savatage, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, just to name a few.

Would you say your vocals are more explorative in this band, rather than in Possessor? Not to say there was anything missing from the Possessor tunes, i still listen to City Built With Skulls! There just seems to be a different atmosphere in the music.

I love this new style because it's more expressive to me and I feel I can better show my talents and explore my abilities not only as a songwriter but as a vocalist. The atmosphere is cool because I can do a Messiah-esque Candlemass style vocal one minute, then Mercyful Fate style, then to Grim Reaper style, then do a softly sung part. And yet it all still works together and doesn't bore me. I love it.

Who has been the artist so far for band images, and was it an obvious choice for you guys to go to them for the style of artwork you had in mind?

So far for art what we've released were just images found online for Alucarda however Mario Lopez (who did the Possessor art) is working on some things for us including art for t shirts that will be seen at Legions of Metal Fest and on our Demo Cds there.

There are three songs as of now (April 2017) up on bandcamp: Drink The Blood, Alucarda, and Deadly Corpse. Where and how did you guys record it, and was it a long process, or did you guys bang it out in a day or two?

We recorded all three in Randys old house and we knocked em out in a day or two from what I remember recording wise. I was actually sick at the time but they turned out good enough to release for now before we record the full album.

Is there any insight on how those songs came about you'd like to share?

Drink the Blood has multiple different messages. On the surface it's about a ritual with a guy and a girl. She drinks this blood and she is now having a near death experience that opens her mind to what may or may not be beyond death. And in doing so she is frightened and is now more interested in the physical pleasures of life as she is intoxicated. The guy is showing her these things on purpose and wishes her to see "what it would be to truly be free". Take from it what you will as I encourage everyone to.

Deadly Corpse was the first song we wrote and it's about an entity that enjoys taunting people in the graveyard after it is summoned by someone. It devours the corpse inside the coffin, then can take their form, and then attacks the family during the funeral. Just an idea that me and Mike had enjoyed.
Alucarda was inspired by the movie. When I write a song I imagine it like a movie anyway so this worked well.

The collaborative minds of each person gives a distinct feel to the music, as if each end of the spectrum is getting some time in the mix, would you agree with that?

Each member really adds something special into the mix and I'm very lucky to work with such talented individuals.

At live gigs, you wear a white shirt, and drink blood from a skull. Have you always wanted to use props like that onstage? And where did you get the stuff for it?

I've always wanted to have an over the top stage show. I pull inspiration from Paul Dianno Maiden for the white shirt, big stud belt look. And I pull inspiration from Lizzy Borden, W.A.S.P, anyone with a cool stage show or presence. I got the golden bowl, Steve got the skull for me.

Are you all shooting to get on any record label any time soon? with Possessor you guys were on Slaney, any thoughts about them?

We have already been shown some interest from certain labels and representatives which is exciting considering we haven't pushed a lot marketing wise however we are waiting to record the full album before we make a move. Slaney was a great label and I'd recommend them to anyone.

Who came up with the logo, and it it based on anything?

Mike made the logo and really impressed me with it. It's got two round parts almost like wheels, I dig it.

You guys seem to already have a good amount of merch. Some records out, and patches. Are they available anywhere?

We will be creating an online store after Legions of Metal Fest I believe as we will have to restock merchandise. That may come after the album is recorded.

Legions of metal is coming up very soon, and Carriage is going to be playing there. What are some things you're looking forward to there? And What bands are you excited to see?

Legions of Metal Fest has some amazing bands on it. I'm looking forward to seeing Armored Saint, I've always liked them. Also a new band Sacred Leather, there are a lot of great newer bands on that bill. Also the venue rules and the food is good. Can't wait to just be at a fest again and feel that energy.

How did you get into singing, and are you well versed in an instrument of any sort?

I started singing in musicals as a kid, I hated them though and just wanted to act. Later I started playing guitar but everyone needed a singer so I decided to do that and gave up guitar. I'm great with musical ideas and melody but I can't play any instrument terribly well.

Who would you say are your most influential vocalists?

Wow that's tough. I'd say Jeff Scott Soto, Rob Halford, Freddie Mercury, Frankie Valli, Brian Wilson, just to name a few.

If you could be a cat, what kind of cat would you be?

Easy, a White Lion....wait..

What are some of your favorite SNES games?

I'd say Donkey Kong Country, Indiana Jones Greatest Adventures, Zombies Ate My Neighbors, Super Mario World, E.V.O., Secret of Mana, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Super Troll Islands, and on and on and on...

Are you REALLY Rongey Rungersons?

I am really Rangy, Runnie Rangy..told youuu.

If you could go back in time and catch one band on one tour, who would it be, what year, and what tour?

My mind brings up a few. Priest when they toured for Defenders of the Faith, Yngwie Malmsteen for Rising Force, Exodus for Bonded by Blood
Picked three sorry too bad I'm a time traveler

What is a favorite memory you have of your days in Possessor, or maybe even carriage?

Favorite Possessor memories are all on the road touring. I could write a book. Carriage every practice I hear some of my favorite riffs and they're brand new so that rules.

What are some of your favorite bands you've seen live?

Some of my favorite bands I've seen live. Lizzy Borden, Grim Reaper, Judas Priest, Paul Dianno, Axxion, Diemonds, Nasty Savage, Trouble (the skull), Skeletonwitch, Bobby Rydell, The Skyliners, KISS

which genre of metal do you find yourself going to time after time when you sit down to listen to something?

I find myself always going to traditional heavy metal, or nwobhm. Which is why I'm doing this project now I think.

what are some of your other favorite bands not in the metal genre?

I love Sam Cooke, Frankie Valli, The Beach Boys, I listen to a lot of doowop, also 80s pop and rnb like Taylor Dayne, I'm just a sucker for a good vocalist or a good melody.


If you could have a side project, what would it be, and who would it be with?

I'd love to do a big band/doowop/rnb/rockabilly style thing. Hard to find folks to play that but I love singing and writing that type of stuff.
I'd like to work with Gage Shanahan again. Ya never know!

Is there anything you'd like to incorporate into Carriage's overall sound in the near future, and what are your thoughts thus far on the band? And if it's alright to ask, how do the feeling compare to how you felt singing in Possessor?

I feel like Carriage's sound is coming along perfectly and I dont know anything specific I'd like to add. The vibe we have is just as I want it. Singing in Carriage is so much easier in a lot of ways because Possessor was pure chaos live and I had to go from these fast rough verses to high clean notes and back to screaming and it was taxing on me. Where as Carriage is closer to natural for me though  technically what I'm doing would seem more difficult. Funny how that works.

Would you guys ever consider doing a split with that crazy new band Blood Curse?

I am totally open to doing a split with Blood Curse.

How is the metal scene in Virginia? Are there any bands there you'd like to play a show with, and if so, who?

Virginia has a really great metal scene, I love the people. Not a lot of the types of metal bands I prefer but a lot of loyal die hard fans of metal in general. We'd like to play with local band Catalyst again and that band from Richmond called Bat. Also Hydra is one of the best local bands who we love. Hail Hydra!

What are some of your hobbies besides singing?

I collect records, games, movies, I love throwing the football, bodyboarding, spending time with my dogs and my fiance. Also playing with my four year-old nephews, the other day I introduced them to KISS and we just jumped around the room to ALIVE and that made my day.

What are your thoughts on the metal scene today, and what are some of your favorite newer bands?

There is a big movement in the scene today with the types of metal I enjoy. Of course the stand bys like Cauldron, Enforcer, then newer bands like Night Demon, Bat, Sacred Leather, Mandragora, Stallion, Ranger, Shokker, etc.

What are some future goals you and the rest of the guys in the band have in mind for Carriage in the future?

I'd like to do it all with Carriage. I want to release multiple albums, play other countries, and just play as many shows as we can in different areas and meet people that enjoy the things we do, horror movies, heavy metal, and having a good time! Thanks for the interview, love the site, and keep up the good work!