Tag: Guitarist

MSBM Interviews: Carlos Lobo

February 24th, 2023

Welcome, welcome! It’s Friday, which means it’s time for another interview! So, for today’s badass conversation, I’m sharing my chat with the insanely talented guitarist, Carlos Lobo. Here, we discuss Carlos’ lengthy history with Metal music, his decision to go solo, his recent collaborations, what is next, and more. Now, let’s sink our teeth into this one because it’s too good to waste another second!

MSBM: Firstly, I have to say that you’re a phenomenal guitarist! You make it look easy because you’re so seamlessly skilled with your work. You’re a virtuoso, without a doubt. But how did you harness that talent? Where did it all begin?

Carlos Lobo
(Credit to photographer)

Carlos: Thank you so much! I started playing guitar when I was about 13 years old. My older brother influenced me to listen to Metal since an early age and ever since I watched Metallica play “Master of Puppets” on S&M, I started dreaming of playing that song live one day. So, my brother taught me a lot of music theory and different techniques on guitar and I kept building my knowledge from there. I played in three different bands: Dark Fire, The Rising Flames, and Within Hell. When I belonged to The Rising Flames during my teenage years, I was so addicted to playing guitar that I would practice for hours everyday nonstop. But it was only when I was playing in the band Within Hell that my playing took a step to the next level. The complexity of some songs was so demanding that I needed to get better and better in order to keep up.

MSBM: Your dedication to your craft has definitely rewarded you! Since we are on the topic of guitar playing, what is your preferred gear to record and to perform with?

Carlos: I’m not too picky when it comes to gear as long as I’m able to produce my own sound with it. So, a nice distortion pedal will do. I’m not really using any wah pedals these days because even though they’re cool and some guitarists use them to perfection, I don’t identify too much with the sound. To record stuff at home, I use Line 6 Gear Box and Focusrite Scarlett Solo Studio Interface. When working on my songs, my producer and I use all sorts of different hardware and software to achieve the sound that fits the concept of the song better. We try tons of different things at the studio and it’s a fun process. When playing live, I use a Blackstar LT Metal distortion pedal. When it comes to amps, I’ve used Marshall, Randall, Crate, Boss, and many more, and they’ve all worked great for the performance. I have a lot of guitars but the ones I use the most are Dean Guitars because they not only sound great, but they also look very intimidating.

(Credit to photographer)

MSBM: Very, very cool! I took notice that you’re also a vocalist. Who influenced you to start singing, along with playing the guitar?

Carlos: I actually started to sing before I learned how to play guitar. With most of the projects I’ve been involved with over the years, I did the singing because no one else in the band could do it better, even though singing is clearly not my biggest quality. It also helped that I had the coordination to play guitar and sing at the same time. Legends like James Heftield and Dave Mustaine were among the musicians I was trying to mimic by doing so. When I started a career as a solo musician, I was planning to perform only instrumental songs but the audience kept asking for vocals, so that’s why I currently include singing in my solo performances.

MSBM: So, do you prefer the solo gig over being with a band full-time?

Carlos: Yes, I played full-time in all three bands I mentioned. I didn’t have any side gigs and was fully committed to those bands at the time. Later, I decided to go alone in a solo career and I prefer that because I’m able to have total control over any decisions, which helps me create the songs according to my vision. I played many gigs alone on stage, but sometimes I have really good session musicians with me that deliver exactly what is needed. Right now, I’m casting members to play for me live on a regular basis. This is the way I prefer, but I wouldn’t say “no” to occasionally play live with other bands in the future as a guest.

MSBM: Still on the topic of gigs, what is performing and touring like for you?

Carlos: It’s a lot of work but I enjoy it for the most part. It takes a lot of preparation and rehearsal which can be a bit boring and annoying at times, but it pays off in the end. It’s a great feeling when the crowd is chanting your name or when everyone goes crazy when you’re playing. It makes all the effort worthwhile. Some of the best gigs I played were in South America, because people breathe Heavy Metal there. I always get a bit nervous right before I go on stage no matter how many concerts I played. But that feeling always goes away when I start playing and bonding with the crowd. I have to say that playing live is what I enjoy the most as a musician.

MSBM: As a music lover, I think the live experience is what I enjoy most. Even though I’ve only been an audience member, I can imagine that being a performer is top-tier when it comes to euphoria. Despite of the hardships and moments of boredom that you experience, I see how your career choice pays off with every show. Now, on to the next question. If you could pick any other band or artist to collaborate with (on stage or in the studio), who would you choose?

Carlos: I’m glad you asked that question because lately collaborations have played a major role in my career. I love gathering musicians from all over the world to play together with me in a single song or project. I’m really proud of the collabs I did so far and I’m planning a lot more. I am lucky to be able to say that I played in a song with my favorite guitarist of all time and my biggest inspiration in music. I’m talking about Michael Angelo Batio, who is currently in Manowar. Soon I will be collaborating with two talented guitarists from Chile, a great vocalist from the US, and many more. If I could choose a band to play with I would probably go with Iron Maiden, which doesn’t seem very likely to happen. Some successful guitarists I would probably try to get in touch with for a collaboration would be John Petrucci (who is a huge influence on my playing), Herman Li (who is another legendary player and seems to be very down to earth), Peruvian guitarist Charlie Parra, or YouTuber Stevie T. I have no high expectations of ever playing a song with any of them, but if MAB played a guitar solo on my song, you never know. It doesn’t hurt to dream.

MSBM: Keep dreaming big and shooting for the stars; you may find some surprises one day! You got to play with your favorite guitarist, so let me ask you a question pertaining to “favorites”. What are your favorite albums of all time?

Carlos: My favorite albums are Metallica – ‘…And Justice For All’, Megadeth – ‘Rust In Peace’, Opeth – ‘Ghost Reveries’, Dream Theater – ‘Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes From a Memory’, Machine Head – ‘The Blackening’, Iron Maiden – ‘Powerslave’, Pantera – ‘Cowboys From Hell’, Megadeth – ‘Endgame’. I could probably make a bigger list than this, but all of these are albums I always listened from beginning to end whenever I listened to them.

MSBM: Absolutely fantastic choices. Now, what do you consider to be the best guitar solo ever recorded?

Carlos: This is a really difficult question. Over the years, I kept trying to select which song or guitar solo I considered to be the best ever, but I’ve come to the conclusion that there is no such thing. I’ve heard so many mind-blowing solos filled with technical ability and feeling by Marty Friedman, Yngwie Malmsteen, Guthrie Govan, John Petrucci, Joe Satriani, Michael Angelo Batio, Tom Hess, Dimebag Darrell, Chris Broderick, Shawn Lane, Steve Vai, Paul Gilbert… I’m not able to pick only one.

MSBM: That’s understandable! Now, I must know, what are your plans for this year?

Carlos: This year I will finish recording my album entitled ‘Annoyances’ and all the music videos I have left to record. I will have the album available on as many platforms as possible. I will try to dedicate more time to my YouTube channel, which has some of my music videos, but it’s a little bit abandoned in comparison to my other social media pages and doesn’t have nearly as many followers. Apart from music videos, I will also make some videos where I analyse controversial album releases. When I have all of this under control, I will eventually schedule live performances more regularly. I will also continue to create more medleys of songs from different bands. It’s great to see people react to those medleys live when they recognize a riff of one of their favorite songs.

(Credit to photographer)

MSBM: Well, you definitely have a lot of awesome things to bring us here in 2023! I can’t wait to see you accomplish it all, Carlos! Lastly, where can anyone interested go to listen to your work or reach out to you for a gig opportunity?

Carlos: I have most of my work available on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Anyone can contact me or the admins through those pages to request or schedule a gig.

Follow or contact Carlos Lobo on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarlosLoboOfficial

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlos_lobo_official

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/CarlosLoboOfficial

** Tune in every Friday for a new interview. Interested in an interview for your band? Contact us on Facebook or Instagram! ***
MSBM Interviews: Andrew Southwell of VICIOUS NATURE

January 20th, 2023

Metal Southern Belles Media welcomes you to another interview with the badass musicians who live and breathe Metal music. For this week’s conversation, we are joined by Andrew Southwell of VICIOUS NATURE. Southwell, with decades of experience on his guitar and the stage, reveals what you need to know about this group of UK based rockers; including their success with radio play and tours throughout the UK and Europe, details on their latest album, and plans on what is to come…

MSBM: Hello, Andrew! As always, we have to talk about the basics first. So, can you discuss your beginnings in music and the formation of VICIOUS NATURE?

AS: Mark Culley (former bassist) and I started the band in 2012. I left Marshall Law in 2006 after cutting my finger badly in an accident. I couldn’t play for about 5 years, had physiotherapy, and managed to play in a fashion. We asked Andy Pyke, who sang in Marshall law, to join and he brought Jon Brown, who played drums for Cloven Hoof.

Andrew Southwell
(Credit to photographer)

MSBM: Still on the subject of the VICIOUS NATURE itself, what is the meaning or significance of the band name? Is there anything in particular that inspired it?

AS: We were going to call ourselves “13th Fire”, but somehow we called ourselves “Vicious Nature”. I can’t remember who came up with it, but it seemed to fit.

MSBM: I think it’s fitting as well! Speaking of inspiration, who are your influences?

AS: We all have different influences. I don’t tend to listen to other bands much. I like older stuff.

MSBM: It’s to my understanding that VICIOUS NATURE has several EPs. Can you walk me through the music creation process?

AS: I write the music and then send it to the guys in the band. They do their thing, Matt Gore (our new singer) writes the words and melodys mostly. But I do help sometimes.

MSBM: And what inspires the band’s lyrical content?

AS: Matt tends to write the lyrics. He’s influenced by what’s going on in his life and the world in general.

MSBM: The most recent release is ‘Moment of Impact’. How has the band grown with this one? What sets it apart from the previous releases?

VICIOUS NATURE’s newest album, ‘Moment of Impact’.

AS: ‘Moment’ is the first release with Matt singing. It’s a different animal now; we have more scope to try new keys. It’s been played all over the world, in many countries, and has had some awesome reviews and we are happy with it.

MSBM: VICIOUS NATURE has played shows throughout the UK and Europe. What is the Metal scene like in those areas and how does an audience react to your live performances?

AS: We have been lucky enough to play some great shows and headline our own shows in Europe. The last 2 shows in Belgium were great and sold out. We have played Bloodstock and other festivals in Great Britain and have headlined festivals in Europe. We always enjoy playing live.

MSBM: You guys obviously have a successful reach; which is so awesome! Speaking of that, the band has also had some radio play in the UK, Europe, and even the US! How did that come about and how did you guys react to this widespread airplay?

AS: We have been lucky enough to be on over 70 stations all over the world in many countries, including Kerrang, and have done many interviews with stations too. It helps spread the band’s music and growth.

MSBM: Wow, congratulations on that exposure and support! May it continue to grow! I’m sure that it will while bringing on more shows! With that being mentioned, where do you hope to play in the near future?

AS: We just love playing live. We will be going to Belgium, Holland, and Germany later in the year as well as Wales, Scotland, and many more gigs in England.

MSBM: Hell yeah! Good luck with those shows! What else can we expect from VICIOUS NATURE in this new year? And where can all info, updates, and music be found?

AS: We hope to go back into the studio in July to do more recording and just play as many shows as possible. The music can be found on all platforms. The band has a website, http://www.viciousnature.co.uk.

Follow VICIOUS NATURE on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ViciousNature?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Listen to VICIOUS NATURE on Spotify (or any other streaming platform): https://open.spotify.com/artist/3V13OgqR7NresOhpRIQnmc?si=f2pyeACORkS9sU3K9E0gJA

*** Tune in every Friday for a new interview. Interested in an interview for your band? Contact us on Facebook or Instagram! ***
MSBM Interviews: Lew Morris of Love Sick Drug

November 18th, 2022

Hello, all! Metal Southern Belles Media welcomes you to another awesome interview. Our passion for heavy music and having conversations with those who LIVE it has brought us to Love Sick Drug. This female fronted supergroup is based out of Texas and gives listeners a fusion of Punk, Rock, Metal, and Pop to entertain your senses. We are joined by one of their guitarist, Lew Morris, for a Love Sick Drug “tell all”. Let’s get behind the curtain of the band that feels familiar, but original, all at the same time…

MSBM: How did you get your start in music? Who were your biggest influences?

LM: I started piano lessons at 7. I was already “writing” songs at that point, before even starting. My dad saw that I was working out melody lines and able to repeat them (so, not just randomly hitting keys and getting lucky). When it really hit him, I was at a garage sale and the guy running it saw the same thing. He asked us to come in and have me mess with an electric organ he had. Once he saw what I could do, he told my dad he wanted to send it home with me. Shortly after that, he got me into piano lessons despite the fact I really wanted to learn guitar. After he passed away a bit before my 14th birthday, I made a deal with my mom to end piano lessons if she would pitch in for me to buy a guitar. I taught myself through tabs after getting it. Influence wise, I started off really studying Van Halen, Metallica, Megadeth, Bon Jovi (mostly for Sambora), Alice Cooper and some punk like The Misfits, Dead Kennedys, and The Cramps.

Lew Morris
(Credit to photographer)

MSBM: Wow, you are a natural virtuoso! Music is your forte, no doubt. With that talent, joining a band was inevitable. So, how did Love Sick Drug form? It seems like you guys have quite the unique lineup with some members having worked in the movie industry. Is there an interesting story behind how the band met and started creating music together?

LW: I met Billy Blair (actor, guitarist) while working at KNON as an on air personality. He needed a fill in bass player for his band at the time, Junk. He asked if I would be interested and I said, “sure.” I did a small tour with them and we worked well together. He asked if I would be interested in working together in the future. I told him, “if we can get something together, I would be up for it”. A bit later after the tour, he called me up and asked if I wanted to form a new band. He said he felt I would be better used on guitar and that he had some other members in mind. I told him to let me know when to get together and it basically went from there.

MSBM: I think it’s very important for bands to be “birthed” from natural chemistry in between the members. I feel the best version of a band is when the music is created by individuals who work well together and just “mesh” in a musical and artistic way like you and Billy clearly do. So, the first single, “Zombies”, was released in 2020. It was quickly followed by a self-titled track and then a few others in 2021 and 2022. “Celebrity Life” being the latest. Can you talk about the creative process behind these songs? What is drawing influence, writing, and recording like for Love Sick Drug?

LM: The single release history is a bit weird. We actually had a different drummer and singer at the beginning. We released the single, “Radio,” first with that line up. We followed that up with “Zombies.” They ended up leaving and since the singer had written the lyrics for “Radio,” I re-wrote them and we re-recorded the tracks with the new members. We then released the new version after the new version of “Zombies.” The lyrics didn’t change for “Zombies” since I had written them all anyway. These days, I tend to write the bulk of the lyrics. For the most part, Billy writes the bulk of the riffs. “Radio” and “Love Sick Drug” started with riffs I came up with and Billy filled them in. The other riffs are mostly Billy. We will get together and work out the arrangement and all that. I’ll usually come up with the lyrics. We then bring the song to the rest of the band for them to work out their parts. Influence wise, we are all over the board. Billy is very old school Rock and Roll like Kiss, Twisted Sister, etc. But he does love some newer stuff like Alice in Chains, Korn, etc. It’s pretty well-known that I’m very influenced by Eddie Van Halen. But I also come from a large Metal and Punk background writing wise, so I bring a little bit of that to the mix as well.

MSBM: A diverse set of influences can bring something fresh and exciting to the scene. So, I think what your group is doing is fantastic! I saw the movie, Corsicana, included one of Love Sick Drug’s songs and band mate, Billy Blair. Was “The Trail” directly written for the movie or did it come first and just happened to be fitting for the movie? How did that play out?

LM: We wrote “The Trail” specifically for the Corsicana movie. We actually titled it “Corsicana” at the beginning. The old singer wrote the first set of lyrics, but she didn’t even supply a 2nd verse. She just repeated the same verse. The lyrics were a bit clunky as well. When she left, Billy asked if I wanted to re-write it. I wrote the new lyrics and everyone who has heard both seem to prefer the new lyrics. Billy said he wanted to kinda have a sort of “Blaze of Glory” vibe to it – Western but still a Rock song. Since I had some experience playing Western style music with Ghoultown, I understood how to arrange guitar parts to give it that feel. It was one of the first songs where Billy and I both play pretty different stuff most of the song.

MSBM: I have to say, you nailed the vibe you were going for with “The Trail”. I tip my cowgirl hat to that haha. Having lightly touched on the movie experience in reference to some of your band members, let’s get more in depth now. How does that experience factor in with making music videos?

LM: Having 3 of the 5 members involved in film has helped us out a lot with music videos. Billy and Erin (vocalist) both have extensive acting experience. I mostly work behind the camera with production design, art department, etc. But I also have some experience on screen. I’ve spearheaded most of the storylines in the music videos. For “Zombies,” I knew everyone would have their own ideas, so I tasked myself with finding a way to incorporate everyone’s ideas into one storyline. I did the location scouting as well for that. For the latest video, “The Trail,” we knew that we would probably need to do two edits – one for our own and one for the movie. Since we didn’t want to pay for two edits, I ended up taking on the role of Director as well for that one. Since Billy was one of the stars of the movie, it was a no brainer to make him one of the leads of the video. I came up with the storyline, props, location scouting, and obviously directing and editing. We hired a cinematographer but past that, I did the rest of the stuff to get that one together. I’m actually about to sit down and do the movie edit version for that one soon.

MSBM: I actually watched the video for “Zombies”, and it’s not what I expected. But unpredictably is definitely NOT a bad thing in art. The song itself is dope as well! I watched “The Trail” too and I thought it was perfect for the song. You had a lot to shoulder there, but you did well. I’m interested to see more! Does having film experience also affect the visionary aspect and showmanship of live performances and stage set ups?

LM: I think the film experience helps some with the live experience, but overall we are all fans of bands that really put on a production. Bands like Iron Maiden and Alice Cooper don’t just show up in their everyday clothes, go up, play, and leave. They LOOK like rock stars… You want to watch them live. They have a cool stage show, etc. We are still slowly getting all that together (currently looking for a stage manager to help with that, so we can bring more elements to the live show). It’s tougher on a local level because they just don’t give you the set up time and space, especially with opening gigs. We’ve opened for Powerman 5000, Genitorturers, etc and we barely had enough stage room to stand much less bring more show elements.

MSBM: Theatrics really take live shows to a whole other level. Hopefully, in the near future, your band can get the “leg room” to expand into more extravagant performances. On a different topic, I noticed that you guys released your own hot sauce!? What was that all about?

LM: Everyone and their mom seems to be releasing hot sauce. I was asked years ago by a friend who has a hot sauce business if I wanted to make one for my Metal band, Coilback. I told him merch sales were slow at that time, so I wanted to wait. Right about the time I was going to look into it, my friend Lyle Blackburn from Ghoultown released his sauce. I didn’t want it to seem like we were just riding his coattails, so I wanted to give it a bit. After he got established (with his Monster Sauce, which is amazing and I highly suggest trying it; it’s delicious), I told him we were gonna do ours. I intentionally asked them to make something with a different flavor profile than his stuff. We named it “Love Juice” because we are tongue in cheek about everything and knew we could do some fun stuff with the name. That’s what made us film all those goofy promo spots for it (it’s on the Love Sick Drug YouTube channel).

MSBM: Yeah, I saw some of those silly videos haha. They got me interested in the sauce. Maybe I should try it and your buddy’s as well. I actually could go for something covered in hot sauce right now! But let’s get back on the subject of music before I get too hungry! There’s a full-length album on the way, correct? Care to share the details?

LM: Yes, there is a full length we are just about done with. We actually had it completely done with the old line up but they left right before we released it, so that delayed things with getting the new members on the tracks. We are hopefully going to be done with the recording in a couple of weeks and then it’s just mixing, mastering, and getting it printed. Stay tuned for that. Should be 11 tracks total.

MSBM: Fantastic! I’ll be looking forward to it. Are there any shows coming up the band as well?

LM: We tend to slow down in the winter holiday season. Weather in North Texas is super unpredictable and it’s hard to get people to come out. Unless it’s something special, we tend to do most of the “behind the scenes” work during these months. Right now, we are trying to finish the album and then hit the road to do some small tour legs.

MSBM: Sounds like a good plan! Now, to wrap this thing up, where can the readers go to keep up to date with Love Sick Drug and check out your songs?

LM: The best place at the moment to keep track of us is on Instagram and Facebook. We keep things up to date there. We have plenty of content like music videos, live videos, interviews, and goofy promos on our YouTube channel and our Bandcamp page has music and merch. We are also available on most all digital music stores. We are all currently working on some new movies as well and we tend to pop up on soundtracks quite a bit as well. Everyone should go check out the pages, give us a like, subscribe, and support independent artists.

Follow Love Sick Drug on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lovesickdrugband?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Follow Love Sick Drug on Instagram: https://instagram.com/lovesickdrugband?igshid=NDk5N2NlZjQ=

Subscribe to Love Sick Drug on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@LoveSickDrug

Check out Love Sick Drug on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7FnsK0Ezviuyfsi7itwxBS?si=MveLC_raRXSfX24asvkd2Q

*** Tune in every Friday for a new interview. Interested in an interview for your band? Contact us on Facebook or Instagram! ***
MSBM Interviews: Ryan Thomson (and Nico Waldo) of Energema

November 5th, 2022

Hello, and welcome to Metal Southern Belles Media! Here, you’re guaranteed to find awesome interviews with awesome musicians in the Rock and Metal atmosphere. Let’s get to rockin’ and rollin’! Today, MSBM is joined by Energema vocalist, Ryan Thomson! (We also get a little insight from guitarist and main songwriter, Nico Waldo!) This Melodic Power Metal band consists of members from Scotland and Columbia, a unique combination, making a unique sound. When you hear their songs, you get an indescribable sensation of a strength so intense that you want to march straight into an ancient battle for a mythical world. Now, let’s advance forward and get into the mystic details behind Energema!

MSBM: Hey, Ryan! I hope you’re doing well today. Since we are on the subject of you, how did you become a singer? (Are you self-taught, does someone in your family sing, was there a particular vocalist that stood out to you and influenced you?)

RT: First off, thanks for giving me the opportunity to do this interview! I got started singing around 5 years ago or so, but I’ve always been into playing music and playing various instruments. I’ve been playing guitar for 17 years now, but I’ve made the change to become more of a singer. I was really inspired by the Power and Symphonic Metal singers like Fabio Lione, Daniel Heiman, Roy Khan, Yiannis Papadopolous, etc. All of the really hard, crazy high, powerful vocals is what excites me about singing the most. Sadly, no one else in my family is really a musician, so becoming a musician was mainly self-motivated.

MSBM: You’re welcome! I’m honored to be given the chance to speak with you! To have only been singing for a few short years, you’re really good! You must be a natural. So, you are a “newer” member of Energema, correct? How did you join?

RT: Yes, that’s right. I officially joined Energema on September 5th, so it’s still pretty fresh. They had an audition call for a new vocalist some time in August, but I found out about it on the last day of the deadline. So, I didn’t have time to audition, but I sent one of my covers in and they liked it so much they decided to extend the deadline for me, which I was super happy about haha. So, when I sent my audition in I got the part.

MSBM: That’s awesome! It’s like it was meant to be. By the way, Energema is an interesting word. Is there a significance to it?

NW: “Energema” is a Greek word and refers to the energy of creation or creative force. We think that our universe is very big and complex and behind it, there must be an architect…. Nothing is a product of chance.

RT: I find it very interesting. Although I personally don’t hold any religious beliefs, I fully respect it. And as musicians, we create our own magical worlds. A lot of our lyrics are influenced by stories from the Bible, Narnia, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, etc.

MSBM: Love it! So, Energema has several albums. The latest being ‘Promised Land’, that dropped in 2020. It’s from my understanding that there’s a new EP in the works. What can we expect from it?

RT: That’s right, we have 6 full length albums and 3 EPs out. We originally had another EP coming later this year titled, ‘Hunter of Immortals’, but we have extended it to be a full album; which will drop before the end of the year. The album basically tells the story of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, all of the events that unfolded and Van Helsing’s part in it all. It’s still very much Power Metal as you can expect from earlier albums. It was recorded at Meggido Records Studio and mastered by Trinity Records. We are with the label, Metalism Records, who will also publish this album.

Energema’s upcoming album, ‘Hunter of Immortals’.

MSBM: I find stories about characters such as Dracula and Van Helsing to be very interesting, so I’m intrigued! As a vocalist, are you a song writer as well?

RT: Yes, I am a songwriter too. Being a guitarist first, I’ve written many songs and I usually use that to compose everything, and keyboards to try out different sounds and virtual instruments. With Energema, I have only written 1 song for the new album, just due to the time I joined. But maybe they will allow me to write more music for future albums, who knows! It’s an Accapella piece about Dracula’s final moments with Mina, when he realizes how wrong he’s been and all the torment he caused her. Then he is forgiven and let into Heaven, the song is called, “Ascension”.

MSBM: Speaking of making music, what’s the studio process like for you and your band? Is it easy and “natural” to bounce ideas off of your band mates?

RT: For now, the studio process is done online for me. Nico sends me the backing tracks and lyrics with some guide melodies and I record my parts and send back them to him. Then, it gets mixed and sent off to a studio for mastering. Sounds complicated, but it’s actually pretty seamless.

MSBM: I’m glad the creative process is a smooth one for you guys! So, when the “making music” part concludes , it typically means live shows and tours! Is Energema planning any shows for the near future?

RT: Yes, once this album is out, we plan to promote it everywhere and get in touch with new labels and promoters and really push to make an impact in Europe, the UK, and the States. I heard Japan is a great market for Power Metal too.

MSBM: That’s great! I hope to catch Energema here in the States sometime! Still on the subject of shows, what are live performances like for you?

NW: I think our best shows have been sharing with legendary bands of the gen…We have been an opening act for different well-known bands like Freedom Call (Germany), Edu Falaschi ex-Angra (Brazil), and Grave Digger (Germany).

MSBM: Very cool! And what other bands would you like to play with?

RT: It would be a dream to tour with bands like Hammerfall, Rhapsody of fire, Beast in Black, Kamelot, Avantasia, etc. It is pretty hard to set up tours being a smaller band for now, but we’ve been in the process of getting in touch with as many festivals and venues as possible, labels, etc. If anyone out there reading would like to help with that we’d be very happy actually!

MSBM: You read that right, everyone! If you’ve got the hookup with any festivals, venues, and labels, let these guys know! Now, there’s something the readers must know. Where can they listen to Energema’s music?

RT: You can find our music on the major streaming platforms like Spotify, Bandcamp, Amazon music, etc. You can also find a full list of our discography on The Metal Archives website.

Follow Energema on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/energemaband?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Follow Energema on Instagram: https://instagram.com/official_energemaband?igshid=NDk5N2NlZjQ=

Subscribe to Energema on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@EnergemaPowerMetal

Check out Energema on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3jfYh8rerZnO11U7ljgYFK?si=0doDZu7xRX2iWTV9HXDyNg

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MSBM Interviews: Ollie Vice of Lethal Disciples

November 5th, 2022

Greetings! Metal Southern Belles Media is at it again with another badass interview! This time, we’re joined by guitarist Ollie Vice from Swedish Groove Metal band, Lethal Disciples. These guys are new force on the scene, but they are vowing “to change Metal forever”. Let’s get down to the nitty fucking gritty…

MSBM: Hi, Ollie! It’s a pleasure to be speaking with you. I see that you’re a guitar player. How long have you been playing? What influenced you?

OV: I have been playing guitar for a couple of years. I started my musical career as a bassist. After many years and different constellations, I picked up the guitar instead and decided I want to do this 100%. The feeling of heavy riffing and the charisma of a great rhythm guitarist such as Scott Ian and James Hetfield is the reason I started getting serious with my guitar playing.

MSBM: Sounds like you’ve found your niche with the guitar. What is your preferred style/brand of guitar and equipment?

Ollie Vice
(Credit to photographer)

OV: I’m a thrasher, so of course there is a lot of Jackson, Ltd & ESP. My standard guitar in the rehearsing room and all around workhorse is a Jackson Dinky. For studio, I’m using a Solar guitar with Evertune. That’s a lifesaver in the studio. But those above are the brands I’m currently using. My choose for amps are definitely Randall; I think their sound is very different in a unique way. It’s easy to get a branded sound. For cabinets, I’m always a huge fan of the 5150. Pickups are EMG 81/60.

MSBM: Very nice! Lethal Disciples formed in 2021, correct? Tell me about how that came to be.

OV: I started Lethal Disciples after leaving my old band Dirty Lane, which was a Classic Rock act. I wanted to return to my roots and make music the way I’m picturing it. Phil, Chris, and Marcus are all old friends of mine and we wanted to do something more than a band. We wanted to be seen as a force. The tight connections in the band resembles more a brotherhood than a ordinary band and that’s how we always intend to keep it.

MSBM: I think it’s great that you guys value closeness in between each band member. I feel those bonds bring out the best version of a band. Along with being very tight-knit, Lethal Disciples takes pride in not following the norm and instead choosing one’s own path. You guys even vow “to change Metal forever”. Can you talk about the purpose/message behind the band and how it’s set apart from other bands in the Groove/Thrash genre?

OV: We take huge pride as a band not following the norm. Just because music in 2022 is like this or that, doesn’t mean that we have to do it the same. For us, it’s always been a way to express ourselves. A way to battle our demons and do something that maybe can be inspirational for generations to come. We want the people who like our music to stay connected to us. To be a part of Lethal Disciples is not just a queue at Spotify, it’s so much more. It could mean a kid doesn’t take their life or it might be setting a new bench press record. Regardless, we want to be a part of the journey and let the music be an outlet like it always has been for us.

MSBM: Wow, that’s some powerful stuff. I love it. I saw that new music is the works. I take this will be the band’s debut? Will it be an EP or full length album?

OV: You can very soon look forward to a single followed up by an EP. The musical landscape doesn’t acquire us to make an album. We would rather release all killers and no fillers, if you get what I mean. We are rather taking our time and are always 100% behind the music and the message. We want to create songs that stands the test of time.

MSBM: Awesome! I can’t wait to hear what your band comes out with. Judging by that focused mindset and prioritized message and purpose, it’s going to be something worth the wait. But as of now, is there a possible release date for the single or EP?

OV: The release is set very, very soon. I strongly suggest that you follow us on instagram and YouTube @lethaldisciples for more information. We want our fans to have a connection to us before we ever set the first tone. Because when we are ready, you will also be ready for what’s to come. The name of our first ever single is “Bloodgroove”.

MSBM: Noted! I’ll be keeping an eye out for that debut single. “Bloodgroove” is a badass title, by the way! So, what is the creative process like for Lethal Disciples?

OV: I’m always creative; I can’t speak for the other guys. But I’m heavily into MMA and BJJ, so watching fights and fighting by myself gets me pumped to create music that fits to my personality and lifestyle. I’ve battled a lot of demons and the outlet for me is to make the nastiest riffs you can imagine. Usually that takes place at home, fully acoustic. But as Max Cavalera from Soulfly and Sepultura said, “If you can make a riff heavy on a acoustic, imagine how heavy it will sound on the full rig in front of 10,000 people”.

MSBM: Heavy music is one of the best outlets for negative thoughts and emotions. Whether you’re creating it or just listening to it, it’s very therapeutic. The nastier riffs, the better, am I right? Speaking of Metal music therapy, let’s talk about live shows. Are any planned in the near future for you guys? Also, what do you enjoy the most about playing shows?

OV: We are looking to set up a European tour because we have connections all over Europe. We are based in Sweden and Germany, so we want to come out with a bang. Everything is in the very early process, but there will be dates available in the near future. Playing live for us is what music is all about. The drums in the chest, the people around you, and creating memories to heavy music is what it’s all about. I’ve performed with different constellations and I remember a guy from Australia approached me and said that our music changed his life. That moment changed me and I want to help people across the globe and I want to do that together with my brothers.

MSBM: Metal concerts, there’s truly nothing like them. The vibes are totally intoxicating and the joy that they bring feels soul-deep. The music and the entire atmosphere cleanses the body of a lot of negativity, so it’s a positive thing. It’s even a lifeline for some people, musicians and fans alike. It’s so amazing that your band is having that affect and you want to continue helping people through music. That’s something very pure. Now, if you could choose any band to tour with in the next year, who would you choose? You can pick multiple, if you want.

OV: Pantera, Lamb of God, Testament, and NWA as an Easter egg. All are huge inspirations for our music.

MSBM: Great lineup! Lastly, where can everyone reading this go to keep up with Lethal Disciples and hear some new music?

OV: Thank you so much for a great interview. You can find us on Instagram and YouTube under @lethaldisciples, also keep an eye on Spotify very soon. In the meantime, thanks for reading a bit of our story and I can’t wait to meet y’all around the globe. With all my heart / Ollie Vice ~

(Credit to photographer)

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MSBM Interviews: Kevin Fate of Atomic Fate

November 4th, 2022

Hello, everyone! Welcome to Metal Southern Belles Media, where we have a passion for badass music and getting into the minds of those who create it. To start off our first round of killer interviews is Kevin Fate, vocalist and guitarist of Atomic Fate. This band emerges from the pits of “Holy Hell” with Fate at the fiery helm. With their punk, “fuck around and find out” attitude, fast-paced and gnarly sound, they drop on you like a BOMB. But let’s allow the main man to speak on it for himself!

MSBM: Hey, Kevin! I hope you’re doing well today. Let’s get into talking about your band, Atomic Fate. How did your band get started? Who/what influenced you?

KF: We first met at a house party where another band was suppose to play, but they had to cancel for some reason. They already had a drum set there, so the party host asked if anyone wanted to do an open jam and I was like “hell yeah” and went home quickly and got my guitar and amp. After I was jamming out for a while, these twin brothers joined in and we started playing some Black Sabbath, Pantera, and White Zombie songs. Then later on, the cops showed up and broke up the party. Following that, we all went to my house and then we decided we were starting a band. I previously had the name “Atomic Fate” picked out as a band name and then we started writing and rehearsing some songs to get ready to set up our first gig a few months later. As far as our influences go, I would say Pantera, White Zombie, Slayer, Metallica, Megadeth, Mudvayne, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, and Motley Crue, to name a few.

MSBM: Rocking out until the cops come! That’s some very Metal beginnings for a band. Atomic Fate is quite the explosive name, but fitting! Where did it come from?

KF: The origin of the name really started back when as a kid. I had a few nightmares involving a nuclear war that scared the shit out of me. Then during my teens, I had the idea of starting a band, so I thought of Atomic Fate and it stuck.

MSBM: That’s a really scary thing to be dreaming of as a kid! But you did get a cool band name out of it. So, you guys gained momentum after releasing your debut album, “Welcome to Holy Hell”. Can you talk about it’s creation and the feedback you received from it?

KF: Before we released that album, we only had a few demos of our music and weren’t playing many shows. But once we recorded our debut, then not only did we have a better sounding version of our music, but we also attracted the attention of different venues who were now interested in booking us for more gigs. We also released our debut music video for the song, “Atomic Fate” around that time too.

MSBM: After dropping that first album bomb, what was the band’s next move? Tours? More music? How did you guys keep fans hungry for Atomic Fate?

KF: We were now playing gigs in more remote parts of Florida, instead of just in our local area and that helped get a lot more people interested in us. After a year or two of gigging, we knew we had to put out some more music. So, we recorded our second album, ‘This Is Only The Beginning’. We also released a couple more music videos for the songs, “Reborn” and “DopeHouse”. Plus, the advancement of social media helped a lot in increasing our connections and network. It also made it easier to deliver music directly to the fan worldwide.

MSBM: Nice! Now, let’s discuss the more recent years. There was a release in 2020, correct? That was quite the year, as we all know. It brought many challenges to the music industry. But did your band find some advantages and success in it with new music?

KF: The year 2020 was Hell for many people, but especially for those in the music industry. On a major scale, the whole industry pretty much grinded to a halt with not only music artists affected, but road crews, venue staff, and others severely affected. But on a personal scale, even though we weren’t able/allowed to play any gigs, we still were able to record an EP titled, ‘MMXX’, which is roman numerals for ‘2020’. Luckily, we reside in Florida because I know in certain other states/countries the travel restrictions were more severe. We did play a New Year’s Eve gig that year, so we at least ended that year with a bang.

MSBM: Yeah, at least that year had a good ending for you. That must count for something! Now, with all of that discussed, we’ve reached 2022. This year, Atomic Fate released songs such as “Scamdemic” and “My Summer (Come With Me)”. Are these songs just a taste of what is to come?

KF: We are in the process now of recording another full length album, but we wanted to give our audience some new music, so we decided to release a couple of singles first. Both those songs are coincidentally our shortest and our longest songs ever. “Scamdemic” is practically a punk song that we all wrote together during one jam session and “My Summer (Come With Me)” has way more happening during the recording such as extra percussion, vocals, and keys, to name a few. Also, it may be our only song that does not deal with death, war, or other negative themes. Both of those songs will be included on our upcoming release ‘Try It… You Might Like It’, which is slated for an early 2023 release date.

MSBM: I definitely felt the punk vibes with “Scamdemic”. I think it would be a fun one to hear live. Speaking of live music, what are Atomic Fate performances like? What is your favorite part of it? Do you have a favorite song to perform?

KF: For me, live shows are what it’s all about because in the studio you can usually take as much time and takes as you need, but during a live gig you have to lay it on the line. Being on stage and getting loud for the audience, who are also getting loud for you, is a great experience that’s hard to match. At most of our shows, there’s usually a mosh pit, people up front, and the chillers in the back. But sometimes it varies, depending on the venue or event. My favorite part is the overall experience especially when everything sounds good and tight. I don’t really have a certain favorite song that we perform, but I do dig playing a cover of the White Zombie song, “Black Sunshine”. That’s always a crowd pleaser!

MSBM: Sounds like one big party! So, are there any live shows (or tours) planned for you guys?

KF: No tours in the works or anything, but we hope to set up a gig in December to close out the year. We were just discussing it during our last jam session. Plus, we are aiming to gig during the early part of 2023 as well.

MSBM: Awesome! Still on the topic of live shows and tours, what is your dream lineup to play with?

KF: A dream lineup for me would be Atomic Fate, Black Sabbath, Pantera, Slayer, and White Zombie. I could come up with countless more variations, but that lineup is solid. Or also we’d love to play Ozzfest, Lollapalooza, Knotfest, or any of the other badass festivals/tours.

MSBM: Fantastic choices! I hope your dream to play those festivals comes true! Now, to bring this interview to a close, can you remind everyone about Atomic Fate’s upcoming plans and where to find your music?

KF: Be on the look out for more new music coming your way very soon and you can also check out our recent and past releases on Spotify, Youtube, Apple Music, and Amazon Music, to name a few. Plus, we’re on Facebook, Instagram, and trying to get back on Twitter! We’ll also be gigging around Florida, so anyone feel welcome to come out and jam with us if we hit up your area. There is No Escape from the Atomic Fate. Thank you for doing the interview!

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Check out ATOMIC FATE on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/611XaKQQENg3lm82JXyc8O?si=ZJgwFXMcQ_6sWixypJJv7A

*** Tune in every Friday for a new interview. Interested in an interview for your band? Contact us on Facebook or Instagram! ***