interview
Q&A: East Bay Ray (Dead Kennedys) on Trump, The Internet And His Revolutionary Guitar Sound
November 21, 2016 Justin Norton
Dead Kennedys guitarist East Bay Ray sat down for a rare interview with Decibel and discussed Trump, his inimitable guitar style and how the Internet breeds fascism.
Full Album Stream and Q&A: Cardinal Wyrm’s ‘Cast Away Souls’
October 12, 2016 Justin Norton
Stream Cardinal Wyrm’s upcoming album Cast Away Souls and read a Q&A with the band.
Metal Muthas Mondays: Noisem
August 29, 2016 Justin Norton
Every so often, we take a little time on Mondays to pay tribute to the Muthas! That is, reprinting the adorable metal/maternal Q&As that run in the magazine. Today, enjoy Justin Norton’s chat with Wendy Phillips, mutha of Sebastian and Harley Phillips of Noisem.
The Decibel Interview: Sabbath Assembly (w/ticket contest)
July 18, 2016 Justin Norton
We talked to David Nuss and Jamie Myers about Sabbath Assembly’s reinvention and the importance of tribe and tradition. We’re also giving away a set of tickets and shirt to their upcoming tour.
Summer Camp For Metalheads: A Q&A With Shadow Woods Metal Fest Promoter MA Spiro
June 27, 2016 Justin Norton
Promoter M A Spiro is looking to offer a better festival experience for the discerning fan metal with the curated Shadow Woods Metal Fest. She talked to us about what campers can expect.
Decibel Q&A: Shane Baker of Alaric
June 6, 2016 Justin Norton
Alaric vocalist and lyricist Shane Baker talked to Decibel about death rock, learning to sing and End of Mirrors.
Mastodon’s “Leviathan” Inducted into Decibel Hall of Fame (Bonus Interview)
May 5, 2016 Albert Mudrian
Mastodon‘s whale of sophomore LP gets the dB HOF treatment.
Stream “Kaleidoscopic Orgies” from Upcoming Imperial Triumphant EP (+Interview!)
April 5, 2016 James Lewis
“The diversity of this record is the fundamental concept behind Imperial Triumphant. The band from New York City must sound like New York City. And there’s no place on earth more culturally diverse than here”
In Search Of… Sera Timms On The Mystical Art Of Tarot
December 1, 2015 Justin Norton
Sera Timms of Ides Of Gemini talked to us about her path in an ancient art often derided as fortune telling and why there’s more to it than many expect.
Q&A: Wrestling Legend Chris Jericho On His Collaboration With Death Metal Greats
September 2, 2015 Justin Norton
Chris Jericho is one of the most decorated professional wrestlers ever: a six-time world champion and the first-ever undisputed WWE champion. He is also one of the most vocal celebrity metal fans on the planet as well as a metal musician who has toured the world repeatedly with his band Fozzy. Jericho’s latest project, however, might be the only one that could earn the extreme moniker.
The Deciblog Interview: Rae Amitay (Immortal Bird)
August 25, 2015 Justin Norton
Immortal Bird vocalist Rae Amitay talked to us about Eminem albums, music school and the difference between keeping the rhythm and fronting a band.
Appalachian Noir: The Deciblog Interview with Chris “OJ” Ojeda of Byzantine
June 30, 2015 Justin Norton
The proverbial long way to the top has definitely been a long one for Byzantine, which started in a part of rural West Virginia with minimal access to heavy metal and widespread economic problems. Many of the band’s best songs since their formation have touched on the problems of Appalachia, particularly rampant prescription drug abuse. Decibel talked to frontman Chris “OJ” Ojeda about his long metal apprenticeship and one of the world’s most dangerous jobs: prescription pharmacy delivery driver in rural America.
Making Napalm: Q&A With Napalm Death Producer Russ Russell
May 6, 2015 Justin Norton
One of the reasons Napalm Death has been so successful is their relationship with producer Russ Russell. Russell has worked with the band since 2000 and will probably be with them when they are making albums in their 70s. He joined us from England for a chat on working with the grind legends.
The Deciblog Interview: Tad Doyle
March 9, 2015 Justin Norton
Tad Doyle has preached the Gospel of heaviness for the better part of his life. His seminal band TAD was one of the first out of the gate in Seattle’s grunge movement and one of the earliest bands signed to the legendary Sub Pop label. Although they never achieved the massive crossover success of their…
Deciblog Interview: Nunslaughter
January 19, 2015 Justin Norton
Nunslaughter has been recording mandatory underground metal since 1987, a time when extreme metal was largely in retreat and teased hair was the norm. The band has been led for close to three decades by the inimitable Don Of The Dead (Donald Crotsley) a walking metal encyclopedia content to release the bulk of his band’s…
Season Of The Witch: The Ideas Behind Metal’s Occult Revival
January 12, 2015 Justin Norton
Any astute follower of metal in the past five years has likely noticed a huge uptick in the number of bands with a proto-70s sound and occult themes: The Devil’s Blood, Sabbath Assembly, Blood Ceremony and The Oath. A few of these bands have been on Decibel’s cover: In Solitude and Ghost B.C. (twice). While…
2014: The Year In Deciblog Interviews
December 29, 2014 Justin Norton
It’s instructive to look back at a collection of work over the course of a year. During 2014 we’ve endeavored to get you as many interviews we could on Mondays and Wednesdays in addition to streaming tracks, which are sort of a default necessity in music writing these days. If you take a look you’ll…
Inside The Shredder’s Studio #15: Jeremy Wagner (Take 2)
December 23, 2014 Justin Norton
Broken Hope’s Jeremy Wagner sat down with us beginning last week for his four-part shredder’s studio. Here is the second installment from the death metal veteran turned author. We’ll be running the final two takes at a time to be revealed in 2015. — Savatage: Sirens (title track) (1983) The guitar work of Criss Oliva…
Q&A and Album Stream: Boddicker
November 19, 2014 Justin Norton
If you don’t dig deep into the demos reviewed in our print edition you will miss many gems. Case in point: Boddicker‘s nasty little album Crime Upheaval, which reminded us of classics like World Downfall and Misery Index with Brujeria theatrics. Boddicker is actually the name of the villian in the original Robocop so there’s…
Thou’s Heathen: Studio Report Outtakes
October 29, 2014 Justin Norton
In early 2013, Thou vocalist Bryan Funck sent us wonderful responses on the writing and recording of Thou’s 2014 album Heathen. The issue: we only had enough space for our customary studio report and had to cherry pick details. As people begin to consider their best-of lists Heathen will doubtless be one of the albums…
The Deciblog Interview: Midnight
October 27, 2014 Justin Norton
Midnight is actually one man. Jamie Walters — a.k.a. Athenar — handles all instruments and vocals. Although the band has been around for more than a decade their profile has risen exponentially since the release of Satanic Royalty. Midnight will likely be lurking around some best of lists for the 2014 follow-up No Mercy For…
The Deciblog Interview: Paul Di’Anno
October 20, 2014 Justin Norton
“A lot has been written and said about me through the years — most of it bad, some of it untrue.” That’s the opening of the 2010 Paul Di’Anno biography The Beast, which reads more like a gritty LA noir novel than a musical memoir. If you were to read the book — a combination…
Inside The Shredder’s Studio # 14: Skeletonwitch
October 15, 2014 Justin Norton
Here at the shredder’s studio we usually have one chair in the virtual office. Today, we need to pull up two. Nate Garnette and Scott Hedrick agreed to spend some time with us and walk us through their many influences. Please welcome the dual shredders of Skeletonwitch to the shredder’s studio, our 14th episode! Even…
Interview and Exclusive Book Excerpt: Mark Rudolph
October 8, 2014 Justin Norton
For more than half of Decibel’s decade-long history Mark Rudolph has been a key component of what makes the magazine special. He illustrates the lead review in each issue and has designed covers for all of Decibel’s annual specials dating back to our 100 best death metal albums special. When he isn’t busy with the…
The Proselyte: The Deciblog Interview and Full Album Stream
October 1, 2014 Justin Norton
Back in the day there were shiny things called songs. Albums were filled with good songs rather than two or three wankfests. Now, in the hands of the right band long songs can be potent (see: Sleep and YOB). But heavy songs that are infectious with less real estate are also a very good thing….
Inside The Shredder’s Studio #12: Woody Weatherman of COC
July 2, 2014 Justin Norton
Woody Weatherman of Corrosion of Conformity has influenced generations of shredders. His career has spanned many phases: the massively influential crossover albums, their unexpected commercial run in the ’90s and the return of the old school lineup in recent years. COC remains as relevant as ever and just released their new record IX. Mr. Weatherman…
The Deciblog Interview: Jamie Myers
June 30, 2014 Justin Norton
Jamie Myers: her voice is the stuff of both fever dreams and Byzantine nightmares. Since getting involved with underground music back in the 90s she has progressed from punk bands to playing bass and singing in Hammer of Misfortune and a guest slot with Wolves in The Throne Room. After returning to Texas to start…
Vampires, Vicars and Hot Fuzz: The Deciblog Interview With Dani Filth
June 23, 2014 Justin Norton
No matter how many people think black metal has gone mainstream or become hip because a few dozen bands from Brooklyn have small label deals the reality is that the vast majority of the population doesn’t know a thing about it. They’re listening to .38 Special or Lana Del Rey. If there is a black…
Inside The Shredder’s Studio #10: Marissa Martinez-Hoadley
May 7, 2014 Justin Norton
Marissa Martinez-Hoadley is: A. Awesome B. Bandmates with our first ever studio participant Elizabeth Schall C. A bonafide shredder She’s also working to finalize a new Cretin album for release this year. It’s about eight years later than we wanted but it’s a new record so we’ll take it. Please welcome Marissa Martinez-Hoadley the shredder’s…
Inside The Shredder’s Studio #9: Kevin Hufnagel of Gorguts, Dysrhythmia and Vaura
April 2, 2014 Justin Norton
Kevin Hufnagel is traveling around the country right now blowing minds with Gorguts on the Decibel tour. We thought it was a perfect time to pull him aside and learn about the riffs that shaped his shredding style. Please welcome Kevin Hufnagel to the Inside The Shredder’s Studio. — Here it is: a list of…