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Hey Rob,
let's talk about the new IMPELLITTERI album first. What means the
title
"Crunch"? Has it any special meaning for the album?
““Crunch” is a term we used to describe the sound of the
album. It's also a guitar setting term used on alot of equipment.
Chris thought of the title and the Japanese record company came up
with the cover.”
Before the album was released, I heard some rumors, that it
would be a brutal Heavy Metal album in the vein of PANTERA. But now
that I heard it, I can only say, that it's a typical IMPELLITERRI
album. How do you think about that?
“Chris Impellitteri had a certain vision he was shooting for
when he was writing the music. He added the vibe and elements of
certain bands like WHITE ZOMBIE and PANTERA within the rythyms. But
by the time we overdubbed the guitars and vocals, our natural sound
poured out over the songs and the result was our IMPELLITTERI sound
with a few new flavorings. We were careful not to go completely off
of the IMPELLITTERI chart and change our sound but we were also
excited to be dabbling in different areas. The record company also
suggested the order of songs so it would appear more as a typical
IMPELLITTERI album and not disappoint our fans.”
Neverthelesse the album shows some new influences.
Especially the hardcore vocals and scratch-fx on "Wasted earth" show
a cool new side on IMPELLITTERI!?
“Yeah, I think "Wasted Earth", "Fear No Evil", and "Slay The
Dragon" show the most new influences. I also stretch alot with the
lyrics in a few tunes. "Wasted Earth" has the PANTERA style drums
going on in the front too.”
I
love "Fear no evil" coz it shows something new in you voice. You
sing surprising dark-deep - it's cool - I love it!? Do you agree,
that there's something new in your voice?
“Oh
yeah, the vocal on that was a blast! Easy range for me. It was alot
of fun to go there vocally and I was inspired by the Rob Zombie
style on that one for the verses. The lyrics are trippy on that one
too.”
I
think it's unbelievable what Chris plays on "Spanish fire". I heard
many fast solos, but what he has done on this track is outstanding
genius! What did you think, when you heard this song for the first
time?
“I
loved that song from day one. It's really cool and sounds great. The
first day I heard it in the studio I was impressed and glad Chris
achieved a great song.”
IMPELLITTERI are still working with Michael Wagener, who
makes guitars sounding REEEAAAAL heavy. How do you think about the
cooperation with him?
“Michael came to L.A. and set up all the sounds so they
would go to tape right and the basic tracks sound awesome. I
honestly was hoping he would mix the album too, but it didn't work
out that way.”
Do
you know anything new regarding a European release of "Crunch"?
“To
be honest, Chris and I aren't elated with the mix result and I think
Chris is considering a re-mix before releasing it to other
territories. The mix is o.k. but we know what is on tape, and what
is on tape is killer. The record company is fine with the mix, so
maybe we are just crazy. Sometimes when you work on an album so long
and so hard you need a reality check.”
I
took a look in the guestbook of the IMPELLITTERI website and I found
a signing by Yngwie Malmsteen. He imputes a theft to Chris that he
is only to copying him! First I laughed, then I became angry about
such a sensless comment. How do you think about that?
“I
think that it must be a joke someone has played. Chris is often
compared with Yngwie and maybe some fan is trying to be funny.”
What are your further plans with Impellitteri? Will you go
on tour? And what about a official live album? I've got the "Live!
Fast! Loud!" bootleg, but the sound on it is not perfect. So I'm
still waiting for a real live album, ha ha!
“I'm still waiting for a real live album too!! They bootleg
like crazy in Japan and I hope to do a real recording done right
there. The audience is great and it would be nice to capture the
recording and the energy that goes on at our shows. At this moment,
there are no concrete plans to speak of. The new album "Crunch" is
doing great and I look forward to going back to Japan.”
Bands like JOSHUA or IMPELLITTERI are named to be White
Metal bands. What do you think about classifications like this?
“I
think it is unfair and unnecessary to label bands. We sing about
positive things and play Metal but I don't want to be classified
before someone gets to think for themselves and decide on the music.
We make first class recordings and songs and I want to be heard
before being judged. Let the music do the talking, not some
marketing label.”
What role plays god in your life?
“God is number one in my life. Everything I am and all that
I have comes from him and I wish everyone would get to know
him.”
Okay, and now we have to talk about your forthcoming solo
album "Rage of creation". When and why did you decide to record a
solo album and how did the cooperation with Roy Z come together
again?
“I've been waiting for four years to do this solo album!
Chris and I both thought we would do solo albums one day and
whenever I thought of how I would do mine, I always thought of Roy
Z and all the great songs we demoed together in the past that
are just sitting there, waiting to be heard. It took along time to
coordinate with JVC/Victor Japan the plan and then I had to wait and
work around Roy's busy producing schedule. But it's all in the
Lord's timing and I believe that it will come out when the time is
right.”
I
heard rumors, that you and Roy wanted to re-record the legendary
DRIVER EP cassette. What about this?
“Well, we wrote the songs on that recording but I wanted
something fresh for my solo album. So we took a look at our previous
demos and picked out the best songs that would fit on the album and
also wrote some new ones. I wanted to leave the DRIVER EP cassette
intact as a collectors item for now.”
What a feeling is it for you to see your own name on your
own album?
“It's like a dream come true. I've done alot of albums and
recorded with alot of great musicians and bands and now I have the
chance to finally record an album my own way without trying to
please a whole group of people. It is a great freedom to be calling
the shots. It's also a great responsibility. I'm extremely happy
with the result!”
How
did you find the line-up that recorded "Rage of creation"?
“I
discussed the possibilities with Roy and we both like Butch
Carlson on the drums, who was in DRIVER with us, so we called Butch
and he was into it. Along with our friend Chris Leibundgut, we
contacted our mutual friends; guitarist Jake E. Lee (Ozzy Osbourne,
BADLANDS), bassist Ray Burke (LIFE AFTER DEATH), and singer Gregory
Analla (TRIBE OF GYPSIES) who helps me with the backing vocals.”
Is
there any special meaning behind the album title?
““Rage of Creation” was the title I came up with when I was
trying to think of acronyms for my last name. I like that ROC is
like ROCK, I just couldn't come up with anything for the "K"! ha ha!
I think the name fits great for a band if I need it and the meaning
kind of goes along with the lyrics I like to write. Also, the title
captures the vibe of the album too.”
What do you think about today's Heavy Metal scene in the USA
and what a feeling is it for you as an american musician, to have
success in Japan but not in your home country?
“I'm very grateful and I thank God for Japan. The market
there is great and I believe Europe is growing as well. The USA is
very very trend happy. Bands are hot if they fit the trend that the
companys want to push. It's sick to see how money is much more
important than the music here in the States. I hope Melodic Metal
will meet the masses once again here but I'm not holding my breath.
It is disappointing not to have a great success here but if it's the
Lord's will for me than I will continue to grow and be successful as
a musician. Metal is underground here right now but it seems like
it's rising fast!”
Are
you still in contact with Axel Rudi Pell and did you follow his
career after you left his band?
“I
have contact with Axel once and awhile. I see his albums come out
and I'm glad he carrys on and is doing well. It would be great to
tour in Germany someday and ask him to come on stage so I can sing
some "Nasty Reputation" songs with him.”
And
what's on with Joshua Periah (JOSHUA/M-PIRE)? Do you know, what he
is doing today?
“I
have no idea what's up with Joshua. I have no contact with him but I
wish him well in whatever he is doing now.”
You
have worked with many cool guitarists (Chris, Roy, Joshua, Axel...).
What's your personal favorite and why?
“Every guitarist brings something special to the table. When
I work with a guitarist I appreciate their talent and individuality.
My personal favorite happens to be Roy Z because he is always giving
his best for the song and plays so deep from his soul. Every
guitarist is great in his own way but Roy makes me feel like he puts
the song and the vocal first and as a singer and songwriter that
makes me very
happy.” | 
