I didn't know IRON CROSS before the release of the cd/dolp with their old
stuff. Fast opener "Die Like That" is an ultimate crusher for headbanging.
The other songs are heavy and powerful, always delivering great metal for
the best. So, I contacted the band to know more about them. The band was
ready and available for my questions.
Can you tell me about the history of the band ? When IRON CROSS was formed
?
IRON CROSS was formed in the late 70's with Tony
Blair on drums, Mike Shelton on guitar and Max Chutes on bass. Since that
time there have been many changes in the line-up, but Tony and Mike have
remained the corner stone of IRON CROSS. Even though there were so many changes,
the current line-up (Tony Blair on drums, Mike Shelton on guitar, Rex Coward
as lead guitarist and Dan Bippes on bass) is the best of IRON CROSS. We can,
in all honesty, say that we all complement each other very well, because
we treat each other like family.
Which are your influences ?
Our influences are varied, but Black Sabbath, Alice
Cooper and Kiss come to mind.
How did you get in touch with Iron Glory ? How many albums is the deal
with the label ?
Actually, Iron Glory sought us out, we were actually
broken up and had been for six years. Bipp and Rex were playing in a cover
tune band in Orlando. Mike was also playing in one in West Palm Beach. Tony
was just hanging around and driving a truck for work. When we began playing
together again to release some of the old tunes, we really enjoyed playing
our music and being together and we couldn't remember why we had broken up
in the first place so we just stuck together and have continued having the
time of our lives. As far as the deal, it was for the double lp (on O.P.M.)
and the release of the cd, and we'll see what happens from here.
Are you satisfied with the cd ? How is this cd received by the mags and
fanzines ?
We think the cd is good, but the quality of recording
that they had to work with could use some improvement, and you will have
to realize they were really meant as demos and not mix for an album. The
magazines love it as well as the fans, we are lucky in the fact that no one
has given IRON CROSS a bad review and we couldn't be happier with the response.
Are the eight songs recorded in '86-88 taken from a lp ? The three songs
recorded in '90-91 from an ep ? The two songs recorded in '99 from a 7''
?
Yes, the songs from '86 & '87 were recorded
at Main Street Recording Studios in Winter Garden, Florida. The songs from
90 & 91 were actually never released until this album. The song recorded
in 99 was written especially for this release and is a new tune.
Will a new album be released soon ?
Yes, as we are writing in reply to your questions,
we are working on a new album by IRON CROSS, but we don't have a release
date as of yet.
Do you play alot in the USA ? With which bands did you play ?
Yes, IRON CROSS has been very busy. If we are not
headlining our own show, just in the last four months we opened up for others
such as Flotsam & Jetsam, Lynch Mob, Slaughter, Warrant, Rob Rock.
Have you plans for a tour in Europe ?
Yes, we have plans for a small tour. It is set for
July 2002, however we don't have all the locations yet, except for the Ballenger
Wacken festival. We do know however, that there will be other locations throughout
Germany. We are looking forward to these happenings.
Between 1987 and 1994 Florida meant death metal. What do you think of
bands like Morbid Angel, Death, Massacre, Nocturnus, Obituary ?
Well, we knew some of the guys from Death and Joe
from Whiplash, and we got to play with some of the bands at that time. We
think they are all great guys and very good musicians, but death metal is
really not in IRON CROSS view, and if the guys are still playing, we wish
them all the luck and hope things work for them as well.
How is the metal scene in Florida now ?
Well, as far as the old school of metal with the
exception of IRON CROSS and Premotion there isn't really one, however, they
do have a scene that's happening with the new style which has a lot of rap
and old disco beats, -if you want to call that metal ? (NO! -Patrick). But
we know it takes a lot of balls to get on stage and play what you feel, so
we aren't downing them, it's just not what we are doing. We have remained
true to our roots and we won't change to try and jump on the wagon with the
rest just because it's new or on the radio and we never will change.
I'm waiting for a killer IRON CROSS new album soon! Thanks for the interview.
If you have a message for the end..
It was great hearing from you, Patrick, and we appreciate
your interest in IRON CROSS. Don't be a stranger - keep in touch, and we
all hope you'll be able to make it to the Ballenger Wacken Festival. To all
our fans, we would like to say, if it weren't for you believing in us, we
wouldn't be here, because without you, there's no "us". Keep on looking for
a new album by IRON CROSS in the near future !!
Website
Interview by Patrick Lefevre
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