Saudi Arabia's guitar veteran Ayman Ali, is currently working on the upcoming Wasted Land release.
Ayman along with his band Wasted Land, have created a loyal following in the metal scene in KSA. Wasted Land has been interviewed by CNN and BBC (to name a few) for the bizarre idea of having a melodeath band hailing from Arabia. The band has been getting great feedback ever since the beginning and their upcoming material is anticipated by alot within the scene.
Ayman recently took a moment to recap 2008 for The Metal Reporter.
Here's how it went:
TMR: Whats the craziest encounter you had this year ?
Ayman: My craziest encounter was when i met Iced Earth this year. It wasnt expected and I've never thought to see Jon Shcaffer and Mat Barlow in person.
TMR: Any favorite albums for 08 ?
Ayman: Well there are several of albums l liked this year :
Eluveitie - Salania, Metallica- Death Megnatic and ACDC- Black Ice
TMR: Whats your new years resolution ?
Ayman: Trying to be better person and lose more weight lol.
TMR: Is there anything you would like to change about 2008 ?
Ayman: I guess i would like if i can change the global economic crisis.
TMR: What are you planning for 09 ?
Ayman: My plans are to finish recording with my band our new album.
I'd like to thank Ayman for taking the time to answer my questions. looking forward to your upcoming releases !
The Autumn Offering are currently working on their latest studio effort "Requiem" which should be out next year around springtime, and the band plans to release a song from the new album, around March of next year.
Matt Mcchesney the band's frontman, who is always awesome to have "a word" with recaps 2008.
Here's how it went:
TMR: Whats the craziest encounter you had this year ?
Matt: Nothing really stands out. We toured a lot and that usually brings out the standard list of crazies. Nothing too out of the ordinary. Of course, given the amount of alcohol consumed something could have slipped my mind.
TMR: Any favorite albums for 08 ?
Matt: Obzen by Meshuggah. It reminds me more of thier older material like Destroy, Erase, Improve. Also my buddy Ian directed their "Bleed" video which came out fantastic.
TMR: Any plans for the holidays ?
Matt: Just the standard stuff. hanging out with family and friends. trying not to get to fat from all the good food!!
TMR: Whats your new years resolution ?
Matt: Hmmmm. To cut back on smoking. I've been meaning to do that for sometime. Anyone who know me knows that I'm a little high strung. Without cigarettes I would killed a few people..hahahahaha.
TMR: Hahaha ! I know what you mean dude (coughs) I'm actually thinking about doing the same :D
TMR: Is there anything you would like to change about 2008 ?
Matt: Hmmmm. No. No regrets. Whatever i did was what I wanted to do in that moment. That sounds like rain man wrote that sentence. Too much egg nog.
TMR: What are you planning for 09 ?
Matt: To release our new album, "Reqiuem". It's our best work to date. I'm not gonna hype it up I'll let the music do the talking.
TMR: Would you like to add anything ?
Matt: Thanks for the interview. God bless you and your family and everyone around the world. Christmas puts me in a rare good mood. Cheers!
I'd like to thank Matt for his awesome answers, its always a pleasure to have "a word" with you man, hope you have a great time on the holidays, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year !
Make sure to check out The Autumn Offering's Myspace, for the latest updates concerning the band's upcoming album "Requiem" and also check out the band's music player, dig the music ? add the player to your own profile !
The video for "From Atrophy To Obsession" from the band's 2007 release "Fear Will Cast No Shaddow"
Mutiny Within, are currently busy recording their debut album for RoadRunner Records, which seems like its going to be one of 09's "blow you away" releases !
You can stay updated with everything going on with the band and producer Jason Suecof in the studio, through the band's series "MUTINY withIN THE STUDIO" over on RoadRunner.
Chris Clancy the band's frontman, recaps 2008 for The Metal Reporter, Chris talks about his favorite albums for 08, plans for the holidays and more.
Here's how it went: TMR: Whats the craziest thing that happened this year ? Chris: Getting signed by Roadrunner Records was definitely the craziest thing that happened this year. After spending almost half my life working towards getting here it really felt like I'd achieved something.
TMR: Any favorite albums for 08 ? Chris:
Scar Symmetry - "Holographic Universe" In Flames - "A Sense Of Purpose" Trivium - "Shogun" All That Remains - "Overcome" Slipknot - "All Hope Is Gone" Children Of Bodom - "Blooddrunk" All Shall Perish - "Awaken The Dreamers" Opeth - "Watershed" Textures - "Silhouettes" Cradle Of Filth - "Godspeed On The Devil's Thunder" Arsis - "We Are The Nightmare" Sonic Syndicate - "Love and Other Disasters" In This Moment - "The Dream" Kalmah - "For The Revolution" After The Burial - "Rareform" Norther - "N" Protest The Hero - "Fortress"
TMR: Any plans for the holidays ?
Chris: We're currently sat in Jason Suecof's studio (Audiohammer Studios) in Florida recording our debut album so we're hoping to catch a movie on Christmas Day and then it's back to work on guitars lol. Hardly festive, but there's nowhere I'd rather be right now.
TMR: What are you guys planning for 09 ? Chris: '09 is going to be a big year for us. Our album comes out in the Summer and we'll be doing a fair amount of touring so we're pretty excited to see how everything is going to pan out. We haven't really planned past recording our album yet so when we get this done we'll start working out touring possibilities and get on the road.
TMR: Would you like to add anything ? Chris: We'd just like to thank all the people that have helped us make this year the most important year of our lives. To the people who listen to our music and the support from our friends and family's. Without these people non of this would have been possible.
I'd like to thank Chris for taking the time to answer my questions, make sure to check out the band's series "MUTINY withIN THE STUDIO" over on RoadRunner Records, here's the link to their latest episode (005) and also head over to their official Myspace to get a taste of what is Mutiny Within.
Sonic Syndicate had a very eventful year. They released their follow up to 2007's "Only Inhuman".
Singles like "Jack Of Diamonds' and "My Escape" have made their latest release "Love And Other Disasters" a hit all over the metal scene !
The always beautiful Karin Axelsson who strings up the bass for the band, recaps her experience for 08 and talks about her craziest encounter, plans for the holidays, favorite albums of the year and more.
Here's how it went:
TMR: Whats the craziest encounter you had this year ?
Karin: For me the craziest thing this year was to go on tour with both Nightwish and In Flames the same year. It's two bands I really like and two bands we had a lot of fun with. So it seemed unreal when I first heard we're touring with them.
TMR: Any favorite albums for 08 ? Karin: I listen to so much music so it's really hard for me to decide a few. But the latest albums that I've been listening to are Pink - Funhouse Dimmu Borgir - In Sorte Diaboli and Gojira - the way of all flesh
TMR: Any plans for the holidays ?
Karin: Well, today being xmas eve I do have some plans. I'm gonna spend time with my family and eat good food. And then at 12 pm. we are leaving for Darkness over xmas tour in Germany. So it's not really a day off for any of us. But it's totally worth it. This tour will be awesome!
TMR: Whats your new years resolution ?
Karin:I dont have one. I don't belive in that stuff. Sometimes I had something like quit smoking or something else you cant do unless you really want to. So nope. nothing for me!
TMR: What are you guys planning for 09 ? Karin: Well my start of 09 begins with a skiing vacation with my boyfriend and 4 other friends. After that it's touring touring and touring. The way I like it
TMR:Would you like to add anything ? Karin: Merry x-mas and I hope to see you all who reads this out there!
I'd like to thank Karin for taking the time to answer my questions, hope you have a good time on the holidays !
Make sure to check out the band's Myspace for all the latest updates.
Well 2008 is coming to an end (Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year) , and this year we had a ton of releases and stories going on in the metal scene and the music scene in general, for example after 17 years, Axl Rose finally decided to release the eagerly anticipated "Chinese Democracy", Gorgoroth are still arguing over who gets the band name in the separation (which is starting to sound like a couple fighting over custody for their child) Divine Heresy has a new vocalist, you get the picture.
Nightrage frontman Antony Hämäläinen (who is always beyond awesome) recaps 2008. Antony tells his craziest encounter this year, favorite albums, and talks about the band's upcoming release "Wearing A Martyr's Crown".
Here's how it went:
TMR: Whats the craziest encounter you had this year ?
Antony: Meeting Glenn Danzig on his tour bus. A friend was working merch for him and she asked for me to come along after the show.
He was a very very cool guy. I have been a huge fan of his from a very young age. It was a strange feeling for me to be that close to him. This was the only time in my life I have been so star struck.
But then out of nowhere a dominatrix and a stripper walk out from his back lounge. I looked at Silenoz (Dimmu Borgir) and asked him in Norwegion "what the hell is going on here?" and he replied "It's been like this all the time on this tour".
This I think is kind of strange for Scandinavian bands like ours. We are not into this "Hollywood" life style. It's all about the music then the drinks. Not having strippers on your bus (laughs).
TMR: Any favorite albums for 08 ?
Antony:
Disfear - Live the Storm Firewind - The Premonition Landmine Marathon - Rusted Eyes Awake Krisiun - Southern Storm Amon Amarth - Twilight Of The Thunder Gods Stam1na - Raja Septicflesh - Communion
TMR: Any plans for the holidays ?
Antony: Time with family. It is a hard time for my family in the cold dark.
TMR: Whats your new years resolution ?
Antony: I do not believe in these. You are who you are and you will never change anything most likely.
TMR: What are you guys planning for 09 ?
Antony: Touring non stop.
TMR: When do you guys plan on releasing a taste of "Wearing A Martyr's Crown" ?
Antony: It maybe around April of 09. The recording will be finished in March so we should have a single out by then.
TMR: Would you like to add anything ?
Antony: Thanks to everyone again for your support and dedication. hail The Metal Reporter!
I'd like to thank the always awesome Antony Hämäläinen, for taking the time to answer my questions, make sure to check out the band's Myspace for the latest updates on "Wearing A Martyr's Crown".
Here's the latest Webisode (5) for Nightrage in the Studio:
Saudi Arabia's guitar veteran Ayman Ali, is currently working on the upcoming Wasted Land release.
