MSM - Greetings Ed. Thanks for doing this interview!

Ed -Thanks for your interest and support Reaper!

MSM -Lets start at the beginning of Thrash Unlimited. What made you decide to start a site and a radio show dedicated to thrash?

Ed -The original concept came about while my TU co-founder/partner J.Greg and I where discussing the lack of a detailed thrash metal community on the internet. There where huge amounts of “metal” sites but very few dedicated to thrash. We also wanted to create a unique community with features either unavailable or simply not used on other sites/forums. In the beginning Greg saw a lot of frustration in myself as I was trying to find an outlet for my personal views on thrash. Most of my original motivation and drive came from Greg’s belief in me. TU Radio was something that needed to be done. My thrash collection spans back to 1981. Why not share this collection with thrash fans worldwide. My passion for the new wave of thrash also prompted the station as a large amount of the bands I air are independent and unsigned thrash acts. Also my despise of terrestrial radio and the sheer lack of thrash radio forced me to create the station.

MSM -Through all the sites out there all over the web, I seem to notice myself that Thrash Unlimited has to be the hugest database and resource for thrash. I bet that you have seen that as well and must be very proud of your accomplishments.

Ed -Indeed I am extremely proud. TU is packed full of massive amounts of information and the database continues to expand with a wealth of thrash related history. It truly has become a detailed thrash encyclopedia. We place a lot of attention on international thrash metal with much focus on the “unknown.”


MSM -The message board at Thrash Unlimited seems to have a lot of visitors and members. Not only do you have it dedicated to bands old and new, it is also home to many thrash bands official forums. It is a great idea! What brought this on?

ED -Yes! Another proud accomplishment. Interesting actually. If I remember correctly it was the Israel band MasteRiff who approached me about hosting a forum for them. After that I began to research particular bands that I wanted to promote through the hosted forums. I wanted a variety of thrash bands with different styles and I wanted them to have noticeable roots in the old school. It wasn’t easy. There where a lot of bands who rejected the offer and a lot of bands that I rejected. It’s just trying to find the right band to fit the vibe of our vision. And of course us fitting their vision. Our latest hosted forum's go to the re-united Whiplash and Exumer. We’re beside ourselves with that! Also we’ve opened a huge promotional forum for the Thrasho De Mayo Festival that we are sponsoring in May, 2009. All the bands participating have their own forum.

MSM -Your radio station is great by the way. How long has your radio station been running? Do you intend to do more with it such as actual DJ's and the like?

Ed - Thanks for that compliment! The station just approached it’s two year anniversary. The future should be unique. We’re looking at numerous different directions for the station. One thing for sure that will stay is the large amounts of 80’s underground thrash artists mixed with the “new school”. So few stations are doing this, (if any), and I feel it’s quite important for thrash bands and fans alike to have this outlet. Try searching anywhere for a station airing thrash all day and night with great quality sound. I suppose this makes the station quite unique and people worldwide are responding very strongly. We've generated a large global fanbase with listeners in over 60 countries. It's a feeling I can hardly explain.

MSM - You were a huge sponsor for the "Thrashing Like a Maniac Tour". Any chance or plans to doing an all thrash festival?

Ed - Indeed that was very cool. We also sponsored the European leg of that tour. It was quite amazing to have the bands and fans respond so strongly to the shows. It’s also been great to be working with Digby Pearson and all the great folks at Earache. I’ve learned a lot from them. An all TU Festival has been in the discussion stages for awhile. Alot of bands are interested. We are working through the logistics. I’d say a TU show is inevitable.

MSM - Thrash has been making a huge comeback in the last few years. Old bands have reformed, new bands are sprouting up all over the place. Do you feel this is a trend or do you think it's logical that it came back?

Ed - I personally wouldn’t call it a trend because thrash has always been around. Just sort of got buried beneath that horrid grunge, nu-metal era. I’m thrilled that these younger musicians have decided to take the thrash path. I knew for years this would eventually happen. There was no way that mid to late 90’s scene would last. It definitely is logical for thrash to move up front again. I believe a lot of metal fans finally got tired of shitty albums and bands playing with lack of emotion.

MSM - Growing up in the 80's when thrash was in its heyday, the bands I noticed had a lot to be angry about, a lot to say. Though times have changed, do you feel that what the thrash bands say today has the same merit as it did in the 80's?

Ed - Bands today have an entire new set of issues to focus on. Lots of screwed up scenarios to write about. Plenty of war topics that’s for sure! I suppose the merit is there and justified by today’s youths. They have a lot to say.

MSM - What do you see next for thrash and what the genre has to offer?

ED - With new production techniques things are beginning to become more polished. Part of me is cool with that and part of me wants to keep it raw. It’s just my love for a lot of current modern thrash metal bands and bands who have the classic vibe straight out of the 80’s. I dig em both. As thrashers I don’t think any of us should be looking too far into the future. Hope the kids can do that. They look too far ahead and suddenly the original directive gets lost. Let us all just capture the moment.

MSM - With the documentary "Get Thrashed" finally being released, it is bound to turn a lot more people onto the genre. Its a great stepping stone. Do you see more of these thrash documentaries coming to surface?

Ed - I think “Get Thrashed” did a great job of covering the original thrash scene. I’d love to see a decent documentary focused completely on the new wave of thrash bands. Maybe I should work on that!

MSM - What do you have to say to those bands whose core inspiration is thrash and like every other band out, they want to be heard? What advice can you give them?

Ed - Tell the world man. Stay true to how you feel. Believe in the music you play. Don’t follow “trends.“ Find people like myself and Thrash Unlimited. Record something. Send it to me and I’ll make sure you get heard! Persevere!


MSM - Do you ever see thrash music and bands ever getting the attention they deserve in the U.S. like they do in Europe and Japan?

Ed - Metal fans in the U.S. are picky. Hard to say. I’d certainly like more mid-western metal fans to turn their attention to thrash.


MSM - What are some of the bands out now that you know are doing the scene justice that new bands can learn from?

ED - Fueled By Fire, Bonded By Blood, to name a couple and not just because they’re friends of mine. I point them out because their level of passion and intensity is extremely powerful. They have such strong faith in the scene and they move through it all with a very positive attitude.


MSM - What do you see next for Thrash Unlimited?

Ed - As I mentioned earlier we’re sponsoring the Thrasho De Mayo Festival in May. Numerous other sponsored events are in the works. A Thrash Unlimited festival should be coming our way and Thrash Unlimited Records is in our future. Throughout all of this though I’d have to say my primary attention needs to remain with TU Radio. That is the true avenue for thrash to be heard.


MSM - Any last words/comments?

Ed - Just keep it thrash and thanks for supporting my vision for the TU organization!

MetalStormMag – It only takes a few minutes when meeting you to see that creating great things with wood has been a life-long passion. How long have you been building instruments and what began the transition from decorative woodwork to custom instruments?

Alan - It’s all my grand-pappy’s fault! Nah, I learned a lot from him about woodwork as a wee lad. I first picked up the bass at 15 and knew there was something missing. I just wasn’t “feeling” anything from the production-line basses you can buy anywhere for $200, so I thought I’d try my hand at building my own custom bass. Through A LOT of trial and error, I ended up with my fretless 6 string bass. I was 17 and I knew then that I’d keep building because I just loved the experience. The precision involved in making instruments made me a better carpenter, too. I guess that’s why they call it a trade.

MetalStormMag – Tell me about goes into the beginning stages of building a custom guitar or bass for someone?

Alan - Well, I believe that an instrument plays the player and not vice-versa. An instrument should tell you what it wants to say. I like to get to know the player – how they play, their musical tastes and influences and also why they want a custom axe. All these things pave a path to the finished product. I utilize their personality and playing style to customize a design special to them, and that will give me an idea of what the instrument should look like, which also tells me which woods would best accent the overall look of the instrument. For instance – I think if I used any other woods for your bass “Misty”, it wouldn’t have looked or felt right at all. It sounds pretty involved, but that’s what I do. I get involved

MetalStormMag – How involved is the client throughout the process?

Alan - I keep my clients very involved throughout the entire process so that if any changes need to be made, I can work them out. I’ll make a full scale outline of their instrument and have them look at it over and over again so they’ll know if there’s something not right about the look of it. I’ll send photos of progress and keep them informed on the next steps just so they know what’s going on. For instance if they want more carving or contour, I can address that as I go instead of just saying “here’s your axe I hope you like it”. Plus their anxiety throughout the process gives me inspiration. Yeah, I’m cruel like that!!

MetalStormMag – Your instruments can be very deceptive in their appearance meaning that where they are often very beautiful like an Alembic they can tear down sonic walls like a Gibson, B. C. Rich or Warwick. What do you do that makes your guitars and basses so unique?

Alan - That, my good friend, is going to the grave with me!

MetalStormMag – What are some of your favorite woods and electronics to work with and why?

Alan - I love contrasting. It’s amazing what can happen when you carve into layers of different woods just right. Using woods with really busy grain figures are fun because you can manipulate that into the shaping. I can’t say I have a favorite wood, although I must say I LOVE the Mappa Burl I used on your bass! I’m always finding new stuff that I’ve never seen before that just pops, so I’m open to experimentation as long as it’s good for tone. As far as guts go, I’m pretty set on EMG pickups. They just destroy everything in their path and they look clean and sharp. That’s important to me. I don’t want the parts taking away from the look of the overall piece – instead they should accent it.

MetalStormMag – How can someone get one of your customized chaos creators in their hands?

Alan - They have to ask real nice! Nah, just drop me an e-mail at holbrooksguitars@sbcglobal.net and that’ll get the ball rolling. I’m always open for new challenges.

After 14 years, 7 studio disks and 1 live album to date, Symphony X is still going strong.  Where most bands after nearly a decade and a half either part ways or attempt to re-create their sound, Russell, Jason and the three mighty Michaels have been creating the symphonic metal that they have been known for since 1994.  Mike Romeo and Metal Storm Mag’s Vince DiMaggio each took time out of their busy schedules to discuss the state of the world, the economy and metal and how Symphony X deals with all three subjects.

MetalStormMag – Before getting started, how the heck are ya?

Mike Romeo – I’m doing pretty good, man.

MetalStormMag – You getting ready for the holidays?

Mike Romeo – Yeah, I think I finished up my shopping yesterday. So, today I’m kinda chilling out, taking it easy.

MetalStormMag – As I was getting ready for this interview, I spent a lot of time checking out your websites and totally immersing myself in “Paradise Lost”, the band’s latest sonic offering. I feel like I fried my eardrums by noon yesterday.  Like every other fan of well-performed metal music, I live for that feeling.  How often do you get the chance to listen to the band’s material and when you do, how often do you thank the gods of metal for being in such a band?

Mike Romeo – When you are recording, you hear the album every single day and you usually get sick of it after a month.  Once the album is done, you kinda don’t want to hear it anymore.  With this album, it was a little bit different because we were very happy with the material and the production so while we might be tired, it is still cool to listen to what we accomplished.

MetalStormMag – As I look at your touring schedule I see that after a brief break for the holidays, you guys are going to China, Hong Kong, Thailand and Taiwan.  With Beijing is still recovering from hosting the Olympics, has Symphony X ever played there and how well do you expect to be received this time?

Mike Romeo – We have been to Japan before but never to some of the places we are going next year.  Usually, we are pretty well received and if we are going there it is because we sell a decent amount of disks so we are not worried about it.  With any new places we are very excited to go.  Our touring schedule has really been a non-stop ride.

MetalStormMag – That is always a good indication of the band’s success.  In comparison to the 90’s, the metal community has experienced a resurgence of sorts since the beginning of the 21st century.  Not only for newer metal bands, but for musicians that have been together for a while as well that is known taking a classical approach, such as Yngwie Malmsteen.  Has Symphony X noticed the same thing?

Mike Romeo – Yeah, when we put the band together in the early 90’s the scene was pretty shitty, especially where I am from here in Jersey.  There were a lot of grunge bands and people not into metal.  The whole scene was dead but we stuck with what we grew up on and luckily for us, there were still places in the world that were all about metal.  Our first break was getting signed in Japan and our first album being out there.  Now that metal is back and well received, we can pretty much play anywhere.  It is a lot easier than it once was, that’s for sure!

MetalStormMag – When I first heard of Symphony X, I was told that you guys were from Japan originally.  

Mike Romeo – Other people thought the same thing.  Some thought we were from Europe because we were playing that type of thing and then they found out that we were from New Jersey.  They were like, ‘New Jersey?  Who the fuck is in New Jersey?!?’

MetalStormMag - If you are like most who load your I-Pod with ear candy, what bands or musicians is Michael Romeo digging on currently?

Mike Romeo – I listen to a lot of stuff.  If am in my car or doing stuff around my house, I could pop in Black Sabbath or whatever.  I usually go back to stuff that I am comfortable with whether it be Sabbath or Priest.  I also like a lot of classical or film soundtracks…I have diverse tastes as long as it is good.

MetalStormMag – Funny that you mention film music.  This morning, I was listening to some of the “Lost Highway” soundtrack in the gym while working out.  Marilyn Manson’s cover of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’ ‘I Put a Spell of You’ is genius.

Mike Romeo – There is a lot of cool and creative stuff in soundtracks.  We try to incorporate similar ideas with the band especially with “Paradise Lost” material where it is a darker vibe than our other stuff.

MetalStormMag – In light of the economy today where touring bands are faced with higher traveling costs and dwindling concert turnouts, and then on top of that the challenge for honest musicians to make a living when anyone with a computer can snag their songs on the web, how does all of this play into the day-to-day decisions of managing a band of your magnitude?

Mike Romeo – It used to annoy the hell out of me then I came to the ultimate conclusion that it is what it is.  I would like to think that it isn’t as bad as people think it is.  If a person downloads it and find that they like it, they turn around and buy the album or see the band live or support the band in some way.  As far as day-to-day decisions, hey, we are musicians.  I would rather have the suits deal with that kind of crap.

MetalStormMag – In a few months, we have a high-profile President taking over our economy, military and future of our homeland.  Being that we are both Americans, what are your feelings on the current state of the nation, and do you think Barack Obama will make a difference?

Mike Romeo – It is kinda early to tell.  I’m not a big political guy, I just hope for the best.

MetalStormMag – Please give me a brief response for the following subjects;

1. Guitar Hero – I am more of a Rock Band guy.  We have all the Rock Band stuff at home.  My kids dig it and kick my ass at it.  I have noticed that they are now hearing music that they wouldn’t hear normally like Iron Maiden, Rush, Kansas…Hell, my kids asked me to play ‘Paranoid’ with them and I was like, how the hell do you know that song? (laughing)  My son likes ‘Tom Sawyer’ but on a real drumset it isn’t happening yet, but it gives him something to work for.
2. GNR’s “Chinese Democracy” – I heard little bits and pieces, I should get it.  I am alittle biased because I’m friends with Ron Thal.  He is a Jersey guy as well and a great fuckin’ guitarist.
3. General Motors Company – No comment.
4. File-Sharing – We’ve covered that, didn’t we?
5. The current state of metal – It is good!
6. New KISS album in 2009, minus Peter Criss and Ace Frehley – I was a big KISS fan in junior high school.  I got into guitar because of Ace Frehley!  Who knows how well the new album will be as they have gone through so many members over the years.  They are icons.

MetalStormMag – “Paradise Lost”, the latest offering from the band is simply amazing which shows how powerfully relevant a home studio like the Dungeon is to the band’s sonic deliveries.  What was the gameplan going into the ‘Dungeon’ for the recording and do you feel that after listening to it, did you accomplish what you set out to do?

Mike Romeo – Yeah, I definitely think we did.  I have always been into recording even back when I only had a cassette player then over the years, I dove into the digital aspect of recording and stayed on top of the advances in the technology.  Like with anything, you don’t know what the hell you are doing at first and you learn as you go until you get comfortable with one technique and then you progress naturally to the next level.  With this album everything fell into place, we knew what we wanted sonically.  We had the gear and the knowledge to pull it off.  With home studios, it is cool to work within your own environment because some days you are not as inspired as others.  Some days, if it ain’t feeling right, you can take a day off and not have that shit in your face.  Some days, you can go four days straight and just rock the material out!

MetalStormMag – “Paradise Lost” has not left my car stereo since I got it.  As a bassist, I dig Mike LePond’s opening riffwork on the heavy ‘Domination’ as it is jawdropping and a total headbanger song overall.  In contrast, the orchestration opening song, ‘Oculus ex Inferni’ totally sets the pace and mood for the entire offering of music on the album.

Mike Romeo – Yeah, that is that film soundtrack inspiration coming into play that we were discussing.  It is heavy yet symphonic and dark and does set the tone.

MetalStormMag – Speaking of home studios, they can be both a blessing and a curse at the same time.  When not on tour, how much time do you spend in the Dungeon and how long do you scrutinize a demo track before committing it to a recording?

Mike Romeo – I spend all my time down there.  Simply put, if I am not playing Rock Band with the family I am in the studio. (laughing)  Yeah, I spend most of my time writing, experimenting, trying new software and amps, practicing…When it comes to the demo question, this time around the demos are the closest ever to the album material.  With the Dungeon, we were able to do some production on the fly and try different things.  They were much more than demos as they were really polished ideas.

MetalStormMag – As far as guitars and rigs, did you enter the Dungeon with any new equipment this time around?

Mike Romeo – I got a bunch of new guitars from a company called Caparison in Japan.  After going back and forth with ideas, we have created a signature model based on some guitars that I had around here and used for recordings in the past like my Kramer.  They came back with a guitar that sounds great, made great and feels comfortable.  So I used used a few of those for the recording.  Ampwise, I used Engl amps.  My Engls are always the go-to amp for recording the heavy stuff.

MetalStormMag – It amazes me how many musicians I talk to have had a Kramer in their history.  I have a ’78 aluminum neck fretless bass that I have cherished over the years. 

Mike Romeo – Yeah, I played the shit out of mine over the years.  The neck on it was the foundation for my model with Caparison.  And they are from Jersey as well.  Kramer started right here.

MetalStormMag – Do you have any recommendations for home studio software for a beginner?

Mike Romeo – A lot of it does the same thing…people like to have a battle of wits like PC versus Mac, Pro Tools versus Cubase…It old fuckin’ old after a while, just pick something and go with it!  For me, I use PCs and Nuendo software since I am an old Steinberg guy and have been using that since way back.  Basically, choose something and take time to learn it and you’ll find that they all do the same thing.

MetalStormMag – Used right, they are just the canvas for the art.

Mike Romeo – Right!

MetalStormMag – What does 2009 have in store for those that enjoy Symphony X?

Mike Romeo – We have the tour in Asia in February.  After that, we are going to work on new stuff.  I have been kicking around some ideas.  After the tour, we are in writing mode to try to get an album out by year-end.  The last record solidified our direction so we are going to take it one step further.

MetalStormMag – Any closing comments for the Metal Storm legion of metalheads worldwide that might be thinking about picking up “Paradise Lost”? 

Mike Romeo – Hopefully whoever reads this will want to check out the new album as we feel it is the best thing that we have put out and a great representation of the band.  The album is full of unique writing and it definitely some has staying power, so if you are looking for some awesome music, go check it out!

MetalStormMag – I concur!  Your riffwork on it is amazing and inspiring.  Thanks from all of us at Metal Storm Magazine for your time and contributions to the metal community!

Mike Romeo – Thank you and have a great New Years!

MetalStormMag – You too, friend!

References:

www.symphonyx.com

www.engl-amps.com

www.myspace.com/caparisonguitars