Category Archives: Interviews

Assorted one on one discussions with assorted artists, musicians and vendors.

Features, Interviews

PiercingMetal Talks To Kamelot’s Thomas Youngblood (11/21/2005)

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Artist: Kamelot’s Thomas Youngblood
Date: 11/21/2005

The Melodic Metal powerhouse Kamelot had just completed what was nothing less than a crushing set in New York City to support the release “The Black Halo”. Thanks to the folks at SPV Records I was first able to sit down with lead singer Roy Khan for a few minutes before he was set to perform. After the show I found myself talking to some people and as a result somehow ended up chatting with guitar wizard Tom Youngblood. Since the recorder was with me I asked him if he wanted to share some brief thoughts with me and he was glad to offer some additional thoughts up. Here is the very spontaneous and unplanned discussion that we had.

PiercingMetal: We are now backstage with Tom Youngblood, lead guitarist of Kamelot. Tom what did you think of Kamelot’s first ever performance in New York City?

Youngblood: It was fucking killer man we had a great time. The fan response totally blew me away and they were singing songs that we haven’t even heard people in Europe singing. So definitely an eye-opener for us and a reason to come back. It might have been the first show in New York but it is certainly not going to be our last.
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Features, Interviews

PiercingMetal Talks To Kamelot’s Roy Khan (11/21/2005)

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kamelot logo, band logos, kamelot

The Melodic Metal powerhouse Kamelot was finally going to be playing in New York City to support the release “The Black Halo”. Thanks to the folks at SPV Records I was able to sit down with lead singer Roy Khan for a few minutes before he was set to perform. I have to say that backstage interviews are both fun and stressful at the same time. Remember you are making the musician focus on something else when they are often trying to get into the performance head. Based on this I tried to keep the questions brief and topical as much as possible. Below is our transcribed conversation.

PiercingMetal: Roy welcome to New York, how long has it been since we have seen you here in terms of shows (at the moment I was unaware this was the first time).

Khan: Oh I’ve never played in New York before.

PiercingMetal: Well that makes sense for while I enjoy the music I wondered why I could not recall the Kamelot name after all the shows I have been attending. So let’s blast through some questions for the readers. The new album “The Black Halo” is one of the bands most polished and adventurous albums yet-how has the fan & critic reaction been to it so far?

Khan: It’s been outrageous – I mean really, really good and I don’t think I’ve seen one review that is like bad at all. Critical response has been really good and the fans have been praising it. I mean it that it has just been a blast. I’m kind of speechless when it comes to that part of it. I can just say its been really good.
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Features, Interviews

PiercingMetal Talks To Jyrki 69 from The 69 Eyes (3/5/2006)

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The 69 Eyes are a Gothic Hard Rock sensation around most of the world and have been doing their thing for about fifteen years or so with the USA fans only recently being able to enjoy one of their albums unless they were resourceful enough to dig deeper into their catalog. I’m proud to admit that I had slightly more background in their wares than some peers but the album “Devils” is the first from the bands extensive catalog of music to hit our Shores and to celebrate the release a U.S. tour was planned at long last. I had the opportunity to sit and talk with lead singer, the enigmatic Jyrki 69 before their New York show at The Bowery Ballroom. The hustle and bustle of a backstage dressing room the night of a big appearance is not the best place to conduct some lengthy discussion so I kept it brief and to the point. We talked about his new music and life as Lord of the Rock and Roll Vampires. Below is our transcribed conversation and I hope you find it as interesting as I did speaking to him.

PiercingMetal: We are here with Jyrki69 of The 69 Eyes who is making their very first appearance in New York and I ask how come now with the band being formed in the 90’s, whets the feeling on coming here now.

Jyrki 69: Actually since the late 80’s.
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Features, Interviews

PiercingMetal Talks To Stryper’s Michael Sweet (10-24-2004)

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Artist: Michael Sweet, Stryper
Date: 10/20/2004
Interviewer: Ken Pierce

Michael Sweet is the Singer/Guitarist for the band Stryper. The band was known for their ability to deliver the message of Jesus Christ inside Hard Rock music and had a string of hit records in the “Big Metal Eighties” and were a staple on the MTV channel back during this original heyday. After several years of absence from the public eye the band reunited and toured once again in support of their Greatest Hits package “7: The Best Of Stryper”. From this short tour a live album was recorded and released entitled “7 Weeks Live In America”. Around the time of the release I had the chance to speak with Michael on the telephone. We discussed life, music, Stryper and his solo efforts. Below is the transcription of this conversation.

KP – Hello Michael how are you man?

MS – Hey how you doing, I am fine and just getting ready for the game tonight you know.
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Features, Interviews

PiercingMetal Talks To King Diamond (10/7/2004)

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Artist: King Diamond
Interview Date: 10/7/2004
Label: Metal Blade Records
Interviewer: Ken Pierce

King Diamond……..need I say more? King Diamond is truly the Master Of Terror when it comes to Heavy Metal music. The man is a legend in Metal and not only for his work with Mercyful Fate but also for the prolific solo career which he embarked on afterward. For years he has been weaving tales of despair and intrigue and like the mere mortals we are, we follow him into the Darkness on a continual basis. I had the sinister pleasure of speaking to King Diamond via the telephone about his recent release of “Deadly Lullaby’s – Live” and whatever else came to mind. Here is a transcription of that conversation.

PiercingMetal: Hello King Diamond how are you today

King Diamond: Good how are you Ken

PiercingMetal: Great man, I totally expected a different voice on the phone, you know something a little more sinister.

King Diamond: (changes his tone dramatically) Oh you mean like thisssss.
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