Heavy Metal Messenger & Deano

Dustin Schoof of The Express-Times recently conducted an interview with KISS guitarist Tommy Thayer. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.On still being the “new guy” in KISS— despite having worked with the band for more than two decades:”I’ve been so much involved with KISS and (singer/guitarist) Paul (Stanley) and (singer/bassist) Gene (Simmons) so many years, we’re talking 25 years, there’s a repertoire there already. For me to start as the new lead guitarist was actually a kind of natural, easy transition because we knew each other so well. It wasn’t like there was a learning curve there.”On donning the “Spaceman” regalia after Ace Frehley‘s departure — a decision which was met with backlash by some longtime KISS fans:

“The biggest step was replacing one of the great guitar players of our time who has influenced so many people. Those are big shoes to fill. The biggest challenge walking into that situation and succeeding was that good things take time. Getting in there and trying to fill the role he played and play the parts as well or even try and do it better … it slowly becomes a little more me and just being the Spaceman, it’s been quite a process. There have been so many amazing fans who have been so supportive and honest about letting me know I’m doing a great job and to keep it up.”

On the progress of the recording sessions for the follow-up to 2009’s “Sonic Boom”:

“It’s going phenomenally. We’ve been in the studio for several weeks. We’ve cut eight songs already. I’ve heard Paul and Gene. This is definitely some of the best stuff KISS has ever recorded.”

“The idea [with ‘Sonic Boom’] was to create a classic KISS record going back to the roots of the early records and really try and capture that vibe. I think we did and then some. I slowly wanted to put a little Tommy Thayer in there. I think on this record, we’re taking it to the next step.

“We’re spending a lot of time making sure it sounds like a great KISS record.”

On the inaugural Kiss Kruise, which will set sail in October and feature a full-blown KISS performance as well as acoustic renditions of the band’s biggest hits:

“The battle plan is exactly the same: pummel and deafen and blow it up. We’re not going to sink the ship, but we’re going to do some devastation … This will be a great and very unique experience for the consummate KISS fan.”

On being in a band and performing with his heroes:

“[Performing with the for the first time] was kind of an out-of-body experience. It’s something I might have dreamed about, you almost have to pinch yourself remind to you that it’s really happening. The enormity of a band like KISS, to be suddenly in that position, is a once-in-a-lifetime (opportunity). I never imagined it would have happened, especially to someone like me, who grew up a fan of theirs … it’s an unbelievable experience.”

Read the entire interview from The Express-Times.

Boston power/thrash veterans MELIAH RAGE will release their seventh full-length studio album (or eighth, if you also count the “Unfinished Business” CD), “Dead To The World”, on July 28 via Italy’s Metal On Metal Records. The CD’s cover artwork was created by Jowita Kaminska, who previously worked with EXODUS (“Tempo Of The Damned”), WITCHBURNER (“Final Detonation”, “Blood Of Witches”, “Demons”), MANILLA ROAD (“Gates Of Fire”), ATTACKER (“The Unknown”), FORSAKEN (“Dominaeon”, “After The Fall”), DANTESCO (“De La Mano De La Muerte”, “Pagano”), METAL INQUISITOR (“Doomsday For The Heretic”), PARAGON (“Screenslaves”) and DECEASED (“As The Weird Travel On”), among others.

“Dead To The World” track listing:

01. Up In Flames
02. Valley Of The Shadowless Souls
03. Skin And Bones
04. Absolute Obedience
05. Where Nothing Ever Grows
06. Never From Me
07. Cold Cruel Fate
08. Time Won’t Let Me Breathe
09. Awaken Sorrow

Two songs from the album — “Where Nothing Ever Grows” and “Up In Flames” — can be streamed using the audio player on the Metal On Metal Records web site.

http://www.metal-on-metal.com/

You pre-order “Dead To The World” from the Metal On Metal web site either as a regular or special tin-case edition with two photos. With this pre-order, you’ll get a download link for one unreleased song from 2003 sessions as a free bonus.

MELIAH RAGE‘s “Cold Cruel Fate” digital single is available from CD Baby, iTunes, Amazon MP3, eMusic and other digital stores.

MELIAH RAGE recently released a video for its cover version of “Halo Of Flies”, originally recorded by ALICE COOPER on the legendary rocker’s 1971 album “Killer”.

MELIAH RAGE reunited with singer Paul Souza this past winter to lay down the track to be used as a bonus cut on the remixed version of the band’s 2004 release, “Barely Human”. The song was recorded and produced by Peter Rutcho at Red Devil Recording and mixed at Damage Studios. The video was produced by Branden Maxham and Brad Piche of Omnidawn Productions.

MELIAH RAGE‘s original singer Mike Munro has become very dedicated to his church and recently spent time volunteering in Haiti. He subsequently felt these and other missions of goodwill would not allow him the flexibility of schedule to tour with MELIAH RAGE.

Souza recorded two albums with MELIAH RAGE — “Barely Human” and 2006’s “The Deep And Dreamless Sleep”. In addition, he toured with the band when it supported METAL CHURCH across the U.S. in 2007.

“We feel very fortunate that we have the ability to work with Paul, complete this CD and play some shows,” explained MELIAH RAGE founder Anthony Nichols.

Souza was the singer when the band toured with METAL CHURCH across the U.S. in 2007.

Photo credit: Bruce Bettis