HERETIC (Eng.)
– Hello, thanks for answering our questions. What are you currently up to?
Brian: We just played a few live shows locally in California with our friends MALICE to fine tune our live set, and we are awaiting the release of our CD «A Time Of Crisis». The waiting is the hard part, once it is officially released, we can really get started with our management group «Eddie’s Mates» and push this CD
Angelo: Promoting the release of our forthcoming CD «A Time Of Crisis» out 7/26/2012 on Metal On Metal Records. That and fine tuning our live set.
– You were formed back in the mid 80’s, anyway you haven’t got a big discography so, for all those who aren’t familiar with HERETIC yet, would you mind to share some history of the band?
Brian: Heretic was a classic style metal band from Los Angeles, California. We released an EP in ’86 and an LP in ’88 on Metal Blade Records. The band had a lot of local success on the LA music scene and we opened for many great bands such as Metallica, Motorhead, Saxon, Megadeth and Armored Saint. In a short amount of time we became a main headliner, but our story was cut short by line-up changes.
– You released your first album, “Breaking Point” in 1988 and some years later split up. What were the band members up to during all those years until your reunion in 2011? And what caused your split-up and what prompted later your comeback?
Brian: Soon after releasing «Breaking Point» singer Mike Howe left the band to join Metal Church, instead of finding a new vocalist, we decided to form Reverend with singer David Wayne. We all had different bands and projects through the years, but it took Julian to approach me about reforming the band to get me to be serious about playing again.
– After HERETIC fell apart some of you joined David Wayne’s project REVEREND. What are your memories from that period?
Brian: It was a great time for me personally. I was finally on a major record label, I would finally get to tour (huge bus & all), but metal and the music industry was about to change in a big way. Reverend formed at a time when grunge was starting to get big, so we got buried.
Angelo: Reverend was my first opportunity to be in a band with Brian. We had a lot of memorable moments. But after a 17 year hiatus, the reunion between Brian (and Glenn from our Hirax days) and me has been satisfyingly productive.
– Julian Mendez sung on your debut EP but for your first full-length album you had Mike Howe on vocals. Why did you decide to have Mike doing the vocal duties on the album? And what motivated Julian to return to the band?
Brian: Julian was very sick when we recorded the EP and we were not allowed to reschedule the recording time. Metal Blade execs and our manager were not pleased with the end result of the recordings, and pushed us to replace Julian with Mike. I stayed tight with and supported Julian when he formed the great band Stone Soldier. Julian is a great singer and an even better live performer, so when he asked about jamming again, I was all over it.
– Now you are back with your first album in 24 years; how are you feeling about it? I guess it may be an exciting thing for you.
Brian: This has been the most rewarding period in my entire musical career. Start to finish, with close longtime friends as band mates, to how everyone contributed to making the songs come alive, to John Haddad the CD’s producer pulling out magic from all of our takes, to everyone at Metal on Metal Records for doing such a great job with everything. This is without a doubt the best album I’ve been a part of.
Angelo: I’m super excited because 1) I was a huge fan of the band back in the day so it is an honour to be a part of this reunion, and 2) We recorded a great record and can’t wait to share it with world.
– And what are your expectations with this new album “A Time of Crisis” out? How has the feedback been so far?
Brian: Instant metal classic!!! Haha. Our label is happy, so I am happy. I know we made a great collection of songs, the fans will dictate our future.
Angelo: I’m not sure I have any expectations other than tour dates. We are just happy doing what we love to do. So far I have heard nothing but positive response of the reunion and the new record.
– Does this album mean you are back to stay? Can we expect live activity and more studio albums from you?
Brian: I’m already deep into writing the next CD, so the rest of the boys better be ready to stick around for a while. We plan on making it to Europe in 2013, for a festival or two. I hope we will be playing live as much as possible, to help pay for all the stuff we’ve gotten ourselves into.
Angelo: Most definitely! Brian most likely has the next 2 records written so we will be around for a while. And YES we have had a few successful warm up shows so watch for upcoming tour dates including our record release show and live DVD recording at Malone’s in Santa Ana next month.
– Things have changed a lot since HERETIC disbanded, and not only musically so. Is the title of the album related to the current states of “crisis” around the world? For instance some European countries are facing a really big financial crisis.
Brian: The years of Bush America are over, but the world is still dealing with the crap he started. From war, fear and corruption, through terror attacks, to the world banks and their economic collapse. As a father of two young boys, I can say the world is in a pretty bad state. Around the world, it seems there is a sense of FEAR of what’s next instead of «I can’t wait to see what is next». No one wants to work together to try and fix what we’ve broken. I’m hopeful we can figure it out!
Angelo: I really don’t think all that much is different other than a few new members. Brian is still the main contributor in song writing so I think we’ve picked up right where they left off twenty four years later. I came up with the title of the record because of everything that is going on in the world. If you thought we were at a “breaking point” 24 years ago, wait until you hear what happens next.
– Talking about such, what are some of the lyrical ideas covered this time around? As I’ve always had the impression lyrics are really important for HERETIC.
Brian: The daily news has made it easy for subject matter. WAR, GREED & BETRAYAL, A DEADLY VIRUS, GOVERNMENT TOTAL CONTROL, MURDER & SUICIDE, RELIGIOUS FANATICS. I try to write about the things I see and read about everyday. I like to make people think a little bit while they are banging their head.
– In fact I’d dare say this album has a theme similar to the main subject on “Breaking Point”. Did you, somehow, want to start again where you left off back then?
Brian: Exactly! We wanted this CD to feel like the next Heretic album, not a new, modern metal version of the band. Honestly, I just sat and wrote the first things that came out, I didn’t have to push myself to find what I wanted to sound like. Glenn and Angelo help me to chunkify the riffs and give them that METAL edge.
Angelo: Not intentionally, but I do see how a lot of elements tie in. Like I stated earlier, Brian is the driving force behind this band and his songwriting has remained very consistent.
– I would like to know what was the songwriting process like, as this album provides a similar vibe to your earlier recordings but, on the other hand, all the line-up has its roots in the early 80’s Metal scene, so I guess all of your members are on the same page musically.
Brian: It was a conscious decision to carry on as a classic style metal band. Heretic had unfinished business in the 80’s, so we want to add to, as well as keep the band’s legacy intact. For this CD, I was the main songwriter, but every song goes through the band’s meat grinder before they truly come to life. Everyone in the group has his stamp on each song. Moving forward, there will be no shortage of songs with all the creativity in this band.
Angelo: Brian is the mastermind behind the songwriting process. Glenn and myself added a little of the «thrash» element to the songs while Iggy (being only 28 years old) adds a new fresh dimension for the band on drums.
– With such a renewed line-up (still having two former members), what would you say each guy has brought to HERETIC?
Brian: With Glenn and Angelo came the solid foundation. The three of us have been in different bands together for the past 20 years. So they know where a song is going before I even finish showing them the riff. Julian is a powerful singer in a time when all you need to do is growl into a mike. He is going to teach a new generation of metal kids how to sing. I’ve worked with him for many years, and know what words and melodies work with his style (every singer is different). With Iggy, he brings youth and energy to the group and his drumming is off the charts. I’ve never seen a drummer that is so creative and accurate with his drum parts.
Angelo: Confidence, drive and the love for what we do.
– Most of you are also playing in different bands, as BITCH or the recently reunited VIKING, but is now HERETIC your main priority?
Brian: Not me? Haha.
Angelo: Heretic is first and foremost my number one priority.
– As I said, “A Time of Crisis” has the spirit of Heavy Metal releases from the 80’s, so what could you say HERETIC brings to this scene other new bands can’t?
Brian: There is enough room for any band that wants to create music, we don’t need to steal anybody’s thunder. I just write what’s in my head, so with Heretic you will get classic «ACCEPT» style metal and a CD of great songs (patting myself on the back).
Angelo: History. We all come from the birth of metal in the U.S. When you are one of many pioneers for a genre, you bring roots of that genre to today’s market.
– In fact we could say the 80’s was the golden period for Metal, with not so many bands but really good bands, each of them sounding fresh, so do you think that era was the best or do you prefer now, with a lot of bands and several different subgenres but maybe not so much originality?
Brian: Everything evolves. One band influences the next, and so on. As long as there is a good song underneath the noise – I love it all, low-B tuning, screams and power & speed. Like I said earlier, I just write what comes out. I hope fans of modern metal will be able to see how our songs can stand up to any generation of music.
Angelo: Nothing will ever come close to what it was like back in those days. But I definitely think there is a scene for metal music. I really like what a lot of metal bands are doing today. Carrying on the tradition.
– The cover artwork for the album has been crafted by your friend and also tattoo artist Tom Berg. What does it represent? And why did you decide to go for Tom?
Angelo: Glenn recommended Tom. Tom has done a majority of my tattoo work, so when we were in discussions about designing the cover it made sense to go with him.
– With all this being said about “A Time of Crisis”; how could you describe it in just 3 words?
Brian: INSTANT METAL CLASSIC.
Angelo: Old School, Heavy, Classic.
– This is your first release with Metal on Metal; how is everything going with them so far? Checking out their rooster it looks like this label fits HERETIC really well.
Brian: I can’t say enough about what a great job the label has done. Everything has been so positive and beyond expectation. Wait till you see what a great job they did with CD artwork and the lyric sleeves. They really got behind our project, and are doing an awesome job helping to promote it.
Angelo: Metal On Metal has been very kind to us. We really appreciate their supporting our come back.
– And finally, what are your near-future plans? What can we expect from you from now on? I’ve seen you have some single shows announced, but are there any touring plans?
Brian: Reality, we all have day jobs and kids (well, no kids for Iggy) – long drawn out tours are probably not in our future. Summer festivals and shows here and there are what we plan on. If we should happen to sell millions of CDs (haha), we will go to plan B.
Angelo: Recording a live DVD, some one off tour dates, and 2013 festival dates in the works, and writing the follow up to «A Time of Crisis».
– That has been everything from my side, thank you once more. If you want to add some final words; last lines are all yours.
Brian: Thank you for the interview and the great questions, I had a fun time answering them. I hope all your readers will check us out and enjoy our music.
Angelo: Thank you very much for interviewing us. We are keeping alive the music we grew up loving. Now go out and get your copy of «A Time of Crisis». \m/
