15 years of Queens of Steel: John McEntee

-We Queens of Steel have been annoying people for 15 years now. During these years a lot of albums have been released. What albums do you specially remember or are your favourites of these last 15 years? Those you have pretty much worn.

Wow, there are a bunch of great albums over the last 15 years. Haha, one that is very important to me is Heaven and Hell – “The Devil you know”, it was a dream come true that Dio went back to jam with Tony Lommi , Geezer Butler and Vinny Appice. I was so happy and it didn’t disappoint! Also Possessed – “Revelations of Oblivion” just a stunning return to their classic sound after such a long hiatus. Also Asphyx “Death the brutal way”, Master – “Slave to Society” and it’s a toss-up between Immolations – “Atonement” or “Majesty and Decay”, both are really good! there are more but those just came off the top of my head. 

-Even some new bands have born. Which ones are your favourites?

I like Mortiferum, Perdition Temple, Faith Extractor, Molder, Ascended Dead, Shed the Skin, Undergang, Mortuous, Troops of Doom, Kurnugia, there are more but these are some of my current faves. It’s great to see an awesome new generation of bands in keeping the underground alive.

-And the split up you regret the most?

Nothing I can think of off hand, Being in a band I don’t judge other bands for splitting up. All bands need to follow their own path and do things for their own reasons that might not be evident to outsiders.

-All of us tend to attend gigs, festivals… During 15 years we’ve spent a lot of time in airports, trains, cars… What is the show or festival you recall with special affection?

Wow I was at a lot of festivals and gigs. One that really stands out was going to Hell Fest in 2013, Black Sabbath headlined with Deep purple. And a bunch of other great bands. It was a fun experience but honestly for me there were just too many people, something like 70,000 in attendance. It’s crazy ahaha. As for shows seeing Heaven and Hell at Staples Center in Toronto, Canada in 2007. It was an amazing experience. Also seeing David Gilmour at the same venue in 2016 was totally awesome. I really enjoyed Party San Fest in 2019, when Hellhammer played it was too damn good, total death!

-They are a lot of years if you think about it. Which would be your most memorable moment(s)? A milestone or achievement, on a personal and/or musical level.

I would have to say 2020. Incantation is still alive and well. We are doing better than we have ever been doing in our history. We have a new album “Sect of Vile Divinities” which is doing amazing. Life is good!

-Everything evolves (involutes sometimes) with time, so does the Metal «community». What do you believe has been the biggest change the Metal scene has experience or is experiencing during this time? For the better or for the worse.

Well, I think the metal scene is getting better. 20 years ago technology was making metal sound fake. Bands were sounding too polished, it was just not metal to me. I like how things have been going over the last 10 years with a more raw and earthy sound. That is my opinion the way metal should be.

-Looking to the future, what would be the best possible scenario for you if you think about the next 15 years?

I just hope to continue to enjoy my life. And I hope to still be inspired to still write and record music.