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WARLORD: The legend of William J Tsamis lives – Interview and...

To tell you the truth I was a little bit skeptical when I first learned about the Warlord tribute project set by drummer and founding member Mark Zonder and singer Giles Lavery to honor the music and memory of founder guitarist William J Tsamis who unfortunately passed away back in 2021. I was looking at the facts very closely, reading announcements about forthcoming live shows, new line up and a new album. The response from the fans was massive including both positive and negative (or very negative) comments about the above facts. "How can Warlord exist without Bill Tsamis?", they were asking. One afternoon I got a call from Giles Lavery himself asking me if I wanted to do an advance review of the forthcoming Warlord album. I replied positively still being in this skeptical mood. It all went away after the first listen... William J Tsamis was there. His music, his legend, his compositions, evolved into complete songs. In total excitement I texted Giles a single message "Bill is alive". The very next evening found Mark, Giles and I talking about the album, about Bill, about the music and the legacy. It was late at night when we ended the call. I asked them if I can publish our conversation and they got no problem. So here it is again: Me talking with Warlord. The usual stuff I am doing the last 25 years for various reasons. But this time I would not call this conversation an interview. To my eyes this is a big ethical, artistic and soulful statement, by some people who want to keep the Dream, alive.

Interview with ETERNAL CHAMPION

I guess that for the readers of Forgotten Scroll, ETERNAL CHAMPION from Austin, Texas, US, need no special introduction. Their β€œArmor of Ire” debut is already identified as a classic on the Epic Metal genre. They are about to march into battle again, releasing a second album called "Ravening Iron", so yes, this is a good chance for a discussion with the band's singer Jason Tarpey.

Interview with SANCTUM

Ray Babula guitarist and spiritual father of SANCTUM is one of the kindest musicians I have ever met. It was a really wonderful experience to be in extensive contact with him in order to write, form and complete the biography which featured on the SANCTUM - "Believers" CD reissue on Arkeyn Steel records. Those of you who got the CD would probably have given this bio a read. There are many elements and information from the biography used in order to form the questions of this particular interview. It is actually the very first on line interview with SANCTUM, so those who have not yet checked the bio can get a brief picture on the band's story, those who have checked the bio, can read some extra stuff. I also have to add that as these lines are being typed, a second pressing of the reissue is coming, so if you missed the first one, here is your new chance to grab the music, the info and the SANCTUM magic that is trapped in there.

Interview with FORTRESS UNDER SIEGE

Greek Prog Metallers FORTRESS UNDER SIEGE return back in action with their third "Atlantis" album, to be released this fall on Rock of Angels Records. New album, new record label and the most important new people on the foreground. The band's spiritual father Fotis Sotiropoulos (guitar), patiently answers to all the questions about the new album, the hard decisions, the steps forward and the future to come.

Interview with CRYSTAL EYES

You cannot go wrong with Sweden's CRYSTAL EYES. If the combination of Classic Heavy Metal with European Power Metal -and especially its Teutonic version- was and still is your cup of tea, then this band is the absolute must. They are moving closely to the 30th year of their existence and they have released their 8th "Starbourne Traveler" full length. We had a very interesting conversation with the band's main man Mikael Dahl, he was pretty kind and he had a nice story to share about pretty much everything: The 90s demo era, the first record deal, the live shows and the line up changes, not to mention his album by album comments. Grab a cold beer -or whatever you prefer to drink- and enjoy the interview!

Interview with SAVAGE MASTER

One of the most exciting and electrifying bands in today's occult heavy metal scene, for the past six years, SAVAGE MASTER have swiftly built an impressive canon of work over the course of two cult albums, one EP, one single, and especially their over-the-top live shows. The band was founded in 2013 by guitarist Adam Neal and vocalist Stacey Savage, so inspired by their love of heavy metal and horror. Soon enough, a mysterious spectacle was created, and it bore the name SAVAGE MASTER. From there, the band began their assured ascent through the underground, touring non-stop across North America and Europe, playing such festivals such as Keep It True, Hell Over Hammaburg, Legions of Metal, Frost and Fire, Ragnarokkr, Hells Heroes and many more, and now landing themselves an album deal with Shadow Kingdom Records. "Myth, Magic & Steel" album has been released, so this is a great chance for an interview with the band. Zippo tracks down vocalist Stacey Savage and he carries a bunch of very interesting questions. Lets take a look on the answers!

Interview with HORIZON’S END

Speaking with HORIZON'S END mastermind - Sakis Bandis (keyboards) is a beautiful adventure, like each and every listen to each and every of their songs. There were really a lot of things to be discussed, as this is the very first interview that took place after the band's reunion. There is new music, there is this sudden (or not so sudden?) comeback, there is an album that was recorded but never released and a whole band that was put on ice many moons ago. Sakis spread some light to all those topics that waited for years to be clarified and to many new ones, as a new journey to the end of an infinite horizon has already started!
Hammerfall (2019)

Interview With HAMMERFALL

HAMMERFALL need no introduction as they've been around for more than 25 years. Quite a milestone if you think about it! So, three years after their "Built to Last" album HAMMERFALL are back with a brand new full-length, "Dominion", and Oscar Dronjak (guitars) was kind enough to chat with us about it. Enjoy!

Interview with THE LORD WEIRD SLOUGH FEG

THE LORD WEIRD SLOUGH FEG have a new album out and I guess that this is the right time for an in depth interview with Mike Scalzi. Put the new record on, grab a beer and here we go.

Interview with SILVER R.I.S.C

Never say never! I originally prepared and sent this interview to the band 9 years ago! Back then they were getting ready for their first reunion live shows. Time have passed! And many things have changed since then, well except one: our passion for music! So SILVER R.I.S.C return back in action, this time for good and well I am still here interviewing the bands I love! Yes it is the passion for music that makes all these still possible, "this is our Karma", as Spiros Fousekis the band's guitarist would say. Ladies and gentlemen, SILVER R.I.S.C: one of Greece's finest Melodic Hard Rock bands are hitting the stage again. Their 25th, May, 2019, show @ CROW Club - Athens Greece, marks the beginning of a new era for the band! So Spiros Fousekis is kind enough to finally answer all my questions about the past, present and future! Enjoy!
Twisted Tower Dire (2019)

Interview with TWISTED TOWER DIRE

Twisted Tower Dire are back with their latest release. So it is about time for the mighty Zippo to track them down and have a brief talk about past, present and future.

Interview with TEMTRIS

Hailing from Australia, TEMTRIS recently released their 5th full-length album, "Rapture". They have been part of the Australia metal scene for nearly two decades, and during this whole time they never deviated from their goal which is no other than to deliver metal in its purest form. Fronted by Genevieve Rodda, they surely know how to write music that matters while avoiding the pitfalls and industry gimmicks that wants female-fronted bands to operate in a cookie-cutter fashion. Genevieve was kind enough to share a few words with us about the band, their latest album and the Australian metal scene in general. Enjoy...

Interview with MOB RULZ

MOB RULZ from Virginia, USA, are a great example of a talented band that captured lots of amazing elements in their music, but despite their first-class material and their musicianship, they never managed to take it to the next level. You see, in this business - yes, I mean the music business -, talent is not the only thing that matters. Anyway... Musically MOB RULZ delivered a really exciting mixture of melodic hard rock and classic heavy metal, with some pomp rock touches. You can hear all that in their "Primal Urges" private CD release from 1989. Vaggelis "VXN" Fotakis tracked Robert Johnstone (guitars) down, talked about MOB RULZ and his personal saga around music on a great interview done the old fashioned, "printed zine" way. The way we love!
Saboter (2018)

Interview with SABOTER

Sinister, Almighty and Dark. If that's the way you like your Heavy Metal then buckle up and keep reading. With the release of their second full-length album, SABOTER made a statement and proved the world they're here to stay. We had the pleasure to chat with them about "Architects of Evil", their vision for the band and their views on the Heavy Metal scene today. Onward...
Famyne

Interview with FAMYNE

Having started their musical path heavily influenced by the fathers of Doom Metal, the quintet from the UK seems to have found its identity and has forged its own distinguishing sound. Expanding their perception of doom metal, FAMYNE enriched their music with lots of 70's rock, psychedelic/prog rock, and ambient elements and delivered a blow to the world with their debut album, simply called "Famyne". Between tours and gigs we had the chance to have a word with the band and get to learn about their story and overall plans. Check it out.

Interview with CARAVAGGIO

A new band featuring former ADRAMELCH members is always a good reason for an in-depth discussion. Especially in the case of CARAVAGGIO in which we discovered some interesting collaborations that come from the past of the obscure Italian metal scene. The past, the present, the future, the legacy of ADRAMELCH, the Italian Steel, the beauty of Prog Rock and the musical traditions of the Mediterranean. Everything combined beautifully together under the name of an Italian painter. Are you confused? Start reading...

Interview with ETERNITY’S END

When it comes to interviews it's always a pleasure to talk with people who live for Metal. Whether it's "traditional" or "extreme" metal, these folks will do everything to suck the enjoyment out of every riff and every note they play or listen to. Among these I'll definitely consider mr. Christian MΓΌnzner, guitar virtuoso and mastermind behind ETERNITY'S END "Unyielding" (among others), who was kind enough to provide us a very interesting insight about ETERNITY'S END latest work, future plans and the music industry in general. Onward!
Royal Orphan (2018)

Interview with ROYAL ORPHAN

I was quite excited to check out the debut release by ROYAL ORPHAN. These newcomers managed to satisfy my thirst for some high class, inspired Power/Progressive Metal. Did I say newcomers? Well ok, the ROYAL ORPHAN project is new, but the two people behind it, have already spent quite a few years in music. And there are lots of things to be shared about this glorious past and of course the most glorious present and future under the ROYAL ORPHAN moniker. We tracked down vocalist, guitarist and bassist Brendan Kelly and we had a very interesting conversation about one of the most amazing Power/Prog Metal projects that New York has to offer today: ROYAL ORPHAN.
Forgotten Scroll Fanzing Issue #6

Issue #6 Out Now

76 pages, 10 interviews. DAMASCUS (US) SANCTUM (US) HORIZON'S END (GR) LORD OF LIGHT (SWE) ETERNAL CHAMPION (US) GOTHIC STONE (IT) LEVIATHAN (US) NEAR INFINITY (US) ANGEL EDGE (US) OBLIVION KNIGHT (US) plus LEGIONED MARCHER (US)...

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ACHELOUS – Tower Of High Sorcery

In case you missed it, a couple of months ago ACHELOUS did a pre-listening session for their new album called "Tower of High Sorcery". As...

WARLORD: The legend of William J Tsamis lives – Interview and...

To tell you the truth I was a little bit skeptical when I first learned about the Warlord tribute project set by drummer and founding member Mark Zonder and singer Giles Lavery to honor the music and memory of founder guitarist William J Tsamis who unfortunately passed away back in 2021. I was looking at the facts very closely, reading announcements about forthcoming live shows, new line up and a new album. The response from the fans was massive including both positive and negative (or very negative) comments about the above facts. "How can Warlord exist without Bill Tsamis?", they were asking. One afternoon I got a call from Giles Lavery himself asking me if I wanted to do an advance review of the forthcoming Warlord album. I replied positively still being in this skeptical mood. It all went away after the first listen... William J Tsamis was there. His music, his legend, his compositions, evolved into complete songs. In total excitement I texted Giles a single message "Bill is alive". The very next evening found Mark, Giles and I talking about the album, about Bill, about the music and the legacy. It was late at night when we ended the call. I asked them if I can publish our conversation and they got no problem. So here it is again: Me talking with Warlord. The usual stuff I am doing the last 25 years for various reasons. But this time I would not call this conversation an interview. To my eyes this is a big ethical, artistic and soulful statement, by some people who want to keep the Dream, alive.