Interview: Warpath
Hello there Warpath, I salute you and I am happy to get this chance asking you the following questions - so letz start the action.
1. Please introduce your band Warpath to us first.
Rich: WARPATH is a UK based thrash / heavy metal band. Our debut album ‘Damnation' was mastered by former TESTAMENT & DEATH guitarist James Murphy. We've played all across the UK and Europe including Bloodstock Open Air, Wacken Rocks and more. We've been voted “Best Unsigned Band of the Year” in 2008 and 2009 by Terrorizer Magazine.
2. This year you played your first concerts in Germany and you shared the Wacken Rocks Festival with SLAYER. How do you liked the Wacken Rocks Festival and what can you tell us about your gig there?
Rich: Wacken Rocks was an unforgettable experience for us. The promoters and fans treated us so well, we can't wait to go back to Germany. Sharing the main stage of a 12,000 + festival with thrash gods SLAYER is awesome. It felt like our hard work was really paying off.
Pete: It really was like a heavy metal dream come true to play in a country where they are so into the music and so grateful for you putting on a good show. One thing that will stay with me forever is the some of the crowd leaving the U.D.O. show to come and be at the front for us! I love U.D.O.; he is like German metal royalty! It was so flattering they left his set to be at the front for our show!
3. As you are so known now I really cannot believe that you are still unsigned. So did any companies wrote to you in the meantime? So if not I have to say record companies don`t miss to sign this band they are just amazing.
Rich: A few record labels have contacted us, and so far all have messed us around. They promise things then don't deliver, they have no clear plan for the band and it's shocking to be honest.
Pete: It is shocking but growing to be quite a pain now as a few of them have wrote to us with very friendly and promising things, commenting on how much they like our music and then never follow up with anything else. Why should we hold our breaths waiting for an answer?
4. What is Warpath doing at the moment?
Rich: We're going to continue promoting the ‘DAMNATION' album and later on in the year we'll begin working on the next album. We were recently named “The Best Unsigned Band of the Year” for the second year running by Terrorizer Magazine Reader's Polls, so that was a good start to 2010.
5. I see that you will play some gigs in Japan this year... great... I think the Japanese people really love the music you are playing... what are your imaginations touring Japan?
Rich: We've got a strong fan base in Japan so we're excited to be heading out there. We'll be playing for two nights at True Thrash Fest but we'll be in Japan for a few days before, doing some signing sessions and hanging out. We're looking forward to meeting our fans and looking around Osaka!
Pete: I personally cannot wait to fly to Japan and meet our kind host and his friends and other fans in Osaka. From what I hear they really love the music out there and always comment on guitar techniques and are interested in melodies and arrangements of songs, so it will be great to talk to some fans about things other than your favourite drink or favourite band t-shirt you own! Plus I love many Japanese bands such as Anthem, Loudness, Dead End etc... so visiting the country of their origin will be an honour!
6. Before you are playing the UK Hammerfest II with Iced Earth... can you tell us a bit of this festival please?
Rich: Hammerfest is held in North Wales and is sponsored by Metal Hammer Magazine. We were actually booked to play last year too but unfortunately we had to cancel as Pete was injured before. There was a motorbike crash near our rehearsal room, Pete immediately ran over to help and in doing so burnt his entire hand. We had tremendous support from fans and many of them requested us for this year's Hammerfest. We're looking forward to making up for last year! This year's line up includes Iced Earth, Napalm Death, Devil Driver, Epica, Heathen, Five Finger Death Punch and more so it's going to be a great few days.
Pete: Yes, it is a great comfort knowing they want us on the bill again this year so sharing a stage with bands I love like Epica and Iced Earth is just awesome! I still get some fans write to me about the accident last year, the little ‘urban myths' keep growing and crack me up. One guy even thought I lost some fingers or had a robotic hand to replace it!
7. Have you planned to do video clips of your songs also?
Rich: We have a music video for the album's title track ‘Damnation'. The video is the No.1 rated video on SCUZZ TV channel in the UK. We're planning a future music video for the track ‘Life Unworthy of Life'.
8. Have you got other projects besides Warpath?
Rich: No, none at all. Warpath is our priority.
9. Which bands are you listening to most? Which are your faves?
Rich: I listen to Megadeth, Metallica, Pantera but I also listen to a lot of classical music, latin/flamenco music, movie soundtracks etc.
Pete: I actually listen to everything from Nile, Dissection to King Diamond to even some acoustic celtic music. But my favourite bands are Iron Maiden, Annihilator, Eidolon, Primal Fear and I'm listening to a lot Dark Angel at the minute too!
10. Please leave a little message for all your fans now.
Rich: Thanks for reading, keep supporting real music (not that reality TV show bullshit) and if you like a band, don't just take their tracks, buy some merch!
Pete: Thanks to Susi for the questions! And a big thanks to all of our fans, you rule & don't stop support real metal & real music! |m|
www.warpath-online.com
www.myspace.com/warpathuk
www.youtube.com/wartubeuk
Thank you so much for the interview my friends. I thank you from the heart and I wish you all the best for getting a record deal real soon, you rock! Yours Susi.
© Jan. 2010 by Rocket Queen *Promotion*