Transcending
the Mundane 1/03 Jim Lippucci: Great. We were really happy with everything… Wayne Richards: It has been such a long time between releases, we are overjoyed to finally have a quality release on such a great label and receiving such a positive response from Thrashers everywhere! 2. Your cover has some painful imagery- have you ever felt extreme physical pain? JL: On the way back from Kentucky Wayne’s ass seemed to be causing everyone pain…My life is somewhat painful. WR: I had my ribs broken on a rafting trip (hurt like a SUMBITCH)…but I still have not been impaled…My hand was chopped off once (yes…extremely painful), but fortunately the doctors were able to reattach it. I have felt such pain… 3. You appeared on several tribute albums, do you feel that was a positive experience for the band? Are you a fan of tribute albums? JL: Sometimes I think they get a little overdone, but they can be pretty cool… WR: By doing those tribute albums, Soulless received enough funds to do the tributes as well as ample studio time to record the Bleeding Darkness promo without much money coming out of our pockets. Indeed, it was a positive experience…a lot of fun was had and a lot of beer was consumed. I still really only love one tribute album…The Slayer tribute with At the Gates, Dissection, Edge of Sanity, etc…. 4. Do you think World Chaos Production is an appropriate label for Soulless? Why? JL: Yes, they appear to enjoy thrash and we enjoy thrashing so it seems to work well… WR: This is our first proper release and it could not have been with a better label. Worldchaos is an excellent metal label. Bands like Terror Squad, Grim Force and King’s Evil are great Thrash bands that define what this label is. I think Soulless fits in well with Worldchaos’ plans to dominate the Thrash market. Worldchaos Production has done so much to spread the metal gospel of Soulless’ teachings to so many Thrashers that we could not have reached on our own. Worldchaos has brought Soulless to a new level in the metal realm and we are honored to be a part of this fine label. 5. Do you feel thrash is still a viable metal genre in today's scene? JL: It depends on what your definition of viable is I suppose. If you mean will it line the pockets of it’s purveyors with cash, probably not, but I suppose any music genre is viable as long as it has any amount of support. WR: If
you’re into metal it is not possible to live without Thrash. 20
years ago Thrash was at the forefront of the metal movement, and any true
metal freak still believes it is! THRASH TIL DEATH!!!! Go listen to Kreator
and tell me their not “viable” today. JL: I look forward to these releases with some trepidation…while it’s good to see people rejuvenating their thrash roots; let’s hope they don’t defile their good names by making inferior irrelevant music. WR: I
am really only looking forward to the Nuclear Assault…Yes, all of
these bands are way past their prime, but it doesn’t mean they still
can’t put out a decent record. But don’t expect these new
albums to be great, because they won’t be. People hype up these
reunited bands from the 80s and expect them to put out a record that sounds
like the shit they did 20 years ago. Some can pull it off, but most do
not. Perhaps some reunions are done for the wrong reasons, but in the
end it’s the band’s music that speaks the loudest, not the
band’s history or the hype surrounding these new releases. AS far
as the quintessential Thrash band, Early Metallica is the greatest thrash
band ever…they were so far ahead of their time…brilliant musicians
who wrote unforgettable songs…the first three records are required
for an individual’s life to be worth living. JL: It really helped to get the name out for us and show people what we are capable of. WR: It was our first step as a band. Our first recording made us known in the metal underground and gave us a sense of where we stood among our peers. 8. Have you developed into a band you feel can make a difference in the US metal scene? JL: If by “difference” you mean completely ruin and embarrass, then probably…I’m sure we’ll piss some people off… WR: Without
question. When people hear Soulless they will know that Metal is alive
and well in the United States. In a country filled to the brim with shit
like _______ (fill in the blank with any band you hear a radio station
call “Nu-Metal”), people will truly know what metal is when
they hear Soulless. JL: Anger…disgust…disappointment…resentment…homicidal rage towards all things Earthly… WR: If you can combine beer and metal into an emotion…Perhaps Joy? 10. Did you get the Destruction albums without Schmier? Do you think Mike should have kept the band going during the mid nineties without him? JL: I’d rather not think about that. They fucking raged on this last US tour though… WR: The reason I don’t have those records is why Mike should have called it something else. When they played Milwaukee Metalfest a few years back as a 5 piece it was a travesty…completely disgusting and unbearable to watch. Destruction is not Destruction without Schmier. They are one of the bands that did it right when they reunited (and it feels so good). Destruction KILLS!!! 11. What is your opinion of Ozzy's success in the world of tv? JL: It is very stupid, but I watch his every move and try to be just like him… Where were these people in ’73? WR: Jim
worships Ozzy and loves him above all things…Ozzy has reduced himself
to a laughing stock. He is the reason for parents telling their kids not
to do drugs, ”You keep doing drugs and you’ll end up just
like that guy.” It is a great show, though. Hopefully VH1 will counter
MTV’s success with a fabulous little show called The Dio’s.
JL: Sabbath Bloody Sabbath…Spiral Architect, A National Acrobat seem to be good reasons…Rick Wakeman is brilliant. Some of Geezer’s best lyrics ever… WR: Sabbath Bloody Sabbath is necessary for a properly functioning existence. This showcases Ozzy’s best vocal performance and use of gorgeous vocal harmonies. Heaven and Hell showcases Tony Iommi’s best lead guitar work and a better vocalist. JL: Ozzy’s voice is so much a better match for the rumbling tumult of the Sabs…He was at his peak, and at his peak puts the Elf-like Dio very much to shame. 13. Final comments? WR: Rage with Soulless at www.soullessdomain.com and check out our new Thrashing album “Agony’s Lament!!!!!” thanks for your time, please add anything we missed in the interview. Also can you send over a photo as a jpeg or tif? Thanks-Brett |