NWOBHM sahnesinin en köklü, en özel, en eşsiz gruplarından birinden bahsedeceğiz bugün. En baştan söyleyeyim, analizden didiklemeden ziyade duygular üzerinden ilerleyen, çok da uzatmayacağım, kendi hâlinde bir inceleme olacak.
Tüm albümleri ortalamanın çok üstünde, kimisi başyapıt mertebesindeki az sayıdaki gruptan biri olan SATAN, 1979’da başlayan kariyerini -verdiği aralara rağmen- günümüze dek sürdüren ve özünü koruma noktasında ders niteliğinde işlere imza atan bir topluluk. 2011’deki temelli geri dönüşünden bu yana geçen zaman düşünüldüğünde, SATAN’ın 2010 sonrasının en başarılı, istikrarlı ve skor katkılı geri dönüşlerinden birine imza attığını rahatlıkla söyleyebiliriz.
SATAN’la ilgili en ama en önemli konu adamların ta 1983’te çıkan ve tartışmasız bir başyapıt olan ilk albümleri “Court in the Act”teki kadroyla geri dönmüş ve son 11 yıldır bu şekilde devam ediyor oluşları. Ne bir taze kan ihtiyacı ne de artık bu müziği kaldıramayan muhtelif bir grup üyesi… SATAN 1983’te neydiyse 39 yıl sonra da aynı şekilde, aynı güçte, aynı eşsizlikte devam ediyor. Bu müthiş bir şey. Sadece “ne güzel ya aynı kadro bunca yıldır korunmuş” türü bir nostalji olarak değil, bu beş insanın yaklaşık 40 yıldır gerek sağlıkla ilgili gerek lojistik gerek başka bir sebepten ayrı düşmemiş olması ve bu müziğe duydukları tutkunun gram azalmamış olması ve bugün bile bir arada olmaları noktasında müthiş bir şey.
2013’te çıkan geri dönüş albümleri “Life Sentence” ve son derece aç döndüklerini gösterircesine sadece 2 yıl sonra çıkardıkları “Atom by Atom”la müthiş bir başlangıç yapan SATAN’ın en büyük şanslarından biri de retro tutkusunun, nostaljik özlemlerin değerli olduğu ve kitlenin bu tarz geri dönüşleri bağrına basmaya hazır olduğu bir dönemde geri dönmüş olmasıydı. Bu sayede hem kendilerini seksenlerin başlarından beri bilenlerin yüzünü güldürmüş hem de yeni neslin dinlediği müziğe kıymet veren ve saygı duyan kısmı tarafından benimsenmişlerdi.
Salgın olmasaydı muhtemelen daha erken tanışma fırsatı bulacağımız “Earth Infernal”a baktığımda SATAN’ın gerçekten de ne kadar eşsiz bir müzik yaptığını bir kez daha görüyorum. Teknik anlamdan, bileşenleri anlamından ziyade yarattığı karakter açısından eşsiz olan bu müzikal anlayış; Brian Ross’un ses rengi ve grubun karakteristik gitar sound’u gibi tekil bileşenlerin bir araya gelmesi sonucu oluşan harika bir aura olarak sarıp sarmalıyor SATAN müziğini.
Enfes açılış şarkısı “Ascendancy”nin melodik riflerinin güzelliğinden tutun da grubun yazdığı en güzel gitarlardan bazılarını barındıran “From Second Sight”ın ihtişamına kadar albümde ne vasat bir an ne de sıradan bir şarkı var. Bu şekilde yorumlayınca yüzeysel, üstünkörü bir yaklaşım gibi göründüğünü biliyorum, ancak SATAN’ın yaratmayı başardığı bu kimlik bana başka çare bırakmıyor. Koşup sarılmak isteyeceğiniz türde bir lead tonu; hazır ona sarılmışken elinden tutup kırlarda koşturmak isteyeceğiniz bir vokal performansı; GHOST yapsa şimdiye çoktan kliple süslenmiş ”Luciferic” gibi bir şarkının, günümüzdeki retro karakterli sayısız grubun bire bir kopyaladığı fikirler barındıran “The Blood Run Deep” gibi kusursuzluğun at koşturduğu bir albüm…
Sadece bana mı öyle geliyor bilmiyorum ama “Earth Infernal” gerçekten de her şarkısına klip çekilebilecek, her şarkısı birbirinden güzel o ender görülen albümlerden biri diye düşünüyorum. Çıktığından beri kaç kez yeniden başlattım, kaç kez “of ulan çok tatlı” diye düşündüm bilmiyorum ama şu an bu satırları yazarken hissettiğim coşku ve öforiye bakarsam bu düşüncelere daha uzun süre sahip olacağımı görebiliyorum.
Bu yazıyı çok da uzatmaya gerçekten gerek yok. Albüm çok iyi arkadaşlar. Çok çok iyi. Fazla iyi. Eğer NWOBHM ve genel olarak heavy metal seviyorsanız; 40 yıllık bir duygunun ve anlayışın günümüze de aynen taşınmasına tanık olmak istiyorsanız “Earth Infernal”ı dinlemek bir tavsiye değil, bir zorunluluk demekten kendimi alamıyorum. Dünkü MESHUGGAH kritiğinde bu müziği dinlediğimiz için ne kadar şanslı olduğumuzdan bahsetmiş ve bunu tamamen 2022’ye ait bir müzikal anlayış üzerinden, MESHUGGAH müziğinin çetrefilli sapkınlığı üzerinden yapmıştım. Bugün de aynı şeyi 40 yıl öncesinin fikirlerinin günümüzde de kusursuz ve başyapıt ortaya çıkaracak düzeyde uygulanışı üzerinden yapıyorum.
Kadro Brian Ross: Vokal
Steve Ramsey: Gitar
Russ Tippins: Gitar
Graeme English: Bas
Sean Taylor: Davul
Şarkılar 1. Ascendancy
2. Burning Portrait
3. Twelve Infernal Lords
4. Mercury's Shadow
5. A Sorrow Unspent
6. Luciferic
7. From Second Sight
8. Poison Elegy
9. The Blood Ran Deep
10. Earth We Bequeath
Kritiğin bugün yayınlanacağını bilmeden sabah diğer postta yazmıştım. Satan her işi kaliteli olan bir grup, bu da dönüşlerinden sonraki en iyi albümleri olmuş. Kesinlikle 9 puanı hak ediyor. Güzel kritik olmuş, teşekkürler Ahmet abi.
Şu albümlerin çıkışına tanık olmak gerçekten şans. Adamlar 39 sene önceki işlerinin kalitesini koruyor.
Court in the Act gibi grupları efsaneleştirmiş olan albümlerin 30-40 sene sonraki işlerle karşılaştırılması pek sık görülen bir durum değildir normalde. Adamlar bunu başarıyor.
Grupla bu albüm sayesinde tanışıp kritiği okuyanlar varsa kendilerine Court in the Act ve Atom by Atom albümlerini kesinlike tavsiye ediyorum. Puan kısmını çok takılmasam da Court in the Act benim için 10/10 puanlık efsane bir albümdür. Atom by Atom ise bence grubun 2010 sonrası en iyi albümü, ilk dinlediğimde açtığım saniye “Noluyoruz lan!” diye başlamıştım, o şaşkınlık 47 dakika boyunca devam ediyor. Her şeyiyle müthiş başka bir albüm.
Earth Infernal’ta ise tempo biraz düşse de grup aynı kaliteyi koruyor. Benim için 2022′nin en akılda kalıcı albümlerinden biri ve yıllarca dinleyeceğim bir başka iş.
2000 sonrasında geri dönen NWOBHM grupları içerisinde bana göre en başarılısı -Andy Sneap sağ olsun!- Hell idi. “Curse & Chapter” 2010′ların en iyi klasik heavy metal albümü olabilir. Bkz. Şekil A: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETUx-taQ9yM
Tabii hemen arkadan da Satan geliyor. İlk demosunda ekstrem metalin gelişimine katkıda bulunan, “Court in the Act”te ’80′lerin en iyi metal albümlerinden birine imza atan grubun sergilediği istikrar takdire şayan ve “Earth Infernal” da bu geleneği sürdürüyor.
Tabii bir paragraf da Brian Ross’a açmak lazım. Onunla 2003 yılında yayımlanmadan kalan bir Blitzkrieg röportajı gerçekleştirmiş ve sesini nasıl koruduğunu sormuştum. Cevap olarak sigara içmediğini ve basit vokal egzersizleri yaptığını söylemişti. Şaka gibi ama 19 yıl sonra değişen bir şey yok. 68 yaşında bu kadar genç tınlamak gerçekten çok acayip.
Bahsettiğim röportaj şöyleydi, belki birilerinin ilgisini çeker:
—–How did the idea of releasing an album like “A Time Of Changes – Phase 1” came out, and when? I guess that we should consider this album as a gift to the fans that never has left you alone till today, isn’t it?
ATOC Phase 1 was a good way of getting some rare recordings released. You’re right, it is a sort of gift to the fans that have been asking about rare Blitzkrieg tracks for years.
—–Generally, you’ve worked together with guest musicians in Blitzkrieg. And now you’ve got young musicians in the line-up. Will Blitzkrieg ever have a stable line-up? And how does having an unstable line-up affects the band?
I’m hoping that the present line-up will be a stable line-up. We’ve had to replace Tony because he’s gone back to his own projects now. But apart from that it’s the Absolute Power line up to this day.
—–Some fans does not like “The Mists Of Avalon” album much. I think one of the reasons for that situation is, the band’s music had became more personal after lots of band member changes (Tony J. Liddle was not in the band in this time period). What do you think about that?
“Mists” should maybe have been my solo album. I’m sorry that some of the fans didn’t like it though because I personally like the album. I think that “Mists” will be one of those albums that when you listen to it again ina few years time, you’ll probably think “It’s not too bad at all”. When Judas Priest first released “Point Of Entry” I didn’t like it too much but now listening to it again it’s not bad.
—–There are some interesting song names in “The Mists Of Avalon”. With “I Was Having A Great Time And Stayed Longer Than I Should, So When I Got To The Railway Station, The Last Train Had Gone!” song, did you try to make a song that has the longest name ever?! What’s the story behind this song?
It’s a short song with a huge long title. The story is simply if you get to a railway station just in time to see the last train pulling away the only thing you’re gonna say is “Bastard”. It’s a joke track!!!!
—–In “Absolute Power”, we see that your voice is still in a very good condition. Do you do something special to protect it?
I don’t smoke and I just do simple vocal exercises.
—–You say that you’ve influenced by Rob Halford and Ian Gillan, but your style is not close to theirs. How did you improve your vocals? You were in a church choir in the past, did this advantage for you?
Yes Gillan and Halford are my influences but I have got my own style, I don’t try to copy anybody. Yes I was professionally trained in a Church choir and I think that this did give me technical vocal knowledge that has helped me through the years.
—–“Feel The Pain” is a song written by Tony that critisizes religion. Does that bother you?
If you read the lyrics you will see that it doesn’t really critisize religion it just suggests what Jesus may have been thinking when he was on the cross. It doesn’t bother me because Tony based the lyrics on an idea that I was going to write anyway.
—–“Metalizer” is your tribute to both JUDAS PRIEST and Rob Halford. In the past, you had “Nocturnal Vision” song, for tribute to ALICE COOPER. Will we see songs like these in the future?
Possibly, what I would like to see is some band do a tribute to Blitzkrieg!
—–I think that “Enchanted Tower” is the one of the best Blitzkrieg songs that ever made. But when I take a look at the reviews of “Absolute Power” album, I see that it doesn’t get enough attention that it deserves to get. What do you think about that?
Everybody will have their favourite track and that’s cool. I think that there’s something for everybody on “Absolute Power”. “Enchanted Tower” was the first song that Paul (Nesbitt) and I wrote together. We’ve written more since then for the next album!
—–Tony says that “Absolute Power” album is Blitzkrieg’s “Ram It Down”. Will Blitzkrieg make its own “Painkiller”? And when will you release your next studio album?
The next studio album should be recorded before the end of the year. We hope that it will be our “Painkiller”.
—–Besides the studio album, what are you planning to do? What will “A Time Of Changes – Phase 2” contain?
The next Blitzkrieg release will be the long awaited second “Live” album. Phase 2 will contain 10 and Unholy Trinity with previously unreleased tracks. An “Original Line Up” may still take place but I’m not sure when.
—–Before Blitzkrieg, you took place in the bands like MIDDLE EARTH, KASHMIR, ANVIL (I guess that they had released a single from Neat Records under the name of RAW DEAL). Can you give us information about those days and these bands?
I’m impressed, you have done your homework. Those bands were my “learning ground”. There’s not much to tell really. Or should I write a book and try to remember everything about those days.
—–In NWOBHM period, most of the NWOBHM musicians were from the proletariat, the workers class. In the first months of Blitzkrieg, you had played in workers clubs, playing songs from other bands. In this time period, what was the meaning of heavy metal to the children of the workers?
I guess so, never really thought about it until you mentioned it. Maybe it’s just the British band thing.
—–How was the approachment of the proletariat to heavy metal? And how did workers class affect the development of heavy metal?
I’m not really a political animal, I leave that stuff to the politicians. I’m a musician!
—–A question that we ask to the NWOBHM bands usually: In the end of 70s and in the beginning of 80s, what were the reasons that pulled the youth to the heavy metal scene, what was the magic of NWOBHM?
I don’t really know. It was just a progression from the Punk explosion that had happened in England. The musicians improved so the music progressed from Punk to Metal. But with the same aggression!
—–As far as I know, in East Europe and Germany, you had some critics about the band’s name. The name Blitzkrieg was found by the manager of the band in 1980. What did you think when you had learnt that Blitzkrieg was a name of a war tactic that Nazis used to use?
As far as we were concerned the name BLITZKRIEG means “Very Fast Attack” and literally “Lightning War”. Both these terms fitted the band. Nothing to do with Nazi’s at all. You might be surprised to learn that you are only the 3rd or 4th journalist to ask me about this!!!!!
—–After “Buried Alive/Blitzkrieg” single, you got an album offer from Carrere Records and you got the chance to support SAXON in their England tour. But guitar player Jim Sirotto didn’t want to do that and you didn’t want to do it without him, and at the end the band splited up. What was the reason of Jim, why he didn’t want to do it? And which other reasons made you to split the band up?
Once again I’m impressed by your knowledge of all things BLITZKRIEG. Yes that’s all true. Jim (Sirotto) decided that life on the road in a metal band isn’t what he really wanted, so he went back to teaching. He still teaches to this day. Do you think that I should have continued on without him? Who knows what would have happened if I did.
—–Is it true that the song “Blitzkrieg” is mainly written by Ian Jones and Mick Moore, when they were in AXE VICTIM and the real name of the song is “Bitch”? Can you explain the period of the time that the song was written if you remember?
Apparently Ian (Jones) and Mick (Moore), did write a song called Bitch when together in Axe Victim. At the time I did not know that, I found out much later. Ian brought the music with him, I wrote the lyrics, the song was Blitzkrieg!
—–About the “Blitzkrieg” cover of METALLICA, Ian Jones had said “To be honest, I prefer their version to our version”. What do you think about the cover?
It’s OK but I don’t agree with Ian. Our version is much better than theirs.
—–After you took place in AVENGER for some time, you passed to SATAN and record an album with them called “Court In The Act”, which was one of the strongest albums of those times. After an album this important, what were the reasons of parting the ways with the band? Is it musical idea problems or some problems about your voice?
They wanted to totally change the direction of the band. I wanted to follow “Court In The Act” with another traditional British Metal album. We couldn’t agree so we went our separate ways. Satan’s management released a story that there was a problem with my voice. As you can see 20 years on there’s no problems with my voice!! It’s a shame because the follow-up album could have been amazing. I have been talking to Russ Tippins recently about recording a new Satan album with the ATOC line-up. It should happen some time this year, (my schedule with Blitzkrieg permitting of course).
—–After “Buried Alive/Blitzkrieg” single, the band splited up and you don’t seem to try to get the band together again to make an album much. SATAN members say that they were Blitzkrieg fans. Despite its short career (one year), Blitzkrieg seems to had a good place in the heavy metal scene. But even after SATAN, you became the manager of the band LONE WOLF. Were you thinking that you didn’t had the conditions to do an album with Blitzkrieg?
To be honest after leaving Satan I had no intention of reforming Blitzkrieg. I was going to record the album of Blitzkrieg songs that we would have done if we had signed to Carrere records. I was going to call the album Blitzkrieg – A Time Of Changes” and have it released as a Brian Ross solo album. I wanted to “lay the ghost” of Blitzkrieg then decide what to do next. The press announced that a Blitzkrieg album was to be released. The fans got excited about it so I though why argue with that. So it was to be a Blitzkrieg album instead. I have to say that I have never regretted that since. I have worked with some of the most talented musicians in the music business. They are all still part of the Blitzkrieg family. Not only that, I have some of the most dedicated and loyal fans in the world. The Krieg salutes you. God bless you all.
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Kritiğin bugün yayınlanacağını bilmeden sabah diğer postta yazmıştım. Satan her işi kaliteli olan bir grup, bu da dönüşlerinden sonraki en iyi albümleri olmuş. Kesinlikle 9 puanı hak ediyor. Güzel kritik olmuş, teşekkürler Ahmet abi.
Şu albümlerin çıkışına tanık olmak gerçekten şans. Adamlar 39 sene önceki işlerinin kalitesini koruyor.
Court in the Act gibi grupları efsaneleştirmiş olan albümlerin 30-40 sene sonraki işlerle karşılaştırılması pek sık görülen bir durum değildir normalde. Adamlar bunu başarıyor.
Grupla bu albüm sayesinde tanışıp kritiği okuyanlar varsa kendilerine Court in the Act ve Atom by Atom albümlerini kesinlike tavsiye ediyorum. Puan kısmını çok takılmasam da Court in the Act benim için 10/10 puanlık efsane bir albümdür. Atom by Atom ise bence grubun 2010 sonrası en iyi albümü, ilk dinlediğimde açtığım saniye “Noluyoruz lan!” diye başlamıştım, o şaşkınlık 47 dakika boyunca devam ediyor. Her şeyiyle müthiş başka bir albüm.
Earth Infernal’ta ise tempo biraz düşse de grup aynı kaliteyi koruyor. Benim için 2022′nin en akılda kalıcı albümlerinden biri ve yıllarca dinleyeceğim bir başka iş.
8/10
2000 sonrasında geri dönen NWOBHM grupları içerisinde bana göre en başarılısı -Andy Sneap sağ olsun!- Hell idi. “Curse & Chapter” 2010′ların en iyi klasik heavy metal albümü olabilir. Bkz. Şekil A:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETUx-taQ9yM
Tabii hemen arkadan da Satan geliyor. İlk demosunda ekstrem metalin gelişimine katkıda bulunan, “Court in the Act”te ’80′lerin en iyi metal albümlerinden birine imza atan grubun sergilediği istikrar takdire şayan ve “Earth Infernal” da bu geleneği sürdürüyor.
Tabii bir paragraf da Brian Ross’a açmak lazım. Onunla 2003 yılında yayımlanmadan kalan bir Blitzkrieg röportajı gerçekleştirmiş ve sesini nasıl koruduğunu sormuştum. Cevap olarak sigara içmediğini ve basit vokal egzersizleri yaptığını söylemişti. Şaka gibi ama 19 yıl sonra değişen bir şey yok. 68 yaşında bu kadar genç tınlamak gerçekten çok acayip.
19.04.2022
Bahsettiğim röportaj şöyleydi, belki birilerinin ilgisini çeker:
—–How did the idea of releasing an album like “A Time Of Changes – Phase 1” came out, and when? I guess that we should consider this album as a gift to the fans that never has left you alone till today, isn’t it?
ATOC Phase 1 was a good way of getting some rare recordings released. You’re right, it is a sort of gift to the fans that have been asking about rare Blitzkrieg tracks for years.
—–Generally, you’ve worked together with guest musicians in Blitzkrieg. And now you’ve got young musicians in the line-up. Will Blitzkrieg ever have a stable line-up? And how does having an unstable line-up affects the band?
I’m hoping that the present line-up will be a stable line-up. We’ve had to replace Tony because he’s gone back to his own projects now. But apart from that it’s the Absolute Power line up to this day.
—–Some fans does not like “The Mists Of Avalon” album much. I think one of the reasons for that situation is, the band’s music had became more personal after lots of band member changes (Tony J. Liddle was not in the band in this time period). What do you think about that?
“Mists” should maybe have been my solo album. I’m sorry that some of the fans didn’t like it though because I personally like the album. I think that “Mists” will be one of those albums that when you listen to it again ina few years time, you’ll probably think “It’s not too bad at all”. When Judas Priest first released “Point Of Entry” I didn’t like it too much but now listening to it again it’s not bad.
—–There are some interesting song names in “The Mists Of Avalon”. With “I Was Having A Great Time And Stayed Longer Than I Should, So When I Got To The Railway Station, The Last Train Had Gone!” song, did you try to make a song that has the longest name ever?! What’s the story behind this song?
It’s a short song with a huge long title. The story is simply if you get to a railway station just in time to see the last train pulling away the only thing you’re gonna say is “Bastard”. It’s a joke track!!!!
—–In “Absolute Power”, we see that your voice is still in a very good condition. Do you do something special to protect it?
I don’t smoke and I just do simple vocal exercises.
—–You say that you’ve influenced by Rob Halford and Ian Gillan, but your style is not close to theirs. How did you improve your vocals? You were in a church choir in the past, did this advantage for you?
Yes Gillan and Halford are my influences but I have got my own style, I don’t try to copy anybody. Yes I was professionally trained in a Church choir and I think that this did give me technical vocal knowledge that has helped me through the years.
—–“Feel The Pain” is a song written by Tony that critisizes religion. Does that bother you?
If you read the lyrics you will see that it doesn’t really critisize religion it just suggests what Jesus may have been thinking when he was on the cross. It doesn’t bother me because Tony based the lyrics on an idea that I was going to write anyway.
—–“Metalizer” is your tribute to both JUDAS PRIEST and Rob Halford. In the past, you had “Nocturnal Vision” song, for tribute to ALICE COOPER. Will we see songs like these in the future?
Possibly, what I would like to see is some band do a tribute to Blitzkrieg!
—–I think that “Enchanted Tower” is the one of the best Blitzkrieg songs that ever made. But when I take a look at the reviews of “Absolute Power” album, I see that it doesn’t get enough attention that it deserves to get. What do you think about that?
Everybody will have their favourite track and that’s cool. I think that there’s something for everybody on “Absolute Power”. “Enchanted Tower” was the first song that Paul (Nesbitt) and I wrote together. We’ve written more since then for the next album!
—–Tony says that “Absolute Power” album is Blitzkrieg’s “Ram It Down”. Will Blitzkrieg make its own “Painkiller”? And when will you release your next studio album?
The next studio album should be recorded before the end of the year. We hope that it will be our “Painkiller”.
—–Besides the studio album, what are you planning to do? What will “A Time Of Changes – Phase 2” contain?
The next Blitzkrieg release will be the long awaited second “Live” album. Phase 2 will contain 10 and Unholy Trinity with previously unreleased tracks. An “Original Line Up” may still take place but I’m not sure when.
—–Before Blitzkrieg, you took place in the bands like MIDDLE EARTH, KASHMIR, ANVIL (I guess that they had released a single from Neat Records under the name of RAW DEAL). Can you give us information about those days and these bands?
I’m impressed, you have done your homework. Those bands were my “learning ground”. There’s not much to tell really. Or should I write a book and try to remember everything about those days.
—–In NWOBHM period, most of the NWOBHM musicians were from the proletariat, the workers class. In the first months of Blitzkrieg, you had played in workers clubs, playing songs from other bands. In this time period, what was the meaning of heavy metal to the children of the workers?
I guess so, never really thought about it until you mentioned it. Maybe it’s just the British band thing.
—–How was the approachment of the proletariat to heavy metal? And how did workers class affect the development of heavy metal?
I’m not really a political animal, I leave that stuff to the politicians. I’m a musician!
—–A question that we ask to the NWOBHM bands usually: In the end of 70s and in the beginning of 80s, what were the reasons that pulled the youth to the heavy metal scene, what was the magic of NWOBHM?
I don’t really know. It was just a progression from the Punk explosion that had happened in England. The musicians improved so the music progressed from Punk to Metal. But with the same aggression!
—–As far as I know, in East Europe and Germany, you had some critics about the band’s name. The name Blitzkrieg was found by the manager of the band in 1980. What did you think when you had learnt that Blitzkrieg was a name of a war tactic that Nazis used to use?
As far as we were concerned the name BLITZKRIEG means “Very Fast Attack” and literally “Lightning War”. Both these terms fitted the band. Nothing to do with Nazi’s at all. You might be surprised to learn that you are only the 3rd or 4th journalist to ask me about this!!!!!
—–After “Buried Alive/Blitzkrieg” single, you got an album offer from Carrere Records and you got the chance to support SAXON in their England tour. But guitar player Jim Sirotto didn’t want to do that and you didn’t want to do it without him, and at the end the band splited up. What was the reason of Jim, why he didn’t want to do it? And which other reasons made you to split the band up?
Once again I’m impressed by your knowledge of all things BLITZKRIEG. Yes that’s all true. Jim (Sirotto) decided that life on the road in a metal band isn’t what he really wanted, so he went back to teaching. He still teaches to this day. Do you think that I should have continued on without him? Who knows what would have happened if I did.
—–Is it true that the song “Blitzkrieg” is mainly written by Ian Jones and Mick Moore, when they were in AXE VICTIM and the real name of the song is “Bitch”? Can you explain the period of the time that the song was written if you remember?
Apparently Ian (Jones) and Mick (Moore), did write a song called Bitch when together in Axe Victim. At the time I did not know that, I found out much later. Ian brought the music with him, I wrote the lyrics, the song was Blitzkrieg!
—–About the “Blitzkrieg” cover of METALLICA, Ian Jones had said “To be honest, I prefer their version to our version”. What do you think about the cover?
It’s OK but I don’t agree with Ian. Our version is much better than theirs.
—–After you took place in AVENGER for some time, you passed to SATAN and record an album with them called “Court In The Act”, which was one of the strongest albums of those times. After an album this important, what were the reasons of parting the ways with the band? Is it musical idea problems or some problems about your voice?
They wanted to totally change the direction of the band. I wanted to follow “Court In The Act” with another traditional British Metal album. We couldn’t agree so we went our separate ways. Satan’s management released a story that there was a problem with my voice. As you can see 20 years on there’s no problems with my voice!! It’s a shame because the follow-up album could have been amazing. I have been talking to Russ Tippins recently about recording a new Satan album with the ATOC line-up. It should happen some time this year, (my schedule with Blitzkrieg permitting of course).
—–After “Buried Alive/Blitzkrieg” single, the band splited up and you don’t seem to try to get the band together again to make an album much. SATAN members say that they were Blitzkrieg fans. Despite its short career (one year), Blitzkrieg seems to had a good place in the heavy metal scene. But even after SATAN, you became the manager of the band LONE WOLF. Were you thinking that you didn’t had the conditions to do an album with Blitzkrieg?
To be honest after leaving Satan I had no intention of reforming Blitzkrieg. I was going to record the album of Blitzkrieg songs that we would have done if we had signed to Carrere records. I was going to call the album Blitzkrieg – A Time Of Changes” and have it released as a Brian Ross solo album. I wanted to “lay the ghost” of Blitzkrieg then decide what to do next. The press announced that a Blitzkrieg album was to be released. The fans got excited about it so I though why argue with that. So it was to be a Blitzkrieg album instead. I have to say that I have never regretted that since. I have worked with some of the most talented musicians in the music business. They are all still part of the Blitzkrieg family. Not only that, I have some of the most dedicated and loyal fans in the world. The Krieg salutes you. God bless you all.
BRIAN ROSS – MAY 2003
Taş gibi albüm. 48 dakikalık albümde “keşke şurası biraz değişik olsaydı” dediğim küçük bir kısım bile yok.