The Iron Maidens

Wanda Ortiz, has been playing with "The Iron Maidens" (world's only female tribute to Iron Maiden), since 2002, when she replaced Melanie Cisneros, having been touring around the world, spreading their talent to the Maiden fans.

Q. - Hello Wanda, so what can you tell us about your musical beginnings in Heavy Metal particularly? What bands did you play before joining the Maidens?

Wanda - Before joining The Iron Maidens, I played in many original local bands. None of them ever got famous or made any money but I had a lot of fun! One of the bands I played in, Heartache City, featured Uriah Heep’s former vocalist Steph Fontaine. Working with someone who had toured in a major band before was a nice experience.

Q. - You’ve been playing with "The Iron Maidens" since 2002, when you replaced Melanie Cisneros, what’s the balance of these 16 years?

Wanda - So far, it has been a lot of fun and I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to travel, play music, and meet new friends. At the end of this year, the band plans to record a new CD with our current line-up.

Q. - How does it feel like to fit on Steve Harris shoes? Is he a major influence on you?

Wanda - I don’t think anyone can fill Steve’s shoes but we can sure have fun pretending! He is one of my favorite bass players and yes, I have been influenced in a big way by his playing.

Q. - What other influences did you have besides Maiden and Harris?

Wanda - I’ve always been drawn to bands that have great bass lines like Maiden, Rush, and Yes, for example. I also admire bassists like Geddy Lee, Jaco Pastorius, and Chris Squire in addition to Steve Harris.

Q. - Is there an Iron Maiden song that you like most to play live?

Wanda - There are many Maiden songs that I like to play live so it is hard to choose just one. Losfer Words, Phantom of the Opera, Powerslave, and Rime of the Ancient Mariner are a few of my favorites.

Q. - How is the crowd reaction to your shows, Now that the band is getting bigger day after day?

Wanda - Since we are a Maiden tribute band, people who come see us play know they will be hearing songs they like so the reaction has always been very positive.

Q. - Do you try to keep your set list different from Iron Maiden? Or try to play songs that Iron Maiden usually don't play?

Wanda - We play songs that Iron Maiden usually don’t play. It doesn’t make sense for us to play their new stuff because people can see them play their new stuff. They still tour and record and are very active- lucky for us!

Q. - Would you like to have an invitation from Iron Maiden to be their opening act?

Wanda - Yes! The whole band would love that!

Q. - Have you ever thought about recording an originals album with The Iron Maidens?

Wanda - Yes, we’ve thought about it but since we are all busy with this project and with different jobs and projects on the side, it would be hard to find the time.

Q. - And what about playing in an originals heavy metal band?

Wanda - I think that would be a lot of fun if I found the right project and had more time.

Q. - Is there any funny moment that you can share with us?

Wanda - Kirsten’s pants split onstage one time at a show in Germany. It wasn’t fun when it happened but we all laugh about it now.

Q. - How do you want to end up this interview? Anything more you want to say?

Wanda - Thanks so much for the interview and for spreading the word about us! Very much appreciated!! 

Thank you for your time, and wish you all the best for the future!

Brian Allen (Dark Sky Choir, Vicious Rumors)

Brian Allen is better known for having been the lead singer of Vicious Rumors. We had a chat with him about the beginning of his career, and about what's been up to, these days!

Q. - Hello Brian, tell us a little bit about your beginnings in the heavy metal world, what were you're main influences, what lead you to be a heavy metal singer?

Brian - Well Dio First, Halford, then Dickinson then out of no where Blackie Lawless, John Bush and Oliva became very influential, of course King Diamond.,I used to play guitar. But my friends said I was a better singer so that’s kinda how.

Q. - Was Last Empire the first band with whom you recorded an album? Tell us a little bit about Last Empire's career too?

Brian - I have old Ep’s out there from a band called Father Mary and Bloodstone and an Unreleased cd called Finn but Last Empire was my first underground break through in the scene the lasted for 10 years off and on.

Q. - What's the current status of Last Empire? Do you still have time to play with them?

Brian - No they are doing a Doom Metal Project so that would be a no.

Q. - You were the lead singer for Malice around 2005 when they did the 20th anniversary of the band, what can you tell us about those times and those gigs?

Brian - It was one gig and it was the greatest time ever playing with those guys I was a huge fan and already knew the songs Love those guys to death.

Q. - What are your thoughts on Mick Zane's passing?

Brian - I miss him horribly we became pretty good friends after that show always stayed touch we talked about our kids he was a great husband and father and a great writer.

Q. - How did the invitation to join Vicious Rumors came up, for the first time?

Brian - Matt McCourt told Geoff about me that’s how it all happened.

Q. - In the four years you were with them you recorded two studio albums and a live one, are you happy with those recordings? Is there anyone you like more?

Brian - Well technically was with them late 2009 to late 2013 and then came back in late 2016 to May of 2018, and I love those records I was disappointed that we never did more songs off those records they deserve it.

Q. - How does it feel, to sing the same songs Carl Albert did back in the day? Is it hard tough?

Brian - No not hard at all just felt there were other great songs to songs besides the normal ones Geoff has quite a library of songs to choose from.

Q. - A few years ago, you jammed with Randy Pipper, did you record any songs with him?

Brian - No we would have but I had to have major back surgery and I was out of commission for 2 years from a car accident.

Q. - You have been very busy with your new band, Dark Sky Choir, when did you join the band? How did the invitation came up?

Brian - Well Fred Gorhau and Mike from Exxplorer we stayed friends since we played Sword Brothers Festival Back in 2011 I think And Fred and I always talked about playing a project so fast forward to November 2017 he called me and said he had a singer problem so I stepped in.

Q. - What's the current line up of the band?

Brian - Well Fred Gorhau guitars, Mike Sakowski Drums, We had John Moyer from Disturbed to play bass, but Disturbed has a new record coming out, so he will be busy for about 2 years or less but he still writes with us and he produced our new record, coming out in late September so Fred is looking for a replacement for our tour coming up I’m not worried but I will miss John a lot I learned a lot from him.

Q. - And what about shows, what expectations do you have for the tour with Dark Sky Choir? Are you preparing the upcoming Tour with Monster Magnet?

Brian - Oh Yes indeed Paulo, we have big things coming up I’m very excited.

Q. - And what about the stoner band Two Headed Beast, tell us a bit about these other project of you!

Brian - Well I’m still playing with the Beast, but been very busy and I reunited with my old band mates, Finn to do local shows and will record a record with them in the near future.

Q. - Hard n’ Heavy music does not pay bills to many people, is it difficult to make this kind of music now-a-days?

Brian - It usually does yes but Dark Sky Choir is taking care of me I have no complaints.

Q. - Are you happy with what you achieved so far in the "heavy metal world"?

Brian - Yes because I met so many people and friends throughout Europe and the States but I’m not finished yet ha ha ha.

Q. - How do you see the heavy metal scene nowadays? Do you keep interest on new bands?

Brian - I have my favorites, Watain, Dark Funeral, Primal Fear, Nocturnal Rites, and of course Hammerfall, I try to keep up and of course my brother Phil Anselmo anything he does I love but, I’m looking forward to the new Queensryche album, it’s going to be huge from what Todd tells me.

Q. - Will you try a Black Metal project in the future?

Brian - Sign me up baby ha ha ha.

Q. - How do you want to end up this interview? Anything more you want to say?

Brian - I miss Europe big time I will return take care my Brother long live metal!!!!

Thank you for your time, and wish you all the best for the future!

Mike "Tapping Ninja" Guerrero

Mike "The Tapping Ninja" Guerrero, is a guitar shredder, known for his guitar work in Hirax and Grim Reaper, having his solo work out now, we had a chat with to know more about what he's been doing lately.

Q. - Hello Mike, tell us a little bit about your beginnings in the heavy metal world, what were your main influences, what lead you to be a metal guitar player?

Mike - I started lessons at 5 years old… but started playing at 3 years old...  (Peru) After seeing Saxon at the whiskey in 1982, when I was 15 I decided to make music my job...

Q. - Your solo album "The Tapping Ninja" is out now? What expectations do you have for this album?

Mike - I hope more people in Latin America will hear my Cd and see me play live and hopefully get inspired.

Q. - It was produced by Craig Goldy, how did that happen?

Mike - In 1990 Goldy was my guitar teacher.  He liked my playing and said we should make an album… we went from student/ teacher to artist/ producer.... he was my mentor for 10 years.

Q. - What other musicians are playing with you on "The Tapping Ninja"?

Mike – Craig Goldy played all bass and some guitar... Carmine Appice played some drums on some tracks.

Q. - Tell us a bit about your collaboration with Hirax, when did it start, was it around 2012 with "La boca de la bestia"? How did that happen?

Mike - Hirax - I started in 2011 to 2012, I played a show with another band I was in (Deathriders) and noticed there response was better lol... I asked to join... they said if you can learn 20 songs in 2 weeks you can go to Poland with us... I did… I played on the track “boca”.

Q. - Were you a Hirax fan before joining them?

Mike - Not a fan before or during, but now I am after watching them live lol (it was when I played with Grim Reaper in Peru, they played before us so I was able to watch).

Q. - Are you still active with Neil Turbin's DeathRiders?

Mike - No activity with Neil he tries to copy everything I do so I try not to see him... I used to love to hang out with him and think he’s an awesome musician/ a legend and very funny, I miss him very much… but like many he just doesn't like me.

Q. - And what about Grim Reaper? How did you join them?

Mike - We played a festival together in Peru where I opened as a soloist all by myself on stage like Stanley Jordan or Eddie Murphy (both heroes of mine)… lol       that’s how I met them… when I saw them in Hollywood at the whiskey, I was there guest... it was a dream come true for me … I was a big fan since I was in high school.

Q. - Will you be a Grim Reaper's member from now on, or you will be only collaborating with them live?

Mike - I’m not a member... just a special guest sometimes... a huge honour for me!

Q. - Are you preparing Grim Reaper's US tour by now?

Mike - Not sure when I will see them again… hopefully in Hollywood in October lol… it’s random.

Q. - What other projects have you been working so far?

Mike - I am currently a solo artist I travel to china I been to japan etc. I’ve played 2 sold out shows a day before in both countries and really, really big solo concerts with thousands of families waving glow sticks lol... people there like me and understand my music... they also like me as a person... I’m always looking for a band lol.

Q. - Being you very NWOBHM influenced, what do you think of this recent revival of the N.W.O.B.H.M., and all these bands reforming?

Mike - I think its super awesome… and very inspiring.

Q. - How's the Metal scene in Peru? In general? Is it hard for a heavy metal band to be booked?

Mike - Peru has a very very strong metal scene... everyone there is a metal head lol … there are a lot of guitar fans there also and they know great music. They also like  love Yngwie/ Paul Gilbert a super lot (I also do…) my parents are from Peru… if you want to play there you better be good lol… it’s not hard to play there if you are famous or from the 80s lol otherwise it can be hard (if you are good they will book you).  

Q. - How did you get the nickname "Tapping Ninja"?

Mike - Jennifer Batten nicknamed me “The Tapping Ninja” in 1990... it was a honor for me... she would always compliment me and was very nice. She would say I’m like a ninja cuz I’m good at tapping... a tapping ninja... a huge compliment coming from her (listen to flight of the bumblebee lol) she was my teacher/ sensei.

Q. - Anything more you want to say, to end up this interview?

Mike - An honor to do this interview!! Great questions!! I love to teach and I’ve been for doing that for 25 years. I’ve been playing every day for 38 years... I hope you can share this. EVERYWHERE (social media) so everyone finally knows my story... So people want to know lol. Many people ask these questions... also there are some Mike Guerrero/ Tapping Ninja wanna bees out there. But I’m the TAPPING NINJA!! Just ask my former teachers - Jennifer Batten/ Goldy/ Paul/ Bruce/ Schenker/ Roth/ Cavazo etc. they are MY Heros... I like to listen to classical music and think SIREN HEX. Is a great /new band so check them out! Thx!!!

Thank you for your time, and wish you all the best for the future!

Mortífera

Os Mortífera formaram-se na Amadora (Lisboa), por volta de 1987, apesar de terem tido uma curta existência, foram um marco importante no Thrash Metal nacional, tivemos uma pequena conversa com o Filipe Gonçalves (bateria) e a Helena Fialho (vocalista), de forma a saber um pouco mais sobre a banda.

P. - Como surgiu o interesse em formar os Mortífera e quais eram as vossas principais influências naquele tempo?

Filipe – Como sempre quis ser músico (desde muito pequeno), logo muito cedo quis formar uma banda e com tantas influências na Amadora de tantas outras bandas acho que foi fácil fazer a banda, com a passagem de vários guitarristas até a formação final que também pouco durou. As influências eram essencialmente Metallica.

P. - Filipe, enquanto estiveste nos STS Paranoid, acumulaste funções nas duas bandas ou os Mortífera ficaram em standby?

Filipe – Nem uma coisa nem outra pois foi sol de pouca dura. Mortífera acabou após 5 gigs e logo de seguida tive uma proposta para ir para STS.

P. - Lena, era invulgar numa banda de thrash metal, apresentar uma vocalista, como se deu a tua entrada na banda?

Lena – Calculo que sim, que em Portugal não existiam muitas bandas com vocalistas de metal, contudo a minha entrada na banda começou por ser uma brincadeira e acabou por ser uma experiência muito engraçada e enriquecedora.

P. - Quais as principais dificuldades com que se deparavam naquela altura? Salas de ensaio? Disponibilidade para ensaiar? Falta de material? Ou outras?

Filipe – Sinceramente, acho que falta de motivação ou auto motivação, não sei o que a Lena pensa ou qualquer um dos outros mas equipamento melhor ou pior não faz o músico. Sala, nunca houve esse problema pois ensaiávamos na minha casa, volto a dizer, tinha a ver com a motivação.

P. - Em relação a concertos, tocavam regularmente ao vivo, ou era difícil encontrar sítios para tocar?

Filipe – Era difícil, com Mortífera creio que fizemos uns 5 gigs, todos eles durante o ano de 1989.

P. - Como era a aderência do público aos vossos shows? Tinham uma boa base de fãs?

Filipe – Sim, nisso o metal sempre foi melhor que todos, o pessoal apoiava as bandas como tal a aderência era sempre muito boa.

P. - Dos concertos que deram há algum que guardem alguma memória especial?

Filipe – Para mim foi o último concerto que demos em Massamá. Lena?

Lena – Creio que o foi o último, em Silvares, Fundão. Achei maravilhoso a maneira como fomos recebidos por todos, foi uma experiência completamente fora da nossa zona de conforto.

P. - Alguma história divertida que possam partilhar connosco?

Filipe – Na verdade existem várias mas nenhuma pode ser divulgada aqui… ;)

P. - O que acham que correu mal naquela altura para que os Mortífera não tivessem tido continuidade? Houve muita instabilidade no line-up?

Filipe – Sim claro, éramos todos muito miúdos.

Lena – Concordo com o Filipe. Apesar de alguns elementos terem continuado na música posteriormente, naquela altura só o Filipe decidiu ser músico profissional, todos os outros tocavam essencialmente como hobby.

P. - Sentiam que o heavy metal em geral era marginalizado na nossa sociedade?

Filipe – Sim, sem dúvida.

P. - Para a história da banda, fica uma demo tape (Deadly Fields, 1989) e algumas gravações ao vivo, como vêm essas gravações, passados tantos anos?

Filipe - Com mau som ehehehe.

Lena – Sem dúvida mau som, algo muito frequente na época. Na parte que me toca, ainda me divirto a ouvir e a falta de qualidade até sugere alguma nostalgia.

P. - Essa demo tape chegaram a enviá-la para rádios ou fanzines? Tentaram posteriormente gravar alguma demo num estúdio profissional?

Filipe – Não, nem houve tempo para isso que a banda acabou logo.

P. - Lena, ainda tentaste a tua sorte como vocalista noutra banda, depois do fim dos Mortífera?

Lena - Na verdade eu já tinha decidido que não iria continuar a cantar.

P. - Filipe, depois do final dos Mortífera, ainda seguiste carreira nos conceituados V12, como se deu a tua entrada na banda?

Filipe – Tive um convite para tocar em V12 logo após a gravação do disco, que ainda foi gravado pelo Alberto Garcia, e eu senti que eram as primeiras pessoas com quem toquei e que queriam tocar, o que mudou em muito a minha perspectiva de ver a música.

P. - Que memórias guardas desses tempos com os V12?

Filipe – As melhores, foi onde aprendi quase tudo, onde me dei musicalmente da melhor maneira até hoje, creio. O Paulo Ossos e eu fazíamos músicas ao telefone. Recentemente estivemos aqui a jantar em casa e a rirmos disso, eu e ele.

P. - Em relação aos V12, o facto de tu e outros elementos dos V12, também pertencerem à banda da Adelaide, poderá ter precipitado o final dos V12?

Filipe – De uma certa forma talvez, mas creio que vertentes diferentes de ver/estar na música naquela altura, entre nós todos, é que ditaram esse fim…

P. - Ainda mantêm viva a chama do heavy metal? Continuam a ter interesse em ouvir ou assistir concertos ao vivo de heavy metal?

Filipe – Claro isso não desaparece. Vejo menos confesso.

Lena – Eu ainda ouço metal mas confesso que ouço mais os álbuns antigos e não estou tão familiarizada com o que se faz actualmente. De qualquer forma, sempre que me é possível não perco um concerto.

P. - Gostariam de acrescentar mais alguma coisa?

Filipe – Apenas um obrigado a todos pelo apoio que sempre tenho tido ao longo destes anos e em especial, obrigado a ti.

Lena – Um muito obrigado a todos pelo carinho especial mesmo após todos estes anos! Cool!

Obrigado pelo tempo dispensado, e desejo-vos tudo de bom para o futuro!

R. F.+L. – Obrigado, igualmente J

Blind Illusion

Blind Illusion, started in the late seventies, and has been known as a technical thrash metal band. They recorded 6 demo tapes and an Lp during the 80's, having the band split up in 1989. After a 20-year hiatus, Biedermann reformed Blind Illusion in 2009 and released one album. We had a chat with main man Marc Biedermann, to know a little bit more about them.

Q. - Hello Mark, tell us a bit about the beginning of the band, how did it all start, who were the first members, how did the name came up?

Mark - My first musical endeavour was to sing for my friends band that was in the beginnings of it's formation. It was Alvin Petty on guitar and Dave White on drums. They agreed to my offer as vocalist on one condition, that I learned to play the bass. We jammed for awhile after I learned a few bass lines but after a year I switched to rhythm guitar Dave was replaced by Bret Hern on drums and Alvin left shortly after to pursue his art career. We were a two piece for awhile and it was my brother that suggested the name Blind Illusion. Les Claypool came to me for guitar lessons but I told him guitarists were a dime a dozen and that he should learn to play bass. Soon after he showed up at my house with a memphis P bass and I asked him to join the band and the band will be called Blind Illusion! Our first gig included Keith Stewart on vocals who was soon replaced by Dave White.

Q. - In the beginning how it was the interaction with the other Bay Area bands, since the late 70's, early 80's, what other bands were there too? Anvil Chorus, Metal Church, Brocas Helm, Dammaj?

Mark - We were all like 15 years old at this time so our interaction with other bands was limited to our friends Exodus , Aftermath, Hexx,. We all played Alvarado park together and word spread and soon some bands from Berkeley and Oakland like Eddy Fontaine, Third Rail. Heretic, Savior, Chainsaw Dawg joined our circle of bands. Eventually we played the Keystone Berkeley with Aftermath and we met Anvil Chorus. Now mind you that Kusf 90.3 rampage radio was already playing our music but we didn't have any idea of how to market our recordings so we just kept playing and writing for the sheer thrill of playing Heavy Metal. Some other bands we played with in those days were Outrage, Fuhrer, Trust, Wraith, Kenny English Band. This was before we finally played in S.F at The Old Waldorf's Metal Mondays.

Q. - Did you share the stage many times with those bands? What memories do you keep from those times?

Mark - Some of those bands only played one or two gigs with us. There was always a good feeling between us with some of those bands but there was also an understanding that loyalty to your own band was most important which is why a band like Exodus really excelled. Not just because they were a real kick ass band but they were very solid in their friendship and loyalty to each other.

Q. - After David leaved, did you try to find another singer or you took over vocal duties right after?

Mark - When Dave left the band it had already been decided upon by the rest of the band that I would take over the vocal duties. The first demo I sang lead vocals on was the Bloodshower / Smash the Crystal demo and it excited the people at Music For Nations so we knew we were on the right track!

Q. - Why did it get so long to get "The Sane Asylum" released? Were there problems to find a label, or difficulties to find the wright line-up?

Mark - Well that was all up to the record company. I may have been mistaken about what they wanted musically because the songs that Dave sang on were not received well by the record company so we dropped those songs and wrote some new ones. As it turns out the record company wanted to know why Cry of The Banshee, Destroyer, Glass Guillotine, Blind Sun, and Walk the Iron were not considered for the album. I was going on the strength of their immediate acceptance of Bloodshower and Smash the Crystal and therefore wrote more songs in that direction. Very metal yet still somewhat progressive but very heavy! 

Q. - What do you think that went wrong at the end of the eighties, early nineties, so that the project did not have continuity?

Mark - I don't really know. Maybe it was the departure of Les and Larry. Also problems with the record company. They didn't want to bring us out to Europe in support of The Sane Asylum and we had poor management after we lost our management team. All these things halted our momentum.

Q. - At one certain point you played the bass for Heathen's Victims of Deception album, were you invited to stay in the band? Why didn't you stay?

Mark - I don't remember If they asked me to stay on with them.It would not have worked anyway because of the friction between Dave and I. It was great playing bass for a minute but I am a much better guitarist than I am a bassist.

Q. - What made you feel like reuniting Blind Illusion again? Has it been difficult to keep this band alive?

Mark - One day I listened to the Sane Asylum at the urgency of a good friend guitarist Phil Kunick. I then realized that I had left my life behind and immediately began putting the band together. It coincided with the return of Death Angel and Mordred and that helped feed my fire!

Q. - Was it easy to find this new line up for the band? Who's been playing with you lately?

Mark - The first incarnate of the years after 2000 was more Rock than Metal largely due to the players. Eventually bassist Harald O Oimoen from DRI, drummer Erik Cruze and guitarist Aaron Knudsen joined forces with me and we returned to the sound we had on the Sane Asylum. We couldn't tour because Harald O was too busy with DRI so we enlisted Bassist virtuoso Tom Gears and Guitarist extraordinaire Doug Piercy from Heathen/ Anvil Chorus and now the band is truly magical!

Q. - Have you had any contacts with labels for future albums editions?

Mark - We are still signed to World in Sound for a few more months so we'll see what happens.

Q. - Before the "The Sane Asylum" there were 5 demo tapes recorded (and one after), have you ever thought about compiling all this demos on cd?

Mark - Of course!

Q. - What was the feeling of bringing Blind Illusion back to Europe and play Keep It True festival?

Mark - It was fantastic and I can't wait to return to Europe next year!

Q. - Do you have plans to record a live album in the near future? Or will you take advance on this new line-up to record a new album?

Mark - We are currently in the studio and the tracks sound great! Most likely we'll release an E.P and then a full album. The E.P will be like the singles from the album.

Q. - Do you keep an eye to the metal scene of today? What do you think are the main differences between now and back in the day?

Mark - I really like the band Black Breath and there are alot of older bands that I am just now getting into like Satan, Winterhawk, etc.

Most of the difference from then and now is how well the band is recorded and produced. As far as the progressive metal bands go there has been a lot more daring exploits like Dream Theatre.

Q. - How do you want to end up this interview? Anything more you want to say?

Mark - I want to thank all of the people who never gave up on Blind Illusion and for everyone to keep their ears to the ground because we are soon to be coming your way!

Thank you for your time, and wish you all the best for the future!

Thank you!!!!!