One On One With The GRIM 1

  Jon Zazula is the author of Heavy Tales . He might not be a household name, but among his rock and roll accolades, he's the the guy who gave Metallica their first big break. Zazula founded Megaforce Records to independently release Metallica's debut album Kill 'Em All in 1983. Along with his wife, Marsha, this gruesome twosome forged their own path into heavy metal history with a do-if-yourself work ethic. From running their own Rock N Roll Heaven record shop in New Jersey as a flea market operation, to tour managing bands like Venom, Anvil and Raven on their first treks through the United States. Zazula is also one of the pioneers of "Metal Rap", and recorded the first song of that same name in 1984, predating Aerosmith's team up with Run DMC. More on that below.  I spoke with Mr. Zazula over the phone about his heavy tales, as he celebrates 41 years of marriage to his wife Marsha.  Was it difficult to remember all these rock n roll memories, considering ho...

HELL-O again my fellow Necromaniacs. While the world stays home in quarantine to flatten the curve, Chaos Over Chaos has been way ahead of the curve - the result of a long-distance comprised of band members from Poland and Australia, who have never met in person. Chaos Over Cosmos perfected this art of remote recording with 2019's self-titled EP. It's a progressive metal smorgasbord of riffs with spacey flair. Blade Runner -esque synthesizers and science fiction-themed songs, such as "Asimov" contribute to this album's immersive world building. I admit, some parts of Chaos Over Cosmos sounds a bit too "djenty" and "modern" for my tastes. I usually run the other way when a band likens themselves to Scar Symmetry, but I admire these lads for their audacity and work ethic. They've crafted an impressive soundscape of shredding and crisp production without having ever stepped foot in the same room. At least, as of my interview I conducted wit...

Fellow Necromaniacs. It's been quite a month. I feel bad for the lapse of blog entries lately. I'd love to say I've been slammed with riffs and various horror business commitments, but it's been the opposite. This plague has produced one of the most boring dystopia's imaginable. Here, we see the crucial role owed to high octane speed metal. The shot of adrenaline to one's lethargic soul. Enter Canada's Roadrash. These rockers sport handle bar mustache, leathers and aviator shades, and deliver kick ass riffs. Check out their recent video "666 MPH" for a taste of the party.  I conducted this email interview with The Hammer and Bare Bones of Roadrash, about all things louder and faster. Read on, schmucks! Hell-O Roadrash! What do you consider to be essential road jams when you're blazing down the highway? "Hurricane" by The Rods. "Sex Over The Phone" by The Village People. "Hot Nights, Red Lights" - Bewit...

THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE. Mrs. Smith, the cat-loving grandma who melts faces on guitar, has the biggest fight of her life on March 8 in Colombia, S.C. She takes on Metallica's Kirk Hammett, the world's most notorious wah-wah pedal abuser, in a wah off. Mrs. Smith was so kind to put down her cat babies and grace the Grim-1 with this email interview, as her fretboard battle of wahs and wits against Kirk approaches. She's not low key humble. She's high string crazy! How are you preparing for your battle against Kirk Hammett? Lots of rehearsing my riffs and lots of Wah Wah madness! Also preparing my guitars and other gear!  What guitarist is your ultimate heavy metal heart throbs? The guy with tattoos on his head from Slayer. I bet he gives great hugs. Name one song you locked yourself in your room to master? "One" by Metallica. Tell me about one song that transformed you forever, and why? “Little Earthquakes” by Tori Amos it taught me its safe ...

Imagine in Testament and Exodus crash landed on a desert island with nothing but a copy of Zelda, and a Nintendo console that somehow works on a desert island. This describes the youthful thrash styling of Archangel A.D.  Soaring vocals, imaginative lyrics and epic guitars fuel their new single "Eventide," which was released in September on their bandcamp. So, it's not exactly a new new single, but due to the a backlog of horror business, I'm finally releasing this five-month old interview now. Definitely be on the look out for these young bucks, who are eager to play out far beyond the lone star state. Eventide by Archangel A.D. HELL-O thrashers, how's life?  Edward Vera, drums : We’re great! Ready to get back to playing shows after a short hiatus and getting ready for the release of our single!    Tell me about your new single "Eventide". It strikes me as a sort of Testament-stranded on a desert island type of thrash metal song, in the best way. ...

The Babyface of Black Metal, Hellripper's James McBain James McBain is the birth name of the one man army known as HELLRIPPER, hailing from the Scottish Highlands. This project sounds like the speed and darkness of Bathory collided with Mot ö rhead's punk attitude, glistening with all the glorious satanic sleaze of vintage Venom.   McBain has kept the riffs a blazing on full steam since 2015. He's produced two EPs, one full length, and splits with Barbatos, Bathsheva, Acid Cross and Kriegg in five years.   Hellripper's most recent EP, Black Arts & Alchemy , has turned devil horns with its rambunctious styling. Part of their growing popularity must be due to McBain signal boosting his fans on social media. His Instagram is quick to show off off fan submissions of their Hellripper merch. Take note, up and coming bands! This is how you grow your audience, and win black hearts and twisted minds. Black Arts & Alchemy EP by Hellripper   I recently c...

Infinite Regress by Defiled Japan's Defiled have returned with a lightning storm of technical riffs with their new album Infinite Regress . While civilization seems doomed to march toward a bleak future, these death metal veterans from the rising sun propel the genre forward with a chaotic but catchy record. Their 1984-inspired single "Masses In Chaos," for instance, balances memorable hooks with otherwise spastic compositions. The song's official music video both captures their live intensity of fretboard shredding and breakneck blast beats, with an endearingly low-budget home video aesthetic. Look for the hands coming out of the gear case, if you catch my drift. Infinite Regress  jumps all over the place. It's got discordant arpeggios, the most staccato percussion arrangement, to straight-up thrash metal beats to keep it fast and old school. Imagine a cross between Immolation and early VoiVod, and that's the territory these freaks have carved out w...