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Homecore, SMNNews, Battle Helm,1: Ok heres my first question, you guys seem to really have a lot of old school elements to you, exactly how old are the band memebers and when did the band form.What part of the country are you from and did that make a difference in your approach to music,or your sound?
?First Homer I would Like to say thanks so much for doing this interview with Maelstrom, I recall you were one of our first Myspace friends and I have been very anxious to get you the material since we first started the page – and now to have an interview with you is really fantastic.
As far as old school elements – I would say that makes a lot of sense – these songs were written and first recorded 20 years ago. The three songs we have on this EP – “It Was Predestined” are Arise, A Futile Crusade, and Predestined. Arise and Predestined were on our first demo tape from back in ’89 and A Futile Crusade was on our second tape “this battle to make history, yet history never comes” which came out beginning of ’91 - So it should definately sound a bit old school by it’s own nature of originally being written back in the day. We have re-tooled the songs freshened them up a bit and Have a Brand new drummer on the material now. Additionally we Used Tue Madsen (The Haunted, Himsa, Dagoba, Halford) to mix and master the material so that gives the production an amazing feel. And makes it sound ultra powerful.
Joey Lodes – Guitar, bass, keys and I (Gary Vosganian – vocals, lyrics) are the only original members in this formation of Maelstrom.?Joey is 36 and I am 37 (though Joe will catch up to me in 3 weeks)?Our Drummer Daniel Kleffmann is 26. (Kid)
The Band Formed originally in September of 1989
Joey and I decided it was time to go at it again almost 6 years ago, but that was just really thoughts and ideas we seriously started when we got Dan and that was Oct 2005
We are all from Long Island New York – we were all born and raised here?As far as that having an influence on our sound – I would not say so, I mean obviously every variable changes an equasion but our sound was more sculpted from our hearts and our heads and maybe most importantly our imaginations. We didn’t really want to be a New York band or a Bay Area Band – Actually I always felt we had more of a European sound.
2:It seems theres a lot of differences in styles , are the guys from different musical backgrounds.I mean , were some of the guys in say melodic metal bands and some in really heavy bands. How do you get those influences to meld into your sound.
When this material was written Joey, and Myself along with our drummer were never really in a band before – Maelstrom was our first I was 17 and the other guys were 16, our orig bass player was 14! And he was the only one to have actually played in a few other bands. ?When we first started we had this idea of blending classical music, with thrash, some jazz and even some blues. As Time went on these elements began to weave there way more and more into our songs and so did different styles of metal. We all loved the US thrash scene which was really booming back then, and bands like slayer, overkill, and testament, were big favorites of ours and we covered them all in our very first shows.?But we also had some other tastes, Flotsam and Jetsam was an influence, ?And even Voivod, and Death were influences, But Joey and I were really into the European scene and Bands like Kreator, Destruction, Coronor, and another band called Sabbat became some of our Biggest influences. ?WE had this Idea of creating these very thematic even cinematic story telling songs that were also fused with really heavy parts and thash, speed and death metal.?Then couple that up with some intense ripping style vocals that sort of told the story as it was happening with pure emotion. ?We decided that was what we wanted, and it shaped our sound.?So I drew from Martin Walkyier of Sabbat, Mille from Kreator and Bruce Dickenson From Iron Maiden to sort of sculpt my style.
As far as getting to all meld – Joey is classiclly trained and an amazing player with a great ear – I am a true fan of metal and I would like to think someone who can produce the best out of others. And I believe I have a good view from a fans perspective of what just give people chills and makes them say whoa that was different or damn that makes me want to avenge some fallen souls! ?Outside of that why shouldn’t thrash and power and death and soundtrack all be in one piece, If it moves you and it makes you feel a certain way at the right times then it is good. Nothing should be flat – there should always be contrast – We need to go on journeys!
3:Do you feel like as far as your music , its really important to present a whole package , art, cool webpage, cool Myspace http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vcGFnZS5Ebw==" target="_blank">page. Do you feel that tells part of the story too of your music and helps get across what your all about.
Absolutely and unequivocally YES, This is a package this is a journey we want to take you on a ride and for some hopefully a quest! ?The Artwork is Ultra important to us. I am an artist myself and I direct all our pieces, which are done by Jan Yrland of darkgrove design. They drive the story forward they help entwine you in the world we are creating. I always feel art and music and lyrics are important together, I really miss the days of the Albums and I got into art because of the famous 1970s album cover artist roger dean – then as I got older and discovered Derek Riggs – that was it Art and Metal had to go together!?I am really into fantasy and so is Joey we want you to b able to listen to this stuff as you are watching Lord of the Rings or playing Warcraft and feel that it all fits. Obviously we feel the songs stand on there own and for there own , but the cinematic and imaginative experience is what we are really hoping for in the listener. The art and feel of the myspace page, and webpage even the bio and any press we send out is all an extension of that Theme.
?4: Whats next for you guys,any touring plans,etc?
Finish the Album! As far as a tour we would love to do some Euro Festivals but that will probably have to wait till the following summer and we really would prefer to do “special” shows in the US. Our time is limited at our age and I have a family so if we are going to play we want it to be very special.?Outside of that – it is all about spreading the word and getting the name and tunes out there for people to hear.
I would like to add that this is our first interview since our publicist Adrian Bromley passed away on Dec 7th – and I would just like to say how much he will be missed by us and many in the metal community?Brother I am truly sorry?Horns always high.
Homer thank you so much for this opportunity and I really look forward to a long friendship with you
Sincerely yours?Gary Vosganian?MaelstroM
myspace. com/metalmaelstrom
Maelstrom 3 song promo cd."It was Predestined "
Songs: Arise,A Futile Crusade,Predestined.
Ok first thing I was surprised at is these guys took their old project, dusted it off , and turned the key, finding the old machine still ran. Some modern day tuneup and this band , originally formed in 1989 , still sounds fresh and relavant.The band sounds like a european metal band,not a band outa New York.Great melding of different styles.One minute theres a great melodic metal part, the next its blisteringly fast ,then the floor drops down and its nice and chunky heavy.
This bands music is for fans of music that is epic and takes you on a ride.One thing I cant wait for is to actually see the cd, and not the sampler , as he guys are really into the art apparently so will have a great art and package.I'm always looking for something that takes me back to those days when say ya bought your first King Diamond cd, or Iron Maiden,you looked forward to the artwork.
I really recommend this cd and its upcoming full release., especially for those fans of european metal,the kind that tells a story. Good Job guys.
