Hard-Rock-Reviews.com interviews any kind of hard rock band, from the most popular international bands to local bands looking for their first big break. If there's a band you'd like to see us interview, suggest them to us.
 | Clint Lowery, guitarist, Sevendust, Dark New Day & Call Me No One | Since 1994, his music has pierced the impervious veil of hard rock and created a sound all its own that’s as recognizable as zebra at a horse farm. If you are a fan of rock n’ roll or even simply a fan of musicianship, you can’t help but admire the body of work he’s put together over his long career. Read More... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
 | Robb Rivera, drummer, Nonpoint | This is probably one of the coolest things I've heard of a proven, professional musician doing to help other bands. I talked with drummer Robb Rivera of the mighty Nonpoint the other day about a service that he is doing in order to simply help as many young bands as he can. He is willing to consult with any rock or metal band and help them with any questions they may have about the industry, what comes next or any other questions they may have. We all have questions and how cool would it be to be able to ask a successful musician who's been in the business for over a decade now anything? Read More... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
 | Frank Salvaggio, bassist, Anew Revolution | This is a video interview that I did with Frank at an acoustic performance in Madison, WI in January of 2012. Read More... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
 | Glenn Mungo, drummer, Lansdowne | Every once in a while you are wowed. You go to a show expecting to watch other, more established bands and enjoy their usual debauchery when one of the opening, unknown acts steals the show. This is exactly what happened last summer at 94.1 WJJO’s Band Camp. Annually one of the best outdoor festivals in the Midwest featuring some of the biggest acts in the business including Five Finger Death Punch, Stone Sour, Mudvayne, Clutch, All That Remains and many more. Read More... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
 | Two Dollar Grey | I’ve always been a fan of harder, darker rock and metal. You know, the Slipknots, Deftones and Colds of the world. The trick is with that type of music is that it’s so overdone and extremely easy for bands to overdo it and have their music over-produced to obtain that soul scraping sound that the super successful bands do. Read More... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
 | Fur Elise | In a world of uptight, overbearing assholes who gloat about themselves and everything they do including every meaningless breath they take, it’s so refreshing to come across a band that doesn’t take themselves too seriously. Now when I saw they don’t take themselves seriously, it doesn’t mean they don’t take their music seriously, because they don’t have to. This band’s music is so stellar and eclectic that it needs no ego to boost its self confidence. Read More... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
 | Robb Caggiano, guitarist, Anthrax | Metallica, Slayer, and Megadeath. Imagine sharing the stage with these three metal icons for some of the most killer metal shows of all time. Amazing right? It’s all in a day’s work for guitarist Rob Caggiano and the boys in Anthrax. The legendary metal band was part of one of the most incredible lineups and concerts metal has ever seen. Out on the road in support of their latest album “Worship Music,” Anthrax is hotter than ever and is out to prove it to each and every metalhead. Read More... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
 | Brian "Head" Welch, guitarist, formerly of Korn | Everyone has heard the story of talented musicians falling to the temptations of drugs and alcohol, and seeing some of the best musicians of our time falling too early. This was the case for one of the past decades biggest metal guitarists of our time. The only difference here is that this extremely talented musician was fortunate enough to get the help he needed, and get back to writing music before it was too late. Brian “Head” Welch, former guitarist and co-founder of the legendary band Korn, is back at it with new music. Read More... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
 | Wayne Static, vocalist & guitarist, formerly of Static-X | There have been very few voices and guitar riffs that have been as noticeable as Wayne Static’s signature metal howl and “evil disco” sound in the past few decades. He has mashed and molded a unique combination of hardcore metal with industrial sounds dashed with a side of disco to form a brand that has sold thousands worldwide. Now that Static-X is on an indefinite hiatus, Wayne is back at it, doing it solo but still bringing the signature sound to rape and pillage your ear drums . Read More... |
 | Jason Radosevich, drummer of Divyded | Kittie, Nonpoint, Art of Dying, Taste of Madison, and Band Camp. Most bands play for years just dreaming of scoring gigs like these, yet there’s one band who have managed to scale the ranks and land those shows in just a matter of months. The immensely talented metal band Divyded has managed to make a name for themselves by doing what so many other bands fail to do these days; stay true to themselves. They ignore fads, trends and cookie cutter band clichés and write music that is who they are. Read More... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
 | Leigh Kakaty, vocalist of Pop Evil | Michigan has a prestigious reputation for producing some of our time’s greatest musicians. From Alice Cooper to Eminem and even the twisted act Insane Clown Posse, the state has a wide variety of famous musicians who have had a huge impact on music; good or bad. This is no different with Michigan’s latest production to make a scene, on the scene, Pop Evil. The Michigan-bred rockers have released another record titled War of Angels and have infected the rock n’ roll world once again with their catchy riffs and memorable stage presence. Hard-Rock-Reviews’s Aaron Manogue talked with lead singer Leigh Kakaty about their Michigan roots, their new album and what it’s like touring with 3 Doors Down and Theory of a Deadman. Read More... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
 | Marty McCoy, guitarist of Bobaflex | As most of you know, the music industry is such an incredibly volatile place right now. With the ever increasing emergence of digital downloads, online radio, and other technologies constantly changing the landscape, it makes it even harder for bands to survive or make a decent living at their art. That’s why it’s so hard to meet bands that are truly good people and in it for the right reason; to make kick ass music that people genuinely relate to and enjoy. Read More... |
 | Tyler Connolly, lead vocalist of Theory of a Deadman | Humor is a part of most happy people’s lives every single day. It’s one of those things that no matter who you are, where you’re from or how old you are, you can brighten someone’s day by making them laugh. There are all kinds of comedians that make a decent buck off of it, but very few musicians can do it and still be taken seriously. Theory of a Deadman is one of those bands that can make you laugh and cry in the same verse. Read More... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
 | Ben Wells, guitarist of Black Stone Cherry | When anyone says the words "southern rock," most people think of the days back in the '70's when The Allman Brothers and Lynyrd Skynyrd reigned as the kings of rock n' roll with their legendary guitar riffs and serene vocals. In their day, they were pioneers in the type of sound that they brought to the music scene in combining rock, country and blues into a new breed of music. Although southern rock definitely has it's place in the rock n' roll scene today, the band Black Stone Cherry has to be the most intriguing of the bunch. The band's new record "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea" is nothing short of kick ass. Read More... |
 | Mark Tremonti, guitarist of Alterbridge and Creed | One of the greatest guitarists of our time, yet he’s only just getting started. Being part of two extremely successful bands by the time he is at the young age of thirty-seven, Mark Tremonti has accomplished things with his guitar that most musicians only dream of. The Alterbridge shredder has a passion for being the best, and enjoying every bit of life that is thrown at him. If you ask me, anyone who can be good with pinball machines is a master of a whole different kind. Hard Rock Reviews' Aaron Manogue talked to the ex-Creed, current Alterbridge guitarist to talk about his custom PRS Tremonti guitar, his passion for the bumpers and a possible Creed reunion next year. Read More... |
 | Rob Fenn, Rock Photographer and Creator of "On the Road Where Music Lives" | We can all remember the days when our favorite band was releasing their latest album, and we’d rush to the local record store as soon as it opened that day. The feeling when you finally saw the cover art of the album sitting on the store shelf, what the packaging was like, everything. The sad part about these great memories most of us have, is that with the emergence digital music distribution, most of the younger generation will never, ever experience this. iTunes makes it possible for people to have the music the very minute it’s released. Read More... |
 | Ted Nugent | Over the past fifty years, there have been literally hundreds of thousands of bands and musicians in the business. There have been some successful bands, some not so successful and a very select few that have become icons of rock n' roll. Out of all of the musicians and bands there have been, there is only one Ted Nugent. In the past 50 years, Ted Nugent has done things that most musicians could only ever dream of, including setting attendance records at venues worldwide in 2005 and '06, was the top grossing act in the world in 1977, '78 & '79, and has sold over 30 million records worldwide. . Read More... |
 | Mike Portnoy, Adrenaline Mob | Unlike most of my other bands and projects, I was not the matchmaker; I was actually one of the chosen ones (by them). It began with Mike Orlando and Russell Allen, who were already working on the material for at least a year prior to my involvement. Russell and I had been friends for many, many years because I took Symphony X out with Dream Theater on a couple of different tours, and he and I became good friends and always wanted to work together. Anyways, once my time with Dream Theater and Avenged Sevenfold ended, and Russ knew that I was “available,” he contacted me, and played me some of the stuff that he and Mike Orlando (Sonic Stomp) had been working on. Read More... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
 | Jason Null, Guitarist Saving Abel | The thing about big guitar riffs and memorable vocal melodies is that it works. Whether a band follows a pattern or formula for writing songs, or if they seem to conjure a tapestry of music and lyrics out of thin air is not important to most of their listeners. It’s all about what we hear, how much we like it, and what we remember. How many times have you had a song stuck in your head? There’s a reason this happens. Saving Abel has created a refined and cultured combo of “southern” and alternative rock that’s resonating in heads across the country. Read More... |
 | Michael Poulson, Volbeat | The first Volbeat song I ever heard was “Wild Rover from Hell.” It’s not often I’ve listened to a band or a song for the first time and found myself sitting there (afterwards) thinking “WHAT the hell was that?” So I did the most natural thing that we unapologetic music enthusiasts do. I started digging around on YouTube.com and found a few of their Vevo YouTube channel videos. I didn’t quite know what to make of this potluck of pop, fast-paces bluesy guitar mixed rock & oldies that had a sing-a-long tug on every chorus. Read More... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
 | John Falls, Vocalist for Egypt Central | All of these musicians, formerly known only to each other as “local boys” that once played in various bands around the Jacksonville, Florida area, comprise a group of five incredibly sharp, talented musicians that deliver a clear message that rock n roll is not a joke, nor is it dead. After their first CD,Point of Origin, there were tours, followed by Wally’s departure, then a regrouping of the lineup with Wally’s return and Lane’s departure. Read More... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
 | Jason Radosevich, Drummer of Divyded | WJJO BandCamp 2011 is just over a week away and Hard-Rock-Reviews.com has a perfect way to get amped for the show of the summer. We've teamed up with JJO BandCamp Preshow band Divyded to offer you a chance to win their two latest releases to help you get to know them before they kick off BandCamp weekend with style. All you need to do is visit Hard-Rock-Reviews' and Divyded's Facebook pages, like/friend them, and then leave a comment at the bottom of this article with your email address. We'll chose one lucky person to get their latest songs "Tear It Up" and "Hell Within" free. Read More... |
 | James Hart, Vocalist of Burn Halo | Perseverance seems to be a word that many of today’s bands have become quite familiar with over the years. This is no different for Burn Halo’s vocalist James Hart. After nearly a decade of touring and recording with his previous band 18 Visions, Hart has found himself a new home through another avenue or musicianship. Burn Halo has come onto the scene with a vengeance and has reached even greater heights then Hart’s previous work. Read More... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
 | Jay Frederick, Guitarist for Anew Revolution | I remember the first question that came to mind when I saw them at a local JJO radio show somewhere here in our city of Madison, WI a few years ago: "Why is the name ANEW instead of A New Revolution? Are you sure it's all one word ANEW?" No one knew at that time, no one could really tell me. Read More... |
 | Don Cadman, Drummer for nuERA | Who is nuERA? They aren’t "spectacular in theatrical appearance" like Black Veil Brides or Kiss; they don’t harness the nature of the disguise, like Slipknot and others have. They’re middle-class men that enjoy making music, and they do so very well. There’s no gimmick, and honestly, after listening to the music of NUERA for the past six months, there does not need to be. This music, along with lyrics that fit like a glove, essentially “speaks for itself” and the only thing better than that, is the fact that these six guys let it Read More... |
 | Thomas Brown, Bassist for Red line Chemistry | Madison Wisconsin's Band Camp 2011 is bringing us the "direct, no-fuss, straight forward rock n roll" group Red Line Chemistry. We chatted a bit with bassist, vocalist Thomas (Tom) Brown. Read More... |
 | Ethan Isaac, Vocalist of Edisun | Everyone loves a hometown hero and Ethan Isaac is bringing Edisun back home for one of the summer's largest shows, 94.1 WJJO Band Camp. The son of a NYC playwright, Ethan knows a thing or two about putting on a good show and he says that is what Edisun has built their reputation on. Hard Rock Review's Aaron Manogue talked with Ethan about their full-length debut album, playing Band Camp and their previous experience with WJJO. Read More... |
 | Angel Bartolotta, Drummer for Dope | If you've ever attended one of the JJO Bandcamp annual summer shows in Madison WI, then you've very likely seen the chaos and thunder that hits the stage when Dope takes their turn. It's a dirty, shameless, tattooed, sun-drenched mess of bodies, people with their fists in the air, singing along; it's the epitome of crowd-surfing, moshing, beer-slinging, f-word screaming fun. ... Read More... |
 | Wally Wood, Vocalist for Allele | All of these musicians, formerly known only to each other as “local boys” that once played in various bands around the Jacksonville, Florida area, comprise a group of five incredibly sharp, talented musicians that deliver a clear message that rock n roll is not a joke, nor is it dead. After their first CD, Point of Origin, there were tours, followed by Wally’s departure, then a regrouping of the lineup with Wally’s return and Lane’s departure. Read More... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
 | Ken "Bastard" MacMillan, Bassist of Nonpoint | Vibrant, colorful, unique, crazy...squirrelly? All of these words describe Ken "Bastard" MacMillan, bassist of Nonpoint and his new clothes line "Bastard 10:31." Music is his profession and mastered art, but he has always had an urge to do more with other forms of art. By combining his incredible artistic talent with his truly one of a kind personality, he's started something that isn't about being cool, or having the latest "label" on your shirt, it's about being yourself, living, and being good to those living. HRR talked with the Bastard about the clothing line and what it means to him Read More... |
 | Mike Froedge, Drummer of Black Label Society | Mike was kind enough to answer questions for Hard-Rock-Reviews.com and we are very grateful for his time! Angela: How old were you when you started playing seriously? Mike: I got serious about the drums probably around 7th or 8th grade, after seeing a life-changing Van Halen concert! (Laughing) But I took guitar and piano lessons as a kid as well. Read More... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
 | Elias Soriano, Singer of Nonpoint | Every time Nonpoint crosses the state lines to play a show in my state, I see the madness, the excitement and anticipation of a show people KNOW is gonna kick so much ass, they have to take the next day off work. I hear the stories of "my first show was insane," and "the last time I saw them, they were just as good as ten years ago when they played here." It's almost "viral," in the sense that I can go to a show, any show, and see someone in a Nonpoint shirt or hoodie and smile, and they hold the horns up. They know. We all know. Read More... |
 | Nick Hexum, Singer of 311 | These words, which are spoken at the end of each 311 concert by lead singer/guitarist Nick Hexum, exemplify what the band is all about. For the past 21 years, their music hasn't belonged to any genre or type, it's merely been what it was always intended to be, 311 music. 8.5 million units sold in the U.S., six albums reaching the Top 10 on Billboard's Top 200 Sales Chart and 8 singles reaching the Top 10 on Billboard's U.S. Alternative Chart, it seems fans have gotten their message loud and clear. Hard Rock Review's Aaron Manogue sat down with lead singer/guitarist Nick Hexum to talk about their upcoming Summerfest appearance, what Summerfest has been like for them over the years, and the upcoming 12th studio album "Universal Pulse." Read More... |
| Robb Rivera, Drummer of Nonpoint | With the success of the 2010 release, Miracle, it seems people have shed their nervousness because Nonpoint remains consistently faithful to the signature “sound” that their fans feel "belong"s to the band. There’s this big sigh of relief in the “Nonpoint fan community” that’s rather collective. There was a period of time when guitarist Andy Goldman left and Zach Broderick was on board when fans were not sure what was going to happen til they saw a live Nonpoint show and left knowing “It’s all good!” Having a new guitarist can make, break, improve, change….it can do so many things for a band. Read More... |
 | Patrick McBride, Singer of HourCast | Making music videos with pornstars, touring with legendary Zakk Wylde and Black Label Society and being lead singer of an up and coming rock band. Life isn't so bad these days for Patrick McBride of Hourcast. Hard Rock Reviews chatted with McBride about sharing the limelight with gorgeous adult film star Jesse Jane, what it's like touring with BLS and what's coming up for Hourcast. Read More... |
 | Jay Mueller, Guitarist of nuERA | Who the hell is nuERA? Six humble, funny, hard-working musicians that make up one unsigned, unbelievable band. They've been opening up for bands such as these: Nonpoint, Sevendust, Bobaflex, Eye Empire, Straight Line Stitch, Taproot & more...You get the idea... Read More... |
 | Shaun Morgan, Singer of Seether | The melodic-yet-heavy rock n' rollers that are Seether are back on the road promoting their latest album "Holding onto Strings Better Left to Fray". We caught up with lead man Shaun Morgan to talk about their latest number one single "Country Song," the upcoming record, working with renowned producer Brendan O'Brien and more. Read More... |
| Clint Lowery, Guitarist of Sevendust | From the start, the name Hello Demons Meet Skeletons conjures an image of two bad guys being introduced in an awkward, unexpected moment in time and quite possibly throwin' down. So far so good...Now go a bit deeper. Drag some skeletons from your own figurative mental closet, face them off with a few of the collective, emotional demons that live each and every one of us. You get the idea. Read More... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
 | George Roskos, Architekt Music | We’re all swamped within the information age and bombarded with less than adequate bands that spew out music just to keep their record label at bay. Very seldom do we have the pleasure of hearing a band stay true to their fans and themselves without ever selling out. In a nutshell, this describes one of the most genuine, hard rock bands still out there today. Read More... |
 | John Conolly, Guitarist of Sevendust | With COLD DAY MEMORY celebrating it's one year anniversary (last week, April 20 marked the 1 year milestone), you might think it's time for them to pack up and head home, head back to the studio. No sir, and no ma'am. That's not how they do things, nor have they ever. They're on the road now, still...Oh yeah they take breaks, but then they hit the road again and keep on playing for the fans. For you. Read More... |
 | Phil Lipscomb, Bassist of Taproot | Fourteen years, 7 albums and hundreds of thousands of miles traveled on tour later, they are a band of many fortunes. Bad fortunes such as lineup changes and losing record labels. Good fortunes including touring with Deftones, Incubus, Mudvayne as well as having multiple Top 20 singles off of various albums. Resilience is the name of the game when it comes to Taproot. Bassist Phil Lipscomb tells us a little about where he came from musically, and what sets Taproot and their fans apart. Read More... |
 | Alexis Brown, Vocalist of Straight Line Stitch | There really seems to be a trend going on in the hard rock and metal scene of having females as lead vocalists. This makes perfect sense considering the industry is completely saturated with males so put a pretty face on stage for all the fans to enjoy and if she can sing a little that's just a bonus. But luckily there are also a select few that just fucking bring it. It doesn't matter if they are a male or female because they are going to bring it night in and night out and after all is said and done, no one will be left questioning their talent. Read More... |
 | Ari Mihalopoulos, Guitarist/Vocalist of Destrophy | The Iowan quartet based out of Des Moines started all the way back in 2002 by highly-respected and enormously talented producer, singer/songwriter Ari Mihalopoulos, who at the time scouted the entire state in search of his perfect combination of musicians. After all was said and done, Ari had found Joe Fox (Drums), Eric Tisinger (Guitar), and Phil T (Bass) to complete his musical war party. Nine years, 3 albums and 1 EP later, Destrophy prepares for their second release under Victory Records titled Cry Havoc. HRR took some time to sit down with Ari and talk about their upcoming album. Read More... |
 | Shaun McCoy, Guitarist/Vocalist of Bobaflex | We’re all swamped within the information age and bombarded with less than adequate bands that spew out music just to keep their record label at bay. Very seldom do we have the pleasure of hearing a band stay true to their fans and themselves without ever selling out. In a nutshell, this describes one of the most genuine, hard rock bands still out there today. Read More... |
 | Morgan Rose, Drummer of Sevendust | The hard rock scene isn’t something that is easy to break into in a "big" way, and even when it does happen, there comes the constant struggle of staying relevant enough to continue successfully writing music and touring. Very few bands have figured out the precise formula to balance immense musical talent while simultaneously pleasing the "industry suits." Read More... |
 | Will Hunt, Drummer of Eye Empire | It's almost impossible to look at Will Hunt's resume and NOT say "That's insane!" Stuck Mojo, Skrape, Tommy Lee, Methods of Mayhem, Slaughter, Dark New Day, Motley Crue, Vince Neil (solo), Evanescence, Static-X, Crossfade, Bloodsimple, Black Label Society. See what I mean? His resume is taller than any of us. But when it comes to music, he's humble, honest & just loves to play. Will graciously shared some of his time with HRR & talked about tunes, tech, & toast! Read More... --------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
 | Corey Lowery, Bassist of Eye Empire | Angela:Was Dark New Day already done at that point when you started talking to B.C.? Corey: Somewhat. Warner Bros. had kept us in a holding period forever. We were done with the record for Dark New Day, and we weren't sure if they were gonna release it or not. For us, if we're sitting around, waiting, & waiting, & waiting... writing is part of what keeps us sane. So I needed to stay somewhat sane. Read More... --------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
 | Donald Carpenter, Vocalist of Eye Empire | Donald talks about where he's come from, how far he's come in doing so, and where the Empire is going, now that he's part of the family! Angela:Are there any areas where you have noticed a change in your writing, your attitude w/being in a band now as opposed to many years ago? Now that you have a wife and two young boys, has it affected the way you write or anything else when it comes to recording? Read More... |
 | B.C. Kochmit, Guitarist of Eye Empire | Angela: Under "a brief history" the Eye Empire website states: "It all started in 2007 when Corey Lowery (Stuck Mojo/Stereomud/Dark New Day) and B.C. Kochmit (Switched) started to construct what would eventually become the foundation of this Empire...." How did this particular construction began between you and Corey, who called whom, & how did this come about initially? B.C. Kochmit:Corey gave me a ring in May of '07 and just asked if I wanted to come down to Atlanta and write some stuff with him and Morgan Rose (Sevendust drummer). I always felt we had a great songwriting connection so I jumped at the opportunity. Read More... |
 | Silence is Broken | We all constantly hear people talking about their favorite local band. You know, the one that your best friend's cousin's brother-in-law is in and "they're the next big thing!" It's almost by default when we go to local shows nowadays that you'll hear a few locals telling you you're going to be blown away by their performance and music. And also as we all know, this is very rarely true. Then we ran into a band called Silence is Broken, and all those great things we had heard were nothing short of absolutely true. Hard-Rock-Reviews.com sat down with vocalist Aaron Fishel and Drummer Kyle Urbanik to talk about where they came from, and where they're headed. Read More... |
 | Serianna | Living in the Midwest, I have been constantly over-saturated with metal bands and their endless efforts to make it big. They'll scream at you until they lose their voices, and then ask their band members to yell some more. They'd do just about anything to get your attention, including selling their souls to a not-so flattering stranger with horns protruding out of his thick skull. Read More --------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
 | Wednesday 13 of the Murderdolls | After an eight-year hiatus, Wednesday 13 and Joey Jordison have resurrected their brilliantly twisted concoction, the Murderdolls. They have pumped life back into the undead with their latest album Women and Children Last and are currently wreaking havoc around the country on the Halloween Hootenanny tour, along side the Godfather of shock rock, Alice Cooper and Rob Zombie. I sat down with Wednesday 13 to talk about the new record and his new direction he took for writing it. Read More... -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
 | Mike Martin of All That Remains | Aaron Manogue: Can you tell me a little bit about your new album For We Are Many? Mike Martin:Yeah, everybody’s pretty psyched about it. I think everyone feels it’s the best balance of what we’ve done as a band. We spent more time on this one compared to the last one so I think everyone’s pretty psyched about how it came out. Last time felt a little rushed when we did the Overcome album. Read More... --------------------------------------------------------------------------- |