VOLCANO INTERVIEW
One of the most exciting heavy metal albums this year has got to be the new Volcano album "Violent", which is a superb mixture of everything good that ever came out in the 80's (such as Accept, Metal Church, Riot, Artillery, Malmsteen) and mixed with some well-thought-out ideas from the classical and even jazzy music-scene. We got the chance to do a little interview with guitarist She-Ja, who fronts this Japanese band.

Interview by Claus Jensen
Congratulations on writing such a fantastic album - it really brings back a lot of good memories of the 80's heavy metal scene! I've never heard about any of those bands you've played in before, (GARGOYLE, ANIMETAL, YOUTHQUAKE, AION) so could you please tell me a little bit about each of them. For example, what style they played, if they ever released any product and so forth?

"I can only comment on the band which I was directly involved with. The other members aren't available to comment on this question - sorry! I used to play with the band named GARGOYLE from '87 to '94, and released four albums. Their titles, written out in Japanese, were as follows; MISOGI, ARATAMA, FURE-BUMI, TEN-RON."

Your debut album, "violent", really is a fresh breath of air to the metal scene, as it doesn't sound like anything else I've heard lately. It is more heavy and thrashy than many of the European bands coming out right now, and it's more polished and "true metal" than the U.S. metal scene of today. How would you, yourself, describe your sound?

"I always enjoyed the hardcore punk sound, and the doom metal sound, as well as liking GARY MOORE?s weeping guitar sound too. These combinations stirred together are what i would call VOLCANO, I mean it's the exact style of me and nobody else, She-Ja!"

Your album was recorded in Japan, but mixed in Sweden. Why did you decide to do it like his? Weren't you able to get a good mix in Japan, or was it because the Fredman Studio's and Fredrik Nordstrom have a "good" name?

"I love to listen to bands like ARCH ENEMY or INFLAMES, because of their sound productions they were able to capture and create, which is exactly what I wanted to record, plus personally i love it! With this said, and any of you who know the creator behind such sound production, this is why I asked Fredrik Nordstrom to mix, as well as sit in on the mastering, hoping he could give my band's album that extra seasoning and flavor I was seeking, and I am very satisfied with what he did for us. For the record, I want to use him for my next album if at all possible (cheers, Fredrik!)."

The production is very heavy, and although the music is definitely very 80's, I think the sound of the album is much more modern.

"I tried to embody the sounds of current melodic death metal, but my personal roots originate from the 80's metal scene, so in a way, I feel like I have failed! But any ways, RIOT, ANVIL, THE RODS, METAL CHURCH and a few others are my favorite bands!!"

The vocal style reminds me of people like David Wayne (METAL CHURCH), Udo Dirkschneider (ACCEPT) and Flemming Ronsdorf (ARTILLERY) . Have these people influenced your way of singing?

"No, our singer, is a die-hard maniac for IRON MAIDEN, so these bands which you mentioned might not even hit home to him??"

The music resembles power heavy metal bands like ACCEPT, VICIOUS RUMORS, METAL CHURCH and even a bit of modern C.O.C./KYUSS alternative metal. Have any of these bands influenced your songwriting by chance?

"I've never listened to such alternative metal bands as you have mentioned, even though I like listening to I-SEPT!"

Besides the melodic and superb music, I think what really fascinates me about this album is the guitar solos, that are some of the best I've heard in a long time. Is She-Ja considered a guitar hero in Japan?

"I demonstrate quick guitar playing, however, my first priority is to create a good strong melody that people can sing along to, even if they don't know how to play guitar."

There are some very classical inspired pieces of piano and violin on the album. What was the idea for this?

"My older sister used to be a piano teacher, so when I was a child, I took piano lessons from my sister. This also gave me a background in classical music, which as you can hear, has been added to some degree within my music writing."

How did you get the European deal with Mascot Records? What does the band expect from the European fans and the European media?

"Our A&R director, Steve Harrell, at our label here in Japan, Avex, was able to gain the interest and deal with Mascot Records (thanks Steve!). With this band, I am wanting to reach the shores of countries and the ears of the metal fans outside of Japan, and all I ask of you is to listen to the album and hope that you like what you hear. For those of you who liked what you heard on our debut album, "Violent", just to let you all know that we have just released here in Japan, our new studio album entitled, "Davi"!"

Who released the album in Japan, and when was it released over there? What have the responses been from the Japanese fans and media?

"We released our album, "violent", back in January 2000 through Avex's internal HR/HM label called, Bareknuckle Label, with Steve Harrell as our A&R director, who did a great job. The album did fairly well for us based on the unsettled music scene here in Japan at present. Was able to shoot a music video for "Kill All Of Me" with television airing, do a mini tour behind the album of about six shows and was covered in all metal media channels and almost every alternate music magazine in some form or another."

What about U.S.A., any plans of releasing the album over there as well?

"Our A&R director at Avex, Steve Harrell, is currently still trying to gain interest from a label in America to license our album, so if any of you out there can help and lend Steve a hand with an introduction, please contact Steve at Avex IMMEDIATELY - thanks!

What's the worst question you've ever been asked in an interview?

"The worst question I ever was asked was; "Why do Japanese people like to conduct/play abnormal sex, things like... giving golden showers and other weird things?""

Do you have any plans to tour at the moment anywhere?

"We have a short tour about to start for promotion for our 2nd album, "Davi", which just came out on the 23rd of May, but the band and I would really love to visit your country."

Any final words you'd like to add to the reader's and fans of this interview and album?

"Being the first album has just been released there in Europe, the album still needs to be heard by all, which will allow metal fans there in Europe to understand a bit about us musically. Anyway, we really want to go over there to tour if we ever have a chance, so everybody put the word out and hopefully between Mascot Records and any local promoter's, this can be accomplished! Word of mouth is stronger than you can imagine, so make yours heard!"

Thanks!!!