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}
Translation by:
Paula Jabür
}
Questions by: Cezar
Augusto
}
Replies by: Maxel
Black
Penetrator |
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TGZ:
As for a start, tell us about how you
got together for the creation of the band
and why this choice of name. |
Maxel: While attending a Dio show in
Toronto my muse introduced me to Bess Ross.
We partied and exchanged demos of each other’s
band during the show. Later after hearing
each other’s material we knew our combined
powers could be lethal. We spoke to each on
the phone regularly up until Bess Ross left
his band Travelin War to start a new project
with Simon Vanderzand and me. The three of
us jammed in November 2003 on the songs Spread
the Mind and Guns and Whiskey. We then answered
an ad for a bass player in December 2003.
David T Green’s ad read "I want
a band that has pounding drums, screaming
guitars and a singer with pipes". Bess
called Dave and told him I got what you want
down here. After playing together we all knew
the chemistry was right and Penetrator was
complete.
The band’s name Penetrator is derived
from the word penetrate and means to enter
or to break through. We liked the name because
it had sexual innuendos that sounded heavy
when spoken. However the hidden meaning is
about terrorism as those who perpetrate, breach,
terrorize and infiltrate.
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TGZ:
What is the meaning of Metal in your
lives? |
Maxel: Metal is a underground life style
that gives us freedom to express ourselves
through the music we play and listen to. Metal
is a rejection of the marketing ad campaign
of the corporate world. Metal faithful are
believers in all that is metal immune to the
news media slanting brainwashing and coverups.
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TGZ:
The debut album, “Unleashed the
Fury”, had great reviews in several
publications. So many praises were a surprise
to the band or was it expected? |
Maxel: We’re not surprised to
get positive reviews as people were always
amazed just watching us jam. After the CD
was finished, none of could stop listening
to it. It was evident that we created something
that was apart from much of the heavy metal
heap. Instead of rhythm guitars and no lead
solos Bess Ross bites the fret board like
a Ted Nugent "bulldog". While other
bands have singers that are cookie monsters
and screamo growlers, Maxel Black creatively
expresses an array of textures while breathing
new life into the near lost ambers of the
power metal vocal art form. Perhaps the classic
dark ages are returning and fans thirst for
a modern power metal band to usurp the artificial
industry hype.
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TGZ:
Did the band made a tour for “Unleashed
The Fury”? If yes, where did you play
at? |
Maxel: 'Penetrator’s Unleash the
Fury Tour' went from June the 3rd 2004 till
October 2004.Many of the dates were in the
Toronto area and spread across Ontario to
Montreal.
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TGZ:
About the newest promo “Penetrator”,
whose cover concept is and what is it the
final evaluation you make of it, meaning not
only the graphics, but also the recording
results? |
Maxel: The antique drill cover concept
was created by the Sonic Age Records’
art department. I suppose it’s better
than some guy drilling his face off beneath
a light bulb. Our band is into chicks, cars
and Rock anthem power.
|
TGZ:
It is evident the strong Judas Priest's
influence in the sound of the band. In the
song “Penetrator” itself, it is
incredible how Maxel Black incarnates Rob
Halford's spirit. How is that you, Max, feel
being compared to a legend of the style such
as him? |
Maxel: There is only one, Rob Halford,
and I have great respect for the metal god
and his music legacy. When I was a teenager
I would rock to metal power and dream of being
compared to a rock star. Today, when I hear
all of these comparisons I have to pinch myself
to make sure I’m awake. As for my spirit,
it is mine, unique and true to myself as Rob
has his own entity. Those who focus much on
Penetrator’s Judas side are missing
the larger vast audio assault. Penertator
is a changeling creature that takes metamorphosis
to the extreme. The band’s sound is
a mix of British power metal with American
metal thunder and some southern Ontario hospitality.
Sit back, relax and take a good shit kicking.
|
TGZ:
Do you believe Penetrador might play side
by side with Judas Priest one day? Is this
one of the desires of the band? |
Maxel: We keep an open mind to anything
and until the CD is released worldwide we
won’t know who we will be touring with.
Right now we’d agree to open for any
large label act touring in the United States
or Europe.
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TGZ:
How do you evaluate the works with the
label Sonic Age and also with Metal Queen
Management? |
Maxel: Metal Queen Management has done
a great deal for us. Entering our project
early, she distributed our demo across the
world and fast-tracked our career hooking
us up with Sonic Age Records. We are patiently
waiting for the out coming of Sonic’s
hard work. The music speaks for itself, all
pure power no matter what version you have.
Give a listen and you’ll be singing
along to it while picking your teeth off the
pavement with your broken fingers.
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TGZ:
Speaking about cover artwork once again,
why the concept of three furious chained dogs
in “Unleashed The Fury”? |
Maxel: Originally our idea was to have
two vicious Celtic two headed dogs unleashed
from chains held by a dark ambiguous master.
The rabid beasts dart towards the viewer to
tear him into little pieces hence "unleash
the fury". In the languish background
is a dank round brick cellar filled with iron
rod gates and threadbare medieval tapestries.
The master’s expression appears to beam
beneath the brooding gloom.
|
TGZ:
Can you introduce us to the Canadian Metal
scene?
|
Maxel: Home grown Canadian Metal bands
include Triumph, Trooper, Exciter, Razor,
Eidolon, Annihilator, Santers and Sword, to
name a few. Did you ever listen to old Rush
like 2112 and A Farewell to kings? The underground
metal scene here has plenty of talent that
includes unsigned bands as Shatterpoint and
Warmachine. We also have a range of musical
diversity. The bands thrive in the city even
though Toronto is generally indifferent towards
metal. When I was a child I use to make up
my own plays and get my friends and I to perform
them in front of the others kids. The scene
here is similar to that, and because it’s
up to you it make it or break it, if you have
a band that draws a crowd you make your own
scene happen while creating your own party.
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TGZ:
There was a NWOBHM band called Thor in
Canada that we enjoy a hell lot. Was this
band famous in there? Would you know the whereabouts
of its members? |
Maxel: Thor had his own television show
on Much Music in the eighties and was well
known for his sideshow antics and shocking
he-man drag appearance, not for his musical
genius. We’d laugh when we saw a Thor
video and chuckled while watching him bend
steel between his teeth. In recent years Thor
played in a Toronto club to surge a comeback
attempt. I couldn’t tell you where the
members live now or how to contact them.
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TGZ:
What is your opinion about the lousy
new metal? |
Maxel: One man’s passion is another
man’s nightmare.
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TGZ:
Some of you might have experienced the
Metal scene of the 80's. How would you compare
those times and nowadays? |
Maxel: I use to hang out at a club called
Rock and Roll Heaven. It was the best Metal
club in the city of Toronto. A classy hangout
with video screens great bands famous and
local with gorgeous girls and fun people.
The Gasworks was just down the street. A former
biker bar turned hard music palace was a popular
hangout for friends and familiars. Bands and
patrons would continue to party at an after
hours bar across the street till dawn. Larry’s
Hideaway was the king of rock and roll sleaze
but all that remains of the infamous Larry’s
Hideaway is a vestige in the grass of Allen
Gardens. One by one the rock havens disappeared
leaving metal heads without a place to hang
and opened a yawning abyss that has never
been filled.
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TGZ:
Which are the highest goals of Penetrator? |
Maxel: To conquer all world stages, record
four studio albums and a double live CD. To
grace the magazine covers of Guitar Player,
Rolling Stone and Revolver. For Penetrator
to become a household name and give our fans
the most intense music show visually on the
face of the planet.
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TGZ:
Thanks a lot for the interview and attention
to ThunderGod Zine. We sure hope to see you
on stage in Brazil one day. Leave your messages
to our readers and... Stay Heavy !!! |
Maxel: We hope to be able to penetrate
Brazil in the near future. Thanks for the
interview ThunderGod Zine and keep it Metal
!
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