VMU gets behind the scenes with Canada based metal heads PENETRATOR!
VMU: Hey guys how are you?
P: Hey VM underground we’re primed and ready to rock the world with our power. As a band we are playing stronger and tighter.
VMU: Where are you from and who is the current line up?
P: I‘m Penetrator’s vocalist Maxel Black originally from Windsor Ontario. Torontonians Bulldog Bess Ross on guitar with Simon Vanderzand on drums. Bassist Angry Dave hails from Hamilton.
VMU: How many releases have you put out and who produced?
P: This is Penetrator’s first release and it was produced by the band
VMU: Were the recordings done digital or analog? (if comps what programs)
P: Instruments were tracked on analog and the vocals recorded with digital first and downloaded onto analog later at Simon's studio, The Sound Lounge.
VMU: How did the band form?
P: While attending a Dio show in Toronto this really hot chick 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 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 answered an ad for Bass players 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.
"Being an artist has freedom to express oneself with liberty and honestly, while most of the population just sucks up the punishment that’s dished out." - P
VMU: Do you prefer live or studio recording?
P: I like studio recording the best but when it’s a great live CD it can be one of my favourite albums as well.
VMU: How's the local music scene in your home town?
P: The Toronto scene isn’t what it used to be but has been growing steadily every year since 1998 with new bands and venues. The underground metal scene has plenty of talent and music diversity here. Bands are thriving in the city within the underground with renewed electrical tension.
VMU: What do you express in your lyrics?
P: We spin yarns about anything that comes to mind. I sing stories on politics, terrorism, alcohol abuse, outlaws and rock anthems to metal fans the world over.
VMU: How do you feel about other artists expressing their beliefs in music? (Religious or political)
P: I think artists can say more thorough the music and lyrics then most people can on any regular day. Being an artist has freedom to express oneself with liberty and honestly, while most of the population just sucks up the punishment that’s dished out.
VMU: Could you explain in detail the gear you use?
P: Walls of Marshall mode four guitar cabs and mark 4 Marshall plexy heads. Fender Strats, Brian Moore and Tobias Bass guitars. T-max and Peavey bass heads with Ampeg 8 x 10's cabs.
VMU: Who are your musical influences?
P: Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Dio, Black Sabbath, Nevermore, Pantera, Slayer and Dokken.
VMU: Any tours in the works?
P: Penetrator starts the Penetration for the Nation tour of the USA beginning in Oklahoma City at Stars and Bars March 11th, 12th, 2005. On our return we’ll play some Canadian dates before we tour the eastern USA and look toward Europe.
VMU: How did you do the recording process live or 1 on 1?
P: Recording was done with drums first and every member took their turn individually playing their parts.
VMU: How do you feel about the mainstream music scene? (USA and overseas)
P: I’m really excited to be a part of it. The metal coming out of Europe right now is happening. The USA has many awesome bands with fans that have shown us warmth and hospitality.
VMU: Any deals in the works?
P: As of Jan 2005 we were signed to Sonic Age Records in Greece. Our self-titled CD will be distributed in North America through Century Media/ The End Records on April 25th 2005.
VMU: New recordings in the works?
P: We have written twelve new songs for our second CD so far and all of it is killer with no filler.
VMU: Any advise to other indie bands?
P: If you can record a full length CD and package it like any current one on the market. Industry exec’s like bands that can write a lot of songs and a EP doesn’t prove that
VMU: Do any of you own a home studio? (What gear)
P: Our demo Unleash the Fury was recorded by the band at Simon Vanderzand’s studio The Sound Lounge
VMU: Why do you do what you do in music?
P: We live for rehearsal and live for the shows because we need that daily metal infusion going into our veins. I want to be a rock superstar who’s remembered for all time.
VMU: Thank you so much for your time!! Any last words?
P: Thanks for the interview VM underground and come out to one of our shows if you can to witness live penetration for yourself. May the gods of metal look favourably upon you in the year ahead.
Keep it metal forever
Maxel Black
www.myspace.com/penetrator/
VM UNDERGROUND
March 1 2005