Breakneck speed banging !!!

HELLFIRE B.C.

HELLFIRE B.C. HAVE RECENTLY RELEASED THEIR DEBUT ALBUM "BIRTH OF NUCLEAR AGE" AND READY TO PROVE TO ALL PEOPLE THAT THRASH METAL IS NOT DEAD, BUT STILL ALIVE AND KICKING.
JAMES WAS FORCED TO ANSWER OUR QUESTIONS AND HERE WHAT WE GOT,,,

1.Give us in a few words the most important moments of the band’s history. Who are the founders and which is the current line-up?

James: The band was created at 1996 by Alex , Steve and me. Half year later Obel joined the band. Three demos and a promo was released from then. I think, also one of the most important moments is the opening act with DESTRUCTION. We gave several gigs and finally a year ago we decided to make an album. George replaced Obel and here we are A-S-J-G with “Birth of the nuclear age” .

2.“Birth of the nuclear age” is your debut album. Are you still satisfied with it or is there anything you’d like to change? Which are your expectations from this album?

James: Yes, of course we’ re satisfied with the album. There is few, very few things that we might change. Maybe in the mix process. I don’t know... if we had more money...we would find something!! Hehehe..

3.The production of your album is very good and you did it here in Greece. Can you tell me why other Greek bands can’t release a “descent” album here in Greece and how did you manage to achieve this?

James: I’m glad that you like the production. Well, we tried to be ourselves and the whole work was made with the help from the studio guys. We knew from the beginning how the album should sound and we tried to make this real allthough we hadn’t enough money. About the other Greek bands, i think there are some very good productions and there are some bad productions. I don’t think that the major responsible for the bad ones are the studios, as many would sustain. The most bands can’t afford a “right” production, you need a lot of money. Maybe some other bands are in a hurry to release an album and something goes wrong...

4.I found in your music a strong “KREATOR” feeling rom the “Outcast” period. Do you agree? Which other bands influenced your style?

James: Yeah.. i think that there is a feeling from “outcast”. I can say that the whole German thrash scene inspired us. “Kreator” belong in this scene. Oh, there are many. Bay area thrash bands, some other American bands like “Pantera”, “Death”. From black metal i can mention “Immortal” . I can imagine a lot of groups, but our major influences comes from thrash bands.

5.Why have you entitled the album “The birth of the nuclear age”? What do you want to say with that title? Which other themes do you like to hurt through your lyrics?

James : On our days as you can see, all the consequences from the use of atomic and nuclear “experiments” begin to reveal. We can watch it in the whole environment which includes the human beings too (“U-238” song). For us this is the “birth” and not the real one that took place 70 years ago. We are not against nuclear energy. We are against the bad use of this activities. Mmm .., there is a song “Dark gift”, concerning the discovery of a sixth sense that a man has-like the movie. Another song speaks out for the ride against humanity by evil elements. Two other songs are about vampires, wolves and this kind of shit.

6.Was there a period in the band’s life that you wanted to quit everything and why? How did you surpass the problem?

James: Of course there was such a period. All the bands have problems. Sometimes you become tired from the situations that a band deals with, but at the end if you have patience everything finds its solution.

7.Why have you signed with “Sleaszy Rider” records? Are you satisfied with the label? Was there another label interested in you?

James: We were looking for a record company to release our album. We got in touch with some but at the end we decided to sign with “Sleaszy Rider” because they are interested in music first of all. At the moment we are satisfied with the label, they do whatever is possible for them to help our band. We’ll see in the future. For now we are very pleased.

8.What do you think of the Greek metal scene? Are things better now than it was in the past? Do you think that Greek bands have the chance to succeed outside the Greek borders?

James: The last five years, the metal scene in our country improved in many ways. Enough bands have good technical formation and release very good albums. In the past (10-15 years ago) this was very rare. Absolutely. There are a lot of chances for worldwide success than before. We can see it true for some bands already. That’s the proof i think.

9.Are you satisfied by the feedback you receive? Which was the best and which was the worst review you have received?

James: It is very early to create a major idea from all the correspondence we receive. At the moment everything is very positive but there will be for sure some people that will not respond positive. I will understand this because every opinion is acceptable. Nevertheless, at the moment everything is very good...

10.Are you annoyed by people who judge the artistic value of a CD by the number of CD’s it sells?

James: I think that the artistic value of an album is wrong to be judged by these numbers. Of course some albums that sell too much, aren’t for the rubbish box. The one for sure is that there are many killer albums which stay in obscurity because of their low sales. The people that support this way of thinking are making a big mistake.

11.There are some people who claim that thrash metal doesn’t exist on its own anymore and it can only be found as a supplement in other genres. Do you agree or not? What do you have to say?

James: Of course i don’t agree! There are many bands who play thrash metal and i can’t understand why there are some guys that claim this opinion. Yes, thrash metal doesn’t have the 80s majesty but it definitely exists. You can see in these bands although that there are a few <<new>> influences, something i think is very logical. Just hear our album and you’ll see... hehe..

12.Name some of the band’s influences and some of your most beloved albums.

James: Well as i said before, there are many...Slayer, Megadeth, Metallica, Sodom, Pantera, Immortal... Many bands from heavy to black... Everything we like, can give us some ideas. Beloved albums, lets see... Everything from old Slayer-Metallica-Megadeth. “Somewhere in time” (I.Maiden), “Nexus polaris” (Covenant), “at the heart of winter” (Immortal), “Cowboys from hell” (Pantera) and many others. Personally i have very few albums in my collection which i think are for the pit!!! Ohh, the last one from “Sentenced” is dynamite!!!

13.What title would you like this interview to have?

James: Breakneck speed banging !!!

14.Thank you! Have i forgotten to ask you anything and you like to mention?

James: No, i think it’s alright, hahaha.. Thank you too. See ya!!

NIKOS "William_Kidd" PARASTATIDIS

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