• NEW EDEN is the eden for all the lost and starved metalhead,as Horacio(guitar) says. I don't know if you agree or not with that statement, but in my opinion NEW EDEN are one of the most promissing power/speed/progressive metal band from U.S. For more informations read the interview fellow metalhead.

1.GIVE A SMALL BIO OF THE BAND AND NAME THE CURRENT LINE UP.

• The line up currently consists of:
• Anthony DeVita~vox
• Horacio Colmenares~guitar
• Tim Thomas~guitar
• Melanie Sisneros~bass
• Dave Chedrick~drums
• NEW EDEN was started @ 1994 by Horacio Colmenares.  During the "metal famine" years of the  1990's,  true metal was rare. So as a result a new "eden" was created for all the lost and starved metal heads. What better name for the new project, than NEW EDEN.

• We have 10 new songs ready for our new CD.  These new songs are a bit faster and more progressive than previous NEW EDEN music.  Part of  the shift in the style's focus is partially due to the fact that on this CD, Tim Thomas (gtr) and Anthony DeVita (vox) have contributed to the song pool.  On the previous 2 albums, THROUGH THE MAKE BELIEVE & OBSCURE MASTER PLAN, Horacio had written 10 out of 10 or 9 out of 10 songs.  The newly shared writing duties is certain to give the new CD entitled "STAGNANT PROGRESSION" a new flare and twist.

• STAGNANT PROGRESSION does not have one central theme. Some of the titles and themes are:"Threshold Of Tolerance" this is straight forward power metal song dealing with one mans frustration and lack of patience for society. The cool thing about this song is all the interesting breaks and shift in direction. New and old fans can download the full demo  version of this song on our website, NewEdenBand.com "Freezing My Darkside" is another new song. This song is the first NEW EDEN song to use a detuned "E". We have tuned it down to a "D" and it has given the chorus a darker and heavy feel.  The guitars use the entire range of the instrument and are not confined to playing the lower register. The lyrics on this tune deal with the darker side of love. While this song is not available for download, it has some of the best NEW EDEN performances to date. It is the heaviest NEW EDEN tune.

• The previous album's lyrics are a bit gloomy at times. It is only natural that they came out that way because of all the dissapointment and frustration that dominated my life at those times. On OBSCURE MASTER PLAN, I was dealing with the line up change after the majoraty of the members left to form Destinys End. There was a lot of hatred and frustration in me at that time, but there were also some very great times too, so it was a weird situation for me. On THROUGH THE MAKE BELIEVE, I was doing a lot of soul searching and the tunes on that CD reflect that. For example, "SUNSHINE" is a very personal song for me. It deals with my pleads to GOD to save me from the mass confusion that surrounds the world of religion. Then song "EMPTY MAN" on the other hand, is a story of a man who lived his whole life not believing in anything; only to find himself empty and alone on his deathbed.  I am not a pessimest, but I think of myself as a realist.  I like to see ourselves for what we are, without candycoating life. There are many beautiful moments in life and humanity, but just as many dark times & sides.

• Hmmn?.. interesting question. The only member that I keep in touch with is James.  He recently booked NEW EDEN for the Bang Your Head-Houston show and that helped to put the past in the past. I have spoken to the other ex-NewEden members recently, but I find that my interest in them was left in the past. Nardo however, still makes me laugh. He is quite the comedian. Seeing him at the Classic Metal Festival in Kalamazoo brought back some good memories. I have heard their latest cd, and I think it is a better than their first release. It has about 3 really good songs. The production still leaves something to be desired, though.

• The answer to that question is a bit tricky.  I can understand a fan's point of view as well as a musician's point of view in regards to this matter. A fan feels alienated, and abandond for the riches of mass apeal when a band suddenly changes direction.  The true musician on the other hand feels that he must evolve and grow musically, or he/she will become old and stale. Then you also have those groups that "change" for the pure purpose of selling more records. There is no right or wrong in this answer. There is only what is right for the fan or the musician.  The fan always has the right to stop listening to the band if he/she no longer likes it. The musician has the right to try and make a better life for himself and his family, even if it means selling out.  We all sell out to some degreee everyday. Some of us are lucky enough that we can do what we truly enjoy doing and make a living from it; but that is quite rare in today's economy. So in a simple response to your question; yes.

• Yes, each band that has established themselves, has also gained the trust of its fan. The fan many times will purchase the band's album soley based on how much the fan liked the previous abum. So, a band has a certain amount of responsibility to not suddenly sell a CD that is so different from the previous, that it might as well be a totally different band.  I think bands that do this, really want to start something new, but still want to hold on to the security of their established band's name.

• The fans need to understand that a musician is an artist. True art is not shaped by economic arpirations. It is driven by inner feelings and emotions. So while fans may be able to mold the comercial "artistic" industry, they can't influence true art; nor should they expect to be able to. I say to these fans, sit back, listen, and enjoy the piece of music and words that give you an insight to the true artist's mind.

• I like the hunger and drive the most. I believe that this forces Metal to evolve, sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worst.   The thing I hate the most is the envy and anymosity shared by some bands. In some places, bands unite like brothers in arms, and then sometimes, there is so much envy and jealousy, what a pity.

• Life is the biggest influence for me. It inspires me and nourtures my musical growth.  As for Metal Musical influences, the biggest metal influences for me are/were Iron Maiden, Warlord,  Growing up; I was exposed to tons of Spanish pop music. Not by choice, however. My father used to play it relentlessly. I hated it as a child, but it stayed in the attic of my mind and it's influences have surfaced in my adulthood.  Being exposed to so much "catchy" pop music as a child makes me crave "catchy" riffs and grooves in my music. So in a weird way, pop music plays a major influence in my POWER METAL writing.

• The biggest aspiration I have for my band is to be able to expose it to as many music loving people as possible. Not just metal fans either. Being a metal band from the Los Angeles area means that you play for a lot of non-metal crowds. It has always given me a lot of satisfaction when a "non-metal" crowd enjoys a NEW EDEN performance. I aspire to give NEW EDEN to as many people as possible.

• Creating my own music is like creating myself.  With every song I write, I fix an empty hole in my soul.  Why I feel that way, I don't know, but that;s what is. It is very nourturing to write music and see it get turned into a complet song.

• Lately there isn't alot of metal that inspires me, but I do enjoy listening to a band called Night In Gales. (ex-Nuclear Blast Records) As far as metal goes, I like their direction. I currently find myself listening to alot of pop music and music from the South America, mixed in with some Slayer and Iron Maiden, of course.

• The aim is to get NEW EDEN to Europe, Greece, and Japan.  When and how that will happen is yet to be determined.  We need to finish "STAGNANT PROGRESSION" first. This CD is living up to its name.

• I really don't know much of what is going on outside of the USA. All I know is that metal is very much alive in Europe, Greece, and Japan; while in the USA, it is still on life support. Much of the cool metal mags are in German or Greek languages, which I can't read or understand.  The only parts I understand, is when I see my name or a name of one of the songs.  I hope it's nothing bad, but who knows.

• I don't read many  books. However, NEW EDEN's bassist, Melanie Sisneros, does and  here is her answer to that question. "I am a big fan of anything with well-developed, distinct characters, and I must say that my absolute favorite book(s) would have to be the Elfquest series by Wendy and Richard Pini.  The characters are not only beautifully drawn, but the story is addicting, and it is impossible not to fall in love with the characters.  Every time I read one of the stories, I have to read the WHOLE SERIES over again, and it sends my imagination running wild. Great stuff!! In terms of authors, I've always liked Stephen King. He is very good at taking the minute and the mundane and making it relevant and even horrific. I was a huge Stephen King addict when I was in high school. If I could be a book hero, I would like to be Chris Claremont's Storm of the X-Men. She is steady, strong, and extremely powerful.  She is a natural leader, and takes care of business when she must, but also has a warm heart. Oh yeah, and she can fly!

• That is interesting, I have briefly entertained that thought, but never more than that. However NEW EDEN's other guitarist Tim Thomas has a different  answer. This is Tim's reply to this question.  "THE ANSWER IS DEFINITELY YES. THERE ARE ALOT OF MOVIES THAT WOULD BE COOL TO DO, BUT FOR RIGHT NOW I THINK I WOULD LIKE TO DO "THE QUEEN OF THE DAMNED" BASED ON THE NOVEL BY ANNE RICE. IT IS THE FOLLOW UP TO  "INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE".

19.WHICH LYRICS OF WHICHEVER BAND YOU'D SAY THAT EXPRESS YOUR  PERSONALITY THE MOST?

• I think that the lyrics found in Helloween's "Kai Hansen" years best reflect my way of thinking. To me those lyrics come across as full of hope for humanity while humbly accepting our small part in the span of the universe.

• To all the readers of this interview, a big HELLO from your METAL slave,  Horacio Colmenares~NEW EDEN