RIDERS OF THE STORM

POWERSTORM

Powerstorm imagine their music as "A tornado with the sunlight passing through it". Real epic, really powerful picture to imagine. They claim after all that they play heavy metal with lots of melodic parts. What more suitable metaphore than a tornado hit by sunlight?

1.INTRODUCE THE BAND TO THE METALLERS AND GIVE US A SHORT BIOGRAPHY.

The band was found back in October 1995.The line up has changed in 1997 and we replaced Akis with Chris behind the drum kit.So,the current line up is Kostas (vocals,guitars),Chris Z.(guitars),Greg(bass) and Chris K.(drums).We have already released "The Coming" m-CD and we are about to release a new one with 5 new songs and 3 bonus from our previous release.Of course,we love playing live our music so if anyone who is reading this interview wants us to come and play in his hometown, just e-mail me ([email protected])!We've done several gigs with bands like Spitfire,Rotting Christ,Epidemic etc.

2.WHICH ARE YOUR INFLUENCES? HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR MUSIC?

Well,Kostas is the main songwriter but we all contribute to each song. I think heavy metal with lots of melodic parts is what we play.You know what I mean,all these classic bands like Priest, Sabbath... I can't tell you exactly,you have to listen to our music and tell me!Someone told me once that we remind him of Angelwitch.It's fine by me!Everybody has his own point of view.

3.HOW MANY DEMOS DO YOU HAVE? WHICH ARE THE SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCIES AMONG THEM?

As I told you before we have already released 'The Coming' m-CD which is sold out.So,in our new CD we will include 3 songs from it.The new songs sound better because we have worked a lot harder this time and we have real drums.The result is better sound,the same way of music. Heavy metal!

4.WHAT ARE YOUR LYRICS TALKING ABOUT? DO YOU LIKE TO TALK ABOUT EVERYDAY SITUATIONS OR FANTASY STORIES?

It's a mix.Our lyrics are about almost everything.In 'Mother is dying' for example we talk about Mother Earth and all these stuff mankind is doing. It's something straight and easy for the listener to understand. We say what we have to say in a political and social kind of way.

5.WHICH IS YOUR BIGGEST DREAM YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE THROUGH YOUR MUSIC?

Personaly speaking I would like our music to reach as many people as possible.A record deal would be fine for a start.Many live shows,too much beer...But it's very hard for a greek band like us to make a big step outside our country.I know that,so I will not be disappointed if nothing ever happens.We will keep going on composing and releasing songs on our own!

6.DO YOU THINK THAT IF YOU WERE FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY THINGS WOULD BE EASIER FOR YOU?

Maybe yes,maybe no.The fact is that you have more possibilities outside Greece.More places to play your music live,people in studios that know about how a heavy metal sound should be,more bands,more fans...But it's fine by me.I like it here and we will try to do our best for the greek heavy metal scene!

7.HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE THE FACT THAT GREEK BANDS MOSTLY PLAY EXTREME METAL AND WHY DO YOU THINK THAT DESPITE THE FACT THAT GREECE DOESN'T OFFER THE CHANCE TO THE BANDS TO BECOME FAMOUS WORLDWIDE, MORE AND MORE BANDS SHOW UP?

Greek bands that play extreme heavy metal are much more famous.I respect that and I am proud that we have all these bands.Rotting Christ, Septic Flesh, Acid Death etc.are just GREAT!You know I listen to these stuff all the time!They play this way because they feel this way.It's too simple,man!And hell yeah people here have the guts and passion to play their music no matter if they are ever going to be famous or not.That's why all these bands show up!

8.WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WEREN'T ABLE TO COMPOSE MUSIC?

I don't know.I would be dead or deaf maybe!!!No,no!I would be a devoted heavy metal fan,just the way I am,but wouldn't play in a band!

9.HOW DID YOU CHOOSE THIS BAND NAME? WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR YOU?

The band's name is not a great story.We wanted a powerful name to describe the way we play.At first we had STORM but I thought there was already a band with that name so we added POWER and that was it!We all agreed about it and here we are!

10.IF YOUR MUSIC WAS A PICTURE WHAT WOULD IT SHOW?

A tornado with the sunlight passing through it would be just fine!It combines speed and power with melody!I think if you have a nice melodic part you have to work with it and make a song out of it.Melody is everything,man!Every kind of melody!You know my favorite band is SLAYER and believe me their music is full of these shit!!

11.DO YOU LIKE READING BOOKS? WHICH BOOK THAT YOU READ WOULD YOU LIKE TO TAKE AND MAKE IT A SONG OR A WHOLE ALBUM AND FILM IT AS WELL?

I'm not a crazy reader,but I enjoy reading a good book!I would realy like to see Clive Barker's 'Everville' on screen!That book is great!The man is a genious!!!But I don't think it would be an easy concept to make an album.An epic story like Conan would be much more fun!!!

12.YOU ARE GIVEN THE ABILITY TO CHANGE SOMETHING IN THE WORLD. WHAT WOULD THAT BE?

I would be God or the U.S.if I had this authority!!!How about stopping all these crazy fuckers in the whole world who continue making wars and treating each others like animals?I think world peace is an utopia so I would try to save our planet from total destruction...

13.THANK YOU FOR THE INTERVIEW! IS THERE ANYTHING I FORGOT TO ASK YOU AND YOU'D LIKE TO MENTION?

Thank YOU for the interview and for helping us spread our music!Take care and keep up the good work!!!Listen to the music you like,drink beers,have fun,stay out of drugs and help each other!!!

CHRISTINE PARASTATIDOY

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