Gate Of Heaven

SEVENTH AVENUE

Seventh Avenue is one of the few and famous Christian heavy metal bands, who did an incredible come back lately with a big label and a brand new and heavy album. I guess they prove us once again that even Christians know how to ROCK! Let’s see…

1. FIRST OF ALL MAKE A SHORT PRESENTATION OF THE BAND’S HISTORY AND TELL US WHICH YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR MOST IMPORTANT MOMENT. WHICH IS THE CURRENT LINE UP?

The Idea of a Band was born in 89. We had some line up changes at the time, I started in the Band as a Guitar Player and in 92 I started to sing and from that time there was the name SEVENTH AVENUE. There were a lot of ups und downs all the time. We started with some demo Tapes, then the first album Rainbowland (self produced), then we signed a small Deal for TALES of TALES, Southgate and Goodbye. Then our old Bass player left the Band. And there was a big break in 99, when we built a new line up. And I started writing new songs. After a long time we started recording the new album Between the worlds and we found a Management and a new Label (MASSACRE). And I think that was one of the best moments of the band.

2. YOU HAVE A STRANGE NAME. HOW DID YOU SELECT IT? DOES IT HAVE A SPECIAL MEANING FOR YOU?

The SEVEN is the good number from the bible and it means that we have a Christian Background in the Lyrics… And the Avenue is our way that we wanna go with the music Christian Lyrics – Classic Metal. That’s our SEVENTH AVENUE.

3. YOU HAVE CHANGED RECORD LABEL AND NOW YOU BELONG TO MASSACRE’S ROSTER. ARE YOU HAPPY WITH YOUR NEW LABEL THIS FAR AND WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM THEM? WHY DID YOU LEAVE FROM THE PREVIOUS ONE?

The old label was only very small, the guy is very stupid he didn’t do a good job. And yes we are very happy with the new deal we hope that this is the new beginning for the band.

4. “BETWEEN THE WORLDS” IS YOUR FOURTH RELEASE AND IT’S THE ONLY ONE THAT I HAVEN’T STILL LISTENED TO. GIVE ME SOME MORE INFORMATION ABOUT IT, ABOUT THE PRODUCTION, ETC… IS IT A CONCEPT ALBUM?

It’s not really a concept album. The Cover was painted by Alberto Torquato (Angra… ) from Brazil. We record in our own Studio, so we had enough time. I produced the album the first time alone, the Vocals are produced by Victor Smolski from RAGE we got some help from SASCHA PAETH from Gate Studio (it’s only 5 minutes from us). And so I think it’s very cool.

5. YOUR LYRICS BELONG TO WHAT WE CALL “WHITE METAL” THEMATOLOGY. HOW IMPORTANT IS RELIGION IN YOUR LIVES AND WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO ANSWER TO THOSE THAT MIGHT ACCUSE YOU OF DOING PROPAGANDA FOR THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION?

Religion is very important for us because we believe in GOD . But we didn’t wanna preach! We wanna show the people that the Christians can make the same Party and the same Music. So it’s no Propaganda.

6. IT IS VERY PROBABLE THAT IN A FEW DAYS A WAR MIGHT BREAK BETWEEN THE U.S. AND IRAQ. WHICH ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT? WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY TO ALL THE LEADERS THAT HAVE USED AND STILL USE THE WORDS OF JESUS CHRIST IN ORDER TO JUSTIFY THEIR “UNFAIR” WARS?

I didn’t understand why people must make Wars. It’s so stupid and most of the people that die are innocent. That’s why we are Christians because one time in Heaven there will be no War, no crying and no pain. I think the leaders of this Wars will have their Judgment some time (of course after death).

7. CAN WE JUSTIFY ALL THE CRIMES OF HUMANITY (TO INNOCENT CHILDREN AND HELPLESS PEOPLE) IN THE NAME OF THE GOD OF LOVE? IS IT LOGICAL?

God didn’t make Wars he gave all the people their own intention because that’s earth not heaven. We are not marionettes of God so it’s free to believe in him or not, to make wars or not. And all the people will have their Judgment some day. When you want God to stop war then he must stop everything that’s wrong (Prostitute, Drugs…). He gave all the people their own free will.

8. WHY DO YOU THINK METAL KEEPS INVOLVING SO MUCH THE OCCULT AND MYSTICISM IN ITS LYRICS?

I don’t know because music isn’t bad doesn’t matter which kind of Music. That’s why there are bands like us because: Why should the devil have all the good Music ???

9. SOMETIMES I THINK THAT ALL THESE THINGS THAT JESUS PREACHED AND PUSHED AS TO DO, IS A “UTOPIA” AND THAT WE WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO MAKE THEM TRUE. I THINK THAT HUMAN’S HAVEN’T CHANGED MUCH AND STILL THE BROTHER KILLS A BROTHER, AND SO ON…PLEASE SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH US.

No man can live without sins every Christian make sins every day but we can go to God every day and he will forgive us. We only try to live with his rules and we can try to have a better life. Or did you think that there will be wars when Saddam and Bush try the same way I didn’t think so because they have so much hate in their hearts. Jesus can help you to take this hate away, but no one can be perfect.

10. IF SOMEONE TOLD YOU THAT THE WORLD WOULD BE DESTROYED IN A WEEKS TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

I would spend all my time to invite all the people to the biggest PARTY in Heaven. Because the very best Party here on earth is only 0.000001 % in comparison with the party in Heaven and its neverending.

11. IF YOUR MUSIC WAS AN EMOTION, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

!!! FELLTY !!! ( Feeling – Party ) it’s a new Emotion I created right now (it’s my patent now hihihi).

12. IF YOU HAD THE CHANCE TO MEET GOD, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO ASK HIM?

Why must it be so hard in this world to be a Christian?

13. WHICH IS MAN’S BIGGEST TEMPTATION?

SEX and Drugs of course for me too!

14. IF SUDDENLY ELECTRICITY CEASED TO EXIST, WHAT DO YOU THINK WOULD HAPPEN TO HEAVY METAL?

Ohh man that’s hard. I don’t know do you have an Idea ?

15. WHAT WOULD YOU ADVICE THE YOUNGER METALHEADS THAT WANT TO FORM A BAND AND BECOME FAMOUS? WHERE SHOULD THEY BE MORE CAUTIOUS?

The best way is to find their own way and not to try to copy any other Bands. Maybe it needs longer to become famous but it worth it.

16. THE DREAM TEAM OF A HEAVY METAL BAND BY WHICH MUSICIANS (DEAD OR ALIVE), ACCORDING TO YOU, WOULD BE CONSISTED OF?

Drums : Nico ( Maiden ) Guitars: Randy Rhoads, Paul Gilbert, Bass: Steve Harris Vox: a little choir of Bruce, Michael Kiske, Jorn Lande , and me?

17. THANK YOU! HAVE I FORGOTTEN TO ASK YOU ANYTHING AND YOU’D LIKE TO MENTION?

No I think its O.K.!!!!
ROCK ON !!!
Bye

Nick “William_Kidd” Parastatidis

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws