Interviews

Savatage Return! We Talk To Chris Caffery & Johnny Lee Middleton

2/7/2025

Rising though the 1980s, Savatage were serious metal contenders until tragedy struck. Following the untimely passing of Criss Oliva in 1993, the Florida band soldiered on, regrouping and releasing a string of albums before the phenomenon of Trans Siberian Orchestra ended them, seemingly for good. Their return in 2025 then, is perhaps their most surprising turn yet. We joined bassist Johnny Lee Middleton and guitarist Chris Caffery for a chat at Hellfest about their comeback, and plans for the future. The unholy; Eamon O'Neill.

Photo: Adrian Hextall Mindhex Media.

Joe Satriani Talks SatchVai Band's Plans For 2025 & Reflects on His Key Albums

2/6/2025

Joe Satriani and Steve Vai have been bros since meeting at school in the 1970s. Although it was famously Joe who taught Vai how to play in the first place, the two today share a status as arguably, the most influential players of the last four decades. Heading out together for the first time ever in a joint project the SatchVai Band, it's exciting times for the oldest of friends. We sat down with Joe for a chat about the project, and reflect with the shredder about the rise of the solo guitarist, his thoughts on Vai's masterpiece 'Passion and Warfare', and the creation of some of his key albums including 'Flying in a Blue Dream' and 'The Extremist.' One big rush; Eamon O'Neill.

Photo; Jon Luini

Blackie Lawless Talks 'Album One Alive' & W.A.S.P's Storied History

26/5/2025

One of the most explosive metal acts of the 1980s, W.A.S.P. blew the doors off the shock rock genre with their over the top image and theatrics. They had the songs too, most notably from the off, with their classic 1984 debut which they'll be celebrating in full on their forthcoming 'Album One Alive' tour. "When we first came up with the idea a couple years ago, I wasn't sure how well it would be received", confesses main man Blackie Lawless as we sit down for a chat; "it wasn't until we got in front of people that I saw their reaction, and I went; "oh, we've got a huge fish on the hook here!" Discussing the tour, how grunge affected 'The Crimson Idol', the darkness of 'KFD' and the supposed over correction of 'Helldorado', we go in depth with the creative behind W.A.S.P. Hellion; Eamon O'Neill.

Eric Bell; From Thin Lizzy to Authenticity, the Irish Guitar Legend Talks his Career

19/5/2025

Eric Bell is an Irish rock legend. Part of the original line-up of Thin Lizzy who helped secure the band their early successes including a Number One single in Irish charts, the guitarist recorded three albums with the band before he was 22 years old. Famously leaving after a show in Belfast, he's documented with painful honesty how it all came crashing down on both 'Tales of Thin Lizzy', and 'Away with the Fairies, two of the standout tracks on new solo album. "I was losing a plot. Everything was great and then slowly, but surely, my personal life started crumbling", he confides. Talking 'Authenticity', the last time he saw Phil Lynott, and his journey from Thin Lizzy rocker to solo bluesman, we caught up with the softly spoken Belfast native. Vagabond of the western world; Eamon O'Neill.

Photo; Press.

Robin Trower Discusses Six Decades in the Business & New Album 'Come And Find Me'

29/4/2025

One of the most respected guitar players of all time, Robin Trower has spent a lifetime in music. Getting his big break when he joined Procol Harem in 1967, he scored huge solo success in the 1970s with albums like 'Bridge of Sighs' and 'For Earth Below'. His new album 'Come and Find Me' sees him fine tune his signature sound to deliver another set of soulful blues numbers. "It's definite continuation", he tells us on the phone from his home in the UK. Talking the new set, the anniversary of one of his biggest albums, and his approach, we caught up with the celebrated soloist.

Photo; Rob Blackham.

Yngwie Malmsteen Talks Strats, Picks & 40 Years of Fighting Wars

19/4/2025

Never the retiring type, either on, or off stage, Yngwie Malmsteen talks like he plays guitar. When he speaks, it's an unbridled barrage, and much like his dizzyingly edge of the rails soloing, it all comes in quick succession, and can go off at a tangent at any minute. To say he's a one-off, would be something of an understatement; "I was completely in my own world", he says as we sit down for a chat over Zoom; "Everything was from within, all the time. I would sit and play, and something came from, call it whatever you want, God, or whatever that felt like a gift". We joined the Swede to talk about his 40 years a solo artist, and his new album 'Tokyo Live'. Relentless; Eamon O'Neill.

Photo: Warren Blair for eonmusic.

Candice Night On 'Sea Glass', Blackmore's Night's Touring Plans, Rainbow Reissues, & Ritchie's Favourite Band

5/4/2025

It's been a decade since Candice Night last released a solo album, but she's back with 'Sea Glass', her most personal set to date. She's not been idle in the preceding ten years however, working alongside her husband Ritchie Blackmore in both Blackmore's Night and a reactivated Rainbow, as well as being involved in a string of reissue projects. We caught up with Candice - with a few interjections from Ritchie - to talk the new album, the challenges of reissuing 1995 Rainbow album 'Stranger in Us All', her husband's health, and future touring plans. Under a violet moon; Eamon O'Neill.

Photo: Kristin Metzler

Ricky Warwick on Solo Album 'Blood Ties', Black Star Riders' Hiatus & The Almighty's Return to the Studio

19/3/2025

Ricky Warwick is arguably the busiest man in rock. Front man of Black Star Riders and the occasionally activity Thin Lizzy, he's also been front and centre at the welcome return of The Almighty. As if that wasn't enough, he's a busy solo artist, with March 2025 seeing the release of his latest set 'Blood Ties'. "I desperately proud of this album", he tells us over a chat via Zoom, and with an album laden with catchy hooks and irresistible choruses, why wouldn't he be? Talking the new set, as well as The Almighty's return and Black Star Riders' hiatus, we caught up with the County Down native. Angel of desolation; Eamon O'Neill.

Shaman's Harvest Return Revitalised and Ready for a Busy 2025

14/3/2025

Alt rockers Shaman’s Harvest have had a hell of a ride since their formation in 1996. Releasing seven albums and scoring some staggering stats on Spotify, the Missouri four-piece have also encountered the darkest of times, not least front man Nathan "Drake" Hunt 2012 battle with throat cancer. Out on the road on their 'About Time' tour which sees them hitting the UK and Ireland for their first time ever, we caught up with Nate to discuss their highs and lows, as well as plans for 2025 including a ling awaited new album. Smokin' hearts and broken guns; Eamon O'Neill.

Photo; Adrienne Beacco

Alex Skolnick Talks Metal Allegiance, Reuniting with Testament & How He Was on Standby for Megadeth!

19/1/2025

What seems, on the surface, a surprising admission, makes perfect sense. As one of the standout talents on the '80s thrash metal scene, Alex Skolnick has since earned a reputation as one of the most diverse guitarists on the scene, winning fans from both his peers and musical elder statesmen alike. Starting out with Testament, he's developed his own jazz trio, as well as guested with many other musicians. Next up though, he joins all-star jam band Metal Allegiance for a date in Anaheim. Discussing this and more, including how he made an unlikely return to Testament almost two decades ago, Alex joined us for a chat. The legacy; Eamon O'Neill.

Photo: Darren McLoughlin.