NNMR :No Nonsense Metal Interviews
WARBEAST
Every once in a while a genuinely brilliant band will come along, a band like Warbeast for example. With their blend of concrete heavy Thrash riffs and crushing speeds, it wont be long before Warbeast becomes a byword for all that is good and brutal in this world. Anyone who was lucky enough to witness them laying waste to stages across Europe last year with the legendary Down, will know that Warbeast's brilliance isn't just confined to your ipod's.
Whether its the input of their producer and friend Philip. H Anselmo, or their explosive energy both on the road and on record, there certainly is something feeding this beasts success. No Nonsense Metal decided that it would be a wise move to get in touch with the rising stars of the riff, to find out just whats going on in the Warbeast camp.
How are things going for Warbeast at the moment?
Scott Shelby - Things
have been going great and it has been a very busy year so far! We've had two CDs come out this year
"War of the Gargantuas" and "Destroy" and have done tours
for both of them! Now that's how you
start a year off!
Bruce Corbitt -
Plus the addition of Casey Orr (Bruce's bandmate from Rigor Mortis) on Bass has
really made us an even stronger band. Not only has he made an impact on our live
shows… I’m anxious to hear what he contributes when we start writing songs for
the next album.
You released your second full length album, the incredible
"Destroy", in April. What has
the reception been like towards the new album?
Scott Shelby - I think the reception was great, the
album did good on the charts and good on Sirius Satellite Radio air-play. Most of all the crowd reaction live and
comments on the new material has said it all to us that Destroy is hitting on
all cylinders! We also believed in
it very much from the beginning of its creation.
Where did the idea for the War Of the
Gargantuas" split EP come from?
Scott Shelby - As young child I was fascinated with Sci-Fi and horror movies and one of my favorites and also one of Toho’s best films was ‘The War of the Gargantuas’. I have always acted like and made sounds and quotes from the movie all my life. I expressed my love for the film to Phillip Anselmo. He had the idea for the split album of his solo work and our next phase of songs after the ‘Krush the Enemy’ album. Plus, what a fitting name for the two monstrous bands!
Bruce Corbitt –
The clincher was when we all watched the movie one night during the ‘Destroy’
recording sessions. Some of the guys in
Warbeast had never seen the movie. I had
the same passion for the movie as Philip and Scott did because I had watched it
for the first time as a kid.
After we watched
the movie it almost became like the theme for the rest of the recording of the
album. Philip and Scott were acting out
the scenes etc. That was when Philip
came up with the idea for the title of the split. I thought it was just one of those drunk and
stoned ideas that come out on the spot that sound cool and funny at the time…
but they usually never happen. But this
is one of those rare times when it actually did happen. That’s Housecore Records for you… there is no
better label for Warbeast to be on.
What was it like working with Philip H. Anselmo?
Scott Shelby - It has been a honor to work with a metal genius and he is an old friend too. So it was real natural, fun and relaxing to work with him. We all work great together and have a blast doing it, he brings the best out of us and I think that is a good goal of a producer. I always reflect back on our recording sessions especially the ‘Destroy’ ones. Because we had that magic going that you always want. We also have disagreements and arguments too, but you have to get the right product.
Bruce Corbitt -
I've never thought of Philip as anything but a friend. It’s not like I've ever been all amazed that
I’m around him. So it’s just like how it
would be for anyone hanging around a great friend. In other words we have a great time
together, it’s just not like I put him on some pedestal. At the same time, Philip doesn't act like
he’s above his friends. So that right
there makes our working relationship just as much fun as our friendship. We’re able to combine the two to get the best
out of us and have a blast doing it.
At the same time,
I know there are tons of fans out there that think of Philip as a Metal
God. So I respect his talents and what
he’s achieved during his career. So I
really welcomed the opportunity to learn from him.
Warbeast also had a support slot on tour with Down.
What was that experience like and did you feel any pressure touring with such
an enormously high-profile band?
Scott Shelby - We have done quite a few one-off shows with Down in the past so we already knew the guys and the crew. So going on tour with them was the most natural experience we ever had! Having played over 40-something shows with them in the US and Europe, it is always a good show with them.
We also had lots
of crazy shit going on during shows that I'm sure other bands don't do with
them. From all-out melees during the
shows between the bands, wrestling Philip and the other Down members, to
appearing in a green Gorilla suit at select shows! You never know???
Warbeast's live shows have a great reputation; what
is that makes your live shows such a memorable experience?
Scott Shelby - I think it is the brutal honesty and intensity that we play with. We are a true to the blue metal band and people sense that and appreciate the heart felt love for our style of music.
We give a hundred percent every show if possible. You know how it is, on the road it’s wearing and exhausting. But playing a good show and giving the fans what they need makes it all work. The fans love it and we feel satisfied.
There are a lot of great feelings in life. But one of mine is playing a great show and feed the crowd with our music. The deliverance of it is one of my great feelings in life!
Has Warbeast got any plans to head
out on the road and tour before the end of 2013?
Bruce
Corbitt - Yes, we are going out on the road July 31st through August
23rd with Philip Anselmo & The Illegals and Author & Punisher. This
tour is going to kill! I think most
everyone agreed that the ‘War Of The Gargantuas’ split flowed together nicely
with the 2 songs from each band rotating. So I can only assume that the live shows with these 2 bands will be the
perfect mix. It will be a great concert
experience for almost everyone that attends these shows.
Bruce, you certainly have a impressive
set of vocal cords on you, are there any vocalists in particular that inspire
you and your vocal style?
Bruce
Corbitt – There are many singers that have inspired me. It started with Lennon and McCartney as a
kid. Then singers like Steven Tyler,
Ozzy, Alice Cooper in the 70's. Then of
course Dickinson, Dio and Halford were next.
But
honestly none of them have inspired my actual vocal style. I don’t mean that in an arrogant way
either. The truth is that some of those
singers are on another planet from me as far as their talent, style, image and vocal
abilities. I just never had the greatest
singing skills and vocal range. So I
pretty much had to just figure out what style of vocals worked best for
me.
Singers
like Ozzy and Alice Cooper obviously don’t have the powerful vocal range that
singers like Dickenson, Dio and Halford have. But I like their voices just as much… if not even better. So I just tried to sound like myself, which
meant I didn't try to sound like anyone else and I couldn't even if I wanted
to… haha!
Any last points you'd like to make
for the fans?
Bruce
Corbitt - Obviously thanks for the support and for at least giving Warbeast a
chance. We will start writing for our 3rd
album in a few months. We plan on being
around for a long time…. So hopefully our paths will eventually cross with
every one of you one day! Cheers!
So there you have it. Not only are Warbeast set to tour alongside Philip. H Anselmo's solo band, but they will be back to forging new tunes for us in the new future. What more could anyone possible ask for?
Thank you for reading!
Feel free to comment or ask any questions!
\m/
Comments
Post a Comment