Can you tell us about the origin of the band name, a history of the band and a little bit about the various members?

Guido: The band`s name has a story behind. I used to do baroque horse riding and historical fencing. It started on the island of Mallorca. A friend of mine has a stable overthere. I took lesson on a Spanish mare called ´Bodegera` , which is the name of a lady selling wine in a wine shop, the ´Bodega`. There used to be a list of all horses and this name was written wrongly ´Body-guerra`. I had no clue about the meaning, but it sounded good to me. So I kept it in my mind and a few years later the band had it´s name.

The band was founded around 2010. I got in contact to an old school mate of mine, the former singer Daniel Seebass.  We used to play in our very first band, he was 11 and I 12 years old, doing cover versions from Deep Purple, Rainbow, Whitesnake, Saxon, Priest, you know, all these great british bands that had a huge impact on my songwriting. When Daniel and I got in touch together again, we wrote ´Freddy…nothing as it seems`, a concept album about the infamous Dr. Shipman, which was released in 2013. We had a lot of line up changes, so in the end I decided to call it Guido Stoecker´s Bodyguerra, as I was the only constant member. In 2018 we toured with the Graham Bonnet Band in Europe, which was absolutely great. My first rock show was Rainbow for the Down to Earth album. And many years later I toured with the singer. Great feeling, great memory. After that I got in touch with Ela. She took over the management first, later she became the singer. She got her vocal education degree in London. We were supposed to tour with David Reece, at least due to the pandemic, everything got cancelled. So Ela and I wrote ´Fire & Soul`, which went very easy. I am always writing and recording music. So I took a bunch of ideas to Ela and the first day we created ´Stay Free`, ´Breakout` and ´Steelheart`. The next day ´Fire & Soul` followed. We had a great creative flow.

Are you all from the same area? How did you get together as a band?

No, we are from different areas. Ela is from Northgermany, near Hamburg, the bassplayer Danij Perl is currently living in Switzerland, the drummer Hanno Kerstan is from Duisburg/Ruhrgebiet and I live close to the border of the Netherlands. As the band already existed and had a history, Danij was recommended by a friend of Ela, and he recommended Hanno. They are all experienced musicians, they did recordings, they did touring. So you don´t need to explain the rules. It works very well.

Who are your favourite artists/bands and how have they influenced your own sound?

When I was a young kid, I was a real Blackmore fan. I heard ´Smoke on the water` from Made in Japan and that was a kickstart that lasts till today. I really love the musicianship of bands like Deep Purple, they needed to work under tremendous pressure and created tons of hits. You know this Black Night story? They had In Rock out and the management told them to write a single, the studio was booked for the next day. They had to deliver. I have big respect for them. My guitar sound was hughly influenced by these recordings. My favourite sound is on the Made in Europe album. I like this big, straight in your face, powerful but clear guitar tone. It´s loud ofc., but RocknRoll has to be loud. It is a feeling, an attitude, not just listening to music. This attitude is important to me. I believe in being authentic as an artist, I mean every note that I play. This is what I got from players like Blackmore, Hendrix, Van Halen, Stevie Ray, Yngwie, Uli Jon Roth etc etc. I know that Ela thinks alike.

Did you always have the ambition to be a musician and in a band or did you originally have other plans?

When I started playing around 1976 as a young kid, I painted posters for my first band. The band was called ´Rising`, ofc by the Rainbow Rising album. Painting big logos, tons of Marshall amps. So the wish to become a musician was very deep from a very early point in my life. I did a ´normal` education too, I am an industrial clerk too, but it did not last very long.

What songs or albums are on your current playlist?

Ela: The Jack – AC/DC, Proud Mary – Tina Turner, Thunderstruck – AC/DC, Jailhouse Rock – Elvis, Little Sister – Elvis, Soldier Of Heaven – Sabaton, The Light & Down With The Sickness – Disturbed

Gudio: I love the last Whitesnake album ´Flesh & Blood`, Deep Purple –Made in Europe, Rainbow – On Stage, Judas Priest – No Surrender, Deal With The Devil, Five Finger Death Punch – Blue on Black, Queen – I Want It All, Disturbed – The Vengeful One

Do you sing in the shower?

Ela: Yes, I sing everywhere

Guido: No, you don´t wanna hear that. And what I do under the shower is kept secret…..

Do you have any plans for the band for this year and into next year?

As so many bands we try to play shows, which is not easy, as so many shows that were delayed since 2020 are going to happen now. So we are working on that. At the end of the year or beginning next year, we will go back into the studio for the next album. But there is no concrete date yet.

Do you currently have any new songs/albums ready to be released?

We are writing. We are always writing songs and choose those songs that would fit into one album. That´s part of our daily work in the moment. Studiorecordings will be later this year or beginning next year. For now we are promoting `Fire & Soul`.

If you could play at any venue in the world where would you choose?

Ela: Hyde Park in London !!!!!

Guido: Yeah, Hyde Park would be a dream come true. And the London Hammersmith. That´s a venue with a certain image. Whitesnake´s Live in the heart of the city was recorded there, and ofc No sleep till Hammersmith by Motörhead. I still have the vinyl of these records. So these two are on top of the list for me.

Do you have a favourite album? If so, what is it?

Bodyguerra “Fire&Soul”, Elvis – No. 1 Hits, AC/DC – Black in Black, The War To End All Wars – Sabaton, Immortalized – Disturbed

Guido: The Deep Purple catalogue, Rainbow – Long Live RocknRoll, Whitesnake – The Purple album, Yngwie Malmsteen – Rising Force, Uli Jon Roth – Scorpions Revisted

Do you have any guilty pleasure songs/albums?

Ela: Yes sure, Guido has an album by Bata Illic, tjaaa hahahaha J

Guido: Don´t google that…….

If you were putting together the greatest show on earth, who would be playing?

Ela: Elvis Presley, Janis Joplin, Tina Turner, AC/DC, Queen, Bruce Springsteen, Disturbed,  Iron Maiden, Rolling Stones, Heart, Bodyguerra

Guido: That lineup has my permission…..

Can you remember the first album you bought with your own money? What was it and do you still have it?

Ela: I was 13 years old, and I bought my first LP from Shakin Stevens “Shaky” which unfortunately I no longer have.

Guido: Yeah ofc, 24 carat purple, I still have it

As your fans will be reading this, is there any message you would like to send out to them?

Ela: Ohhhh yes, never forget where you come from, never let yourself be defeated, live your life the way you want it and don’t let it dictate to you, enjoy it and stay correct, then I look forward to each of you.

Guido: I believe in destiny, which does not kill you makes you stronger, you have the key for your life, use it and make decisions, be respectful but don´t let anybody take you down, and never listen to nonsayers, they only wanna see you fail.

Finally, let us know all your social media sites so your fans, old and new, can find and follow/like you!

Ela: You will find me on Instagram and Facebook by Ela Sturm

Guido: On fb Guido Stoecker (Sixstringstoecker) or under Bodyguerra on fb and Instagram.

We, at The Metal Asylum, would like to thank you for your time. Is there is anything further that you would like to add?

Guido: Thanks for talking, it was a pleasure to be here. Be safe and fine and don´t let anybody make you afraid. And keep up the good work at The Metal Asylum.

Ela: Tschö mit Ö

This interview is purely the property of The Metal Asylum

Can you tell us about the origin of the band name, a history of the band and a little bit about the various members?

As you may or may not know the band was originally known as Uproar and we were forced to change the name for various reasons. As you can imagine trying to get 5 strong minded creative people to decide on a new band name is something of a tall order. However the band had been together at this point for just shy of 6 years and we thought it was cool that we were about to break that silence with this stage in the bands evolution. 

We have all come from various backgrounds in music Johnny(vocals) and Dave (guitar) are both in two bands and myself, stevie (guitars) and Gary (bass) have all came from past projects who have toured and opened for acts like, Alter Bridge, Limp Bizkit and Bonjovi.

Are you all from the same area? How did you get together as a band?

I actually started the band as a guitarist looking to jam some riffs with like minded musicians.  I posted on Facebook that I was looking  for a vocalist  and Johnny who I was friends with previously messaged me about jamming. We went through a few line up changes as the band began to grow arms and legs and we realised we were on to something. Gary was basically  head hunted as he was one of my favourite  bass players on the scene and luckily  he was up for it. As time progressed and a few more line up changes we spoke to fellow musicians and Dave and Stevie signed up. The vibe is great and we are loving every second of it.

Who are your favourite artists/bands and how have they influenced your own sound?

Personally I came up through the post Grunge Nu Metal era. I really love bands like, Breaking Benjamin, Alter Bridge and Sevendust. Everyone of these bands has shaped and influenced  our songs from the groove of Sevendust and the giant melodic choruses  of Breaking Benjamin. 

Did you always have the ambition to be a musician and in a band or did you originally have other plans?

Ever since I was a kid I wanted to play the drums and guitar and really as many instruments as I could get my hands on. From the first moment I stood on a stage I knew this was for me.

What songs or albums are on your current playlist?

At the moment  I’m listening to a lot of Papa Roach and Nothing More both bands have brought out some outstanding records in the last year or two and they are pretty much on repeat for me.

Do you sing in the shower?

Doesn’t everyone? Haahahaha

Do you have any plans for the band for this year and into next year?

We are currently  trying to play as many shows as we can and spread the word. Hopefully start to hit some festivals as well.

Do you currently have any new songs/albums ready to be released?

Last November we did journey to a favourite writing spot of ours in a little town call Inveraray. There is a little purpose built cottage and studio there which we spent the weekend in just writing.  We definitely came away with a lot of cool ideas so watch this space. 

If you could play at any venue in the world where would you choose?

Oh man since I can remember  I’ve always wanted to play Madison Square Garden. That would be awesome.

Do you have a favourite album? If so, what is it?

This is always a tough question as I think the answer can change so much hahaha. How ever if I was to pick an album that I’ve went back to time and time again I’d have to say Human Clay by Creed.

Do you have any guilty pleasure songs/albums?

If I’m honest probably nothing I’m embarrassed about hahaha I love a bit of everything if anything you can’t beat a bit of “I am the one and only” by Chesney Hawks. Hahah

If you were putting together the greatest show on earth, who would be playing?

Oh man for me it would probably a festival of everybody from my youth. Breaking Benjamin, Creed, Papa Roach, Korn, Linkin Park just an all out Nu metal haven hahahah.

Can you remember the first album you bought with your own money? What was it and do you still have it?

The first album I ever bought at the tender age of 11 was “Appetite For Destruction” by Guns n Roses. I was definitely  the only kid at primary school discos asking for ‘welcome to the jungle’.

As your fans will be reading this, is there any message you would like to send out to them?

Absolutely! As cliche as it sounds just a huge thank you for all your support and please continue to spread the word and support your local music scene you’ve no idea how much it matters to us all.

Finally, let us know all your social media sites so your fans, old and new, can find and follow/like you!

Facebook.com/sixyearsilence

Instagram.com/sixyearsilence

YouTube.com/c/sixyearsilence

We, at The Metal Asylum, would like to thank you for your time. Is there is anything further that you would like to add?

Yeah thank you so much for all your support, playing our songs, making us a featured artist and just all in all being awesome.

This interview is purely the property of The Metal Asylum

Can you tell us about the origin of the band name, a history of the band and a little bit about the various members?

So, the origin of the band name comes from my upbringing in West Virginia. The older women are notorious for calling anyone that does something they don’t like a “heathen”. So, when there’s multiple people doing stuff they don’t approve of, they are “a bunch of heathens”. 

The band started from me moving out to California just for the sake of playing music. I did the whole craigslist, going to shows, and just getting my ass kicked for the sake of trying to start something musically. Covid really stopped all momentum of the last members that were all together. So, now I’m doing everything solo until I can find some more. 

I’ve gone through a certain amount of people in this project. They’ve all had an influence on BOH and an influence on me. 

Are you all from the same area? How did you get together as a band?

Right now I’m doing everything solo. But, everyone that I do get to help with the project, they usually live in the same area as me. 

Who are your favourite artists/bands and how have they influenced your own sound?

I would say my favorite artists are Metallica, Exodus, Black Sabbath, and Motorhead. They’ve influenced my sound by the vocals, guitar playing, and how I mix and master the songs. I listen to their music and I try to mimic what they did. 

Did you always have the ambition to be a musician and in a band or did you originally have other plans?

I originally had other plans. I thought I was going to do the full 20 years in the Marine Corps, but I couldn’t do more than my originally contract of 4 years. 

What songs or albums are on your current playlist?

I’ve been listening to a lot of Tempo of the Damned by Exodus lately. Especially War Is My Shepherd. I love that entire song, from the lyrics, guitars, drums, production, just everything about it. 

Do you sing in the shower? 

Not really. The shower is primetime for me to think and reflect on a lot of different things. 

Do you have any plans for the band for this year and into next year?

Right now, just release music and promote BOH through social media. Once I find some members, then I’ll look into playing live more. 

Do you currently have any new songs/albums ready to be released?

I do! My next single “Tone” will be worldwide on May 14th! I have a pre-save link set up in my bios on Instagram and Facebook. 

If you could play at any venue in the world where would you choose?

I would want to play at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Denver Colorado. I think it’s the most beautiful venue in the world, and it would be so awesome to play there. 

Do you have a favourite album? If so, what is it?

I don’t. I can enjoy albums in their entirety, but I don’t have one specific album I can say is my favorite of all time. 

Do you have any guilty pleasure songs/albums?

Jay-Z “99 problems” Definitely my favourite guilty pleasure song. I just really like the beat, and the lyrics that Jay-Z did for this song. 

If you were putting together the greatest show on earth, who would be playing?

I would play Van Halen, Ozzy, Metallica, Iron Maiden and Motley Crue. In their prime, their live shows were hard to match. In today’s world, Iron Maiden still puts on an incredible live show. 

Can you remember the first album you bought with your own money? What was it and do you still have it?

I believe the first album I bought with my own money was Audio Adrenaline – Hit Parade. I might still have it somewhere. I haven’t thought about it in years. 

As your fans will be reading this, is there any message you would like to send out to them?

Thank you for bearing with BOH through the ups and downs these past few years. There’s more to come, so stay tuned!

Finally, let us know all your social media sites so your fans, old and new, can find and follow/like you!

https://linktr.ee/bunchofheathens

We, at The Metal Asylum, would like to thank you for your time. Is there is anything further that you would like to add?

Thank you for the interview, and always being supportive and just awesome people! 

This interview is purely the property of The Metal Asylum

Can you tell us about the origin of the band name, a history of the band and a little bit about the various members?

Bill: In 1981 I was thinking of starting a band and decided on Blizzard until Ozzy decided to call his band Blizzard of Oz so it was back to the drawing board. While watching a film on TV call Demetrius and The Gladiators, the dead Gladiators were being thrown into a big pit after losing their fight and Victor Mature (the star of the film) looked at all these bodies and said that’s Sacrilege. I immediately liked the idea of calling my band Sacrilege. The original members were myself, Alex Cookson, Lead Guitar who I haven’t seen for 25 years, Rick Burgess who I recently caught up with at Legends of Rock festival and looked every bit the part in those days and a good guy, it was great to see him again and Steve Barrs on Bass who I also haven’t seen since the early 80s.
Jeff: I’ve been playing for over 40 years, starting in a punk band in 1978. It’s mainly been originals bands, but there’s been a few covers bands in there as well over the last 15 years.

Are you all from the same area? How did you get together as a band?

Bill: We’re spread out over quite a wide area. From East to West, Neil lives near Norwich, myself near to Gillingham, Jeff is in Andover, Hants and Paul near Bristol.. We’re a local band in many places!
Jeff: I originally got to know Sacrilege as a great friend of mine (hi Steve!) played drums in one of the early line-ups. Fast forward 20-odd years and when Bill was releasing self-produced albums, one of the lead guitarists he worked with played in the band I was in at the time. Bill recorded a few tracks with us essentially as his backing band. About 10 years ago Bill called me to ask if I would Dep for a couple of gigs in Yorkshire while they found a permanent bass player. They still haven’t found a permanent player so I’m still depping with them!

Who are your favourite artists/bands and how have they influenced your own sound?

Bill: Black Sabbath, Judas Priest and more recently Nightwish.
Jeff: My favourite band is Motorhead. I’ve nicked stuff from many bass players, and Lemmy’s style fits well with Bill’s writing.

Did you always have the ambition to be a musician and in a band or did you originally have other plans?

Bill: I had no ambitions to be in a band and it was even more of a shock that I found I could write songs and people liked them! I use to enjoy going to gigs and went nearly every night in London whether it was Metal or Punk and it was only when my then best friend Alex started learning guitar as he had a friend that lived next door who was in a band called Dogwatch that was teaching him that I thought if he’s learning lead then I’m going to get a Bass Guitar (even though I couldn’t play a note!) I tried learning but was rubbish and impatient so I then decided to get a lead guitar, why I don’t know but I found I could write songs on it even with my limited ability so then I advertised in Melody Maker for a Bass player and a friend of mine Peter Tarling suggested I ask His Friend Rick if he was interested and we became Sacrilege
Jeff: Right from when I first got into music, I wanted to do something, but it was punk that made me take the plunge. I really wanted to be a drummer but I’m the least co-ordinated person on the planet!

What songs or albums are on your current playlist?

Bill: Most Nightwish songs but Sabbath and Priest are never that far from me
Jeff: The new album by Billy Bio is excellent and I’ve recently been introduced to a glam/sleaze band called The Carburettors so I’ve been listening to them, and Motorhead and Slayer are never far away. Obviously I also listen to whatever’s playing on The Metal Asylum!

Do you sing in the shower?

Bill: Nooooooooo, I only started singing as we didn’t have a singer and the sacrilege screams were an accident, we were recording In the arena and I though a scream would be great at the beginning and wish we had someone that could do that so decided to have a go, the first few weren’t great but I finally got the hang of it, strange thing is I think I sing and scream better now than I did back in the 80s.

Jeff: Not often – much to the relief of my neighbours!

Do you have any plans for the band for this year and into next year?

Bill: we are releasing a DVD from our Metal Maniacs Festival show and we hope to record maybe an EP but nothing has been agreed date wise yet.
Jeff: We’re always on the lookout to play, so hit us up if you want us to come to your town.

Do you currently have any new songs/albums ready to be released?

Bill: like my previous answer we are thinking of recording but I want to make sure anything we do record is worthy of being good enough for a Sacrilege album or EP, I don’t just want to release something for the sake of it.

If you could play at any venue in the world where would you choose?

Bill: I’d love to do Wacken or a Show in Vegas but Playing Hammersmith Odeon where all my hero’s have played would be the pinnacle.
Jeff: Anywhere with a big stage for me to run around on! The Minack Theatre on the Cornish coast would be cool – it’s a smaller version of a Roman amphitheatre cut into the cliffs and there’s the waves breaking behind the stage

Do you have a favourite album? If so, what is it?

Bill: Not really there are so many classic albums.
Jeff: No – I do have a favourite single, “Complete Control” by The Clash.

Do you have any guilty pleasure songs/albums?

Bill: Can’t tell you those sort of things haha (I do love a crooner though) Neil Diamond, Engelbert Humperdinck to name a couple haha
Jeff: Yeah a few. “Come Hell or Waters High” by Judie Tzuke is guaranteed to turn me into a blubbering wreck!

If you were putting together the greatest show on earth, who would be playing?

Bill: Sabbath, Priest, Nightwish, Scorpions, WASP, Deep Purple and Sacrilege.

 Jeff: Motorhead, Slayer, Girlschool, Rocket From The Crypt, Sick of It All – and Sacrilege!

Can you remember the first album you bought with your own money? What was it and do you still have it?

Bill: Kimono my House – Sparks
Jeff: No, not exactly, but it ‘s likely to have been Ziggy Stardust or something by The Faces or Mott The Hoople. I still have all the albums I bought from that time.

As your fans will be reading this, is there any message you would like to send out to them?

Bill: Yes I like to thank everyone that has come out to see us and support us often travelling many miles, it’s hard to name individual names but a special thank you to The Rock Den Massive, everyone at the Carlisle Hastings and also the many DJs like you Dawn and all the DJs at Metal Devastation radio, James whittall (Calida Rocks), Darren Joyce (Denim and leather), Carlos Santos in Portugal, Danny Wilde (Vegas Rocks) and everyone at Hasting Rocks Radio especially Nick Thomas then there’s Cliff Minors, Mark Taylor there are many others that have both supported us and helped us and I thank you all.
Jeff: I’d like to thank everyone for their support both for us in particular and the underground metal scene more widely. I know times are tough for many at the moment, but I do hope we’ll get the chance to see as many of you as possible.

Finally, let us know all your social media sites so your fans, old and new, can find and follow/like you!

http://www.sacrilegenwobhm.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Sacrilegerock/
You Tube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/ UCytK8ge7u4R67JdXduLaxpA

We, at The Metal Asylum, would like to thank you for your time. Is there is anything further that you would like to add?

 Jeff: I’d like to thank you for your support too, we genuinely appreciate it, and on a personal level I love being a part of the community of Metal Devastation Radio. with friends such as you both. See you in chat!

This interview is solely the property of The Metal Asylum

Can you tell us about the origin of the band name, a history of the band and a little bit about the various members?

The band was formed when Dave Strathearn (original bass player) and I went to watch a local gig in December 1980 where Steve McGuire and Nick Cookson were playing in a band. I had known Steve since school days. On the way back Dave and I decided the band were good but would be much better with us in it….I went to see Steve a few days later to advise him of the fact and very soon after Troyen was formed. When we formed in January 1981 we were originally called Trojan but soon found out there was another band of the same name just up the road in Wigan. We were at Steve McGuires house discussing this when we noticed one of his dads opera albums by the turntable called Les Troyens. Troyen is French for Trojan…..so that’s was that!!

Our first Demo album was recorded at Amazon Studios Nr Liverpool and engineered by the now legendary producer Gil Norton’s in his first ever studio job. The demo’s sold out of two runs of 250 and Troyen enjoyed good radio play alongside the promise of a contract with Neat records for a three-track single and a possible LP. Rough demos for the single were done, but the band split prior to completion of the single. In the time spent together in 1981-1982, we played approximately 130 gigs and supported Spider, Girlschool and Diamond Head amongst others and also enjoyed a 1982 European support tour with Nightwing.

In early 2014 I was approached via Facebook to see if it was possible to put the band back to play at Brofest#3 February in 2015. After a little searching to find the guys and get in touch with them I got the four original members back together for a meeting “down the pub”. We soon decided that the band was to re-form and we have since played across the UK and Europe at the likes of Drunken Monkey Festival, Heavy Metal Maniacs in The Netherlands, British Steel in France, Mearfest, Grimm Up North, HRH Xmas Rocka at the O2 in Sheffield, Blast From The Past in Belgium and Giants Of Rock in Minehead to name but a few.

The line up has changed several times both in the 80’s and since reforming in 2015. The current line up is:

Jeff Baddley – Drums

Steve McGuire – Lead Guitar

Steve Haslam – Lead Guitar

Mark Nortley – Bass Guitar

Mark Walling – Lead Vocals

Jeff:

As a kid I was encouraged to have piano lessons and got to grade 7 but I always wanted to be a drummer. I used to watch Top Of The Pops with the likes of Marc Bolan, The Who, Slade and The Sweet. Then I discovered Led Zeppelin and John Bonham. This inevitably lead to a series of garage bands with like minded school mates (where I first met Steve McGuire). These bands increased in stature until Troyen was formed.

Steve M:

Like me Steve started out learning and playing the piano, then moved on to guitar after watching bands like T.Rex and Status Quo on Top Of The Pops. His parents first bought him a classical guitar. After some persuasion he managed to get a first electric guitar and started out in my first band with me in my garage!!

Steve H:

Steve can’t pin point how or when he fell into music, it was always been there. Heavily influenced by bands like Van HaIen and Dokken have made him what he is today. Steve joined Troyen in early 2018 following the departure of Nick in December 2017 due to ill health.

Mark N:

Mark joined the band in early 2019 following the departure of the then bass player Andy Stephenson. Playing Music was a big thing from an early age and he soon discovered  bass guitar was his thing. He’s gigged heavily over the years and must be approaching 400th gig soon.

Mark W:

Like all kids he wanted to be like my musical hero’s. He started to learn the drums but was never happy at the back so tried his hand at bass playing in covers bands in the early 90s around Bury and Bolton. When the singer quit on one of the bands he moved from backing vocals to lead and found that he wasn’t too bad at it.  That lasted for around two years before it all went Spinal Tap and imploded. He was asked to join Sister Rose as their bass player but due to circumstances at the time, had to decline and then drifted away from bands and just became a bedroom guitar player. Mark joined Troyen in April 2021 when we decided to add a fifth member in a dedicated vocalist (we had been a five piece in 1982).

Are you all from the same area? How did you get together as a band?

How we got together was covered earlier and we all live in and around the Bury / Bolton / Warrington areas in the North West UK

Who are your favourite artists/bands and how have they influenced your own sound?

Personally I was influenced back in the 70’s and 80’s by bands like Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, UFO and Rush and their drummers John Bonham, Ian Paice, Andy Parker and Neil Peart but without trying to be like them I hope I have developed my own style and sound. Troyen’s early sound came from our favourite bands we had grown up listening to, we never thought of ourselves as a NWOBHM band it was a category others put us in.

Did you always have the ambition to be a musician and in a band or did you originally have other plans?

Yeah I always wanted to be a musician and tried to make a go of it from leaving school after ‘A’ Levels as did the other guys in there own ways. Unfortunately “real Life” got in the way and after 2-3 yrs and the demise of Troyen I walked away from drumming altogether and didn’t start playing again till 2008.

What songs or albums are on your current playlist?

This changes all the time but I’m currently in to the new Thunder album ‘Dopamine’

Do you sing in the shower?

Unfortunately yes….ask my wife

Do you have any plans for the band for this year and into next year?

We have a few gigs planned for this year, mainly dates brought forward from pre/during the covid pandemic the feature dates are probably ‘Love Rocks’ festival in Bournemouth 25^th June and ‘Headbangers Open Air’ Festival in Germany at the end of July. Plans for 2023 dates are already underway with several festivals on the cards in UK and Europe but I can’t reveal any details yet.

Do you currently have any new songs/albums ready to be released?

We brought out our latest album released on Classic Metal Records ‘Falling Off The Edge Of Forever’ in October 2021 and we are already writing a new album, as yet un-tiltled again to be released on Classic Metal Records probably in late 2023 and possibly a live album too.

If you could play at any venue in the world where would you choose?

Personally I’d love to play Madison Square Gardens in New York and The Budokan in Tokyo. Both iconic venues played by all my heroes.

Do you have a favourite album? If so, what is it?

I have a good few favourites but as a life long UFO fan, (I’m writing this wearing my ‘Last Orders’ Tour t-shirt) it would have to be the classic UFO live album ‘Strangers In The Night’ probably the bands strongest album and Michael Schenker is sublime.

Do you have any guilty pleasure songs/albums?

When I first heard the John Miles track ‘Music’ I hooked. I went on to see him several times, I also have a soft spot for Deacon Blue…..I blame my wife for that!!

If you were putting together the greatest show on earth, who would be playing?

WOW this is to hard a question to answer….. There are so many bands the gig would go on for days!!

Can you remember the first album you bought with your own money? What was it and do you still have it?

Bought from Woolworths in Earlestown in 1974, the Deep Purlpe album ‘Made In Japan’. Unfortunately the vinyl album has long gone but I do have it on CD

As your fans will be reading this, is there any message you would like to send out to them?

We REALLY DO appreciate all our wonderful fans and followers, we’d be nothing without them. We have always said we’ll continue to play as long as people want to see and hear us……long may it continue, there’s so much more to come yet.

Finally, let us know all your social media sites so your fans, old and new, can find and follow/like you!

We are on most social media platforms

https://www.facebook.com/Troyen14
https://www.Twitter.com/Troyen14
https://Instagram.com/Troyen14

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfwWPJid4QlTDL0N23K9b9w

https://soundcloud.com/troyen-1

You can stream our tracks on most streaming services including;

Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music etc

And all our merchandise is available from https://troyenmerchandise.bigcartel.com/

We, at The Metal Asylum, would like to thank you for your time. Is there is anything further that you would like to add?

It was an honour to have been chosen as a featured band on The Metal Asylum, we really do appreciate your continued support and spreading the Troyen word to the metal masses.

This interview is solely the property of The Metal Asylum.

Can you tell us about the origin of the band name, a history of the band and a little bit about the various members?

Halberd was formed in the summer of 2013. Casey got the idea for the name from an old Playstation game “Dynasty Warriors.” There was a character who was known as the ultimate badass, who’s weapon of choice was a Halberd, an axe on a pole for maximum reach for decapitation. Originally starting in 2013, we played our first gig in a small pub under a train bridge, where the audience consisted of our parents and a few friends who came to support us. As time went on we found a sound that we felt suited us and felt right to play. Then in 2018, we decided to call it quits, as general life had gotten in the way. We were all of working age and had bills to pay. Then just before covid hit, we decided to meet up for one more time to jam over the old songs. This made us realise how much we missed playing music. From then we ditched the majority of our old material and wrote a new album that had our matured sound. Since then we have been playing shows and have started to gain a dedicated following.

Are you all from the same area? How did you get together as a band?

Before the band was formed, we all knew of each other, but had never spoke a word to each other. Finding other metalheads of a similar age was a difficult mission. Especially on the gritty streets of South East London. This changed when Casey found out Bret owned a bass and also listened to metal. Originally Brett wasn’t interested. After asking a good few times, Bret agreed to “give it a go”. He’s still knocking about with us. Steve and Jack joined shortly after. Casey knew of Steve from school and Jack is his cousin. After trying out a few different drummers we finally felt we found the perfect fit with Zack and thus Halberd was in full power. It wasn’t long before we became not just a band, but a band of brothers.

Who are your favourite artists/bands and how have they influenced your own sound?

We all have our own individual tastes and favourite genres. Casey and Bret are straight up thrash fans. Steve is death, Jack is traditional metal and Zack loves anything that sounds angry. We never tried to base our sound around any bands in particular. But our favourite bands have certainly influenced us a smusicians. Exodus, Crisix, Warbringer, Death, Iron Maidem, Manowar, Motorhead

Did you always have the ambition to be a musician and in a band or did you originally have other plans?

We all had that love for the music, but never felt we had the talent to be in a band that actually writes and releases music. When I was a teenager I went to every local show (as I couldn’t afford to go to any big gigs) One band that unfortunately isn’t about anymore “Kremated” really took my fancy and it’s because of them I made the decision to start a band of my own – Casey

What songs or albums are on your current playlist?

As a whole, we all listen to different music to each other. Some of us will be listening to the latest Crisix album. Whereas others may be spinning some old Johnny Cash records. We all find extremely common ground when it comes to Slayer (who doesn’t love Slayer right?!)

Do you sing in the shower?

I wouldn’t call it singing as such, but definitely make noises to music in the shower.

Do you have any plans for the band for this year and into next year?

We have just released our first full length album and already have a lot ready to be released for the future. Each song becoming more ‘in your face’ and energetic than the last.

Do you currently have any new songs/albums ready to be released?

Our first album has just been releases and we plan to release an EP towards the end of the year.

If you could play at any venue in the world where would you choose?

Wacken and Bloodstock Festival would be the dream. O2 Brixton would be amazing too!

Do you have a favourite album? If so, what is it?

An album we can all agree on is “Weapons Of Tomorrow” by Warbringer.

Do you have any guilty pleasure songs/albums?

Other than metal, we all have those tunes that will get our feet tapping or nodding our heads. Casey loves a bit of country and old school pop punk. Whereas Jack would happily listen to some 90’s boyband tracks.

If you were putting together the greatest show on earth, who would be playing?

Too many to choose from to be completely honest. A random mashup but we would love, would be: Warbringer, Slayer, Exodus and Dio.

Can you remember the first album you bought with your own money? What was it and do you still have it?

The first album I bought was so stereotypical – Iron Maiden’s The Number Of The Beast – Casey. But still one of the greatest albums ever made.

As your fans will be reading this, is there any message you would like to send out to them?

Since we have made our return to the stage, everyone has been so supportive. Fans, bands, friends, venues and promoters have given us the chance to show them what we’re about and we appreciate it all so much. We plan to get the fans involved in some future projects we have in mind as a thank you for being so supportive.

If you find yourself at one of our shows, please don’t hesitate to come party with us. we’re always happy to get to know everyone.

Finally, let us know all your social media sites so your fans, old and new, can find and follow/like you!

Facebook – facebook/halberdbanduk

Instagram – Halberd_Official

YouTube – Halberd Official

We are also on most streaming platforms eg Spotify, Bandcamp, Apple Music

We, at The Metal Asylum, would like to thank you for your time. Is there is anything further that you would like to add?

A massive thank you from all of us for taking the time to interview us and for reviewing our album. We hope you and everyone else enjoys everything we work so hard to achieve. METAL

This interview is solely the property of The Metal Asylum.