Hanna Tsepesh: Hello Paul! Thanks so much for accepting this interview and Welcome to THE GATES OF METAL! First of all: how are you guys and how are the things doing with your concerts?
Paul: Hanna, Thanks for having me it is my pleasure to do it. We are doing great and even more excited with the album finally getting released. The concerts we have done have been very well received and we are booking more and more shows. The crowds have been great and it has been a lot of fun.
Hanna Tsepesh: For those who do not know At War could tell us a little how it all started?
Paul: It all started in 1983 when Shawn and I had a band together with some other guys where we played a lot of covers like Priest, Maiden, Saxon, Motorhead, and the likes. We decided we wanted to go into a heavier direction and that’s when we got Dave in the band and we started writing original music. We had been looking for a singer for quite a while, but had no luck so we decided it would be best if I did it. I mean after all Motorhead was doing it as well as Venom, so why not us?
Hanna Tsepesh: What inspired you the most to create the lyrics for At War? The band writes the lyrics first or first the band creates the riffs to comply with the lyrics?Paul: Our method has not changed at all over the years. Our formula usually consists of Shawn working out the basic riffs and building on it. He will them work with Dave on the song structure, and then I will come in and we will work the song through. Once we feel we can work with it I will take the song and listen to it for a while and begin the lyric writing process.
Hanna Tsepesh: What are your favorite bands? You have any singer and bassist that you admire the most?
Paul: I find that most people have found the bands they really like and will always like for the rest of their life by the time they have reached their mid twenties and I’m no different. Bands I have always liked and will continue to like are bands like, Motorhead, Venom, Bad Brains, Rush, Iron Maiden, DRI. Some of the newer bands I like are Gamma Bomb, Merciless Death, 3 Inches of Blood, and The Casualties. I have always admired Geddy Lee for his innate ability to multi task with ease. He will be singing, playing a foot pedal, and playing an incredible bass line all at the same time and does it with such grace. Lemmy also.. why Lemmy? Because it’s fucking Lemmy! Need I say more?
Hanna Tsepesh: I would like to know if you had or have any guttural technique lessons?
Paul: Not really, I only try not to blow my voice out too soon if we’re doing many shows back to back.
Hanna Tsepesh: When you start to play bass? Any reasons for you pick this instrument?
Paul: I started playing bass when I was about 17, I picked the bass because everyone else I knew wanted to play guitar. This way I knew I would always be working.
Hanna Tsepesh: The band has a new album called “Infidel”. Wow, what an album! I have to say this is one of my favorite’s albums! For people who don’t listen yet can you talk about “Infidel” and what is the big different for you between this album and the previous one?
Paul: The process we used for “Infidel” was just about the same as our last album “Retaliatory Strike”. The main difference is our attitude I think. We went into this with the mindset that we were going to make a killer album that first and foremost we liked. That was the only criteria we put on this album. If we liked the song… it was going on the album. We also have seasoned a bit more as musicians and we are playing better and more aggressive. We also were so lucky to be able to work with Alex Perialas again and that was a huge part of why this album turned out so well.
Hanna Tsepesh: The band feels proud with the final result or you think that miss something? Everything went well at recording studio?
Paul: It went perfect. It actually went beyond what we had hoped for. I would not have changed a thing.
Hanna Tsepesh: How has the response been to the album by the media and fans?
Paul: It has been very good. All the reviews we have seen so far have been very positive and many have been incredible. It is obvious there is nothing to dislike on this album if you are a true metal fan.
Hanna Tsepesh: If one of our readers wants to buy your album safely, what they can do?
Paul: They can order it directly from Heavy Artillery’s website, download it from itunes or one of many online download sites. They can go to fye, Coconuts, or any number of retail outlets here in the states, and Europe. If you come to one of our shows, you can get it directly from us.
Hanna Tsepesh: what is your favorite music in this album and why?
Paul: There are many, but the opening track “Assassins” I like because it punches you right in the face right at the beginning. I also like the song “At War”!
Hanna Tsepesh: The band is thinking about a European tour? You guys have plains to include Portugal in your tour or something?
Paul: We really want to play in Portugal and hope to be playing some festivals there. Tell all promoters to contact us!
Hanna Tsepesh: Do you want to send any message for the people who going to read this interview?
Paul: I want to thank everyone who has supported us over the years and ask you to pick up this new album “INFIDEL”! You are going to love it!
Hanna Tsepesh: Thanks so much for your answers and time. THE GATES OF METAL wishes the entire band a big success with “Infidel” album! We hope to see At War very soon in here…
Paul: Thanks to you Hanna and everyone at THE GATES OF METAL for your support of the greatest music in the world METAL!!
Hanna Tsepesh: Thank you so much for your words! All the best for you guys.
By: Hanna Tsepesh
To listen to some AT WAR music’s and for future information’s go at:
www.myspace.com/atwartheband
