Hanna Tsepesh: Hello Tony! 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?Tony: Hey there, no problem at all. Thank you for the offer. Things are going well, we’re just busy in the rehearsal room writing the new disc. Right now we haven’t been doing too many shows to concentrate solely on writing the new material. You’ll see a lot of Hell Within starting in May 2010.
Hanna Tsepesh: For those who do not know Hell Within could tell us a little how it all started?
Tony: Hell Within started in 2002 in Lowell, Ma. We released our 1st world wide album in 2005 entitled “Asylum Of The Human Predator” and 2nd album in 2007 entitled “Shadows Of Vanity”. The band had a music video for the song “Bleeding Me Black” off of our 1st release. Hell Within has done multiple US tours as well as had numerous reviews/interviews.
Hanna Tsepesh: What inspired the most to create the lyrics? The band writes the lyrics first or first the band creates the riffs to comply with the lyrics?
Tony: Hell Within’s lyrics have always been about real world situations. They range anywhere from drug abuse to rape to politics to child abuse. Nothing about Hell Within is fake or ridicules, it’s all about relating to everyday people. We like reaching a person in a personal way that they’ll remember and become a fan of the band.
We always write the music 1st and then write the lyrics to go with the music. It has always worked better that way.
Hanna Tsepesh: What are your favorite bands? You have any musician that you admire the most?
Tony: My favorite bands are Metallica, Slayer and Pantera. In my opinion there are no bands today that can hold up to these standards. These bands are and were the complete package. They’re great musicians as well as song writers. They’re not about over playing, about preaching about the lord or about being straight edge. Just sex, drugs and playing straight forward METAL!
Hanna Tsepesh: You have another band or some future project? Or your time is only for this band?
Tony: I’m happy in this band and have no need to go anywhere else. In Hell Within we do not believe in side projects. I’m going to start pursuing a career as a booking agent but will not leave Hell Within. I’ve always been interested in the business side of the music industry and have booked more tours than I can count. It’s something I’m very good at and it makes me happy.
Hanna Tsepesh: I would like to know when you start to play guitar and why you pick this instrument?Tony: I started to play guitar when I was 13 years old. I always looked up to musicians such as James Hetfield and Dime Bag both as players and as people. So what other instrument would I choose other than guitar...
Hanna Tsepesh: Let’s talk about the “Shadows of Vanity” album. For people who don’t listen yet can you tell to us about this album?
Tony: Shadows came out in 2007 world wide. It was an album that we tried a few different things on, musically. It was also the last album with our original vocalist performing. To say the least that album was a learning experience!
Hanna Tsepesh: Everything went well at recording studio? The band feels happy with the final result or in your opinion is something that you like to change?
Tony: Everything went well in the studio. We had a great team of engineers that worked with us on the project. John Ellis from Prism Sound tracked the album. Mark Lewis of Audio Hammer studios mixed the record. Lastly, Tom Morris from Morris finished up by mastering the disc. We are very happy with the outcome of everyone’s hard work.
Hanna Tsepesh: How has the response been to the album by the fans and media so far?
Tony: There’s been a mixed reaction to the record. It was a different record for us to make vocally. The vocals were a lot more melodic than our 1st album. Some of the people loved it and others didn’t, but you can’t please everyone. On our next disc we’re getting back to the core of Hell Within. We’re going to stick to what made our 1st album so successful musically and vocally
Hanna Tsepesh: If one of our readers wants to buy your album safely, what they can do?
Tony: They can buy it at FYE, Best Buy, or any retail record store. They can also buy it on line via itunes or any online store that they choice to use.
Hanna Tsepesh: what is your favorite music in this album and why?
Tony: My favorite song on the disc is the title track. In my opinion it’s the most complete song on the disc. It has a lot of different elements of metal and joins them together seamlessly.
Hanna Tsepesh: What are the future plains for the band? The band is thinking about a new album or something?Tony: In spring of 2010 Hell Within will be releasing our new disc entitled “God Grant Me Vengeance”. Then after the release of the new disc Hell Within will be nonstop touring in support of the new effort. We really can’t wait to get back at this, we’re very excited.
Hanna Tsepesh: What is your opinion about the metal in our country (United States)? It is easy to get some support?
Tony: I think metal has lost its song writing ability. Today young musicians can play very well, but it seems that they’re technicality has neither rhyme nor reason. I do love bands like Lamb of God, Bury Your Dead, Killswitch and Devil Driver. I can make an endless list of bands that I don’t care for but we don’t have enough time to discuss this issue. I think sooner or later bands will pay more attention to songwriting rather than sweeping away. Hopefully labels will open their eyes and sign bands with better song writers. Then maybe metal will get out of VFW Halls and back into arenas, but we’ll see what happens.
Hanna Tsepesh: Do you want to send any message for the people who going to read this interview?
Tony: I know it’s been a little while since we’ve seen you, but it will be well worth the wait. We’ve been working hard on the new music and we promise you an amazing album. Then we will be back on the road nonstop. We’ll see you soon and take care.
By: Hanna Tsepesh
To listen to some HELL WITHIN music’s and for future information’s go at:
www.myspace.com/hellwithin
www.hellwithin.com/
