As some people know, I am friends with the drummer of DownFire, Ignacio. With the upcoming release of their new album, Damnation on may 15th and the enjoyment of their previous album, I contacted him asking for as I call it, "a miniview." He and the band kindly granted my request and the following is the "miniview" I had with primarially the ne of the guitarists, Carlos Vega with added tidbits given to me by the rest of the band.

I hope you all, will enjoy reading this, as much as I had the opportunity to be writing it up and presenting it to you.



DJ Wildthing: What was the inspiration for the band and how did it come to be founded?

DownFire: We started off as a cover band, but the bass player and drummer never took it seriously. Black Label Society was a big influence so Dave and Carlos decided to write heavy melodic songs.


DJ WT: Can you tell us a bit about the members please, it's nice to be able to relate to people on a different scale. Names, ages, instrument, favorite food! Also what are the strengths and weaknesses of the members?

DF: Well Dave Diaz, who plays guitar and does the vocals, is 36 years old, loves pizza, comics and drawing.

Carlos Vega, who plays the Guitars, is 35 years old. Anything with Vegetables is the prefered meal. Motorcycles, photography and graphic design are what he enjoys.

Ignacio who plays the drums, well is a man of few words. He enjoys metal, cine and drums.


DF: As for strengths and weaknesses? Strengths? We all have a great love, and knowledge of all types of music and respect each other within the band. Weaknesses? We are all stubborn.


DJ WT: Hey what fun is it not to be stubborn? Being in a band, is like fighting with a sibling sometime, you love them, you hate them.. but at the end of the day, they are always and still will be family. *grin*

 
DJ WT: What are the musical inspirations for each member in the band? Did any one group or artist really stand out that gives you that... Wow I wanted to be them when I grow up?

DF: 
Dave: Zakk Wylde, Randy Rhoads and Nuno Bettencourt

Carlos: Zakk Wylde, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Metallica, Rob Zombie & Louis Armstrong to name a few.

Ignacio: A.N.I.M.A.L.(AR), Dorso(CL), Warpath(CL),Megadeth, Judas Priest.. Elvis, Beatles,Queen...


DJ WT: How long has the band been together? Have their been times when you thought of calling it quits?  
Have you always wanted to be musicians?

DF: The band has been around since 2004, 'Los and Dave are the only original members. We've all felt like calling it quits a million times over. You have your shows that you say "why am I doing this?" and you have your shows that you say "This is why I do this"

Dave: I always wanted to draw, music didnt come into play until I was around 16 years old

Carlos: Well it was music or superhero. Seeing how I couldn't find any radioactive spiders I got a guitar.

Ignacio: They found me over myspace, they were looking for a drummer, I was available...

DJ WT: After the wonderful mix of tunes from the last album, what was the creative force behind this one? Who writes the songs? Where do you find the creativity for them? How hard is it to make each one different, much like a melting pot?

DF: With such a large gap of time between albums we've all grown so much and our sound collectively has really taken shape so it was a matter of wanting to use all of that and outdo our first album. We all have a hand in writing the tunes and shaping them. As each person is introduced into a new riff or arrangement it takes shape with each members influence.

We decided to make it a reverse theme to our first album "Redemption" so we took the concept of "Damnation" which is also the title track to the album. The sound overall is heavier and darker even though a lot of the message in the lyrics are positive. With songs like "damnation" we wrote about unity and it was the perfect time for a song like that considering the state of the country. At that time 
especially their was a feeling that someone is always trying to get one over on you.. and us saying hell no your not...if you can't get it write we will. We're not a political band by any means and this isn't a political album but there is a strong tone to that effect on that track. The remaining tracks are all different stories from our lives as they happen. Our albums are melodic scapbooks. 

I think one of our specialties is that none of our stuff sounds the same, but that has a great deal to do with all of our influences. Each one of us are so different that when we get together it takes the songs in turns and spins that no one of us individually could have written. 

DJ WT: You earlier told me what you would have liked to do had you not been a musician so If you were not musicians what would you want to be doing?

DF:
Dave: Drawing

Carlos: Trying to find a radio active spider to make that superhero dream come true.

Ignacio: Living over my Gran Father's house at the beach "El Quisco - Chile."

DJ WT: Are their plans for a next album? Any studio time in the works or while on the road?

DF: Yes definite plans for a followup...sooner than you may think too.... we are actually going to be recording in-house this time around..... to have a little more say in what WE are producing. It will also give us the chance to really experiment with our sound and the album. We're considering a concept album guess we'll see what happens when we start writing. 

DJ WT: What is everyones favorite song on the new album? Over all song from the entire discography. 

DF: 
Dave: I think everyone has a different favorite, but if I had to pick one it would be the title track, Damnation.

Carlos: Damnation, it's just powerful but from our overall collection I'd say "Someday" the lyrics are for my Aunt that passed away so it's sentimental. 

Ignacio: all the music I write but on this case "DamNation" track, because we mean it.

DJ WT: Well it looks as if as the new album goes, you three are in agreement on the track there, and Carlos thank you for sharing that with my listeners. Sometimes knowing the story behind the lyrics makes it all the more powerful, my condolences.


DJ WT: Any tour dates coming up? If so where and when! in the works?

DF: We're always booking there is talk of Small stint in Texas and Chile. But we're always looking to back out there with cool bands like in the past we've been lucky enough to share the stage with Testament, Overkill, Misfits, W.A.S.P, Kings X, to name a few and it's always a good time. That is our favorite part of booking...the people we get to meet along the way!

DJ WT: If you could give one piece of advice to my readers what would that piece of advice be? 

DF:
Dave: Follow your heart.

Carlos: Do what you love for yourself no matter if it brings fame or keeps you jamming in the basement and if it ever just feels like work move on! 

Ignacio: Believe that you can!

DJ WT: Is there any time you look back and think, I should have written this differently, or sung that with a different pitch? Ever second or third guess yourself? 

DF: Funny thing with our band is when we start thinking that way we re-write it. Brings new life into the old songs we've done for so long gives us that honeymoon feeling with those songs again!

DJ WT: Well guys, I thank you for taking the time to answer my questions as well as taking the time to help give my listeners a better look into the soul of the musical machine that is DownFire! I have personally had the privlege of hearing the new album and have no doubts that the next one will be just as good if not better, *grin*. As a side note, I would love to tell you, that a fellow Krush DJ asked me to pass along this little note to you, "Definitly a quality group. Skilled musicians not noise makers. -Greg Easton."

So while the rest of the world waits with baited breath for the new album to come out, I will close this out for now with my wishes for continued luck and success to find you all and I can not wait to see and hear more from you all in the future.

Remember Kids, if its too Loud, you're too Old!

DJ Wildthing

**Links for Contacting DownFire**
Official Website: http://www.downfire.net
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/downfire
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Downfire/10803549547
email: downfire@downfire.net


PRE-SALE of "DOWNFIRE - DamNation" CD at:
http://www.digmetalworld.com/distro/north-america/54-downfire-damnation-volume-one.html



***At the time of the miniview, Ronnie was unavailable for comment.

What can I say about Nimrod? No guys.. I am not talking about that giant pink maschination from the Marvel Comics universe. I am talking about an awesome band! Well i guess I have already said some eh? Awesome.

I had the opportunity via the touching base of a friend to get my hands on the album: Return to Babylon.. and to be honest? several tracks quite impressed me.  

As anyone knows I am a fierce critic. If I can't say anything nice, I will not say anything at all as I know how hard as an artist myself it can be in this tooth and nail world we live in.

Looking for a good listen? Give track 4: Broken Wings a crank. A High melodious voice that is slick as chocolate ganash that is actually listenable! Yes my loyal readers, it is a singer you can actually understand. The drums do not over power the vocals and the guitars compliment the beat and rhythm that is being worked out much like a game of musical chess.

Looking to sink your headset into something with a good set of lyrics? Something with more meat then the air blowing in the dead leaves of winter? I highly suggest track 7: Betrayed of the Soul. I actually listened to this track for a good solid hour before I started singing it. I also loved how strong the guitar was in this one, it sounded something that reminded me of a young Eddie Van Halen. Strong and Powerful.  

Want a good time on a friday night? Some hot new music for that party you are throwing or just for chilling out with a blakc light, a beer and a cigarette? This is the band to place the money on guys and gals.

As always thanks to http://www.digmetalworld.com and my friends there for clueing me in on a hot sounding band because without the hook up, I'd have lost out.. Don't you lose out too!

Interested in seeing what they look like? Curious to know more? http://blogs.myspace.com/nimrodofficial Is their information on their myspacepage. I highly suggest dropping by, friending them up and getting a good listen to them, then go out and get that album.

Remember.. If its TOO LOUD, you are TOO OLD!

DJ Wildthing~

I recently found myself something new to wrtite about! lets face it, in this day and age metal by any means or definition is LOUS and BRASH! I myself find myself gravitating to the Thrash genre of metal more then anything these days and when people mention Thrash almost immediatly you think of the BIG 4: 'Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax.'

Well well well, times they are a changing and you guys should make your reservations at the retirement home now. yes I am sure they will have beds waiting for you all because today my ears have been graced by a truly fantastic up and coming Thrash Band called Chained!

I did my research on this band let me tell you. When I heard they were a 'Christian' Thrash Metal band I was like "huh wha?.." Those are words that go together like kisses and sulpher.. or perhaps arsenic and jello. I was skeptical, I am the first to admit it. I spent several hours cranking out their album, "Grateful Sinner" on my purple skinned winamp and I found myself head baning almost the entire time.

Right now I am listening to the track 'Shattered Minds'. The lyrics really scream volumes.. thats right, scream volumes-- not speaking them. So if you crank out the album pay close attention to this track. If you like dominiant guitar sounds, then the track 'Can't have my soul.' might just be right up your alley. It's the controlling instrument in the song and you find yourself becoming lost in the magic that is woven between it and the pounding of the drums with some smooth yet harshly inlaid lyrics.  

Being I tend to favour the Goth side of things, I was drawn to the track 'Bought by Blood.' Lets face it I love goth and vampires and all that sort of thing so as the title drew me in, I found myself moshing in my livingroom with three friends to this track. I do not think the couch survived terribly well though. Now if you are looking for pure thrash guitar.. Drained You have got to crank Drained. I have never heard a sound with riffs like this. For me the best way to describe this song is this: "The empitome of thrash!" Go ahead and quote me on that one! If you are looking for a good time, then these four tracks top my list of personal 

picks!

I also learned a bit about the band and not just this album. After all what good is cranking the tunes if you can not get into the people playing them? Their album Grateful Sinner has only been out about two months and as such they are newer to the scene but that does not make them any less spectacular to the ears. Remember even Anthrax was new once. In case you are wondering where these guys are from, they are from Europe. A little place called Sweden that is fast becoming better known for its musical bands and musical excellence.  


If you are looking for more information on this up and coming Swedish Christian Thrash metal band you can check out their myspace page here: www.myspace.com/chainedmetal or go to their website here: http://www.chainedmetal.com .

I also wish to extend a personal thank you to Drummer Stefan Nielsen of Chained for taking the time to communicate with me as well as sending me their album so that I could give a proper review and not just base it off one or two songs that I had access to. I must say, if your next album is as smashing as your first please sign me up first in line to 

get it!

As always this is DJ Wildthing saying.. If its to loud.. you're to old!

Catch ya on the flip..

DJ Wildthing~
Krushradio MetalChick

I recently found myself something new to wrtite about! lets face it, in this day and age metal by any means or definition is LOUS and BRASH! I myself find myself gravitating to the Thrash genre of metal more then anything these days and when people mention Thrash almost immediatly you think of the BIG 4: 'Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax.'

Well well well, times they are a changing and you guys should make your reservations at the retirement home now. yes I am sure they will have beds waiting for you all because today my ears have been graced by a truly fantastic up and coming Thrash Band called Chained!

I did my research on this band let me tell you. When I heard they were a 'Christian' Thrash Metal band I was like "huh wha?.." Those are words that go together like kisses and sulpher.. or perhaos arsenic and jello. I was skeptical, I am the first to admit it. I spent several hours cranking out their album, "Grateful Sinner" on my purple skinned winamp and I found myself head baning almost the entire time.

Right now I am listening to the track 'Shattered Minds'. The lyrics really scream volumes.. thats right, scream volumes-- not speaking them. So if you crank out the album pay close attention to this track. If you like dominiant guitar sounds, then the track 'Can't have my soul.' might just be right up your alley. It's the controlling instrument in the song and you find yourself becoming lost in the magic that is woven between it and the pounding of the drums with some smooth yet harshly inlaid lyrics.  

Being I tend to favour the Goth side of things, I was drawn to the track 'Bought by Blood.' Lets face it I love goth and vampires and all that sort of thing so as the title drew me in, I found myself moshing in my livingroom with three friends to this track. I do not think the couch survived terribly well though. Now if you are looking for pure thrash guitar.. Drained You have got to crank Drained. I have never heard a sound with riffs like this. For me the best way to describe this song is this: "The empitome of thrash!" Go ahead and quote me on that one! If you are looking for a good time, then these four tracks top my list of personal 

picks!

I also learned a bit about the band and not just this album. After all what good is cranking the tunes if you can not get into the people playing them? Their album Grateful Sinner has only been out about two months and as such they are newer to the scene but that does not make them any less spectacular to the ears. Remember even Anthrax was new once. In case you are wondering where these guys are from, they are from Europe. A little place called Sweden that is fast becoming better known for its musical bands and musical excellence.  


If you are looking for more information on this up and coming Swedish Christian Thrash metal band you can check out their myspace page here: www.myspace.com/chainedmetal or go to their website here: http://www.chainedmetal.com .

I also wish to extend a personal thank you to Drummer Stefan Nielsen of Chained for taking the time to communicate with me as well as sending me their album so that I could give a proper review and not just base it off one or two songs that I had access to. I must say, if your next album is as smashing as your first please sign me up first in line to 

get it!

As always this is DJ Wildthing saying.. If its to loud.. you're to old!

Catch ya on the flip..

DJ Wildthing~
Krushradio MetalChick

When visiting this weeks featured bands myspace page.. the first words that jump out at you are 'Aggression Redefined." I personally could not agree more! Ancient Terror is a fantastic group which by their own description is a mix of Melody meets Brutality.

Formed in October of 2007.. the bands guitarist, Nick Jolliff, has been an absolute driving 
force working hard to make the dream a reality. The vocals are rough and heavy in places.. but they dance a seductive angry waltz with the drums and guitars.

The sound reminds me a bit like Anthrax Meets Slayer Meets Megadeath all rolled into one back in their early days when they were still finding their feet. The words can sometimes be a harder listen to if the heavier beats aren't your thing.. but they are certainly mine.

I find the power of the drums meshes quite well with the bass and lead guitar which compliment and do not compete with one another.

If you are looking for a good time and some serious head banging then give these guys a 
listen.. they are totally worth the time in doing so. My personal favourites on the rap sheet 
of music were "only Shadows" and "Grave of Pain." Both very strong songs and while similiar in tone at the start absolutly different and wonderful in their own rights.

Make It Loud... Or even better yet.. LOUDER!

DJ Wildthing~

Cry me a river.. NOT!

I have been blessed to come across another fantastic band in my travelings on this place we call the world wide web. The band is called "Criogenia!" They are housed out of Chile and are truly a band you can associate the words "thrash" and "HEAVY metal" with. The introductory guitar riffs your ears are met with mesh fantastically with the heavy laden beat and thunder of the drums.

The gutteral infernal growling of the lead vocalists words just seem to flood the eardrums in a dance of delight as you want to lose yourself to headbanging majesty. The song "I Saw" is loud and fast.. it has a violent, heart pounding beat to it and you find yourself getting lost within its loud booming echo. Where as the song "Relapse" is slightly different on the downbeat and the words seem to come faster at times but they are still recognizeable and just as brassy and brash as the rest.

I find myself privleged to have been given these songs to listen to and to hear from a friend who runs the South American Metal site and he has been truly helping to open my eyes and ears to some fantastic new sounds.

If you are looking for a good time and a good listen.. especially on a friday or saturday night.. get yourself a 6 pack.. turn the lights down low.. flick on the black lights and start moshing and head banging your night away.. this one gets two guitar picks up! If you seek more information on them you can find such on their myspace http://www.myspace.com/criogenia

Remember.. if its too Loud then you are too Old!

DJ Wildthing~
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Fire in the hole baby.. STEP UP!!! That's one way of putting it. I have had the distinct pleasure of coming across another wonderful band and they are called "Downfire". Their music not only has a thick and heavy beat to it but the lyrics are loud and harsh and throaty.. just the kind of smybolic mix you are looking for in Metal music today!

I have also had the pleasure of speaking via mails back and fourth to one of the members of this band: Ignacio. He has a passion for the music and I am sure his passion speaks for the rest of the members of this amazing group. They have lytrics you do not need to decipher. Unlike some bands who sound as if they have marbles in their mouth.. you can get into the words, the sounds.. the method. You want and crave to hear more.

In a world where everyone wants to be the next Slayer or Anthrax.. these guys not only strike out to be different.. tyhey succeed. The rythmic harmonys mesh wonderfully with the lead singers voice.. entrancing you into wanting to hear more. 

I will be featuring them on my shows this week on krush radio.com so be sure to tune on in at 2.m. eastern on Monday Thursday and Friday and Noon Sunday to hear more of them!

For more information on this band please check out their website: http://www.downfire.net

Remember.. if its too loud, you're too old!

DJ Wildthing

Sorry I haven't been around much this week.. I have been battling a nasty cold.. and it just refused to want to go away.  BUT.. the fevers gone.. the cough is on the back burner and I am feeling more energized then ever.. SO.. on Monday morning.. we are going to have a massive knock down drag out time.. with a mix of wild metal and some serious hard rock.. so be sure to tune on in and have your friends in with you. - DJ Wildthing   

 I am not a myspacer, by any means. I do not like facebook and I sure as heck hate blogging. BUT, every so often good music finds its way to my ears and that has most certainly been the case with the metal band out of Santigo, Chile; NUCLEAR!

The heavy rhythmic dance of drums and guitars meshes in a spiral of magic that works with to enhance and not drown out the lead singers vocals. All to often these days music has become a contest of who can be louder: the drummer, the guitarist or the lead singer. That is certainly not happening here.. it is harmony on an epic scale.

I never expected metal to come from South America, personally I relate that to more of a salsa beat so I can not describe my surprise and delight upon coming across these guys when I was surfing for some new music to play.

I have had the chance to listen to the songs on their myspace page as well as download on an underground metal page the song "Sadistic Method for Crime." I have to say the only thing sadistic would be to not listen at all. The heavy guitar riffs will swim about your mind for hours until you click play again to hear it over and over.

I must confess I am excited and can not wait to get more of their music so I can do them proper justice on my show and to give them some serious air play, but until I can I will be giving some serious credence to the song I do hope you will ejoy it as much as I do.

In a day and age where people try to clone Slayer and Anthrax and bands from the golden age of thrash and metal.. these guys take their influence and run with it in a whole new direction. Don't blink.. don't change that cd.. you'll miss something spectacular and only have yourselves to blame!  http://www.nuclear.cl/  is the link to go to if you seek even more information on this amazing group off guys from Chile.

As the saying goes, if its too loud then you're too old..

till next time..

DJ Wildthing

 Looking to get it live loud large and in charge? Need some noise after a long boring work week?  Dreading MONDAY!? Tune on in At Sunday Noon Eastern and get a dose of the loudest metal I can possibly hope to find.. Everything from the good old Metallica to bands like SLipknot and Kataklyusm.. we have it all and under one roof as well!  So Make sure you are here and ready to rock.. and remember.. as I always say..  if its too loud.. you're too old!