I interview metal bands on a daily basis, and have also interviewed a bunch of metal writers for this site. The tables have been turned. Ahmad Wright from The Metal Reporter asked me to do an interview for his blog, and it was fun being on the other side of the interview. He asked me about my metal origins, favorite bands, the difference between metal fans past and present and several other topics. Check out the interview, and take a look at the rest of his blog while you're at it!

Read the Chad Bowar Interview at The Metal Reporter

Spylacopa was started by Candiria’s John LaMacchia. The band’s current members also include Greg Puciato (Dillinger Escape Plan), Julie Christmas (Made Out Of Babies) and Jeff Caxide (Isis). Their self-titled debut EP is being released on the band’s own label. LaMacchia fills us in on the band’s formation, the new EP, if we’ll see them out on tour, the status of his other band Candiria and some other subjects.

Chad Bowar: How did the current lineup of the band come together?
John LaMacchia: Spylacopa started out as a solo project. I was going to put out music on my own. Then, in the end of 2004 I spoke with Greg Puciato at a Dillinger Escape Plan show and he asked what I was up to musically. I told him about Spylacopa and he expressed interest in contributing some music and some vocals. Shortly after, Jeff Caxide of Isis happened to be moving to Queens. He also expressed interest in working on the project as well and me and Jeff started fleshing out some rough ideas at my place in Brooklyn. Up until recently it was pretty much the three of us.

Then, in 2006 Isis was on tour with Tool. Jeff was kind enough to invite me to a few of the shows and at one of them I happened to sit next to Julie Christmas. At the time I’d only heard of Made Out Of Babies, but after listening to Made Out Of Babies and Battle Of Mice I knew that I wanted to work with her. So I reached out and asked her to be part of what we were doing and after some consideration she agreed.

Read the complete Spylacopa Interview

(photo courtesy Rising Pulse Records)

It's been eight years since Eyehategod's last full-length studio CD, but 4/5 of the group is in Outlaw Order. Jimmy Bower is the only EHG member not in Outlaw Order. Bassist Gary Mader steps in on guitar, and Justin Grisoli played bass on Dragging Down The Enforcer, though Pat Bruders (Crowbar) was recently announced as the permanent bassist. After releasing an EP back in 2003, this is Outlaw Order's debut full-length.

Outlaw Order (also known as OO%) is very sonically similar to Eyehategod, and Dragging Down The Enforcer is heavy and sludgy. Thick downtuned riffs and thunderous drums propel the songs as they slowly obliterate everything in their path.

Read the complete Outlaw Order - Dragging Down The Enforcer Review

(CD cover courtesy Season Of Mist)

The debut episode of That Metal Show debuted over the weekend on VH-1 Classic. It's hosted by metal guru Eddie Trunk along with comedians Jim Florentine and Don Jamieson. It combines metal news, comedy, interviews and other elements. The guest for the first episode was Lita Ford.

While it has promise, That Metal Show had a very hit and miss first episode. Trunk is the perfect choice to be the host. He has the credibility, connections and easy on air style. The show started with some awkward banter about various metal news items. Since the pilot was filmed back in June, the items weren't exactly timely, as they discussed whether Chinese Democracy would ever be released.

The Lita Ford interview was marginal. She didn't have a lot to say, and keeping her around for the whole show didn't add anything to the proceedings. The thing where Don Jamieson dressed up like a priest and read Warrant lyrics as if they were scripture was horrible. It was unfunny and a complete waste of time. Another segment was called "Stump The Trunk" where the studio audience asked Eddie Trunk metal trivia questions. It was pretty entertaining. The panel discussion debating issues such as who was the best Van Halen singer didn't work at all because nobody would give a strong opinion.

Florentine and Jamieson got to show their skills when they interviewed fans before a Van Halen concert. They pretended they had the band members in their earpiece and had crowd members ask questions. It was pretty funny, and let the comedians work to their strength.

I'm sure there will be tweaks to the format as they go along, but I have some suggestions. It is VH-1 Classic, but having a few more contemporary artists on the show would widen the demographic. Interviewing Lita Ford, going to a Van Halen concert and recommending a Scorpions DVD is all very '80s. Mixing in Lamb Of God or Avenged Sevenfold along with classic artists would be a nice balance. Also I'd cut down the time the comedians are on screen. Have Trunk do the interviews solo, and have Florentine and Jamieson do their comedy bit and participate in the panel discussion. In the first episode at least Florentine was by far the more knowledgeable about metal, and he was funnier as well.

There are so few metal shows on TV, and I'm happy VH-1 Classic put this one on the air. I'll keep watching That Metal Show, and I'm sure things will improve and evolve as the show progresses.