by Vpower
The Band: Resistance
Country: USA
Throughout the years RESISTANCE performed
everywhere, on many stages and
international arenas, a long experience accumulated gig after gig. So,
it was about time to get new material from these guys and certainly they have
delivered the goods with their new album “Metal Machine”, the band is more than
ready to hit and get your attention. Time to learn more about this great band
that hopefully will be playing around again.
Hello guys, Resistance’s origin is not very
clear, what can you tell us about your history? Some webs point out 1987 as
your birth date, is it right?
Hello and
thank you for the interview. We get this question a lot and it is a bit
confusing. I’ll try and make it as
short as possible. The core of RESISTANCE
(Matt Ohnemus, Dan Luna, and myself, Paul Shigo) was born in 1986 through our
collaboration together in several different bands, lineups, and name changes
before officially choosing the name RESISTANCE in January of 2000. The three of us played together in the bands
Heathen (not the bay area Heathen), Caustic Visage, and Anarchy Divine. We
started Heathen together in 1986, so I suppose that would be our birthdate.
We
self-released the first RESISTANCE EP "A Certain Sorrow" in 2002 and
followed up with 2004's "Lies in Black" (Lion Music), 2007's
"Patents of Control" (Lion Music) and 2015’s "Volume 1 Battle
Scars" (MMR Records). Volume 1 Battle scars is interesting because it’s
listed as an EP because of the number of tracks (6), however it’s the same
running length as a full album. The song “Why so Frightened” is over (7)
minutes long itself. We’ve also contributed tracks to (5) compilation CD’s.
Most recently the track “Dirty Side Down” from the “Metal Machine” album was
included on the “Music 4 Mexico Volume 4” CD compilation which donates the
sales proceeds to help earthquake victims in Mexico.
In 2017 we
signed a deal with No Remorse Records (Greece), who released our brand-new studio
album, "Metal Machine." worldwide on June 27,
2017. “Metal Machine” is also scheduled to be
released on limited edition vinyl.
Throughout
the years RESISTANCE performed everywhere on stages and festivals both
nationally and internationally including Germany's "Head Bangers Open
Air", Greece's "Up the Hammers Festival" Milwaukee Wisconsin's
"NYDM Spring Bash" and Ventura California's "Frost and Fire
Festival" all while gaining Legions of loyal fans worldwide. We’ve
supported the bands Riot, Primal Fear, Armored Saint, Fates Warning, Exodus,
Dokken, Ross the Boss, and Metal Church, just to name a few.
Until 2002 you didn’t release your first EP and
till 2004 your first full album “Lies in Black”, so what happened, why so a
long wait to get your first album released?
We started
out at a very young age (we were all around 16 years old) and did not get a
record deal until after we self-released our first EP. We actually have another
EP that was recorded in 91-92 under the Anarchy Divine lineup that has never
been released.
Resistance is formed by people with long experience
in the business, how has it all influenced your sound?
We are all
huge fans of music in general, but especially Heavy Metal Music. We were
fortunate enough to have attended some legendary concerts and festivals at a
very young age. Namely the US Festival in 83, Dio on the “Holy Diver” and “Last
in Line” tours, and Judas Priest on the “Screaming for Vengeance” and
“Defenders of the Faith” tours. Living
in L.A. we were also a part of the Sunset Strip era explosion and we
experienced the rise of Thrash Metal. It
was a glorious time in Metal music history. I watched in person as girls pulled
off their tops while Vince Neil and Nikki Six signed their breasts at the “To
Fast for Love” Tower Records appearance in West Covina California where we grew
up. Ha-ha.
We have
also shared the stage with many legendary acts as I mentioned above, including
opening for Dream Theater on the “Images and Words” tour on one of their
California stops at The Marquee Theater.
So all of these experiences and styles of music have influenced our
sound. As a matter of fact our bio reads
“ The band delivers a full-on metal assault from a broad range of influences.”
It’s a bit hard to pin down or categorize our style of Metal. I would call it a
mix of US Metal, Traditional Metal, Power Metal, Thrash Metal, and Classic
Metal. In short, it’s Heavy Metal.
Awesome. This year you have released your third
album, "Metal Machine", how do you feel about it?
Well I’m
biased, ha-ha, but to me, “Metal Machine” is an absolute masterpiece. I feel
it’s the best album we’ve ever done. There is something for everyone on this
album. It has crushing duel guitars, big hooks, and huge sing along choruses. I
feel it’s one of those rare compositions that will stand the test of time.
Comparing "Metal Machine" with your
previous 2 albums what would you say?
As I
mentioned, I think “Metal Machine” is the best thing we’ve ever done. The song
writing is more focused, refined, and precise than on our previous albums. We spent a lot of time trying to craft and
write great songs. We weren’t trying to reinvent the wheel or be the heaviest,
most technical, fasted, etc. We concentrated on writing memorable songs that
encompassed our influences while maintaining the Resistance sound. This one’s
going to leave a mark! We raised our own bar on this one. “Lies in Black” has
more of an old school live feel to it and “Patents of Control” is a full on
uncompromising thrash metal album set to a concept.
"Metal Machine" delivers a wonderful
game of guitars in the vein of US power metal, one of
your marks
Yes it
does. Thanks for noticing. It showcases Dan Luna’s massive pile driving guitar
tone that’s heavy and thick as hell while also maintaining melody and emotion.
It’s definitely one of our trademarks.
You also count with an outstanding singer,
Robert Hett, although we don’t know much about his career he proves to be the
right guy for the band in every single song
Yes, you’re
right, Robbie has been with us since 2002 and is the unmatched, classic voice
of Resistance. His voice is like a blowtorch and his delivery like lightening
in a bottle, yet also clean, powerful, and melodic. Along with this, he is one
of the best front men in Metal today. In the early eighties he fronted a Sunset
Strip era band called “Little Kid Twisted” which earned him his nickname, “the
kid” ha-ha.
Haha the great kid…There is a point in the
album when you start three songs in a row in the same way, this is with a
guitar solo that makes me rise my fist, it’s kind of we are not going to leave
anything in the saddles…
Once again
you are right.
Who is more responsible for the composition
tasks?
Our
guitarist Dan Luna is the musical genius behind the compositions. He also
engineered and produced the guitars and vocals on “Metal Machine.” We have all
contributed to the Lyrics but our drummer, Matt Ohnemus writes the bulk of
them.
How long have you been working on the album?
Any especial difficulty to finish it up?
We worked
on “Metal Machine” for about a year. The bass and drums were recorded with Bill
Metoyer and the guitars and vocals were recorded in our own “Metal Room” studio
by Dan. The final mix and master was done by Neil Kernon.
What are the lyrics about?
METAL
MACHINE- Is a metaphorical lyrical theme.
The Metal Machine represents Resistance as we continue to push forward
and fight for our place in the Metal world and decimate all of those who are
negative toward us and our music, tell us we can’t do something or try to block
our path. Many “bigger” bands who followed us live on stage found this out
first hand. The Metal Machine is also depicted as the robotic, warrior, knight,
wielding the war hammer on the album cover.
HAIL TO THE
HORNS- This song is a homage to Ronnie James Dio to express the impact and
influence he had on each member of Resistance.
It is a reminder to us that, although Ronnie does not walk the earth
anymore, he is still with us through his music and still inspires us and many
others.
RISE AND
DEFEND- This one started off as yet another look at Leonidas and the Battle of
Thermopylae and turned into a closer look at what motivated him and the 300. It
delves into the gods and their lineage in how they inspired the 300 to stand
firm and fight.
SOME GAVE
ALL- Is a first-person perspective of a police officer who was willing to
sacrifice his life, and did, to protect people he didn’t even know and even
those who despised him for his selfless act of wanting to serve his fellow
man/woman. The impact his death has on
his family and the fear police officers set aside every day to fight the evil
that threatens the quality of life and the freedoms most people take for
granted every day.
DIRTY SIDE
DOWN- A parting expression between bikers meaning ride safe. The lyrics are about the feeling you get when
you’re out riding your motorcycle and enjoying the peace it can bring. Matt and
Robbie are avid riders.
HEROES- A
homage to all of our musical influence’s that have passed away and a plea to
the Grim Reaper not to take anymore from us.
Great Picture. The last song in the album is a
cover of Scorpions’ classic anthem Blackout, it would seem that it doesn’t fit
so much with the rest of your pounding stuff, how did you decide to include it?
We have
always wanted to include a cover song on one of our CD’s but could never agree
on what song it should be. I was pushing for Triumph’s “Fight the Good Fight”
but we ended up going with Scorpions “Blackout” which Robbie’s voice really
complements. We wanted to take the song and make it our own while doing justice
to the original version. I think we did that.
Resistance has already made some gigs around Europe, the Germany's "Headbangers Open Air", Greece's "Up the
Hammers Festival", etc. We will see you through here soon again?
Yes, you will!!! We have some irons in the fire
right now and are working on festival appearances for 2018. I do all the
sheduling, so feel free to email me at themetalmachine2003@yahoo.com for any bookings.
"Metal Machine" includes 7 songs of
your own, have you kept something in the drawer for a new release coming soon?
Yes, we
have. We are already working on the follow-up to “Metal Machine”
That’s the way! If you have to choose a
specific year in history to play Metal, the best year you could name in Metal
history would be…
Well that’s
a tough question, but I would have to say anytime during the 80’s and right
now.
I buy it! Thank you very much and congratulations
for your new album!
We will see
you on the road soon, Cheers and “Hail to the Horns”
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