Sean: Yes we have been blessed with 4 straight CD’s that have been critically loved and praised. We have had maybe 4 bad reviews in 4 CD’s so we are kind of spoiled. It is good to know that my internal metal barometer works good and songs we write that rock me rock the metal masses as well.

LH: Well first of all I’d like to ask a few questions about Hell Destroyer. From listening to the album it seems to be pretty clear that you are talking about a battle between good and evil, where the good side is portrayed as being powerful – marching in to destroy Hell, which seems almost like the opposite to what many bands would write about lyrically. How did you come up with this concept, and is it in any way inspired by religious ideas or by things that are happening in the world, and if so then to what extent?

Sean: Well I always wanted to do a concept CD and what better concept than the end of the world. This topic had been touched on many times but never completely in detail so I thought I was best qualified to write the story. It revolves around Revelations from the Bible and brings in many concepts like the new world order and the rise of the antichrist, etc. I took it to a sci-fi fantasy level when the Earth is invaded a la a “Gears Of War” video game, by a demonic army led by Satan himself. The HELL DESTROYER is God’s most fearsome battleangel who goes into Hell City and lays waste to it! Now that is metal.

LH: One thing that I noticed while listening to the album was the clips in-between songs. It seems almost like a narration and really helps to bring the story to life. I was wondering what the message is in the fourth intro track, which sounds like a reversed recording.

Sean: It is a scene where the antichrist has retreated to the Bohemian Grove to commune with satan. The swirling noises are demon energies being summoned. The backwards words say something crazy like “Rise mighty Satan and bring forth Armageddon”. I wanted it to sound totally sick when kids actually played it forward. I wanted people to freak when they unscrambled it. The intro pieces came out great thanks to a lot of cool voice actors that helped out.

LH: You were originally planning to release Hell Destroyer with a comic book. I’m guessing maybe cost was one reason why this didn’t happen, but were there any other reasons why you decided not to put out the comic book, and is there any possibility you may release the comic book in the future, maybe as a limited edition?

Sean: It wasn’t cost it was mostly due to the artist was just too slow. Forrest did a killer job but he was just unable to finish. The label had no idea how to market a comic book with a CD so we went with a thick standard booklet. People love it. I don’t think the book will come out but we will be unveiling www.helldestroyer.com soon which will show a ton of other artwork and storylines. It should be really cool.

LH: Having the 30 page booklet with the CD I think is a great idea as it adds an extra incentive for fans to go out and buy the album as it is something that you miss out on with simple MP3 files. Do you think that in this age of downloading it is important to offer something else like this with the CD to make people want to buy the physical product?

Sean: Yes I think so. It is obvious that the CD is a dying piece of media. I thought of releasing the next CD on an SD card. Thankfully metal fans mostly want to have the hard copy and the booklet really adds to that desire. I think we may do some vinyl releases in the future so look out for that. The music business is just a nightmare right now but we are in it purely for the love of metal and performing.

LH: You have a bonus track on the album which is a tribute to King Diamond, who seems to be a heavy influence on your music. I read somewhere that the idea for this came about when you were playing around singing in the style of King Diamond. Is this true, and have you had any response, either positive or negative, from King Diamond or anyone associated with him regarding the song?

Sean: King actually said he was honoured and loved it so that was cool. I had the idea to sing a song just like King Diamond and then I thought of singing about King Diamond I then I just said fuck it call it King Diamond. I always am trying to come up with new ideas to be on the cutting edge of innovation with CAGE while keeping the rippingness to a maximum.

LH: You have recruited Norm Leggio to play drums, who used to play in Psychotic Waltz. How did you come to ask him to join the band?

Sean: We have always been friends and when Mikey Niel left he was the first call I made. He had been playing in a variety of local bands with some really technical abstract metal that wasn’t drawing well. He instantly wanted the gig and we just started jamming right away without really trying out anybody else. It has really been great for us as he is way faster and much more intelligent when it comes to writing his parts. The drumming is going to be the first thing people notice on the next album. He is fun as hell to be on the road with. We have been laughing our asses off since he has been in it has been great!

LH: I remember reading that you had some problems with your back and it basically sounded like it was lucky that you were able to play some of the shows at all – I’m sure there are reasons that would have made less dedicated bands pull out. What happened and how are you doing now – is this something that could affect future touring plans?

Sean: Well I have always been a big time snowboarding freak and have won some big air contests and shredded up many mountains from Alaska to Colorado and I was in the back country one day and went off a big cliff on to some jagged rocks. I broke my pelvis and barely made it out alive. I had 6 titanium rods put in my hips and now you know why I am truly a man of metal! 60 days later I was on stage at the Dynamo in Holland. I had just gone from a walker to a cane and barely made it. Once the adrenaline kicked in the metal in me came out! Now I am fine, I am back to playing soccer and snowboarding and practicing mixed martial arts.

LH: You’ve recently signed with a new booking agent for Europe. Do you have any plans to come to the UK, or to play any European tours or festivals in 2008? I see you are already confirmed for the Keep It True festival.

Sean: I am planning to come to the UK as a new airline just opened up in San Diego and flights are cheap! Our live show is so strong right now. I would pit our live performance against anyones.

LH: You are planning to release a DVD called “Live In Switzerland”. Can you tell us a bit about the DVD, and when will it be released?

Sean: Well it was supposed to be online but it has not come out yet. We are rethinking all the DVD stuff as we just got some new material that looks great so hold on cool shit is on the way.

LH: Thanks for the interview! Do you have anything you’d like to add to anyone reading?

Sean: Thanks so much we would love to come to the UK to rock all the Union fucking jacks out there. We love to hear from everyone and answer all messages at [our website]

Visit the band at www.cageheavymetal.com
www.myspace.com/cageheavymetal
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Interview with UDO
Interview with Powerwolf

Interviewed by Luci Herbert

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