EMQ’s with BLOOD OF ANGELS
Hi Everyone. Welcome to our new EMQ’s interview with Tampa, Florida based Metal band Blood Of Angels. Huge thanks to them for taking part!
What is your name, what do you play and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?
Our band name is Blood of Angels. We began in October 2015 in Jacksonville, Florida. We released our debut EP in April 2017. We have won 7 awards, and most recently we won the 2019 Akademia Executive Directors Award which is their version of artist of the year. This past October I had to get a completely new line-up, because life happens. I relocated the band to Tampa, Florida, and that has turned out to be a great move.
How did you come up with your band name?
I am atheist. Angels are heroes to many faiths. Blood of Angels is a metaphor to end organized religions. It is also a good name for a metal band. That name allows us to explore a lot of musical directions.
What country are you from and what is the metal scene like there?
I am from the United States. The metal scene varies depending on the state you are in, Florida, California, New York, Texas, Illinois, and Michigan. Most other places in the US metal struggles.
What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single or Video)
Our last EP, “Rise of the Fallen Gods” was released April 2017. We did an animated video for the single “Odin’s Wrath” and we also released a lyric video for “Miscreant Deeds of Loki.”
Odin’s Wrath
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YW_0S8B4ssg
Miscreant Deeds of Loki
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yk3gAtljpKE
Who have been your greatest influences?
Randy Rhodes first and foremost. Listening to the Ozzy Osbourne “Randy Rhodes Tribute” album is why I wanted to play guitar. Slayer was the first heavy band I got into, and I still love to this day. Their rage and no compromise style I really admire. Iron Maiden is still my favourite band of all-time. Everything about Maiden is just as perfect as a band could be, from the visual to the music. I am also influenced by a lot of the Swedish Melodic death metal bands, and my fellow Florida death metal bands.
What first got you into music?
My father is a rocker. He was a fan of Blue Oyster Cult, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Jimi Hendrix etc… As music got heavier, my dad got heavier with it while I was growing up in the 80’s. My grandfather was a jazz pianist. I loved sitting beside him and watched him play. He started me on ear training. Just playing chords and asking me what it was just by hearing it.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
We will be collaborating with hip-hop artist Amiss Omega. He is awesome, and I am looking forward to the opportunity of taking extreme metal music and combining it with a hip-hop back beat. It will be something new. I am looking forward to all the reactions good or bad. I also would like to collaborate with Fear Factory. I think that would also be a good fit.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
Wacken of course. It is the granddaddy of them all. I don’t think there is any metal festival that is bigger. Any band worth anything in metal has played there.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
I haven’t received anything weird. I got some hand made bracelets. I got a couple of flags signed by fans. We are honored that people want to give us something in appreciation. We appreciate everything they do for us.
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
We are currently recording our upcoming album “The Failure of Faith”. We hope everyone enjoys it. We can’t wait to meet all of you on the road. Don’t be a stranger. Anything you want to ask us, please let us know. You can message us on any of our social media sites.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Randy Rhodes, I would love to see him play live. I can feel the emotion that he brings to music through recordings. I am sure live he would bring me to our knees.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
The people, connecting with people is the greatest feeling ever. I don’t hate anything about being a musician. I will admit, the business side can be tedious. But I love every second of practicing, rehearsing with the band, shooting videos, and most importantly touring.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
Promoters doing their jobs. They hire the bands then expect the bands to lay out the money to promote the show and do all the work. Then after the bands do all the work, they take most if not all the money.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
Iron Maiden “Fear of the Dark” it is just as good as it gets from the first track to the last.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
I am a teenager of the 90’s so I have an affection for CD’s I love the clear sound quality mixed with a well-designed cd jacket.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
Calarca Metal Fest in Calarca, Colombia. The audience was really into the show. The stage was huge, so there was a lot of room to move on stage. Colombian metal fans are the best fans I have met. They truly love the music and appreciate your band coming down to perform.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
Probably still driving a semi.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
Neil Degrasse Tyson, Richard Dawkins, Steve Harris, Kerry King, Russel Brand
What’s next for the band?
Finishing our upcoming album “The Failure of Faith.” Then touring anywhere and everywhere.
What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
Official Website: http://www.bloodofangels.net
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bloodofangels1
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/bloodofangels1
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/bloodofangels
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/bloodofangels
Jaffa Cakes? Are they a cake or a biscuit?
Jaffa cakes, they are just delicious. I wish I could find them here in the States.
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Thank you for the interview, and the opportunity to communicate with your audience. I look forward to doing it again sometime. I hope to meet everyone when we are on the road.
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