How did you first learn about Metal-Rules.com?
Hail EvilG! Thanks for the opportunity to do this interview and
participate on the CD!
I'm not exactly sure. Maybe over at metalgospel.com. I know
Pathfinder Cheryl used to write for Metal-Rules.
Are you a regular visitor to the Metal-Rules.com webzine?
Now I am!
How important is Metal-Rules.com or the Internet in general for
getting your music?
Currently I listen to Snakenet as my main metal streaming source.
That includes the Metal-Rules.com show that is broadcast on it. I listen
online quite a bit. I find the internet and sites like M-R are a
valuable source for checking out bands, especially since I have
broadband. So when bands really make an impression on me I usually enter
them in an Excel file so I can remember to buy them during my occasional
CD buying binges.
In your experience, either as a reader or as a band, what has
Metal-Rules.com meant to you?
As a band, the inclusion on the new METAL-RULES.COM VOLUME I CD means
getting a lot more exposure from one of the most respected metal sources
on the internet. We also hope to get a belated review of OVERLORDE 2000,
since we somehow neglected to get a CD there for review last year. We
hope that as Overlorde releases more material. M-R will be there to help
spread the word.
Do you think webzines like Metal-Rules.com are, or maybe someday
could, replace traditional published magazines?
They will certainly grow in prominence. Its obvious from the
Metal-Rules forum that many metalheads look to Metal-Rules.com as their
metal source. But paper magazines will never be eliminated. People can
only spend so much time in front of a computer. Sometimes its cool to
sit outside with a beer and read a magazine, or take a magazine to read
on the train ride, etc.
Can you please list the members of the band and what they each
person plays?
Sure. The lineup is:
John "Kong" Bunucci - Bass and backing vocals
Mark "M.E." Edwards - Flying V and backing vocals
Dave Wrenn - Drums
Bobby "Leather Lungs" Lucas - Lead vocals (many of your
readers may know Bobby from his work on the first two SEVEN WITCHES CDs
released on Massacre Records)
How long has the band been together and what goals would you like
to achieve in the coming years with the band?
The band was originally together from 1985 to late 1988 or early
1989. We released a 5-song EP on vinyl in 1987 on our own "Strike
Zone Records" but disbanded before we were ever signed to a proper
label. We discovered in late 1999 that this EP had built us a loyal
following, specifically in Europe. So we reunited in 2000. Dave, Kong,
and myself were original members from 1985. But we chose to use a
different singer for the reunion, and found Bobby. We recorded a demo,
OVERLORDE 2000, that has caused quite a buzz in the metal community. We
are looking for a label, on which we can release our first full-length.
All the songs are ready (60 minutes of material basically written during
our '80's years). After that, we'd like to keep churning out true,
distinctive metal in the Overlorde style and maybe get over to Germany
to play some of the great true metal festivals.
In your opinion, what style of metal would you say best describes
what you play?
True metal, classic metal, US Power metal. I've seen our 1987 EP
described as "one of the best US Power metal albums of the
80's". But no matter what we are called, we are the following:
Aggressive, powerful, "no holds barred"...and distinctive.
Overlorde sounds like Overlorde. And as has been noted as a GOOD thing…NO
KEYBOARDS!
Who have been some of your main influences?
As a band overall? I'd say Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Black Sabbath,
Rush. I could name more that have influenced us in one way or another,
but that's a good representation of what has influenced Overlorde in
general.
Is your band currently signed to a record label?
If not - are you currently looking for a label or distribution?
We are not currently signed. Yes, we are looking.
Have you contributed work to other compilation CDs?
Yes. We contributed existing recordings to some compilation CDs. We
were even included on compilation CDs for the big German metal Magazines
ROCK HARD and HEAVY, ODER WAS?! And we have recorded a cover of
Queensryche's QUEEN OF THE REICH which is set to open Warning: Minds of
Raging Empires...II / A Tribute to Queensryche on Siegen Records.
Where did you hear about this compilation?
On the Battleboard at Snakenet.com.
Why did you choose this compilation to get your music to potential
fans?
We did it because Metal-Rules is such a respected and highly visited
online metal resource. We knew it would be well done, and reach a large
number of metalheads. And since those metalheads are so active on the
M-R forum, hopefully they'll like what they hear and really spread the
word!
Besides your song, what is the best feature of the Metal-Rules
compilation and why?
Hmm, since I haven't seen or heard it yet, that's hard to say. The
cover is cool though. Gotta love Flying V's! I can say I'm looking
forward to hearing the other tunes and bands.
Why did you choose this particular song for the compilation?
About a month or so before the CD was announced, we performed a set
at CLASSIC METAL FEST II in Cleveland, Ohio. Our entire set was recorded
on 8-track pro-Tools, and we were just about to get the final mix when
the CD was announced. Since Metal-Rules wanted songs that would make the
CD special, it made perfect sense to use a song from this show. So we
chose a song that was originally on our 1987 EP, SNOW GIANT, since that
EP is out-of-print. Not only is it a new live recording of the song, but
the first recording made available to the public with Bobby singing it.
So existing Overlorde fans will want to hear it, and it is a great song
to introduce us to new fans.
Where did you record the song & who wrote it and produced it?
The song was written by me, Mark Edwards and arranged & performed
by Overlorde. As I mentioned above, we recorded it live at CLASSIC METAL
FEST II at the Phantasy nightclub in Cleveland, OH July 13th, 2002.
Recorded live using 8-track Pro-Tools. Here are the credits…
Recorded and Engineered by Joe Kleon - www.joekleon.com
Mixed by Dan Page. Produced by Dan Page and Joe Kleon.
Would you say that your song on this compilation representative of
all your material?
Yes.
What is your song on this compilation about and what was the
inspiration behind it?
The song is about a warrior who lives in the frozen lands, guarding
treasure against those who would take it. It was inspired by a Frank
Frazetta painting called THE SILVER WARRIOR. Frazetta is probably best
known to music fans for his Molly Hatchet album covers, especially the
DEATH DEALER used on the debut Hatchet album. I had a print of THE
SILVER WARRIOR hanging in my room at the time. Curiously enough, I wrote
the lyrics on the first day of spring. I was on lunch break from work in
a park on the most perfect spring day. Not sure why thoughts of the
frozen north came to me just then, other than that picturing constantly
looming over me at home!
What kind of expectations do you have towards this particular
compilation? What do you hope to gain by being featured?
Exposure to new fans, as well providing something new to our existing
fans.
Are you hoping this might help you in some way gain the kind of
exposure that may lead to a label picking you up?
Yes.
As you know, most of the bands on this compilation are not
extremely well known. Do you think a compilation CD with a group of
mostly underground bands is a great way to help get your music noticed?
Yes. As long as it is decently promoted and the CD is well done and
develops a good reputation.
What do you think of compilation CD's overall?
Depends number of factors. How well they are done, the song content,
etc. But they can be a great tool for sure.
What kinds of things should a compilation feature in order to make
it worth purchasing and what makes a compilation worthwhile?
Include some bands that have something of a reputation. Make sure all
the songs are of good audio quality. Depends also if the compilation is
a freebie or being sold. If it is being sold, it should have songs that
aren't currently available elsewhere.
If you had a chance to put together this type of compilation, what
would be some of the unsigned bands you'd like to feature?
Well, to include unsigned, self-released or small indie bands, I'd
include bands like DESECRATOR, EDENS FALL, and SCARZ WITHIN. These are
bands that get 'netplay on Snakenet.com. Other bands would include
RITUAL STEEL, BLACK DAWN, and X FACTOR X. DARKSIDE (from Kansas) and
STORM WITHIN impressed me at Powermad 2001. We did a show with MAGUS
BEAST and TWILIGHT ODYSSEY (well, they were called Agressor and Urshurak
back then). And I wouldn't forget VYNDYKATOR.
Would you be interested in sacrificing another song for
"Metal-Rules.com - Vol. II" if the opportunity presented
itself?
Maybe! Especially if this first CD goes well! And even if Overlorde
didn't, I'd consider submitting one of my non-Overlorde tracks even.
Where can people order your other recorded material?
Contact us at:
http://www.overlorde.com
ovrlrde@aol.com
OVERLORDE
c/o MARK EDWARDS
PO BOX 8211
PISCATAWAY, NJ 08855
USA
What are your band's upcoming battle plans?
Get signed, and release one kick ass debut full length CD! And
continue to build FORCE RECON, which is an organization of Overlorde
fans. A combination of fan club, cyber street-team, and metal community.
It's free to join, and fans are kept abreast of news and special offers,
like the current "free bonus CD" offer.
Do you have any live dates coming up that you'd like to list here?
Possible live dates include MARCH METAL MELTDOWN, CLASSIC METAL FEST
III in the USA, and HEADBANGERS OPEN AIR fest and KEEP IT TRUE fest in
Germany. None of these are yet confirmed but we hope to work something
out for at least some of them.
Any closing words?
All the best to you and all the Metal-Rules crew and readers for a
great 2003!
