JOHN De SERVIO

INTERVIEW AND PHOTOS BY MARKO SYRJÄLÄ

John DeServio is best known from his long career with Black Label Society. DeServio was the original bass player for Black Label starting from 1998 but he decided to quit with the band in 2000. The man returned into their ranks just five years later following the departure of James Lomenzo and has been a part of “the family” since then. DeServio also has his own band called Cycle of Pain whose debut album was released in 2009 and he’s also been working with such names as Vinnie Moore, Ritchie Kotzen and Derek Sherinian. We had the honor to sit down with the man himself prior to Black Label’s triumphant performance at Sweden Rock – here are the results of that interesting discussion… Read on!

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ZAKK WYLDE

INTERVIEW AND PICTURES BY MARKO SYRJÄLÄ

Guitar virtuoso Zakk Wylde is best known about his long stint in support of former Black Sabbath singer Ozzy Osbourne and leading his own band Black Label Society which recently released its 8th studio album ORDER OF THE BLACK. Wylde has gone through many changes during the last two years. His long term run as Osbourne’s guitarist came to an end and he also faced serious health problems in 2009 when he was suddenly hospitalized due to blood cuts. Fortunately, everything seems to be fine in Wylde’s camp now.  His health problems are long gone and ORDER OF BLACK is becoming their most successful release to date. Black Label Society’s new tour reached Finland in early March and in Helsinki we had a pleasure to speak with the man himself and hear all the latest news from Wylde’s world. Read on!

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DAVID ELLEFSON

INTERVIEW AND LIVE PICTURES BY MARKO SYRJÄLÄ

Transcription by Antaura Zed

David Ellefson is a co-founder and original bassist for legendary metal band Megadeth. Other than vocalist/guitarist Dave Mustaine, he was the only constant member of Megadeth from the time of their establishment in 1983 to the group’s hiatus in 2002. During that period Megadeth released nine highly successful albums like: RUST IN PEACE, PEACE SELLS … BUT WHO’S BUYING and YOUTHANASIA which are nowadays a thrash metal classics. Mustaine subsequently reformed Megadeth in 2004 but without David Ellefson and it wasn’t until last February when he finally re-joined in the band. During his off-Megadeth years, Ellefson worked with several different bands and projects including: Soulfly, Tim “Ripper” Owens, Killing Machine, F5, and all-star cover band Hail!. Megadeth are currently on tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of RUST IN PEACE and in July 2010 the band arrived to headline the Tuska Festival in Helsinki. Here’s what Dave had to say about their reunion, the projects, and about the future of Megadeth… read on!

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BLACK LABEL SOCIETY

22.11 2008

House of Culture, Helsinki

FINLAND

A lot of water has flowed under the bridge since Zakk Wylde made a debut visit to Finland, as a new axe man of Ozzy Osbourne on the NO REST FOR WICKED tour, almost 20 years ago. During these years since the first visit, the man has become the well known and adored name on the lips of several young guitar players around the world. His Black Label Society has been cllimbing the ladder of success during the whole decade. That can be noticed as venues have become bigger and the attendance of audience or so called “family” has grown tremendously as well.

Review by Marko Syrjälä and Arto Lehtinen

Pictures by Marko Syrjälä

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