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Interview with Tommy Hellbent - Holy Mother
Coming off the heals of their latest release "Agoraphobia," one of the most down too earth stripped down Metal albums out at this time (see my review), I had the chance to interview lead guitarist Tommy Hellbent of Holy Mother, a band whose members have a rich history (just look at bassist's Coven's track record). Being that they are an American Band, one of the most important aspects of my questions is that I wanted their perspective of the American Metal scene, a scene which is not dominated by just one band and just one sound, but yet when it comes to popularity among the mass music listeners, it tends to take a back seat to all the commercial blunder that MTV feeds American kids these days. So enough said there, Tommy Hellbent had a lot to talk about when it came to the bands history as well as Holy Mother's current endeavors.
With this being your fifth album, and a career spanning almost a decade as Holy Mother, what direction has "Agoraphobia" taken you? Tell me about the evolution that has taken place with you guys since 1994, when it all began.
The direction of our current CD "Agoraphobia" is totally different from any other CD that HOLY MOTHER has ever recorded . It's much more heavier , melodic and aggressive compared to older H M CD'S . As far as our evolution our bio should take care of all your H M history questions here it is
...Internationally renowned New York metal vocalistMike Tirelli founded HOLY MOTHER along with Randy Coven and Jim Harris in 1994 . Mike exploded onto the scene as the vocalist of Jack Starr's (ex- Virgin Steele), Burning Star. Needing to stretch his wings Mike left Burning Starr and teamed up with bass virtuoso Randy Coven, who has recorded with music icons Steve Vai, Zakk Wylde, Yngwie Malmsteen,Mountain, Brad Gillis & Al Pitrelli as well as a prolific solo career. Jim Harris also lent his skills and talents to building HOLY MOTHER. Also a veteran of Burning Starr, Jim's other credits include Sony recording artist Dirty Looks . In 1995 their self entitled album HOLY MOTHER put the band on the map as alegitimate heavy metal voice world-wide.
In 1998 HOLY MOTHER released their groundbreaking power metal album, Toxic Rain. Hard touring, including performances at major heavy metal festivals all over Europe,left an unforgettable impression on the critics and metalheads throughout the world. Subsequent releases"Criminal Afterlife" and "My World War" released in 1999 and 2000 earned the band greater success and built upon an already fanatical fan base.
In between HOLY MOTHER releases, the band experimented and had some fun in the industrial genre resulting in the release of "Tabloid Crush", under the moniker NOW (Not Our World).Record label complications lead to the band parting ways, leaving Mike seeking a new label and new band members.It wasn't long before Mike and manager Rayner Hansel of Cultural Minority signed with S.P.V. Steam Hammer in April 2001. With greater resources at his disposal Mike recruited drummer extraordinaire John Macoluso (TNT, Yngwie Malmsteen, ARC) and Randy Coven once again for pre-production of the next HOLY MOTHER album. At this point,chief songwriter and producer Tirelli took over the primary Guitar duties as well With the album near completion, technical problems with the drum tracks and Macoluso busy recording elsewhere caused Mike to enlist Hard-Hitting drummer Frank Gilchriest (Virgin Steele) to re-record the drum tracks. At this point, Mike added Axe master Tommy Hellbent (Rondinelli),who contributed his signature solos to the new CD. The recent addition of bassist Mark Vanerp (Solstice), who along with Tirelli's disturbing and beautiful lyrics and undeniable vocal prowess now make up what is being called the definitive lineup of HOLY MOTHER.
The result is the mother of all HOLY MOTHER Albums , Agoraphobia. This brilliant performance by the Long Island,New York based metal band is being received as a landmark effort. Combining elements of both Nu and traditional metal this music takes chances and the musicians push themselves to the limit. Mike Tirelli, along with a little help from his friends, crafts a refined explosion of sound, rhythm and attitude that will leave a dent on the metal landscape for years to come.
This being your debut on SPV/Steamhammer, one of the largest Metal related labels, do you see SPV taking the band in a better direction, possibly backing the record up with more promotion and possible tour support.
We are much appreciative to SPV / STEAMHAMMER for what they have done for us to this point & what they will continue to do for us in the future .Just being associated with SPV gives us the chance to go in a better direction it's a great metal label. I have personally read the advertisements for our current CD in CLASSIC ROCK magazine .The band is tight, solid & ready to tour at a moments notice . We have the potential to be supporting the "Agoraphobia " CD in a city near you sometime at the end of 2003 beginning of 2004 . SO KEEP A LOOKOUT FOR US !
Lyrically, you guys also have concepts that many of us can relate to, I mean in your songs "Hungry for Exxstacy" or "Nympho" which for one thing can hit just about any listener as something they can relate to, who hasn't been in a bar looking to pick up chicks to get laid; does your lyrical approach represent you being as, maybe keeping a distance from all the sci-fi themes that many power metal bands represent, keeping your own stance in the metal world. Basically where do you guys see yourselves standing in the whole metal world?
We didn't intentionally sit down to write a CD with a theme about psychology , but after starting to write the songs that's the direction it took which was definitely a different angle than most Metal bands . We just wanted to record & release a totally raw , heavy , aggressive CD with no bullshit involved & What you hear is what you get . In reguard to where we stand in the metal world , I feel that this band is just a hard working unit ready for any challenge or opportunity it takes to bring the music to metalheads from all over... that's our goal
In the Early-to-mid nineties when Metal was unfortunately seen as being taboo by the mainstream audience (at least as the American Audience is concerned) how did that atmosphere affect you here in the states and abroad.
Metal wasn't as widely accepted then as it is more so today . Back then there was nothing you could do to help yourself besides just keep doing what you love to do which is < play metal >
Being from America, you obviously see that most kids these days unfortunately look up to performers like 50 cent, The White Stripes, and Eminem, and that the record companies are in shambles over issues such as downloading and retail sales slumping, where do you see metal going in the US, what is your opinion about how it should be approached, not so much by the major labels but yet independent record companies to give this music more promotion, giving metal bands more notoriety in the mainstream. (And also where in your opinion are the best places for Metal in America, cities and so-forth?)
I see metal so far in the states has re-asurged in a big way.. newer bands like SEVENDUST , DISTURBED , STATIC X , BLACK LABEL SOCIETY TO MENTION A FEW have brought metal onto the banks of the shores of the mainstream music stations . the best areas for metal in the U.S.A definitely NEW YORK , CALIFORNIA , SEATTLE , CHICAGO ,
Over the past decade, recording technology has gotten more "do it yourself" with Pro-Tools and other affordable recording devices. How has this affected you over the years, are there any type of "plug-ins" or other pieces of gear that you prefer to use. I also noticed that "Agoraphobia" was recorded Tirelli's own studio, did that, in a sense make it easier to record the album. Did that have a particular influence in this records direction?
Way easier to make your own recordings & still come out with totally pro sounding stuff ..also the environment that you record in is so much more relaxed so you can be much more creative & productive with tracks that your laying down & the music your creating .
I saw Randy play bass for Malmsteen on the "War to End all Wars" tour in Nashville back in 2001. How did keeping side projects and other appearances paralleling with Holy Mother go?
Usually when "other stuff was going on " it was because we had some down time and we were able to
Where do you enjoy touring the most, particularly how are you American Audiences. How was the tour with Doro?
America is always fun touring but we love touring anywhere
Who would you like to tour with?
THE UPCOMING JUDAS PRIEST REUNION , OZZFEST , BLACK LABEL SOCIETY , DISTURBED , SEVENDUST.
Who are some of the artists/albums you are listening to these days and while I am on the subject, who are some of the influences you guys have, group and player/musician wise.
Right now NEW groups I dig are DISTURBED , BLACK LABEL SOCIETY , FUEL to name a few . As a guitar player my influences over the years were GLEN TIPTON ( JUDAS PRIEST ) , JOHN SYKES ( BLUE MURDER , WHITESNAKE ) , DAVE MENIKETTI ( Y&T ) , GARY HOEY , DOUG ALDRICH ( DIO ) , ZAKK WYLDE ( OZZY , BLACK LABEL SOCIETY )
And last but certainly not least, what is in store for holy mother in the future, not to mention are any of you guys working on any side projects as well at the moment.
No side projects in the works right now .We are focusing on the new HOLY MOTHER CD "AGORAPHOBIA" & playing show's in the USA to support & promote the CD . Some dates are SEPT 29TH with Matt Kramer from SAIGON KICK & OCT 12TH with THIN LIZZY featuring JOHN SYKES on guitar . Check our website for more details as they come out @ www.holy-mother.net
Thank you so much for your time, I look forward to hearing more music from you guys in the future, which defiantly looks bright for Holy Mother. Until the next time..
Thanks so much it was a pleasure to get to answer your questions ....
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Written by Hashman - 9/29/2003 |
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RevelationZ Comments
| Comment by Zoé (Anonymous) - Monday, March 26, 2007 | The link for www.holy-mother.net does not work.
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| Comment by Steen (Staff) - Monday, March 26, 2007 | 
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Comments: 518 | | Thanks for the info. I was unable to find any official website, so the referring line has been deleted from the interview.
Posted by Steen (Staff)
Monday, March 26, 2007 |
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