Interview with Battlecross
BATTLECROSS
BATTLECROSS reign supreme with a wicked thrash metal release entitled "Pursuit of Honor". It's stripped down heavy metal with grating guitar work, roaring drums and vocals of true steel. None of that watered down nonsense is expected because BATTLECROSS bring it to the fans!
Tony Asta of BATTLECROSS tells Air Guitar about band dedication, Don Slater being the most badass bassist and the crazy but awesome number of current and upcoming tours!
Hello Battlecross!
Hey Lav this is Tony Asta, guitarist of BATTLECROSS, thank you for the interview opportunity.
Thank you for agreeing to do this interview with Air Guitar (South Africa)!
Of course, my pleasure!
Battlecross struggled to find a dedicated and reliable line-up since 2007; has the band settled at this point?
We are the strongest we have ever been. I trust my band mates, they are very driven and talented and continue to prove their dedication every day. I am very confident in this band.
There is a complete disarray of incredible influences and styles in Battlecross. How does this work and why?
We all like to have our input and the writing process can be pretty painstaking, but we enjoy what we do especially when it pays off. Having multiple influences shapes a band into its own sound. If we all liked exactly the same bands then chances are we would end up sounding exactly like them. Having a variety of influences brings out the flavor.
By being signed to Metal Blade records, the band has something to live up to. Does this make it more difficult for you?
The real work starts here. We have always been a hard working band but it is true being signed and the touring lifestyle has its own set of demands. Everything is at a larger scale, including the work load.
Let’s talk about some of the songs on “Pursuit of Honor”, starting with the re-mastered, “Push, Pull, Destroy”.
“Push Pull Destroy” was our first single released from our debut Metal Blade album. The song has been featured on Sirius XM Liquid Metal, been on the top twelve of the Devils Dozen countdown for several months and number one for five weeks in a row. Check out the official music video for “Push Pull Destroy” on our website www.battlecrossmetal.com or on Youtube.
How about “Breaking You”?
“Breaking You” is the second single released and is actually one of the first songs legit we ever wrote, back in early 2007.
There is a little bit of truth in the bass player being the ‘forgotten’ band member. In Battlecross, the bass reigns prominent especially on the track “Man of Stone”.
Don Slater is the most badass bassist I’ve ever had the privilege of jamming with. He includes a couple awesome bass-solos in “Man of Stone” and I recommend all modern metal bassists check out this song in particular. The bass player will never be the “forgotten” member and I think Don proves that.
Ozzy Osbourne once said, “We don’t all want to sound like the rock ‘n’ roll version of Albert Einstein.” As a band, what is your take on that?
I imagine what he’s trying to say is “we just want to rock, ingenious or not”. And if that is what he’s trying to say than I completely share his opinion. Not everybody wants to razzle dazzle the audience with sweeps and ultra progressive structure or unusual time signatures. Some of us just want to kick some ass. Without limiting ourselves, we absolutely came to kick some ass.
Tour season is kicking in for Battlecross, what can the fans and new audiences expect for 2012? I read the live acts are raw and superb and the recordings don’t do justice.
Right now we are on the Occupation Domination tour with Origin, Cattle Decapitation, Decrepit Birth, Aborted, and Rings of Saturn. This July/August we will be the opening slot for the Trespass America tour with Five Finger Death Punch, Killswitch Engage, Trivium, God Forbid, Emmure, and Pop Evil. And this December we will be joining the Mayhem Cruise with Lamb of God, Hatebreed, Anthrax, and Machine Head. But to comment on our live show, we are generally modest, basic, and stripped down. We don’t care about theatrics so much, but we do our best to deliver a raw, energetic, in-your -face performance. The music and the connection with our fans is the most important thing at our shows.
Battlecross has a very hard-line work ethic; always persevering and believing in what you do. What can other bands learn from that?
Never give up and believe in yourself. Follow your passion and the things that make you happy. Enjoy life and shoot for the stars. Surround yourself with Positive people. Don’t be lazy and never “expect” anything from anyone.
Would Battlecross like to spill on any blueprints for future releases?
The next album is about half complete. I have no comment on when or where we will be recording or when it will be released. I can say for sure we are taking the next album to a new level.
Does Battlecross have any last words, especially to the South African audience?
I am blown away people on the other side of the world listen to the music we create and I am very grateful someone actually likes us in the first place. Thank you all for your interest in BATTLECROSS and I can’t wait for the day to come to South Africa and bang heads with you all! \m/
We look forward to a BATTLECROSS visit when time allows.
Cheers Tony Asta for a good interview and thank you to Metal Blade Records and Fayz Media Group for organizing it.
Catch more BATTLECROSS at the Official webpage, Facebook, Twitter and Metal Blade Records.
Published on Air Guitar Blog
Published on Air Guitar Blog
