Interview Avenger of Blood

Avenger of Blood signed a contract with M-Theory Audio. They bring new material called Revenge Is My Name. Revenge Is My Name is a crushing and merciless 4-track mini album, which in its total attack crushes and destroys everyone who stands against it. We will discuss and dissect this pearl of THRASH metal for me.
Alan – Hello band, from my point of view, we have the absolute top here, even if only a mini. For me, Revenge Is My Name is crushing.
Shannon - Thank You! I feel we really delivered on this one. We are all really proud of it. 

Alan – I introduced you as a thrash band, but most people write about Avenger of Blood that you are a mix of thrash and death metal. Describe it a little.
Shannon - Well there is moments of old school death metal in it. Our last album "On Slaying Grounds" combines a lot more death metal. But it doesn't bother me. 

Alan – For readers who don't know you. Get a little closer to them. And that includes the breakup and reformation.
Shannon - Well have gone on a few hiatuses. Usually due to band members leaving and the frustration that comes with that. But we formed in California in late 2002. It was Eric and I that formed the band together. He was the guitarist and vocalist on the 1st 2 albums ("Complete Annihilation" and "Death Brigade". We moved here to Las Vegas in 2004 and got Shawn on bass and backing vocals. Also a young prodigy named Nathan. He did the debut album in 2005 and left and we got Marc. We did the Speed Kills...Again compilation in 2006 and our 2nd album (2008) and Eric and Shawn left. We went through many members and then went on hiatus the 1st time in 2009. We reformed in 2013 and recorded our 3rd album and during the recording the entire band quit. So I went on hiatus again for a little over 6 years.  Then in 2020 the band reformed again. This time Marc is back on guitar and new guitarist Chris and our bassist and backing vocalist Corey and Sal the vocalist spent time in the band in the past and we recorded this new EP "Revenge is My Name". 

Alan - Revenge Is My Name is released on LP, CD + digital platforms? Which label?
Shannon - This was released by our new label M-Theory Audio.  Great label and killer bands on the label. Very happy being on the roster. 

Alan – Did the label approach you? Or did you approach them? How did the collaboration between you come about?
Shannon - Well I have known Marco Barbieri who is the label owner for quite awhile. He used to be the president of Century Media USA and went on his own when he moved back to Las Vegas. So I approached and see if there was interest and we came to an amazing agreement. 

Alan – Classic question. Where did you record, and how long did it take you? Who did the mastering for you? And did anyone help you with this mini EP album?
Shannon - Well did this ourselves in our very own Bloody Avenger Sound Studio. It took us awhile really because we did it in short spurts on weekends over a span of 6 months. We weren't rushing anything. We wanted a relaxing atmosphere and no stress. we are happy with how it turned out. Our bassist Corey did the mixing and mastering. 

Alan – Can you break down, describe the songs for us? Both lyrically and musically?
Revenge Is My Name - Revenge is My Name is from the view of a pissed off person seeking revenge for past grievances. Just what's in his mind. A horror movie put to music. 
Throes of Temptation - Musically it is probably the most aggressive song on the EP.
Til Death Do We Thrash - Til Death Do We Thrash is basically another thrash anthem of sorts. It's in that realm anyway. This was the 1st song this lineup wrote together. Some amazing parts in this song. Definitely a headbanger!
Unraveling - Unraveling is about a person losing their mind. In a haunting way they go insane. This is a great song really. Straight forward and blistering! Very aggressive. Throes of Temptation is from the mind of a drug addict and what the person faces while going through that cycle. It's a very deep song lyrically. Musically it's pretty aggressive. The song flows really well. 

Alan – If you take the initial era of your creation and the current one. In a few words, or in a few sentences. Difference?
Shannon - well this can go in a few different ways really. Our early days we played a lot. We were on a mission for ourselves. We were hungry and we really gave our all to it. Musically we were writing what came to us and trying to find our own sound and style. We never set out to reinvent anything. When we formed there was very little thrash. So we wanted to play what we had been missing. 
Now days we are older and view things differently now that we have big responsibilities with family and jobs. So we don't play out as much. We write what makes us happy and just do what we do. Have dun but still give our best and write some amazing songs. 

Alan – How has it been for you touring in the States over the last few years? Is it much better than it was? Or the same? Or ...........
Shannon - We are not a touring band any longer so I couldn't answer that question. 

Alan – Have you played outside the USA? Europe? Or Brazil, where thrash is the top in metal? (Brazilians are a grateful audience, I know what I'm talking about when it comes to thrash metal)
Shannon - No we haven't gotten to go to those places. As much as I would love to. We played in Mexico once but all our other shows have been here in America. 

Alan – Europe? Was it or will it be planned?
Shannon - One can only hope and things work out to be able to do so. 

Alan – Zines are mainly read by Czechs and Slovaks. Do you know these countries? And some bands? Hypnos, Krabathor, Debustrol?
Shannon - I do and heard a lot about those countries. Great scenery, amazing people and lots of metal fans. 
As for the bands... absolutely! I know all 3 bands you listed and like them a great deal! But also bands like Master's Hammer, Root, Witch Hammer, Drakar and Signum Regis. I don't know of any others from those countries. Always down for more metal though. 

Alan – In your long time as a musician, have you had any funny experiences? While playing or while recording the album?
Shannon - yeah there are quite a few funny instances. On the new EP there is a fill that was only supposed to be half the length it rurned out to be. But after recording that part, we all had a huge laugh at it. Our vocalist Sal would say things that woukd have us all laughing as he would be tracking. Just comments he would make. 

Alan – What will accompany this album? Filming a video clip? Album release? Mini or big tour?
Shannon - We just released a music video for Unraveling. So now we are working on the next full length album. We have many songs demo'd but now it's time that we are working on them with learning or relearning and ironing out things maybe we can change or make better. It's quite the process but it's fun and it's nice to sometimes get creative with things. 

Alan – When you think about it. What is the biggest top for you, for the band? Achievements?
Shannon - Playing some of the festivals we did and meeting many of bands I have liked since the time I was in high school even. I really couldn't name a biggest achievement because every achievement is big to me. Being accepted as much as we have. That's really the best answer I can give. 

Alan – How did metal listeners receive this mini-album, Revenge Is My Name? For me, and our zine, it's great, absolutely great.
Shannon - Wow! Well thank you for that amazing compliment! So far it has all been positive. I'm very grateful for that. It really goes to show that we are doing the right thing. That's quite a feeling! I'm happy with it and happy people are into it. 

Alan – I'm glad that the album is not only available digitally, but also on LP and CD. Thanks for the interview, and maybe we'll meet somewhere in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, or Bavaria.
Shannon - Yeah the vinyl version came out great! The color of the vinyl is amazing. It's wild how technology evolved to make those colors. But the CD came out great as well! 
Yes indeed it would be great to meet you in person and also all the other metal heads from there. 
Thank You for the interview! Great talking with you! Metal!! 
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