Rich: I started Warpath in 2003 so that I could play a fast, aggressive style of music. We gigged across the UK for a few years, recording a few cassette demos and then our first EP ‘Cataclysm’ in December 2005 which was released a month later in January ‘06. Later that year, James Davenport was recruited on drums and we continued gigging. We began writing Damnation in April 2007, the album was written within a month, and we soon began recording demo tracks of it. I met Pete through Myspace and was impressed with his playing so I invited him to record on the album and then join the band full time. From October onwards the album was mixed in the USA at Kevin Talley’s Studio (Chimaira, DAATH) by producer Orlando Villasenor and mastered by the legendary James Murphy (Testament Death). We filmed the music video in January 08 back in London. A week before the video was filmed, Joel Jordan was announced as the new bassist. The album and video were both released in May 2008

Pete: Actually no, we have been trying to steer clear of this new thrash thing, Warpath was started back in 2003 as there was nothing around playing the fast, technical and aggressive metal that Warpath now produce, and in my opinion that’s still the case.

Rich: The new thrash revival has nothing to do with it. I started the band before thrash was popular again, when nu metal was all the rage. I became interested in playing this kind of music after hearing early Megadeth and Metallica in the last year of school. Nu metal was and still is dreadful. I had no interest in playing that style and thrash just kicked ass.

Rich: Ah man I don’t know. A lot of magazines are saying we’re pushing it forward, which is cool of them. I haven’t really given much thought to it. I don’t pay much attention to the other bands. We just do our own thing.

Rich: Warpath are a much more serious style of thrash than most of the other bands I’ve seen. We don’t use comic book artwork. We’re not trying to be Exodus. You’re not going to find drainpipe jeans, bullet belts, oversized white trainers or goofy poses and expressions with us. No songs about toxic waste. I have no interest in any of that stuff. A lot of the other thrash bands are just playing thrash because they think it’s popular. They look and sound ridiculous. They have no edge.

Pete: As I said before we really are faster, more aggressive and far more technical than any other thrash band out there. That in both rhythm and lead sections, and this is only going to grow faster, more aggressive and more technical with each release. No “Beer, boobs and zombies” in this band I can assure you!

Rich: A number of reasons. Obviously the song writing, the quality of the recording, production and packaging are main factors. Although we have no label backing, we are one hundred percent committed to putting out a first class product for the fans. We include additional merchandise with all album orders to give something extra to the fans, as we appreciate them supporting us. We also take the time to talk with our fans, after every show we hang out with them and reply to all their messages online. Another big factor in the success of the album goes to the press. We’ve had fantastic reviews from just about every magazine, fanzine and radio station that have heard the album. The video is No.1 on Scuzz TV in the UK. We’re working with a wicked radio promo guy in the USA who’s helping push the album there. Damnation came in at Number One most added record in the USA on radio! I’d say the way that we’re marketing the album is helping. We must be doing something right.

Rich: It’ll still be metal but we’ll be pushing things forward a lot more. There’d be no point in keeping things the same; it’d be boring for everyone.

Rich: Yeah the interest is growing. A few major labels, as well as many indie labels, have contacted us. So far we haven’t been interested in any of the offers. We want to work with a label that has our fans interests as a priority and will work as hard as we do to take the band to the next level. Until a label offers us the right deal, we won’t sign.

Pete: I actually disagree there and don’t think this new wave is drowning out older metal bands new releases at all, just look at Testament who have been going since their debut in 1987 and just got awarded Best Thrash Album of 2008! I’m going to have to say I prefer the good old traditional metal bands on that one.

Rich: I’m not sure which I prefer. Many of the new bands are just ripping off the old bands and might as well be doing covers, and some of the old bands just release total shit year after year. Testament’s ‘Formation of Damnation’ is awesome though. A real thrash album. I’m also looking forward to the new Megadeth album, especially to hear Chris Broderick’s solos.

Rich: I don’t know if the new retro thrash bands have anything to do with it. I think some of the old bands just don’t really have that fire anymore.

Pete: I don’t have a favourite ‘new’ thrash band apart from us!

Rich: I don’t know man. I haven’t listened to many of them so I don’t really have a favourite.

Pete: That would be Annihilator for me. Jeff Waters is a musical metal genius and his guitar playing and song writing abilities will never cease to amaze me.

Pete: I heard Iron Maiden’s “Stranger In A Strange land” when I was around 13 and never looked back!

Rich: I saw Megadeth’s ‘Moto Psycho’ video and Metallica ‘One’ on TV when I was around fourteen or fifteen years old. I went out and bought a few CD’s and it just kicked ass.

Pete: As a guitarist my biggest guitar influences have always been Jeff Waters (Annihilator), Glen Drover (Eidolon) and both Dave Murray and Adrian Smith from Iron Maiden.

Rich: It’s all about the riffs. For the whole Damnation album I would write the riffs into a rough song then James (our drummer) and I would iron out any flaws, record a demo and then I’d work out the vocals. The majority of the album was written in under a month. Expendable Forces took the longest, that song was a total bitch to finish and write lyrics for.

Rich: I don’t really like many of the new metal trends of pig squeal vocals, breakdowns and off-key ‘emotional’ singing sections. A lot of these new hardcore & screamo bands are just garbage. It’s noise. There’s no structure to it. They seem to think to be heavy you have to just scream non-stop. There are no riffs, there doesn’t appear to be much song writing structure either. Also what the fuck is up with them having their trousers hanging halfway down their legs and hair swept over one eye? Too many posers and trend followers.

Rich: What metal scene? Hah, the metal scene in Swansea is shit. There are some great promoters here and some real cool people, but there are a lot of totally bitter, jealous ass holes that are best left in their own little time warp.

Rich: We’re touring throughout April with fellow UK thrashers Evile. The tour will cover most of the UK and Ireland, and an appearance at Hammerfest, with Bullet for my Valentine, Saxon, Opeth and many others. Also we’ve been confirmed for Metal Fest UK with Blaze Bayley (ex Iron Maiden vocalist) and many other great bands. We also have new merchandise coming soon, and towards the end of the summer there’ll be a new music video for the track Life Unworthy of Life. We’re planning a DVD to be released around November. It’ll include the two music videos, tour footage, recording footage, interviews with the band and fans, and maybe some clips of us writing the new album!

Pete: Iron Maiden

Rich: Hmm it’s a tie between Megadeth and Guns N Roses.

Rich: Megadeth ‘Rust In Peace’ and Guns N Roses ‘Use Your Illusion I’

Pete: Iron Maiden “Somewhere In Time”

Rich: This interview. Sorry it’s so late!!

Pete: I’m actually listening to Exdous ‘Fabulous Disater’ for the first time in my life! I’ve never been a fan at all and actually really like some of the lead lines and harmonies they use.

Rich: I’m listening to the Dark Knight soundtrack! I love movie sound tracks and Hans Zimmer is one of my favourites.

Pete: Thanks for reading this interview and listening to real metal and keeping it going! You all rock! |m|

Rich: Thanks for reading and supporting us, check out our new album, and keep reading Metal Reviews.com! Thrash!