Perry decided to pursue some other art form and take a little time off. He formed a new project that is not power metal but more progressive thrash.

I'm sure it will be a little different but the overall philosophy of the band is the same. Transition was written and recorded before he joined and I have not heard any of the stuff he is writing so we will see. Nardo and I have been working on new stuff and it will be great.

It didn't take two years to write. The songs were ready in November 1999 but we didn't record them until March 2000. We had scheduling delays. Then the album had to be remixed. More delays! It wasn't remixed until Nov 2000.

Iron Maiden yes…for sure. Not Running Wild. No one in the band listens to them. Maybe Judas Priest, Mercyful Fate and Death.

Transition is the title of one of the first songs we had written for the CD. The music was influenced by Antonio Vivaldi, one of my favorite classical composers. The lyrics are influenced by a book from Dan Simmons. It tells the story of an artificial intelligence that grows to beyond its physical shell to surpass the intelligence of man. It eventually attains divine-like power and has the ability to create flesh and bone life. Man becomes a slave to this intelligence, unknowing at first but a slave nonetheless. This subject matter set the tone for the main theme of the album The conceptual lyrics tackle the theme of humankind's evolution both past & future.

It was my idea to do sort of a concept. James and Perry wrote some other cool lyrics that were not really part of the theme so only half of the CD is based around the theme. I found that subject to offer lots of possibilities for song ideas that were very interesting.

I think James is excellent because he has his own unique style and excellent technical ability not because he sounds like Halford. If youre referring to his high screams, I think that would get kind of boring if he always did that. The production is excellent and the technical squad team is famous.

I don't feel any pressure really. I'm just trying to create meaningful music. I am happy with the production and the sound of the CD. The competition in the melodic power metal scene is considerable. A band like Iced Earth rules today, but it took them 3 or 4 records before being recognized.

I just want to continue releasing albums that are interesting, expressive and unique in the realm of heavy metal. I hope we can continue with our art forever.

Two festivals in the US, then, who knows?