RAMPAGE – Interview with the band

Hello! I hope you are keeping well! Would you like to tell me a few words about Rampage because I think most of the readers will not be familiar with you?

Tyson: RAMPAGE is a hard rock/heavy metal band that hails from Toronto, Canada. It is comprised of five talented and passionate musicians who share a love for heavy music. The members are as follows: Pat Mulock (vocals), Rick Reid (guitars), Tyson Emanuel (guitars), Chris Lewis (drums), & Stan Miczek (bass). For more information, please check out our bio at: www.rampageworld.com

The cd I've got in my hands has a great production. Everything sounds clear and the sound of the rhythm section is as it must be. Have you worked on this sound or it was only matter of the producer?

Chris: Thank you! The CD was produced by RAMPAGE and Graham Brewer, who also the engineered the disc. Graham is a talented engineer that recorded us at MetalWorks studio in Toronto. It is one of the most well known studios in North America and is owned by Gil Moore (former drummer & vocalist of Canada's hard rock band 'Triumph'). The sounds that came out from our recording sessions are very raw and aggressive, yet very tight & natural. It is a reflection of how RAMPAGE sounds live on stage.

At a first glance at your front cover I thought I saw a pumpkin and I then thought of Helloween and a band sound like them. But when I looked at it carefully I could not understand what is exactly shown. I think it is something like a head of a demon or something like that. What exactly is it and why did you decide to use this picture as a front cover?

Chris: Well….I guess it could mean something different to everyone. It's open to interpretation. It was done by a local artist by the name of Brian Jones. We just let him create whatever was in his mind at the time.

Pat: We wanted something stark and bright for the demo cover and Brian used a lot of yellow in his artwork. It catches the eye.

Rick: My first impression was that it looked similar to Mercyful Fate's 'Don't Break The Oath' CD. The cover is original however, and any comparisons to other artwork is coincidental.

Stan: For me, I clearly see a demon's head rising above the fiery sun and welcoming 'The Arrival' of something to be reckoned with. Something new and very hot! That would be RAMPAGE!

Your music can be described just as heavy metal. You have influences from many great bands but also a personal sound. If I had to compare you to a band that would be Judas Priest with Owens on vocals. What are your influences and how do they have a place in your music? In general, what are your favorite bands?

Pat: My influences were many but I would have to say that Queen, Priest, and Kiss were the big three. My favourtie vocalists are Freddie Mercury and Rob Halford. Bruce Dickinson is also up there.

Stan: I was a huge Rush fan growing up and Geddy Lee was whom I emulated and learned from. I also dug Steve Harris (Iron Maiden) and Tom Hamilton (Aerosmith).

Rick: My favourite bands include Dimmu Borgir, Emperor, Opeth, Judas Priest, & King Diamond. (Chris) I was influenced by many types of music. Everything from Motown & R&B to Kiss, Maiden, Saxon, Triumph…you name it! I loved any music that moved me and struck a chord with me. My favourite all-time bands would have to be King's X, Kiss, Mr.Big, Enuff Z'Nuff, Thin Lizzy, Galactic Cowboys, MSG, & UFO.

Tyson: I love all music and when I write, I tend not to force myself in any direction. It just flows out of me. I write using the vibe or energy of the intended emotion. All of my favourite bands are progressive yet musical.

What I would like to know about you is about your lyrics. What are they talking about?

Pat: Most of the lyrics were written by me, although Rick and Tyson did add to a few of the songs. We have another six songs that we have recorded and Chris actually wrote the lyrics for a song called 'Gemini'. We plan on releasing a full twelve-song CD in the near future. When I write, I tend to look inside myself at the time and whatever I am personally going through seems to come out in the form of lyrics. Some of the songs though have some dark, twisted themes.

Tyson: When I write lyrics or work with Pat, the topics tend to be fantasy-based with multiple interpretations for the listener.

Is the underground metal scene strong in Canada? I know some bands which are good but they are not many. Do you help each other as metal bands?

Tyson: Unfortunately the scene here is painfully weak. Because of the popular lack of talent on the radio, bands that really are skillful and play with a discipline are very few in numbers and coupled with this is a poor live scene in Toronto. This makes if even more difficult for bands to network.

Rick: The metal scene in Canada sucks compared to Europe but I have noticed a few local bands that have been getting some support from the locals.

Chris: Overall, the scene is weak but there are many dedicated and feverish fans in Toronto that still love metal and heavy music in general.

What is the reviews you have received up till now about “The arrival” ? Have you contacted with any label?

Chris: We have had some strong reviews. Most have been very positive. We will use the favourable reviews to attract interest from labels. We have started sending out packages and contacting record companies and some have been interested. However, RAMPAGE is looking for the right offer from a company that will truly believe in our music and our vision.

Tyson: It is a slow and patient process that requires much nurturing.

If you had the chance to play on the same stage with any band or artist you like, who would that be and why?

Stan: Rush – for sure! They were my biggest influence growing up.

Chris: For me, it would be Kiss just because of the awesome stage show and the size of the venues they play. Plus Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley are Gods to me! I'd love to share the stage with them!

Tyson: I'd have to say Iron Maiden because they inspired me to pick up the guitar and were my biggest love for so many years.

Rick: The original Judas Priest because they are legends to me. I grew up with them.

Pat: I would have to agree with Rick and say Judas Priest. To sing 'Victim of Changes' with Rob Halford….man, it doesn't get any better than that!

I would like you to tell me a few words about the following bands… Savatage, Judas Priest, King Diamond, Metallica, Sanctuary.

Rick: I liked and followed all these bands (with the exception of Sanctuary) at one point or another in my life. All have had a major influence on me.

Tyson: Savatage is a band that I hold deep in my heart. Much of my playing was inspired by the late Criss Oliva. I got into Priest rather late ('Painkiller') and then got into their earlier stuff. The first time I heard King Diamond (1990) I was totally floored! Metallica is a touchy one. I played the early Metallica records everyday until they turned into a country band and that was the end of that!

Chris: The only band that really impacted me from the list is Judas Priest. I first heard them when I was a kid. A friend of mine let me borrow 'Sad Wings Of Destiny' and I was hooked! Needless to say, he never did get that record back from me! I was into the first three Metallica records but lost interest after Cliff Burton died. 'Ride The Lightning' is their best release in my opinion.

Closing, I would like to ask you what your future plans are? I wish you good luck for the future and I hope to hear again for you soon!!!

Rick: Hopefully a record deal of some sort, one worthy of the recognition this band deserves. We just want to get our music heard which in turn will get the ball rolling.

Tyson: For the immediate future we are just trying to get heard by the right people and hopefully get the support we need. We want to be heard around the world and develop a strong and loyal fan base.

Chris: With this six-song CD, we hope to generate enough interest out there to have a label want to partner with us. We have another six songs that we wish to add to the existing six on 'The Arrival' and release a full (twelve-song) CD this year. That is the plan at least for now.

Pat: My immediate plans include doing two shows with Eidolon in Cleveland and Germany in June and August respectively. Then, once I return back to Canada, I hope to start writing the lyrics to a number of new songs RAMPAGE has written. Right now we have guitars and drums written for five new songs. We still need to write the bass lines and add lyrics. We should have enough songs for yet another CD by winter 2003. Are there any labels out there reading this???