ONSLAUGHT - Nige Rockett

\r\nGiven the chance by the release of their latest live album Live Damnation we had the chance to interview Nige Rockett founding member of Uk thrashers Onslaught. Nige talks about their latest release, their touring plans but also their upcoming new album. Read below what he told us.
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\r\nMetalzone.gr: Let’s begin by your latest release Live Damnation. Is it everything you hoped it would be? Can it capture the feeling of an Onslaught live appearance?
\r\nNige: Yeah sure, and much more…. We knew Andy Sneap would do a great job mixing this record, but it’s way beyond our expectations. This is the first “Live Recording” that has really captured the live energy of Onslaught. The live DVD was cool but this really is “ONSLAUGHT LIVE“……
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\r\nMetalzone.gr: It is your performance in Damnation Festival on November 22, 2008 in Leeds, U.K. Do you feel that the British audience is the most fanatic you have? What is the reason for picking this particular show?
\r\nNige: No, I wouldn’t say the British fans are the most fanatic, they are very, very, loyal and the crowd at the DAMNATION FESTIVAL was totally awesome. But every country brings a different crowd for us, some very crazy (as in Greece) But crowds are always very cool wherever we play.
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\r\nIt was a last minute decision to record the particular show. We thought it would be a great idea to keep up the profile of the band while we are writing the new studio album; also we have never actually released a “Live” album, so now seemed the right time for us...  
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\r\nMetalzone.gr: You are going to tour UK with Testament. How do you feel about that? Do you have any other touring plans coming up?
\r\nNige: The UK tour with Testament is going to be cool especially as it coincides with the release of “Live Damnation”. It’ll be a great opportunity to do some real in your face promotion.
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\r\nThere are lots of touring plans for the remainder of 2009, August is one big festival for Onslaught and the rest of the year is looking pretty crazy too.
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\r\nMetalzone.gr: After all these years, even though you took a break, does making music and performing live feel the same?
\r\nNige: To be perfectly honest, it’s much more enjoyable for me personally this time around. We’re having a great time right now and feeling really inspired. The studio work is quite a bit different because of the advantages in technology but we still take an old school approach to making records and let the technology enhance what we do best.
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\r\nPerforming live never hopefully change, stage diving, circle pits and chaos will always make for a great live show…
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\r\nMetalzone.gr: Do you feel there are bands around who can fill in your shoes, and continue in the vein of old school thrash?
\r\nNige: That’s a tough question… I guess it’s difficult for new bands to come along and make a big impression playing thrash metal right now, because all the original bands are still out there making some cool records and playing lots of shows. Of course there’s room for new bands and that can only be a good thing for the longevity of the genre, but I don’t really see anyone making a lasting mark on the scene for a some time to come…
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\r\nMetalzone.gr: Do you have a new album in the works? How is it going to be like? Do you have any new elements in your style?
\r\nNige: Yeah, we’re half way through writing the new album, which planning to release in 2010. It’s coming along real well right now and everything is very positive. It’s going to be a natural progression from the ‘KILLING PEACE’ album. Heavier, faster and with much more aggression, extreme thrash with lots of big riffs and hooks. I wouldn’t say it will have “new” elements, but it will be contemporary in feel, we are incorporating all the traditional elements into the new material while adding some extra twists and turns.
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\r\nMetalzone.gr : What is your fan base like? Just old school thrashers or do you also have youngsters coming into your shows?
\r\nNige: The fan base is very varied in 2009. The old school thrashers are still there, but many young metal heads are coming to shows too. It’s a very healthy mixture and it shows the genre is thriving and moving forwards in a cool way.
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\r\nMetalzone.gr : What is your biggest musical dream that has n’t come true yet?
\r\nNige: Good question. For me, I guess it’s for Onslaught to tour in South America, which later this year will hopefully come true. We have been very fortunate and honored to fulfill many of our dreams and ambitions with Onslaught and we have had an amazing career so far. These things in life money just cannot buy. We have met so many amazing people along the way and so many great friends and long may it continue.
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\r\nMetalzone.gr : How is your co operation with your record label?
\r\nNige: The label have done a good job for Onslaught so far, mistakes have been made along the way but they’re real nice, honest guys, which counts for a lot in the music industry. Every band always wants a bit more from their label; I don’t think we’re any different.  
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\r\nMetalzone.gr : Would you consider releasing your music on the internet without the involvement of a record label?
\r\nNige: Maybe, but not right now. It’s tough for the labels these days because of the entire illegal downloading etc. We need them and they need us, so I’d like to stick it out while this shit gets sorted. If it carries on the way things are going, labels will fold and there will be no real outlet for new young bands, it will eventually kill music as we know it. Metal fans- myself included, still love to hold the new cd with all the packaging in their hands, you just can’t have that with internet releases.  
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\r\nMetalzone.gr : Thank you very much for your time and until next time, I wish you all the best. Last words are yours for a message to your Greek fans.
\r\nNige: I’d just like to say how much we have loved our two visits in Greece. We have some very special memories of your great country that will live with us forever. You are wonderful “crazy” people. We have been promised to return for a show in 2010, when we have released the new studio album, we cannot wait. Keep it metal!!!! 
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\r\nRead Metalzone.gr’s review on Onslaught’s latest release Live Damnation
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\r\nInterview Hellena Mihailidou
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