Hello Adrian!
Hope all is well in Australia!
What is the name if your blog and what is it about?
Air Guitar! It is about a Global view of metal music – with top notch interviews from metal bands from various parts of the world, album reviews and an incredible dictionary of European metal festivals that I have attended or wish to attend.
Tell us a little bit about where you are from and what the metal scene is like there?
I am originally from the coastline of South Africa though I moved inland to be a part of the masses and that is where I began showing my mosh-pit face. The South African metal scene is developing and we are getting a surge of extreme metal bands as opposed to more traditional metal. Unfortunately South African metalheads and bands are in the music minority and they face a common challenge of a lack of finance, lack of venues and even promotion relations are a problem.
However, metalheads unite no matter where they are from and we (South Africans) always welcome international metal acts! We are waiting for the big four to return...!
What are the top 5 South African bands everyone should hear?
One my oldest and most loved bands is Agro. They are the first and only African band to play at Wacken Open Air (Germany) in 2006 and they will be making another appearance this year.
A few blogs and ‘zines have been raving and you should believe the hype because Wildernessking are blistering!
I saw this band live recently and their good as fuck – Bleeding Spawn!
If traditional metal and good production values are a high priority on your list I recommend Chromium! I have watched this band grow from the dingy bars to playing in the United Kingdom and then on my home ground alongside In Flames and they just get better each time.
And of course Sindulgence. Another name to add to your metal dictionary.
Chromium "Confession Of A Hero"
What is your opinion of the world metal scene?
What happened? The metal scene declined and went into a lull for a bit. Though, I am glad to see that heavy metal bands have begun peeping out of the crevices from the most unexpected places. Metal is still a niche market in many countries but metalheads are the ONLY dedicated music followers in the world!
When we look at the Middle East and see the great metal scene that has been created – you would think Finland probably had it too easy. Countries like Japan and India are sprouting some talented extreme metal bands yet we too often ignore their efforts. Even Australia has a great developing scene that is given very little international press.
Metal is expanding and casting its grand black wings on foreign lands – it will always be a niche market but there will always be a market.
Who was the first metal band that caught your attention?
A kid in my school made me a mix CD (of popular hits) but he never gave the correct disc in the album sleeve instead he had a Pantera album in it. That was my first taste of metal and the poison never left my body. It was a few years later that I found myself in possession of a Black Sabbath album and a strange collection of NWOBHM tracks.
If you could create your own 5 piece supergroup, who would be in it?
Iommi for the win! Dave Lombardo, Kirk Hammet, Ronnie James Dio (R.I.P), Max Cavalera
Do you prefer festivals or personal shows?
Festivals!
Beer or Wine?
Beer. Enough said.
Iron Maiden or Soulfly?
Iron Maiden.
Phil Anselmo or Corey Taylor?
Phil fuckin’ Anselmo
How can bands contact you for promotion?
Bands can contact me at airguitarblog@gmail.com or Twitter or Facebook or on my blog at http://thewebguitar.blogspot.com
Any message for the masses?
“Yes, there are two paths you can go by but in the long run, there is still chance to change the road you are on.” – Led Zep
Thanks Lav!! \m/
Adrian \m/
