IMPLOSION OF A POST-NUCLEAR FIRMAMENT

There is not much new to the phenomenon... When one band dies out, there is to all intents and purposes always another one to follow in its still-frothing wake. Most recently, we have witnessed the perhaps premature disbandment of the much-commended Floridian outfit Diabolic, and even if we are yet to see what extreme-musical endeavours founder and main songwriter Brian Malone has in store for the future ahead, there is no real incentive for fans of aforesaid outfit to wallow in wistful lamentations... Together with Pessimist six-stringer Kelly McLauchlin the three erstwhile Diabolic members Paul Ouellette, Jerry Mortellaro and Lee ‘Aantar’ Coates issued their debut effort under the Unholy Ghost moniker in early summer this year; a truly vitriolic, speed-killing slab of vehemence entitled Torrential Reign. However, for reasons still somewhat unclear Aantar Coates chose to leave the Unholy Ghost ranks in late June following a concert appearance at the Gathering Of The Bestial Legion festival in Hollywood, California – and before anyone could wreck a medium-size hotel vestibule in an air-guitar impersonation of Kerry King for the less than 3-minute instrumental duration of “Raining Blood”, Aantar had conceptualised and launched a new extreme-metal constellation under the rather style-indicative name of Blastmasters. Without much ado, a three-track demo was unveiled in late August for free download on the band’s official website, and Evilution Magazine promptly sent off an email to Mr. Coates in order to uncover the ins and outs of this highly eruptive ensemble. Read on to find out what this highly combustible three-piece currently have in the stocks for complete and utter world conflagration...

# Blastmasters was formed on June 27, 2004 and the first demo has already been recorded and made available on the official website. Could you give me a few words on the formation of the band and the creative process so far?

“As you all know I’m Aantar, former drummer of Diabolic and Unholy Ghost. I started writing with RJ [guitars] and Jesse J [bass/vocals] after I got back from my last show in Los Angeles, California with Unholy Ghost. They came out to the studio and wanted to help write. These guys came to me focused and really hungry! They want to tour and play live everywhere in the world. I let them know I was starting Blastmasters and wanted to work together with them. Jesse was recommended to me through Punchy [producer on the Blastmasters demo – Misereion]. Jesse called R.J. He also knew a few Diabolic songs so I knew he was killer! Today I talked to Jerry Mortellaro from Unholy Ghost and he wants to be in the band. Jerry is putting Unholy Ghost on hold and will be jamming with Blastmasters.”

# ‘Blastmaster’ has been your personal artist moniker for several years. What made you decide to use it as an official band name?

“After I see a nuclear bomb go off, I think about how lucky we are to be alive. After naming and being in the world’s most evil bands (Diabolic/Unholy Ghost), I wanted this band name to be different. Blastmasters is my way of giving back to this world.”

# How has it been to collaborate with Jesse and RJ on the Blastmasters demo compared to the songwriting procedures in Diabolic and Unholy Ghost?

“It’s been really easy-going.  I’m taking the same approach as I’ve done in both Diabolic and Unholy Ghost. After years of experience I know what I want. I will always experiment and take this style of music to new levels like I did writing “The Inevitable” on Diabolic’s Vengeance Ascending and “The Apparition” with Unholy Ghost. And always stay true to death metal drumming.”

# Jesse has earlier been a member of two underground bands called Evixion and As Under. Has his musical experience in these two outfits had any particular influence on the sound and approach in Blastmasters?

“No, because they weren’t death metal bands. His experience with his other bands helps us because he has an open-minded outlook on all different styles of music. I really like his voice a lot; he’s a really cool vocalist and wants to tour.”

# What musical background does RJ have, and has he been active in any other musical outfits prior to the formation of Blastmasters?

“He’s been at home in his room for all these years just practicing. I never knew he played guitar. I’ve seen him at shows, and about a year ago he gave me a ride home from Brass Mug because I was too drunk to drive my car. He’s going to add more of a technical edge to Blastmasters because his writing style is crazy. Blastmasters is not a copy of my other bands, but it will still completely blow you away!”

# Production on the demo was done by Juan Punchy Gonzales, who was likewise responsible for the studio work on the Unholy Ghost debut as well as the two Diabolic albums Subterraneal Magnitude and Vengeance Ascending. How was it to work with Juan on the Blastmasters material?

“Punchy is touring with Monster Magnet where he’s running sound. If I didn’t start writing with these guys when I did, we wouldn’t be able to record till he got back. I like working with Punchy because he knows what needs to get done. I call him up and he’s there for me every time. We only paid $600 to record the Blastmasters demo, and I’m really happy the way it came out. He will be producing the Blastmasters Twisted Metal album in 2005.”

# Blastmasters are currently searching for a second guitarist to complete the line-up. Are there any news on that, and will the band be active on the live front in the meantime?

“I talked to Jerry Mortellaro and he wants to jam. As for playing live we will be ready to do shows in early 2005.”

# When I listen to the three songs off the Blastmasters demo on the computer, my RealOne Player software extension tries to convince me that the music comes off an album called We Used to Be Friends recorded by The Dandy Warhols. Is that a unique technical error or is there in fact a bizarre logic behind it?

“My girlfriend does the site; you’ll have to interview her about those technical questions.”

# You have been active in the US underground metal-scene since the official release of the Exmortis demo Descent into Chaos from 1987. What are the highlights of your musical career so far?

“Touring with Morbid Angel, Cannibal Corpse, Krisiun, Dimmu Borgir and Behemoth as well as opening for Exodus and Sodom.”

# Have you ever considered breathing new life into any of your earlier musical outfits such as Exmortis, Impiety, Horror Of Horrors and Necrosis? Also, will there ever be an official compilation release featuring some of the ‘lost’ material from that era?

“Brian Werking from Exmortis works next door to me here in Tampa, Florida. It was weird because I heard someone say ‘Lee!’, and I turned around and said ‘Yeah?’. He said: ‘It’s Brian!’ – and I didn’t recognize him. I gave him a Blastmasters demo and we talked about re-recording Exmortis’ demos. He’s busy with his family so it wouldn’t be a long-term touring thing. Just a blast from the 1987-1989 past!” 

# Besides from your current activities in Blastmasters, are you involved in any other musical collaborations or projects?

“Not yet. I just want to play drums all the time!”

# Jerry Mortellaro from Unholy Ghost told me during a phone interview some months ago that Diabolic has only performed live with their current drummer Gaël Barthélémy on one occasion. Could you imagine collaborating with Diabolic again as either a session or full-time member?

“I got a call from Brian Malone a few weeks ago. But I still don’t know why he called because he didn’t leave a message. After three albums, Supreme Evil, Subterraneal Magnitude and Vengeance Ascending, not to mention the cult classic City of the Dead demo from 1997, people know Diabolic. I’m really happy that I was a part of that band.”

# Unholy Ghost issued their debut album in early summer this year, shortly after which it was announced that you had left the band. Whatever went wrong between you and the remaining three members of Unholy Ghost?

“They have major problems and it’s best to stay clear from bullshit I can’t control. Now they want to find a replacement? Why would any drummer put himself in the position to never tour? At first we could only tour the USA; then I hear they can’t tour at all? I’m sure people out there saw the lie that was written, which told that I had some elbow problem in both arms. That was the reason I released the demo for free on MP3 format. Sometimes people believe what they read. I wanted the fans to hear that there is nothing wrong with me, and I can’t wait to tour and start playing live again. Blastmasters can tour anywhere in the world with no problems.”

# (For the record: since this interview was conducted, Unholy Ghost have recruited drummer David Breazeal, who has previously played in the two bands Cauldron and Trokar, as well as recorded material for a tribute to Possessed together with current U.G. guitarist Kelly McLauchlin in his other active outfit Pessimist). On this finishing note, however, we will let bygones be bygones and concentrate on Blastmasters. What is the next target on the agenda, and when will we possibly see a full-length release from the band?

“We are currently writing new songs for our new CD titled Twisted Metal and will start playing live early 2005. I don’t want to rush. I just want this to be the best album ever for everyone to hear. Thanks to the fans that keep Twisted Death Metal at Blasphemous Speeds alive!!!”

Conducted and written by Misereion.

--->> Make sure to check back on the Evilution Magazine website again shortly for an extensive Diabolic interview with messieurs Brian Malone and Eric Hersemann, not to mention an in-depth word exchange with the latest Blastmasters recruit Jerry Mortellaro on his other band Unholy Ghost and their debut offering Torrential Reign!