Well i think our music is heavy,powerfull and melodic in once.We try to do write songs that we feel are good,and they reflect our personal opinions on certain subjects.
We can go fast or even slow ,but intense still!
* My friend Patrick de Sloover plays alot of RIVAL tunes on his radio station called OVERDRIVE!
I heard it and was surprised very positive about the results.How's the respaonse outside the US?
The europeans have been very good to us!They really expressed to us that they like what we're doing and want to hear more from us.The fans over there are vey loyal indeed and it's great to be appreciated by all of them.If you see Patrick,don't forget to say hello and thanx from all of the band.
* Tell me more about the RIVAL releases so far.I guess it's not that easy for all European Metal
maniacs to catch a copy of one of your albums,isn't it?
First of all i wanna say that we have two releases so far.One is an EP that has five songs on it.
It was our first professional recording ecer.It wasbasically a well-recorded rehearsal with some guitar solo's and voice over overdubs.The latest one is entitled''Modern World''which has nine songs and is a much better sounding release than our previous one.It was done with a bigger financial budget and therefore has a bigger,more produced sound.We're responsible for the way both CD's look and sound.We did everything ourselves with the help of a studio engineer of course.
That includes playing for everything ourselves too,we have no record label support.
You can buy either one of our CD's through our website at www.rivalmusic.net or through Hellion
Records distributors in Germany.
* Can we expect a new release from the band and are you involved with a European record company
by now?That would make everything easier to buy some Rival stuff.
We are actually in pre-production of a new release that will be on a European label.
I am not able to mention with whom until we actually sign the papers you know.It should be
available worldwide.They want new material from us,so the EP and our full length album''Modern
World''are only available through us or Hellion records.
* You guys were playing at the Bang Your head festival in Germany last year right!
How did the crowd react when Rival entered the stage?
Well,we had the opening slot at 10:30 in the morning!So,it was damn early.But we felt that it was
an honour to be there and we should give it our best.We're four guys from Chicage with no record deal,no management,nothing.For them to ask us to play for the fest was something we could not pass up.It felt like''good morning,we're Rival''.So,i started with the air raid siren from the song''The Last Rebellion''and BANG!!We just went for it.It wasgreat,and the crowd was really into
it.It was the fastest 45 minutes ever....over in a flash!
* My intention here on Metal To Infinity is to give more less famous underground Metal bands the
opportunity to spread their word of Metal.What's your opinion about that intention Neven?
I think that's great man!Bands don't get a lot of recognition,so every magazine or radio show helps us anyway and we appreciate it very much.Because of people that really believe in music,a lot of underground bands can be heard.We are a perfect example to that!
* Do you have some new songs ready to make recordings of it?Is it still the same RIVAL as
previoulsly or is something different now...to be honest,i hope not,because the results so far
are fantastic to me!
Worth to mention is that all the members are the same.Weare getting ready to do a new release as i said and i think it will be along the same style as the previous release.And by the way,thanx for your respect in our music.
* A traditional question now Neven..what are faves at the moment and why?
I like the older Metal.I'll usually have on some Priest,Accept,Scorps on at home or in the car.
New Halford is good.That was the last 'new' disc i purchased.Symphony X has a good disk out too.
A very close friend of mine is the keyboard player for Dave Schenkle Group.He was the guitarist for Manowar some time ago.He gave me a copy of their new stuff that's really good.
Look for it very soon!
*Any other expectations in life besides your Metal career?
I would like to learn how to scuba dive and fly small airplanes eventually.
But for now,i would really like to do a tour as an opening act for a big band.That would be......
TOTALLY ROCK!!
* I will thank you ,Neven and wish you and RIVAL all the best with everything you do in the near
Maybe some final words to the MTI readers?
Well,thank you too man!We really appreciate all the support from you Metal heads over seas.
It's people like you that keep the Metal scene alive and strong.We hope to be over soon and best
regards to ya'll brothers!