of your band, STRANGLEHOLD.Where,how and when did it all started?
It all started back in 1999 out the ashes of 3 AB, Corina and myself founded
Stranglehold, after a while we found Andr� K�ssinger(bass player)and we started to do rehearsals with myself on vocals.
After a few demo's and one mini CD, we started to look for a singer, 'cause
we were getting a lot of great response about our songs, only there was some criticism about my vocals. I always wanted the best for Stranglehold,so....
* Who are the members aboard of the Stranglehold ship at the moment?
At this moment, Stranglehold is: Corina.S. on drums, Rik W. on vocals and
myself(Lorenzo)guitars and on bass guitar we have ''LIVE'' Andr� K�ssinger (he helps us out, because he can't put so much time in Straglehold as we do),
and in the studio we've got two guest bass palyers, Gerry Verstreken(Manic
Movement) and Dirk Vollon(Zero Gravity).
* In fact you guys are a progressive Metal band with some 80's influences.
Something unique, but why the combination between both styles?
I started to play in Metal bands back in the eighties and i think the influences of that time, will set your future musical taste forever, plus the rest of the band(Corina and Rik) like the same 80's Metal. As a song writer i like all kind of styles, Hard Rock with melodies and musical skills. AC/DC, Van Halen, Dream Theater, Megadeth, Iced Earth,....are examples from bands we like.
* I know that the progressive Metal scene is not that big in Belgium.
Can you tell me how it comes?
No,i can't find a direct answer to this question. Maybe the kids in Belgium like the harder side of Metal(Thrash/Hardcore) better, because that kind of Metal is great to get your frustration out such as stress at school,job,etc...)
* Is it right if i say that Stranglehold didn't have any record deal till now?
Did you look forward to get involved with a European record company?
That's correct, at this moment we got no record deal. We are trying to get one but for us it's more important to get so many gigs as possible. I think that when a band plays a lot, the record company will notice you.
* Which one do you have in mind Lorenzo?
We do not have a particular company in mind. We have consider every offer we can(will) get and then decide what to do.
* You are the guitar player in the band and i know you do a great job while
handle a six string.How many time do you spent rehearsing guitar playing?
Well, the first four , five years i practised almost four, six hours a day.
As the years went by, i practised a little bit less 'cause with the rehearsals(3
bands at this moment, Stranglehold and two cover bands)i play a lot of guitar plus i write most parts of the songs, so i get my guitar training this way. The only thing that i practise now are new pieces of guitar technique.
* Who are your personal guitar gods at the moment?
I've got many favourite guitar players such as: Eddie Van Halen, Ted Nugent,
John Petrucci, Steve Vai, Zakk Wylde and many more...Very good technical players!
* Tell me about the band's LIVE performances. What was your biggest perfor-
mance and do you have plans to play some live gigs this summer?
We did a lot of little pub gigs, that wasgreat and april 19th 2003 we played at
Rockfest festival(Diest/Belgium)...we were the only band with an 80's sound!
Well, the response was amazing and we got many mails from young people.
They were very surprised to see and hear''older''stuff and they really liked it.
Maybe there will be a Heavy Metal revival, who knows?
And on july 18th we are gonna play as the only Belgian band on the Burg
Linn Live festival in Krefeld(Germany)with three German bands, Toxic Virgin, Gun Barrel and G-Loyd.
* Which styles of Metal do you like besides Progressive and what are the faves
I like many kinds of Metal such as Heavy Metal, Hard Rock, the older Speed Metal and everything that is played with the heart and noy with ''money''in
mind!
* How does the future looks like,any future plans?
We are gonna finish the CDemo and on the 10the of may, we are gonna do a
video shoot with the song''Sands Of Time'', probably as a bonus track for the
new CDemo. We are considering to get gigs in Germanu and Holland because these are the countries that like our way of Metal music more.
If we get gigs in Belgium, we would be honoured to play them.
* OK Lorenzo, all the best with STRANGLEHOLD and maybe one last
comment to our readers ?
I hope to see everyone when we play in their neighbourhood, everybody is welcome to visit our website and listen to our new songs. 3 tracks are full versions for downloading,so check it out!