Interviews

Bullets and Octane is a hard-hitting rock band hailing from SoCal who have released some of the best music many have never heard. The heavily road-seasoned band has toured with a who’s who of rock; Avenged Sevenfold, Stone Sour, Social…

The legendary Motorhead released their final studio album “Bad Magic” in 2015. To celebrate that iconic album the band has now released the album in an expanded format called “Bad Magic: SERIOUSLY BAD MAGIC” and it’s loaded with incredible material…

When you talk about legendary bass players in the hard rock metal genre, you can’t have the conversation without including Rudy Sarzo. Rudy has played for some of the top bands in hard rock including Ozzy Osbourne, Quiet Riot, Whitesnake,…

Soulfly released their latest album “Totem” back in August of 2022 and now the band is ready to hit the tour circuit in support of the album. We spoke with frontman Max Cavalera about the recording process for this album,…

If you’re a rock n’ roll fan, then Michael Monroe doesn’t need any introduction. The former Hanoi Rocks frontman and accomplished solo artist has recently returned with a brand new album called “I Live Too Fast To Die Young!”. Michael…

Electronic Rock/Synth Pop project RAYGUN ROMANCE (former POWERMAN 5000 Guitarist TY OLIVER) has unleashed the official music video for his newest Dark Synth masterpiece, “Adore You.” Filmed by Marie Ilene and the inimitable front-man (who also edited), “Adore You” features burlesque dancer and pinup Princess Miss Spent Youth…

SHOW-YA has been sitting on the throne of the Japanese female metal scene. With their national hit songs, TV appearances, and Japan’s biggest female band event held by SHOW-YA themselves, they are one of the most well-known heavy metal acts…

Guitar Virtuoso Gus G has returned with a brand new instrumental album called “Quantum Leap”. We caught up with Gus in our latest interview where we discuss the new album, Firewind, dealing with touring during a pandemic and of course,…

https://youtu.be/JUrDVrr45k8 Legendary vocalist Jeff Scott Soto sat down with XS ROCK and discussed his new album along with many aspects of his career and his thoughts on his work with previous artists like Yngwie Malmsteen and Journey. About Jeff Scott…

Jizzy Pearl’s Love/Hate is releasing a new album called Hell, CA and I got the chance to sit down with vocalist Jizzy Pearl (Love/Hate, Quiet Riot, Ratt, L.A. Guns) and talk about the new album as well as new happenings…

DORO Pesch of Warlock will celebrate the 35th anniversary of her hit album Triumph And Agony with the release of the spectacular live album Triumph And Agony Live. XS ROCK had the chance to sit down and talk about the new album as well…

GRINDER BLUES are a hard rock blues trio featuring dUg Pinnick (King’s X) on bass and vocals, guitarist and vocalist Jabo Bihlman, and Scot “Little” Bihlman on drums, percussion, and vocals. They offer a high-energy, bone-crushing sound and from-the-gut songwriting,…

In the music world, you’ll find lots of entertainers. You’ll also find some great songwriters, musicians, and singers. These days it’s extremely rare for any one person to have all of these qualities. However, singer/songwriter John Waite is one of…

XS ROCK: Hey, man. Thanks for taking the time out to talk to us today. You’re one of the busiest guys I think there is in rock. Jeff Pilson: Then how come I feel lazy? (Laughs) XS ROCK: Well, I…

Back before COVID-19 shut down almost everything, we spoke with MSG singer Robin McAuley about the new album he recently recorded with Reb Beach, Jeff Pilson and Matt Starr called “Black Swan”. The interview has been delayed being published until…

The idea for THE BANISHMENT has been years in the making for LYNCH to further push his creativity into darker, subliminal and chaotic territories. To accomplish this, he teamed up with HAZE over five years ago, who in addition to being the live guitarist for Lords of…

It’s always a pleasure to speak to the Queen Of Metal, Doro Pesch and in our latest interview with her, she opens up about her new box set that features almost 4 hours of music. Listen to our interview with…

2020 has been one hell of a year so far.  But if you’re looking for something positive to help get through the madness, Armored Saint’s latest album “Punching The Sky” is exactly what the doctor ordered. We talk with Armored…

Recently, I sat down with Don Dokken to discuss his new album, appropriately named The Lost Songs: 1978-1981.  I’ve been a fan of Dokken for years and I was interested to talk with Don, not only about the new album,…

Don is best known as a co-host of VH1 Classic’s hit heavy metal talk show series, That Metal Show, where legends of rock hang out to discuss their past and current projects in front of a live studio audience. He…

Doro discusses her new U.S. tour dates as well as a surprise song collaboration that she’s currently doing with another well-known metal singer. Doro is called the Metal Queen and she rightfully deserves the title and the crown. She is…

Just a few hours before their show, I sat down with Frankie Nardiello, A.K.A. Groovie Mann, vocalist for My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult. It was almost 30 years since I had last seen the band perform. I caught…

The XS ROCK Best Metal Album Of 2019 is “Humanicide” by Death Angel.  An outstanding metal album that has to be heard to be believed and appreciated properly. Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with Death Angel guitarist…

  You know what’s wrong with rock music? it’s not reckless and it’s not dangerous anymore. Josh Todd – Buckcherry Lead Singer This is the best lineup of Buckcherry that we’ve ever had. On longevity in the rock music business:…

As one of the founding members of the iconic EBM band Nitzer Ebb, Bon Harris is practically a legend to fans of the genre.  Nitzer Ebb has a combined output of fourteen albums and EP’s since 1983.  If you ask…

David Ellefson, the legendary bassist for Megadeth, is gearing up for some special tour dates with his all-star group Metal Allegiance.  Metal Allegiance’s core members are David Ellefson (Megadeth), Alex Skolnick (Testament), Mike Portnoy (Ex-Dream Theater) and Mark Menghi.  Guest…

XS ROCK: So I’ve had a chance to listen to the new album, The Devil You Know and it’s fantastic. It sounds just like what I remember from listening to the first two LA Guns albums years ago. It’s kind…

When your resume’ includes playing in both legendary rock bands, Dio and Whitesnake, you know you’re doing something right.  That’s definitely the case with Doug Aldrich. With a long history of playing and creating incredible songs with bands like Lion,…

I recently had the opportunity to sit down and talk with legendary drummer Ken Mary.  Over the years, Ken has played with some of the best bands around, including Alice Cooper, Accept, House Of Lords, Chastain, Fifth Angel and most…

Ministry guitarist Sin Quirin has just released a new EP by his side project “3 Headed Snake”. If you haven’t had a chance to hear it yet, go check it out! It’s killer classic metal in the vein of Judas…

Geoff Tate seems to be sort of an enigmatic person for a lot of people. Always a bit mysterious and probably often misunderstood. Prior to meeting Geoff for the first time, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. I have…

Michael Sweet (Stryper) and George Lynch (Dokken, Lynch Mob)  have reunited once again to create Unified, the second album by Sweet & Lynch. I had the chance to sit down and talk with Michael Sweet about the new album, working…

Carmine Appice is a legend in the world of rock drummers. Over the years he has played with a virtual who’s who list of artists including Ozzy Osbourne, Rod Stewart, King Kobra, Blue Murder, Vanilla Fudge, Cactus, Pink Floyd, Michael…

XS ROCK: So, Quiet Riot now has James Durbin as lead vocalist. I’ve had a chance to listen to Road Rage and I think it’s going to surprise a lot of people. I was surprised that he was able to…

Recently, I received an advanced release for Josh Todd & The Conflict’s debut album, “Year Of The Tiger”. Most of you probably know Josh and guitarist Stevie D from the band Buckcherry. Buckcherry is still alive and well, but I’ve…

XS ROCK: Hey Robert! It’s a pleasure to talk with you. I’ve been a fan for many years. I want to talk about the new Warrant album in a moment, but first, let’s go back to the beginning for a…

    In my opinion, one of the best metal bands to come out after the year 2000 had to be Sister Sin. Each album seem to be better than the one before it as the band continued to release…

Recently, I reviewed the latest album by Art of Anarchy called “The Madness”. Which you can read here.  Needless to say I was blown away by it. When I got the chance to interview guitarist Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, I was thrilled.…

Today I had the privilege to sit down and talk with Alex Grossi. Most of you probably know Alex as the guitarist in Quiet Riot. But Alex is quite the journeyman of rock n’ roll and always seems to have a…

Jack Blades Talks To XS ROCK About New Night Ranger Album, His Career and More… Rewind back to the year 1982. I was in middle school and I had gotten a part time job so that I could buy my…

XS Rock readers know that I’ve recently been raving about the debut album by Sainted Sinners featuring David Reece (Accept, Bonfire, Bangalore Choir). Well, today I had the chance to talk with him about his new band, his past work…

XS ROCK: So tell me about your great new album “He Saw It Comin”. I just did a review on it recently and in my opinion, it’s some of the best material that you’ve ever done. Does the title reference your…

When I was in high school, I had the walls of my room covered with posters and magazine pages from my favorite bands. No one got more space on those walls than my favorite band, Ratt. When “Out Of The…

When it comes to metal’s greatest anthems, Accept’s Balls To The Wall is always listed as one of the top songs. And, with good reason. From the opening chords, you immediately recognize it, your head begins to start rocking in…