Rockezine.com interview with Rival on Apr 20, 2004

with Chuck McNulty, John Johnson and Neven Trivic on Apr 20, 2004


		About 2 weeks from now your new album, State Of Mind will be released. How would you advertise it to potential buyers? CM) Straight forward, power, aggressive, in your face metal. JJ) An original iron clad force of speed pounding metal. Loud, fast, and furious!! NT) We want everyone to know that it’s got some really killer songs on it. The production of the disk is so far the best we’ve ever done. We have said in the past that we have to be happy with the final result or it won’t be released. All the songs are done well in my opinion.
		When I listened to the album for the first time, I had a hard time getting into it. The possible reason for this might be the clean vocals. I however noticed that State Of Mind is like a fine wine and gets better with age. Like to comment on this? NT) I feel the same about other CD’s also. I personally think that this CD is a continuation from the last one. Some of the material was written around the same time that we were recording the Modern CD. So, the feel is about the same. To me, each recording is a reflection of what the particular artist is doing at that moment in time. As long as the end result is good, then it doesn’t matter if it takes one spin or one hundred. CM) Some of my favourite albums didn’t strike me at first. The more I listened to them, the more they grew on me and those I find are my top ten. Some that I immediately liked are also the ones that I grew tired of immediately. I find that oversaturated vocals are not so much in use at the present day. We were trying a straight forward approach, with a little “wet” vocal effect would be a better sound. JJ) Our style of metal might sound dated to some people, but the clarity of our music is rarely ever heard anymore. That is why we sound this way.
		State Of Mind differs a lot from other US thrash releases. Do you think that your Chicago background is responsible for this difference? And what bands have influenced your style? CM) Well, first off I don’t think we’re thrash. I don’t know if the region had anything to do with it. The music we listen to is from all over the world and our influences vary, so I don’t think geographically it has anything to do with it. I like a lot of bands that are out nowadays, I like all styles of music, but it doesn’t necessarily reflect the music I play. JJ) I don’t think its Chicago, it’s just what we do. We like it, so we play it. It’s as simple as that. NT) Maybe a little bit. The environment around you can influence your attitude and behaviour. This would also have affect in your writing. Chicago is just like any major city, it has good points and bad ones. As a guitarist, I’m personally influenced by bands that I admired growing up. Priest, Maiden, Accept, Megadeth, Scorpions, Metallica, etc. listening to that made me want to play.
		Rival has gone through some hard times, now with this new release and a deal with Metal Blade, it seems you guys finally have received the deserved recognition. How do you feel about the deal with Metal Blade and the new album? CM) It’s almost like a new beginning, built on the past with a new direction and focus, because we have the backing of a label now. NT) I’m very pleased with Metal Blade. So far things are going great. We looked at the bands that were signed to them and felt that we should be on their label too. They’re giving us the opportunity to bring our style of music to the world. The new disk will be released in Europe May 3rd and May 18th here in the states. You know, we’re four unknown guys from Chicago, in a giant sea of bands. We feel very lucky to have even been noticed. JJ) First of all, it’s great. Metal Blade, are you kidding me? We’ve been at this for some time now, and finally… we have something to show for it.
		Recently, many old school thrash metal acts are making comeback records. A sign that thrash metal is on the rise again. Do you see this as a good sign, and do you think that Rival can compete with these acts? CM) We’re not trying to compete with any thrash. Every style that has a chance to break through at any given time can open up new doors for everybody else. As far as competion to thrash, I don’t see any comparison really. NT) I think it’s a great sign. Although, it still seems it will take a while before it becomes as popular as it once was. I don’t feel competing is the right term. We have much respect towards old school bands. Their music inspired a lot of bands, including us.
		Don’t you sometimes get sick of all the MTV metal bands that basically fill their pockets with the hard work of the bands of old? I know I do at least. NT) That’s a tough question to answer. If they’re on MTV, then they must have done a lot of work to get there. Are they actually rich? I have no idea, but somebody is getting paid some good money. I don’t think it would be smart of me to trash a band that is more successful than we are at this point. I personally feel that MTV plays what is currently popular. They can make you or break you. CM) I don’t like how the corporate powers that be shove what they want you to hear over and over instead of giving the hundreds of other bands the chance to be heard. Everybody takes influences from their predecessors, so as long as they are keeping the music alive, it’s good.
		In the US metal seems to be more of an underground scene, but in Europe metal is pretty much flourishing. Don’t you sometimes feel like packing your backs and moving to Europe? NT) Yes…I do. It’s definitely more popular there than here. I love living in the states, but Europe can be very exciting. The people, music, culture, I always have fun when I go there. CM) Yes, me too. You go where there’s a demand.
		Some years ago you played a few festivals here in Europe, Headbangers Open Air and Bang Your Head. How was the experience, and how do European festivals differ from American ones? CM) It was a great experience, definitely an emotional high for us. You have metal fans all over the world no matter where you go. NT) Both were really, really fun to do. We prepared for these shows, so when it was time to play, we just let it rip. God, that was a good time!!! There really isn’t much of a difference. Although, I don’t usually see a lot of camping going on at festivals in the states. There’s music all day and night, people partying and all that. It’s about the same.
		If you guys are even half as energetic on stage as on the album then I’m certain that your gigs are going to be a blast. So, when do we get to see you here in Europe again? NT) We definitely try to put on a show. It’s important to have fun and enjoy yourselves. And it’s easier to do when the audience is right there along with you too. For the moment, there is no plan to go to Europe. Once the CD is out, we hope to talk with some people about going over and doing a few gigs. CM) We live for our live gigs, our albums definitely reflect our shows. What you hear on that disk is what you’re going to get. A lot of bands don’t sound anything like their albums live, we’ve been told that we sound better than our albums live. So we try to reflect that and project that and give the people what they expect and more. As for the second half of the question, as soon as possible!!!
		Well that’s it. Good luck with the release of State Of Mind. Is there anything you would like to add to this interview? CM) I’m just happy to be in this situation. We aren’t going to let anybody down. We’re going to come out and kick ass!! NT) Well, I’d like to thank you and your readers for taking the time to find out what’s going on with RIVAL. The new CD should be out real soon, and it’s definitely jamming. We hope that you check it out and feel the same way. Our new web site will be up soon also, look us up at: www.rivalmusic.net and hopefully we can see all of you very soon. Many thanks!!
		(Frank van de Voorde)