Interviewee: Greg
Year: 2009
Website: allegaeon.com
MySpace: myspace.com/allegaeon
Label: None
Featured on: Loucifer Speaks Exclusive... So far!
Allegaeon are part of the crop of amazingly good Metal bands coming out of the good ol' US of A at the moment. In fact, if their EP is anything to go by, they'll soon be one of Metal's biggest names. So, in order to introduce this band to you, their guitarist Greg Burgess was on hand to answer a few questions...
Lou: Hi guys, thanks for agreeing to this interview. I really appreciate it! For the benefit of those who have yet to hear you - please could you introduce yourselves?
Greg: Hey Lou, sure we are Allegaeon from Fort Collins Colorado. We are a 5 piece melodic death metal, with little off shoots into tech, prog, and black metal from time to time.
Lou: I'd describe your music as Melodic Death Metal. Is this a fair description?
Greg: We like most bands hate to be labeled into genres and sub-genres, but yeah I think that would be fair.
Lou: How long has the band been together?
Greg: I believe the band has been together for a little over 2 years. 4 lineup changes and one name change later, here we are.
Lou: What sort of things influence you when it comes to music and lyrics?
Greg: Speaking for myself music influence depends very much on what kind of mood I'm having, lyrics usually depend on what is very important, and what strikes a chord in me.
Lou: How has your EP been received by both fans and critics?
Greg: Awesome, would be the only way to describe the feedback. All positive, none that has been really negative.
Lou: Which track from the EP is the most popular among your fans?
Greg: That is a toss up between Cower Before Me, and The Weeds Will Prosper.
Lou: Which track is the most important to you?
Greg: Me personally, I'd have to say Nex of Terra, just because it's the only song of mine that made it to the E.P. but ego aside I think all the tracks are really great, and I'm proud to have anything to do with them.
Lou: Can you tell the readers of Loucifer Speaks where they can get their hands Lou: on the EP?
Greg: iTunes, or CDbaby are probably the best ways.
Lou: Do you have any other merchandise available (I wanna buy myself a t-shirt! lol)?
Greg: AWESOME! LOU representin' lol. Yeah we have a couple shirts to choose from, our album cover is the newest one we have in stock.
Lou: Do you have any plans to release a full length album in the near future?
Greg: Absolutely we are cranking out the songs as we speak. The full length will be a better representation of the band as a whole and where we are now. We think if people liked the EP, they will love what we have in store for the full length.
Lou: If you transported to an alien planet which 5 albums would you take with you?
Greg: I love this question, and I have a feeling if I were transported to an alien planet, my music choice would be the least of my worries. However personally,
1: Megadeth's Killing Is My Business...And Business is Good
2: Dream Theater's Metropolis Part II: Scenes From A Memory
3: Devin Townsend's Accelerated Evolution
4: Soilwork's Natural Born Chaos, or A Preditors Portrait (I'd have to choose one at the moment)
5: Symphony X's V
That was very hard....and I know these would be radically different if any other member got to this interview before I did in the email inbox.
Lou: Are there any other bands that you think the readers of Loucifer Speaks need to know about?
Greg: Our friends CROW also from Fort Collins. They are amazing, taken them on tour with us. One of those bands that is so amazing to watch live.
Lou: Are you touring at the moment? If so, where?
Greg: We have a couple dates planned in March, through El Paso Texas, and Albuerquerque New Mexico. We are planning to do monthly tours outside our state just to spread our music, so that it will enable us to take longer tours. For new bands it's hard to get people to shows, until you can prove to them your worth it.
Lou: Do you have any plans to tour the UK? We'd love to have you here!
Greg: My father is from London, so it personally would mean a lot to me to play across the pond. I know that to play in the U.K. and in Eruope is a major goal for all of us. Metal has never died over there like it did here, and we play more of a European style so I think musically we'd be more at home to play for you guys than it is to play here in the U.S. Hopfully when the worlds economics get worked out it will be possible. Maybe sooner with label support.
Lou: If you could perform at a festival anywhere in the world where would it be? And, which bands would be in the line-up (current bands or those that have split up)?
Greg: Oh man Lou your questions are the dogs bollocks! Ok these kinds are questions are awesome but so hard because I have to represent the whole group. To play Donnington...I mean Download and/or Wacken would definately be a dream come true. To play with Megadeth, Dream Theater, Strapping Young Lad, Nevermore, All Shall Perish, Symphony X, Carcass, Arch Enemy, Machine Head, and Testament...I think that line up would make peoples heads explode.
Lou: Which 5 words best describe one of Allegaeon's shows?
Greg: Uh....Lots Of Notes And Headbanging- I seriously had to count that shit out.
Lou: What's the best thing about being in Allegaeon?
Greg: Playing with such gifted musicians is a highlight, and the fact that we all get along is a nice little additive.
Lou: What does 2009 hold for you?
Greg: Hopefully 2009 see's us getting signed. We've talked with a lot of labels, been offered many deals, and hopefully as Metal Hammer said about us in their Jan 09 issue we'll be "a major force on the underground metal scene".
Thanks so much Lou