Interview with guitarist Anthony Nichlos, Meliah Rage (February 27th 2008)

Hi, first off all I just want to congratulate you with the re-release of “Death Valley Dream” and your latest album “The Deep and Dreamless Sleep”.  Why did you choose to re-release “Death Valley Dream”? Tony: Well the first reason would be that it’s the only record not in print. Also it’s mine and Jim’s favourite Meliah record. We re-mastered it and tried to give it a bit more bottom end also.  Jim and I oversaw the mix 10 years ago and we might have been a bit mean to the bass track!!   “The Deep and Dreamless Sleep” is a fine album if you ask me... but are you satisfied with it?   Tony: Totally satisfied on my end. I will say it wasn’t the most popular record we’ve done as far as reviews and fan reaction though. It’s a bit more commercial sounding than other Meliah records. We didn’t go out of our way to make it that way; it just ended up a little cleaner than some of our other stuff.    Who has produced and mixed “The Deep and Dreamless Sleep”?   Tony: I pretty much oversaw everything with engineer Joe Moody.   How would you describe your music to any of our readers who may not have heard of you before?   Tony: I guess I’d have to say a cross between traditional metal and thrash. Keep the guitars heavy with some clean stuff and harmonies. Vocals with an edge but listenable…  Similar to Metallica, Megadeth and Metal Church (a band we’ve toured with twice) maybe?   Do you feel that your sound will evolve in some different direction, in the future, or you will still follow the same path?   Tony: Well we’re about half way thru recording the follow up to The Deep and Dreamless Sleep and I will say it’s much faster and heavier. Also the songs are longer. I don’t know if it’s a different direction overall but it’s different than the last one. I don’t think we’ll ever change too much though.   Who has done the cover artwork to “The Deep and Dreamless Sleep”?   Tony: I think a friend of Jim’s took the picture on the cover. After many colourful and maybe silly covers we wanted something VERY SIMPLE... We got. Looking back probably too simple!   What tasks presently lie ahead for Meliah Rage?   Tony: Finish the new record, do a video and tour! Hopefully by the end of 2008.   Let's speculate - you have been granted a free slot on a tour of your own choice - who would be your ideal touring partners?   Tony: Probably not hip to say it... Metallica. Why not... HUGE crowds, $$ and they are still responsible for what I consider the greatest metal record ever... “Master of Puppets. That being said touring twice with Metal Church has been an honour! Iced Earth and Testament would be cool also!   What albums or bands do you believe have had the greatest impact on the history of metal?   Tony: The usual suspects... SABBATH, METALLICA, PRIEST, MAIDEN, PANTERA, SLAYER ect.  I’m sure younger metal heads have more recent bands that are just as influential.       Looking ahead, where do you want to be five years from now?   Tony: On a beach in Florida with a beer and Slayer blasting thru some speakers!!   I thank you very much for participating in this interview and sharing this information and your thoughts with us - these last lines are entirely for you. Any final words you would like to round off with - a tip, a recommendation or a thought for the future?   Tony: Not much to finish with… Maybe but a MELIAH RAGE record... you might like it!!   Thanks Tony   Interviewed by Peter Laursen

Meliah Rage - Death Valley Dream (Re-release) Album available on Locomotive Records. For more info on Meliah Rage - click on the album cover.