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Seven
Witches - A Vocal Wizard Speaks To: James Rivera SEVEN WITCHES recently released their fifth album titled “Jacob” and Metal Invader had the chance to interview the band’s frontman, the legendary James Rivera, who also recently resurrected the glorious but grossly underrated HELSTAR (under the name HELSTARS DISTANT THUNDER). Rivera shares his thoughts both on the new SEVEN WITCHES album and his future plans in general.
In the words of Elvis Presley, “Thank you very much. I only wish my momma could’ve seen this”! Describe the new record with your own words; in what ways is it different to its predecessor “Passage to the Other Side”? Very simple. It is more of a full-on power metal record. The intensity and depth of it being a real true metal record has broadened with new dimensions greatly. Do you want to explain to us the story behind the “Jacob” concept? Wasn’t it a risk to make an album that half of it is a mini rock opera and the other half is comprised by self-inclusive songs?
Of all the songs you have sung for the two SEVEN WITCHES albums you have participated which song was most demanding in terms of vocal performance? Mental Messiah and Cries of the Living. SEVEN WITCHES have been troubled by many line-up changes. This is also the case in this latest album of yours. Why is that? How is your relationship to bandleader Jack Frost? Can we hope to see you permanently in SEVEN WITCHES? Concerning my relationship with Jack Frost, we have somehow magically been connected on the same wavelength and same page of life and the music business. From this day on, I see me and him always being in SEVEN WITCHES. In regard to line-up changes and staff turnover, oh well. There is not much that you can do to make others think the same way that you do all of the time. My father had an old saying, “you can make some of the people think like you some of the time, but you can’t make all the people think like you all of the time”. Last year SEVEN WITCHES played in Greece, what do your remember the most from your visit? Being treated like a king and a god, literally! Definitely a country with some of the most appreciative people of my art. I know this is a SEVEN WITCHES interview, but speaking with James Rivera I can’t avoid asking you about the resurrected legendary (but underrated) HELSTAR, especially since you are going to play in Greece soon. Talk to me about HELSTAR, what is the line up, what are your future plans?
Looking back at your career can you single the best and the worst career moves you made? The worst move was letting the Pavons handle our career back during ‘Burning Star’ that caused us to miss the ship that took off and took many other bands to the promise land. The best move was sticking to my guns and knowing that metal would breathe some kind of life again to allow me to deliver more music with some kind of ease. Do you follow today’s metal scene, and if yes which new bands do you appreciate the most? Mostly, anything from Scandinavia. This one is a cliché question, but nevertheless always an interesting one. List the five best hard rock/heavy metal vocalists in your opinion. Rob Halford, Bruce Dickinson, Ronnie James Dio, Klaus Meine, Phil Moog. Apart from music what other interests do you have? How do you spend your time when not recording or touring?
Thanks a lot for the interview James, I hope we’ll get the opportunity to meet for another interview when you visit Greece again. The final words belong to you…. Thank you for your support and belief in me over the years, especially there in Greece. I know that I always have a welcome home there! Can’t wait to see you! Interview
By Themis Pamfilos |
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Hi
James this is Themis from www.metal-invader.com . Well, first
off congratulations for the new album “Year of the Witch” and
especially for your vocal performance which is stunning once again.
As
far as the Jacob concept, you would have to ask Jack more about that.
I do know that it is similar to the story line behind the movie “The
Sixth Sense”. As far as seeing any dangers to making the album half
concept, I would have to say that I see none. There haven’t been too
many great ones that have come out recently, anyways. It worked for
RUSH as well as HELSTAR with ‘Nosferatu’!
The
HELSTAR line-up for the 2004 European tour is…. Eric Halpern (guitar),
Mike Heald (guitar), Jerry Abarca (bass), Mike Lewis (drums). As far
as the future, so that I do not stick my foot in my mouth and try to
forsee too far ahead as far as this continued resurrected HELSTAR, for
now I just see this little tour and we shall see what happens from
there.
I
work from home and I also have a delivery service (such as documents).
The lovely part about this job is that while I drive all over the city
all day long, I write most of my songs. So, I guess that I could say
my spare time is still spent in music, either way.