| Interview with John Paradiso By: Smith |
Smith: First things first who makes up the unique entity that
is (god-rot)?
is (god-rot)?
John Paradiso: (god-rot) is John Paradiso(Drums)-Wally
Willson(Bass/Vocals)-Rich Spence(Guitar/Vocals)
Willson(Bass/Vocals)-Rich Spence(Guitar/Vocals)
Smith: When you all started was it your intention to break
away from the standard NYDM sound and create your own
very unique twisted vision of extreme metal or was it
something that just eventually took place?
away from the standard NYDM sound and create your own
very unique twisted vision of extreme metal or was it
something that just eventually took place?
John: We started (god-rot) with the intentions of being
original. Our ideas were to create a unique sound, yet stay
true, to what we believe brought us to where we are as
musicians. There are many great NY bands, and we didn't
want to give off that clichéd "NY" sound.
original. Our ideas were to create a unique sound, yet stay
true, to what we believe brought us to where we are as
musicians. There are many great NY bands, and we didn't
want to give off that clichéd "NY" sound.
Smith: Judging by the music I am guessing that your live shows have to be pretty intense and
quite a lot of fun for the fans. Do you all seem to get a decent amount of respect from the local
scene and how is the scene doing with so many bands in the area?
quite a lot of fun for the fans. Do you all seem to get a decent amount of respect from the local
scene and how is the scene doing with so many bands in the area?
John: We have a great live show. Stage presence is all over the place, as our music is.
Locally, our scene is sick. There are a ton of Metal shows, all the time. I believe that our scene
is actually picking back up, it seemed to have slowed down a little in early 2000's, but the past
2/3 years have really picked up.
Locally, our scene is sick. There are a ton of Metal shows, all the time. I believe that our scene
is actually picking back up, it seemed to have slowed down a little in early 2000's, but the past
2/3 years have really picked up.
Smith: So have many people been taken by surprise by the clean vocals you all throw in? I
know they shocked me at first but I found that they really added to the songs and fit well with
the music once I got use to them.
know they shocked me at first but I found that they really added to the songs and fit well with
the music once I got use to them.
John: The reaction we get from the clean vocals is great. It actually has opened up a lot more
doors, for the band, because of this. We believe, that the chorus parts are more "catchy", with
a part that the audience can sing along with. It does seem to take most metal fans by surprise,
but once they step back, and check it out, they really seem to dig these parts.
doors, for the band, because of this. We believe, that the chorus parts are more "catchy", with
a part that the audience can sing along with. It does seem to take most metal fans by surprise,
but once they step back, and check it out, they really seem to dig these parts.
Smith: What has the response been like for the new album
so far? Are you all planning on working with Epitomite for your
next album or albums?
so far? Are you all planning on working with Epitomite for your
next album or albums?
John: The response from the new album is fantastic. We're
selling them a lot faster then we originally hoped. As far as
our next album being released on Epitomite, we have not
been in those discussions yet, we are working on promoting
this album currently. We love being on Epitomite. Every band
on this roster is amazing and are very cool people. It is a
brotherhood of great Metal Bands and people. Von and the
team @ Epitomite are great people, and we love working with
them. I wouldn't change anything about our first release, we
believe it came out great and it represents the ideas we had
when we first got together as (god-rot).
selling them a lot faster then we originally hoped. As far as
our next album being released on Epitomite, we have not
been in those discussions yet, we are working on promoting
this album currently. We love being on Epitomite. Every band
on this roster is amazing and are very cool people. It is a
brotherhood of great Metal Bands and people. Von and the
team @ Epitomite are great people, and we love working with
them. I wouldn't change anything about our first release, we
believe it came out great and it represents the ideas we had
when we first got together as (god-rot).
Smith: What is next for you guys and what can people expect
from (god-rot) in the future? How would you go about describing your sound to people that
have yet to hear you guys?
have yet to hear you guys?
John: We are currently writing our most musical and intelligent material as of yet. Our
thoughts are that every new song is a new challenge, and a better song for us every time.
If you've never heard (god-rot), "Expect the ultimate in visual and audio horror". An actual fan
who quoted us once said we sounded like "Primus on Crack" or meth or something.
thoughts are that every new song is a new challenge, and a better song for us every time.
If you've never heard (god-rot), "Expect the ultimate in visual and audio horror". An actual fan
who quoted us once said we sounded like "Primus on Crack" or meth or something.
Smith: Who or what are the main influences for the members of (god-rot)?
John: Rich Spence(Randy Rhoads, Tommy Tedesco, James Murphy, Rush, Brian Seltzer,
System of a down, Trey Azagoth and Morbid Angel, Chuck Schuldner and Death)
Wally Willson(Prince,Mr Bungle, Tom Waits, Rush, Deicide, Cannibal Corpse, Dying Fetus,
Soul Coughing, Frank Zappa, Morbid Angel, Natalie Merchant)
John Paradiso(Black Sabbath, Human Remains, Slayer, Deicide, Cannibal Corpse, Triumph,
Phil Collins, (first 3)Metallica, Death, Slammer, Winter............)
System of a down, Trey Azagoth and Morbid Angel, Chuck Schuldner and Death)
Wally Willson(Prince,Mr Bungle, Tom Waits, Rush, Deicide, Cannibal Corpse, Dying Fetus,
Soul Coughing, Frank Zappa, Morbid Angel, Natalie Merchant)
John Paradiso(Black Sabbath, Human Remains, Slayer, Deicide, Cannibal Corpse, Triumph,
Phil Collins, (first 3)Metallica, Death, Slammer, Winter............)
Smith: Any band in the scene that you just feel is over
rated and just don't seem to deserve the success they
have or the exposure they might be getting? Any bands out
there that you just don't understand why so many people
are into?
rated and just don't seem to deserve the success they
have or the exposure they might be getting? Any bands out
there that you just don't understand why so many people
are into?
John: We believe that any and all Metal bands are crucial
and are very important to the musical world. As far as any
bands being to "overrated", we're not really the kind of
people to walk over others, on our path.
and are very important to the musical world. As far as any
bands being to "overrated", we're not really the kind of
people to walk over others, on our path.
Smith: You guys played the Milwaukee Metal Fest this
year, care to elaborate on what all went on this year and
give us your thoughts on the show?
year, care to elaborate on what all went on this year and
give us your thoughts on the show?
John: There were a lot of great bands @ the Metal Fest
this year, I think if people want to know more about the
this year, I think if people want to know more about the
show this year, they should refer to BTDH interview with Rob Mason himself here…….
www.beyondthedarkhorizon.com/milwaukeemetalfestxix
Very good interview, by the way.
Smith: Any thing you would like to add or say?
John: We would like to say thank-you very much for the interview, and as always……………..
stay Brutal.
John Paradiso and (god-rot)
stay Brutal.
John Paradiso and (god-rot)