LionHeart :: Interviews :: Wind Wraith (September 2003)

Wind Wraith are a heavy metal group from the USA. At the moment they are working on their second full length album and they have finished the re-recording of their first one. There are a lot of special things about them so read on!

First of all tell us when and how the group came together.
Well I formed this band back in 2000 I believe it was. I had been in a punk band for about 7 years and it was fun, but I never really got to write or express my true style and feelings in music. I am true Heavy Metal fan at heart it runs in my blood and that's why Wind Wraith was formed. I wanted to find musicians with like minds that realized the music today lacked real feeling and talent.

You seem to have suffered a lot because of the many line up changes. So, what is your current line up?
Any time you change a line up its hard, it's like starting from scratch every time, even with just a new member. You have to get used to their musical influences and opinions and it sometimes can be hard. The current line up is: Patrick Blair-Rhythm guitar, Brian Hobbie- Bass Guitar, Johnny James- Vocals, Diana Dellasala- Rhythm guitar, Brian Fingerhut- Lead Guitar, and Rob Maresca- Drums

What are your ages? (I've read a review in a greek metal magazine and it said that you are quite young musicians)
Ages actually vary from 21 to 32 and I will leave it at that.

Who's taking care of the band issues?
I actually handle all of the band issues kind of just started doing it and been doing it since. Plus it's easier when you know what's going on with the band to work on things.

There's no doubt that your music is mainly influenced by old school heavy metal. However, according to some people there are also some melodic/power metal elements to your sound. Do you agree? Describe your music in detail and mention your favorite artists.
I totally agree; you will also find thrash elements, speed metal elements and many others who influence us. When we write the music we don't set out to write a style and I think that's what makes us different. As a band we don't sit around and say like lets write a power metal song or this should be thrash metal song. I think our music is a flavor able blend of all the great metal bands that have come before us and influenced us. Some of our favorite artists include MAIDEN, PRIEST, HAMMERFALL, CELTIC FROST, SLAYER, and SABBATH just to name a few I mean the list could go forever.

There are two things to notice: Wind Wraith has three guitarists and one of them is a woman. First, tell us about the three guitar matter. What made you think a third guitar is essential? How does it affect your sound?
Well the third guitar is essential to us because we enjoy being able to duplicate all our harmonies and also keep the heavier sound we have. When most people record they layer lots of guitars and then everything sounds full and nice recorded then live they end up being a little empty. We didn't want that we want fans to enjoy our music they way it should be heard. I think if we lost the third guitar it would affect our sound and make it very empty like something was missing.

Also, it's not very usual to see a female guitarist in a metal group. Where do you attribute this fact?
I don't think women are given enough credit in metal bands or aren't taken seriously at all and it's a shame. They are always used for looks or to hype a band. I will tell you this Diana can play and is as good as any guy out there. She can pull her weight and jam with the best of them. I think more women should step up to the plate. I mean we had metal bands like VIXEN who I thought were great but they just couldn't maintain credibility with there music.

Your first album was released in 2001. Did you release anything before this? If not tell us why you started with a full length album.
No, The Fortune Teller's Gaze was the bands first recorded release. We started with a full length for the simple reason is we could we had the material we had the funds and we went for it. I never really have been into the whole demo thing. I think if you're going to record you should just do it the right way. It's not that expensive anymore and even home recording equipment isn't that pricey.

Why did you decide to re-record it? Is this because of the major line up changes or the poor production?
Yes! And Yes! Seriously though we decided to re-record because I think the new members made the songs sound the way they should have and we also had changed half the band and these guys came in and I think they deserved to be on the first album. So the new Fortune Teller's album I think people will get to hear the Wind Wraith that I envisioned it to be.

By the way, have you completed the re-recording?
Yes we have. We just have a few little things to do on the booklet and it will be ready to go. But we are still totally busy we are finishing up the writing on the second album which we hope to have out soon also.

Meanwhile, you are composing new material for your second album. Who will release your new album and the second edition of your older one? Have you contacted any label?
We have contacted many labels and we have a few really good prospects but I will not divulge too much information on it because I don't want to jinx it. I am a little superstitious that way. When we have a definite answer it will be posted on our website.

Now, tell us about the recording process of your new material. What have you completed so far?
Well it's going a little slow at the moment we haven't started the actual physical recording process other then the demo material we share with each other. We have about six songs written which just need finishing touches hear and there. We are looking to have the album completely written and then go in and record it.

Who's responsible for the song writing? How do you write the songs?
Well for the first album I had done most of the writing and I think that was fun but I enjoy sharing. With this album we are all writing. So you will definitely here a lot more diversity on the second album because all our influences will play in the writing. Most of the songs get written in a weird process. Someone will either come in with some riffs or parts and the band helps put them together. That's why on a lot of our songs the music writing is accredited to the band instead of a single name except for the lyrics those are usually one person.

How did you come up with the title: "Minions of Metal"?
Well unfortunately where we live here in NY the scene is very underground or almost obsolete with the Nu-Metal and EMO bands plaguing us. And the worst is the Tribute bands that's basically what Long Island, NY has become. So we considered ourselves waging a war against this type of stuff. And anyone that joins us, our fans so to say we call our minions. So minions of metal would be our army to bring real heavy metal back to where it belongs.

Who has designed the cover? (a quite "epic" one)
The cover was designed by German artist Rainer Kalwitz. I saw his artwork for Shadow Gallery and Millennium and contacted him.

What are the lyrics about?
Well that's a tough one. It all depends on who is writing them. I myself tend to lean towards the fantasy and horror type lyrics. John our new singer has his style so it should be interesting to see where they go.

What are the differences between "Minions of Metal" and "The Fortune Teller's Gaze"?
Well the difference I think people are going to notice right off is the writing has matured and the band is a tight machine. Musically the band is bringing in a lot different influences with more people writing. I think it is going to be a great second album.

Next, I would like you to talk about your live shows experience. What's the DownTown? (club, location etc. ) How is peoples' response?
The Downtown is a club here in Farmingdale, NY who still tries to cater to local bands and Heavy Metal. They have been great to us and the response there shows. Every time we play people go nuts I think it's because we are a breath of fresh air from all the Korn and Nu-metal wannabe's

What about your latest gig at The Downtown (September 3rd)? How were the things there?
The last gig at the Downtown on the 3rd went great, we had a great crowd response we got to meet and hang with fingers from finger's metal shop a local radio personality for heavy metal and I believe part of our live show will be aired on a public access channel here in NY also.

Have you arranged any other live appearance?
Yeah we are playing a few places coming up. We are playing a new place called the City Lounge on the 10th of September and maybe something in early October. But now I think were going to settle in and finish up the new record and make that priority, but we never refuse shows so we will see. We are still trying to find a way overseas to play for all the cool fans and people who appreciate Wind Wraith and Heavy Metal.

I don't have anything else to ask, the last words belong to you.
In conclusion I would just like to let people know if you like good old fashion heavy metal and guitars with harmonies and solos check out our band at www.windwraith.com I don't think you will be disappointed. Thanks to HS and to Gate of Lions for speaking with us. Stay Heavy.