Just over a week ago, I reviewed the awesome new EP from American thrashers, Coldsteel. Recently I had the chance to get some questions over to vocalist Troy Norr about everything Coldsteel and more! Enjoy!
SFM: Coldsteel
has been around for quite a while with only a few releases. Can you tell us a
bit about the history of the band in the late 80’s/early 90’s?
TN: Back in 1987, Coldsteel decided to record the
demo “Dead by Dawn”. Upon it’s release, a nameless rep from Metal Blade was
extremely interested in hearing additional material from Coldsteel so the band
went back into the studio to record a 2 song demo that was never commercially
released by the band. Upon completion of these two additional songs (Scarred
for Life and Madness Overthrown), we learned the Metal Blade rep who instructed
us to record more material was no longer employed at Metal Blade and in turn we
lost that connection. Coldsteel continued to move forward first by releasing a
commercially packaged Dead By Dawn Demo. Within days upon that release,
founding member, Dom Mincieli, died in a car crash. The band was urged by
family and friends to move on.
In 1990, Coldsteel released it’s second demo titled
“Perfect Peace”. Like with the first demo, Perfect Peace received worldwide
praise.
In 1991, Turbo Music in Germany signed Coldsteel to
record what would become the “Freakboy” LP in 1992. These deal included the
label JL America to release and promote “Freakboy” in the USA. As Coldsteel
were preparing for a European tour, Turbo Music closed it’s doors and thus the
tour was cancelled. Coldsteel disbanded within a few months following this
event in 1993.
In 2011, I was urged by a true coldsteel fan and
friend, Joachim Shlums from Germany, to reach out to several labels to
re-release all of the Coldsteel recordings. Eventually, Stormspell records and
Battle Cry Records agreed to re release all of the recordings. Battle Cry
Records would be releasing “Freakboy” and Stormspell would be releasing “The
Demo Anthology”. Both would be released in 2012. While I was looking for
pictures and flyers to include in some of the artwork for these re-releases, I
found a cassette tape labeled “Coldsteel Rehearsal 1990” from Phase One Studios
in Farmingdale, NY. I listened to the tape and realized there were songs that
were cut from the coldsteel set and were never recorded. These songs had a lot
of potential and would become the foundation for what would ultimately known as
the “America Idle” CD.
In Jan 2012, Coldsteel reformed with new members
Doug Odell and Eddie Campbell. All members of the new Coldsteel were pros and
played in various bands together for years. Doug had played with Hal in Ice Age
for 6 Years. Eddie, Hal and Myself had performed in “THEM” The King Diamond Tribute band for 3.5 years.
Everyone was comfortable so the tunes just simply flowed. America Idle was
recorded mixed and mastered in 10 months. Most of the time was lag time
switching between the different engineer’s schedules.
SFM: Despite forming
in 1986, do you think that Coldsteel’s success was affected by the fact that
your debut album didn’t come out until 1992, when thrash’s popularity was on
its way down?
TN: In addition to Turbo Shutting down (mentioned
previously in this interview), the grunge scene exploded. There weren’t too
many people in the states interested in Metal unless it was Pantera, Metallica
or Slayer. Timing plays a lot with the success or failure of a group. The
release of “Freakboy” should have come out a year before. Also, half of the
material on “Freakboy” had evolved into a more alternative metal style. I do
not condemn the debut because I personally like most of it but half of the
material did not really conform to the roots of Coldsteel either. We have fans
even today that praise that record. With the release of America Idle, I
personally vowed to bring street credit back to the band name by sticking true
to the roots of the band.
SFM: A few
months ago, StormSpell Records re-released your demos in one CD. Was this
something you had been planning for a while, or did StormSpell approach you?
TN: Like I mentioned before, I reached out to
Stormspell as one of the record companies to re-release the demo material.
Iordan who runs Stormspell is a great guy and was very helpful in making the
demo re-releases a success!
SFM: How has
the reaction to that demo collection been?
TN: From what I have seen, the reaction has been
mainly positive. I have read some remarks from certain critics here and there
that ask why was it necessary to re release the demos? They just never liked
the band and that is fine. The re releases become more relevant since we are
releasing “America Idle”. Personally, I am not looking to make a lot of money
on this. I have my full time job and am very happy there. However, I love
creating art and if there are some people out there that will enjoy the art
Coldsteel has created, that is a plus. If the band recoups some of the money
they injected into this project better. At this point in life, I have learned
not to expect anything. If something happens that is a real plus. I had a few
regrets with the release of Freakboy. With “America Idle”, I have zero regrets.
I and the band are happy with the complete product!
SFM: Your
newest release, “America Idle”, is fantastic! For those who haven’t heard it
yet, how would you describe the EP?
TN: The EP is a collection of songs that have NY
stamped all over them. Coldsteel is a NY based melodic thrash band with an
edge. Many compare us to Anthrax but what is interesting is how critics try to
pin down the vocals. Some say I sound like Belladonna or Hetfield. I have even read
people state I sound like Erik AK from Flotsam & Jetsam. All I can say is that
I have the ability to mimic different styles and I use those styles to relay a
certain feeling I am trying to inject into the song. There are times I use my
natural voice as well for good measure!
SFM: What
inspired the songwriting on “America Idle”? Was it a continuation of the band’s
legacy, or were you looking to break completely new ground?
TN: As I mentioned previously, that cassette tape I
found was the building block for the 5 new songs. If Coldsteel records a full
length in the future, more than likely it will be heavier and more technical than
the songs on “Idle”. We were trying to
have a slightly more modern sound but stay true to the roots of the band. Some
people say we have accomplished that exactly.
SFM: With the
song “America Idle”, were you trying to make any sort of statement regarding
the state of the US?
TN: The song and theme of “America Idle” is actually
a snapshot of how many Americans feel about their government in current times.
This song is not specifically aimed at President Obama but while I was writing
the lyrics in Feb 2012, he was definitely on my mind. The Theme of the record
delves deeper into the concept. In the American People were told by several
presidents including Jefferson and Lincoln that the people have the
responsibility to make sure the government works for them and not the other way
around. If there is an issue, the people need to replace their government. In
Current days, the US government has successfully destroyed the value of the US
dollar by abolishing the gold standard and incrementally stripping away the
citizen’s liberties. In the song “America Idle”, I included an excerpt from one
of Abe Lincoln’s famous speeches, The Lyceum Address, in the entire middle part
of the song. To emphasize the emotion, I changed the second and third “I” in
the speech to the word “We” and had 11 people recite the entire speech. Eddie
and I sat down and recreated that speech digitally using all 11 vices. At the
end of the song “We The People…RISE!” indicates the resolution with REVOLUTION.
The people need to stand up and set forth change. Passively at first but then
actively if the desired results are not achieved. The Presidential seal is used
throughout the theme depicting a country at distress with the eagles’ head
turned in the path of war.
SFM: What is
next for Coldsteel? Touring? An album? European festivals?
TN: Coldsteel will be performing select shows in
2013/2104. Our first show in 20 years is on April 9th, 2013 as
direct support for UDO. This show will be held in NY. Coldsteel plans on
performing any festival that is offered but most likely will not be appearing
on any until 2014 due to how they are booked. If the public likes “America
Idle”, Coldsteel will return in the studio to record. Unfortuntely, I cannot
say when that will be because 3/5 of Coldsteel are also writing a full length
concept record in a similar vein as King Diamond with the band “THEM”. The
band’s debut Full length CD/LP will be released Halloween 2014 and will be
titled “Sweet Hollow”. This band will sound nothing like Coldsteel and will
truly expose the talents of the individual musicians recording this record.
Yes, Coldsteel/THEM will be extremely busy for the next few years!
SFM: How do
you feel about the recent new wave of thrash metal? Were these new bands an
inspiration for reforming Coldsteel?
TN: The new wave of thrash metal has not inspired
Coldsteel to reform. This reformation was simply a timing thing. If there were
no re-releases, then “America Idle” would never have been created. I personally
love many forms of metal so the new wave of thrash falls right in line with
what I enjoy. As time goes on, Metal continues to evolve and thrive. I have
spoken to many people that do not like some of the different forms of metal
that has emerged within the past 10 years. I say, they are all essential to the
evolution and survival of metal as a whole. There will be a fan base for each
sub genre even though most of the labels only want the “Nu” sound. I just love
it all!
SFM: One of
the big topics in music these days is regarding piracy. I’ve found that metal
fans are often split on the issue. As a band that has not gained a ton of
mainstream support yet, do you guys think that piracy is more harmful or
beneficial to bands?
TN: Piracy is definitely helpful for a band’s
overall exposure. Band’s need to survive and need to reinvent how they can
generate cash flow. Releasing vinyl nowadays is one avenue. You cannot steal a
vinyl record and collectors love getting their hands on it. This is just one
example. In addition to piracy there really isn’t a need to release full length
records anymore unless the record is conceptual in design. Most people download
digital copies and when a full record is presented to them for purchase. You
will find many people cherry picking the songs and only purchasing those select
individual tracks they like while previewing them.
SFM: Thanks
for taking the time to do an interview. Do you have any last words to the fans
out there?
TN: Thanks for having me do it! I just want to let
everyone know that Coldsteel will be releasing a video for “America Idle”
sometime in April 2013. If there are issues, it will be in May. The video will
be posted on Coldsteelny.com as well as You tube. This video will be directed
by Patrick Kendall who is known for many band videos with Megadeth’s Headcrusher
video being on top of the heap! Also keep an eye out for the debut from “THEM”
in 2014! The record is titled “Sweet Hollow” and will be completely different
from Coldsteel but will still rock! “THEM” was a king diamond tribute band for
3.5 years until they decided to write and record a full length conceptual
record in a similar vain as King Diamond late in 2011. Live, THEM will peform
their own material as well as some King Diamond material always in tribute to
the one and only King of metal, King Diamond!