Ελληνικά
Last Updated on 04:40 PM by Nikos Nakos
Within Warlord’s appearance at “Vareladiko” (Larissa) on the 9th of July 2014, we had the chance to watch Reload, a newly established band at the melodic Heavy Metal stage. Waiting for their debut album – “Hotter than a Bullet” – to be released, the drummer and backing vocalist of the band, Marianiki Toka, offered to introduce Reload to the public through Metal Invader.
– Hello Marianiki! At the beginning, as a relatively new band, I would like you to do a brief introduction for our readers.
Hello Giorgos. Thank you for the opportunity to present Reload through Metal Invader.
Reload was formed almost two years ago by Teo Ross (guitars), Costas Tokas (Vocals), Tasos Lazaridis (guitars), Elias Papadopoulos (bass) and me. We started writing our material right away, since we were full of ideas, at Sound Symmetry Studio and with the assistance of Bob Katsionis. So in a few days we will have in our hands our depute, “Hotter than a Bullet”, produced by Dimitris Douvras (Lunatech Sounds Studio), label ROAR! Rock of Angels. I can’t wait!
– Did I hear correctly during the show that this was your first live appearance as a band supporting Warlord? I have to note that despite this fact, your performance was almost flawless, proving a well rehearsed band. How was the experience?
Thank you for your kind words. Indeed it was our first live performance. The truth is that supporting Warlord is a great responsibility for a rookie band. It’s not that we wouldn’t give our best for any other concert, but now we had an extra reason to be anxious… the strict criticism to the new band that opened for Warlord. Luckily, all went well. We enjoyed the show very much; we met the band members, talked and drink. It was a nice evening from all aspects, and we have to thank especially Michalis Adamopoulos, Warcry Entertainment Group and all stuff for the excellent organization of the event.
– Exactly two years after your formation, you are ready to release your first – full-length – album. When is the distribution set?
The album’s official release date is the 10th of August and we are impatient to get it in our hands! Nevertheless, anyone who wants (and can’t wait, haha) can order it by the e-shop of Rock Of Angels (www.roar.gr).
– What’s your opinion about the outcome? Are you happy with the final result?
We worked hard and had to overcome a lot of obstacles, but we are very happy with the result. Re-amping, mixing and mastering was undertaken by Dimitris Douvras from Lunatech Sounds Studio, who did an excellent job. Equally important was the participation of Bob Katsionis, who orchestrated the songs along with Costas and Teo. We want to see the fan’s reaction to our work. We wait.
– I personally listened to your songs for the very first time during the gig and I would say they sounded pretty good. What would you say to someone to persuade him that your material is worth listening to?
If you liked the performance at the show, then definitely you’ll like the CD even better. The guys made a terrific job writing the songs. I think they are fresh, melodic, and groovy with smart riffs and catchy refrains. If you like melodic hard rock with powerful vocals, groove and great solos, like Europe, H.E.A.T., Steel Panther and Jaded Heart, this is it for you!
– So, you are clearly influenced by the whole Hard Rock and Melodic Metal stage of the 80s. Do you like this music personally? Do you listen to other styles or have other influences from different genres?
All five of us grew up listening to this style. We listen almost to every genre, which helps us to song writing, but our common element is Hard Rock and AOR of that era. I personally like to deal with a lot of music styles. I like pop and blues, which are genres that I have to deal every day with other bands, too. All is music.
– Even these days, it is a pleasant surprise when a woman is participating in a metal band, a place purely dominated by men, let alone to be a drummer! How do you decided to get involved with the particular instrument?
I play music since I remember myself. I participated in choirs and I used to sing in bands, but I ended playing the drums completely at random. My father bought himself an awesome Pearl set and I just sat behind it out of curiosity; and I never got up. I am self-taught and I am thinking that it’s already eight years since the first time.
– As mentioned before, women are the minority in metal music (except some styles maybe), nevertheless, the few exceptions that are involved with this genre, are standing equally good – even better in most cases – by their male “colleagues”. Were you ever preoccupied with this fact; that is you would have to work even harder to be established in such a place? Have you ever met difficulties, depreciation or irony due to these facts?
I work hard because I like it and I have to. I don’t need to prove anything to anyone. I did never have to think this stuff, because I always enjoyed a friendly and fair treatment by male artists. The picture of a female drummer is definitely surprising. Even myself, when I go to a concert and a girl is playing the drums, I get more curious about the way she plays, but as far as I know there are no sex-related rules concerning drums or other instruments. Besides, difficulties, irony and depreciation are common obstacles that you’ll meet in this area, regardless being a man or a woman. What we do defines what we are and as for me, I have participated in a lot of bands and played in a lot of live gigs till now, so everything is good (haha).
– So I wish we will see more female musicians into our favorite music in time. You do your best on this direction, of course, being a member of Normah, an all-female band, who have released an EP already. Tell us a few words about this situation.
Normah are my child. There have been many changes, there is, also, a distance, which doesn’t help at all, but I promise a “massive” come back. Slowly (very very slowly due to the crisis, haha) we prepare our first full-length album, which will include all the EP, and some more powerful songs that we already have written. I have lots of faith in Normah, and I am sure that we will ravish the crowd.
– Back to Reload again. Have you arranged any other live performances in the near future? Where will we watch you again?
Officially, there is no specific date. We want to make the albums first presentation at Larissa in September and we plan to visit some other Greek cities. Surely, if everything goes well, the upcoming winter will be full. Anyone interested in our plans can be informed by our facebook page (www.facebook.com/ReloadGr). Stay tuned.
– As a conclusion you can give your message to our readers.
I want to thank you and the magazine for the time and space you provided to say some things for Reload and Normah. You can be waiting for some good things from us.
One last thing from me. MAKE LOVE, NOT WAR. Good luck.
