[ n e w s ] - [ b i o s ] - [ l y r i c s ] - [ t a l k s ] - [ p i c s ] - [ a l b u m s ] - [ t o u r ] - [ l i n k s ] - [ f i l e s ] - [ m e r c h ]

OUT FOR BLOOD: INDEPTH WITH THE MINDS BEHIND THE MASTERPIECE (INTERVIEWS BY MASSIMO USAI)

FACE TO FACE WITH JUAN URTEAGA (ALBUM PRODUCER, SHAPER OF SOUND WAVES)

1) The sound of the new album is just HUGE man! Easily the best sounding SADUS tone ever! How did you obtain that? I think this was the first time for the guys to work on digital... can you give us an insight on the tech used on OUT FOR BLOOD?
- Mainly I obtained the sound that the band already had, I tried to capture their feel.  We used a neve console (v3) for the drums, various outboard preamps for bass and guitars, for vocals avalon preamp.  And it was recorded and mixed with pro tools hd.

2) Did you have a good time working on it? How was the general mood? Judging on the MAKING OF video... seems to me like you had a helluva time! Do you have any special memory of it?
- We had a blast, everyone involved was into it, we left everything set up at once and just rotated from instrument to instrument, somedays laying drums, other day bass, guitars, and so on. My favorite moment was recording vocals, with Darren and Chuck Billy, for the last track on the record, "Crazy".

3) how about the work of Borge Finstaad? what did he do?
- Borge is a great guy, he was set to mix the album, but i ended up doing it mainly because when I started making roughmixes the band loved them even though they were just that, roughmixes. They changed gears and let me finish it. We all loved having him in California and I hope to work with him someday.

4) Was it hard to accomplish the seemingly impossible task to "make every single instrument sound the loudest possible"?
- Actually yes, because we didn't want to make the same sounding record that everyone is making nowadays. We tried to get the right balance between all instruments showcasing different parts on different songs. For being 3 guys, they emit a Wall of Brutality!

5) How about Darren's vocals... it's almost unbelievable to think that he can still scream like that! was it hard to equalize that amount of stuff???
- He actualy did it the old fashioned way: he sang his balls off, took advice well and was willing to do shit ' till it was right.

6) Your vocals on the title track are amazing! How did it feel to partecipate in the making of it? And what's your fave tune off the new album?
- Everyone knows I'm the former singer of Vile and it always comes up, "can you do vocals on this part?" ...rarely do I comply because I dont want to be in everyone's record, but when they asked me I was honored. My favorite tracks are Cursed and Out for Blood.

7) Ok these last lines are for you... please speak your mind to the SADUS fans... thanx for the  sound-wise supremacy and keep up the great work with VILE man!!!
- Well my last words are: Keep it Fucking Brutal. Buy this record!

FACE TO FACE WITH TRAVIS SMITH (GRAPHIC ARTIST, VISIONARY)

1) OUT FOR BLOOD will be in the stores on Feb. 27th. It's gonna be the 5th SADUS album out there, and actually the 4th work of yours for the dudes out of California. We had CHRONICLES OF CHAOS, ELEMENTS OF ANGER and the DTP DEMO remaster coming from you. The art for the new album displays it all - starting out from the cover: blood everywhere. Was it hard for you to focus on the main concept this time around?
- Actually, finding the main concept was the hardest part this time around. I mean, I saw the concept that they had overall, and the challenge was trying to visualize it the right way. At first, I had a lot of ideas, and a few worked, but many of them didn't as I wasn't approaching it the right way they weren't saying the right things visually. But with the band's input and ideas, a few pieces came up that were suitable and kept. Some of it has more of a literal representation with the overall vibe adopting more of a raw “old school” feel which I think worked out pretty well.

2) I see a path of evolution in the SADUS discography - A VISION OF MISERY dealt with the oppression of the mind, anhedonia, misery of the human being itself. ELEMENTS OF ANGER analyzed the ways of wrath: deception, repulsion... aggression. Then comes OUT FOR BLOOD: everything finally explodes into an outburst ot total rage, violence and... madness. How do you see it?
- Lyrically that's the way I saw it as well. Like this is the breaking point, and here's the result.

3) Which song is your fave one on this album?
- I don't know. I haven't heard most of it yet. What I have is killer, as expected.

4) How do you relate with the art on ELEMENTS OF ANGER, and how did your attitude towards artworks change with time? I kind of noticed a weird growth in your works - your characters appear to be morphing into more surreal beings, incorporating elements of comic art. Almost like you "turned on the distortion" on your style, to explain a world gone mad....
- I've learned and grown a lot since EOA, I think. I'm not so eager to throw in everything I can think of. In general I'd rather try to find a solid story or concept and then find the best way to represent it. Recently I've tried to experiment with some things, and twist them up a bit and see what happens. It doesn't always work for everyone, but sometimes something comes up that was a bit unexpected, and works in a way I didn't think of before.

5) Not to spoil the whole thing around... but I think the common listener will be very surprised when s/he'll remove the disc from the jewel case... is that piece the result of your own ideas or, did the band ask you to put that out there? I find it... extremely fitting. Like I said - kind of works in the direction of the path started wtih AVOM and followed by EOM...
- If it's the one I think you mean, that was Steve's idea. One I really like.

6) Correct me if I'm wrong - I recall your very first artwork came out as a cover for PSYCHOTIC WALTZ, then I think you came in contacts with Steve... how did it work out? Were you aware of SADUS already, and if so - did you like their music?
- Oh yeah. I was well aware of sadus then and already  a big fan. Of Steve too, with his work in other bands.

7) Trav, thank you so much for your precious time - these final lines are all for you... say what you want to!
- Just, thank you, and I hope you like how it came out. Looking forward to hearing this beast.

FACE TO FACE WITH ROB "KING LEWIE" LEWIS (BAND MANAGER, SPIRITUAL GUIDE)

1) So Rob, was it hard to press the boys and finally get them to record a new album?
- Yes, it was very difficult to finally get these guys into a real studio. After months of looking at different studio's and even thinking about recording and mixing the entire album in Sweden, we finally decided to use Juan and Trident Studios. Man that was a good decision.

2) How about the final product, are you satisfied with it?
- I would have done a few small things a little different but over all, yes, I am satisfied!!!

3) What's your fave song off the new album???
- Well that's a hard question for me, I have heard these songs so many times.I believe this is a complete album, all the songs are very good. If I had to choose 1 song, CURSED would be the one!

4) Do you experience a hard time ‘managing' for the dudes so far?
- No! For me this is the best gig I could have. I've worked with other bands that have the friendly vibe going on but with these guys it's Family. They usually only ask for what they really need, and all they ask me to do is make sure the gear is up and running, then a production meeting, where's the food, where's the hotel, more food, what time do we go on and where's the booze, and more food! They keep it simple.

5) What is your own worst memory of a SADUS show? And which is the best one?
- Worst one has to be the show I didn't make in Norway. I was held at the airport for transporting pot, 3 lousy joints! They made me pay a huge fine and said I would be let go, WRONG. They got their money and they sent me to Amsterdam forcing me to miss the biggest Sadus headlining show ever!!! Well, at least a friend videotaped it but I'm still pissed! As for the best, man I would have to say Santiago Chile, those crazy fuckers loved Sadus! It was just crazy, as you can see on DVD!

6) Hard question, but has to be asked: what do you think about ROADRUNNER RECORDS?
- I think Roadrunner did a great job in signing all the bands back in the late 80's. Where they failed was in supporting them all, they spent lots of money on bands that didn't sell shit, then with the bands that had great potential... no support! Well, then they cleaned house and everyone hated them (me included). They seem to do a decent job now with bands. The music business is a huge gamble.

7) Is that a lotsa mozzarella, or what? Ahah, seriously tho, end it up the way you want to my friend!
- Yeah they made me the bad guy on the video, but that's OK!!!  I forgive them!!! To all the friends I made over the years: it's been a pleasure, and I hope to see all of you and meet some new friends on tour... SADUS IS BACK!!!!!!!!

FACE TO FACE WITH DARREN TRAVIS / AUGUST 29th, 2005 (INTERVIEW BY MASSIMO USAI)

1) Do you think the new album will be well received by fans?
-  I think it is going to be insane... I hope... what can I say...? I think it is awesome, but I am in the band...

2) Where do you draw inspiration from?
-  Inspiration? From feelings of all kinds, on this album there are a lot of angry feelings... yeah, I would say most definitely there is a fucking pissed off mf on this cd.

3) How does it feel to work as a three piece?
-  Just the three of us is the best, we are so close, and it is so easy.

4) What is your fave track on the new album?
-  My favorite song changes a lot, I find myself like a different one everyday... you will see there is a nice variety on this cd, except for the fucking pissed off mf.

5) When will the new album come out?
-  January 2006 .  What do they say? It drops...

6) Do you think you'll tour around a bit this time?
-  Yes, we are touring for sure... People will definitely want to see this live.

7) Are you aware of SADUS' influence over the current scene?
- No, not really.

8) Would you consider touring with some other band (Obituary, Soulfly, Prong being examples)?
-  Hell yeah... I can't wait to unleash this new music upon the world...

9) One last word for your fans:
-  Sorry for the long delay, but SADUS is back... and I think you're ready for some real metal... enjoy...

A NIGHT WITH SADUS: REHEARSAL REPORT FROM LA2 / MARCH 31, 2005 (PICS HERE)

Thanks to Max of the fansite at www.valleyofdrybones.tk, I was on my way to hear Sadus practice some songs before they play at the Northwest Death Fest in Seattle, WA. the coming weekend, on April 3, 2005. It's 8:30 pm and the band is supposed to start at 9:30 pm. So I haul ass driving to their practice space, as I'm about 45 plus minutes away from where they are going to be.

Rob their manager was outside waiting for me sitting casually on a car. I introduce myself and mention how I only became aware of the band because of that Thrash of The Titans show. I am new to metal but have always been aware of it. So after a couple more minutes of small talk he finally says "Let me introduce you to the band."

I tense up slightly as I'm not sure what to expect. I've seen the band perform once after the THRASH OF THE TITANS gig at a local show in Concord, where I got a lot more familiar with their music. This was a gig they played, again to warm up, before their tour in South America. To say the least the sound in the venue was not the best but their performance was explosive. At that point they've hooked me. I like the music of the band.

Ok back to the rehearsal. As I entered the place there's carpet hanging from the ceiling infront of the doorway which I assume is to buffer the sound from going outside. Psychedelic like posters glowing brightly, illuminated by the black lights line the left side of the wall as you enter their practice space. The right side of the wall has a huge SADUS banner as well as a Heineken and a skull and cross bones banner. And the wall opposite side of the entrance is filled from top to bottom with posters of none other than various tits and ass. I see the band sitting nonchalant on a raised sitting area. Darren on a sofa to the left, Steve in a chair in the middle and Jon on the right side, on the floor of the raised platform that the sitting area was on.

At this point my stomach was doing flip flops because I'm just realizing that I'm the only one there aside from the band. I thought they'd have some friends or their girlfriends/wives hanging out. But the band was super cool, offering drinks and smokes. Plus they were slightly joking around that "hook" was stopping by, which I was later told were hookers who apparently hung around the corner from the practice space. So there you go ... SEX, DRUGS and ROCK N ROLL...

Seriously though, all kidding aside the band was really down to earth.

Jon kept tap tap tapping away on a practice pad and that just made me more eager to hear their music. I asked if he's ready to play or if his constant drumming with the sticks was a nervous habit? Again the band jokes around and Steve says "Jon needs the warm up."

I mention that I'm ready to hear them play and they kid around once again that all their new stuff are slow.  I say I like slow, I like doom and the conversation turned to the band Penance. A couple more minutes pass and a friend which they've been waiting for arrives. Some hugs and greets of hello later, the band finally plays.

The practice started at about 10:00 pm and didn't stop till around midnight. Three songs into practice and another friend who is also in a band stops by, joining in on one of the songs. I wish I can describe in more detail what their music sounded like. For me some of the songs had a certain doomy quality to them or maybe I was influenced by that doom conversation earlier. But some of the songs practiced that night were slower compared to what I remember them playing during the show in Concord. The music seemed to flow more, twisting into different paths before coming to the end. It wasn't a straight "Sadus Attack". There were some faster parts and intese songs mixed in but I really remember more of the first couple of songs they played where the music really was what I'd call the slow to mid tempo headbanging, where the music really seeps into the skin, slowly infecting you inside.

Well that's about all that I can remember from my night with Sadus. Oh and yeah Darren's bloody, turning purplish blue finger. I guess sometime during the practice he injured it somehow. Bandage that sucker up with tape!

Rob and Steve make sure I make it safe to my car, cause apparently they are not in the best of neighborhoods. There you have it. They are gentlemen as well. So if any of you see the band on tour say hello to them and tell them how you like their music as I think they'd appreciate that.

STEVE INTERVIEWED FOR METALATTACK.COM.BR / LATE 2004

Metal Attack) Steve, seems like in February of this year Sadus showed signs of life again, tell us a little about the band, how is it doing now?

SDG) We've been trying, trust me. It started back in 2001, when we were asked to play the Trash Of Titans Concert. That got us rolling again after a long break following the release of the last album. But the tank started to run dry slowly. So in late 2002 I managed to book a few shows in Europe, mostly Holland, France and Belgium. That tour went really well and we thought we were going full speed again. But things faded once again. 2003 was going along much better once we realized the recent false starts. We were making real good progress on new songs for a new album and making plans for a new tour. And then Jon's daughter became very ill and that made the band seem superficial while we all hoped and prayed for her recoverey. Fortunately she made a great leap with a healthy new heart, and Jon was revitalized to play again. So while we really leaned into the writing once again I was able to book shows in countries we had never visited before. Inbetween playing internationally, the new songs have really taken on a great personality and the new album is coming along. There are still plans to play everywhere as we finish up compositions and head into the studio to record this elusive album.

Metal Attack) in August 2004 Sadus payed in South America, in Chile, am I right? What impression did you get from South America? If possible talk a little about that concert.

SDG) It was a really great trip...great show...great time. We played one show in Santiago and it was off the hook. Our friends from Torturer brought us down and even joined us on stage for a Sadus Attack jam! The people really enjoyed the music and we enjoyed having a great crowd to play to. We don't get crowds like that in the US. Europe is pretty much like that, really enthusiastic. We partyed the night before with a lot of metal heads in a bar and wrecked ourselves for show day. But it was worth it to meet so many cool people, they all came out to meet us, get their cd's and photos autographed and have a drink or three with us. I think the show will be released on DVD with some bonus stuff of us hanging out at the beach in Valparaiso and tripping around Chile and some party moments in the hotel room. Real fun, I hope to play there again same day.

Metal Attack) besides Chile, seems to me you toured in April in Europe, how is being the acceptance from the old and the new genaration of fans to the return of Sadus?

SDG) Man, that was a blast too. As I mentioned before, we played in countries that we had never played before on previous tours of Europe. We visited Greece, Italy, Norway and Sweden. And I intentionally targeted those places for not only the reason of never having been there, but also that I knew that we had a lot of fan support in those countries for years. And all the old geezers (like us) came out in their 15 year old Sadus shirts and made a point to come talk to us and let us know that they've been waiting forever to see us play live. When we told them we were there just because of that reason – it just basically got us many shots and other drinks bought for us. It was awesome. There were of course younger fans there that were curious to see what all the talk was about this old thrash band from California was about. A lot of them have aquired our albums from used shops and internet downloading, but never knew what to expect once we hit the stage. I think when they saw three dudes up there going crazy playing our Sadus style, they realized that we're gimmick-free and had to join in and go crazy too! I think we left the old fans happy and the new ones wanting more. We'll see next year...!

Metal Attack) last year the classic 1986 demo-tape “Death to Posers”, was re-mastered and released in cd, did this idea come from the band or from the label?

SDG) The record company in Holland, Hammerheart Records, approached me about doing it. In the first place it was supposed to come out on vinyl, but later decided that limited cd would be the way to go. We weren't really looking to put out that dinosaur, but then again, we weren't looking to keep a secret either. It was really just request from the fans and an offer from a guy who works at a label that was interested in putting it out.

Metal Attack) a strong Sadus chacteristic was always the speed, your kind of music always was, let's say, a half term between thrash and death metal. Nowadays many things have changed if we make comparisons to the 80's, the heavy metal speed got to extreme levels, how do you analyse the new heavy metal bands in a general way?

SDG) Everything evolves...when there's a new cool sound there are a lot of bands to copy it. And then it starts to branch out in different directions. When someone thinks of a cool sound again from that, the pattern repeats. And along the lines the original sound is so evolved it's totally different from where it started. Like for us, we did like to play fast. But we are now so much faster than the bands that influenced us. And so are the bands that we influenced. We were just always put in the catagory with death metal bands because we played a very brutal type of the thrash that people wanted to pair us with. It didn't bother us, it gave us a tiny slice of originality in this diluted unoriginal pool of limited sounds. It's good to fit in; so people can catagorize you. But it's good to not fit in; so you can be identified by something, maybe slightly unique.

Metal Attack) you are a very variable musian and you played in many bands and with many musians inside the heavy metal scene, currently besides Sadus your playing with Testament and Vintersorg, right? How do you manage two bands at the same time, playing with people from a different country and with different sounds?

SDG) When it's as fun as it is to jam with bands like that, one can find the time! Music is often catagorized for description sake, but really it's all music. I don't think all those bands I've worked with are that different. Neither are the people involved...most musicians have a common attitude. I guess I just really enjoy making music – someone else's or even my own – doesn't matter. There's always a learning experience when working with other people, and that's the part I like the most of being able to participate with so many talented musicians.

Metal Attack) one of the works you participate I like most was the album “Individual Though Patterns” from Death. Chuck really got to put in this album a real heavy “dream team”. What's your opinion about this album?

SDG) I wish I knew the impact that album would have in the future back when we were making it. Not that it would make a difference or we would have done anything different. But man, to us then it was simply the next album. I knew the stuff would be special when we were about to finish it and I could hear all of Gene's sick stuff and Andy's playing. And I think Chuck was at his peak as a writer for that period, his song structures weren't anything complicated but somehow on that album it just had a great flow. When you say “dream team” I figure you mean that based on the reputation and playing ability of the guys involved. To me it was a dream because we all were so relaxed and easy going. It was, professionally and on a friend basis, the best bunch of guys. Gene is one of the best drummers I've ever worked with, and Chuck always had that way of pulling out that inner beast in me to get me to play stuff that is out of the ordinary. Every album you start out to make it the big impact album, but it's so rare when it happens. Everything about that recording process was great memories, I'm glad you and most metal heads think the same.

Metal Attack) since we talked about Chuck, tell us what remembrances do you keep from him in times of Death and Control Denied?

SDG) Me and Chuck go back to teenage years. We've been friends since the mid-eighties. He was great friends with all the Sadus guys. I have millions of memories of him. That's how it is with friends, you can always remember and relate something that happened or something said at any time. We had a lot in common and did a lot of stuff together outside of making music together. Musically though, I can alway hear him say in my head that there's always a way to find something crazy to play, even when it seems the part calls for something basic. He is still one of my biggest musical inpirations.

Metal Attack) still talking about Death, did you know in brazil there's a tribute band to Death? What do you think about this homage to Death's work coming from Brazil?

SDG) That's pretty cool. Chuck would be honored. That's one of the biggest compliments when someone emulates the hard work you've put in. It's a bit odd for me when I see tribute bands for Death because I saw it from the inside. When I hear a lot of Death covers I hear brutal death metal. And as much as Chuck sounded like a brutal death metal band, I know that he didn't try to fit in with that scene. He was a perfectionist in creating his music, and really prided himself as a musician. I think the biggest reason Death evolved and progressed the way it did is because he was always looking for a way to branch out and do something different that fit with the scene but had it's own identity.

Metal Attack) my favorite works from Sadus are “Swallowed In Black” and “A Vision Of Misery” in your opnion, which Sadus is your favorite?

SDG) Man, how does anyone answer this question about their own band? Of course you could always say “the last album” because it's the closest to the latest progression to the new stuff. Ususally we say, “we like them all the same”. So I don't know. I like different things about each one for different reasons. I guess an easy thing for me to do right now is pick one easy thing about something...so I would say my favorite bass sound is the tone of the bass on A Vision Of Misery. I like the depth of the lyrics on Swallowed In Black. I like the first album because of the memories of releasing it ourselves without help from any record company. I like the maturity of the song writing on Elements Of Anger...and that is what I think is the best thing about the writing of the new songs is. We have a real variety of songs for the next album, and I think one of the best parts of it is the smooth flow of the arranging.

Metal Attack) it's been seven years since the last studio album “Elements Of Anger”, seems the band is writting a new album. Would it keep the same formula of the old works from the band, what can you tell us about it?

SDG) Mainly like I just said. It has a really great flow to it. There are the classic Sadus elements on there like speed, aggression, and technicality. But there is also a good mix of catch, hook and simplicity. I think out of all our albums this will be the one easiest to listen to. Our fans are constantly reminding us what they like about what we do, so we're always conscience of keeping the Sadus flavor. But also we're always trying to evolve, so there will be sounds and new things that will be new to our repertoire.

Metal Attack) is the band planning to play in South America again? Any plan for Brazil? Talking about Brazil, what do you know from the Brazilian metal scene besides Sepultura?

SDG) Glad you asked...we are in negotiations for a Sadus tour for next year – 2005. I'm really excited to have an opportunity to travel down there and play. We have had real strong fan support from the Brazilian metal heads for years. They are very active in their passion. We're trying to get something going that will have us visit multiple cities and play a nice long set. We will play stuff from all the albums and even some really old classic demo songs too. Hopefully we will be ready to play a new one or two from the new album.
As far as what I know about Brazil...you're right...! Not much more than Sepultura. I mean I have a lot of contacts with crazy fans and cool musicians there too. I have a few demos from Brazillian bands that are all varied in their different styles. I know it's a very beautiful place from what my friends have told me of their visits. I would be great to go there and not only play shows, but have some time off and visit places, you know – do some beach time.

Metal Attack) you always said you are influenced by other kind of musics besides heavy metal, what are you listening to currently? Why did you choose the bass as working instrument?

SDG) I've always been attracted to the low end of music. When I was younger I was into a lot of jazz and fusion and it was easy for me to follow the bass lines. I liked the more aggressive and melodic, up-front type of bassists and so I guess I always try to stay close to that vision as possible. Of course I love metal, lots of different forms of it. I can listen to almost any kind of music, as long as it's not rap or country. I still have a hunger for complex fusion. I made a side band called Dark Hall some years ago that is all instrumental and features sax and flute as well as guitar, bass and drums. This is what I enjoy playing the most and writing for. But the new Sadus has been so inspiring for me these days it's been taking all my time.

Metal Attack) Steve, thanks for your attention and I really wish all the best for Sadus's return, because I'm a fan of your music for a long time. Please, leave a message to your fans and Metal Attack readers.

SDG) Thanks a lot for your attention as well. I am always appreciative of the fans in Brazil. I can't wait to get down there and have our own microscopic Sadus In Rio (like Rush In Rio...!). I remember all of you crazy fuckers and I hope the word can reach you when we finally do have something planned so you can come out and join in a very fun night of music, hanging out and drink a few!!! Thank you Metal Attack, Krening, and you Brazilian phila da putas for keeping Sadus from falling into the abyss of forgotten nothingness...we are alive and we are coming out with a new killer album and we will come to party in fucking – BRAZIL...!!!!!!!!!!

STEVE INTERVIEWED FOR POWERMETAL.DE / FEBRUARY 2004

Henri:
Hello, how are you?

Steve:
Good, the whole band is doing really well again. There's been some dark times behind us. But we're all really excited about all the possibilities for this year.

Henri:
Until I saw that you are plying on Inferno-Festival, i thought SADUS is liquidated. What did the Band do since the 1997-album "Elements of Anger"?

Steve:
We never fully disbanded, just got side-tracked. The fact that I got involved with Testament for the recording and touring of their album 'The Gathering' had a lot to do with it. During these years I got Sadus' manager and drummer, Jon Allen hired on as well. So we were always still together, but not a lot of time was being focused on Sadus.

Henri:
Did you already start recording the new record?

Steve:
Not in the studio yet. We've been experimenting with preproduction ideas in the rehearsal room, recording demo versions of the songs. But we're not scheduled to go in and record until May and after taking June off we will resume recording in July.

Henri:
What will be the name of the baby?

Steve:
We don't have any title ideas yet. That always comes last for us. It's always a sum of the lyrical ideas and overall vibe of the attitude of the album. We have a couple working titles for some of the new songs, but nothing getting us close to an album title.

Henri:
Can you explain the musical style - is the sound more like "Swallowed In Black" or "Elements Of Anger"?

Steve:
If you ask me, and then ask an outsider you might get two different answers. It's obviously going to be a logical progression from the last album, Elements...But we are really going for a thicker/thrashier vibe on this one. Less experimental parts. There will always be the peaks and valleys that give Sadus our variety within our own scope of Sadus-style stuff. But I think overall, maybe more of a crush n'kill album.

Henri:
You write on the Sadus-Homepage, that the Band survived Grunge and Black Metal. Can you explain this? Didn't you like these musical styles?

Steve:
It's more of a way of saying that back when thrash was more popular we were part of that movement. And as the crowds dissapated to the grunge and eventually to the black metal trends. We are still here, still playing our style of thrash or speed metal - whatever you want to call it.

Henri:
You got to know the other SADUS-guys on highschool - can you still remember how? Can you tell a funny story from this time?

Steve:
We got the band together to write originals during a time when all the other musicians in the school were happy playing covers. This was when we were all teenagers in 1984, going to the same school. We prepared some songs for the school talent show and were ready to blow people away with a new thing called "thrash metal" - we are talking 1984/1985 here! But a few days before the talent show, two of the guys in the band got in separate fights during school and got suspended, thus eleminating us from the show. So we never got to shock the students until they all grew up and started reading about us in international music magazines...!

Henri:
What is more important for you personally - SADUS or your side projects like TESTAMENT. In which other bands do you play actually?

Steve:
Everything I play is important to me. I like to have fun above all, but this is something I've been doing my whole life, and it'd be a waste of time to take involvement in anything I do in a non-serious manner. My roles are different in each musical project I do, so my level of involvement differs. Obviously with Sadus, I write a lot of the material and have a more important position in the band being one of the founding and original members.

Henri:
How did the other guys in SADUS react, when you told them about the forthcoming TESTAMENT-tour during the recording-process of the new album?

Steve:
Last year the same thing happened. And nothing got done. But we only had a few songs written. So this year we made plans around it. We have all the songs close to being written this time, and we're planning the studio time to flow with the plans of Testament so we don't lose our momentum.

Henri:
What was your best musical side-project and why?

Steve:
Without a doubt my jazz/rock/fusion band - Dark Hall. It's totally different music. It's not even metal-related. It's what I grew up listening to, and what I've always wanted to create. I had a lot of fun putting together a band of talented musicians to play my weird style of instrumental music. I write every note of that stuff, I mean when the guys get their parts they perfect the stuff and make it their own. But it all starts in my brain and is directed by nothing more than a inner sense of something original.

Henri:
Something about DEATH. Can you tell the readers of www.powermetal.de how it was working with Chuck?

Steve:
Working with him was fine for me, because inbetween band stuff we were still friends. We could hang out and do stuff not related to writing an album or touring. So when we got together to jam, it was very natural. He found a way to bring out some inner sick beast of a bass player I never knew I had. I always appreciated the way he pushed me to play something outside of what I felt natural as a bassist.

Henri:
Can you characterise Chuck in one sentence?

Steve:
I can't characterise anyone in one sentence. He wasn't weird or super-human or anything. Just a guy who loved music and was very inspired by his hobbies and interests

Henri:
What did you feel when you heard about his death?

Steve:
Do I need to really answer this? I was devastated, of course. I still miss the guy.

Henri:
You've also played at AUTOPSY - did you know the new Chris Reifert band, THE RAVENOUS?

Steve:
I know all those guys, but I haven't really heard much of what they've been working on in quite a while. We only see each other occasionally.

Henri:
What is the reason now that you are going to play on INFERNO-Festival this year?

Steve:
With the band back in full speed writing for a new album, I wanted to get out and play some shows. I know one of the guys associated with some of the behind the scenes stuff of the festival and asked for a contact to the promoter. I simply asked if they would have us this year. We were very excited when they agreed to book us on the show, and you can't imagine how stoked we all are that we get to play Norway for the first time after all these years in such a respectible show. It inspired us to book shows in other countries Sadus has never ventured into that we know we have a strong fan base in. Such as Italy, Greece and Sweden.

Henri:
What do you expect from the show at the INFERNO? Is there anything special that the fans can expect from you? Can you tell some songs?

Steve:
We expect everyone to go..."huh...??? Who the hell is this...??? These guys are old...and...they don't paint their faces...!!!" Seriously, we don't know what to expect. We just want to play the songs well. Mainly because like I said it's our first time in Norway and many people probably have never even heard of us. I can't really let out the song list, but I can easily tell you there will be something from EVERY release we've put out. That includes the early demos too! And we MIGHT play something from the forth-coming album to see how the new stuff goes over on the young crowds. So there'll be stuff spanning 18 years of Sadus. Going on last we can afford to play a lot of songs off each album and demo, I just hope there are a few people left that late into the night/early morning to hear all of that...!!!

Henri:
Are there any other plans to play live, probably in germany?

Steve:
Not this trip, besides the countries I mentioned before. But we are already working on another Euro tour in December maybe with a few German, Dutch and Belgian shows...and the rest of the more interior of Europe actually. This trip is more the stuff on the fringe.

Henri:
What have been your favourite records in 2003?

Steve:
Soilwork - Figure V...Devin Townsend...Star One...Dead Soul Tribe...Fuck, there's so many, I can't think straight.

Henri:
Any last words?

Steve:
Thank you for the chance to get Sadus on the minds of the music population again! We really appreciate the kind words for the band and Jon's daughter from everyone. I hope everyone remembers to tell a friend, or five, about the shows and the new album this year. Out of hibernation once again...!!!

STEVE INTERVIEWED FOR METALEAST.COM / 2003-2004

Steve Di Giorgio is well known for his works with all kinds of metal bands, old and new: Death, Sadus, Testament, Vintersorg, Control Denied, a bassist who provided a unique example within the metal realm, crazy and memorable fretless bass lines. He is the bass player that all Metal bassists consider out of this world, creative, talented, and down to earth. The following interview was conducted during two different times, in which Steve talks about his new works and the old memories, while being completely honest. The first part was done in the Testament tourbus after their set at The House of Blues in Hollywood, CA. The 2nd part was done at the Sadus practise room in the Bay Area.

1st Part (June 6th, 2003):

Metaleast.com: What have you been doing? What's going on in the world of Steve DiGiorgio?

SDG: A lot of stuff this year man, a lot of shows, a lot of recordings, a lot of everything. It's another busy year; they go every other year. I can say the next Vintersorg will be recorded in September; I'll be there for that. I got a couple of other things; you will see later… hehe.

Metaleast.com: Alright, let's talk a little bit about Death and Control Denied…A lot of people consider Chuck as a very good vocalist besides being the amazing guitarist he was, why do you think Chuck hated that "obliging task" of being a vocalist?

SDG: Because he didn't like it man, he didn't like the way he sounds…

Metaleast.com: It's been for years though…

SDG: Well, I mean the early days he did because he looked up to guys that sounded like that. He got sick of it man, he's a fan of the earlier 80's metal movement with the classic or more theatrical singers, you know with this kinda voice! and he actually had a pretty good voice where he could pull that off, but he thought it would kind of let down the fans of Death if he would change the sound of the band, so he kinda stuck to his own vocal style reluctively for a couple of albums and then finally just decided it wasn't worth it anymore, he just wanted a change, wanted to get a new vocalist that sounded the way he wanted to sound so he changed the name of the band; you can tell it's the same guy. He just preferred that vocal style and wanted to be a guitar player, he hated vocals for a long time.

Metaleast.com: What do you think is the reason for him to constantly change the lineup on each record? Is it that he experiments with those people and later on decides to get better musicians?

SDG: you know, it's really kind of a long story man! it really wasn't up to him every single time. Every single musician, every member change in the lineup was a totally unique story; there wasn't one reason for everything. It's just different for everybody, because I was in and out but It was different to the other guys who were in for a little while then were out.

SDG: hehehe…oh boy…. Hehehe… next question…

Metaleast.com:…

SDG: It's not my fault man… I dunno what happened…. There are a couple of guys who are gonna show up tonight, they might be able to answer that because they were there during the mix, and I wasn't… heheh….they might have a little something to it. (Sean and Paul from Cynic)

Metaleast.com: It would have sounded great though… I know you've done some crazy things on there.

SDG: There is a lot of good moldy bud going around back then, it was very conducive to abstract creativity… do you know what I mean?

Metaleast.com: yea…"When Man and Machine Collide" how do you describe the guitars?

SDG: *interrupts* crazy!

Metaleast.com:…and how do you view your bass work? Do you have anything in mind?

SDG: nah… but I mean, I listen to it a lot, I know what it's all about…

*John Tempesta interrupts and starts doing some weird sounds on the tape recorder *

SDG: do you know how to spell that? Hehehe.. Well, I haven't started working on it yet.

Metaleast.com: Describe the guitars then…

SDG: It's crazy. It's more of a follow up of “The Sound of Perseverence” than the Control Denied album. It's more like the Death stuff. I mean, there's not a lot of difference between Death and Control Denied, but Chuck purposely wanted to lay back a little bit, let the vocals have some room. By the second Control Denied album, he said “fuck that man, let's just go crazy, that's what we do best”. So it's pretty crazy, I have a recording of Chuck and Richard playing the songs. It's some difficult stuff man, it's gonna take me a while to learn it specially now Chuck is not here to show it to me. He always helped me out and showed me all those ingredients in there and now I gotta figure it out, like damnit Chuck, that's some hard shit!! Hehehe!

Metaleast.com: Do you have any idea on when you're gonna work on it?
SDG: No, I have no idea. A while back, I would say “yea, we're gonna do it, this and that…” but it just doesn't happen man. It's way out of my control. I wish we could do something about it because we don't wanna wait too long, otherwise nobody will care anymore, you know?

Metaleast.com: I would…

SDG: well, there's always the few of us who always care, but it's a difficult situation, it's difficult for me, you can tell man, I wanna do it…

Metaleast.com: I know man, it sucks…why did you leave Death only to rejoin with Chuck on the Control Denied album?

SDG: well, see? I never left. I jammed with Death back in 87, when we were working on “Scream Bloody Gore”….

Metaleast.com: so which are the ones you never worked on?

SDG: “Leprosy” and “Spiritual Healing”. They had “Scream Bloody Gore” ready to go. See? Sadus drummer Jon did not have a very good drumset, I mean it was okay, but Chris Reifert had a better drumset. Death was just two guys back then, they needed a place to play so we invited them over to practice in the Sadus room, and we said the only trade off is if you let us use your drums and you can use our room. That way we'd have just one drumset set up, and we just trade it off. So, I just kinda eventually stuck in and started playing bass for them. They liked it: a band with three guys instead of two. I learned all the songs; we were talking about doing shows and stuff. Then Chuck just says “hey man, let's party tonight, we're going to LA tomorrow.” So I said alright. We partied up, went home and everything, but when we were at the Sadus practice the next day, we were like: “What did you think Chuck meant we're going to LA? What is thatall about? I dunno… we're going to LA! Whatever”. About a week later, he comes home, we say: “hey, what did you guys go to LA for?” he goes:” oh we recorded our album”, so we were like “oh cool man!!” you know we were 17, 18 years old, no one could record an album back then. And we were like “cool man, how did it sound?” he goes “oh I got a tape of it, we'll play it for you”, so I was like “so who played bass?” Chuck goes:” oh I did man, it sucked, I hate it, I had to do all the guitars, do all the vocals and I had to do bass” so I go ”why didn't you ask me to play?” Chuck goes “oh you would have??” I go “what the hell, I was learning your songs” so Chuck looks at Chris and says “I told you he would have”, Chris says “damn it, we should have!!” So that was just a weird situation, he went back to Florida, he did a couple more albums and he came back for “Human”, came back for “Individual Thought Patterns”, and then me and Gene were working on….what's the next one? Symbolic?

Metaleast.com: Symbolic…

SDG: yeah! I was working on that! But I had a broken finger; I busted it playing Basketball. And I wasn't playing very good, and I had to do some songs with a pick. I just couldn't get my hand in the right position.

Metaleast.com: Was that a demo or something?

SDG: yeah! I did all the pre-production. I did all the songs; I was ready to go. But you know, Chuck and Gene were on a different wavelength; my wife was pregnant with our first kid. It was just too coincidental where Death was going to record and my baby was gonna be born. It was too close. The timing just wasn't right. You know, you look back, there were so many things we could have done, but at the time, I was like “what's the choice? Oh ok I'll stay home, fuck it” and I didn't do the album, and it came out. Man, I heard it, and I was disappointed and I said “fuck I could have done it so easy”. Chuck was little bit disappointed; he was like “you should have just done it, you should have just came out” and I said “I know!”. So we talked about how that album turned out man, Chuck was like “you gotta come out for the next one man, let's just do it” and I was totally down, I fled for a couple of times to work on the songs, I met Richard and Shannon, great guys, recorded the whole album pre-production again, did my stuff, did everything and when the recording time came out, Chuck had like months and months and months of touring dates to go and I told him I cant go on everything man, I got other stuff going on, I can go on some of it, I wanna do the album and stuff. Chuck was like “man, I get such a bad time for all these musicians changing, it's really important for me to have the same 4 people on the album photo and on stage, so if you can't do every show, I wanna get somebody who can do it” so I was like “alright, go for it.”

Metaleast.com: Don't you regret that or something?

SDG: Fuck yea, Chuck did too, he totally did. In fact, he called me back after their tour was over and he goes “I kicked that guy out”

Metaleast.com: yeah, I didn't like him…

SDG: yeah, it just didn't work out and he goes “you know what? I don't care what everybody thinks, I don't care what the picture is, just come do my next record please, we got an awesome singer now, Richard is playing better than ever, come do it” and I went there and I was like “Chuck, this is the best stuff ever man, this is cool”, he goes “I know, this is the future” and I said “good”, we did the album, I still love it, it's a great album, but that's where we left off, right there, but if you look at album to album, I was always there.
Metaleast.com: do you have the pre-productions for “Symbolic” and “The Sound of Perseverance”?

SDG: of course…

SDG: well, it was almost as crazy as that, but that's the final recording you're hearing on “Individual Thought Patterns”. The pre-production is usually a little bit laid back because we'd be still trying to learn the stuff.

Metaleast.com: I heard three songs once off the Control Denied demo, do you know who played on that?

SDG: that was even a different, different bass player. I forgot his name; maybe it was Scott actually, I can't remember.

Metaleast.com: that was back in 95, around the time Symbolic was being released.

SDG: yeah, yeah, Chuck wanted to stop Death then and do Control Denied but he was trying to get a new record company, so he knew he had to put out another Death album to get the contract for Control Denied. “The Sound of Perseverance” really almost never happened except for the fact that it was gonna carry all the weight for Control Denied to get it a start. Before “The Sound of Perseverance” came out, Control Denied demo was recorded.

Let's hurry, I think Sean and Paul (Cynic, Death-Human) should be here anytime soon.

Metaleast.com: Your favorite Death record, whether you were on the album or not? And why?

SDG: “Spiritual Healing”!

Metaleast.com: yea?

SDG: that was awesome man; I love those songs. I like the whole vibe of the album, songs like “Within the mind”, the Cocaine song…

Metaleast.com: yeah, “Living Monstrosity”

SDG: yeah, and I also like off the next album, or actually the one we did in 92 (Individual Thought Patterns), we did the song called “Jealousy”.
Metaleast.com: Do you think "The Sound of Perseverance" was a good ending to the Death era and to continue Control Denied?

SDG: It was too good. That album was awesome and that was the problem. It made people want more Death and really, Chuck wanted it to be the end. He didn't want people to want Death anymore. It was too good. I was disappointed when I heard the production because it sounded really nice and I just felt left out. Scott did a great job. I don't wanna put anybody down, but I was there before him and I was supposed to be there, and I just felt left out when I heard it. Like I said, me and Chuck had a continuous relationship. We would just hang out and go to the lake. It wasn't always about doing a Death record, we were buddies, whether I was working with him or if he had another bass player, it didn't really matter, when he's your buddy. But, he was sick of Death way before that album, so I think his energy for Control Denied came out on “The Sound of Perseverance”, but see? That's what's good about the second Control Denied album because it reminds me more of that. It doesn't sound just like it but it has that energy. “The Sound of Perseverance” is very hectic and crazy, and then Control Denied is ok, but it's a little more laid back. While the new Control Denied reminds me more of a continuation of “The Sound of Perseverance” than “The Fragile Art of Existence”.

Metaleast.com: one can see that you really can't wait until you record it.

SDG: yeah yeah! It's a challenge to play. That's the way Chuck always liked to write stuff: to where there was stuff that was a challenge, instead of just something ordinary.

SDG: Those albums are both recorded the same way.

Metaleast.com: so you prefer playing it after everything is done?

SDG: yeah, it's way better because the guitars are very repetitious, like a big ball of sound and I come in and I slither in and out of cracks and find little areas to do stuff. The vocals, you don't ever, no matter what instrument you're playing, don't wanna step on the vocal lines, so if the vocals are there, I know some certain spots to pick out. We did the Vintersorg like that too. Things are different now, see? You record on computers now, it doesn't matter what you do. Everything is on a screen, you can see the whole song before you hear it and stuff. It's good and bad. Like those albums we just talked about, when I go last, I get a chance to hear how everything is and I can finalize it. But the old way, when the drums and bass go first, I mean I can actually jam in the studio with the drummer like on “Human”, I was recording the same time Sean was recording; Ours notes were hitting the same time, you know? And that's a benefit too; because you're getting more of a live feeling…so they're both good.

And here, comes Sean and Paul from Cynic to interrupt our interview and pay a visit to Steve on Testament's tour bus. A couple hours of hearing some nice and sad Death memories… I shouldn't call it an interruption; it was more like a great experience spending time with ¾ of the “Human” lineup!

2nd Part (January 2nd, 2004):

Finishing up the interview at the Sadus practice room. I was able to hear the new Vintersorg with Steve, and listen to a bunch of new Sadus material… and the best of all, the 2 Death pre-production tapes we previously talked about in the interview. They kill!! We can only wish Steve was able to record the final recordings…

Metaleast.com: What was new since we started this interview? Lots of recordings, thats for sure...

SDG: hehe.. We're working on new shit man, you know that. We got a whole album worth of new shit and we're fuckin gonna play some shows and we're back full speed.. Sadus that is… I recorded with PainmuseuM, Quo Vadis from Canada, Vintersorg, Lunaris, and Sadus.

Metaleast.com: We started some Death discussion the time we started the interview, got a couple of more questions that I couldn't ask last time.

SDG: hehe, when Sean and Paul were there….hehe

Metaleast.com: what would be something you never forgot from the old Death 1992-93 days? What would be the first thing that comes to your mind when this period is mentioned?

SDG: We finished the album, did a hell of shows man, we went to Europe 3-4 times, big States Tour and everything was killer, the album turned out good, all the shows were good and Gene was a fuckin madman. Song selection was killer, we played everything off all the albums. It was a good fuckin year man. We had good support acts; we had Anacrusis go out with us and the fuckin crowd was killer. It was busy man!

Metaleast.com how about some memories from the studio recording?

SDG: studio? Well, unfortunately, I wasn't in the studio very long. We had to whip it out pretty quick, so it took a couple of days to do the whole thing. Well, the whole album took a couple of weeks, but I didn't stay around for the whole thing. Actually, nothing really happened in the studio, we just got down to business. I remember Morbid Angel was recording one of their albums at the same time; the studio we were in had two big rooms; we had one room to us, and Morbid Angel on the other room for them. They were on an early schedule; they show up in the morning, work all day and go home early. We showed up like the middle of the day, and worked all night. During the day, we could hear Trey's amp, we couldn't really hear what he was playing, but we could hear his amp through the walls. When we hear what he was playing, we couldn't imagine how the album would sound like specially when you just hear one guitar part at a time, but it sounded pretty brutal; so when they all lock up and leave, we were the last ones in the studio and we had a key, so we unlocked it and got in there, put their tape on and listen to it..hehe! Just to check out what they did just cuz we were curious. It was bizarre sounding. That was pretty fun sneaking around, secretly listening to Morbid Angel shit without them knowing, you know? But we didn't mess anything, we just push play and listen for a while and then lock the room back up. But it was cool to sneak in and do that! That's about all the fun we really had. We had a lot more fun during the “Human” recording. There were more events then, but during “Individual Thought Patterns”, we just showed up, did our recording….

Metaleast.com: you can talk more about the “Human” memories…

SDG: We were a lot younger back then. The average age of the band was a lot lower, because of Paul and Sean. They were good 4-5 years younger than me and Chuck. So it was more shenanigans going on, we did a lot of silly stuff; we'd like get little tiny pumpkins and squash, and stick bass strings through them and hang them from the ceiling, like planets, u know? Just fool around with shit like that. We were into a lot of herb at that time, so it was just a lot of silliness. We had a lot of time in that recording, it wasn't hurry-up-and-get-it-done kind of thing; it was just like show-up, we had more relaxed time so we played a lot of crazy shit, that's how eventually we ended up doing a Kiss cover, cuz we had time to fuck around, so we just learn the song off the Kiss album and record it, and then the instrumental on that album..

Metaleast.com: cosmic sea

SDG: cosmic sea, it was basically written in the studio…

Metaleast.com: there's a question about it coming up…

SDG: Alright, I will leave that one.

Metaleast.com: Do you remember why the bass recording on human was low in the mix, knowing that Chuck loved your participation in almost every work of his? I mean without the “cosmic sea” solo, we'd never even know how the bass is sounding on the album.

SDG: hehe! Yeah! I just wasn't there man. I finished my part and I had to go to Europe and meet Sadus over there. We were touring with Morbid Angel and Unleashed, and I had to leave those guys to finish the album, so when they mixed it, it sounded good to them at the time but there's no way they could hear it the way I would have heard it if I was there, you know? It was different back then man; you're talking about early 90's, productions were really thin back then, so…

SDG: yeah! I mean the main thing is what you said, Chuck was into what I did, so he wanted to hear it, so that's why he brought it out on the album, but it was also a little bit of regret from Chuck because he knew that...it's not that I did something so great, but the drums are doing a lot of cool stuff, and the bass line goes with the drums and all you hear on the album is just what the drums are doing; you don't hear the connection between the drums and bass. And then later on, when Chuck found out that there was a reason I played all this stuff I did, because it went with the drums, and it twisted the drum parts in with the guitar pretty good; it was a good link between the drums and the guitar, but he actually realized it after it was too late. He just decided he didn't wanna do that again, he wanted to make sure he got it up in the mix because there's a reason why it's there. You don't really wanna lose anybody in the band, that's why they're there. It was a learning experience for everybody. I was quite disappointed but there's a little payback to come back and play stuff that was worthy of hearing.

Metaleast.com: did you hear Sean Reinert and Paul Masdival's new rock band, Aeon Spoke?

SDG: Of course, yeah!

Metaleast.com: did you like it?

SDG: ahh, yeah, sure! I mean it's like anything that is a bit off to the side of the mainstream; you really gotta be in the mood for it. But I know Sean and Paul really well; they're good friends of mine, and when you hear somebody play that you know personally, you could hear the personality in the music, so I can identify with what they're doing. I mean, it's not my main thing, but if somebody puts it on right now, I can listen to it, u know? It's fine. It's at a commercial level, I don't really dwell on that realm very much, but I can respect what Paul and Sean do. The stuff they did right after Cynic was awesome, and this is kinda keeping along at the same line. So I see where they're coming from, but it's a harsh difference from what most people know them for. I can understand why a lot of people are not being into it, but I got a wide variety of listening taste, so it doesn't bother me, I can listen to it if I'm in the right mood.

Metaleast.com: What's that Planet9 song on your site?

SDG: that's a buddy of mine. He's a guitar player here; he lives down the road a little bit. He just sits in his room with tons of equipment, man. He's got computer gear, all these guitars and he just writes a lot of songs. He makes these CDs like constantly. I go hang out with him once in a while and he were working on some new material that never ever will see the light of day. Since we tried to get something going, and it didn't work, when I stop by and hang out with him, he was working on a particular song and he said “hey, I don't wanna put bass on the song, how about you just pick up my bass and just play along with what I'm doing just for the fun of it”. It was basically: I showed up, picked up his bass, he pushed record and we finished it and were like “ok, cool!”. It ended up sound pretty good, so I got hold of a copy and put it on my website, cuz it's pretty obscure stuff. But me and that guy, we were supposed to have done a lot more stuff, we had all these plans to do stuff together, but that didn't really work out. He's an awesome guitar player, he likes that kinda shred instrumental stuff, you know? It's just a chance thing, showed up and did it on the spot.

Metaleast.com: How is Vintersorg's The Focusing Blur? How do you compare it with the previous effort? and How do you describe your bass work on it?

SDG: It's even more variety: There are blast beats, there are ballads, there are symphonic parts, there are twisted synthesizers, heavy guitar, everything man, fuckin roller coaster music. Compared to the last one, it's even more crazy man. How do you describe it?

SDG: yeah! Every song, there's something different in it. There are a lot of different elements in there. It is crazy man; no one ever heard this stuff. It's pretty much the same kinda description that goes with the bass work; the bass has to go with the changes. If you listen to the bass lines alone, you wouldn't know what the hell is going on because it turns left and right. I think there's a lot of room for the bass to adventure a lot. There's a lot of separate guitar parts and keyboard parts that go way off in the nowhere and the bass has to be in this middle realm where no other instruments are. So there's a lot going on on bass. They are not that much difficult parts to play, but it's just groovy kinda bass playing that links all this fuckin crazy stuff together, you know? The pounding drums with the acoustic guitars. There are a lot of things that fit together that are not supposed to fit, so the bass has to find a way to link them. Do I go mellow with the guitars? Or do I go heavy with the drums? I have to find this middle thing so that heavy drums match mellow guitars, just play in the middle of that. It was really fun man, one of the best albums I ever played on… easily.

Metaleast.com: How about the new Quo Vadis?

SDG: now that shit is just intense, that kinda music never lets off. It's hyper speed but it's not fast like Black Metal fast, or Thrash Metal fast, or blast beats fast, it's fast like Canadian Mathematical technical…. How do you explain that shit, man? It's stuff that hurts half as much to listen to as it does to play, hehe! It's intense man, you not only gotta be good to play it but, you gotta be pretty good to listen to it, otherwise it would screw up your head, hehe!
Metaleast.com: So you did a lot of different stuff on that album, compared to the other recently recorded works, as you once told me…

SDG: yeah…it's like if everybody is driving 80 miles an hour, how can you pass'em up? You know you gotta go a 100 mph. So just to keep up with the band and to play in the song was a task itself, and then to add stuff on top of what everybody is doing, you're only gonna get so much going that speed. There's always so much you can do, otherwise you're gonna get lost in this blur of it all. But there's stuff on there man! I have trouble remembering it because it was a pretty intense week; I learned everything in just a few days and tracked it all on a couple of days, and then when I left there, I didn't get to here it. I came on early in the recording phase so I didn't get to bring anything home, and there's still guitars, solos, vocals and keyboards on top of what I left them with, so I'm really curious to hear what's going. I remember just pure craziness. You're talking to a bassist who's been playing Thrash for 20 years, and I had to be warmed up to play their stuff, I had to work up to it man, it's pretty intense, hehe!

Metaleast.com: Should we expect any recordings with any other bands this year?
SDG: yeah! Sadus album is the main event. That's the whole focal point. Everything else is revolving around that. Testament has got new songs, we're supposed to go into the studio this year, but they've been saying that for the past 3-4 years, so we'll see what happens. There's also some other stuff around the corner that I'm working now, but I gotta wait until it's finalized really to let out of the bag. You'll be surprised.

Metaleast.com: well, you gave me an idea, but we'll keep the readers excited before you let anything out now.

SDG: hehe! Alright Yeah! There will be a few months before that's ready to go. A lot of these bands like to keep this stuff under wrap so that way they could kinda let it all out during the press release.

SDG: hehe! In that case, yeah! Right? That's like standing in the crowd of a 100 people trying to yell above everybody else, wouldn't rather go home, save your voice and throat? That's what I mean. But there are so many steps in recording and it's that final step to where you blend everything. When these bands hire me to come in and play bass, I don't get to be there for that final stage. I'm early on the stage and I get to hear what I play from the songs while I'm there and it ends up being a lot different than the final result. It's a matter of taste though, some bands like it to sound like that. It's up to them, what can I do? I can't mix every album man, hehe, I'm not good at it.

SDG: this year for sure! We'll be on the road with Sadus.

King Lewie (Sadus's manager) during the interview was playing some metal music in the background, and the song Death – Overactive Imagination comes up…

Metaleast.com: Do you remember this one?

SDG: Fuck yeah! I can play this one right now. We used to play this one live all the time. So many shows we did that year man, 120-150 shows, we were gone almost the entire year, so when you play something that many times, it will stick with you.

"Well, Denise, my wife and I have two kids, 3 * and 1 *, Jon has two kids, seven and five, Darren has one, Rob - our manager - has one that's eight or nine, and one on the way, and all the roadies have kids." Steve said. Are we taking about some deadhead band? Or a commune? Or some New Age organization somewhere in the hills of Sedona, Arizona? Nope. Not too long ago, I talked with bass player Steve DiGiorgio, about the band Sadus and about life according to Sadus.

"Yeah, we all barbecue together, we get together all the time," he continued, mentioning that that's one of the biggest reasons why the band has lasted for almost 15 years.

At shows, they work together like a small army and have more roadies than many bands I've seen before. But the years haven't gone by without the difficult times. Sadus is much bigger in Europe than it is in the states, which Sadus' Manager, Rob Lewis is working to change, while looking for a licensing deal in the US to help distribute their latest CD, Elements of Anger.

Sadus started in December of 1984. Jon Allen (drummer) and Steve were in different bands when they met up with Rob (guitarist) and Darrin Travis (guitarist and vocalist) at a keger party.

When the four developed their unique sound, they started trying to play in the quickly burgeoning San Francisco Bay Area metal scene. There were clubs like The Omni and The Stone where Testament, Metallica and Exodus played, to name just a few.

"We were punks with big attitudes and didn't get along with other bands because we were considered the outcasts," Steve explained. This outcast status helped them later on, Steve thinks, because they developed hard shells and now have respect for other bands trying to make it. "But we've paid our dues," he adds.

They gave up caring about playing in the Bay Area because nobody really cared about them. "The eighties were a difficult time to play live here. You had to sign contracts and sell tickets. We said 'fuck that!' It was a pain in the ass to play. We weren't interested."

So they went to Europe and were soon doing huge shows with bands like Obituary, Sepultura and Morbid Angel.

Steve's laid back attitude towards the band and life is the way he thinks music should be.

"A good attitude only comes with wisdom," he commented. "If we had this attitude when we were younger, we'd be huge now."

Steve adds that everything is great in their lives and they no longer lose sleep wondering if they're going to "make it." "If things don't go so well, it's cool," he said. "We got pampered here and there, we're not worried about anything anymore, or trying to be something." The eighties became an important time for Sadus. They played Europe a lot, but then the early nineties became as bad as the eighties were good. Steve started working as a sessions bass player for Death, and Rob left the band. Things started to fall apart. No one really knew what was going on. Finally the three remaining members knew they had to do something, so they had a group meeting, wrote new songs and started feeling like a band again.

Just these last couple of years they've started embracing the local club scene and doing live shows in San Francisco again.

Don't be fooled into thinking that Steve's inner peace is complacency. There are still things that he hates about the Business of Music, and he doesn't mind sharing them.

"I hate how the 'Buddy System' is in full effect. Hey, there is this killer new band, but people think they suck because they don't sound like everyone else," he said. He feels bands get so huge just because they have a sound people are familiar with, and if you have a band that sounds different, no one will hear them. "I like what I like. I have my own mind," he added.

Sadus has always done what they want to do, without thinking of what will get them airplay, or the biggest record contract. Will Sadus ever start playing 3-minute pop songs like a very well known Bay Area band played on the airwaves now?

Steve sighs. "Metallica has the pressure of a company on them to make each album better than the last," he said. Yes, there is freedom and peace of mind when one doesn't have huge record contract. Even if you have to pay your bills by working as a city gardener during the day. "I like my work,: he said. But, like the rest of Sadus, Steve's interests vary outside of the realm of progressive death metal that they play.

Psychotic Waltz is one of Steve's favorite bands, and asks the eternal question: How long can a band go one struggling? Steve said that Psychotic Waltz were an excellent band from San Diego, who used to play with bands like Dream Theater, and would completely shred them, but no on in the U.S. had ever heard of them. It's hard to continue with little or no notoriety.

They are also regular club-goers, venturing out to see up and coming bands that have the sound they like. Bands like Picture This from Concord, California, Enthroned from Sacramento, California and Vile also from Concord are bands that will draw the guys in Sadus out. Perhaps they feel it's very important to be there for bands because they never got the local support when Sadus started.

"49*% of the people in the world are trying so hard to do what it takes, 49*% of the people are trying to do what they want to do, and there are 1% who are doing exactly what they want to do."

I think we can put Sadus into the 1% percent category and rest well knowing that Steve, Jon and Darren sleep well at night.

Editor's note: As you know, BAST does not usually cover signed bands. However, Sadus has a contract with Mascot Records out of Amsterdam but are only supported in Europe. They get no support for the United States, and I for one, feel that this is the band I want to hear on the radio, not some former metal band playing crap!

DARREN INTERVIEWED BY CARNAGE FANZINE / 2003

Hi Darren. Here you have "some" questions. Hope you like it!!!!

Cheerz Marcus.

Hi Darren, what's up in Antioch? Some news about Sadus or Testament? And what's up with the project with Jon Allen (SADUS drummer) and Chuck Billy?

It is going slow but it is great stuff... it is me and Steve writing the music and Chuck on vocals... it is called Suicide Shift.. alot in the vein of sadus meets a testament dude.. Hey man, hope you understand my bad English, hahaha!

Are you ready to talk about the beginning of Sadus? How old are you now? we are all old and bald with hair in our ears and back... When did you start to play? How old were you at that point of time and what was the reason to start your own band and create your own music?

I started as a teen with sadus... and we wrote our own songs to make better music than what is out there.. we are still doing the same thing..

How did you find the other members? High School? Were there other members in Sadus before you recorded "Illusions"?

Nope just the four original dudes.. from high school... cool...a./

Did you record a demo before you do the killing "Illusions" stuff?

Just a couple of rehearsal tapes and then the d.t.p. demo.. then illusions.

Do you have old merchandise for sale? Shirts? Or do you have some copy's from "Illusions" for sale! I would by one!

We have a couple left on records... i'll send you one if you send me a copy of your german carnage...

"Illusions" was self-financed, right? How many copies did you do from "Illusions"? And tell us about the recordings for that!

We sold alot of them from mail ourselves, yep self financed...also.. recorded with the help of the mighty John Marshall..

Who did the great artwork from "Illusions?

Rick Rogers.. he thought of the name Sadus also...

Darren, you are vocalist, guitarist and on every track you play solos together with Rob Moore. Can you tell me how do you do this stuff all together? Your vokill stile is very fast and hysteric, the guitarstile in Sadus too and the leads. Was this not a strain for you?

Yes.. but it gets easier and easier as you go.. lots of pressure... its great..

I must confess my first contact with SADUS was on the back cover on Death's "Leprosy". Chuck weared a pretty cool SADUS shirt on a picture. But in my opinion was this a time, were you can believe in a shirt that a musicians wear that this was a good band like SADUS it was. Your statement please!

I wouldn't wear a shit band shirt to save my life.. so Chuck was a person who loved Sadus and we were great friends for life.. Great person..Chuck..

Where did you get the aggression to write this hyper speed thrash songs? I mean this stile of thrash metal was unique. And tell us a little bit about the lyrics on "Illusions" except "Sadus attack", the lyrics for that song, I believe, understand the biggest idiot, hahaha

We love aggressive music.. and at the time thought we were the fastest and one of the best bands alive... and fuck everyone else...

Who were your influences? Kreator?

It may sound like it at times but no we were into alot of older music like Rush and stuff, but metal like metallica and slayer was also a great influence at the time of illusions..

"Illusions" brings you the deal with Roadracer Records, right? Who came up with the deal? Were you satisfied with the work from Roadracer Rec. for SADUS?

I think they suck.. but they helped us put out a couple of great albums Swallowed in Black and A vision of misery... two great albums ...

On Roadracers re- release from "Illusions" this fuckers changed the Lp title and the cover. Do you know why?

they didn't like our artwork.. and the artwork was the title so with the change in artwork, the name changed also... we didn't think much about it because we thought more people would buy the record labels product than the product we put out ourselves....but not the case... suck label..

After your second brutal strike "Swallowed in Black" you did a euro tour. Any good memories from that? Tell us a little bit about your time in Germany! I for myself couldn`t see Sadus, but a friend of mine (poser-Uwe) saw you and later he told me that Sadus was fuckin killer! A fucking brutal live act.

we had a great time touring at the time with morbid angel.. i cant wait to sometime go back....

Tell us about the recordings to "Swallowed in Black"! Did you have some fun in the studio? Tell us about your first professional record session? Michael Rosen did a fuckin`great job in my ears and when I hear "Swallowed." I get goosepimple by tracks like "Man Infestation", Last Abide", Powers of Hate" or "The Wake". The cover was brilliant, too! One of my all-time fave covers. Fuck! "Swallowed .." is one of my all-time favourite Thrash Metal albums together with "Illusions", natural!!!

thanks ....yes we had alot of fun with the recording of Swallowed.. we went to a big studio for the first time and spent alot of money......looking back, it wasn't the smartest thing to do.. but fuck we thought we were going to be rockstars or something? what a wake up..

How many copies you have sold from "Swallowed."? Do you have seen one penny for your works from Roadracer?

nope.. they ripped us a new hole..

Do you have a funny story to tell from your tour-life?

yeah but fuck i cant type very good so maybe next time... when i talk to you in Germany.. yeah..

What was your best gig and what was your badest gig with Sadus?had alot.. "Swallowed in Black" transported Thrash Metal on a higher level but Thrash was a dying stile at that point of time. Death Metal was the next big thing. How do you feel about that at that point of time? I mean you are one of those guys who saw the thrash star rising and dying, like myself, too.

it comes and goes and comes again...

In 1992 "A Vision of Misery" came out and I felt that Sadus lost their aggression. You all were better instrumentalists, no doubt but I for myself missed the speed and the aggression that makes tracks like "Sadus Attack", "Certain Death" or "And then you Die" to all time classics!

alrighty then// we were just doing what we wanted to do...

At next Sadus lost the Roadracer deal. Do you know why?

Not enough record sales i guess and i told them that they fucking sucked.. so they said bye bye..sadus..

Then you signed to Mascot Records in the Netherlands and they released at first a compilation called "Chronicles of Chaos" with tracks from your three records. Why this compilation? Did you see any bucks from that?
I think you did one record for Mascot but I forget the name, sorry. I think you can help us, or? Tell us a little bit about the record without a name, haha! Mascot didn't fix a tour for Sadus, right? Were you satisfied with their work for you?

man that stinks.. it was a grreat album called Elements of anger..., i think the best we have ever done....period.. just me jon and steve... no rob.. new label and it was great... you should check it out....

How many gigs did you do in your whole Sadus career? Did you play with all these great thrashmonsters from that point of time Possessed, Holy Terror, Sacrifice, Hexx and so on.

oh yeah... and then some...

Ok, Darren, leave the past behind! What is your favourite Sadus Fucker?

sadus fucker? probley that girl from mayberry n.c.//aunt bee..

And what is the worst song? Do you play old Sadus tracks sometimes? Name a few!

yes.... what ever they want to hear... we play a couple of years ago at a benifit for chuck billy and played a lot of songs from illusions..swallowed ..vision... and the one you forgot about...

Are you into Metal nowadays and what are you hearing at that point of time?

im not very into the new wave of metal...just the old...there are some great bands out there though,.....

Any chances for a reunion or a European tour or a new Sadus record?

yes....soon..

Are you proud that you've played with so fantastic instrumentalists that in Sadus were?

thanks..yes,, i love playing in sadus.. with jon and steve.

Do you give often Sadus inties nowadays?

i really dont...give many interviews at all.. ever ... i think that is what you were asking..right..

Are you into hockey?

Haha yep.. love the Sharks...

Darren, that's all. I hope you've enjoyed it a little bit. Sorry for my bad English! Thanx for spending time. Greetings to all Sadus Members and to your family! Thanx for your music!!! Last words are yours! Thrash till death and raise the dead! Cheerz Marcus/ Carnage- Zine Take care! SADUS KILLS

thanks... i hope you can use it with such short answers...sorry...i hate to type... thanks to you marcus.... send me a link to your site..

STEVE INTERVIEWED BY METAL HOLOCAUTS WEBZINE / 2004

Well Steve, let's focus on the situation: during the last years there has been many rumours about Sadus reunion, but nothing sure. Tour announced and then deleted, some seldom gigs… but now you're here and we hope you're back to stay! What about your future plans?

First I would not really call this a reunion coz it kinda means that we broke up, and we just stopped, I know what u mean, new activity. But last year there were news about some shows in Germany, shows were planned, but Jon's daughter had a fever in her heart and had to have a transplants, so everything in life simply was less important than that and we cancelled the shows. But since she's doing 100% better, once life cut back to normal for Jon than that meant the band could get back and I call the Italian promoter, Debbie, and she told me we could postpone shows to spring. So we just worked out to put shows together the reasons were just to give the band something to do. About future plans for this year are good: we had this couple of gigs in Greece , now in Italy than we're going to Norway and to Sweden too. And soon we'll back home and get working on new songs for the new album and hopefully we'll finish recording at the end of summer, so it would come out at the end of the year and as it comes out then we wanna come back to the supporting tour for the release of the album. A lot of possibilities for this band. It is a big difference for this band, coz the last album came our 7 years ago and doing so much in a year after so many years is pretty exciting, the guys fell like “Again, we got it again!”

What has happened after Elements Of Anger ? Why did the band stop after such a great album?

You see, me and Jon live right next door we've been friends since we were kids, and Darren we met in school and he lives just down the road, so every day we're best friends, we hang out together, our wives are friends together, our kids all feel like cousins, so being together all the time, sometimes when u say “Do u guys wanna go playing or…? Oh let's make a barbecue”, there were no urgency for the band coz we are always together anyway.

When that album came out we did a lot of shows, months and months of shows in our Area and a couple of shows in the States, but it ain't really a good tour out for the album and the interest just kinda started going down and it was exactly at that point that Testament took me with them, and when that happened, well they kept me really busy, so Sadus took a back sit.

Why did u decide to come back?

Because touring the world with Testament is and awesome experience, those are great guys, I love the music and I like the big shows, but I just really missed doing it with my brothers and I thought they should live that experience. We're together almost everyday and then once in a while I go away and then I come back with all this stories and I say “I gotta bring them, I gotta make this happen for us too”. The all reason for going out playing these shows, it's doing it, that's all.

It's a pity that your albums are not that easy to find. Is a re-release of those great works in your plans?

Everybody asks me about that, but I don't know exactly the legal side of it. The record company that signed those first three albums is Roadracer and I think they still owns the rights and as long as they own them we can't do anything. When we sign with Mascot records they made a compilation, it's like a kinda best of, with songs from the previous albums and put it out. So most of the songs of those albums are out. U can buy that compilation its still available. But we would like to re-release the first three albums, just as they were again like u said. We have good hopes for the new album coz Mascot has got bigger since when we signed the first time and I hear now it has better distribution and u could see this album in Italy for sure.

Death To Poser is out now, how did it born the idea of publishing such an album made of demos?

Well this isn't even a Mascot release, that was a friend of Chuck Schuldiner's. He signs for the new Control Denied album and when they were talking the guy this guy that he'd really like cds and all this guy wanted to do was to take the bands all demos and re-release them and ask us if we were interested, so I said “sure here it is”. We put our second demo on with two bonus tracks, that's all, but it was his idea. Its just like “Hey put out some old songs”, nothing more than that.

We hope it's more a preview of what the new album will be

Well, its hard to say coz everything's so new right now, but I'll tell u a secret, we prepared on new song that is for the new album that we gonna play in this show and we have been playing it every night and it is picking good response. Everybody says “it sounds like old Sadus”. It's hard for us to have that opinion of ourselves coz we created it, so we let everybody else tell us what they think, so if it sounds like old Sadus… maybe.

Many bands are publishing DVDS, it would be great to have such stuff with Sadus story and a live show… are u thinking about that?

I don't promise one but we have been talking about it. We can get the finance to do that. We brought a camera for this trip and try to make nice collage, to have clips for some fans stuff, with live and studios and everything. We're planning it, u make it.

That's why we have a camera now, Steve!

(laughs)

Sadus has always been different than the other bands for ya kept on your own sound, and few other bands such as Death, Atheist, Pestilence and Anacrusis had the courage to try. Don't u think that nowadays the extreme scene lost this will to experiment, to renew band style?

Yeah, I do. I don't wanna say anything bad about bands, but it seems that it concerns million bands now. When we started we just made our sound we did not know how to fit in with everybody, and that turn out that having our own sound made us feeling really good, coz then we need to sound exactly like us in some way. Now we're not the most original band, but like u said we're different enough to where it's just the outside of the all mass.

The scene is much different from the 80s and early 90s, don't u think so?

Yeah, it evolves, it takes turns, every time something new comes out, it evolves..

Maybe in a worst way?

For some people. If u like the old stuff, like us, it seems to be not that interesting. But obviously there's a lot of kids that support this new stuff and it's ok, if it's what they like.

I think your stuff is not old, it's always current, like a classic.

Really? Thank u! Now I know one person that likes us. Or maybe whoever wrote these questions.

We wrote them

Oh, well two fans

Three to be true.

Oh, well three fans, is there any fourth? Echoes, well three guys of the band and three fans, it's even.

The other fans will come later

Really? Ya promise?

Yeah, we tried to do so much adv for ya, we spammed the net.

Obviously a band wants to play for lot of people, for feeling energy, but I wanna the show to be successful for the promoters too, coz we don't deserve to be here, seven years from the last album, I mean, who the hell wanna see this band out of nowhere? It's mainly the chance trough we can pay back our fans for so many years of staying with us, coz they still sent lot of mails just old days, and now the emails and we still see them there, and when I come trough out with Testament fans come up and tell me, they find me and ask me “When Sadus're gonna come?”, then when I come home I tell the guys “Hey, they're up there, they're still there, let's do something”. It's the least we could do. So when a promoter put such a big risk, coz there are lot of money involved in just a simple show, when so much willing to reach out and do that, I hope for them it's a success. So I wanna have like big four houses crazy crowded, a success for everybody!

About 2 years ago there was an all star band project that would have involved Darren and you (Steve) together with Eric Peterson (Testament), that would have been named Suicide Shift , what happened then?

When Chuck got sick, for Testament there were more important things going on of course. Eric has always had an idea in his mind for a side band, he has always loved Black metal and new stuff and he wanted his own band doing that. So when he knew that there was some time, he took that time and created Dragonlord. Then when Chuck was getting treatment he was only for a couple of hours a day, he was in hospital and then at home with his family and friends. Eric said I wanna do something too, and told me “Lets make some songs and see what happens” with plans on recording an album and there u'r right on Suicide Shift , but we got pretty far, but then he got to the point where Chuck was doing better and Testament were coming in again and also Sadus went for a lil trip in September 2002. So with Sadus getting back, practicing and going on trip and Testament doing stuff, that Suicide Shift thing just went to the back. Since then there's no spare time, it's still in the back.

And talking about Testament, great Paul Bostaph is now a band member!

We played three shows with him so far, and Paul and Eric are at home working on the new songs right now.

Can u tell us smthg about your new album?

I just know a few songs. Eric has a lot of songs written, but we are preparing little by little. I've heard a few songs. I've talked with Eric on the phone and I know there is a lot of stuff ready, he's working on the drums with Paul, he helps him to change arrangements and stuff. I don't know a lot about it, but I know the process has started and it's on the way for sure.

Are u directly involved in the long Karmageddon Media vs. Chuck Schuldiner family lawsuit, can u tell us how are things?

I'm not involved in the lawsuit, I don't really know many details actually. I just know that there's a difference of opinions between the company and the family. The album is partially recorded, there's a part that still needs to be finished and I'm a part of that, I haven't done anything on the album yet. When they'll figure out what they gonna do legally, then I gotta go finish my stuff. That's' really all I can tell u, coz I'm not really involved!

As a Control Denied fan, I can tell u that we really wish to have this second album…

I'm right next to you! I wish that album too, I have recordings of Chuck in which he's playing some songs, it's good stuff, man, I think it's a lot better than the first album. It has not came together and u can't compare them, but just in the early stage u can hear more emotions from Chuck in playing. I can't wait either!

Talking about Chuck, what can u tell us about this Karmageddon release Chuck Schuldiner – Zero Tolerance ?

That's news to me. I know nothing about that. Sorry.

- Signing Death's Individual Thought Patterns … and Control Denied's The fragile art of existence -

I actually still like this album. Sometimes when I do something u get so into it, that all u hear for days and days is that album and when its don u feel like I don't wanna hear it anymore. But once in awhile there's an album that when I'm done, I play it like a fan, like: “I like that song… oh, I played on it too”.

DEADLY EMBRACE REPORTS FROM THE SADUS REHEARSAL ZONE / 2004

THE SADUS PRACTICE: PREVIEW OF WHAT'S TO COME!

The Scene:
I had the pleasure of going to the Sadus studio, and catching a practice.......The first I must say is that this band is highly prepared.....thats right, their bar was fully stocked, 2 bottles of Jack Daniels, 2 jugs of Wolf Vodka, 2 Souza Tequilla's, and various(lots) other bottles of different types of booze, but they were low on mixers........The Sadus studio is very comfortable & has a club feeling about it......couches & chairs.... Posters, Pirate Flags(skull & Crossbones), Sadus Backdrops, Black light neon psychedelic posters, line all the walls, top to bottom, ever growing from the years they have spent staying their......Lots of Sadus, Posters & flyers, a history of the bands moments in time.......its dark.....the ceiling has 3 black lights that give the posters life......behind the drums are a couple of colored cans of lights that set the mood.....I notice lots of Pam Anderson & Carmen Electra's, and other note worthy blonds, in different stages of undress & sexual poses......Long haired Blonds & Metal......go together like a toothbrush & your toothpaste.

The Cast:
Just Sadus.......Stevie D.....Darrin, & Jon...........and me: The audience.

The New Music:
Five totally new songs, which will be on the new album........
Since I shall not divulge their titles of these new songs(I don't want to tell secrets that I might not supposed to), I'll name them according to how I felt it. These songs had no vocals, no keyboards.......and are in different levels of completion.....The First one I call.......The Best Sadus Song I ever heard, it was different, guitar driven, Bass controlled ......fast but had a great groove.
Second was what I call Jazzy/fast Sadus song, they really are great musicians, this song showcases that, changes that only Sadus can pull off, mid gallop stops & stutters.....Next Stevie D straps on a double Bass 10 string......and warns me that this is a long number......I call this Epic Sadus, a great feel to it, it builds, gets into a wonderful groove, backs down & gets moody.....& builds again, this was my second favorite of the night.......After a short break, Next up....Weird Sadus......changes galore, nobody can guess when, they just do it in unison.....Sadus Style.....and number 5 was what I call Sadus On The Run...........Fast, Metal, but with a nice groove, I really liked this one alot.........Hail Stevie D, he plays the Bass like some people play a guitar......he never fails to amaze me...performing his task.....he reminds me of Yngwie Malmsteen........on The Bass......but he is Steve DiGiorgio, just one of the greatest Bass players I have ever seen.........The new Sadus looks like its gonna be one of their best releases to date!

Elements Of Anger:
They asked me what I wanted to hear.....so I said how about something from Elements Of Anger.......Steve hooked up his keyboard, Darrin his PA, and they played Crutch & Mask, back to back.......I really like their last studio album, & of course they obliged me......nice guys.....and a small Sadus concert for me!
Well I like to think that, actually these guys practice about 4 times a week, after dinner with their families, & I jumped in for a night. So thats how I spent Thursday night, I got my Sadus in.