There's a book called Heroes Of The Metal Underground being released on August 29th 2023. which focuses upon the 1980's American Heavy Metal scene and Independent Metal Bands from the USA Underground scene.
The book is fairly extensive with over 620 pages dedicated to that legendary era of Heavy Metal and has been written by author Alexandros Anesiadis who has written two other books called Crossover the Edge and We Can Be the New Wind, which document punk and hybrid punk-metal bands.
I was given the chance to interview Alexandros about the writing of the book and his own personal tastes within Heavy Metal and other genres of music.
Here's what went down....
Hi Alexandros. Thanks for doing the interview. How are things with you all today.
Hello Steve! I'm doing very well, thank you. So happy for our interview-just allow me to blast a record while we do it (and this will be The Chisel- Retaliation).
We're here to talk about your new book Heroes Of The Metal Underground, For people not in the know, can you provide a brief description on what the book is about.
It's on the US bands of 1980-1989, that released at least one more record (LP, 7'', 10'' and even a cassette LP as long its not a demo) on their own. Private, small pressings, and bands that went on to become much more famous later (such as Virgin Steele, Cirith Ungol, Brocas Helm, Manilla Road) alongside totally unknown ones (such as Resless, Axxe, Gunner etc etc).
Why did you decide to write about the 1980's American Underground Heavy Metal scene and not let's say the European 1980's Metal Scene or even the UK.
Well, regarding the UK, there's a good number of books on NWOBHM and post-NWOBHM bands, that already cover somehow this issue (of course there are post-1985 bands that released their records on their own), while the European scene of this kind is literally huge-it can't be covered in just one book. Alongside, I love American music, firstly and foremost: even though I have no limitations in my preferences (regarding countries), I have to admit that the USA, alongside UK, Canada and Australia, are my favorite scenes.
When did you get the idea to write this book and how long did it take you to write the book.
When I found out that there was no book of this kind! Actually, there was a book, that collected the private US 7'' named as " North America Private 45's" by John Haupt (who, alongside Jim Cranford had O.P.M. Records). However, this book is almost 30 years old, out of stock, and with (obviously) many stuff missing. It took me about 3 years to write it, and it was a 7/7 job.
Was it a challenging book to research and write from start to finish.
It was, even though my most challenging book, that tested all my personal limits was "We Can Be The New Wind". Just imagine that though, I was lost in a sea of Word files, and even though I managed to include 1100 bands (all reviewed), I lost one Word file with an extra of 350 bands, later to be found in a subfolder, when though the final draft was already submitted...oh well! Second edition!
How many interviews did you carry out for this book alone. As this book is fairly extensive at over 620 pages.
I did carry around 155 interviews, used around 125, because it could really go off the rails!
Did you interview bands or artists that you were heroes of yours and even bands you never even heard of.
Well, I can't say that those bands were heroes of mine, since I'm into punk, hardcore and garage. I had though many records by those bands beforehand. What was really intriguing though was the whole DIY attitude of punk that those bands had-it was my driving force. And I managed to discover great bands like Spectral Incursion, Childhood's End, Halloween, Tantrum, Street Child and the funnier is that those bands had also connections with the hardcore punk scene!
What was your favourite band that you featured within this book
Ah man, this is way too tough! Except for the aforementioned bands, I would add Ruffians, Decoy Paris, Leather Nunn, Villain. All great stuff, with great lyrics too, not the dumb macho lyrics of the (then) mainstream metal that dominated the charts.
You have a good perspective of how things were different and difficult for upcoming bands back in the 1980's without the global industry of social media that can help or make a bands career before it's even started. Do you see any similarities between today's Heavy Metal Scene compared to being a band in the 1980's.
There's no similarities whatsoever. Even if today the terms of recording and releasing your music are easier and more DIY than ever, you can see that there are very few bands that could write actual songs. Nowadays, you hear a new metal band having a crystal clear production, where everything sounds perfect, minus the actual songs themselves! And I don't mean to sound as a boomer, but truth is that rock n' roll (overall), has reached its limits-how long can you rehash the original sounds of 1960's to 00's, and sound original? I mean, the last sub-genre/movement that offered a piece of originality was the late 90's/early 00's neo-crust, with bands like Tragedy and From Ashes Rise. Don't get me wrong, there are still good bands out there, but there is also an unbelievable amount of bands that are not crap, but are forgettable.
Yannis Skarpelos contributed with you to write this book. How did Yannis get involved and what does he bring to Heroes Of The Metal Underground.
Ah! Yannis is the real metalhead of the book! He loves all things metal, and he did carry out many reviews. He was also the driving force when I was too tired.
Photo by Nikoletta Pakalidou
You've written two other books Crossover The Edge and We Can Be The New Wind which both focus upon the 1980's Punk/Rock/Metal scenes. What fascinates you greatly about the 1980's Music scene and would you consider writing other decades of music such as the 90's.
Well, my next book is gonna be on 1990's music, but I won't reveal its theme yet! I was born in the early 1980's, and as long as I can remember myself, I love 1980's music. I was lucky enough to be into a full musical family, with an older sister and brother, and I can still remember myself being a pain towards them, asking them to play again King Kurt, A Flock of Seagulls, The Stranglers, The Clash, Stray Cats records. They use to leave me watch musical videos all day long in my summer vacation, and of course, checking out their LP's. They were musicians too, so...it was inevitable.
What is your favourite genre of music overall and is there a genre of heavy music that you can't really stand listening to.
My favorite genre is US hardcore punk, both pre-1984 and post-1984. My favorite bands are Wipers, D.R.I., Agnostic Front, Cro-Mags, Replacements, Jerry's Kids, Adrenalin O.D., Soul Asylum, Husker Du, Toxic Reasons....so many actually. My favorite metal bands on the other hand, are the ones that either are political (Sacred Reich, Nuclear Assault) or have this ultra-tiny sound, with personal or serious lyrics (Blitzkrieg, Praying Mantis, Liege Lord, Vicious Rumors, Mystic Force, Angelwitch), bands that have something to say.
Ha hah! This reply will freak you out, there are so many! I can't stand death, black metal and metalcore. The cookie monster vocals are a huge turn-off, plus black metal bands are dodgy as F, and there's so much little time to figure out "who's Nazi and who's not", so I prefer to stay away. I also can't stand stoner and sludge, boring stuff. And obviously, generic classic metal bands.
Where people can buy Heroes Of The Metal Underground. (I've already pre-ordered my copy and a review will be happening within the next month or so).
Directly from Feral House Publications and Amazon.
Here you are: https://www.amazon.com/Heroes-Metal-Underground-Definitive-Independent/dp/1627311408
I see you're an avid vinyl collector. How long have you been collecting vinyl and what are your most prized records in your collection.
Ha! I didn't expect that question, and have to say that I love it!
Well, I collect records for the last 30 years (I'm 43, since 13 years old), and my most prized records are:
1) The Misfits - Beware 12'' OG
2) The Worst- The Worst 7'' OG
3) Nabat- Scenderemo Nelle Strade 7'' OG
4) Wipers - Better Off Dead 7'' OG
5) Warzone - Don't Forget The Struggle Don't Forget The Streets OG
Do you have any words of wisdom for budding writers trying to write a book such as yours. What traps should they avoid and how to get over that dreaded writers block.
Stay focused. Keep it up, every day, no matter what. Don't lose touch because if you do, it would be a 100 times harder to come back. Read, note down every idea you have, and every finding, anytime. When you feel that you are stuck, go outside for a walk, do some workout. And don't start doing it in the first place, if you are not interested in the theme you have chosen 100%!
Thanks for your time Alexandros. I wish you every success with your new book. Cheers.
Thank you so much Steve-it was a fantastic interview. Cheers mate!
Words by Steve Howe and Alexandros Anesiadis
Thanks to Dan at Discipline PR for arranging this interview and thanks to Alexandros for doing this interview and for his brilliantly honest replies.
You can buy Heroes Of The Metal Underground from Feral House Publications and Amazon
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