Please state your site moniker for the record.

Metal Joe

What the hell do you even do around here anyways?

Creator of this site.  I do the new release lists,  Family Tree, collaborate with MU and did the discontinued Albums Ranked.

When did you discover our lord and savior, Heavy Metal?

Depending on what we want to count it 12 or 13, probably.  My  first introduction was 70’s hard rock like Kiss, and Aerosmith, and AC/DC as well as 80/90’s hard rock Guns n Roses.  My first introduction to metal was Glam bands like Quiet Riot, and Twisted Sister.  At some point I was introduced to Ozzy and Black Sabbath, Metallica and importantly Iron Maiden.

At what point did you realize you had been converted to the gospel of Heavy Metal?

At some point I wasn’t really listening to the non metal stuff much at all and was completely obsessed with my new favorite band Iron Maiden and others like Megadeth, and Iced Earth.  I’d say the change to true metal head was by 14.

What was the first Heavy Metal concert you attended?

Ozzfest 2005.  Iron Maiden and the original Black Sabbath line up where co headlining except Ozzy was sick so there was no Sabbath.  Maiden was my favorite band (still are) so it was a major bummer but it was fine.  That year was also some other cool bands, Arch Enemy which I unfortunately didn’t get there early enough to see.  Rob Zombie was cool although I’m not the biggest fan.  Main stage had Black Label Society and Shadows Fall which was cool except for Shadows Fall had some technical difficulties and played most of the set without one guitar.

What 10 albums would you choose to hold as the “commandments” of the Heavy Metal faith?

This was hard,  I tried to pick out amazing albums as well as some variety although I know I didn’t cover styles.  These aren’t necessarily my favorite albums from each band.  In no order.

Judas Priest - Painkiller
Judas Priest - British Steel
Iron Maiden - Piece of Mind
Megadeth - Rust in Peace
Black Sabbath - Paranoid
Carcass - Surgical Steel
Iced Earth - Burnt Offerings
Metallica - Kill ‘Em All
Death - Leprosy
Slayer - Reign in Blood

What common sins against the greatness of Heavy Metal annoys you most?

Nu-metal isn’t metal.  This isn’t a polarizing statement only posers like nu-metal.
I’m not a fan of most grindcore.
Funeral doom is too damn slow and bores the hell out of me.
If you are “post-metal” then you are not metal.  Post means after.  I do however see post-black metal as a legitimate metal style although I don’t care for the name.
Dungeon synth is not metal.  Your ambient keyboard compositions might be relaxing or good background music, but not metal.
Genres of music should not be defined by lyrical content.  Amon Amarth is not “viking metal”.

Do you play any instruments, and if so, who are your inspirations?

As a songwriter my biggest influences come from Steve Harris (Iron Maiden), Jon Schaffer (Iced Earth), Dave Mustaine (Megadeth), Chuck Schuldiner (Death).  Also Nevermore, Kreator, Slayer, Arch Enemy.

Drums:  My biggest influences are Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden), Bill Ward (Black Sabbath), Nick Minza (Megadeth), Richard Christy (Death).  Dave Lambardo (Slayer), Danial Erlandson (Arch Enemy.

Guitar: Tony Iommi , Jon Schaffer, Michael Amott, Millie Petrozza (Kreator), Dave Mustaine, James Hetfield

Vocals: Warrel Dane, Geoff Tate, Bruce Dickinson, Halford, Matt Barlow, Millie Petrozza, Chuck Shuldiner, Tom Araya, Daniel Heiman when he was in Lost Horizon, Timo Kotipelto, Joacim Cans, a tone more

What musicians would comprise your perfect band?

I mean that’s Iron Maiden but… obviously I like a lot of things they don’t do so…

Guitars: Chuck Schuldiner, Jon Scheffer and Michael Amott

Bass: Steve Harris

Vocals, Daniel Heiman

Drums: Myself, I’m basically a blend of any drummers I would want.

Who would win in a wrestling match: Lemmy or God?

Trick Question, Lemmy is God!.... But actually Dio literally means god so…  Also he slayed dragons on a regular basis.