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Headless Cross are a Birmingham based heavy metal band that have been very active on the UK
live metal scene for the past 4 years. In that time they have appeared on bills
with bands such as Stratovarious, Metal Church, Edguy, Rage, Gamma Ray,
Nocturnal Rites, Orange Goblin, Kreator, Athiest, Bal-Sagoth, Dark
Tranquility, Sodom, and many more major Metal acts. As the band have just finished demoing tracks for their forthcoming album with
Producer Andy Faulkener (Bolt Thrower, Siam), we thought it was a good time to catch up with guitarist Rich Goss on how it all went.
Metal Mayhem: Thanks for answering a few of our questions, how are things at the moment?
Rich Goss: No problem Chris, things are going good, working hard on promotion for the new album. Just finishing off solos for the new tracks.
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MM: It's fair to say that you’ve had your fair share of line-up changes since Headless Cross formed, can you tell us about the latest incarnation of the
band?
RG: I've been in the band for just over a month now, and having played shows with Headless
Cross I can say the band is incredibly tight live, and there's a lot of energy onstage between the band
members. Feedback so far from the gigs has been positive!
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MM: How's the new release coming along? Last we heard you were aiming to record it around
January/February?
RG: We begin recording the band's debut album on February 3rd with Andy Faulkner. The CD will have 10 tracks and will be released on the 7th of May through Razor
Records. More details on this coming soon.
MM: Yeah, you’re working with Andy Faulkner [Bolt Thrower] on the new CD, how did this
all come about?
RG: Dave and Sal recorded a 4 track demo a few months back with Andy, and since then
we've decided to record a full album with him, his production is great!
MM: Are there any working/potential album titles yet?
RG: Fuck Emo haha. Na, we haven't settled on one yet.
MM: Are these going to be completely new songs, or will there be any re-recorded older tracks?
RG: Both! New tracks including "In For The Kill", "Frontline", and others that will be named
soon! Also there'll be re-recorded versions of old favourite's "Heaven's Gate",
"In Cold Blood", "Remission", etc.
MM: Where would you say you draw your main influences from lyrically and musically?
RG: For me, my main influences musically would be Megadeth, Testament, Death! But I also
like a lot of classical and flamenco guitar playing. My soloing is influenced by
Marty Friedman, James Murphy, Chuck Schuldiner. But I can also be influenced by
mood or emotion...a lot of cool riffs have been written when I've been pissed
off or stabbed in the back by people!!
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MM: With you sharing the stage with such bands as Stratovarious, Gamma Ray, Nocturnal
Rites, Kreator, Athiest, Sodom and supporting such Thrash legends as Onslaught
and Xentrix what would you say has been the highlight of the bands career so
far?
RG: Although I wasn't in the band at the time, I'd say Bloodstock Open Air Festival
and Ireland Whiplash Festival were big shows for the band.
MM: You’ve received some very positive reviews and are known for the consistency of your
live shows which has ultimately catapulted Headless Cross to forefront of the
UK metal resurrection. With the release of the new CD this year, what would you
like to achieve during 2007?
RG: We're making plans to film a music video for one of the tracks to promote the
upcoming CD, aiming to get it played on Scuzz, Redemption/Rockworld, Kerrang,
etc. A lot of gigs, pushing the band to new levels, getting the name Headless
Cross in everyone's faces!
MM: Are there any announced or in the works gigs/tours this year?
RG: We're booking up shows at the moment but will be working with an agency to organise a
tour including gigs abroad.
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MM: Here’s your chance to sell yourselves, any last words/comments?
RG: Yeah man, to quote Chuck Schuldiner..."Support music, not rumours"
MM: Thanks again, and all the best for 2007.
RG: Thanks for the interview Chris, keep it metal \m/ \m/
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Chris Rogers
