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REVOLUTION-MUSIC.DK
Revolution Music: Hallo. First of I would like to congratulate you for your new album “Mankind Way Of Life”.
Max: Thanx! We have worked hard to produce it and it expresses our mood through the years, from 2000 to 2008.

Revolution Music: Could you start out by introducing yourselves and tell us what your role in the band is?
Max: I’m Max and I’ve been playing bass guitar in Planar Evil since January 2003. Mark, our singer, he’s the one who started out this project. At the beginning they were a thrash-trio. During the “Land of Doom” demo recording session in November 2002 I was always following them around. Then they decided they needed a stronger sound also during live performances, that’s why they asked me to join the band.

Revolution Music: How and why did you come up with the name “PLANAR EVIL”? Does it have any special meaning?
Max: We chose this name in the early days, in 1999 I think… it doesn’t have any special meaning, it’s just a matter of sound, it seemed to us that those words well recalled the concept of Land of Doom.

Revolution Music: How did you all come together, and became the band you are today?
Max: We had some line up changes through the years…Fortunately we have had a steady line up since 2005 with me at bass guitar, Mark Evil at vocals and rhythm guitars, Antonio at lead guitar and Amilcare at drums. More or less we have the same lifestyle.

Revolution Music: The album is released trough MDD Records, how did the contract get established, and how are they to work with?
Max: It was me who produced “Mankind Way Of Life” in 400 copies with my ITALIAN THRASH ATTACK (www.myspace.com/italianthrashattack) small promo agency. I have already done a standard promo campaign contacting many labels. After a while MDD Records showed us its interest in reprinting the cd (the first print got sold out in only two months!). There is a good feeling between Planar Evil and MDD, I gotta say they are doing a great job for us, as well as giving a great support to the underground scene.

Revolution Music: Why did you choose the title “Mankind Way Of Life” for this record, does it have any special meaning?
Max: Yes I chose the name "Mankind Way Of Life", it is to expresses the many ways of life that one can follow and that’s what make people different one from another. Above all I meant to underline the wrong ones, the wrong ways of leading one’s own life.

Revolution Music: When you started working on this album, how long did the process take from the first step to the final product? Was it hard to write new material for this record or did it come naturally for you?
Max: The recording process started with a pre-production at home in February 2008. After we entered the Temple of Noise Studios in Rome. It took us much time to mix. As for the next album we absolutely want to spend more time in mixing and mastering, probably in another recording studio. About the song-writing everything comes naturally. What else...we are also working on new songs now.

Revolution Music: Where did you record the album, and who produced it?
Max: Both “Mankind Way Of Life”, and “Land Of Doom” demo, were recorded and mixed at Temple of Noise Studios in Rome by Christian Ice with our collaboration of course.

Revolution Music: How was it to work with him?
Max: It’s always a lot of fun to work with Christian, he’s mad! It’s the third time that I have recorded at his studios. But for the next one album we think we are going to look for something new.

Revolution Music: Are you trying to express something through your music?
Max: We play what and how we live every day. Our thoughts, our opinions.

Revolution Music: How has the album been received by the press, the critics and the fans so far?
Max: As I have said we got the first 400 copies printed under ITALIAN THRASH ATTACK sold out in only two months. They asked for them from everywhere : Italy, Germany, Usa, Japan and so on…We did not expect such a thing! The reprint under MDD seems to go well too! We also have good ratings in reviews by magazine, fanzine and webzine.

Revolution Music: What is your view on the group’s position in today’s music scene?
Max: We are an underground band devoted to the old school thrash metal, not more, not less.

Revolution Music: How would you compare the material on “Mankind Way Of Life” to your previous material?
Max: If you listen to “Land of Doom” demo you can see that we have re-arranged all the tracks (the second part of “Mankind Way Of Life”). There is absolutely a better production and professional composition, as well as in our new songs. We have a better line up now so we decided to rearrange the old songs too. But “Land Of Doom” also sounds good…it’s for thrash metal maniacs, the ones who really appreciate screeching raw sounds.

Revolution Music: How would you define your style?
Max: Old School Thrash Metal. In our music you can find old school sensibility with a modern production. The Old School in 2009.

Revolution Music: What kind of stuff did you grow up listening to, and what kind new music do you listen to these days?
Max: We are truly thrash metal maniacs and we have grown up listening to the pioneers of thrash metal. We still listen to old stuffs but new things are always welcome.. There is a great underground thrash metal scene today and there are some come back of great bands from the old school too. Our influences comes from the Bay Area sound but we listen to thrash metal from everywhere if it’s good to us.

Revolution Music: Have any of these bands been source of inspiration for the album?
Max: For sure, bands like Forbidden, Exodus, Testament, Slayer, Sacred Reich, Overkill and old Metallica.

Revolution Music: In your time as musicians, what is your biggest musical achievement so far?
Max: Playing at metal festivals with great metal bands, have a contract with a label, having fans all around the underground metal world.

Revolution Music: Could we expect any European tour and maybe see the band in action here in Denmark any time soon?
Max: It would be great!

Revolution Music: What do you think of the music scene in Europe, compared to the scene in the US?
Max: There is a good scene in Europe too, for sure!

Revolution Music: What would be the ultimate tour, festival or show for you to play at?

Max: A new Clash of Titans hahahahah!!!

Revolution Music: Do you have any breaking news with the bands?
Max: We are working on new songs and planning some shows.

Revolution Music: That’s all we’ve got this time, do you have anything that you'd like to add or say?
Max: Thanx for your great support, see ya thrashin’ all around. THRASH OR BE THRASHED from Mark, Max, Antonio and Amilcare: A New Level Of Ignorance and Power ahahaha!!! Join us on www.myspace.com/planarevil and www.planarevil.com.

Revolution Music: We would like to say thanks a lot for your time. And we wish all you guys all the luck in the future whatever it might bring. And thanks to Sure Shot Worx for setting this interview up.
Max: Thanx again! Keep in touch!

DEAD SHOP-ANTICHRIST MAGAZINE
MDD, first time I'm heard about this German label, but looks to release number (33), this is not young label… Well, PLANAR EVIL was anonymous name for me too, so this is first time when I listen to them. Musically we have pretty great stuff for our thrashing ears, he-he! Yeah, no more no less but TRUEST old-school thrrrash Metal! Music made in great straight forward way, with tight rhythm-section, many just killer tempo-changes and good vocals. I can't underline some one-two song/s from this CD, means the whole album is GREAT and made in perfect way. Then beware of good freezing guitar solos and not less good musical thresholds. I listen to this album some times already, and I find it much interesting with every listening. Prepare yourself for incredible thrash metal tunes, just take some beers and play this CD on full volume. Except of music directly, I'd like to admit album sound, which is really great as for thrash metal, all instruments are recorded excellent and in “clear” way, adding destructive drumming and so on… As a whole I can dare to say that if you are into such TESTAMENT, SLAYER and ANTHRAX – “Mankind Way Of Life” is TOTALLY for your beer mind! Keep up your eyes upon these Italians future! 4+/5

PLANET HEAVY METAL
(ENG)
1.Hello Planar Evil. First thing. Can you tell us about your own Bandhistory? When did you start making music? Which bands you..ll play before?

Max: Planar Evil was assembled during January 1999 and it officially became a steady band in 2000, 9 years ago...it seems to me such a long time, man! Next year we'll have such a great party aha! We recorded the first demo “Land Of Doom” in 2002, we had some line up changes through the years but we never stopped our activity. In 2008 we recorded the first official album under MDD Records and thanks to the promotion of Italian Thrash Attack (www.myspace.com/italianthrashattack). At the moment we are working on new songs and planning some live shows. About our experiences before Planar Evil…I played in a black metal band called Leprosy (www.myspace.com/leprosyita) and in a gothic project called How like a Winter (www.myspace.com/howlikeawinterband). Mark also played with other bands, he loves music and have many side projects.

2. How are the reactions so far for your new Album?

Max: We had a first print of 400 copies under Italian Thrash Attack and it was a great success! We got all the copies sold out in two months. Fans from all over the world (from Italy to Japan, to America, Germany and so on) appreciated our work. Then we signed a record deal with MDD Records which reprinted the cd in 1000 copies and the sells are going very well, they are working hard to promote us!

3.What are your inspirations, when you..re writing lyrics?

Max: inspiration comes from our everyday life, from our experiences, social problems, mind pollution and so on...

4. Which Bands influenced you and which Bands are responsible for you, that you..re doing music?

Max: All the thrash metal we have listened to for years and years, we are heavy metal maniacs! Probably most the Bay Area ones but also band such Motorhead and Venom.

5.What was for yourself the most impressing Experience in your Band History?

Max: the last years have been the most satisfying for us...as we have been included in the Thrash Metal encyclopaedia by Garry Scarpe-Young (www.zondabooks.com), we have signed up with a label such MDD and have played in great concerts and festival. But as AC/DC says “It’s a long way to the top if you wanna rock ‘n’ roll”…

6.Can you tell us something about the Italian Thrashscene? How big is it and which Bands you think, we should listen to?

Max: National Suicide, H-George, Shock Troopers and don’t forget an institution such as BULLDOZER! Take a look to ITALIAN THRASH ATTACK (www.myspace.com/italianthrashattack) where you can find everything about the Italian Thrash Metal scene.

7. When you..re not doing music. What are your favourite things you do? Which Jobs you have?

Max: I don’t like to talk about job…we all have a steady job but it isn’t our life... I like to travel, going to concerts all around and collecting metal stuffs.

8. Are there any Touringplans for the future?

Max: Sure, we are planning some concerts, in Germany too. In September we'll play at the Metal Disorder Festival in Milan with bands such Pitiful Reign (UK).

9. Do you have some last words for our readers?

Max: Give us a feedback on our official www.myspace.com/planarevil Thrash or be Thrashed and see ya thrashin’ all around!!!

(GER)
1.Hallo Planar Evil. Könnt ihr uns zuerst etwas über eure Bandhistorie erzählen? Wann habt ihr angefangen mit der Band und in welchen Bands habt ihr zuvor gespielt?
Max: Planar Evil wurde langsam während Januar 1999 aufgebaut und wir wurden Anfang 2000 eine richtige Band. Neun Jahre, ist schon so verdammt lange her, Mann. Nächstes jahr werden wir dann eine fette Party starten,haha. Wir haben unser erstes Demo „Land of Doom“ im Jahr 2002 aufgenommen, in den Jahren dazwischen hatten wir diverse Wechsel im Line-Up, aber wir haben nie aufgehört aktiv zu sein. 2008 haben wir dann unser erstes Album über MDD Records rausgebracht. Danke übrigens an die Werbung von Italian Thrash Attack (www.myspace.com/italianthrashattack ). Momenatn arbeiten wir an neuen Songs und planen ein paar Konzerte. Vir Planar Evil habe ich in einer Black Metal Band namens „Leprosy“ gespielt (www.myspace.com/leprosyita) und in einem Gothicprojekt namens „How like a Winter“ (www.myspace.com/howlikeawinterband). Mark hat mit einigen anderen Bands gespielt und hatte diverse Seitenprojekte. Er liebt halt die Musik.

2. Wie waren die Reaktionen denn bislang zum Album?

Max: Wir hatten in der ersten Auflage 400 Kopien unter Verbreitung von Italian Thrash Attack und es war ein Riesenerfolg. Innerhalb von zwei Monaten waren alle Kopien ausverkauft. Fans aus aller Welt( von Italien bis Japan, Amerika, Deutschland und so weiter) haben unsere Platte lobend anerkannt. Danach haben wir einen Vertrag mit MDD Records unterschrieben, die haben die Platte in einer 1000er-Auflage rausgebracht und die Verkäufe gehen ganz gut. Die machen gute Promotion, die Jungs.

3. Was sind eure Inspirationen für Texte?

Max: Die Inspirationen kommen aus unserem Alltag, unseren Erfahrungen, zwischenmenschlichen Problemen, und vieles mehr.

4. Welche Bands haben euch beeinflusst und euch dazu gebracht, selbst Musik zu machen?

Max: All die ganzen Thrashbands, die wir über die Jahre gehört haben, wir sind halt Metalmaniacs. Hauptsächlich die ganze Bay Area durch, aber auch Bands wie „Venom“ und „Motörhead“.

5. Was war für euch die beeindruckendste Erfahrung in euerer Bandgeschichte?

Max: Die letzten Jahre waren sehr befriedigend für uns, wir wurden zum Beispiel in die Thrash Metal Enzyklopädie von Garry Scarpe-Young (www.zondabooks.com) eingetragen, wir haben einen guten Vertrag mit MDD und haben eine Menge cooler Konzerte und Festivals gespielt. Aber wie „AC/DC“ schon sagten: “It’s a long way to the top if you wanna rock ‘n’ roll”…

6. Kannst du uns etwas über die italienische Thrashszene erzählen? Ist sie groß und welche Bands sind empfehlenswert?

Max: National Suicide, H-George, Shock Troopers und nicht zu vergessen die Institution BULLDOZER. Schaut mal unter Italian Thrash Attack (www.myspace.com/italianthrashattack), da könnt ihr einiges an Bands finden.

7. Abseits der Musik, was macht ihr so? Hobbys, Jobs?

Max: Ich rede ungern über die Arbeit, wir haben alle feste Jobs, aber es ist nicht unser Leben. Ich mag es zu reisen, zu Konzerten gehen und Metalstoff zu sammeln.

8. Gibt es Tourpläne für die Zukunft?

Max: Sicher. Wir planen einige Konzerte, unter anderem auch in Deutschland. Im September werden wir auf dem Metal Disorder Festival in Mailand spielen, wo auch Bands wie Pitiful Reign aus England dabei sind.

9. Irgendwelche letzten Worte für unsere Leser?

Max: Gibt uns Feedback auf www.myspace.com/planarevil . Thrash or be Thrashed and see ya Thrashin’ all around!!!

ICED TEARS WEBZINE
1) Ciao ragazzi. Innanzitutto, ci raccontate un pò la storia dei Planar Evil?

Max: I PLANAR EVIL nascono ufficialmente nel 2000 con una formazione a tre in stile Venom che subirà poi nel tempo diversi cambi. Nel 2002 viene registrato il primo demo “Land od Doom” presso i famigerati Temple of Noise Studios romani di Christian Ice. Dopo diversi cambi di line up e la partecipazione a diversi festival metal e numerose apparizioni live di spalla anche a nomi noti quali Blaze Bayley, TM Stevens, Torture Squad e Saint Deamon, nel 2008 viene registrato, sempre presso i Temple of Noise Studios, il primo album “Mankind Way Of Life” sotto l’ala promozionale di ITALIAN THRASH ATTACK (www.myspace.com/italianthrashattack). I responsi sono stati ottimi e le prime 400 copie so andate a ruba dall’Italia all’America, Giappone, Germania, ecc… Ciò ha fruttato anche il contratto discografico con la label tedesca MDD Records.

2) Siete soddisfatti dei risultati ottenuti con Mankind Way Of Life, o vi aspettavate un pò di più?

Max: a livello di produzione e sound cercheremo di ottenere qualcosa di più con le prossime registrazioni cambiando studio di registrazione ma questo penso sia un’evoluzione naturale, si cerca sempre di ottenere il meglio. Anche se non possiamo poi lamentarci tanto del risultato ottenuto! Per quanto riguarda vendite e promozione siamo molto soddisfatti. Le prime 400 copie sono andate a ruba nell’arco di soli 2 mesi e a quanto pare anche le vendite della ristampa tramite MDD stanno andando più che bene.

3) Riguardo ai testi. Di cosa parlano?

Max: esperienze di vita, problemi sociali, inquinamento mentale ecc… Mankind Way Of Life rappresenta i diversi modi di vivere del genere umano…probabilmente quelli più sbagliati ed egoisti.

4) In studio di registrazione è filato tutto liscio? C'è stato qualche intoppo? raccontateci un pò la vostra esperienza nel produrre Mankind...!

Max: dopo una preproduzione „fatta in casa“ abbiamo raggiunto i romani Temple of Noise Studios per la seconda volta (per me la quarta). Diciamo che tutto è filato liscio anche se i giorni a disposizione erano davvero troppo pochi per registrare 12 tracce quindi è stata una corsa contro il tempo. Nonostante tutto poi il tempo dedicato al mixaggio è stato notevole grazie un po’ alla pazienza di Christian Ice e soprattutto alla nostra!

5) Musicalmente. Quanto vi sentite legati alla scena old school? E cosa ne pensate di essa?

Max: io e Mark che siamo gli unici supersiti delle prime line up della band siamo molto legati al thrash metal old school. Sicuramente il demo “Land of Doom” suona molto più old school rispetto al nuovo “Mankind Way Of Life” e questo perché non disdegniamo comunque produzioni più “moderne” (concedimi questo termine blasfemo) alla Testament/Exodus/Overkill e perché no anche qualche arrangiamento più complicato. Io e Mark seguiamo tutt’ora l’evolversi della scena thrash: le vecchie leve non scherzano ma c’è anche un’ottima sfilza di band underground degna di nota! A differenza di quanto dici nella recensione che hai fatto su Iced Tears il thrash metal non trova difficoltà a tornare oggi, anzi!

6) Da quali band vi sentite maggiormente influenzati?

Max: principalmente dalla scena americana ma non solo...comunque band quali Exodus, Overkill, Testament, Slayer, Anthrax, Forbidden, Nuclear Assault ma anche Venom e Motorhead…

7) Ho visto nello space che avete solo delle date nel nord Italia. E' perchè nel sud ci sono meno locali e forse c'è anche meno supporto da parte del pubblico?

Max: sicuramente il nord Italia offre più spazi per la musica dal vivo ma la gran parte dei nostri concerti li abbiamo comunque avuti al sud dove abbiamo un’ampia schiera di supporter...grazie al supporto e la promozione di ITALIAN THRASH ATTACK e della nostra label MDD ultimamente siamo riusciti ad allargare un pò gli orizzonti e sono in programmazione anche alcune date in Germania.

8) Quali progetti ci sono nel futuro dei Planar Evil? Magari un nuovo disco a breve?

Max: da poco abbiamo avuto un ulteriore cambio di line up. Purtroppo non è facile trovare gente con la tua stessa testa e, Mark ed io, che portiamo avanti questa band ormai da ben 9 anni (!), siamo molto pretenziosi. Stiamo quindi lavorando con il nuovo batterista per affrontare al meglio i prossimi concerti. Subito dopo ci dedicheremo anche alla stesura di nuovi pezzi, tre sono già pronti ed in fase di arrangiamento finale. Probabilmente una nuova song che è molto “ignorante” e speed in stile Whiplash la proporremo a breve in sede live.

9) Siete soddisfatti del contratto con Mdd Records?

Max: si, molto. Sono io a gestire i contatti con la MDD e devo dire che mi trovo molto in sintonia con Markus, “in an old school way” aha! Il loro website cita: other make business, we make rock’n’roll ed è così! Stanno facendo un ottimo lavoro di promozione per Mankind Way Of Life e danno un grosso apporto alla scena underground.

10) Io vi saluto e vi lascio le ultime righe in piena libertà! Ciao e buona giornata ragazzi!

Max: grazie a te Rob per l’interessamento. Per chiunque fosse interessato a fare un tuffo nel passato può contattarci e ascoltare alcuni dei nostri pezzi tramite www.myspace.com/planarevil o ancora meglio seguirci dal vivo nelle prossime nostre apparizioni live il 18 settembre allo United Clud di Torino e il 20 settembre al Metal Disorder Festival a Milano! “see ya thrashin’ all around!!!”

14 Dicembre 2007, Rock House, PESCARA
22 Dicembre 2007, Capannone Z.I. vicino Centro Caravan (w/Sesta Marconi, Mass Strangulation, Skull Throne), CAMPOBASSO
28 Dicembre 2007, After Hours, TERMOLI (CB)
29 Febbraio 2008, Orange, PESCARA (w/Hyades!)
10 Aprile 2008, Alive, TERMOLI (CB) (w/Saint Deamon (Swe) + Armageddon Project)
31 Maggio 2008, Università degli Studi del Molise, TERMOLI (CB) (w/Hangover + Startoday + Trainhell)
6 Giugno 2008, "Sunomi Thrash" (w/Trainhell), URURI (CB)
2 Agosto 2008, "Baloma Bikers 8°Bikers Festival" w/BLAZE BAYLEY & TM-STEVENS, CERCEMAGGIORE (CB)
7 Agosto 2008, "Armageddon In The Park Metal Fest" (w/White Skulls + Node + Grind Inc. + Burning Black + Sakahiter + Armageddon Project), San Giacomo Degli Schiavoni (TERMOLI, CB)
12 Agosto 2008, "Castrorock", CASTROPIGNANO (CB)
14 Agosto 2008, !!!ANNULLATO!!! "We Want Rocking In A Free World" w/ PINO SCOTTO, SAN SALVO MARINA (CH) 
20 Agosto 2008, "Sunomi Thrash pt.II" (w/Armageddon Project), URURI (CB)
26 Settembre 2008, Almanach Bierkeller, VASTO (CH) (w/Armageddon Project)
11 Ottobre 2008, "MALEVENTVM METAL MAYHEM" Festival, BENEVENTO (w/Eldritch + Kronium + Lost Moon + Detonhate + Illune + Enoch + Drammagothica + Hellvate)
7 Dicembre 2008, "ITALIAN THRASH ATTACK PT.I", Orange Rock Pub, PESCARA (w/Ciementificio)
21 Marzo 2009, Rock House, PESCARA (w/TORTURE SQUAD!!!)
16 Maggio 2009, Pozzo Dolce Rock Cafè, TERMOLI (CB)
20 Settembre 2009, METAL DISORDER FESTIVAL, POGLIANO (MI) (w/PITIFUL REIGN, INFERNAL POETRY and more...)

(SPA)

Interview on THRASH ASSAULT #4
Click to read:
Pag. 1
Pag. 2
Pag. 3

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