JUDAS PRIEST.COM/ HEAVY METAL NEWS!!!

Heavy Metal artists Faithful Defenders made things official today when they announced that they are indeed heading into the studio to begin recording their much anticipated second album! Much speculation has been offered over the past few weeks but the band made it official with this interview with vocalist Deep Freeze and guitarist Metal Meltdown;

JPCHMN- So, you guys are finally going to do it? How are you feeling?
DF- Yes! At last! It has been over two years since Raw Steel and we finally have all the pieces in place, as it were! I am still hurting, but I am excited!
MM- yeah, we decided the time had come and there was just no excuses. We are ready!

JPCHMN- What should we expect from this album? The first one was pretty straight-forward. Any surprises this time?DF- I think there will be one or two surprises. We plan to do a much better job this time. Better equipment. Better songs.
MM- Right! We have some really nice , new digital sound equipment. This album will be far better. I know that! The song choices are a bit more complicated, too.

JPCHMN- And you have added a new member, we hear. Any other personnel changes?
MM- Well, Jim Gleason will be back behind the drum kit and we are REALLY happy about that. Apart from Scott Travis, there is not a better man for Priest music than him. Hands down, he's the best. Mick (Fallacaro) was not available and neither was Eric (Popovich) so we had to replace them. The big news is we now have Rick 'Metallark'. He will be sharing vocal duties with Freeze.
DF- Yeah! We are very excited about Rick. It is hard to lose a guy like Mick, though. Hard indeed. he is just SO talented. When all is said and done, the music will still stand out. We are certain of that. Having a guy like Jim is really special. I don't think I have ever worked with a better drummer.
JPCHMN-  That's a pretty strong endorsement. 
DF- And I mean every word! There is no better drummer. None. He is, by far, a genius.

DPCHMN- Rumor has it that this album will be a bit 'darker' than the first one. Care to elaborate?
DF- I think the song choice is the real story. Yes, we are doing a song or two that are a bit of a departure for us. Demonizer, for example. Very dark, I think. Not just in a lyrical sense, but in the way I plan to sing it. Very dark. 
MM-  I think it is more of a complicated album. Not so much dark as just more complicated. And of course there are the originals this time. I am putting out some stuff that I think really captures the essence of this band.

JPCHMN- So this all begins in a week, huh?
MM- Yeah. Jim will actually be starting tomorrow but Rick and Mike are coming next week.

JPCHMN- And when can we expect the release?
DF- HA!!!!!!!!!!!! You in a hurry?? (laughing)
MM- We are shooting for the first part of January. The artwork for the cover isn't even done yet! There is a lot to do before we can turn it loose!! I think January '09 is a safe bet.

JPCHMN- Well, we are all looking forward to it! Don't take too long!!!