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THE ARCHIVES
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Morrigan's Pit has closed down as of November 2006. The site and its articles will stay online as an archive until September at least, but probably longer.
The Archives
2002-2006
» CD REVIEWS
» INTERVIEWS
» LIVE REVIEWS
» SPECIALS
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HADES
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Dan Lorenzo
July 2005
http://www.hadesusa.com
The re-release of "Resisting Success" and "If At First You Don't Succeed" in a 2CD package on Mausoleum was a good reason to ask guitarist Dan Lorenzo about Hades' past and whether there will be any future activities or not. After all Hades have been an important factor in the US metal scene, both in the 80's as later on. With the last release "DamNation" in 2001 they proved they never lost their touch! But, we'll just have to be satisfied with this re-release, that has been called "Nothing Succeeds Like Success" and includes a few bonus tracks - one being "Thinktank", a new song recorded esp. for this occasion.
I love "Nothing Succeeds Like Success", but what's the reason for this re-release? Wasn't there already a re-release for these albums?
The first 2 cds were never properly rereleased in Europe. "Resisting" was never on cd except for a bootleg Jürgen Hegewald sold through Hellion Records. That pissed us off so we printed 2,000 copies on our own which we sold through the mail.
Your first two albums have always been milestones in US metal history. Have you ever had the feeling that it was hard to live up to that with other releases (or bands/projects)?
Many people love the first 2 Hades the most, but it's hard for me to listen to "Resisting" because the sound quality is so bad. I love "Exist To Resist" and "DamNation" the most out of Hades cds, but I like the Non-Fiction a little more. I wish the first 2 Hades cds sounded better so I could enjoy them as much as everyone else! I do like the remix of "The Leaders?" on the Mausoleum rerelease.
Why did Hades disband for a while after "If At First You Don't Succeed"?
I think Alan may have wanted a reason for the band to break up after Watchtower contacted him right before we left to tour Europe in 1989. Things were going good before that... but on the flight over he started treating me different. He may have seen Watchtower as a better opportunity. I would also have fights with Jimmy because he was ALWAYS late for EVERYTHING. Tom was often cranky. If the tour was better attended we probably wouldn't have broken up.
For a while you've been busy with Non Fiction, Alan Tecchio also joined at some point, why did you want to reform Hades and not continue with Non Fiction?
After Hades broke up I formed NON-FICTION with Dan Nastasi from Mucky Pup/Dog Eat Dog. Then Danny left to join Murphy's Law. Before Hades broke up I had tried to convince Ed and Jimmy to tune down but they wouldn't.I wanted to place more emphasis on the guitar riffs. I
STILL love Non-Fiction. It was a special band. The reason we got Hades back together was because I'm friends with Jimmy and Ed. I don't speak to Kevin or Mike too often. Plus there was more interest in Hades from the fans.
A bit later you got signed with Metal Blade and released 3 albums, but now you seem to be off their roster? Weren't you successfull enough?
Metal Blade would have put out another Hades cd after "DamNation". Personally I felt we could do no better than "DamNation". I was worried we would start to repeat ourselves. Ed and I were both not really into Alan's high singing anymore. I like when Alan sings lower. Ed wanted to start his own band. I was more interested in playing basketball. I kept writing songs at home and later released 3 solo cds. You can hear
them at http://www.DanLorenzo.net .
So the band doesn't exist anymore?
No, the band are no longer together. I am still very friendly with Ron, Jimmy and Ed though. We hang out pretty often. Ron is now playing drums for Overkill.
A while after "DamNation" you guys decided not to play live anymore. Why was that? I know you don't like the repetition of playing the same gigs night after night, but was it like that for all the guys? Any chance you will get back on stage after all, if only for a festival or some special occasion like a benefit?
It might be fun to do another European festival.... if Jimmy could remember how to play the songs. I despise rehearsal. I remember how to play songs I used to play in clubs in the 80's like most Judas Priest/AC/DC etc. It's tough for me to sit through rehearsals for Jimmy's sake when I already know how to play the songs!
Back to "DamNation": you've been accused of being anti-American because of the burning US flag on the cover, but you said it was just to say that the country is going to hell and would need improvements. But that was even before 9/11, how do you feel about it now after all the things that have happened since?
I think the Clintons are horrible people. Highly intelligent, but low morals. George Bush may have a lower iq, but he has higher morals. After 9/11 he was the perfect president. In 2008 it will be time for somebody more moderate.
You've been releasing some solo albums, can you describe the style? What or who influences you in your solo work? From what I've heard of it, Black Sabbath and Kiss probably?
My solo music sounds like....it's very diverse. Mostly slower and heavy, like Non-Fiction, but I also have a country song and a blues song. Send me your mailing address and I'll mail you a copy.
Cool! I'll be happy to review that as well!
Thank you very much for your answers Dan, do you have any last words for our readers?
THANKS!!!! Visit http://www.hadesusa.com
submitted by Marlies 01.08.2005
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