Interview with ADAGIO's Gus Monsanto by Johnny C of www.loudmetal.com 
 

Please talk a little bit about your excellent new album "Dominate"

Well, Dominate in my opinion marks a new phase for Adagio. Our music keeps
the elements of the beginning, the neoclassical, virtuoso, prog metal thing,
but the songs are catchier, heavier and the extreme metal elements come more
to the front. I was very luck to have joined the band in such a period of
inspiration. It is my first album with the band and we are already working
on its follow up.

How would you say that this album differs from your previous album
"Underworld" musically?

Well, there are two new members in the band, for starters. The songs are
shorter, more to the point and excellent stuff to be playesd live, which was
not the case with some of the material on the previous album and dictated
the need of keeping the bands integrity and identity, but simplifying things
at the same time, in a way that would translate better live.


Which bands and musicians do you consider to be your main influences?

Well, Adagio has a lot of influences, since each of us are very different
individuals. It is all over the musical spectrum. For me, I was raised on a
steady diet of hard rock and hevay metal. Bands like Van Halen, Kiss,
Queensryche, Maiden, Kings X, Dream Theater, etc. My fave singers are Doug
Pinnick, David Coverdale, Glenn Hughes, Halford, Bruce, Steve Perry, Jorn
Lande. The list is endless...


How would you describe your music to someone who is not familiar with it?

The dark side of prog metal... lol... Well, the next album will be called
Archangels in Black and I guess it is a very cool definition of who e are
and where we stand. The archangel element would be the neoclassical,
virtuoso thing and in black comes from something in dominate... DWELLING IN
DARKNESS FOREVER, lol... It is an indication of our extreme influence. We
grew up listening to Death and Carcass, we are all very open people
musically, so naturally the music has many sides to it.


I think you have a unique style but a style that perhaps is better suited to
studio rather than live, do you agree?

I could agree to it up to Underworld, but things are different now. Last
time I was in Paris, Stephan Forte told me that the bands previous producer,
Dennis Ward, said he would pay big money to see the band do all that is on
the record live... He is more than welcome anytime, just bring the beers and
the money, loooooool


How do you see the market for your progressive metal at this time?

The luck we have is that this market is comprised of very loyal people. But
I think more and more new people come to our music...from different
background, which is a great thing...


What are your feelings on the common file sharing over the internet? Do you
think it will kill the music?

I think it is a transition moment. It is a great tool to  make the band
known, but at the same time it can kill the biz as we know. I think the
answers will come soon.


What do you think of the fact that so many musicians are part of several
different projects and play on many different CDs all the time? Is it going
to kill the interest from the fans?

I think the opposite, I think it brings more people to different projects.
You just should be careful to hook up with the right projects...


How did you develop your style of playing and composing, did you take any
lessons?

Well, I am a songwriter myself, but as Stephan does the writing in Adagio,
it is hard for me to talk about the process in the band. I know that he has
a very clear vision of things, of where he is heading and this merging of
extreme metal with prog has been in his mind since he was a teenager. He
keeps getting better and better at the game.


What is the most important, feeling or technique? can you survive with only
one of them?

No way. If you dont have both in this genre of music, goodbye...


What kind of equipment are you using live or in the studio?

Enough to make us sound loud and proud... Just kidding. Check out our site
for the endorsers that are great with us during our ride...


What kind of music do you like the least?

There are only two kinds of music: Good and Bad Music.


Do you ever listen to music that is very different from what you do in
Adagio if so what?

Lots of music that is different. I listen to Motown, pop music, Brazilian
music, the list is endless. I am committed to good music...


Do you have any plans to tour and have you toured since releasing your last
album?

We have done some stuff. We played with Robert Plant in Tunisia, and played
some European dates, but we hope to tour more extensively next.


What will be the next step of Adagio? What other plans do you have for the
near future?

We are currently focused on commencing the recording of Archangels in Black.


How about a DVD? Any plans?

We keep shooting a lot of material, because although we dont have a date for
it, we are definetely into the idea of coming up with a dvd.


How is the musical climate for hard rock and progressive rock in France and
Brazil?

Many fans, really friendly. But it is hard to make a living when you fit
such a small music genre. Many cool bands.


Where do you have your biggest audience?

6000, in Tunisia, at the Cartago Coliseum.


What are your feelings about the world we live in and how do you look upon
yourself in 15 years from now?

I hope I am better at my game in 15 years. Want to keep making music,
touring and paying my bills, lol
The world we live in is beautiful, even with all its problems  and to be
able to make music and have people appreaciate it only make the experience
more amazing...

 

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