Interview with King of Darkness ( www.lionmusic.com   ) by Johnny C of www.loudmetal.com 

Please talk a little bit about the new King of Darkness album "Triple Whammy"...

First of all, Triple whammy means the fusion of our soul. Hard and heavy groove you can hear in the record is just like title of the record. Originally, K.O.D had 4 guys. After a main Vo had gone, we couldn't find new member. In 99, Bassist Genta said, "Why don't you play just us" since I agreed with him, he's played Vocal and bass guitar. His vocal style contains what I've wanted for long time and naturally changes our music style from domestic one to world wide one. Finally, we can obliviously express what we've influenced from Hard rock and Heavy metal. In the beginning of trio band, we had some experimental elements. However, we were getting better and made first record. Since we became trio band, we’ve expressed ourselves more naturally. So, this record is very basic and neutral for us.

Which guys would you consider to be your main influences?

I like players who can play rhythm guitar well, since I played the guitar. I want to say these guys inspire me a lot [Doug Aldrich, John Sykes, Nuno Bettencort, Jake E Lee, Geoge Lynch, Richie Kotzen, Eddie Van Halen, Stevey Salas, Peet Resperance, Rony Le Tecro, Steve Vai, Greg Howe, Jeff Kolman, Char, Paul Gilbert, Zakk Wylde, Dimbag Darell, Reb Beach]

(Genta Nakamura)

I listen to bass players who have good reputation and these guys inspire me. So, I can't say a specific player name. But, in my mind, I like Lemmy (Mortor Head) because he seems like he don't care tomorrow.

(Tadayoshi Iwamoto)

I'd say Yuzawa Raiden who played in Japanese band called Seikimatu. He is kind of my trigger to play rock.  He can play not only rock but also various styles. All the same time, he plays rock. That’s cool thing.  Munetaka Higuchi who plays in Loudness also inspires me a lot.  Tommy Lee, Pat Torpey, Carmine Apicce, Mike Portnoy, Scot Travis, Vinny Paul... these guys are great too.

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

Probably I’d say "hard, heavy and melodious. There are lots of grooves.

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

We learn playing the instruments our own. Basically, I hate to be taught by someone. Gaining something my own with suffer should be great things even if I take a little bit long time. Well, I didn't have people who were familiar with the playing the guitar when I started playing. It’s most important to listen to lots of music.   When I play cover songs, I don't believe score that someone writes down. So, I concentrate on the music and figure out what’s going on there.  That makes my ears sensitive.  Instead of thinking music, feeling music clarifies essential qualities that players really want to express.  So, I tried hard to learn something important from lots of records by listening them over and over.       

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

Both of them are important but I would say feeling.  Without feeling, lots of techniques don’t work.  Sometimes feeling makes something more than technique does. However, it's necessary to practice techniques and have ambition as a player.

My belief as a guitar player is rhythm guitar. Rock guitar players tend to focus on fast licks.  Melody is based on rhythm. So, that means rhythm guitar is important. Unstable rhythm doesn’t take advantage of good melody. Those things relate to expressions.  Actually, guitar players concentrate on backing 90% in a song.  In this regard, guitar players should control rhythm part in a band. Players who have good rhythm play can do lead play well.  Conversely, players who just play poor first licks or cheep tricks can't play rhythm guitar well. 

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

(Takahiro Hashimoto)

I've used Jackson guitar since I loved jackson's neck and playability.  Preamp is a Yamaha’s DG-1000 with Fulltone's Fulldriver as a booster.  Effect is TC electronic's G-major and power amp is VHT's 2902. Cabinet is Marshall's JCM-900 lead 1600.  Basically, I bring all of them to the studio except a cabinet.

(Genta Nakamura)

Bass guitar is Viger from Fracne.  Because this bass has preamp that features 12 types of preset sound, I can make wide range of sounds.  Amp head is ASHDOWN, Compressor is ART's Levelar. To increase gain, I use Sans amp's Bass Driver DI.

(Tadayoshi Iwamoto)

SNARE  Pearl - Maple Fiber Grass Shell 14"x8"

KICK  Pearl - Maple Shell with 4 ply Reinforcement rings 26"x18"

CYMBALS

  Ride  ISTANBUL - 21"

  Splash  ISTANBUL - 8"

  China  SABIAN - China  20"

  Crash SABIAN - AAX  Metal Crash 20"

             SABIAN - AAX   Stage Crash 18"

   Hihat   SABIAN - Flat Hats 14"

PEDAL

  Pearl  Eliminator 2002  Belt Drive Twin Pedal

STICK

  VIC FARTH   METAL

How was the album recorded?

I did all of recording, Mixing and engineering stuffs.  I didn't have problem to do so because I've been interested in and perused recordings.   Recordings were based on VS-1680 and sent the data to Macintosh's Digital Performer.  We brought equipment to a studio to record drums and Vocal parts.   Guitar and Bass parts are recorded in my apartment.  All of mixing work was done with Mac that could handle automation function. It's not painful.  We will have more sophisticated equipment for second records.  

Which musicians would you like to play with some day?

I want to play with bands and musicians who influence me. But to consider our future style, I want to play bands like heavy and groovy. For instance, Sevendust Disturbed and Hoobastank are bands that have good balance of melody and heaviness.

What kind of music do you like the least? 

I listen to good music without categories. I listen to Jazz, Bossa nova, Blues, Soul and Gospel.  Usually, I listen to Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Heavy Rock and Modern Heaviness.

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

Well... I know various type of music and listen to good quality stuffs. Actually, when I first found Rob Zombie in a soundtrack, I felt something new.   Because I usually listened to classic type of Hard rock and Heavy Metal at that time, his music expanded my viewpoint for music.  On the other hand, I remember Australian death metal band play lots of irregular time stuffs. But I don’t like that.

Are there any plans to tour?

We are going to play in Japan till end of this year and we are going to make the second record from beginning of 2003. After the second record came out, we will tour in Japan.

What other plans do you have for the near future?

First of all, second record should be very important one for us. First record represents a core of K.O.D.'s music. So, second record will be added the style that we want to show you all now. After the record released, I wish I wanted to perform in Europe and US.

How is the musical climate for hard rock in Japan?

Well, that’s not good.  There are some Hard rock/Heavy Metal bands and they are making own scenes. However, their music style is biased and one-sided.  Usually, they can't describe their roots. I mean they are too much domestic style.

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

Though I can't exactly expect a future, it seems not to go better if the world stands as is.  In fact, some kinds of wars have existed by cultural and thoughtful differences.  Science is getting more progress... however, environments are getting worse. I wish people did not only peruse own profits but also get together to do something for the earth.

In 15years future, I want be a man who tours around the world as a band. I will do my best to do so. Honestly to say, if I think of the music purely like this time, I am happy.