DARK RHAPSODY

This year Shane Dubose, often called “the nicest man in metal” (with Zero Hero’s Jasun Tipton and the incomparable Lance King running a very close second), wears more than one hat at ProgPower USA. Usually, he’s the driving force behind the Showcase line-up (which, by all accounts, is spectacular this year). But, at PPUSA VIII, he’ll be wearing the hat of bassist in the sure-to-kick-butt metal band Krucible, now fronted by the aforementioned Mr. King.

It’s always a pleasure to chat with Shane. This interview was conducted earlier this year.

SD: Hello?

BM: Is this Shane?

SD: This is he.

BM: The nicest man in metal?

SD: Hey buddy.

BM: [laughs] How you doin?

SD: Fantastic. How you doin, Bill?

BM: Good. Wow, congratulations. A little girl, huh?

SD: Yes sir. As a matter of fact, I’m just on the computer right now. I’m sending out some pictures of Anna Jo on there, so you should get some pictures here shortly.

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Brazil’s Bill Hudson, at just 24 years of age, has already amassed a devoted following of guitarists and wanna-be guitarists who love his fleet-fingered style. Currently in up-and-coming metal band Cellador, Bill has his sights set on making it big in the music industry. Given his fierce determination and loyal following, my bet is on him to succeed.

I spoke with Bill Hudson earlier this year.

BH: Hello?

BM: Hello, is this Bill?

BH: Yeah.

BM: Hi, this is Bill Murphy calling.

BH: Oh, from ProgPower?

BM: Yeah. How are you doing today?

BH: Good, how are you man?

BM: Doing well, doing well. Let’s cover some ground here. Let’s talk about your career in Cellador, and music in general, and ProgPower.

BH: Cool.

BM: First thing we could do–go ahead.

BH: So you’re not going to record and quote me right?

BM: Oh, yeah. All my interviews are recorded and transcribed just as is, basically, so everybody gets a chance to see who the people are that I’m talking to.

BH: Oh, ok. I see.

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After a few frustrating failed attempts to obtain a good connection with Vanden Plas multi-talented (and patient!) vocalist Andy Kuntz, we finally got a decent signal between our cell phones and away we went.

I spoke with Andy earlier this year.

AK: Hello?

BM: Hello, is this Andy?

AK: Hello? Yeah.

BM: Wow, how is this one? Is this one better?

AK: It sounds better. And nevertheless, we should try. [laughs]

BM: [laughs]

AK: I don’t want to waste your time, ok? [laughs]

BM: [laughs] Thank you very much for your time this morning, I appreciate it.

AK: No problem, really. We waited so long, so.

BM: [laughs] Well, I’m looking forward to chatting with you, because you are such a multi-talented artist, that it’s going to be fun to ask you about all your pursuits. Tell me, before I ask you anything about your latest Vanden Plas album, how is it going with [the musical stage production] Abydos? Is that going well?

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Lance King needs no introduction. So I’m tempted not to write one.

Suffice to say he possesses one of the best voices in metal and has, over the years, fronted many highly regarded bands, including Shining Star, Avian, Pyramaze, and Balance of Power. Now we can add Texas-based Krucible to the list. What’s the world coming to when two of the nicest men in metal find themselves in the same band (the other nice man being Krucible bassist Shane Dubose)?

Last year, Lance played ProgPower with Pyramaze. This year, he’ll be there with Krucible.

Lance owns the excellent Nightmare Records label based in Minneapolis.

I spoke with Lance earlier this year.

LK: Nightmare.

BM: Hey, is this Lance?

LK: Hey, is this Bill?

BM: Yeah, how you doin’?

LK: What’s goin’ on, Bill?

BM: Oh man. Lots and lots. Always things going on.

LK: Yeah.

BM: Sounds like there’s a lot goin’ on in your life all the time. [laughs]

LK: Yeah. Well, you know. [laughs]

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To my ears, the latest Redemption album (The Origins of Ruin) is nothing short of a masterpiece. It’s got it all: compelling melodies, meaty riffs, intelligent, even sublime lyrics, superb drumming, and vocals that truly deserve the term “second to none.”

Originally conceived by guitarist Nicolas van Dyk as a sort of one-off project, Redemption has since become known for crafting some of the world’s best progressive metal.

Currently touring with Into Eternity and Dream Theater, the juggernaut known as Redemption storms the stage at ProgPower USA VIII on Friday, October 6, in Atlanta.

This interview with Nick was conducted Spring, 2007.

NV: Hey Bill, how are you?

BM: Hey Nick, great. How are you doing?

NV: Good. Let me close my door here. [pause] Ok, my boss is on vacation, I’m all yours.

BM: [laughs] We’ll sneak this one in under the radar.

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