Exclusive: Angelrage Speak Out!

For the first time, the enigmatic group behind the smash hits "Fight The Devil" and "Breakout" break the silence in a candid conversation with Angelrage's new voice of wrath Michael, and 6 string warrior Raphael in this Angelrage Online exclusive interview.

ANGELRAGE ONLINE: There is a lot of controversy about the band, and a lot of questions people are asking, but before we get into that, tell us about how you hooked up. Michael, tell us about how you became the new singer of one of America's hottest upcoming progressive metal bands...

MICHAEL: I was looking through some classified ads on line when I stumbled upon an ad saying progressive metal band looking for a singer. I thought, this may be what I've been looking for, so, I e-mailed Raphael a link to my electronic press kit. After, he checked it out he said that I was a perfect fit for what ANGELRAGE was doing.

RAPHAEL: We had quietly placed an ad in Music Connection when it became unclear if our old singer would be able to continue in his involvement with Angelrage. We are very commited, and we need to have a singer that is as well because Angelrage's time has come.

ANGELRAGE ONLINE: There are a lot of stories about this audition, tell us what really happened.

MICHAEL: I'm the type of person who wants to get the ball rolling quickly. So, after a week or so of talking on the phone I told Raphael we needed to meet face to face and see if we really want to do this or not. So, I flew from my home in Florida to LA. We took a majority of that day walking around Hollywood and talking about the music scene and what we want to do with ANGELRAGE. Later that afternoon we went to a local rehearsal studio. We messed about with some of the old ANGELRAGE songs. I wasn't happy with myself, my voice was extremely tired.That was probably due to the fact that I left my home around 4:30 am so I could make my flight! I'm a perfectionist and I didn't feel that I had brought my best stuff to the audition. Raphael then asked me if I knew any Opera. I know that it sounds a little weird for a rock n' roll audition but he knew about my years of classical training. So, I sang an aria in Italian. It was after that I was offered the gig.

ANGELRAGE ONLINE: As more attention has been focused on the band, there are also rising questions about Angelrage, who you are, what you stand for, etc, etc. What do you want to say to the people who question this, who say it can't be a good thing?

RAPHAEL: That's exactly why people are intigued, and we prefer to stay away from those issues. Everything we believe is in our music. It stands on it's own, it doesn't need to be explained or expounded. It's art, and we leave it for people to interpret through their own experience and get what they can out of it. A lot of people just like the music because it's intense and that is cool with us too. But a lot of people I think read more into it, there are those who pick apart our lyrics or our album covers, come up with all kinds of elaborate scenarios and try to prove they mean this or that and all kinds of things, but we just carry on and do what we do - entertain. We are just musicians, we aren't preachers, and we aren't the four horsemen coming for your souls either... we are just a band. If people enjoy what we do, we are honored, because we enjoy doing this music and we love everyone who has been so kind to us. I mean what do you say to someone who walks up and tells you your song changed their life?

ANGELRAGE ONLINE: But is Angelrage a Christian band? I mean come on, there is all this hype and debate! People saying Angelrage is a Christian metal band, people saying Angelrage is really a satanic plot with subliminal messages and artwork and all kinds of things, don't you want to set the record straight?

RAPHAEL: We already have. We wrote and recorded the songs, the lyrics are there, enjoy! (laughs)

MICHAEL: I am excited about what GOD is doing with a project that is still an enigma. I mean, we have been in the MP3.com top 10 for over 2 1/2 months...

RAPHAEL: ...and people have no clue who we are!

ANGELRAGE ONLINE: OK, let's talk about the new CD, you have a lot of eyes on you now, tell us what to expect from Angelrage.

MICHAEL: Raphael and I have been busy writing some of the best material of our careers. We have very high standards and when this album is done, nothing in the Christian or secular industry will be able to touch it. Our music will have the flavor of Dream Theater, Symphony X, Seven Dust, Static X and some old school metal. I am an old school type singer. My influences are Michael Sweet (Stryper), Tony Harnell (TNT), and Steve Perry (Journey). Raphael is a awesome player, people just don't play like him anymore. ANGELRAGE's music will be a breath of fresh air the industry so desperately needs.

RAPHAEL: It is so far beyond Fight The Devil, I'm really excited for everyone to hear it, if you liked Fight, you will love this, I promise. We will be recording some of the songs from the Fight The Devil sessions, and Uriel, Michael, and I are all working on new material which is far better. There are carmina burana-style intros in Latin, a song called Angelrage which will take over your head, Uriel has written a couple of very intense songs...it will be everything you would expect of Angelrage and more. We may also be adding a keyboardist to handle the added instrumentation and orchestration.

ANGELRAGE ONLINE: OK, what about Gabriel, there are rumors he won't be playing on the CD...is that true?

RAPHAEL: Yes, unfortunately, Gabriel's schedule at Full Sail in Miami may prevent him from being in LA at the time the CD is recorded, I have talked to several excellent drummers here in Hollywood and we will hope for the best and prepare for the worst. Drummers interested can email us from the "Dialogue" email area of this website.

ANGELRAGE ONLINE: Wow, big changes for the band. You seem confident that they are for the best.

RAPHAEL: Absolutely. Everything happens as it should.

ANGELRAGE ONLINE: Last big controversial issue of the day...there has been a lot of discussion on the site and you have left clues on the BBS, of secret areas and hidden links, what is the story on that?

RAPHAEL: Back to controversy are we? (laughs) Yes, we had some little extras built into the site, there are some little clues here and there for those who care to seek... there are small hidden links when you get deeper into the site, with info on who we really are and what we stand for...and also, you can find answers if you only know how to ask the right questions... Jesus said, "Seek and ye shall find"...we like to give our fans a little extra, and we like to give them as little, or as much, as they want...if they don't care to know, they can enjoy us on a shallower level and be happy...if they want to know more, they can look deeper and be satisfied in full. The best way to approach the site is to be aware that there is more than meets the eye, and that it is interactive.

ANGELRAGE ONLINE: OK, but what do you say to people concerned about your use of imagery and secret areas and things, who say it proves you are evil and defrauding Christians who think you are a Christian band?

RAPHAEL: It is harmless fun and entertainment and there is nothing wrong with challenging the hearts and minds of people, Christian or otherwise, with music and art like we do, to retell ancient stories and make them relevant, to give people something to puzzle over and maybe get some direction. I think it's a fine thing to do. The magic of Angelrage is it is so many things to so many people around the world...and that they all know they are a part of it, we are the sum of our parts. The songs and the art seem to have different meanings to different people, and that's what we intended. We answer those questions in our music, not in interviews. It's all there, we aren't hiding anything, we are speaking plainly for all the world to hear, with words and music, let the people decide...

ANGELRAGE ONLINE: Thank you guys and talk to us real soon, we can't wait to hear the new CD! Everyone can get Angelrage's Fight the Devil Limited Edition CD at mp3.com.

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