Chuck Schuldiner Interview (1998)

Chuck Schuldiner

By Perry Grayson

Here's a killer rare 1998 audio intie with Chuck Schuldiner, just before The Sound of Perseverance was released! A lot of wisdom from Chuck, including some prophetic words about the net and identity theft. Share it with your metal bros and sisters.

MSRcast 117: Chuck Schuldiner '98 Interview

James C. & Perry G. interviews: Check them!

Perry G. and James C.

 If you missed the interviews of James Copper and Perry Grayson, you can listen to them in the following links:

James Copper (click in the name)

Perry Grayson (click in the name)

Eric Greif Interview - by Death in HD

James Copper & Eric Greif

It was conducted by James Copper on the 17th April 2011. A conversation between friends which spans over 3 hours, broken down into categories & parts.

"They are as follows: Eric / Death / Control Denied / Chuck. The content is truthful and real with a constant playful atmosphere never losing the serious undertone of the importance of what was discussed and its value to the fans.

Just about everything imaginable was covered in-depth with an utter sincerity. The conversation is very playful, so to those of you of a serious disposition I would advise you go flex in a mirror elsewhere. The questions posed to eric interspersed with complete tangents were from James aswell as sections of fan led curiosities with all credit given (and promised) when necessary. I repeat myself many times over and will continue to do so again, and express my sincere gratitude towards Eric for his invaluable time!" James Copper.

"Eric" Part 1 of 2 [HD]

"Eric" Part 2 of 2 [HD]

"Death" Part 1 [HD]

"Death" Part 2 [HD]

"Death" Part 3 (Human) 

"Death" Part 4 (Eric's Face is back!)

"Death" Part 5 (Memories)

"Control Denied" Part 1

"Control Denied" Part 2 of 2

"Chuck Schuldiner" Part 1

"Chuck Schuldiner" Part 2

"Chuck Schuldiner" Part 3 (Our thanks to Eric!)

"Chuck Schuldiner" Part 4

"Chuck Schuldiner" Part 5 of 6

"Chuck Schuldiner" Part 6 of 6 (THE FINAL PART!)

Death TR interview & Death TR Interview Scott Clendenin 2011

Death TR and Death in HD

Friendship, passion for the Metal and acknowledgment of Chuck Schuldiner's legacy. These were some of the reasons that connected Death TR, Death in HD and FreeThoughtRadio in a special interview. The event will take place on April 27. Additional information can be found below:

"Death TR is a Death/Control Denied/Chuck Schuldiner tribute site (deathtr.blogspot.com) and they post a bunch of great rare Chuck material, like pictures, videos, as well as many stories and fan-submitted writings, all having to do with Chuck and his legacy. James Copper fills in for Mara and Valentina of Death TR and talks about his partnership with Death TR with his YouTube channel, Death in HD. 8PM PST only at www.ksunradio.com ".

We invite all our friends, acquaintances, brothers and sisters of Metal and followers of the tribute in honor of Chuck Schuldiner to participate. Please send suggestions, opinions, criticisms (yes, we accept them). Don't forget to check the recommendation of the musician and founder of Death in HD about the interview with bassist Scott Clendenin.

Scott Clendenin: "I think it's good to keep Chuck’s legacy alive"

Death: A band, a legend.

By Mara Vanessa, James Anthony Copper, Tobias Schuldiner, Sofia Vallerino, Alex Fidel, Manuel Alvarez, Valentina Marcelli, Markus Peters, Chuck Schuldiner (pseudo) & Daniel Robson.

Scott Clendenin is much more than an active member of works and memorable moments of Death, a band leaded by the unforgettable Chuck Schuldiner. Scott is a guy who conquered his own place and helped to value the six strings of the Heavy Metal Scene. In this first group interview made by Death TR, the bassist talked about funny events, thoughts that are worth of being shared and plans to the future. Don't miss it. Check it right now.

"First, let me say thanks to everyone for keeping the metal faith alive. It’s really great to see that so many people still have such a huge passion for Chuck’s music. It is very cool to see". - Scott Clendenin

James Anthony Copper - Scott you initially started out as the bassist for Control Denied, what happened so that Steve Digiorgio ended up as Control Denied's bassist?

Scott- James, these situations took place a long time ago and I would not really be able to speak as to what Chuck’s thoughts were at the time. These were his decisions alone. I would tell you that most of the story is in the re-issue of TSOP that Shannon wrote in the liner notes. There really isn’t anything to tell as far as a story or reason.

Scott: Kick ass!

Tobias Schuldiner - Do you have some funny memories of those times when you used to play in Death? Since anything can happen in tours, what was the most curious?

Scott - Tobias, well, during any tour there are ups and downs. Most of the time we moved from town to town so fast we didn’t have time to get into much trouble. Some highlights were’ opening for Pantera at Dynamo 98’ and getting to meet them, playing Greece was a great experience, and touring the U.S. was also great for me. We did however, accidently leave Patrick (Hammerfall’s drummer) at a truck stop somewhere in the Midwest. It was in the middle of nowhere and he stood out like a sore thumb dressed in leather and surrounded by truckers. He had to be picked up and flown to the next gig. I felt very sorry for him, but he said he was treated well. 

Mara Vanessa - What do you expect for the republishing of Death's great classics, which are scheduled for this year? Do you think this is some kind of aggregation and union force from the fans?

Scott - Mara, I think it’s good to keep Chuck’s legacy alive. I think that the fans will have a chance to get his body of work with a whole lot of extra material added to each re-issue. Re-releasing a whole catalogue is not something you see done unless it’s like the Beatles or Elvis or someone hugely popular. 

Sofia Vallerino - Scott, what is your most memorable moment of your playing on The Sound of Perseverance? Hearing the re-issue today, is there anything you'd like to change, or you're 100% satisfied with your performance?

Scott - Sofia, I wouldn’t change a thing. It was a good experience and I am proud of my work on that cd. If I were to play it today, it would probably sound a little different, as I have grown in my approach to playing. 

Death on the newspaper: Thanks man!

Alex Fidel - Favorite bassists?

Scott - Alex, yes you know we share a lot of the same favorites. I did grow up with Entwistle, Squire, Lee, Jones, Harris and Berlin. However, I do still love Claypool, Justin from Tool, and Pinnick. 

Manuel Alvarez - Do you remember of that December 13, 2001?

Scott - Manuel, A few of my friends and I get together every year to remember Chuck and Chris Williams. It was a sad day. 

Valentina Marcelli: Scott, the Death created high quality stuff without many tecnological equipment. Do you think you would have the same behaviour today, with the sound so automated?

Scott - Valentina, It would have because Chuck was such a fan of vinyl and the analog sound. We recorded demos od digital equipment that at the time were pretty cool. Overall, it is my belief it would sound very close to what it does now.

Markus Peters: Could you talk about how was the sensation of being a part of great bands like Death and Control Denied?

Control Denied crew

Scott - Markus, It was a great honor to have played with someone so revered as Chuck. I can say it made me a better player and person to be involved in these bands.

Chuck Schuldiner (pseudo): Please describe your relationship with Chuck and his ideas about the life, what he felt when discovered about his illness.

Scott - I could not speak about Chuck’s idea’s about life. His music does that better than anything could. Chuck and I used to go out a lot and hang out quite a bit. As I was no longer a part of any project with him when he learned of his illness, I cannot say anything about his feelings or thoughts when he found out. 

Daniel Robson: What’s your plans about the future?

Scott - Daniel, Thanks for asking. I have a project now that consists of two guitarists and a drummer and singer. We have been working on some crushing material for the last 12 weeks or so. We will be recording demos soon and plan to look for a deal. Our material is metal and progressive and has a great singer and lots of melodic, heavy riffs. I am proud to be a part of it and look forward to rolling it out to everyone very soon. 

Thanks for your continued support.

Death TR info: Scott Clendenin Interview

Scott and Chuck: Kick ass!

The selected questions have already been sent to Scott, people. We'd like to thank to all friend, relatives and fans who got involved directly ou indirectly in this initiative. You guys rock! Soon we'll publish the article. You can't miss it! (Death TR team & James Anthony Copper - Death in HD).

Together As One: Scott Clendenin interview (CHECK OUT AND PARTICIPATE)

Scott: Death bass (A band, a life)

Hi fellas! The Death TR proudly presents its first cooperative interview. All of us, Death's fans, can ask questions to the bassist Scott Clendenin. The top ten will be sent to the musician, who has already agreed to answer it. Thanks for being so solicitous Scott. And let's go ahead people! Leave your question here in this place or send it to the e-mail deathtr3@gmail.com . The questions will be selected TOMORROW, so don't waste time. (Death TR team)

Exclusive: Brazilian bass: “Chuck was a great guy and he created unique riffs "

 By Mara Vanessa

Bernardo Gosaric: Eminence's bass

  "The magnificence of the compositions, lyrics and arrangements made by Chuck is unquestionable. The guy had a huge capacity of creating unique solos and riffs. So, without any doubt, since I started getting interested about music, not as a mere listener, but as someone who saw and felt that his way, his realization and his dream were in the music, Death was one of the bands that most influenced me both lyrically and technically." With these words, the Brazilian bassist and designer Bernard Gosaric starts the conversation with the Death TR’s staff.

Gosaric plays bass in the Eminence, and left his name registered in other groups such as Impurity, Agaurez, Perpetual Dusk, Absolute Disgrace and Hell Trucker. Presently, he works on his own project - Horns – and works as designer. One of his clients and close friends is the devoted bassist Steve DiGiorgio, ex-Death member and one of the closest friends of Chuck Schuldiner.

As a big fan of Death, Bernardo has always sought the inspiration for his own compositions in the American band, studying techniques, melodies, besides trying to understand and absorb all the energy, essence, quality and unity which flowed from Death (and still flowing) . The Brazilian bassist acknowledges that the work of Chuck is the symbol of a generation, because “Schuldiner added a new and unique touch to the style that eventually opened doors, many doors for the future generations. This generations were inspired by the work of Death and started creating innovative compositions”, says.

Many musicians around the world recognize the relevance of Chuck’s riffs in their lives. Bernardo reveals: "I remember when I listened to Death for the first time and even today, every time I listen, I feel the same sensation. I am impressed with the technical quality of the musicians, the compositions ... Especially from the album Human. Many people prefer the earlier works, but honestly, the albums Human/ Individual Thought Patterns, Symbolic, The Sound of Perseverance are clear and sharp examples of this evolution and of the period which for me, without any doubt, was the best time of the band", adds Gosaric.

Chuck Schuldiner: Eternal riffs

When asked about the main differences of the heavy metal scene today and in the glorious 80's and 90's, the bassist and designer doesn’t mince words and says: "Look… I think the difference is fucking absurd! I lived during the 90’s, because I was born in 83, and… holy shit! I notice that there were more people willing to really make music in the way it should be done. In this time there was a bigger proximity between the music and the inner self of the people and not the vacuum that is generated by nowadays’ fashions", reveals. The musician adds that the music has a characteristic that is associated with the ideas of its creators (composers). Resisting, being independent and indifferent about the market goes against the original ideia of the creators. So it’s a difficult thing to do, because in reality, like everything in life, it depends on each person.

About his friendship and the works with the bassist Steve DiGiorgio, Bernards tells how it happened: "I’ve sent an email to Steve, talking about the fact that I started playing bass influenced by his musical works, along with another strong influence for me that is Cliff Burton (Metallica). I also spoke, as designer and fan, that I was interested in developing something worth of his musical works for him. Thus, we began to talk quite often and in 2008 we met personally during his trip to Brazil with the Sadus. It was fucking amazing! Steve is a very modest, humble, sincere and transparent person. We’ve felt a mutual affinity and assimilation. Today we speak almost daily and we became great friends, sharing and talking about everything. It's a great guy, as well as Chuck was", concludes Bernardo.

Looking back: Chuck Schuldiner - Lost All Credits

Evil Chuck: memory and soul

By EMPTY WORDS (official Death/Control Denied/Chuck Schuldiner website)

Magazine: Rock Hard / Germany

Article: Chuck Schuldiner /

Alle Sympathien verspielt?

Written by: Arno Polster

Published: March 1991

Every Death fan knows that guitarist/vocalist Chuck Schuldiner didn't start the European tour with Kreator again. Louis Carrisalez, who initially would go on tour as Bill's drum technician, had to pay for it as vocalist. Bass player Terry Butler and drummer Bill Andrews abandoned DEATH just shortly before the tour started. The two are planning to get things going together with Bill's former band Massacre. What's the matter with Chuck? How does the future of DEATH look like? Those questions were personally answered by Chuck. After several requests I finally got to speak to a very talkative Mr. Schuldiner on the phone...

Chuck, tell me, how are you doing? Here in Germany everybody is very worried about you.

Chuck Schuldiner: "I'm fine, I've almost finished making some new songs. Besides, I am trying to clear my name. I don't think the Death fans know at the moment what is going on between me and the band. I am still here. I just came back from Miami where I played some stuff together with the drummer of Cynic (Sean Reinert/YK). He will help me out on the next album because, unfortunately, I don't have a band at the moment. Thank God I still have some friends in this business standing by me and helping me. It's been a while since "Spiritual Healing" was released so it's about time to make a new album. The new CD will be more sensitive and personal.... yet very hard. At the end of February I will start recording it."

So DEATH will continue to exist?

Chuck Schuldiner - "Oh, yes!!! DEATH is the only name I can come up with. I gave birth to that name in 1984 and I have every right to it. As long as I make the songs I will continue under this name."

Tell us why you didn't come to Europe.

Chuck Schuldiner - "A lot went wrong back then. It seemed the whole world was turning against me. Still, as the tour was going for three weeks, I tried to come over. However, Bill and Terry weren't too happy about that. It really hurt me. After all, DEATH is still my band. I really would have loved to come to Europe. At that time I wasn't able to and those two knew. I thought they were my best friends, but I was wrong. At all times musicians are replaceable, friends are not. I am getting sick and tired of the whole matter. Besides, it bothers me the way people look at musicians. When you're in a band you are expected not to have any personal problems. You have to be perfect, without mistakes. However there's a life outside the band. I've been through a lot in the past years and now I hope I've learned from it."

Which personal problems did you have?

Chuck Schuldiner - "No drugproblems! I had some troubles with some people in the business and some personal problems as well. I came to a point on which I thought everything was doomed to fail. As if the devil was in it! I needed distance to get things in perspective again. The moment however was more than inconvenient."

Chuck kick ass: Early years

Your fans were quite irritated you didn't come. After all it wasn't the first time you cancelled...

Chuck Schuldiner - "As I said; a few things I see different now and I don't expect my fans to understand me. Thank goodness I still have some friends that do care about me and try to understand my situation. I received some nice letters of people wanting to support me. That helped me! I can expect from the majority of the fans that they shall hate me for it and they shall not understand me. Understanding that I am just a human being like them. People shouldn't try to create an image, a perfect one because you play in a band. We are not rich, you don't make much money with this kind of music. Not enough by far to be financially undependant. Of course I know I have lost a lot of fans, I don't expect them to understand me and if they hate me for it and destroy all my albums, let it be. I merely can tell what happened and when they do understand that's cool, when not, quite rightly as well. I am not a spoiled Rock Star. However some people for unexplainable reasons, do think that way about me. I am a normal, friendly kind a guy. Not a complex personality and not at all "evil". You can get along great with me as long as I am not having a million problems....... I think I am just misunderstood because of everything that happened. Regrettable!!! I remember the times the death metal scene was a lot smaller and everybody knew each other. From that time I still have friends left, real friends, who stand by me at the moment. However, I've lost some too. I have learned to value friendship a lot more."

Read the full article here.

Looking back: About the music more and more

By EMPTY WORDS (official Death/Control Denied/Chuck Schuldiner website)

Chuck Schuldiner: Brilliant and complex

Magazine: Metal Hammer / Germany

Article: Music? Nicht immer, aber immer öfter.

Written by: Robert Müller

Published: July 1993

Some time ago, when we met in Florida, Chuck defined the message of the new Death album, "Individual Thought Patterns", as a credo for the music and against the industry of the music business. First of all the album is technically brilliant and complex, yet very heavy and aggressive.

And furthermore....?

If I see things the right way, Death, since their last album "Human", developes as a "normal", musically orientated band. "Psycho Monster" Chuck Schuldiner actually has deserved nothing less than headlines with style, defining Death Metal, but until recently, the magazines only have been filled with tour cancelations. "Death will never come to Europe", was one of the many heard sayings. But in the meantime, 3 tours proved it not to be true. So it's about time, by means of the new CD "Individual Though Patterns", to let the music speak for itself. It is in every way, very worth the effort. The words coming out of Chuck's mouth must be seen as accompanying notes. Let's start with the just ended festival-tour in Germany.

Point-blank: how was it this time?

Chuck: "It was amazing! For me, personally, it was the best time I ever had being on tour. During the last tour there was just only one concert that we didn't have under control. Overall, I had the impression that the people just wanted to enjoy an evening with good music."

How does the new line-up, (next to Chuck, also Steve DiGiorgio (b), Andy LaRocque (g) and Gene Hoglan (d)) look like? Is it a lasting one, or is there talk of the so called characteristic Death decomposition symtoms?

Chuck: "Up till now it lasts. I can't look in the future unfortunately, but as it appears and as I see how the mood is in the band at the moment, it will last. I hope so, because it is, as well musically as personally the best I ever had. This album gives me much more a round off feeling. The songs flow over in each other easily, it's very organic. It's much less straight forward than "Human", and there are many sneaky bends on it"

Maybe he is right about this, although I think most of his lyrics are based on personal experiences. But about the partly half-hearted character of the music business, there truly is no doubt about it indeed.

Chuck: "I hope that I won't have to write this kind of tedious lyrics anymore. But I truly went through hell, and that just had to come out once. Besides, there are so many other musicians feeling absolutely the same. Everbody is fed up with the whole fucking business, with all the rumours and media pranks, always forgetting that it's about the music."

Did you find a way, in the meantime, to deal with all these kind of things?

Chuck: "I have a good lawyer."

Are you still feeling misunderstood by a great part of the press?

Chuck: "You know what's funny? A lot of people read this crap, but when it comes to a point, it doesn't matter to them at all. The press has to understand, that their consumers can rise above it as well. The fact that I ran into a lot of people at the concerts, with nothing but positivity towards the music, gives me a lot of courage."

Read the full article here.

Looking back: A tour's Death and Death: Where is thy sting?

By EMPTY WORDS (official Death/Control Denied/Chuck Schuldiner website)

Leprosy Era

A tour's Death

Magazine: Metal Hammer / Italy

Article: Morte Di Un Tour

Written by: Buffo

Translated by: Vincenzo Chioccarelli

Published: May 1989

Death, an American heavy metal band, have recently played their first German concert in Dusseldorf. What we didn't know was that this concert will probably be the last, at least for the near future! The day after "Evil" Chuck Schuldiner and the rest of the gang were flying back home, what happened? The singer Chuck and the bass player Terry don't say too much about the unexpected cancellation of their tour.

(...)I heard recently that you refuse to play as supporter of any band as a matter of principle. Is it true?

Chuck - "No, it's just another rumor. Yet it's the first time we are in Europe and we thought it would have taken time before we could be back home. That's the reason why I thought it was obvious we would have played the longest possible. We got too many tunes our fans want to hear. Naturally to do a gig of Exodus would bring more people, but we didn't care at all. We meant to offer a good concert to the public, but this wouldn't be possible. We'd like to support Slayer or Kreator, but only in the right circumstances."

The production of your latest album, 'Leprosy', was to say the very least, awesome. Do you think you're still gonna work with Dan Johnson in future or you think you can do better?

Chuck - "We were very happy of Dan's production and we'll work with him again next time. I don't guess it'll be easy to do better than a record like that, but I think in some way we'll succeed. We'll have more money and this means we'll be able to spend more time in studio. The new material will definitely be better. We have already finished five songs and we will keep on writing as soon the tour with Dark Angel is over."

Read the full article here.

James Murphy, Bill Andrews, Chuck Schuldiner and Terry Butler

Death: Where is thy sting?

Magazine: Metal Hammer / UK

Article: Where is Thy Sting?

Written by: John Duke

Published: March 1990

It's the witching hour and I'm snatching information from the very jaws of death, so to speak, in the foreboding shape of Chuck Schuldiner, singer/guitarist and founder member of those Florida Fatalists, Death!

Back in 1983 these guys started pounding out a style of metal that was less fashionable or tasteful than a present day South African cricket tour! But there's nowt curiouser than extreme sub-genres, as they say up north, and a few years on the sudden emergence of bands like Obituary, Morbid Angel, Sepultura, Atheist and Pestilence, have all given death a new lease of life - if you see what I mean! Consequently there has never been a more opportune moment for the bona fide originators of the genre to come roaring back with their third, and to my mind best, album to date. With a casualty list of such ditties as 'Defensive Personality', 'Altering The Future', 'Within The Mind' and the title track itself, 'Spiritual Healing', we have a slower, more melodic, and more varied sound to contend with. It's obvious that in 1990 with a sustained European tour on the horizon, we are not talking about sudden Death, or even a violent Death, but a far more marked and lingering expiration! I asked Chuck if the mature sophistication of their third offering is a natural Death?

Chuck: 'Yes, it's how we've always wanted to sound. I have never been happier with any of our releases than with 'Spiritual Healin'g. We have achieved something that people have been saying can't be done in death metal, that it's impossible to be melodic or varied. More importantly I think we've proved a lot of people wrong who look down on death metal as a genre, who lump it all together as simply Satanic based three chord progressions. 'Spiritual Healing' is still brutal death metal but it's deliberately based on more melodic riffing, we took our time to try and make everything extremely catchy, and that accessibility crossed over to my vocals as well, they are there to be heard because the lyrics are very important on this album.'

How much of this new direction was encouraged by the second generation of death bands, most of whom are still concentrating on speed and hack and slash subjects?

Chuck: 'We've been around for quite a long time and I've always tried to keep the band from getting lumped into any trend and at the moment I'll just say that it's important to try and stick to that. We wrote about gore four years ago because it was right for us at the time. The acts you mentioned just reinforce the need to change, to still be leading the way, to do it first. That's where the trouble with Rick first started because the material I was writing for 'Spiritual Healing' was simply way over his head. He refused to improve as a player and I was forced into worrying about writing stuff that was TOO complex, and when it gets to that point something has to be done!'

Now Chuck has brought the subject of long standing guitarist Rick Rozz being ousted from the Death ranks (not for the first time) I though he might explain himself further.

Chuck: 'We fired Rick Rozz for good about eight months ago because he wasn't progressing musically. Rick basically refused to improve himself as a guitarist. It took us a month to find James Murphy (ex-Agent Steel) but it worked out great from the very beginning. To be honest it's a relief now to have someone in the band who is really into being professional.'

Read the full article here.

Chuck Schuldiner: "I hate categories, categories suck" (II)

Interview: Viva 2 / Germany
Article: Video Interview with Death
Conducted by: Virus (Metal TV broadcast)
Transcribed by: EmptyWords
Published: fall 1998

Part III

Chuck - I know for a fact I make certain people angry for speaking my mind. But… uh… you know what I’m a fan. I’m 31 years old. I’ve been listening to rock music and metal since I was like nine or ten years old, you know, so for me I’m just like anyone else, I have an opinion, that’s gonna make some people mad, but my opinion is yes I’m lucky, we’re all lucky to be in a band that can come out with a record that’s very much what we’re into and that’s metal, melodic, no hiphop, jumping up and down, baggy trousers, crap.

Part IV

Chuck - Metallica, Raven and Exciter, I think that was a tour in the early 80’s and then Mercyful Fate and Venom toured together. It was metal you know, that was back in the day, when people had like you know Iron Maiden patch here, a Venom patch here, a Slayer patch, a Metallica patch, you know. Why did it go wrong? What happened? I don’t get it you know. That’s why we’re happy to say hey we’re here, we’re alive, we’re doing okay and we’re just like anyone else, we’re fans.

Part V

Chuck - You can’t please everyone, I’m realistic about that, cause there’s always gonna be someone leaving the show says, “oh they sucked.” But 99,9% you know, I think from the shows we played there’s a lot of happy people leaving. You know, talking to people after the show that’s when we really hear what their opinions are.

Chuck Schuldiner: "I hate categories, categories suck".

Interview: Viva 2 / Germany
Article: Video Interview with Death
Conducted by: Virus (Metal TV broadcast)
Transcribed by: EmptyWords
Published: fall 1998

PART I

Chuck - I hate categories, categories suck. You know, categories are okay if you go to the grocery store and you want to go to the vegetable departement and the meat departement but for music… you know metal is metal, and all those categories screwed a lot of people up because it, it like, made people kinda scared to listen to a certain type of metal because they heard rumors about that kind of metal. If you’re metal you’re metal. If you have long hair, you sweat your ass off, you play fast, melodic, guess what, you’re metal. And some people are scared to admit that, at least in America especially they’re scared of that term “heavy metal”. But for us we all grew up on heavy metal. We all grew up on Metallica and Iron Maiden and Slayer and Raven, Exciter and Judas Priest, Kiss, Sabbath.

Part II

Chuck - I think it’s good to catch people off guard. You know it’s good to be unpredictable. Life’s too predictable sometimes. It’s nice when all of a sudden you hear out of nowhere that a band’s getting back together. You know, as a fan I was thrilled to hear Kiss was getting back together. Not that we’re Kiss, but you know to fans, a fan is a fan and I think it’s great that people are like wow, you know, Death is getting back together, and blablabla, and there’s a lot of rumors and talk about it, and it made for good hype, you know, a lot of people were surprised and it just worked out that way. It wasn’t something I planned it was something that felt right at the time.

Chris and Chuck: "Deep passion for their craft and of music in general"

Chris, Timmy, Chuck, Shannon and Scott (Control Denied team)

Written by Mara Vanessa

 

As well as Chuck Schuldiner, the drummer Chris Williams left his mark in the history of music and in many people's lives around the world. Together with Control Denied's crew, Chris has showed that he was much more than an skilled musician: he was in love with his work. Unfortunately, in 2000, the world lost Chris which died in a car accident. Scott Clendenin, Death and Control Denied's bassist, commented the importance, the absence and the value of Chris in a chat with Death TR. Scott has also talked about the band Talonzfury, a project in which he and Chris worked together before they join to Chuck. Check it:

Death TR - Scott, talk a little about your work alongside with the drummer Chris Williams. 

Scott - I knew Chris growing up when we played in different bands at different times until we got together with a guitarist named Paul Payne and formed Talonzfury. Our work together as a rythem section began to evolve to a more progressive style because of the influences we were into at the time. Chris was the first to bring music like Metal Church, Dream Theater, Fates Warning and Fear Factory around for us to listen to.

Having gone to MIT (Musician's Institute of Technology) in California at an early age, Chris brought back an excellent work ethic. We would break down our parts to ensure that we played with maximum intent for every song. I believe that can be heard in our work together. Basically we tried to play as one, enabling Paul freedom of expression. I am very proud of my work with Chris, he made me a better musician and constantly challenged my limits, I owe alot to him for furthering my career, making me a better player.

Scott show us Death on the newspaper

 Death TR -  How do you evaluate the 1980's compared the musical scene we have now? 

Scott - Oddly enough, I just watched a documentary about the emerging death metal scene in Tampa. Extreme music was not readily accepted then and is still far from mainstream today, but death metal is certainly alive and well world wide today.

In the 80's, I believe that the bands that made it through and stayed around for a period of time or are still around today did so because they progressed and did not stay stagnent in an extreme atmosphere. Most Death fans love Death because they progressed and I believe Chuck continued to have success because the many line up changes he went through brought him new talent surrounding him which enabled him to progress beyond basic speed and simple chord progressions.

Death TR -  How was Chris invited to play on Control Denied?

Scott - Chris met Chuck at a party in Orlando and played him Talonzfury's cd and was invited to audition. And I believe based on our work together as a rythem section he secured me an audition. Before that, Shannon Hamm had moved here from Houston, Texas. Chris and I had wanted him in Talonzfury but Paul wasn't ready for that. Chris secured Shannon an audition before me, and also an audition for Paul to do vocals that subsequently didn't work out. So basically if it were not for Chris the original Control Denied line up would not have happened.

Chris and Chuck: Rest in Peace, brothers!

Death TR - Had Chris and Chuck something in common?

Scott - Yes, they both had a deep passion for their craft and of music in general. They were the type of musicians that could sit around and play for hours and love it. We all became very close friends. But sadly enough, music is business oriented and sometimes people don't see eye to eye on the way things should happen. As much as we all had in common and were very good friends, I think Chris expected things to happen a little faster than was realistically possible, which subsequently led to his departure.

Death TR - Please talk a litte about your current activities and let a message to Death TR readers.

Scott - As the anniversary of Chris and Chuck's passings are a day apart, I try to keep reminding people how instrumental Chris was in the formation of Control Denied. This year was especially overwhelming to me to see how many people are starting to see what Chris did as well as the outpouring of people remembering Chuck more than ever and maintaining his place in metal history.

I am starting a new project that involves some great young players, including Devin Sease (son of Craig Sease who wrote Hardly a Day Goes By, that Chuck played on), who is like a nephew to me. We also have two very talented guitar players, Jeff Frank and Javier Guzman and an awesome singer named Patrick Hoyt Parris. We began rehearsals this week and look forward to securing a deal in 2011 and hopefully will be around to a town near you.

Rest in Peace, Chris! This is for you!

Check out Chris Williams in action. Click here: CHRIS RULES!

Paul Masvidal interview

Paul Masvidal - Cynic

Paul Masvidal (Death's era) by Saga

People! The guys from the radio and website Ksunradio/Free Thought have made a big difference when the subject is Chuck Schuldiner. After interview Eric Greif and Richard Christy, it was the turn of Paul Masvidal (Cynic, Aeon Spoke, Portal and ex-guitarist of Death). Paul joined Death's crew when he was just 18 years old. The guy is a fantastic musician! Check what the guitarist and head of Cynic has to say about the work of two decades and about his experience of playing together with Chuck Schuldiner: Paul Masvidal interview (click)

Eric Greif interview

If you lost the interview with Eric Greif (ex-manager of Death, chairman of the Perseverance Holdings Ltd. and friend of Chuck), you can see it in this link: ERIC GREIF about Chuck and Death. 

The interview was granted to the Free Thought and has shown itself as a differential by remembering and keeping Chuck's memory alive.

Richard Christy interview

If you lost the interview with the skilful drummer Richard Christy (Death, Control Denied and a big friend of Chuck Schuldiner), you can download it in this link: Free Thought.