Metal Mike Chlasciak Exclusive

artist website

impulse buy

One of the most metal men in metal, Mike Chlasciak is one of the most technically gifted guitarists in music today. Before joining Rob Halford’s solo band in late 1999/early 2000, Mike recorded three instrumental guitar albums of pure heavy metal shred. He is a scholarship graduate of Berklee College of Music and has toured the World many times over, playing and sharing the stage with countless heavy metal and rock legends. Following four releases and several World tours with Halford, Mike toured with thrash titans Testament throughout 2004 and formed his new band PainmuseuM, culminating in the release of their debut album Metal For Life. 2005 sees Mike continuing to tour with PainmuseuM, touring throughout the summer as the new lead guitarist in Sebastian Bach’s band and once again reuniting with the Metal God Rob Halford for a new Halford album.

Do you find it hard to book PainmuseuM dates with all the members, including yourself, being so active in other bands? Are we likely to see PainmuseuM tour outside the US?
Metal Mike: It can become a bit tricky, sure. It depends on how much of an opportunity each situation presents itself to be, really. So far, the PainmuseuM line up of myself, Bobby (Jarzombek, drums) and Tim (Clairborne, vocals) have appeared on all our live dates. We have been privileged to have the talents of Mike LePond from Symphony X or Joe Comeau from Overkill/Annihilator on bass during those occasions, so so far we have had no big problems as far a schedules. I’ll over come all, it doesn’t really matter – PainmuseuM will go on as it did for the last couple of years. Yes, you will see PainmuseuM outside of the US. We have a new booking agency out of Germany and there have been several offers for us during the last three or four months, including UK early 2006. Eventually we will take what makes sense and go to work overseas. Our new Metal For Life album deserves it.

I’ve noticed your playing is a little more subdued on the PainmuseuM record compared to your work on your solo albums and the Halford albums. I don’t mean its any less “metal”. It’s the most vicious record I’ve heard you play on. But there’s less soloing and all-round guitar histrionics. Was that an intentional move, or just the way it turned out?
MM: I don’t think I played any less than any of the Halford albums at all. As a matter of fact, I feel that my playing is a bit more free and well, crazy on the PainmuseuM album. I played as many solos as the songs asked for. To be a guitar player and write solo section for the sake of writing it is pretty f**king immature. It’s like saying look everybody – I can play, I can play. I, and my fans, know that I can play guitar, I don’t have to prove that with each song. Then you get a track on the album like I Am Your Keeper which is all out shred and, for example, that approach fit really well for that song, so I think I did what was needed across the record. When did you get a full on shred instrumental track on the Halford albums? I wanted in addition to concentrate on letting everyone know that PainmuseuM has real Metal songs, Metal anthems, is a real band and is not a jerk off guitar solo album.

The first time I heard the debut Halford record, Resurrection, it stunned me. To me, that record was a defining moment in metal for the 21st Century. Not just because of the good songs, but the playing. It was the first time I’d heard yourself, or Bobby, and it was amazing. How did you become involved with The Metal God?
MM: I heard from a friend of mine that Rob was looking for a guitar player. I did not know whether it was a metal or whatever person that he was looking for. I sent Rob’s management my first solo album Isolation Chamber – Grind Textural Abstraction from 1996 and some videos from when I opened concerts as a solo instrumental artist in the New York Area. I supported Yngwie (Malmsteen), Steve Morse, Ronnie Montrose, Savatage. They loved it and I believe they saw the truth in it, the innocence of someone just playing great guitar for the sake of it. I think that appealed to Rob and well, I came out to Los Angeles and wrote some songs with Rob and the rest of the band. Resurrection album was next and the rest you know.

How is the new Halford album progressing? And who else is in the band besides yourself, Rob and presumably Bobby?
MM: Halford band is: Rob, Myself, Roy Z, Mike Davis and Bobby Jarzombek. We are currently in production of the next album.

What do you consider to be your most impressive performance on record?
MM: I don’t know, really. I usually don’t go back and dissect stuff I did. Its out and its put away, I’m looking forward to the next thing I’m concentrating on. There are some things that I recorded that I’m definitely proud of and can stand by. Each album has something like that. But, the best is yet to come. I really feel that my playing is entering a whole new world right now. Its hard to explain, but I feel it.

Are you still in contact with Joacim Cans? Is there likely to be another Cans album?
MM: Yeah, Joacim is really a killer guy. Great singer and very professional. I really enjoyed working with him on the Beyond The Gates album. I wish that CD was a bit more known in the US, I like the album. It contains good songs. Some people really love the CD. But, to answer your question, yes, Joacim and I talked about a very possible second Cans album and I’ll write some music for it as well.

Ok, on to Sebastian Bach. What’s it like working with yet another heavy metal singing legend? And how have the live shows you’ve done so far gone?
MM: It’s the most Rock N Roll experience with that crazy fu**king demon. A lot of fun. Sebastian is really excited about the music, and we have become good friends. You know, in order for me to take time away from PainmuseuM I must play with a f**king world class singer. It must be really important. So, with Bach – yeah I’ll tour and record with Bach – because he’s a world class singer and he rips on stage and he’s a pure guy. Besides, the amount of women we get at each show is f**king unbelievable and it’s all hell breaking loose at all times. I like that and I like him as a person. Outside that, the guys that are helping him out in the band are friends of mine which makes the travel and the long hours worth it, and it’s a real bonding experience. It’s different than my past experiences. People getting along, no assholes in the band. Imagine that. I’m having a great time, honestly. I enjoy the cool band experience, the love of the music. It’s the only way I can do things now. I can’t deal with bullshit anymore, my life is too important.

And how is Sebastian’s new solo record going? How much are you involved in the writing process?
MM: The new solo CD is taking place, it will be out early next year. I’m writing for it of course. Sebastian called me and said “I want to make a real Metal album with you”. I though about it for two seconds and said let’s f**king do it, then. I think people will enjoy Sebastian signing some real Metal. I think he was always a step ahead of the Skid Row guys, as if they were not heavy enough for him. I don’t know – we’ll see. I think it will be really good.

How will you split touring commitments when both the Halford and Bach records are finished?
MM: Ask me that question next year. Because I can’t predict what album will come out when or who will need what.

Will we see another Metal Mike solo record? And will they ever get a release in Europe?
MM: I don’t know. I’m really not sure. I did three, and they have all the notes you could ask for. Maybe I’ll do one, but it will be a bit different. I have some ideas. Its about finding time to do it and well, I’d rather work on PainmuseuM than another guitar-based album at this point. The imports are going well I believe. You know, the records weren’t done on any big budget or anything. So while the heart and honesty in the playing is certainly there, the sound quality is not the best. Its not the worst, but there is room for improvement. So we are not looking for a deal to mass release it. Whoever wants these albums can find them and that’s that, really. They are constantly selling, so either way I’m content. I’m not going to spend my time looking for a deal for a four-year-old album.

Every record you’re involved in seems to become one of the purest metal records on the market at the time. Do you think enough artists today are committed to the spirit of pure heavy metal?
MM: Well some are. Some are just copy cats, worshiping the altars of the Gods. Too much tributing. People should do their own deals. There are originals and originators. You have to take chances, otherwise playing music is pointless and for me, it would be suicidal. I’ll continue taking new paths, chances and do things with a pure heart. When I’m not able to do that, I’ll stop.

Finally, where do you stand with Testament? There was talk of a new album, but now the reunion tour has taken over. What’s your involvement now?
MM: I wish Testament a continued good time with the reunion. I think they are having a fun time with it and I think it’s really cool for the fans to see that if they can. I think they should when they get a chance. I might help out the guys on some of their touring, but honestly I have so much going on with PainmuseuM, Halford and Bach that I do not spend too much time thinking about it.

Thank you for your time, Mike.
MM: OK – thanks. Thank you to all the fans for the support and for living their Metal lives in truth. I really appreciate it, and it means a lot. The official PainmuseuM site, www.painmuseum.com, has monthly contests, news and offers, so please check it out and join the Forever Strong Metal Militia Street Legions. Thank you!!

Written by Andy Lye
More: Interview Transcriptions, Metal Mike Chlasciak, PainmuseuM