One of the most legendary bands of all time, the thrash metalers DARK ANGEL visit Greece for the first time and fulfill a dream of many passionate old-school metalheads, out there.
Frontman Ron Rinehart, expresses his excitement to play in front of the greek audience, answering in detail our questions, regarding the past, the present and the future of the band and prepares us for their unique show in Athens, Greece on July 11 at Gagarin 205 Live music space.
Read below our friendly chat and get ready for an once in a lifetime experience.
Rockoverdose: Dearest Ron, we would like to welcome you to Rock Overdose Greece, it is a tremendous honor and great pleasure combined. We know you’re on a run of shows lately, nailing it on Graspop and Hellfest recently. Where do we find you at the moment and what follows until we see you in Greece?
Ron Rinehart (DARK ANGEL): Well at the moment, I am getting ready for my first time ever in Greece... Super excited for this!!! After Greece we will go on to Sweden, then San Francisco!
RockOvedose: You know well that Dark Angel is something like a fetish to most of the fans, not only did they wait for your return one day, but crave seeing you with a passion that almost matches the ‘80s and ‘90s era. Did you believe you would be remembered so fondly, in a way that your legacy would grow even stronger through the years?
Ron Rinehart (DARK ANGEL): Honestly... I could have never dreamt something as cool as this... I think that our fans see the same Love and Passion that they have for Thrash Metal in us when we perform!! It's a real organic experience for all of us!!
RockOverdose: Regarding you personally, you were not the first singer of the band, but to all fans, you are the original frontman and it is one of the rare cases this happens. It’s been 36 years since your entrance, looking back in time in ’87, how did it feel back then to join such a legendary band and how do you receive this recognition on you specifically from all the fans?
Ron Rinehart (DARK ANGEL): Joining the band was just one of those things where everything just clicked all at once!! We all just instantly got a long!! I think as a fan myself; it came across on stage. There is a love to do this, because you love it!!! I believe that this is something that everyone can see and feel.
Rockoverdose: Dark Angel released only four albums, which all of them are legendary at least. What made you split up back in 1992 and what gave you motive to return strongly the last 10 years? How did you perceive all the changes in music industry back then and now recently and what should bands be more careful with nowadays?
Ron Rinehart (DARK ANGEL): In 1992 the music industry for me felt like politics!!! I wanted nothing to do with that. I just wanted to play. After a while in 1992 I felt that music as well as myself would be better off with my absence... as for my motivation, it is truly every Metalhead that could not wait for us to return!! That is why I am always looking for a way to be better! Our fans deserve my very best! As for the industry, it is what it is!!
RockOverdose: Speaking of the music industry, it is a given lately that many U.S. bands can’t tour Europe because of the costs raising significantly high. What keeps Dark Angel rolling despite the changes after the covid era? Do you believe that bands mishandle their economics so that later they can’t handle possible difficulties? What is the Dark Angel way of approach in this matter?
Ron Rinehart (DARK ANGEL): We try to be flexible.. Still there is a ton of shows that we unfortunately cannot do or do not get invited to.
Rockoverdose: I have read that before becoming a singer, you would be a person knowing how to show or create riff structures and later went on to sing because of your influences. Do you see bands nowadays that could influence the current generation in a way that more musicians will emerge as you all did back then? Do you ever wonder of a possible career you could have as a guitar player?
Ron Rinehart (DARK ANGEL): As a guitar player I could never be good enough!!! Ever! I just do not have that ability! I do have a pretty good ear for what's good and what works! I think that’s why singing is for me. It’s the emotion that I feel, I try to put that into my vocals.
Rockoverdose: You entered the band in an era that they were becoming more technical, speed wasn’t lacking but durations grew highly enough, the most remarkable nickname of the band was “The L.A. Caffeine Machine”. We also know that there were times you had to drop speed to become more audible. How was it to combine so lethal fast pace with technical parts and lyrics that affect lives and make you more cautious on your steps as person in general?
Ron Rinehart (DARK ANGEL): Not really. Caution has never been my strong point. We all just try to serve the song, you know make it the best that it can be for all of us. Sometimes that means tapping the brakes just for a moment so that we can get out point across.
Rockoverdose: The legendary sticker of “Time Does Not Heal” refers clearly: “9 songs, 67 minutes, 246 riffs”. Here comes the million dollar question everyone wants an answer to: When could approximately the new long awaited Dark Angel album be released, and how aggressive will the sticker on it be? How much of this album is complete at the moment?
Ron Rinehart (DARK ANGEL): The new album well clearly stand on its own! FOR SURE!! As for how aggressive will the sticker be?? Beyond brutal!! It will be hands down the most intense album that we have ever recorded!
Rockoverdose: The recent passing of Jim Durkin is by all means a devastating and irreplaceable loss to the whole music, not only metal-wise. We would like to know from a close friend of him, how he was as a person, what do you remember most of him and how heavy is the burden to continue his work of art, as he would like you to.
Ron Rinehart (DARK ANGEL): With tears in my eyes by just reading that... it is still unbelievable! Not a day goes by that I don’t think of Jimmy! I don’t think that there will ever be a time! Jimmy was a one of a kind, he would always wanted to make sure no matter what happened, no matter what the world thinks... that he was always my Brother first, and my guitar player second. Where I rehearse at home there are so many pictures of Jimmy, and every show to date I hold back my tears! He will always be in my heart, and when I quote Jimmy, I will always hear his voice.
RockOvedose: We’re finally seeing you for the first time in our country Greece. Being one of the last great bands in existence we haven’t witnessed live, the waiting has been fanatic I could say. I’m sure you’ve heard stories for the Greek crowd and all fans know first hand that the promoter was “hunting” you for decades. What should we wait from this gig and what is your opinion for Xentrix that will accompany you and have lately been put strongly back in the map with two great albums in a row?
Ron Rinehart (DARK ANGEL): I am beyond stoked to play in Greece for my first time, and to have an old school Thrash band with a killer vocalist (Xentrix) makes me ever more excited! I really dig listening to that style of thrash.
Rockoverdose: “Darkness Descends” is one of these albums that can be a blessing or a curse for a band. Not a single soul is unaffected by its grandeur and it still creates shock and awe in any new listening. You are playing the whole album on your gigs, do you ever feel that time passes in front of your eyes and all things turn full circle, coming back from where they begun and leading you to the future?
Ron Rinehart (DARK ANGEL): "Darkness Descends" is the reason that I joined Dark Angel, as for playing it in its entirety. We only do it at certain shows. Greece will be the first country out of the US that DD will be played live.
Rockoverdose: Being one of the most expressive singers ever, we would like to know if you think a singer should emphasize on the strength of his voice, or it’s something he must be able to adapt to for any possible demand. What was your primary purpose when you entered Dark Angel and how do you manage to maintain it through the years?
Ron Rinehart (DARK ANGEL): I am always singing!! To me it's like going to war, you best ready! I think that power and strength are what make killer vocals! So, to maintain my voice I try an rehearse constantly! I have to. We are all human, and we all make mistakes. That being said, I feel that I need to always be ready... that will always be my goal.
Rockoverdose: Last but not least, we would like to thank you for your time. By all means, you all have been heroes of our youth that we still look up to and we’re immensely thankful for it. Which are your future plans ahead and what would you like to add that we haven’t mentioned and you think it’s important?
Ron Rinehart (DARK ANGEL): My future plans are to get the new album done!!!! Then tour the entire World!! I can’t wait to see all of you!! Thank you so very much! This was my Pleasure!
For RockOverdose.gr,
Angelos Katsouras
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