Hellyeah is that honest American heavy metal band that everybody craves to be a fan of. They bring the brutality, the riffs and that head crushing backbeat. They are about to drop the most anticipated album of their career in the form of Blood For Blood and the hype is unreal. Chad Gray took the time from the most hectic time of his career to talk to Metal Exiles about their massive tours coming up and the release of Blood for Blood. I felt as if I stepped inside his world and got a little peak at who Chad Gray really is, the emotions he harbors, even shelters, and the appreciation he has for music, his influences and his fans.
Interview with Chad Gray of HellYeah
Written by Leslie Elder Rogers
Metal Exiles: The obvious question is since you are participating in the heaviest tour of the summer, how do you feel you will compliment Volbeat, 5FDP, and Nothing More?
Chad: Concert goers will experience so many different flavors of music. The diversification of the bands is the biggest compliment of all. Me and Michael Poulsen of Volbeat both come from a death metal background; even though Volbeat is definitely not that. Volbeat has a bit of a rock meets metal meets Social D. vibe. Michael has influences like Johnny Cash and Elvis. Some of my influences are James Hetfield, Layne Stanley, and hell, the Beatles, and John Lennon but I’ve always said that the art of originality is masking your own influences.
Metal Exiles: Music is indeed therapy. When you were done recording the vocals for this album, what were some of the feelings you had lifted from you?
Chad: I felt like I had stepped out of one suit of clothes and into another. I had lost a little bit of myself but this album allowed me to help me get back to CHAD, to being me. It was an emotional time with Greg leaving. It had become apparent that HellYeah was no longer a priority to him and it was starting to cause problems. He had his own free will and he chose to exit. It was a tough time for me. He was like a brother to me. After 17 or 18 years together, it was a very emotional and unsettling time. “Moth” was the first song written for the new album. I started it and stuff just kept pouring out. Kevin (Kevin Churko-the new producer) said that the mark was set pretty high with that song. It was my turning point to make sure that I wrote this record and made each song the best it could be no matter how many times I had to write and scrap stuff. I want to make sure that each song stands independently and will last. No bullshit. They should have the best guitar riff, best drum riff, best vocal, and best lyric. I love the fans and I speak to them through my music. Music is an extension of you. You paint with your own brush, your own pallet and subject or you’ll go through the motions without the desired result. There has to be a deep level of heart and soul that each person puts into their music.
Metal Exiles: I understand based on what you’ve told me about “Moth”, it was the first song written and being the first song written, it was very emotional. In addition to that and obviously “Sangre Por Sangre (Blood for Blood) the first release from the new album, do you have any other favorites.
Chad: Oh, well, I love the whole album. All of the songs really, but yeah, “Hush” is another favorite. It moves me and says a lot. “Cross to Bier (Cradle of Bones) too, with its play on words. “Soul Killer”, “Sangre”, ‘Demons”, and “Black December”; they’re all awesome.
Metal Exiles: I’ve had the wonderful opportunity of previewing the album and must say that I also enjoy all of the songs. One of my favorites is “Black December”. It has an inner sadness.
Chad: Vinnie’s kid brother was killed in December by gunshot (2004). It’s such a big holiday season, and when death interferes with a holiday, it darkens it permanently. December is a very depressing month for so many already. It’s in people’s true nature to want to give, to want to provide. When they try and try and they just can’t, depression sets in and it creates the lack of desire to live. That’s the song.
Metal Exiles: Wrapping up our 20 minutes, If you could have your music fix anything in the world, what would it be?
Chad: Um, wow, I am not sure I can answer that question. You may have just asked me something that stumps me. I will probably think about the answer to that for the rest of the day. Certainly not world peace because well, we all know that shit isn’t happening, as he laughs slightly out loud. I just think everyone needs to always keep pushing, always keep hope. You need to have harmony, peace within yourself.
If you have yet to witness HellYeah live or experienced their music, then now is the time and Blood For Blood is the album.
Official HellYeah Site
BUY Blood For Blood
Buy Blood For Blood on Vinyl!
Interview with Chad Gray of HellYeah
Written by Leslie Elder Rogers
Metal Exiles: The obvious question is since you are participating in the heaviest tour of the summer, how do you feel you will compliment Volbeat, 5FDP, and Nothing More?
Chad: Concert goers will experience so many different flavors of music. The diversification of the bands is the biggest compliment of all. Me and Michael Poulsen of Volbeat both come from a death metal background; even though Volbeat is definitely not that. Volbeat has a bit of a rock meets metal meets Social D. vibe. Michael has influences like Johnny Cash and Elvis. Some of my influences are James Hetfield, Layne Stanley, and hell, the Beatles, and John Lennon but I’ve always said that the art of originality is masking your own influences.
Metal Exiles: Music is indeed therapy. When you were done recording the vocals for this album, what were some of the feelings you had lifted from you?
Chad: I felt like I had stepped out of one suit of clothes and into another. I had lost a little bit of myself but this album allowed me to help me get back to CHAD, to being me. It was an emotional time with Greg leaving. It had become apparent that HellYeah was no longer a priority to him and it was starting to cause problems. He had his own free will and he chose to exit. It was a tough time for me. He was like a brother to me. After 17 or 18 years together, it was a very emotional and unsettling time. “Moth” was the first song written for the new album. I started it and stuff just kept pouring out. Kevin (Kevin Churko-the new producer) said that the mark was set pretty high with that song. It was my turning point to make sure that I wrote this record and made each song the best it could be no matter how many times I had to write and scrap stuff. I want to make sure that each song stands independently and will last. No bullshit. They should have the best guitar riff, best drum riff, best vocal, and best lyric. I love the fans and I speak to them through my music. Music is an extension of you. You paint with your own brush, your own pallet and subject or you’ll go through the motions without the desired result. There has to be a deep level of heart and soul that each person puts into their music.
Metal Exiles: I understand based on what you’ve told me about “Moth”, it was the first song written and being the first song written, it was very emotional. In addition to that and obviously “Sangre Por Sangre (Blood for Blood) the first release from the new album, do you have any other favorites.
Chad: Oh, well, I love the whole album. All of the songs really, but yeah, “Hush” is another favorite. It moves me and says a lot. “Cross to Bier (Cradle of Bones) too, with its play on words. “Soul Killer”, “Sangre”, ‘Demons”, and “Black December”; they’re all awesome.
Metal Exiles: I’ve had the wonderful opportunity of previewing the album and must say that I also enjoy all of the songs. One of my favorites is “Black December”. It has an inner sadness.
Chad: Vinnie’s kid brother was killed in December by gunshot (2004). It’s such a big holiday season, and when death interferes with a holiday, it darkens it permanently. December is a very depressing month for so many already. It’s in people’s true nature to want to give, to want to provide. When they try and try and they just can’t, depression sets in and it creates the lack of desire to live. That’s the song.
Metal Exiles: Wrapping up our 20 minutes, If you could have your music fix anything in the world, what would it be?
Chad: Um, wow, I am not sure I can answer that question. You may have just asked me something that stumps me. I will probably think about the answer to that for the rest of the day. Certainly not world peace because well, we all know that shit isn’t happening, as he laughs slightly out loud. I just think everyone needs to always keep pushing, always keep hope. You need to have harmony, peace within yourself.
If you have yet to witness HellYeah live or experienced their music, then now is the time and Blood For Blood is the album.
Official HellYeah Site
BUY Blood For Blood
Buy Blood For Blood on Vinyl!
