Marshall Law – Razor Head, Metal Head

Britain's Marhsall Law have been somewhat of a late comer in the wave of British Heavy Metal groups that have fourished during the 80's, but the band has been releasing quality, memorable albums for 20 years now. After a few years of inactivity, they emerge with a new killer album, "Razorhead", probably the band's heaviest yet. With a prefect combination of aggression and melody, the album is easily one of the best metal albums in recent years, a prefect combination of aggression and melody, and I spoke with vocalist Andy Pyke about the album, the band's past and future too.

Hi Andy, 'd like to start with current activities for Marshall Law, I understand you have some summer festivals lined up, what up until then?

We are trying to get festivals for 2009 and would welcome this in Isreal! We are about to start rehearsals for coming dates in March in uk and europe. We also have started writing for our next album. I look forward to this process and cant wait to get into the studio again, as well as playing "Razorhead" songs for you guys in 2009.

On the new album, I'd like to start by saying this is probably the best metal album I've heard in the last few years, and I've been listening to this music for 20+ years now – so thank you for that. A simple question – how did you create such an album?

Well shalom, through hard work and a very critical look at ourselves and how we write. We just wanted to make an album that would make an impact again as we had been away for a little while. It was important to come bang with a very strong album.

Why such a long-time since the last album? Is that a situation you foresee will repeat itself after this one? No we have deadlines to meet I would think we will start recording later this year?

Why a long time well many reasons really… First, we recorded a album and scrapped it and save 4 songs that found there way onto "Razorhead". Second, illness and death! Third, getting a deal was not easy. Last, all good things take time look at Testement album same shit.

I was amazed at the amounts of material you got on the album, lots of impressive riffs, great vocal melodies, very well-written songs; do you attribute that to the amount of time since the last release? Did the material accumulate through the years?

No as above really only four songs from the doomed 'Axis of power' album made "Razorhead" and also we wrote 22 songs for "Razorhead". only 11 made it. We like to think that we have a good or high standard of quality control and we wanted to give the fans who have waited a long time. A mutha fucka of an album.

This is also probably the band's heaviest album yet, was that a conscious decision?

Yes!!! Heavy, dark and dangerous with mega riffs and melodies.

The sound and approach of the music as a whole are very up-to-date, I actually thought the album was produced by Andy Sneap at first, who produced it?

Me and the two Daves with the help of Mark Stuart.

What's the label situation for the band?

We are signed for two more albums with DR2 / Global Music.

This is your first album without original guitarist Andy Southwall, in what ways do you think that affected the album and the music?

It didn't at all things move forward. Andy had a really bad accident and cut through tendons in his hand. He is a great guy but we needed to move forward at that point we could'nt so Andy had to get better and needed time.

How did you recruit Dave Rothan, and what do you think he brought into the band?

We got Dave via auditions and thought he was great. An excellent guitarist and he also has a good understanding of recording and software . He is now a vital member of the band. He brought a freshness to ML.

The songs in the album work in several dimensions, while the title song is an aggressive and more traditionally written, there are also some tragic-sounding and epic tracks such as "Nothing Lasts Forever", what's the idea behind these two specific tracks?

Well "Razorhead" is a horror charachter me and Dave thought up who is a zombie devil who wanders the earth stealing the souls of man. Nothing lasts forever is a song dedicated to the death of Dave Martin and Andy Southwells fathers who died at the similar time both died of cancer and this was a devestating loss. Nothing lasts for ever was also a track from 'Axis. There are songs on the album about terrorism and amny different issues as well Alon. Look into the puzzle box that is "Razorhead". Feast your eyes on the inner pain!

How does the writing in the band work now that Andy's gone? Do you write all of the material?

Me and Dave Martin have always wrote a majority of the songs so no change really, just more pressure!!!

Let's concentrate on yourself for a minute, how did you start out with Heavy Metal?

singing with friends and in mates garages… usual stuff. I was introduced to metal via NWOBHM and stuff like Rainbow and Thin Lizzy.

Marshal Law has been delivering great albums since you guys started out, yet you also remained something of a cult-act, not breaking into the mainstream as some of your British counterparts did, do you blame the fact you were heavier than most British bands of that time? Or the fact you arrived at the end of the NWOBHM scene?

Both really kinda missed the metal boat as grunge was taking a hold in the late 80s early 90s.

What drives you as the band's vocalist? What makes you drive the band into continuing and making albums for more than 20 years now?

Stupidity? Passion? Love? Hate? Power? Addiction to music? Many reasons really…

Back to the new album, what kind of a reaction have you been getting to it since it came out?

Excellent although one or two average reviews from people who miss the point.

Did the local media in the UK notice its release? I know its mostly American current and shite bands over there with the mainstream media….

Yeah its been played alot over here and in Europe although it aint made me a millionaire yet!

That's about it. any last message for the metalhead about to crank up the volume on "Razorhead"?

Turn it up to the max and scream with your inner soul make darkness fall and blood let your veins until death become you! Spread the word of Marshall Law!