New american death metal band Priests of Prometheus released their debut EP "Lodestar" on January 1st 2020. Telegram channel Heavy Metal Daily conducted interview with mastermind of the project, guitarist and bassist Justin "Turtle" Wolz.
Hey there! So tell us about yourself and your band. Is it your first music project?
Hello! My name is Turtle, I’m a musician from Richmond, VA. Priests of Prometheus is not my first project. I've been playing music and in bands for about 20 years. I have attempted to get my personal project going for almost as long, but have gotten side-tracked. I usually put my all into whatever I'm into at the moment so if I join a band, the personal stuff gets pushed aside.
How old you was when you started play metal? What was your inspiration?
Growing up, I just latched onto whatever was being played around the house. That would be country music and hard rock. I went through phases where I would listen to country then hard rock. While on a hard rock phase, a neighbor introduced me to Pantera, Fear Factory, White Zombie, Sepultura, Nirvana, Alice in Chains and Soundgarden. I fell in love with the music. Especially the harder stuff. I cruised along getting and discovered other genres like death metal (Acid Bath, Cannibal Corpse), black metal (Samael), grindcore (Napalm Death), etc.
The pinnacle was when I heard Black Sabbath. They were discovered through Megadeth's Paranoid cover. When I heard the original album (Paranoid), I was changed forever. The most crushing riff in the universe is Electric Funeral and is the original, sole inspiration to play music at 15 years old.
What's the state of metal scene in your neighborhood now? In US in general? Is there any support from government or business or maybe other bands? Or you just starting the band and you are on your own in the wilderness?
I know I'm gonna forget a lot of stuff here, but the metal scene in Richmond, VA is good. We have nationally recognized bands like GWAR, Lamb of God, Inter Arma, Windhand, and Avail (punk).
We also have an amazing amount of bands in every genre too. Cut the Architect's Hand, Alcindor, The Astral Void, Tomb Warden, Future Projector, Cannabis Corpse, etc.
For metal in general in the US there's not really a wide path to a career. Most of the bands living off of it have managed to do so before the era of streaming and YouTube. But even those bands have to tour like crazy to survive now.
Some businesses support, but they would have to be equipment brands like for guitars, drums, picks, strings, etc. The government probably does have grants and things for the arts, but I don't think for metal. Maybe classical and jazz.
Are you signed to any label? Is there any sense in being signed now?
I am not signed to a label. This is all self financed and released. I think signing to a label is still a valuable tool for bands. Especially for the promotional aspect and other legal stuff like copyright, royalties and publishing.
Was Lodestar recorded in prof. studio?
Lodestar was mostly recorded at my home studio which I am calling Men of Strange Arts. The drums were recorded in Greece by Dino Stamoglou, the drummer for Nightrage.
Song lyrics on Lodestar consists of some mental and medical stuff. Is this theme close to you?
The mental health influence is prevalent in my life. I have worked in the field for 11 years and love it. I work as a job coach which is someone who works with people that have intellectual disabilities (like Down's Syndrome, Autism, etc) in employment. Assisting with finding jobs, on-site training, retaining employment, things like that. It fits my need to serve others like nothing else. I believe everyone has been touched by mental health problems in some way and music is an extension of that personal need.
Do you plan to make music video or maybe some other plans to promote your music?
Not sure if I'll make any music videos although they are a popular way to promote especially with YouTube. It's a money thing for me. If I did it myself, it would probably be an extremely time consuming thing.
Since the project is all me, live shows are not a consideration at the moment so all promotion will be through word of mouth, social media, etc.
It's time for End of the Year Lists. Which metal album of 2019 is number 1 for you?
I am wholly unprepared to pick a best of 2019 so let's just say...Cattle Decapitation is getting some heavy rotation in my car. Also, Cryo Chamber stuff.
Do you know any metal bands or musicians from Russia?
I know very few Russian metal bands or musicians. There's Bufihimat, Arkona, Kartikeya, and that's it. Oh, and Bradi Cerebri Ectomia from Belarus.
What is your goal in music business? Is it stadium gigs and private jets or it all started for art sake only?
My primary goal for music is selfish. It is self satisfying to make music. I am a fan of my own stuff.
My secondary goal is to connect with others and have them moved how I am by music. This plays into my need to serve others.
If it makes money, great! If not, also great because I will continue to do it anyways.
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Priests of Prometheus on Bandcamp
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Priests of Prometheus on SoundCloud
Priests of Prometheus on Telegram
Priests of Prometheus on VK.com
Lodestar EP on Apple Music
Lodestar EP on Google Play
Justin's page on VK.com