BOLT THROWER Frontman Says He Re-Recorded Vocals On 'Honour, Valour, Pride'

BOLT THROWER's official web site, BoltThrower.com, has published singer Karl Willetts' first interview since rejoining the band late last year. A few excerpts from the interview follow:

Bolt Thrower.com: What were your reasons for originally leaving the band?

Karl: "Well, there for a variety of reasons for leaving the band back in 1994... after doing BOLT THROWER for six years I just felt that I needed a change. Whale had decided to leave during a somewhat disastrous U.S. tour (of all the backwater toilets of America!!),so I felt a kind of loyalty to him, as he was the reason that I had joined up with BT in the first place... Also musically I was drifting off into other various kinds of music, and felt like I wanted a change in direction..."

Bolt Thrower.com: What have you been doing since your departure in 1994?

Karl: "Me and Whale had a crack at doing a couple of bands, but in reality my heart was never really in it...I enjoyed the rehearsing and creative aspect of these projects but when it came down to gigging etc, I really didn't have the enthusiasm for it. After reaching a certain stage in my musical career it was very hard to go back to the bottom of the ladder and start all over again... I have been quite busy over the past 10 years though... I went to Birmingham University and got a degree in Cultural Studies, got married, got divorced, and had numerous jobs that I hated and was crap at!!"

Bolt Thrower.com: What do you think of Martin van Drunen and Dave Ingram's efforts with BOLT THROWER?

Karl: "I was pleased when I heard that Martin Van Drunen had filled in for me with BOLT THROWER... We had previously toured with PESTILENCE and ASPHYX so I knew him to be a great guy and a fantastic frontman... I have never heard anything that he did with BOLT THROWER as he never did any recording with the band. I felt that Dave Ingram was the natural replacement for me in there band having seen him with BENEDICTION, he had the right kind of vocal style and right kind of attitude which fitted BOLT THROWER perfectly. His vocals/lyrics on 'Honour, Valour, Pride' are very good...I feel that he bridged the gap till my return more than adequately."

Bolt Thrower.com: How were you asked to re-join the band? What was your first reaction?

Karl: "Again, Baz called me up out of the blue, It was weird really because I had just been through probably the worst three years of my life (horrible divorce, hating work... no direction) and my confidence levels where at an all-time low... my first reaction was yes!... this is just what I need to get some meaning and pleasure out of life again..."

Bolt Thrower.com: How does it feel to be back in BOLT THROWER?

Karl: "Simply fantastic, It feels like I have been reunited with friends (almost family!!) along with a part of me which was lost forever. BOLT THROWER is the one thing in my life that made me feel motivated and active, since I left I have always used my time in the band as a measurement against my current happiness to which nothing really compared... (living a normal existence post-BOLT THROWER is impossible!!)."

Bolt Thrower.com: Will you be writing the lyrics again?

Karl: "Yes, and I can't wait. The first thing I did with the band was to re-record my vocals onto 'Honour, Valour, Pride'... which sound fantastic... I enjoyed doing this as it was a perfect re-introduction to the studio. And as we will be performing a number of these songs live, it was a great opportunity to learn them properly and still see if my voice was up to the job... gladly I think it is! No disrespect to Dave, but the album now sounds like the BOLT THROWER we all know and love!! Not sure if these recordings will ever see the light of day, we'll have to see how it goes..."

Bolt Thrower.com: What is the new material like?

Karl: "I can't give too much away at this point, we have a few definites and a few working song titles, and with some very cool visuals for the album cover, along with the killer new songs that have been written. To be honest, Baz has excelled himself on this album, lots of real catchy riffs and some sweet lead breaks... again the album sounds like classic BOLT THROWER... maybe even heavier... We're all fired up and can't wait to record it!!"

Read the entire interview at this location.

BOLT THROWER are currently in final rehearsals for their eighth, as-yet-untitled studio release. In mid-May, the band enter Andy Faulkner's Sable Rose studios, where they will spend the next three months recording the CD. The album will be released on Metal Blade Records around October/November.

Willetts rejoined the group as the replacement for Dave Ingram, who left the band in August 2004 due to long-standing "health and personal problems."

BOLT THROWER's upcoming CD will be the follow up to 2001's "Honour, Valour, Pride", which was the only BOLT THROWER release to feature Ingram on vocals.

(Thanks: Chazz)