Ex-FATES WARNING Drummer Issues SLAVIOR Japan Tour Report

SLAVIOR drummer Mark Zonder (ex-FATES WARNING) has issued the following update:

"Finally the day had come and we [SLAVIOR] were off to Japan. Something I had wanted to do my entire musical career, and let me tell you this was better than I could have ever imagined.

"Our label in Japan, Dingwall, did an exceptional job of taking care of us and really giving us the opportunity to be presented to both the Japanese press and fans. We did a bunch of press, a couple TV shows, an acoustic in-store (all caught on tape) and two live shows. Along with plenty of good food, drink and great company, we laughed the entire time. All of the people associated with the trip were great. A bit of a side note: With the live shows, I had a Japanese drum tech that did not speak much English. Hands down the best tech I have ever had. Professional is the only word I can think of.

"The two shows were the first shows with our new member Philip Bynoe. We had actually only rehearsed as a complete band for the first time, an hour the Sunday before we left. It is always nice to work with pros. What a perfect fit for SLAVIOR. Great player, dominant stage presence and one hell of a funny, nice guy. Just as important SLAVIOR left Japan with a very tight and unified band feel. Something I had been missing for years, and promised myself when I started the band, that we would have. I guess youth is wasted on the young, as being a bit older all of the members see the big picture and are extremely excited about the future. Slavior has an extremely talented lineup as well as a clear understanding of what the future holds.

"It was a great feeling to be treated by the label with such respect and dignity. We look forward to a very successful business and personal relationship with Dingwall for many years to come."

"This was the perfect trip to mark the beginning of SLAVIOR's assault on the world."

Check out pictures from the trip at this location.

SLAVIOR's self-titled debut album was released on April 3 via Inside Out Music.

Video footage of Mark Zonder talking about how SLAVIOR came together can be viewed below.

The band had originally inked a deal with Greece's Black Lotus Records, but financial turmoil eventually caused the label to fold, leaving SLAVIOR to re-evaluate matters and come to their initial choice of labels, Inside Out.

A versatile, melodic hard rock/metal act, SLAVIOR's debut album features elements familiar to Zonder's progressive metal past, but also introduces a wide array influences including reggae, hip-hop, and modern rock.