Ex-HALFORD Guitarist MIKE CHLASCIAK: 'I Didn't Want ROB To Rejoin JUDAS PRIEST'

November 21, 2004

Former HALFORD and current PAINMUSEUM/TESTAMENT guitarist "Metal" Mike Chlasciak recently spoke to the U.K.'s Live 4 Metal about his time playing with JUDAS PRIEST singer Rob Halford and the formation of his new project, among other topics. A couple of excerpts from the interview follow:

Live 4 Metal: How has your experience with TESTAMENT been?

"Metal" Mike Chlasciak: "Killer. I love TESTAMENT and have been a fan of their music from their first album. I think the band is incredible. The lineup with [Paul] Bostaph on drums and [Steve] DiGiorgio on bass is sick. We played European festivals this summer and we had a great time. I really like everyone in the band and we get along well. It’s a crazy fucking band, you never what will happen next with those guys: and that's why it’s such a great fucking band. I'm very fortunate to be a part of it."

Live 4 Metal: What about your years as the guitar muscle in HALFORD?

"Metal" Mike Chlasciak: "What is there to say? I’m very grateful to Rob and management for giving me a chance to prove myself and take me out of local shit bars and into Madison Square Garden. I learned so much and loved every minute. Had great days, had fucked dark days, and everything in between, but there was not a day that went by that I was not grateful to be there."

Live 4 Metal: Were you excited to learn that Rob had rejoined JUDAS PRIEST?

"Metal" Mike Chlasciak: "No. I was happy for Rob because I think he wanted to be with that band, but fuck no. I didn't want him to join PRIEST. It allowed me to join TESTAMENT and do PAINMSEUM full time, so that timing was just right though."

Live 4 Metal: Does your approach to the guitar differ whether you're playing for PAINMUSEUM, HALFORD, or TESTAMENT?

"Metal" Mike Chlasciak: "Not the basic instinct, the gut feeling. I sort of play the same; after all, the other bands want Metal Mike, so I do what I do. I could never play for somebody and play like someone else and not me. No, thank you. There are some restrictions. When a label spends a ton of money on a single with HALFORD I'm not going to dive bomb all over it. With PAIMUSEUM I pretty much do whatever I like. It's very freeing and I love it."

Read "Metal" Mike Chlasciak's entire interview with Live 4 Metal at this location.

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