GUS G. Talks Playing With OZZY OSBOURNE, Upcoming FIREWIND Album

OneMetal.com recently conducted an interview with OZZY OSBOURNE/FIREWIND guitarist Gus G. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

OneMetal.com: In a previous interview back around the time of FIREWIND's "The Premonition" album, you said you were focusing on FIREWIND and you didn't want to play for anyone else. With that in mind, now where do your priorities lie and have you found it difficult juggling the two with Ozzy and FIREWIND?

Gus: That's a tricky question, and I think you are trying to get something out of this. I'm focused on both things, man. I mean, this is what I do and I don't really understand what you mean. I mean, if I love one band more than the other, or if I am focusing more on one. I am doing both bands the best I can, and this is what I do for a living, so I'm not sure what you are trying to get out of it.

OneMetal.com: I wasn't trying to get anything out of it. Basically you have always been on the radar as one of the new breed of guitar heroes, and now you are thrust into the limelight alongside Ozzy do you think this will create a surge in popularity for FIREWIND?

Gus: Well, apparently it is already…

OneMetal.com: Have you seen a difference in terms of being recognized then? What about the rest of the FIREWIND guys?

Gus: I think the band has got way more recognition since I joined Ozzy's band. I mean, all the press interest is insane for this new album. I'm not just saying this is because I'm playing with Ozzy. I mean, the album is very good. It's getting way more press and alot more people have noticed the band, especially in America and the band's popularity has definitely gone up for sure.

OneMetal.com: The last FIREWIND album, "Premonition", [came out in] 2008, [didn't] it? How would you describe the progression in sound from that to "Days of Defiance"? To me it seems somewhat darker.

Gus: Oh, I don't know. I think we are still playing the same music that we played before. I don't think we have changed our style drastically or anything. It's just more of what we are doing, you know, I mean, yeah, there is a couple of darker songs in there and there are a couple of more angrier tunes in there, but then again there are ballads and rock songs. There's some faster stuff and some more technical stuff. Maybe we went and stepped it up a notch this time, but at the same time I think this album showcases all the elements of the past FIREWIND and kind of like establishes our sound and style.

OneMetal.com: I was actually going to ask you about the possibility of FIREWIND appearing on the likes of Guitar Hero. I mean, DRAGONFORCE seemed to gain a whole army of fans through their inclusion of "Through The Fire And The Flames". How do you feel about your songs being used in the video games, especially the guitar based ones?

Gus: I think it's really kinda cool to see that, you know. And, actually, me and Herman [Li, DRAGONFORCE guitarist] are going to be on a new video game that's coming out this fall. I dont know what it's called, but I think it will feature a six-string guitar apparently. But yeah, I think it's funny and I think it's cool, if there's some kids that are fans of the band and they want to play along with the songs like that at home or whatever, because that's the new thing, then that's cool. Or if its for the masses out there who use the video games, and for many we are not known, and maybe someone will find out about FIREWIND from there, then yeah, it's a good cross promotion. It's a good thing nowadays.

OneMetal.com: Bearing in mind all your experience you have had now, what advice would you give to any guitarists starting out?

Gus: My advice would be to just stick to your guns, just do what you want, you know. If you really want it you should set goals and go for it, you know, and don't compromise for anything. Just do what you want. If you want to start a band and get your songs out there, then that's what you should do, and you'll find your way. I know it's tough times for the music business, but there will always be a way to make it you know. I guess I am the living proof of that.

OneMetal.com: With you having such a demanding tour schedule… how do you actually manage to relax?

Gus: I actually just stay in my hotel room and just lay down and you know, whatever. Surf the Internet, call home, just take it easy, you know. That's all I do, really. I just try and take my mind off all the madness and craziness and just relax. Sometimes I just get too much stress and start thinking, "OK, it's time to switch your brain off now and tomorrow will just be another day." That's how I relax.

OneMetal.com: In terms of the current music scene, we have a lot of reality TV shows and music is becoming quite manufactured. Do you think we are being spoon-fed our music today?

Gus: Oh yeah. I mean, I think that not only for music. We are living in a fast-food kind of world, if you know what I mean. We live fast, we eat fast food, we want things without the stress, we want to take care of ourselves, but we want the expensive laptop, the expensive phone, but they all go by so fast. It's the same with music — albums come out and they go by so fast and they then mean nothing. It just keeps going and we move on to the next one. I'm not sure if it's a sign of the times or just where we are going in general. That's why I want to think that we put out high-quality music and hopefully our album will be heard in years to come.

Read the entire interview from OneMetal.com.