RATT Guitarist Is Shooting For 2008 Release For New Studio Album

Cameron Edney of Australia's Inside_Out666 recently conducted an interview with RATT guitarist Warren DeMartini. A few excerpts from the chat follow:

Inside_Out666: You reunited not too long ago and you had been apart for some time. Is there any chance that next year we will see some brand new Ratt material hitting the shelves?

Warren DeMartini: We did three months here in America and there was a lot of talk about after this tour was over, that we would roll up our sleeves and start writing again. I've started to set up a place to write again. It's something that we are going to seriously explore. I don't want to guarantee that there is going to be a new record in 08 but that is in the best-case scenario what we're shooting for!

Inside_Out666: You have grown up influenced by some of the world's greatest rock bands such as THE WHO, KISS and of course LED ZEPPELIN. Do you feel you have played a large role in influencing many of today's hard rock and metal acts?

Warren DeMartini: I think so. When I do see a group from time to time, it does come up that they were transcendent to some degree, you never know how much but I think we have passed the baton a bit!

Inside_Out666: Over the years you have shared the stage with so many great bands. Who have you enjoyed touring with the most and can you share a funny story from the tour?

Warren DeMartini: In 1984 we did fifteen to twenty shows with OZZY OSBOURNE, and that was just an incredible experience. Prior to that we had never played in arenas and it was something that we always wanted to do. Ozzy was extremely funny, he was very aware that it was a new experience for us and made us feel welcome and wanted. There was camaraderie about it. Oh, funny stories with Ozzy… there was never any pretending with him!

Inside_Out666: [Laughs]

Warren DeMartini: Everything we had read about the craziness surrounding Ozzy, next thing we were around it. He was as crazy as he was made out to be. The amount of partying that was going on was just over the top. I couldn't do it again.

Inside_Out666: What are your thoughts on downloading music and file sharing? Do you think it hurts an artists like yourself or do you see it as a great way to get your music out to so many more across the globe!

Warren DeMartini: It's an amazing way to get your stuff out there. I don't think that industry has adjusted to it, because it is so powerful and so new still. Record shops here and companies are changing almost hourly. I think it's incredible, the speed is amazing. RADIOHEAD put there latest CD up on the website and you can pay for it if you want or you can download it for free.

Read the entire interview at this location.

Fan-filmed video footage of RATT's November 9, 2007 concert at Yokohama Blitz in Yokohama, Japan can be viewed below.