Welcome to the LOUDEST DOT COM ON THE PLANET!
KNAC.COM News Reviews and More Watch The Latest Videos Buy KNAC T-shirts and More


A Worldwide War Of Wills: An Exclusive Interview With Hiran Deraniyagala Of BATTLECROSS

By Wendy Jasper, Black Metal Aficionado
Friday, January 3, 2014 @ 6:00 AM


"This album (War Of Will) did really well so quickly and for a new band like us to be able to chart like that was unbelievable."

- advertisement -

- advertisement -
Detroit’s BATTLECROSS is a busy band. Consistent touring during 2013 across the U.S, including a high profile appearance during the Mayhem Festival, a U.S. tour with thrash veterans DEATH ANGEL, and an upcoming European tour have rendered them one of the most sought after bands on the market. The band’s sophomore release, War of Will, has fueled their popularity in ways the band didn’t expect and the have been exited to share it with the fans.

"This year has been great. The festival shows are awesome because it gives you an opportunity to get in front of people who may not have heard of you in addition to existing fans. We found that there were a lot of people that came out to Mayhem just to see us so that is really exciting," Hiran Deraniyagala, guitarist said.

Constant touring this year has exposed the band to several demographics and various venues. Hiran and his bandmates, vocalist Kyle ‘Gumby’ Gunther, guitarist Tony Asta, bassist Don Slater, and touring drummer Kevin Talley are enjoying the ride.

"Large festival shows are great but then you have the club shows that are so much more intimate as well as one off shows where the fans are definitely there for just you. In that respect you are able to let loose a little more and maybe your nerves aren’t as bad," he laughed. "From Mayhem to our run with HATEBREED and then DEATH ANGEL, we have had to conquer some nerves. It is so awesome. There is a mixture of age groups and we are getting exposed to a whole new era of fan. We have been so fortunate to have great camaraderie with the bands we have toured with and it has been such a good time! We are seeing a lot of familiar faces at each show!"

War of Will was produced by veterans Mark Lewis and Eyal Levi and debuted this past July at #134 on Billboard’s Top 200 chart, making a very impressive mark for the young band. The album sports ten tracks, leading off with the straightforward thrash strains of "Force Fed Lies" and followed up by the fan favorite "Flesh and Bone".

"This album did really well so quickly and for a new band like us to be able to chart like that was unbelievable. People are loving it, the review are coming in positive and believe it or not, it has pushed the sales of our first album, Pursuit of Honor, because people who liked the new CD want to hear more and are searching out our first release," Hiran elaborated.

The band doesn’t plan to enter the studio too quickly and are riding the success of the current release into bigger tours and venues. However, that doesn’t stop them from brainstorming and working on ideas for future releases.

"It (the album) is doing so well that the plan is to do more touring. We may work on some new material between tours and we always have ideas in our head for songs and you work on bits and pieces. I think that the plans to go overseas will move toward bigger things for us and we are excited about the possibilities,” he said.

The band has experienced increased exposure and their label, Metal Blade Records, has been actively pushing the band’s new album. War of Will sports a heavy, thrashy feel that also lends influence to classic heavy metal bands and it has been well received by fans and critics. Numerous accolades have been heaped on the band over the past year and the response was enough that the band was asked to join KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, TRIVIUM and MISS MAY I on their European jaunt starting at the end of January.

"We are so stoked to hit the UK with KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, TRIVIUM and MISS MAY I as our first overseas tour ever and thank them for having us on this awesome tour! What an honor it is to share our first UK experience with these bands and we’re ready to thrash with you, our new friends! Thank you all who have been waiting so patiently for BATTLECROSS to come overseas, and we promise that it will be worth the wait!" Hiran said.

Be sure to catch them on the road in 2014 and see the European dates listed below.

BATTLECROSS
w/ KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, TRIVIUM and MISS MAY I

  • 01/29 Dublin, IE The Academy
  • 01/30 Belfast, IE The Limelight
  • 02/01 Manchester, UK Academy
  • 02/02 London, UK Brixton O2 Academy
  • 02/03 Newcastle, UK O2 Academy
  • 02/04 Glasgow, UK O2 Academy
  • 02/06 Birmingham, UK O2 Academy
  • 02/07 Southampton, UK Guildhall w/ TRIVIUM, MISS MAY I
  • 02/08 Amsterdam, NL Melkweg
  • 02/09 Cologne, DE Essigfabrik
  • 02/10 Filderstadt, DE Filharmonie
  • 02/12 Antwerp, BE Trix
  • 02/13 Muenster, DE Skaters Palace
  • 02/14 Berlin, DE Huxleys
  • 02/15 Wuerzburg, DE Posthalle
  • 02/16 Munich, DE Theaterfabrik
  • 02/18 Milan, IT Live Club


Back to Top

 

 

 Recent Features
Banished By Sin: An Exclusive Interview With STEVE ASHEIM Of DEICIDE
Circle Of Life: An Exclusive Interview With HERMAN FRANK Of VICTORY
The Big Finish: An Exclusive Interview With ERIC MARTIN Of MR. BIG
When We Were Kings: An Exclusive Interview With MICHAEL SWEET Of STRYPER
Sweet Farewell: An Interview With ANDY SCOTT Of SWEET
Obsidian: An Exclusive Interview With BRANDON YEAGLEY And CHRIS BISHOP Of CROBOT
Nomad: An Exclusive Interview With RICHIE KOTZEN
It's A Jailbreak: An Exclusive Interview With PRIKA AMARAL And GABRIELA ABUD Of NERVOSA
Metal Gods: An Exclusive Interview With FREDRIK NORDSTROM Of DREAM EVIL
Light 'Em Up: An Exclusive Interview With JOHN CORABI Of THE DEAD DAISIES
I Am The Weapon: An Exclusive Interview With MICHAEL GILBERT Of FLOTSAM AND JETSAM
The Underworld Awaits Us All: An Exclusive Interview With KARL SANDERS Of NILE
Influences & Friends: An Interview With CARMINE APPICE Of CACTUS
Renegades: An Exclusive Interview With LAWRENCE GOWAN Of STYX
Juke Box Heroes: An Exclusive Interview With MICHAEL BLUESTEIN Of FOREIGNER
The Big One: An Exclusive Interview With JOHN BUSH Of CATEGORY 7
Warhorse: An Exclusive Interview With Vocalist PAUL DI'ANNO
Visioning: An Interview With DAN LORENZO Of PATRIARCHS IN BLACK
Tomorrow Will Come: An Interview With COREY & ANDI SCHENCK of PANGAEA



HOME | MAGAZINE | VIDS | STORE | HELP/POLICIES

©2024 KNAC.COM. All Rights Reserved.    Link to us    Advertise with us    Privacy policy
 Latest News