In this interview, I was able to catch up with C.G. Ryche (Drummer) and Sean Silas (Lead Guitarist)
of the U.S. based band IronWrath to ask them a few questions about their album 'Master Storyteller'.
(Jacob) It's so good to finally be having this interview with your band:
(Sean Silas) Thanks for having us!
(C.G. Ryche) Thanx so much for having us for this interview.
(Jacob) So, can you give us some insight into what got you involved in the music industry and what
is the ultimate purpose of the band?
(C.G. Ryche) I've been very fortunate to be in the music industry for over three decades, most of which I was
touring with major recording artists and having a successful solo career on PBS.
(Sean Silas) I got into playing guitar in 1981 because of Ace Frehley of KISS and Randy Rhoads,
George Lynch and many others at that time when 80’s metal was new.
(C.G. Ryche) Being back in IronWrath 35 years later with my best friends is a God thing. Our purpose is to make
music that matters and does what metal is supposed to do, go against the grain, and speak the truth
in a world that's upside down right now!.
(Jacob) Who was the founding member(s) and when did the band officially form?
(C.G. Ryche) Steve, Sean, and I were initially in a band 'Holy Right' formed in 1985, with Sean and Steve Bell
joining forces with vocalist Keith Miles (Titanic, Final Axe) after merging their band 'Freewill'. I
entered the following year before Holy Right recorded the Stand as One album. It is a terrible-
sounding album, I must admit. Holy Right, on paper, was saying the right things on the outside, but
off stage, there were a lot of secrets and negative stuff going on with the vocalist that people could
see through. So, we quit that band and started IronWrath with the same members here today.
(Jacob) Can you shed some light on where your band's name came from and what is the meaning
behind it?
(C.G. Ryche) IronWrath came after we departed from 'Holy Right'; With a desire to be much heavier and more progressive, we wanted a name that reflected that. The meaning came from the two syllables. 'Iron'
represents a medal of war and 'Wrath' is our anger against the lies, sin, and evil this world portrays
as good. IronWrath has no space in the two syllables because it's a single cause, "We have come to
bring war against evil and tyranny!"
(Jacob) What brand of instruments do you all use and why do you prefer that specific brand
over another?
(C.G. Ryche) We all have different endorsements in IronWrath. For me personally, I'm endorsed with Paiste
cymbals, Remo drumheads & amp; percussion, Vic Firth drumsticks, and Gibraltar hardware and rack
systems.
(Sean Silas) I play Dean Guitars, Kempers Amps, Dr. Jekyll GuitarWorks cabinets, and futone
hardware.
(Jacob) Do you all have any hobbies outside of music that help to rejuvenate or inspire
creativity within your music?
(Sean Silas) Video Games/Radio Controlled Airplanes/Computer Animation.
(C.G. Ryche) My only hobbies are going to see films and watching quality TV shows.
(Jacob) Are there any artists that have played a part in influencing the members of your band
along with your band's sound?
(Sean Silas) Killswitched Engage, White Zombie, Lincoln Park, and Dream Theatre
(C.G. Ryche) Pink Floyd plays a big part in IronWrath’s conceptual approach. Some influential bands style-wise
would be Linkin Park, Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie, Metallica, Killswitch Engage, Dream Theater,
and Tool.
(Jacob) What is the biggest problem that you have had to overcome as a band?
(C.G. Ryche) Like most bands, it's coming up with the finances to meet the needs of the project to label standards when you're an unsigned band… But God provides.
(Jacob) Can you go into some detail about the musical direction on your latest release
'Master Storyteller'?
(C.G. Ryche) IronWrath wanted to make our debut album with a modern, highly produced sound but with a familiar feel. We did this by keeping one foot in the present with the production of the guitars and vocals
while keeping the other foot in the past with the principle structure of music. We believe that music
needs to be relative, relatable, and marketable to be successful and reach fans, but at the same
time, you want to make sure it's something you would like to listen to.
(Jacob) Do you feel like you achieved what you set out to accomplish on your latest project?
(C.G. Ryche) All IronWrath is excited about what we accomplished, but it took us a little bit of time to make it
happen. Still, we believe we were able to establish the quality of the songwriting, production, mixed
and mastered product, and the overall direction of the music in spades. We spent two years figuring
everything out and working a crazy number of hours to get to where we are today with our debut
album. But we're thrilled and pleased that it came out the way it did. We hope fans feel the same.
(Jacob) What is your favorite song to perform, whether live or in studio, and why?
(Sean Silas) Master Storyteller, I’m Alive, Death March and all the others.
(C.G. Ryche) Believe it or not, my favorite song to perform is Death March. It's got a cool groove that's an omage to one of my favorite drummers Jerry Marotta. And the song's overall vibe is more of an Opus than a
standard formulated production. I love songs like that. The subject and storyline are very important
and close to my heart.
(Jacob) Were there any special or funny moments during the recording process of the
album?
(Sean Silas) No fun stories, just a lot of hard work!
(Jacob) At this time, are you planning to keep moving forward as a band and are there any
plans for future projects in the works?
(C.G. Ryche) IronWrath is working on a theatrical multimedia concert experience entitled "IronWrath's Master
Storyteller". This will be similar to "Roger Waters - The Wall". It will combine a story through
multimedia and films from start to finish. We're very excited about it; there is nothing like it out there,
and we can't wait to introduce it in 2024.
(Jacob) Thank you for your time and thoughtful responses to each and every question. I am excited
about your latest release and am looking forward to hearing more from the band in the future.
(C.G. Ryche) Hey, Jacob. Thank you for the interview and CMM for keeping heavy Metal relative for the fans.
That's one thing we like about Metal. It's about a music family that is more like an army regarding
their passion for Metal music. Check out our website at www.ironwrath.net for the latest and greatest
from the Realm. Thank you to everybody reading the article, and we look forward to seeing you in
2024. "Long live Metal!!!"
(Sean Silas) See you in 2024!
of the U.S. based band IronWrath to ask them a few questions about their album 'Master Storyteller'.
(Jacob) It's so good to finally be having this interview with your band:
(Sean Silas) Thanks for having us!
(C.G. Ryche) Thanx so much for having us for this interview.
(Jacob) So, can you give us some insight into what got you involved in the music industry and what
is the ultimate purpose of the band?
(C.G. Ryche) I've been very fortunate to be in the music industry for over three decades, most of which I was
touring with major recording artists and having a successful solo career on PBS.
(Sean Silas) I got into playing guitar in 1981 because of Ace Frehley of KISS and Randy Rhoads,
George Lynch and many others at that time when 80’s metal was new.
(C.G. Ryche) Being back in IronWrath 35 years later with my best friends is a God thing. Our purpose is to make
music that matters and does what metal is supposed to do, go against the grain, and speak the truth
in a world that's upside down right now!.
(Jacob) Who was the founding member(s) and when did the band officially form?
(C.G. Ryche) Steve, Sean, and I were initially in a band 'Holy Right' formed in 1985, with Sean and Steve Bell
joining forces with vocalist Keith Miles (Titanic, Final Axe) after merging their band 'Freewill'. I
entered the following year before Holy Right recorded the Stand as One album. It is a terrible-
sounding album, I must admit. Holy Right, on paper, was saying the right things on the outside, but
off stage, there were a lot of secrets and negative stuff going on with the vocalist that people could
see through. So, we quit that band and started IronWrath with the same members here today.
(Jacob) Can you shed some light on where your band's name came from and what is the meaning
behind it?
(C.G. Ryche) IronWrath came after we departed from 'Holy Right'; With a desire to be much heavier and more progressive, we wanted a name that reflected that. The meaning came from the two syllables. 'Iron'
represents a medal of war and 'Wrath' is our anger against the lies, sin, and evil this world portrays
as good. IronWrath has no space in the two syllables because it's a single cause, "We have come to
bring war against evil and tyranny!"
(Jacob) What brand of instruments do you all use and why do you prefer that specific brand
over another?
(C.G. Ryche) We all have different endorsements in IronWrath. For me personally, I'm endorsed with Paiste
cymbals, Remo drumheads & amp; percussion, Vic Firth drumsticks, and Gibraltar hardware and rack
systems.
(Sean Silas) I play Dean Guitars, Kempers Amps, Dr. Jekyll GuitarWorks cabinets, and futone
hardware.
(Jacob) Do you all have any hobbies outside of music that help to rejuvenate or inspire
creativity within your music?
(Sean Silas) Video Games/Radio Controlled Airplanes/Computer Animation.
(C.G. Ryche) My only hobbies are going to see films and watching quality TV shows.
(Jacob) Are there any artists that have played a part in influencing the members of your band
along with your band's sound?
(Sean Silas) Killswitched Engage, White Zombie, Lincoln Park, and Dream Theatre
(C.G. Ryche) Pink Floyd plays a big part in IronWrath’s conceptual approach. Some influential bands style-wise
would be Linkin Park, Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie, Metallica, Killswitch Engage, Dream Theater,
and Tool.
(Jacob) What is the biggest problem that you have had to overcome as a band?
(C.G. Ryche) Like most bands, it's coming up with the finances to meet the needs of the project to label standards when you're an unsigned band… But God provides.
(Jacob) Can you go into some detail about the musical direction on your latest release
'Master Storyteller'?
(C.G. Ryche) IronWrath wanted to make our debut album with a modern, highly produced sound but with a familiar feel. We did this by keeping one foot in the present with the production of the guitars and vocals
while keeping the other foot in the past with the principle structure of music. We believe that music
needs to be relative, relatable, and marketable to be successful and reach fans, but at the same
time, you want to make sure it's something you would like to listen to.
(Jacob) Do you feel like you achieved what you set out to accomplish on your latest project?
(C.G. Ryche) All IronWrath is excited about what we accomplished, but it took us a little bit of time to make it
happen. Still, we believe we were able to establish the quality of the songwriting, production, mixed
and mastered product, and the overall direction of the music in spades. We spent two years figuring
everything out and working a crazy number of hours to get to where we are today with our debut
album. But we're thrilled and pleased that it came out the way it did. We hope fans feel the same.
(Jacob) What is your favorite song to perform, whether live or in studio, and why?
(Sean Silas) Master Storyteller, I’m Alive, Death March and all the others.
(C.G. Ryche) Believe it or not, my favorite song to perform is Death March. It's got a cool groove that's an omage to one of my favorite drummers Jerry Marotta. And the song's overall vibe is more of an Opus than a
standard formulated production. I love songs like that. The subject and storyline are very important
and close to my heart.
(Jacob) Were there any special or funny moments during the recording process of the
album?
(Sean Silas) No fun stories, just a lot of hard work!
(Jacob) At this time, are you planning to keep moving forward as a band and are there any
plans for future projects in the works?
(C.G. Ryche) IronWrath is working on a theatrical multimedia concert experience entitled "IronWrath's Master
Storyteller". This will be similar to "Roger Waters - The Wall". It will combine a story through
multimedia and films from start to finish. We're very excited about it; there is nothing like it out there,
and we can't wait to introduce it in 2024.
(Jacob) Thank you for your time and thoughtful responses to each and every question. I am excited
about your latest release and am looking forward to hearing more from the band in the future.
(C.G. Ryche) Hey, Jacob. Thank you for the interview and CMM for keeping heavy Metal relative for the fans.
That's one thing we like about Metal. It's about a music family that is more like an army regarding
their passion for Metal music. Check out our website at www.ironwrath.net for the latest and greatest
from the Realm. Thank you to everybody reading the article, and we look forward to seeing you in
2024. "Long live Metal!!!"
(Sean Silas) See you in 2024!