James Neal, Once the Vocalist of Malice, Remembers 80s Metal as “an arena of metal gladiators trying to take each other out.”

James Neal was by far one of the best heavy metal vocalists during the 80s. His work with the L.A. metal band Malice was proof of this.

Metal blog Leslie’s Metal caught up with him recently and discussed a lot about the metal scene 25 years past. Neal comes across as a very down-to-earth guy, remembering more of the musical creativity than the metal scene itself.

“The 80′s seemed to became an arena of metal gladiators trying to take each other out. All I wanted to do was write, record and play.”

Leslie conducts a really informative, deep interview… knowing so much about the history of Malice. The most interesting part of the interview, for me, was the constant mention of the Malice demos. Neal didn’t seem to understand the importance of the demos. However, the Malice demos were better than the Malice albums, IMHO. They were some of the best metal music recorded during the early 80s. The deal with Atlantic Records that followed slicked the band up too much. The major labels, at that time, had no idea what gave heavy metal its charm. I believe they destroyed bands like Malice. Atlantic Records, in particular, was possibly the worst of the bunch. If anyone took Malice “out” (a word Neal uses in his quote above) it was Atlantic.

Anyway, James Neal has ventured onto a different path than the one he was once on with Malice. He now creates a more folksy brand of rock and roll. To check out Neal’s new music, go to www.jameseneal.com

A Liege Lord Surprise

I just happened to be searching around the website Encyclopedia Metallum and came across the listing for Liege Lord. Now, growing up with Liege Lord, I experienced the real history of the band. But there are only two facts that you need to know:

Fact 1: Tony Truglio (guitars) and Matt Vinci (bass) were the heart and soul of the band.

Fast 2: The band officially broke up in 1990. There is NO BAND AFTER 1990!!!

So, who is this Carlo Moscardini listed? Really, who the hell is Carlo Moscardini????!!!!!

I know a bogus “reunion” show was performed at Wacken in 2000 with ex-members Paul Nelson (guitar) and Joe Comeau (vocals). Did Carlo perform in that… along with fill-ins Sebastian Marino (Overkill (US), ex-Ramrod, ex-Anvil) and Rob Mount (ex-Ramrod)? And, let’s face it, a jam of two later members of the group does not make a reunion. That’s a tribute band. Paul Nelson has dedicated his time to continue the image and legacy of the band with a website — I’ll give him that — but it seems unfair to do all this without the contribution of the main ingredients: The Founders. Or, let me put it this way; ANY of the founding members of the band!!!!!

This leads me back to my original question: who is Carlo Moscardini? And when was he a “member” of the band? Hell, if he was a member of the band, then screw it… I, too, was a member. Anyone else out there members, too?