Metal Anarchy

Time for the next edition of Metal Anarchy’s “new music showcase,” the feature where I introduce you to bands that readers of this site may find interesting. This time I have an exclusive Q&A with Cruel Juno.

METAL ANARCHY: Tell me a little about your band:

CRUEL JUNO: CRUEL JUNO is straight up full-throttle hard rock. Loud at any volume! When I moved back to my old hometown in Texas a few years ago, I couldn’t find a local band to join. So I thought I’d ask the musicians on some of my favorite albums if they’d be willing to record with me remotely from their home studios. Amazingly, they were interested, and CRUEL JUNO was born. With Italian guitarist Luca Princiotta (DORO, BLAZE) and Sicilian vocalist Gandolfo Ferro (Heimdall) signed on as special guests, I produced the first single, “Swallow My Medicine” – and then went in search of additional artists to work with, such as Fabio Lione (RHAPSODY, ANGRA, VISION DIVINE), Oliver Palotai (KAMELOT, EPICA), Gian-Andrea Costa (DREAMSHADE), and Jasio Kulakowski (KOBRA AND THE LOTUS). And there’s still more people I’d like to work with! I sometimes think of the project as “My Avantasia.”

METAL ANARCHY: Who are your main influences?

CRUEL JUNO: I taught myself drums by trying to play along to JUDAS PRIEST records. “British Steel” was pretty manageable for an aspiring metalhead, and I spent ages playing along to that record. When I’m writing a song and working on the guitar parts, I think, “What would Glenn Tipton play?” The first CRUEL JUNO song I wrote was “Swallow My Medicine,” and I sequenced a guitar solo for the demo I made. The whole time working on that solo, I tried to honor Glenn’s style of playing. When Luca recorded the real guitars for the song, he of course made the solo much better, but he kept the overall structure and style just as I had written it, and I really think you can hear the JUDAS PRIEST in that solo. I’m very proud of that first effort.

METAL ANARCHY: What is your latest release and why should readers of this site check it out?

CRUEL JUNO: Each song we’ve done is based on a classic monster: Dracula, Jeckyll/Hyde, Frankenstein, etc. Our newest song represents the Mummy, titled “Wound Too Tight.” I’ve just released the lyric video to Facebook and YouTube in support of the upcoming EP, “Playing With Monsters,” which will be released January 10. This track is our first with Oliver Palotai on keyboards, which really added a new element to our sound. I had told him about our monster concept, and he crafted sounds that remind me of the old black and white sci fi and horror movies I’d watch as a kid. It’s pretty unique!

METAL ANARCHY: What can people expect when they go to your live shows?

CRUEL JUNO: It would be extremely difficult to play shows with the musicians I record with. Not only are we in different countries and continents, we are all involved in separate projects. That doesn’t diminish the interest, though. I’ve encouraged Gandolfo to perform the songs with his band in Sicily. I’d love to watch that via live feed!

METAL ANARCHY: Where do you see your band heading in 5 years?

CRUEL JUNO: Recording remotely and sending files across the world is a process that’s still in its infancy. Things are only going to get better as gear and technology improves. It also provides a low-stress way to make great music. If I need 100 takes to nail the drums, then I’ll do 100 takes. It’s my own studio and I’m the producer, so I’m not burning up anyone else’s time or money. And for the exceedingly talented pros I’m working with, this is something they can do when they have time. “Wound Too Tight” took nearly 7 months to wrap, because I waiting on various tours to finish, schedules to free up, etc. And it’s not a problem. Combine flexibility with ever-improving technology, and you have a recipe for things only getting better! We will be making more music for sure!