For my newest review I was fortunate enough to be able to interview Christian Machado, singer of the heavy metal band Ill Nino and Frankie Palmeri of the deathcore band Emmure.

The first interview was with Machado. Having been introduced to this band just days before and listening to their music, it was just awesome to meet him in person. The cool thing about Machado is that while he’s very intense on camera, he’s a nice laid-back guy.

When asked how long they’ve been a group, Machado responded, “We’ve been together for 14 years starting in 1998, and at the time I was playing bass for the band. Then in 2000 I started singing for the band and there were some lineup changes here and there, Dave and I, Dave the drummer, and I have been playing together for 14 years.”
Machado originally was born in Brazil and raised in Venezuela. He now lives on the east coast near New York City, which is where the band originated.

“We’re based in different parts of the country but I still consider us a New York-based band. We’ve got all our gear there and do all our rehearsals and most of our recordings there. We’re a Latin east-coast-based band,” said Machado.
Machado has been playing in bands since he was fourteen. Ill Nino had shot a video of one song called “La Epidemia” from their upcoming record called Epidemia with guest Frankie from Emmure.

“The most important part of the show is the fans making sure they get a show they deserve,” said Machado.
Machado’s influences range from classics, like Deep Purple and Iron Maiden, to bands like Sick of It All and Emmure, and from non-metal bands like Shade and Tori Amos, Massive Attack. Machado has a lot respect for female artists, “I really have a high appreciation for their style and their voices and their artistic choices.”

Machado’s advice for young artists who are looking for band members’ is to look for people with the same vision you have and don’t find yourself in a band with people who are not dedicated. You should be really critical of your music, be original. Machado stated, “Work with somebody who is a good producer and knows what your band wants to hear; don’t waste your money on some knucklehead with a dope studio who knows nothing about what your band wants to sound like.”
The second interview was with singer Frankie Palmeri of Emmure.  When asked how long they’ve been together, Palmeri replied, since 2003. He is originally from New York and played in a few bands here and there.

When asked what advice he would you give young musicians, Palmeri replied, “Umm, man just don’t take your music too seriously.”