Beyond Threshold Live To Fight: Interview with Erik Virgin By: Coren McLeod
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Live To Fight Press Release
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Interview with Erik Virgin of Beyond Threshold
By: Coren E. McLeod
"This is a call to arms that encourages its disenchanted listeners to push Beyond the Threshold of anything or anyone that would try to hold them down!!" describes the ethics of hard rock powerhouse BEYOND THRESHOLD. Coming from different influences and genres has allowed them to develop into a truly unique, professional, and powerful heavy rock act. Conceived in 2011, this talented young band comprises of former members of several rock and metal outfits, and together are rapidly becoming one of the standouts in heavy metal.
New school antics with old school roots give the band an unexampled edge in today’s music market. Powerful, Versatile, Intense, Unique, Heartfelt are all distinguishing traits that have come to symbolize the fundamentals of metal/hardcore/rock revolutionaries BEYOND THRESHOLD. "There should be no boundaries or limitations within our music. We embrace the fact that we are versatile as artists,” explains BEYOND THRESHOLD's lead singer Erik Virgin.
Since the release of their debut album, BEYOND THRESHOLD has been touring the US supporting acts, such as; Five Finger Death Punch, Rob Zombie, Slipknot, Korn, Killswitch Engage, Hatebreed, Slayer, Machine Head, Megadeth, Hellyeah, Halestorm, Trivium, Rise Against, Marilyn Manson, Motionless In White, Sevendust, Black Label Society, Drowning Pool, Asking Alexandria, Chevelle, All That Remains, Powerman 5000, Alice In Chains, Black Stone Cherry, In This Moment, Atreyu, Pop Evil, Down, Filter, Nonpoint, Flava Flav, Hed P.E, Fear Factory, Godforbid, Mushroomhead, Shadows Fall, Static X, Three Days Grace, Chimaira, Bury Your Dead, Bullet For My Valentine, Attila, Devil You Know, Butcher Babies, Skindred, Skid Row, Soil, Seether, Theory of a Deadman, Diecast, 3 Doors Down, American Head Charge, Smile Empty Soul, Flaw, Everclear, Jackyl, Art of Dying, Filter, Walls of Jericho, Fuel, Saliva, 36 Crazy Fists, Dope, Nothing More, Kittie, It Dies Today, Eyes Set To Kill, Memphis May Fire, Gemini Syndrome, Los Lonely Boys, Tonic and many more.
BEYOND THRESHOLD has gained popularity and notoriety playing to thousands of screaming fans at radio festivals including WECL's "Rock Fest," WZOR's "Rock USA & Edge Fest" WBBN's "Dirt Fest," Monster Energy Drink's "Showboat Rock Fest," WXRX's "Rock The Rock," "Breast Fest," and “Spirit Of Peace & Music Festival” just to name a few.
Hard work came into fruition as BEYOND THRESHOLD’s album entitled "LIVE TO FIGHT" is set to be released worldwide in 2016 with Pavement Entertainment / Sony Red. Tim King (Director of A&R at Pavement Entertainment) had extended the opportunity to BEYOND THRESHOLD after witnessing the rapid growth and dominance the band has achieved on recent BEYOND THRESHOLD tours.
Tim King states, "It's refreshing to see a band combining multiple genres of rock and metal instead of just playing it safe. When I heard the completed version of "LIVE TO FIGHT" I knew we had to team up with them to release it."
This album marks the follow-up to their highly successful debut “WHO WE ARE” which was released in 2012. "LIVE TO FIGHT" will feature some of the band’s finest material and production to date. "This is what rock and metal have been craving for the past decade! It's something that our fans will consider a breath of fresh air.
Especially, in the current state of the music industry,” states BEYOND THRESHOLD singer, Erik Virgin.
"LIVE TO FIGHT" was recorded at T.V.R. Studios in Rockford, Illinois and produced by Jason Zarnowski. "The album “LIVE TO FIGHT” captures BEYOND THRESHOLD’s high energy and is a soon-to-be classic in the metal and rock world!! In my whole career, I have never heard a metal band crossover like BT does." explains BEYOND THRESHOLD producer Jason Z.
Record will be available in North America, Europe, South America, Japan, Australia, Germany, China, RSK (UK), Korea, and Russia in 4th quarter of 2016.
Look for BEYOND THRESHOLD on tour supporting their newest effort, "LIVE TO FIGHT."
Interview with Erik Virgin of Beyond Threshold with Coren McLeod
UnRated Coren: Okay, so your band Beyond Threshold has been around since 2010. What got everyone together?
Erik Virgin: Originally, me and my lead guitar player Todd Paluzzi were between bands. I played in a band called POWERTRIP and he was in a band called DETACHED. At the time, both bands where in hiatus.
I ended up moving into the same apartment complex as him and knew the guy could shred from playing shows together in the past. I wanted to blend the perfect mixture of modern and old school metal.
His playing and singing style was perfect for what I was pursuing so, I approached him. I asked Todd, "Want to jam?"
He said, "F**k it. Aright." I said, "Cool." LOL. Then we formed the super group locally called "THRESHOLD" which later evolved into BEYOND THRESHOLD in 2010 when we signed our first national deal.
UnRated Coren: You have been on tour with some impressive acts: Pop Evil, 5FDP, Sevendust.... etc... The list can go on.... Who would you like to tour with that you haven't done so?
Erik Virgin: LAMB OF GOD, IRON MAIDEN, OZZY OSBOURNE, METALLICA would definitely be high on the list. I would love to get BEYOND THRESHOLD on tour with some of these legends.
After decades of touring, these bands still bring it day to day. It's magical to see man! Especially on a full tour! I know it would inspire us night after night going out with these bands.
Could you imagine BEYOND THRESHOLD on a tour of that caliber in the arena circuit?
I'll tell you this much, if I could get that kind of production behind the band, it would be one of the most intense theatrical shows you'd ever see!
Here's an idea! What about BEYOND THRESHOLD out with SLIPKNOT, LAMB OF GOD, HATEBREED, and KILLSWITCH ENGAGE on one big tour. Man, that would be so sick!
To be honest, the perfect tour for us would be a modern OZZ FEST considering the band’s influences.
UnRated Coren: Your music is aggressive yet relateable. Who are some of your influences?
Erik Virigin: As a whole, we all have a wide range of influences. Personally, I'm influenced by lot of metal, rock, hardcore, rap, alternative, funk, soul, classical music, even some punk. The list goes on and on!
You can definitely hear some of it on the new record. I'm especially influenced from the bands that came from the 80's! Singers back then had a wide vocal range and showed attitude as performers. I F**KING LOVED IT!
I want to get that feeling when I see a band live. I want a front man! I want production! That was intact back in the old days. Not some pussy trying to act cool using 90% tracks. IT'S INSULTING!
I want the real deal even if it's not 100% perfect. ORGANIC is the term! I always liked performers who can get me on my feet no matter what mental state I'm in and ACTUALLY do it.
Artists who can inspire you to pump your fist and bang your head at any given moment! That my friends is how I'm influenced and try to convey myself through BEYOND THRESHOLD.
UnRated Coren: So, you just released your album "LIVE TO FIGHT." What can fans expect from the new record?
Erik Virgin: The album has a very dynamic and diverse sound. A wide range of aggressive / melodic vocals, shredding / grooving guitars, aggressive yet well calculated drumming and pounding bass. Just all in all a well rounded record.
Every track is different. LIVE TO FIGHT has a little bit for anyone that likes rock and metal. A lot of crossover. Hands down some of our best work!
As the singer, I was able to lay down harmonies and aggressive vocal techniques we couldn't do on prior BT albums. I got to say, I'm very proud of what have achieved on LIVE TO FIGHT.
UnRated Coren: With winter fast approaching, what are your plans? How about spring and summer?
Erik Virgin: We are going to take a short break at the end of this first tour cycle in December. We will likely shoot a video for our single in our off time. By the end of winter you'll start seeing more traction from the BT camp.
Spring, you'll see the band touring again leading up to all the radio festivals that come with Summer. At some point, I hope to pop the bands cherry and get them into the UK.
We have a bunch of great things in the works that we will be announce the first quarter of the new year. All I can say right now is we will be hitting it hard in 2017!
UnRated Coren: One last questions, since you have been on tour with your band members, what is it truly like to tour with other dudes? Any shit you hate? (lol). Or what secrets can you tell me?
Erik Virgin:
The main thing is learning how to give each other space. We all have our own rituals on the road and have to respect that.
We all set our own boundaries and know our positions on the road which has helped in recent years.
Last thing you want, is your band dissolving in the middle of a tour over things you have control of. The secret as a team is to evolve together.
As for the shit I hate, I'm not a fan of when someone in my camp doesn't communicate about an issue and lets it linger. That's never healthy! It's potential for unexpected chaos.
I always go out of my way to nip any unresolved issues in the butt rather than deal with it later. Makes the band a better unit and the fans will notice.
Right now the band has a great understanding of each other! Best it has ever been. Especially, with this current line up!
Looking forward to our fans getting to see that chemistry live on the new album cycle!
- More at UnRatedMagazine.com
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