I had not heard of Warrior prior to their latest release, Code of Life. The motivation of obtaining this latest album was because I found out that Rob Rock would be the singer. Well not only did Code of Life not disappoint with the singing (as usual Rob gives a stellar performance) but I was pleasantly surprised with the music of Warrior.
My birthday had turned out into a very hectic day and so far was not being a very enjoyable day. All that changed in the late afternoon when I had the opportunity to chat with guitarist Joe Floyd. Our chat ended up being a serious but informative conversation about the new album, Joe's next projects and the Internet.
As I always do, I would like to thank Joe for taking the time to talk with me and thanks to Nuclear Blast for setting up the interview.
Ultimate Metal: What was the reasoning with reforming Warrior with the album Ancient Future?
Joe Floyd: There wasn't really that big of a decision. We had some material and there was a demand for it. We got offered a deal and I decided that maybe it was time to do another record despite the fact there was the little gap in between albums.
UM: What were you doing in between albums?
JF: I own a studio in Burbank and I have been involved with a lot of recordings, productions and projects for the last 15 years.
UM: How did it happen that Rob became the vocalist for Warrior?
JF: We have known Rob for a long time. Rob was recording his solo record while we were rehearsing for The Code of Life in another studio. He was a fan of Warrior and he would come in and sing with us and eventually we started recording vocals and soon it became what it became. He is the full-time singer for Warrior.
UM: There is a strong lyrical message in Code of Life. Some of the themes I got were to look out for yourself and to stand up and fight. Is that a message that Warrior is trying to convey to the listener?
JF: I think that is one of the things that Warrior has always been about. Personal power, fighting for the earth etc. There is definitely a lot of that woven in there. Plus, tales of wars and technology as well. But that is definitely where Warrior is coming from and it will always have it. I mean, I am sure you have been in a packed arena and the feeling you get is just very uplifting and at the end of day everybody is into it and everybody feels good when they leave. That's is just something to admire.
UM: How does the cover tie up into the themes of the album?
JF: Well, more so than the alien thing. I think its more about the DNA and what's happening with science and the discovery of the human genome as well as genetics and secret science spinning out of control. I think its just more about that, than anything alien in particular. It was a good cover and we thought it tied up everything pretty well. It also picks up from the cover of the last album that has an alien head on it and pyramids.
UM: Since I haven't heard your previous albums, how would you compare Code of Life to your other albums?
JF: I think Code of Life is a natural progression from where we started and where we are now. There is still plenty of the old-school music but our sound is evolving without drastically changing what it is that we do and are.
UM: Who wrote most of the music and lyrics?
JF: Well, it's a cooperative effort between the band. Rob wrote a lot of lyrics and I also wrote a lot of lyrics. It's more of a collaborative effort than anything else. There is not just one person taking control, everybody contributes.
UM: Are there any influences in particular you bring to the songwriting for Warrior?
JF: I have a lot of influences that don't really play into Warrior. Warrior is more of an established thing that we are trying to take into another level. We try to do that in every record. But the influences show when the band gets together and starts putting the songs together, great stuff happens and Code of Life is a great example of that.
UM: Another thing I enjoyed about Code of Life is that there is a lot of diversity in the music. "Kill the Machine" has a very groovy beat, "Standing" has great bass lines and drumming and "Retribution" is a really heavy song.
JF: I think that comes about because we have very talented people in the band. Somehow it all comes together. Someone has a different idea and somebody else has another idea and you add the bass and drums to it and it all comes together as a whole. There is no real reason why that happens this is definitely a real band that puts songs together like in the old days.
UM: Does "We are One" have a sitar in the beginning, 'cause I swear I hear one?
JF: I actually think it's a keyboard. Wait I think I know what you are talking about and I think it's just a down tuned guitar. Yes! I think that is definitely a non-distorted clean guitar being played.
UM: Who does the majority of the solos?
JF: Actually Mick and I share those duties. We both try to share the solos as evenly as possible.
UM: Who does the soloing in "We are One"?
JF: We both do.
UM: That is actually one of my favorite solos of the album.
JF: Cool! Thanks for the kind words.
UM: What are your favorite songs of the album?
JF: I like "The Endless Beginning" a lot, "Day of Reckoning". I like "Standing" a lot because it's different. I also like the ballad, "Open Your Eyes". What songs do you like?
UM: The songs that I really enjoy are "We are One", "The Endless Beginning", "Day of Reckoning", and "Kill the Machine". Since we both mentioned "The Endless Beginning", what exactly is going in the background with the chanting?
JF: When we were on a tour we made a stop in the desert and it is actually a ritual sung by the Hokie Indians. They are a really ancient people that have been around for a very long time. They have this thing they do once every several years and we actually got to see them doing it and that is exactly what they sing. It is basically a prayer talking about science and technology will converge to raise human consciousness one day. That's what is in the song, the real thing from the desert.
UM: How much did Bruce Dickinson, Roy Z and Rich Carrette actually contribute to the songwriting for the Code of Life?
JF: Well, Bruce came up with some of the words for "We are One" and Roy came up with part of the riffs for "Day of Reckoning". You have to understand that in the studio there are always people like Rob Halford, Bruce Dickinson, Roy, myself and Warren Coyle, who is also a great producer that I do a lot of work with, present. I produced Code of Life with Warren. There is always this pool of talent in the studio and people are always contributing to each other's records.
UM: You actually helped with Bruce Dickinson's last two albums. Could you give me your thoughts on his solo career and should he stick with just being solo, being in Iron Maiden or both?
JF: He is a great epic singer and there is no doubt about it. I think The Chemical Wedding is one of his best works. As far as what he should do, I think he is capable of doing great stuff either way but there are things involved there that I am not aware of. I don't really have an opinion either way.
UM: Is Rich Carrette "The Guru"?
JF: Well, he doesn't like being called that. He is a great guitar player as well as an engineer here in the studio. He played a solo or two for us in our record. He contributes a lot to all the records. He actually toured with Bruce Dickinson during the tour in support of The Chemical Wedding.
UM: Some people have labeled you a power metal band, I think Warrior is just a straight heavy metal band. Does being labeled in some genre matter to you?
JF: Not really, I don't know what the classifications are all about. I just know that we make good meaty songs and we are a rock band with the right riffs, right hooks and the right lyrics and this is what we like to do. That's about it. If people want to call us power metal, heavy metal or whatever then that's fine.
UM: You guys are signed with Solara Entertainment.
JF: Well Solara is part of what's called Reality Entertainment. Reality is a new company that basically is what CMC International was. I am sure you remember CMC International. Well that company was sold to Sanctuary and now the same people have built this new company and our album is one of the first releases for that label. All their records are distributed through Nuclear Blast. Nuclear Blast handles all the promotions, distribution, publicity etc. for us in Europe and America.
UM: Are you happy with this arrangement?
JF: Absolutely, I have no complaints.
UM: Do you have any idea how many albums you sell?
JF: Well, I heard that the initial shipment for Code of Life exceeded the sales for the last record. So it seems we are doing pretty good.
UM: Do you have plans to tour in support of your album?
JF: We are ready to tour. We are talking about some options right now but we have nothing pinned down. We are just waiting for the right situation.
UM: Do those plans include touring the USA?
JF: Nothing specific yet but it could happen very soon.
UM: Are your other albums available everywhere?
JF: Yes they are. Ancient Future is available on Metal Blade and Surviving for the Earth will be re-released.
UM: Will that happen on Nuclear Blast?
JF: I am not sure. We still have to see about that.
UM: What do you think about the role of the Internet in promoting bands?
JF: The Internet is a great thing, a great tool and resource. I think it could be used very well but I also think that there are a lot of problems with it too. As far as a promotional vehicle for anything I think its great. That's something that is left for people that are really good at it. We aren't particularly good at it and we should be doing more.
UM: What are the problems you are talking about?
JF: Well, when anybody regardless of age can look at porn or make a recipe to make a bomb, etc. I don't think that is necessarily a good thing. But on the other hand you can use the Internet for such a good use. You can talk with somebody from anywhere in the world. I think the Internet has a lot of pros and cons.
UM: What do you think about MP3's and Napster?
JF: Well, I think its great for people who aren't necessarily signed. Because when you start to trade files, a band that counts on the record sales won't be getting that income. That's is not cool. I just think that is should be regulated and I hate to say that anything should be regulated. It could be very damaging for a band that doesn't sell millions of records and just sells in the thousands. In that level I also think the Internet is not too good.
UM: I agree with you in that aspect. While its great for bands trying to get the word out, it is very damaging for established bands.
JF: Yeah, like I said its great for the unsigned bands and new bands trying to spread the word about their work.
UM: What's next in store for you?
JF: The band will hopefully be touring pretty soon. But right now I am working on a World War III record with an awesome guitar player. We have a new lineup. This is a very huge and heavy record. The music is kind of hard to describe. It's Sabbath meets AC/DC meets (pauses)... I really can't describe it for you. It's very big and very unselfish but with a really good lyrical content.
UM: When will that be released?
JF: Hopefully later this year and with the same label. I also did a David Wayne solo record called Metal Church. The band is called Wayne. A lot of people really like it so far and they say it's the closest thing that comes to "The Dark". It picks up from the traditional Metal Church style.
UM: I guess that's all the questions I have for you. Was there anything else you wanted to talk about?
JF: Nope, that's pretty much it I guess. I appreciate the opportunity to conduct this interview with you and the comments you have about the album. Just take it easy and thanks!
Thank you too Joe.
