Interviews: Royal Rage

Ladies and gentlemen, today we have the pleasure of speaking with Royal Rage, a Thrash Metal band hailing from Brazil. They have been delivering high-energy performances and headbanging riffs to their fans ever since. With their latest album "Bloodlust" receiving critical acclaim, we can't wait to hear what they have in store for us next. Don't forget to follow them on their Facebook page for updates on their upcoming shows and releases.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?

PF: It’s a funny story actually. The band’s original name was Royal Rampage, and it came out during a night of gaming and drinking. My dad had this Royal Salute bottle on the stand and we decided to pop it and see if it was any good (we were about 18 at the time). While having a sip of that whiskey we were playing Resident Evil and recalling old games and how fun they were. One of my favorite games was called Rampage. All of a sudden it rang “dude, Royal Rampage is a sick band name!”. We ended up changing to Royal Rage due to a legal dispute over the name (and also because there was a gay porn community named Royal Rampage).

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

PF: It wasn’t a conscious decision really. We were throwing up riffs and they started sounding fast and aggressive. We wouldn’t call ourselves a thrash metal band at first, but everyone around us said it sounded like so, so we embraced it. 

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

PF: Not really. When the band still didn’t have a name we were school friends just playing for fun. But when things started getting serious, some were dropping out and I started recruiting the boys.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

PF: For me, it would be Exodus. 

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

PF: I tend to write about social problems in our society as a way to wake up our listeners about the many issues we have around us. Besides that, history. Especially when we’re talking about great conquerors, infamous figures, and serial killers.

6. Where was your last gig?

PF: Our last gig was at a festival called Otacílio Rock Festival, in the state of Santa Catarina here in Brazil. Two days of the festival and that was the first one after the pandemic. The crowd was just wild! We were the first band of the event but we had a hell of a welcoming from the fans.

7. Where would you like to act?

PF: My goal is to reach Hellfest’s Main Stage. That was the first European festival I’d ever seen, and I simply fell in love with the place and set it as a goal for myself.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

PF: I’d love to have Gary Holt playing a guest solo in one of our songs! He’s my favorite guitar player and I’d love for this to happen.

9. Whom not?

PF: Hard one to answer.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

PF: Yes! Almost failed to get on stage once. If I could give you a tip that would be: practice a lot! If you do that, you will become confident of your performance. 

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

PF: Iron Maiden, Kiss, Exodus, Overkill, Testament, Kreator, Sepultura.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

PF: I fan once asked me to swap shoes with him. That was really awkward.

13. What do you think of your fans?

PF: I love them. It is because of them we are still here doing what we do. Our fans and our haters (we love haters).

14. What do you think of our site?

PF: It is awesome! Not everyone likes to bet on promoting new bands and foreign bands, most zines like to play safe and talk about the big boys to keep old-school readers in. You guys are doing a great service to the new bands!

15. Something to add?

PF: Please, go follow us on Instagram at @royalrageofficial and follow us on Spotify! Thank you for having us!