Almost A Dirty Dozen with MARK WOLFE of UNVEIL THE STRENGTH – July 2019

According to a recent press release: “UNVEIL THE STRENGTH—-featuring Mark Wölfe, Andy James, Matt Snell, Matt Guillory, and Tim Hassemer (former members of Five Finger Death Punch, Sacred Mother Tongue, Invidia, Flatline, Devolved, and Stratovarius)–has released the official music video for their single “Hell’s Never Over.” “Hell’s Never Over” was directed by Matt Zane (Society 1). Unveil the Strength, a quintet composed of former members of iconic bands such as Five Finger Death Punch, Sacred Mother Tongue, Invidia, Flatline, Devolved, and Stratovarius are returning to the soul of hard rock: writing and performing real songs with real meaning. Says Matt Snell, bassist for Unveil the Strength, “We want to put the grown man back in metal – that spirit is being lost in the shuffle. We’re going back to the roots, to real fucking metal.” We get Mark to discuss new music, influences, and much more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets the band put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

“Hells Never Over.” The first prechorus. The lyrics are pretty personal. “I’ll fight until my lungs collapse”. With every track we try to partner for a cause and on this one it was Heart Support. Heartsupport.com does an amazing job and provides mental health for music fans and artists. It was started by the singer for August Burns Red Jake Luhrs. Heart Support is in the trenches walking the walk and being the change they want to see. We are honored to be a part of it.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

I come from a family of musicians. My mother was a singer, my oldest brother a guitar player, my middle brother a bass player. Family was and is my biggest influence. When I was younger no one really knew what to do with me. They wanted me to be a drummer but I was horrible lol. Then when I was nine my brothers asked me to sing Nobody’s fool at one of their gigs I think it was a go cart track. After that it was done, that was the moment. After high school I actually stopped and didn’t do it again until after I was out of the military. I found music again as a way to cope with my PTSD and anxiety. It was a major factor in saving me from myself.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

I’ve always been attracted to larger than life frontmen. I feel like it’s a lost art. Pantera, Dream Theatre, Iron Maiden, Dio, powerful voices. I hate to be so typical but I feel like the fundamentals are just something you can’t forget. You have to give respect to the OG’s that have been grinding no matter what trend hits the scene.

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Phil Amselmo, Bruce Dickenson, James Labrie, Billy Idol, Phil “fucking” Collins. BTW you have to say it that way. Steve Perry, James Hetfield, Mike Patton. Sorry I can’t do 5. There are way to many badasses out there.

5. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Ozzy. He is Ozzy he’s one of The Godfather’s of metal vocals he doesn’t need an explanation. Lol. I’m just kidding but not really.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

Big, heavy,  melodic, a little electronic, vocals chants, and ripping solos. Oh I don’t know? Everyone gets called something I guess. Honestly we just focus on what we’re doing and keep writing songs. Sorry kids words or comparisons won’t hurt me. I’ve been to War.

7. What’s the best thing about being a musician?

When you impact someone’s life in a positive way. Music is a powerful weapon.

8. When was the last time you were star struck and who was it?

Never. Honestly it’s because I just don’t pay attention to those things.

9. If you weren’t a musician, what would be your dream job?

You mean this isn’t the dream job? No I would probably still be in the gun club working for someone doing something. In case you don’t know what that is. I mean the military or a contractor.

10. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over”, even if it didn’t change your current situation?

No. Mistakes and failure are how you learn and I wouldn’t change a thing.

11. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Vulgar Display of Power by Pantera – it has so much attitude and so much angst. I feel that record really made screaming vocals kind of a new animal. In my opinion it was ground breaking. The Real Thing by Faith No More – that record was so far ahead of its time it’s ridiculous. 1989 was not ready for that machine. Heavy synth popular today, rap rock popular today, a little progressive, popular today.

UNVEIL THE STRENGTH LINKS:

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Category: Interviews