We want to reach Lamb of God fans and offer some relief from their situations through our music.”
W (Nando Machado) : Hello, John.
John Campbell: I'm good, and you, mate?
W (NM) : Well, man, it's a pleasure talking to you. How are you?
JC : I'm good, man. I'm home, we have a break before we go to Asia.
W (NM) : So, just to start, tell us how you chose the band's name. Was it because of the problems you had at the beginning of your career with "Burn the Priest"?
JC : The problem we had was that people thought we were a satanic band, they dismissed us without even paying attention. And I got frustrated, considering all the effort we put in. So we started thinking about changing the name and went in the opposite direction. Many people think we're a Christian band, but in reality I think it might be more offensive to call yourself the savior of a particular religion. But that's all water under the bridge now.
W (NM) : So, when you guys started out, what were your main influences?
JC : Our main influences were classic Heavy Metal; early Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth. A lot of Punk Rock too, and the city we're from, Richmond, Virginia, has a pretty strong music scene that definitely influenced us.
W (NM) : What do you think about the term New Wave of American Heavy Metal?
JC : I don't think about it much. Someone decided to put a name to lump a bunch of bands together into one movement, but it's not like we had meetings or anything like that. Someone just created a label to describe all the bands we played with in basements for many years. So they created the "New Wave of American Heavy Metal." Well, being a self-centered musician, I like to think we're a big band in this movement. But there are others too, like Shadows Fall, Killswitch Engage, All That Remains, and other bands we've toured with as well. Back in those basement touring days, I think Doc was still in high school; we had just graduated. Doc from God Forbid had red hair when we played with them.
W (NM) : Changing the subject, we have a classic question on the show, one we ask all interviewees. Imagine yourself in your car, with your iPod on shuffle, and a song starts playing, and you can't help but nod your head; what song would that be, for us to listen to on the show now?
JC : There's a band called Black Mountain, and this song is called Bright Lights. I listen to it in the car with my son all the time. It's quite calm at the beginning, but when it picks up speed, my son and I go crazy in the car.
I don't know the secret to always keeping the same members, but if I had to guess, I'd say it's the passion for what we do.”
W (NM) : So, going back to the music, how would you describe Lamb of God's musical style?
JC : I get asked this question a lot, and I just say that we're Heavy Metal. There are many subgenres of Metal, and I think a lot of people don't really understand the genres. That's why I really enjoy playing with my band and making music that, for me, is Heavy Metal.
W (NM) : Tell us a little about your newly released album, Resolution; is there anything in particular you'd like to share with listeners about this album?
JC : Ah, it's a metal album. I'm just kidding. It's our newest album and we're incredibly proud of it. It's cliché to say that because every time a band releases a new album, they say it's the best thing they've ever done, that it sounds better than anything before. But honestly, I've felt that with every album, and this album surpasses everything we've ever done. We continue to grow as musicians and songwriters, and Randy is writing and it works really well. I think he really shines on this album; I think this is the best album Randy Blythe has ever made in his entire life. And he's focused on this album; it surpasses everything he's ever done.
W (NM) : Do you agree that the sound of Resolution sounds a bit like the early Lamb of God albums?
JC : Maybe the lyrics are similar, but I really feel that the sound, the sound production, is very far from our early music. It seems like people really clung to a sound from our old albums. I've been very involved in the production, and I was never completely satisfied with the production of an album. But this album surpasses them all in its production. The way it sounds, I think it's miles away from anything we've ever done. But there are definitely older songs, more Punk Rock, things that remind you of our old work, but we're still the same guys in the band. We're quite focused on what we do, and there are different aspects of our personality in the music. But since it's still the same guys in the band, it's normal for us to make songs that remind you of something from the past.
W (NM) : Speaking of the band members, what's the secret to keeping the same band members for so long?
JC : I have no idea, man. I think when we're on stage playing together, we live for it. I couldn't imagine playing without them. Even though we're known for having fights, and silly things happening regularly. I don't know what the secret is, but if I had to guess, I'd say it's the passion for what we do.
W (NM) : I once asked Tom Araya the same question and he said the secret was having to deal with other people's problems.
JC : Yes, that's true, and Tom Araya is an amazing person. It would be incredible to imagine what his personality is like on stage.
If anyone wants to think that Heavy Metal was only good in the 80s, I don't give a damn.”
W (NM) : Can you talk about the new documentary you're going to film later this year? Is it true that fans can participate, and if so, can you tell us how fans can participate in the DVD or Blu-ray, etc.?
JC : Sure, sure. There's one thing, the film isn't so much about us as it is about the fans and their relationship with the music. I believe that somewhere on the website fans can register to be part of the film, as we envision speaking to fans from all over the world. We want to reach Lamb of God fans and offer some kind of relief or escape from their situations through our music. The film is really about the fans, not about us… And if anyone is interested, I'm sure the information on how to submit their registration is on the website.
W (NM) : I'm going to ask you to choose a song again; this time, can you choose a song from your band that you're very proud to have written?
JC : Well, first I'll clarify something, the band writes and shares the songwriting credits, but our main songwriters are Mark and Willie. So, I couldn't say I wrote this song, but "The Number 6" is a really cool song and if you listen to the bass you'll hear me.
W (NM) : What would you say to Metal fans who think Heavy Metal was only good in the 80s and that there aren't any good bands out there?
JC : Well, these are the bands we listen to, they're where we come from, but honestly, if anyone wants to think that, I don't give a damn, they can do whatever they want. I'm proud and amazed by what we do, and it's great if people don't like it or have different opinions, that's fine, man, do your thing, feel free.
W (NM) : Yes, I think the same. The other day I asked Sam Dunn the same thing and he said Lamb of God is living proof that Heavy Metal never died and never will die, and we totally agree. So, in your opinion, what are the best bands that have emerged in the world in the last ten, fifteen years?
JC : Oh man... That's a tough one.
W (NM) : You mentioned Black Mountain, they're a great band, right?
JC : Yes, I started really liking Black Mountain a while ago, they have two albums, both good. A band I've started listening to recently is Graveyard, they're Swedish. They're on Nuclear Blast Records, and one day I was working from home in Richmond, Virginia, and a friend showed me their album. It's quickly becoming my favorite band.
We're excited to play for the Brazilian audience, which is crazy!
W (NM) : Speaking of the shows you'll be doing here in Brazil, what can fans expect from these shows with Hatebreed and Lacuna Coil?
JC : One thing is that these three bands are known for being very competitive in shows with other bands and for trying to outdo each other. Three bands that really push themselves hard doing shows in one night. Unfortunately for Lacuna Coil and Hatebreed, we're the headliner and we're going to win. But you have to come see us, we're really excited to be back in South America, we've been on the road for a long time and doing an endless tour in the US, we haven't played enough shows in South America, we're excited to go and play our music for everyone there, the South American audience, especially Brazil, which is crazy.
W (NM) : What do you remember about your last show here?
JC : Lots of shouting, I remember young people shouting a lot… The energy there is incredibly high, it's great.
W (NM) : I remember you guys also did an autograph session, right?
JC : If you say we did it, I believe you.
W (NM) : Okay. So, since this is one of the most anticipated shows of the year, in my opinion, could you leave one last message for all the Brazilian headbangers?
JC : Sure. Come one, come all, let's have some fun and join your Metal brothers and have a night that I hope you'll remember long after this day.
W (NM) : Excellent, John. I'll be at the show, so I hope to meet you backstage, maybe exchange a few words and have a few beers. I'm really looking forward to the show. I'd like to thank you before we finish, I really wanted to thank you and all the band members for everything you're doing, because as a Metal fan for the last thirty years, I really think that bands like Lamb of God and others are really responsible for keeping Metal alive and maintaining a high level of quality in the music. When we listen to Resolution, for example, we can see that this band is as good as any older band or even better; Lamb of God is living proof that Heavy Metal will never die and is stronger than ever. Thank you very much for your time, man.
JC : The pleasure is mine, you're making me blush. But thank you, man, I appreciate it.
W (NM) : Okay, John, then we'll see each other in São Paulo on the 31st, and all the Brazilian headbangers will definitely be there.
JC : I'm looking forward to it.
W (NM) : Ok, thanks again for your time, see you later, mate.
