American Power Metal has really taken a backseat to the European bands in recent years with few exceptions. In the meantime, Cage has been toiling in Southern California releasing several cd's and playing whenever given the opportunity. With thier third release DARKER THAN BLACK, the band seems bent on putting American Power metal back on the map. After having seen the band play an enthusiastic set at the Brave Words Six Pack festival I took took the opportunity to ask Sean Peck some questions regarding the new release and touring.

JR: Darker Than Black seems to have really taken the media by storm. I haven't read a bad review yet. Are you surprised all the attention the CD's received?

SP: It was great to see the fans and critics alike embrace an album like this where traditional heavy metal with some spice really rocked everyone. I think primarily it is the song writing that has made the cd such a success. Good songs make any kind of music work.

JR: Did you have a pretty good feeling when you finished the mixing that this was something pretty special?

SP: Yeah, While Rick Carr, Roy Z and I were dropping the last tracks to tape, we were just rocking out! It was a long hard mixing period of continual minor tweaking but the end result was a cd that I think will stand the test of heavy metal time. There are no moments on it where I wish I would have corrected anything at all.

JR: I caught the show in Cleveland at BW&BK and then I see you've played the Milwaukee Metal Fest and some shows in San Diego. When's Cage planning on taking the Darker Than Black show on the road overseas? You think there's enough support for Power metal in the US to warrant a show, even if it was sharing the stage with Iced Earth, Jag Panzer or Helloween?

JR: I think a US tour is economically not really viable right now. We are not quite at the level of popularity where we can really command enough cash to make me leave my lucrative real estate operation for any length of time. We are gaining ground on this and have made major advancements with this album. We are concentrating on large festivals where we can steal the show and make hundreds of new fans at a time like we have done in Europe. I would pay to do a tour with Priest or Maiden however.

JR: What were your thoughts on the Cleveland show? I thought your performance was excellent but was a little disappointed with the acoustics. I don't think that venue did you guys much justice considering how powerful the
CD is.

SP: We had a great time and were absolutely shocked how many people came just to see us. It was a really motivating show from that standpoint. I virtually had laryngitis and couldn't even talk let alone sing, I don't know how I fooled everyone but somehow I pulled it off. Milwaukee I was in much better shape vocally. The American fests were great and I think the Cleveland one will continue to pick up steam and Milwaukee was cool because I love standing out from all those death metal bands that all sound the same.


JR. The band has really evolved from the days of Unveiled. What's the next step for Cage? We talked briefly in Alice Coopers bar and grill the day after your show in Cleveland and I believe you told me the next release was already in the works and was going to be even heavier.

SP: Well we are definitely putting some thrash elements in this time, we have about 4 quality songs done now. We are getting pressured to release a cd mid 2004 but I don't want to rush it. It has to be better than DARKER THAN BLACK or I don't want to put it out. We will sell no metal until it is time! I also plan on some new voices to be used.

JR: Roy Z did a hell of a job on Darker Than Black. Are you going to work with him on the next release?

SP:Z actually just helped a couple of days but the time was crucial and total quality. Most of the credit has to go to Richard Carr who gave his soul into this cd. Him and I slaved on the bastard. We will work with Richard again although Z is always lurking around like a mad scientist somewhere close.

JR: I have to tell you, you've got a really powerful voice that fits this style really well. Who are some other vocalists that you've looked up to?

SP: Halford of course is the guy who has the most unique of all voices. He can makes sounds no other human can truly seem to duplicate. Dickinson and Dio have totally clean, pure metal voices, and people like John Arch have offered some of their own twists to the heavy metal sound. Midnight from Crimson Glory, I thought was always one of the sickest also. I really like Ripper and am interested in hearing the new ICED EARTH cd "The Glorious Burden".

JR: Thanks for your time Sean. Anything you want to tell the fans?

SP: Just that we like to hear from the fans it really keeps us motivated to read the e-mails that come in every day from around the world. We answer all of them personally. So drop us a line at www.cageheavymetal.com