HOBB'S ANGEL OF DEATH - 2015 interview (in loving memory)

Of course HOBBS ANGEL OF DEATH is vastly known by the worldwide audiences, above all those devoted to Speed and Thrash. The old good Hobbs does not sleep on his laurels, and after some years of comeback and touring, the man is ready to unleash his third album (in almost 30 years!), which must be out sometime by the end of 2015. Some other plans are on the making so, you can expect to see the band unleashing hell near to your place.

How are you doing Peter?

Hi there Jose! I'm fine and hope you are well also.

What’s new in the band’s camp? It seems you are very active lately, much more than ever before I think.  I know you are working in a new album, which I think is already recorded. Could you tell us about that? 

All well in the Hobbs camp getting ready this year for more touring and yes, Hobbs have been active last past years a lot, of touring and recording. There was some done in 2013 good over tuning to hear and feel how the songs would sound. That has been done in Italy 2014 summer and I'm very happy with the result.

Will it be in the Speed/Thrash vein?

I have tried to make this new album cater for a wide range of listens. It has Speed, Death, Black Metal tunes, revamping some old and new riffs I've had stored in the brain for many a years, and had a lot of people saying that yes this material is for sure the follow up to the cult album back in 88 which is pleasant to hear. 

Is there a releasing date and a label chosen already? I hope it will be released on vinyl as well!!

I'm hoping for it to be released this year (2015). There has been a few labels interested in the new Hobbs; I will make a decision and make it be the correct one!!!! Everything I do now is self financed so I can keep control of what happens with everything I do. It will be released on vinyl first. As a kid I always loved them. CD will follow shortly afterwards so yes it will be of course an item to be considered a collection item. 

You have been touring intensively in the recent years all around the world. Was this the first step for you to get back on the road and decide to record that new album??  

Touring ha ha yes. I'm never home and a lot of miles have been covered over the past years Europe, USA, Japan. I haven't done much here in Oz, couple of shows and are always asked when will I play here again ???

Peter Hobbs RIP 2019

Angel of Death is about to reach 30 years of existence. Looking back what haven been the highlights in the band’s existence? Anything you would like to have been better done? 

30 years can't be that long feels like yesterday. Time flies !!!!!!!! Where do I start I've had a lot of highs and of course some lows but the highs over do the lows. I enjoy what I do. A band is not easy, it takes a lot to keep the wheels turning, finding the right line up to work with is crucial, not every body thinks the same as I do so, yes I can be demanding but to achieve things one must be I'm a shaker and mover!!!! And expect the input from members to do there best as possible on the night that any one wants. Every body can say things could of been handled better but it's what is it. 

And now looking forward, what will the future will bring besides the album??

I want to keep touring many places around the world enjoys me visiting there countries. I've met some great people over the years and had some great times so while I'm able to do so I'll keep going great way to see many parts of the world doing what I love doing. 

Now that you have been in touch and very close with the nowadays metal scene, what are the differences between 1985 and 2015. Things have improved or nothing changed o simply are worse?

We all know that the industry has changed immensely and I believe it's what you make out of it and life in general. The easiness of doing a lot of things is at your feet. Some things take a lot more time and effort. More population which brings more competition, less venues and being so many bands these days one has to organize a lot themselves. A lot has improved and a lot has gone backwards in some regards but we all solider on and get thru many obstacles that are in front of us. 

Everybody knows your debut album House of Death, and it is considered as a cult album, but I think the second one Inheritance, is very good. Why the second album didn’t get such acclaim and took 7 years to be released??

Yes the debut album is cult and I've read that it's up there in the highest-ranking great bands I'm influenced by and have great admiration for.  Inherentence album had some great songs and not the greatest but over all it was a good album. The production let it down and yes there are a lot of people that ask would this album ever be released again. If anything idea re-record it and revamp some of it I've actually done a few songs from it on the new album hehe and I'm happy they sound good !!!!

What were the reasons to stop the band back in the 90’s? In my opinion Inheritance was one of the very few Thrash/Speed albums that were released when nobody gave a penny for Thrash. What’s your opinion about the album by the way? Any chance of reprint?

What can I say? Hobbs has gone thru many line up changes; other members have commitments work, family, etc. Or think their own bands can do better, so I've always said all the best I sincerely hope it works for them. The industry can become very disillusioning at times and due to a lot of stress and finding again the right people to work with and do things the whole distance not halfway!!!!! I've worked with many that find out what it's really all about and more than just playing the instruments. It's more conducting yourself in a professional manner where promoters and such will take on the band and tour them with out fear of it falling apart. I have experienced this in the past and still today so I'm always ready and have extra ammunition when necessary and make the right decision at that time if need be to remove the problem and rectify it inmediately!!

Recently you have toured Europe, USA, Japan, etc. I think this extensive touring was not possible back in the day. Do you think a band must play live instead of hoping to sell certain amount of albums, not to live off the music, but at least to keep the band going?

2012 Hobbs set sale on another adventure being more mature and looking at a way concerning new territories and it's happening. 2013 was an amazing year for Hobbs with led me to be excited once again to let loose the demons. I now have a European line up that are great friends and musketeers Alessio Medici, Iago Bruchi and Simon Wizen that came into the studio in Italy to record the Hobbs album all giving there heart  and  flavour  to  make  I  believe. A very good mature Hobbs sounding album. Hobbs line up changes always now to be able to execute tours where need be due to. Commitments being based overseas. USA has another and of course here in Oz. USA was a mind blowing time that 2014 I plan to tour this year 2015 and will be a USA line up this time round. The comments and the way Hobbs was received was amazing and all want Hobbs back so the tour is aimed to be twice the length as last getting to many states that missed out last year. Canada and Mexico are in the routing. No stone left unturned then return to Europe killing for Xmas part two and hopefully I can tour with the new album in hand. Japan just recently was another great time and new songs where played live as USA and Europe have had them at the shows and fit into the set and have excellent responses so I feel I'm on a winner??? And playing live world wide is easier and gives me the opportunity to sell merchandise, etc. which also have had great response. I know you the same people for there art and organization to get the jobs done with quality and so on.

 

What do you think of the interest the band has gotten in the last years, of the reprint of your first album and demos on CD  and LP, as well as the TYRUS stuff?

Hobbs touring alone has got the interest back in focus and taking back control has made a huge affect and I shall continue to work as such holding the rains and steering my baby 

Ok, this is all for now, your closing words please?

Throughout my career I've always put my fans first and myself second for with out them I would not have the opportunity to perform what I do so, again thank you very much for the support! !!! Thank you to all media, mags, promoters over the years that have given their time and the chance to be in interviews, radio shows etc. For all there coverage on Hobbs. My family and friends that support my adventure in the music industry it is truly and sincerely appreciated. Regards!

Pete Hobbs.