Hussein: First of all, thank you for agreeing to this interview billy.

Billy : No problem, my pleasure.

Hussein : Please tell us a little bit about A Lower Deep.

Billy : Well, we formed back around the beginning of 2002. It was just me and Troy writing some songs. It was problematic to find good metal musicians here in the deep South. Eventually, Tim and Brad came on board and we recorded our first demo. Brad has since left the band, leaving us with the ardurous task of finding another drummer. Luckily we have a great drummer from the band Scorned Destiny out of Californa helping us out with the recordings. Sending tracks back and forth and he is amazing.

Hussein : Awesome stuff, billy.

How would you describe your music?

Billy : I would call it melodic thrash. It definately harkens back to the older Megadeth, Metallica days, but there are bits of traditional , progressive and others in it. We hope to build our sound on a foundation of the greats but never copy, always forging ahead to create music that is sincere and unique to us.

Hussein : That's cool.

Who would you say are your influences vocally?

Billy : Geoff Tate, Warrel Dane, King Diamond, and then singers from Bono to Pavarotti to Kathlyn Battle

Hussein : Wow, large variation.

Who are some of your favourite bands?

Billy : I listen to alot of classical music, Mozart's Requiem, Gorecki's Misere, Van Williams and tons more. In metal I listen to alot of power metal like Edguy, Blind Guardian, Iced Earth, Evergrey. And I enjoy melodic death bands like COB, Arch Enemy, Soil Work. Lots of stuff.

Hussein : What are you currently playing?

Billy : I'm listening to some songs from the new COB I down loaded, and yes I will buy it!! Don't go in for the cheating the musicians with only free stuff.

Hussein : Do you get many groupies?

Billy : I would never call our fans that. I don't even like saying 'fans'. We just call them friends. We are just guys that play music, it doesn't make us something to be awed over. But we have been amazed at the number of 'friends' we've made around the world through the music. We get emails every day and it never ceases to put a smile on my face. I love writing back and getting to know all of them.

Hussein : Ahh, that's an interesting way to look at it.

Have you guys played live?

Billy : The venues as you can imagine here in country music ville are not plentiful. But it is getting better. ProgPower over in Atlanta has sold out the last two years, so we hope that is a promising sign. Our live shows try to give you something to see and not just hear. We try to be very energetic and give you a buck's worth and do some things to surprise you. It's alot of fun thinking up things that won't be cheesy but will leave the people with a feeling that they have seen a band do more than just stand up there and play.

Hussein : Since your demo was released, do you feel you have alot of support? How was the reaction in your surroundings?

Billy : It has been pretty favorable here, but the overwhelming support has come from Canada, California, the north US, and all over Europe. Ah, the wonders of the internet. All the reviews have been very positive. And it hasn't seemed to slow much since the release back in August of last year.

Hussein : Your demo certainly deserves that sort of response.

Billy : Thanks man.

Hussein : What are your plans for the future?

Billy : We are recording our new CD now, which we hope to release late summer of this year. We continue to hammer it out, trying to reach more and more people. As well as, bug the record labels to pay us some attention. And keep a good relationship with all the cool metal sites and zines like Raging Metal.

Hussein : How would you describe the underground scene in alabama?

Billy : Would non-existent be too harsh? Seriously there are a couple of good death bands, but as far as I know we are the only 'true' metal band around. In rock it is all mallcore here. But we hope to change that. There is an audience here clamouring for real metal, and hopefully radio and clubs will open up to it. But Atlanta, Nashville, and other cities close by are a bit better.

Hussein : That's about it Billy.

Is there anything you would like to say at this point?

Billy : Cool man, thanks for keeping it painless.

Just that we hope everyone will check out A Lower Deep. We believe we have something for almost any fan of metal. And of course we'd love to hear from you. Thanks Hussein.