- HoM. Hello guys. The first to say is that when I was researching information about your band in your site, I found that a part of the biography is written by Marty Friedman. Not bad as a credential of introduction! Age Of Evil is a very young band. Tell us how you came up with the idea of creating a band and what your main influences are. Specially those of your lead guitarist, Jordan Ziff, who left me a very good impression.

Some kids want to be astronauts, some kids want to be firemen, but from the start we always wanted to be a band.  Ever since we were about 5-7 years old we wanted to create music.  Garrett and Jordan picked up their instruments first around 7 and 9 years old, then Jacob and I followed.  We started off writing classic rock songs, then got into a tiny bit punk because we liked the attitude, and then found metal. After seeing Iron Maiden tear up the stage we knew we had found our genre.  Early on Jordan was especially influenced by Santana, Randy Rhoads, and Jimmy Page, and then he got into Nuno Bettencourt, Yngwie Malmsteen, Marty Friendman. Lately he listens to a lot of Jazz and Classical musicians.  

- HoM. Your first album dates from 2007, under the name “Living A Sick Dream”, and had very positive reviews. The melodic work in both this first album and your recent EP “Get Dead” is really good, you even declared that melodies make the difference between music and noise.

Yeah of course.  It’s hard to say that a song is good if you can’t sing or hum along to the vocals or the music.  I think that writing chord progressions that don’t make sense and screaming on top of it is the easy way out.  You listen to Priest and Maiden and the Beatles and Pink Floyd and you know that those bands will not be forgotten.  Listen to a band that you can hardly understand and it’s a different story.  Melody, groove, and attitude are the some of the most important aspects in a song, especially metal.  

- HoM. It’s said that you guys are a mixture of Avenged Sevenfold and Trivium. Do you agree, or you don’t care about comparisons?

We don’t care about comparisons what so ever.  We do our own thing and just write however we want.  I can see how people might say that thought as those two bands are reviving modern old school metal in a younger generation.  

- HoM. In “Get Dead” we see two covers of Judas Priest and Skid Row. Why did you choose “The Hellion/Electric Eye” and “Slave To The Grind” specifically?

When we played with Girls School in London last year we thought it would be cool to bust out a Priest songs for our first show there because we knew that the fans would really appreciate it and because it would be fun for us.   The crowd really dug it and we’ve played it at almost every show since.  We knew we wanted some covers for the EP and "Electric Eye" was an obvious choice.  "Slave To The Grind" on the other hand is a completely different story.  We were in the Studio trying to come up with another cover song to do.  Garrett said “Hey why not do "Slave To The Grind"? Its catchy, its aggressive, could be cool.” A few minutes later we were listening to the song on Jeremy’s phone and figuring out each part by ear.  Right alter that Garrett went in and recorded the drums, basically in one take, and we followed with guitars and vocals right afterwards.  So we learned it and recorded it all in one day.  

- HoM. During this soon-to-end year you’ve toured around Europe with Soulfly, Jon Oliva´s Pain, Tesla and W.A.S.P. among others. What was the experience like, and what did you learn from these great bands in this mini-tour?

I would say that Jon Oliva’s Pain was a huge highlight for us this summer in Europe.  Just listened to Savatage’s “Streets” last night actually.  They were such a great band to tour with and we really learned a lot while on the road with them.  We were put in all kinds of situations and unfortunately for me I was actually sick for most of that tour but it was not all bad because I learned how to deal with things like that.  We also had a really good time with Soulfly.  They actually live only about 10 to 15 minutes from us and we played with them in Arizona right after the European tour.  They are all really great people and we even played with Max’s son’s band, Incite, about a month ago.  The Tesla show was definitely my favorite of the tour. The venue was badass and they were really cool guys to hang out with.  We’ve been friends with WASP for the last few years and we never miss a chance to party with the guys.

- HoM. What classic bands do you consider a honor opening for? Is there a newer band you like so much you would love to open for?

The bands I was most honored to play with were Heaven & Hell and Judas Priest.  Even though they were festivals, just getting to share the same stage with them means a lot.  We even got to hang out with Dio after their show and he was one of the coolest most down to earth guys I’ve ever met.  It’s really an honor to meet such an iconic person as Dio.

- HoM. Tell Spanish metalheads what Age Of Evil offers live.

Pure brutal energy.  We write our music specifically for a live environment.  We refuse to give anything less than 110% every night and fans will see our dedication when they see us live.     

- HoM. It says in your Myspace that your label is Evil Eye Entertainment. Are you happy with them or are you hoping to go further and get a deal with a more powerful label, such as Roadrunner or Nuclear Blast?

Our label has been great to us over in Germany, but we have no representation in the US.  Of course we would like to have that machine behind us but we also don’t want to sell our souls.  So many bands that get signed nowadays are getting screwed over.  The whole label situation is a mess and we’re not in any rush to join a label that’s not going to push us to our full potential.

- HoM. Being the age you are, do you dedicate all your time to the band, or you do other stuff, like studying, for example?

Jacob and I have been studying for the last few years. Jacob just graduated from high school, and I am taking a break from college to focus more on the band.  Even when we were in school we always dedicated all of our time to the band.   The music comes before everything.  We are full time rockers man.  

- HoM. We don’t give it too much importance, but the band’s looks are curious. On the one hand, Jeremy, Jacob and Garrett dress more modern, with modern hairstyles, while Jordan has a totally eighties-like look. Do you give importance to what a band looks like?

I think it’s important that a band looks good.  I think we have the cross between the 80’s style and the modern style.  But Jordan definitely carries more of the 80’s style than the modern.  All of us have our standard 80’s gear.  Leather jackets, leather pants, and aqua net.  So I’d say we’ve all got some 80’s style in us, but Jordan would definitely be the first to wear leather pants live and whip out the aqua net.

- HoM. Typical HallOfMetal question: what three albums would you take to a desert island?

The Beatles - White Album, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, and Abbey Road.

- HoM. Do you have any touring plans that include Spain?

There is nothing set in stone yet, but we are eager to hit every country we can in 2010.  We would love to play in Spain, as we know you guys are true metal heads.

- HoM. This is all from us, glad to talk with you! Any last words for our readers?

A big thank you to Hall Of Metal and to all of our fans and new AOE listeners.  If you have not heard our new album, "Get Dead", go get that shit!! What are you waiting for?! And definitely keep an eye out for a tour and new music in 2010.  Thanks everyone and keep it heavy!