MAD ALEISTER

It’s no secret that EXCITER has been a favorite band of mine going back to the mid 80’s when I discovered “Heavy Metal Maniac” and never looked back. When it was announced that MAD ALEISTER had formed out of the ashes of EXCITER I had to check out this band and boy, am I glad I did. 

They don’t have a new record out yet but have released two songs on Bandcamp – “Throne Of The Dark” and “Crisis.” Rippers indeed! I really dug “Throne…” but “Crisis” tore my skull in half. Here’s what the fellas had to say:

WORMWOOD CHRONICLES: As I understand it, this is the current lineup of MAD ALEISTER:

Allan Johnson: Bass and vocals (EXCITER)

Scott Wark: Lead Vocals and lead guitar (ex-JOE THRASHER)

Armin Kamal: Lead Guitar and vocals ((INFRARED)

James Kane: Drums and vocals (ex-JOE THRASHER)

All of you come from pretty rockin’ bands in Canada, so who assembled this band of outlaws and what’s the creative vision behind MAD ALEISTER?

ALLAN JOHNSON: It all started a few years back when Scott sent me a song called “Throne of the Dark” which we released as our first single on Bandcamp. I really liked the song and then Scott started sending me other songs which were really good too and I said I have to do these with you and so we started writing together. Since then, the sheer amount of creativity and songs have been astounding. It’s like we have a never-ending supply of really, really good metal. It took a while to get the right outlaws to fill out the band, but everything has fallen perfectly into place.

SCOTT WARK: Yeah, basically Allan and I started writing some killer tunes, then we needed to assemble the proper misfits…I believe we got ‘em!

ARMIN KAMAL: A common friend of Al and mine, Andras, connected me with Al who was looking for a more local guitar player to round out the band. Being in INFRARED and pretty busy with that band, I was worried about time conflicts, but I liked the demos I heard so much, I figured, give it a shot. No regrets. Great guys, great songs.

WC: Is this a side project or a full-time gig for everyone? That clip you posted on your Facebook page for “Throne Of The Dark” is pure shred! I’m hoping a record, and live appearances are forthcoming.

SW: It’s a full-time project I’d say. We have plenty of songs in the works and are definitely interested in getting out there to the people with both the music, and the live shows.

 AK: There are definitely more songs in the works and more ideas than we know what to do with. More songs are on the way.

AJ: I was working with Scott writing while I was busy with EXCITER, and I was more thrilled to be doing MAD ALEISTER than anything else. When EXCITER broke up in 2024, I was finally able to do this full time and I’m happier than ever with this band, the songs and the musicianship. We’re all on the same page musically and the direction of the band.

WC: Speaking of "Throne Of The Dark," it reminded me of 'Painkiller' era PRIEST, as well as what KK’s PRIEST’s output – just flat out, balls to the wall, classic heavy metal. Is “Throne Of The Dark” representative of what fans can expect to hear from MAD ALEISTER or would you characterize the sound of the band differently, such as classic metal, thrash, speed?

SW: Well, yes and no. You can expect plenty more of that, but there will be songs that have a completely different vibe and feel. I don’t just use my high vocal in MAD ALEISTER, I’m all over the place, and now with Armin on board, we can take the vocals and guitars in SO many places.

AK: Yes, more of that, but also other vibes. This band does not want to be restricted to a very specific genre or sound…..anarchy all the way!

AJ: Agreed, it’s Classic, Speed, Thrash and more, it’s whatever we want it to be. There are no limits, if it’s good Metal then it’s in the cue to be released, Anarchy Metal… we’ll do what we want to do, no restrictions. 

WC: What influences does everyone bring to MAD ALEISTER's music, what’s everyone bringing to the table or listening to these days?

SW: Everything from MÖTLEY to MAYHEM, really  

AK: I listen to all kinds of music, metal being the predominant one. I grew up on AC/DC, OZZY, SCORPIONS, and bands like that. Obviously, thrash was a huge influence as that was the route I went down with INFRARED. It's nice that there are elements of this in MAD ALEISTER. Feels like a second home.

AJ: My only influences are the musicians that I’m writing with. When I’m in writing mode I don’t listen to any other bands because it’s so easy to be subliminally influenced by what you hear. I think what everyone is bringing to the table is our 80’s influences, and our 80’s experience. Most likely people will hear EXCITER in the way I write because that’s all I’ve ever written in my life.

WC: Can fans expect MAD ALEISTER to tour or make any U.S. appearances this year? I understand the logistics and cost of doing so is still painful to a certain extent to undertake. 

AJ: I used to do the U.S. Visa work permits for EXCITER and it was a nightmare even before the pandemic, then after that it got worse, and now it’s just beyond insane, the waiting time is up to one year. There are so many awesome places I want to go back to and play there but it’s going to be an extreme effort. Still, it’s worth the fight. 

SW: It would be very cool to do, and get this out to the U.S. fans, but yeah, the visa costs have gotten insane! If the right opportunity comes up 100%. I’m in.

WC: I’d like to dive into everyone’s background a bit. What got all of you into metal or hard rock in the first place? Was it a concert, a record, maybe a song someone played for you that got you hooked on this genre?

SW: KISS - “Rock & Roll Over”. I blame my brother!

AJ: It’s funny Scott mentioned KISS as I was a huge fan back in the 70’s. We didn’t know metal back then it was just all Rock or Hard Rock. I started off with ALICE COOPER then graduated to KISS, ANGEL, all the real visual bands I loved. Then there were the obvious ones like AEROSMITH, AC/DC, all the best hard rock bands. I even listened to a lot of early BLACK SABBATH. I was more into learning bass at the time rather than their music and I learned a lot of Geezer riffs that I later used on EXCITER albums. But in the end, it was the NWOBHM that influenced me the most about Heavy Metal.

AK: My first concert was IRON MAIDEN. Sold! Prior to that, I was listening heavily to SCORPIONS, JUDAS, early METALLICA, but that concert kind of solidified that metal is where it's at for me.

WC: How does everyone feel about the age of digital music and social media; do you embrace it or is it something you’re wary of?

SW: It’s fine. The benefit is anyone can get stuff out there…that’s also the downfall. SO much stuff out there, it’s easy to get lost in the shuffle. You just have to hope for the best.

AK: Not wary, but I prefer all the aspects of the creative process… writing songs, recording, mixing, video production and editing. That's where I enjoy my time. I hate the grind of promoting via social media. It's that final step that I find draining after putting in the other creative efforts. I am not a salesman.

AJ: Personally, I love it, having struggled through the stone ages musically, the fact that we can lay down ideas, music, what have you, and record it, send it, have others add to it, change it, make it better, send it back and forth, have total control over how it sounds. Then you can use social media at your will to promote your music… how can you not embrace that?!

WC: Alright, final question, this one is all you. You’re a new band, not much is known about MAD ALEISTER, what didn't we cover that you'd like fans to know about?

SW: We are MAD ALEISTER….and we play rock & roll!!!

AK: I think people will find MAD ALEISTER a powerhouse attack. The songs are succinct and packed with metal goodness. No fat, no wasted time. We just get to it. To date, we've just had one road test gig, and it went really well. I think people are going to like this. Bring your vocal cords, cause there is a lot to sing along to.

AJ: Stay tuned, the best is yet to come! In the meantime, check out our music on Bandcamp https://madaleister.bandcamp.com/music and keep up with us on Facebook and Instagram.

MAD ALEISTER