IMAGIKA - STEVE RICE

Imagika is a from San Carlos, California. So they are from the Bay Area of San Francisco. But unlike bands like Exodus and Testament and Death Angel Imagika arrived a bit late to the scene. In fact their debut album came out in 1995 and by then most other thrash bands in the area had already disbanded. But Imagika tries to wave the flag of thrash. They for example toured Germany in 1999 supporting Iron Saviour and Grave Digger.

Later Uwe Lulis and Chris Boltendahl of Grave Digger appeared on a track from "...And so it burns". Imagika have also been recording tribute songs for Metallica and Black Sabbath. And now they have recently finished their fourth album "Devils on both sides". I've have spoken with their founder and guitarist Steve Rice.

*Side note, Imagika's vocalist Norman Skinner was recently chosen to replace Russ Anderson in the Bay Area legends Forbidden.

Tell us more about your new album: Devils on both sides.

Well the CD will feature our new line-up of Norman Skinner, Vocals, (that's the biggest change since he brings a more melodic approach to the bands new material) Pat Toms, Lead Guitar (another new member), Elena Luciano, bass, Henry Moreneo, Drums and myself. It'll be a little removed from our past stuff as we took a more melodic approach this time with a lot of more traditional metal elements comming into play.

The stuff still has a lot of Bay Area Thrash elements just a bit more song oriented. As I said Norman brings the biggest change since he vocally has a lot more ability than our previous vocalist. The CD was recorded with Neil Kernon engineering so it sounds pretty good :) We hope to have it out ASAP and I think alot of people will dig it.

Worship (1998)

For those who never heard of Imagika, how would you describe your sound?

Power/Thrash. Defintely heavy, but also melodic with tight song arrangements. Or as the head of Roadrunner Records called us many years back "A Testament Rip-Off" HA!

What did people think when you guys started playing thrash when the scene was more or less dead, what where the reactions?

Well locally we never gotten that much respect, but alot of fans in the underground thought it was cool because we obviously weren't trying to be the latest flavor of the week.

Now when the thrash seems to have a bit of a revival, do you think Imagika benefits from it or is it harder to compete with the old Bay Area guys in Exodus and Testament for example.

It's cool in some ways and in some ways it puts us on the shelf again. I mean it's nice to see Thrash having some life and the fans will get to go after the proven acts that are familar,but it might take away from some good less known bands that are actually putting out better material.

How is the Bay Area scene today?

OK. Not great, not bad. It'll never be like it was in it's heyday so it's time to move on. I think all the Bay Area bands moved to Sweden! HA!

And So It Burns (2000)

Can you tell us more about your friendship with the german band Grave Digger?

I came in contact with Chris (Boltendahl, Vocals) after I sent his then company Flying Dophin a promo. He liked it and we started working together. He since become a good friend and was nice enough to give Imagika a break with our second CD and let us tour with them. I still talk him almost daily.

Of all the albums that you’ve made, which one is your favorite?

The new one of course! For me it's always been a thing that once the CD is done and out I've already moved on as I'm constantly writing new stuff so my focus is always on the future. As of right now I have the next CD written music wise so the current CD is already old shit! The last CD ASIB was killer song wise I just don't like the production at all.

Will there be any Europe tour soon? or world wide tours in general?

Let's fuckin' hope so! Of course when the new CD comes out we'll make every effort possible to play as much as we can worldwide.

What's the highlight of your career?

I have a career? Not according to wife! HA! Probably just the fact that Imagika has still stayed alive even though many times in the past it could have been over. I'm a stubborn ass.

Name five favourite albums!

Judas Priest - Unleashed in the East

Black Sabbath - Heaven and Hell

Iron Maiden - Killers

Crimson Glory - Transendance

and probably

Thin Lizzy - Live

Have you got any funny metal story to tell?

Well our old bassist was a bit of a loon and there was a time a beer bottle ended up in his ass, or what about the photos of our old singer with a penis on his lips as he was sleeping.............I have a few, but man that would make this interview XXX rated believe me.

Have you got any last words for our readers?

Hey our new CD will be out very soon and if you heard of us from the past you'll be in for a nice surprise and if you haven't heard our stuff it's about time you did! Thanx and Heavy Metal is The Law!