Formed in 1980, Blitzkrieg and founding member Brian Ross have become cult names in the metal underground and for many years remained as such until a recent series of high profile international appearances. With a new album - Absolute Power - currently out I finally got the opportunity (after many years) to talk to a man whose middle name must be 'dedication'!
-Shan Siva

Why did you choose the name Blitzkrieg? Has it got you any flak (no pun intended) especially in Germany (cos of the wartime connotations)?
The name Blitzkrieg was suggested back in 1980 by Jez Gillman, (who was the manager of the band at the time). He told us that Blitzkrieg meant "lightening war" and also "very fast attack". Both of those things seemed to describe the band very well so Blitzkrieg it was and has been ever since. We've never really had any problems or "flak" from Germany, (or anywhere else for that matter), so I guess everyone's happy about our intentions.

Looking back on things, why do you think it was that Blitzkrieg didn't make it as big as bands like Saxon or Iron Maiden?
Saxon and Iron Maiden stayed together as working bands beyond 1981,The Krieg didn't. I think that's the only reason.

Whatever the case no one can dispute the cult status of the band today - why do you think that is?
I think that Blitzkrieg has cult status because we can boast some of the most loyal and dedicated fans in the world. Anybody else out there who isn't a Blitzkrieg fan should be (still laughing).

How have you managed and motivated yourself to keep Blitzkrieg going all these years?
It hasn't been difficult to keep Blitzkrieg going all these years, (you are making a happy man feel very old), for 2 reasons......a) I enjoy it and b) again it's those loyal fans. As long as they want Blitzkrieg........."We'll Rock Forever"

You got the new album - Absolute Power - coming out shortly, can you tell us a bit about it and any tour plans
Absolute Power is the 6th Blitzkrieg album and is a return to the old Blitzkrieg style that our fans seem to love. I am very proud of this album and I hope the fans will like it. We have already done 3 major festivals this year ie. Motala Metalfest in Sweden, Metal Meltdown in New Jersey USA and Wacken Festival in Germany. We also wrote and recorded the Absolute Power album. We will be playing Metal Mania Festival in Newcastle Upon Tyne England on 7th Sept.2002 with Blaze and The Tygers Of Pan Tang. Our management is at present working on further gigs to be announced.

Can you familiarise the readers with some of your previous albums - I haven't got all your previous albums so have there been substantial changes between them or has the sound remained the same.
There have been 5 previous Blitzkrieg albums:-
A Time Of Changes (1985)
Ten Years Of Blitzkrieg (1991)
Unholy Trinity (1995)
Ten (1996)
The Mists Of Avalon (1998)
I think that the sound throughout has been that of "True British Metal" .The Mists Of Avalon was probably slightly less heavy than all of the others, but never the less I feel that it is still an excellent album. Unfortunately some Blitzkrieg fans don't agree. The only thing I can say to that is looking back through Judas Priest's history nobody seemed to like the Point Of Entry album at the time. Now you look back at that album it doesn't seem as bad. I think that in time Krieg fans will feel the same about "Mists".

How did you feel when Metallica covered the track 'Blitzkrieg'? There must be some irony (i.e. 'why couldn't it happen to me'!!!) when you inspire a band who then go onto mega stardom....
I was delighted that Metallica covered "Blitzkrieg" they are a good band and deserve to be where they are. I would like to think that it was the song "Blitzkrieg" that made them "big" (I'm still laughing).

Just on the Metallica thing, I once heard that they considered having you (and Jess Cox) as their vocalist - true?
I also heard that Metallica had been considering approaching me to be their vocalist but as history shows it didn't happen........who knows what that might have produced? Blitzallica or Metallikrieg who knows (rolling about laughing).

You've got quite a distinct vocal style - have you had any special training...(or swallow glass like Lemmy ha ha)?
I thank you for your kind remarks on my vocal style and yes I was professionally trained in a church choir, which did not include swallowing glass or anything else for that matter.

Reflecting on the past, if you were given the chance to go back and change one thing what would that be (don't say 'being in Metallica' ha ha)?
Looking back over the years I have worked with some very talented musicians and had a lot of fun along the way so it would be hard to change any of that even if I could. If I could have one thing though it would be to have achieved the status of Maiden, Saxon, etc, that would’ve been nice.

Ok Brian, many thanks for the interview and power to Blitzkrieg!!!!
The Krieg Salutes You!