New York Cities own HavocHate preach the new gospel of old school Thrash. Guitarist and main-man Freddy Ordine unloads a volley of information to MetalChaos.
 
How are things with you guys?
Things are well. We are finally out playing live again after about a year. We are currently working on writing a new record.
2005 saw the release of the bands second record, Cycle Of Pain?. What has been fans reaction to the record? How has the bands sound developed since This Violent Earth??
It has been amazing!!!!!! They seem to really like it, watching them at shows sing the song back at us is unreal!!!!!! I think we grew up a lot from when we did T.V.E to when we recorded C.O.P. There is definitely more variety on C.O.P.
Cycle Of Pain? is the first Havochate record to feature Tim Bouchee and Greg Christian. What lead to the band parting company with Dave Ludwig and Jon Mallek? How did Greg and Tim come to join Havochate?
Mallek left right after the Motorhead tour to get married and start a normal life, we replaced Dave for the simple fact that we were going in a more musical direction and he wanted to play 3 guitar when the parts actually called for a more traditional bass line. I have known Timmy for a while and when Mallek left we had the Overkill tour starting in like 2 weeks so I called him and said can you do it he said absolutely so we auditioned him on the Overkill tour. He was fucking great every night!!!!!!!! I met Greg in California while I was jamming with Jon Dette (ex Testament, Slayer drummer) Greg showed up and I asked him if he wanted to hang out and jam, him and I instantly clicked so I asked if he wanted to come to New York and join HavocHate and he said YES!!!
Havochate has over the years had a number of line-up changes, how do you feel this incarnation of the band compares to previous line-ups?
I love these guys!!!!! They are like family to me. This band works harder than any other band I have seen. It does not matter if we are playing in front of 2 people or 2000 people we go out there and kill every night. No egos at all in this band.
For Cycle Of Pain? you chose to self-produce the album. Why and was it difficult to remain objective given the material was so close to your hearts? 
We felt that we knew the material the best and did not care to much to have an outside opinion butting in all the time. We wanted the listener to hear the songs the way we wanted them heard not some one else's version of it. We actually tried working with 2 different producers and just decided lets do it ourselves.
How have the dynamics in the band changed in the studio with the introduction of Tim and Greg?
They are both amazing at what they do, So it was nice for me to not have to worry about if they were going to nail their parts and just worry about myself.
During the recording of the album Tim's wife tragically passed away. Was there at any time when you thought that Tim would not be able to continue? It must have been a very very tough time for you all.
It was very hard!!!!!!!!! Timmy is the fucking man!!!! 3 days after she passed he was in the studio tracking his vocals. He was like on auto pilot or something. He knocked them right out. After the record was recorded he went home to Louisiana to be with his family and get his thoughts together. For about a year every thing was up in the air we did not know what was going to happen. We were all freaking out because we wanted to play but we knew that we could not rush him. I felt that if it was meant to be he would be back. He pulled through and is doing fine!!!! We are kicking ass better than ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How did Ron Lipnicki come to replace Ovie Rodriguez playing drums on the record? How did Ovie come back into the Havochate fold?
Ovie had gotten himself into some trouble and could not get his shit together. So I had known Ron from Hades and asked if he would be interested in recording the new record, He knew from the beginning that if Ovie pulled through he would be coming back to play with us. Ovie has been my best friend for years so I had an obligation to him to help him through what ever he needed.
Cycle Of Pain? also marks the first release with your new label Indecent Media. How are these guys treating you, how did the deal come about?
They have been very fair to us, We have a good relationship with Jurgen. I meet him through a mutual friend. Jurgen owned a big dance label here in the States and was looking to branch out into a different genre of music. He heard our record and loved it!!!!!
How do the band approach writing, is this a collective or very much an individual process?
A majority of the music was Mario and I. I would come in with a riff or an idea and we would work it out together or vice versa. Some songs would come from me playing drums and Marz playing guitar or bass. The lyrics were mostly done by Timmy and me and mar would help with melody lines.
Greg is at present juggling his time between Havochate and Testament; I presume there is no conflict of interests?
As of now I have not heard from Greg in 4 months he assured us his loyalty was with us, but obviously he needed the money and just chooses not to communicate with us, It is unfortunate for him because when Testament fucks him again this opportunity will have long past him by.
On the subject of reunions, many of the ?old? school Thrash are reforming and heading back out on the road. What do you think is behind this resurgence in the Thrash scene?
It was great music then and still is today!!!! I think with newer bands coming out kids are going back to see where it all started. 
The band has been out on the road with the likes of Motorhead, Anthrax and Overkill. How much of an experience was it to be out on the road with these bands?
It was great getting to go out with bands we all grew up listening to!!!!!! Motorhead really showed us what being the real deal is all about!!! They are the most professional band I have ever seen, GREAT PEOPLE!!!!!!! Treated us with the utmost respect and we actually became friends with them. They went out of there way to make sure we were taken care of every night.
Do the band have any plans to head out on the road in Europe any time soon?
We are in talks with a German label as we speak so hopefully very soon
What is next for the band?
WORLD DOMINATION !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Is there a message for all the Havochate fans out there?
Thank YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't wait to meet all of you when we come to your area!!!!!!
 
All photographs and images used with kind permission of HavocHate.
 

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