Hellyeah’s Tom Maxwell on Vinnie Paul’s Legacy, New Album Welcome Residence, and Extra
The members of Hellyeah had their lives turned the wrong way up final 12 months when the information broke their drummer, Vinnie Paul, out of the blue handed away from coronary heart failure. After taking a while to mourn and course of the loss, the band determined to pay tribute to the legendary stickman by ending their new album.
That new LP, Welcome Residence, is due out September 27th through Eleven Seven Music, and it’s an emotional document for Hellyeah and their followers. Paul, who was additionally the founding drummer of Pantera, is just not solely a big a part of Hellyeah’s new album in spirit, but additionally on tape, as he laid down all of his drum tracks simply previous to his dying.
Now, after welcoming Stone Bitter drummer Roy Mayorga into their lineup, Hellyeah are on the highway supporting their upcoming album and honoring their fallen pal.
Hellyeah guitarist Tom Maxwell checked in with Heavy Consequence whereas on tour to debate the feelings that include the band’s first tour with out Vinnie Paul, the brand new album, the state of steel music, and extra. Learn the complete interview under.
On why it was vital for Hellyeah to complete their new album, Welcome Residence, and in addition tour to help it
We needed to end the album. That was a very powerful factor. Fortunately, Vinnie had completed all his drum tracks earlier than he handed, so every little thing you’re listening to is his stuff. However I believe it was vital for us to do it as a result of we owed it to us and the band and the document — and to him — to take it on the highway and hold this music on the market. He set a superb instance when he got here out of hiding after Dimebag handed. It was a darkish time for him — a particularly darkish time. If he might do it, we might do it. It took a 12 months, although. It was a traumatizing 12 months.
On essentially the most rewarding facet of getting again on the market on the highway with Hellyeah
I believe simply the followers. Seeing everyone — the joy on their faces. It’s real. It’s good being on the market with my crew once more. It’s been slightly rocky, emotionally, for everyone. It’s been a minute since we’ve been out, so it takes a while, however the primary factor is giving the followers that glimpse that every little thing goes to be alright, and it’s been nice.
On the album’s title observe, “Welcome Residence”
Truthfully, the tune was written earlier than [Vinnie] handed, fully. It was completed, vocals and every little thing. That was one of many few songs he heard with vocals on it, and he liked it. When he handed, it took on an entire new that means. It was like, was there one thing there that we weren’t conscious of? I believe that the title of it appeared to suit completely, plus the entire that means of the tune and the road about that feeling of loss.
On what he misses most about Vinnie Paul
Wow. Simply him. Simply all of it. Him as an entire. There’s a lot to that man, and never simply his kindness and selflessness. He was by no means narcissistic or self-absorbed. He was about everyone else and ensuring everyone was pleased and content material and brought care of. He was simply brutally variety and a beautiful human being. In case you can think about what it might be prefer to be round Santa Claus, that’s what he was like. He introduced that type of pleasure.
On new drummer Roy Mayorga and his contribution to the band since stepping in for Vinnie Paul
Roy is superior. We’ve been buddies for years and toured collectively again in 2010 with Stone Bitter and Hellyeah. We needed to have anyone are available who was a bro and pal, not anyone who we didn’t know or weren’t comfy round. It was already a relationship that was established, and he and Vinnie have been buddies and revered one another, and that was actually vital for us, that we received anyone that Vinnie appreciated and knew. And it was anyone followers appreciated, too, and he’s killing it and doing an ideal job.
On what it’s like taking part in new songs off Welcome Residence reside
It’s nice to play them, and I’m stoked we’re doing three songs off the brand new document within the set. Normally, you’re simply going to do one or two, however we all the time would power new songs into the set, as a result of we actually need individuals to listen to them reside. I believe we actually break these songs down reside, intensely. It’s thrilling, and persons are already singing the phrases again to us, which is superb.
On whether or not Hellyeah will proceed to tour and make new music following Welcome Residence
It’s nonetheless all too ahead pondering for me. I can’t assume that far forward proper now. All I can see proper now could be doing this accountability that we’ve got proper now and honoring this document. Then, we’ll take that subsequent step, and no matter door the universe opens to us, we’ll take it.
On the state of rock and steel music
It is available in waves — music does. In case you go to those exhibits, simply go searching, and there are tons of individuals and tons of help. I believe, if something, it’s simply the sport that’s altering, and we’re all determining how this new recreation is happening with the streaming and all that stuff. It’s laborious for brand new bands.
On the primary rock albums he ever remembers buying
I believe my first document I bear in mind really going to the document retailer and declaring to my mother to get was Kiss Alive II. You open it up, and there’s hearth in every single place, and it’s all of them reside, and it was superb. After which Mötley Crüe, Shout on the Satan.
On what newer steel bands he thinks have promise
I like Code Orange; I believe they’re actually cool. There are such a lot of cool bands on the market proper now. Periphery from Maryland — they’re superb and nuts and actually gifted. Toothgrinder out of New Jersey, they’re actually good. There are such a lot of. I believe if I needed to decide my huge new favourite band, it might be Code Orange. They’re nasty and superior.
On what’s subsequent for Hellyeah
Now we have a weekend of exhibits in September. Then, I’ve to get hand surgical procedure, after which a November and December tour. Subsequent 12 months, there’s ShipRocked, and that would be the anchor level for no matter is subsequent.
Our due to Tom Maxwell for taking the time to talk with us. Sustain with Hellyeah’s tour dates at this location, and pre-order their new album, Welcome Residence, right here.
