Well, thank you very much! The album is getting the strongest feedback yet for a new album so I'm very happy about that.

Yes, Bobby did an incredible job on the drums! We started with Roy (Z) and myself writing the songs and then Bobby came in and recorded the drums. From there we started doing overdubs mainly with Roy and then added other players and performances as we went along.

After the album was finished, I put together a band from Sweden, which includes Carljohan Grimmark on guitar and Andreas Olsson on bass who both played five songs each on the album and Carl did many of the solos along with Roy Z. The band from Sweden also includes Andreas Johansson on drums and guitarist Daniel Hall.

I must admit I was shocked by how fresh your new album sounds! Not only in terms of production (we'll chat about this later) but the music itself! Killer tunes. I think it's your most Metal record during the last years!

My focus with Roy Z since we sat down and discussed this record was to first have an album full of great songs. Although this is always the goal for each album, we really focused on the two main elements of heaviness and melody for this particular group of songs, searching for a home somewhere between the Rage Of Creation and Eyes Of Eternity albums. I think mixing with Jacob Hansen in Denmark was they key in presenting the songs and performances in all their power and glory.

It's not really a concept album but it's more like there's a thread of continuity that shines through the album musically and lyrically that I think was more sub-conscience than intentional.

Working with Roy Z is great and we are good friends for many years now so that makes it very easy to communicate and work well together. I am very happy to work with him. This album did not go as planned though. Due to Roy's commitments with Judas Priest, I had to come up with a new plan and mix with a guy I didn't know at the time - Jacob Hansen in Denmark. But Roy and I both agree that that decision turned out to be a great benefit for the album because Jacob did a great job and added a new and exciting element to the sound of our recordings.

Yes, Roy did about half of the rhythms and played many of the solos and solo parts through out the album. Carl Grimmark did the other half of the rhythms and solos and Bob Rossi and Ricky Renstrom contributed some solo parts in a few songs.

Holy Hell is my best one so far. The songs are all great and the performances and mix are very intense. I'm very happy with the lyrics and artwork too, so I'm very satisfied.

I might say that you very well may have a new favorite Rob Rock album!

I might say that if you were greatly disappointed with any of my solo albums then you are in the major minority and I wonder what planet you are from! Hahaha!

The feedback has been incredible. The media has been very strong in support of the album with number one album of the month in Metal Heart and Top 4 in all the other top metal European magazines. I've got more email than ever from fans from all over the world that are just flipping out over the CD from the very first listen. Grown men are telling me they even sob over the ballad and no one can deny the heaviness and melody they discover in all of the songs. There's even comments on how well crafted the lyrics are. I'm really glad people are seeing it as I do because a lot of my life and heart went into this album and it wasn't easy to make.

I think they have done well so far, but the verdict is still out at this point. I hope they will do a great job and that we will have a continuing fantastic business relationship.

Yes, your hatred is inevitable because they will get at least two bonus tracks this time and maybe even a couple of alternative mixes! I think the album will come out there before the summer is over but the release date is not set yet.

I see... Rob, how was the Flying Aces Tour? Did you have a good time on the road (again) with the other bands?

It was a very good tour. All the bands got along great and it was actually very pleasant dealing with All Access promotion. I hope to work with them again soon. We all made some new friends on this tour and everyone was very professional... amazing! And it wasn't boring either!

I think we hit eight different countries this time and the plan is to expand our reach every time we tour. We are doing Sweden Rock and Metalfest in Germany this summer so far with a few other ideas on the table.

No, I haven't had my fill of touring yet. There are many fans that I'd like to meet on tour and many countries I'd still like to visit. There's nothing better than rockin' with the fans!

It was a matter of opportunity, I guess. I wanted to do a solo album for a year or two before I actually got started with JVC/Victor and I guess I needed a label's support to give me the confidence to step out on my own.

My good friend Roy Z has been there for me since the beginning and our writing chemistry has always been very strong since we met in 1989, so I am very grateful for that, and I'm very glad to create music with him.

Tony MacAlipne (M.A.R.S./solo/session): VirtuosoChris Impellitteri (Impellitteri): Speed demonJoshua Perahia (Joshua): Melody manDennis Cameron (Angelica): SmoothAxel Rudi Pell (Steeler/solo): Classical/Blues mix metallerJoe Floyd (Warrior): Metal riff monsterRoy Z (nearly everywhere): Master craftsman

I'm only responding to emails that people send me. There are many requests and questions each week from the fans so I try hard to help them with the vocal tips each month. It's not easy to keep up with but many people have told me they really appreciate it so'I'll do it as long as I can' as a Thank You to the fans.

Thank you!! I hope I can see many new places and faces with the festival dates and concert tours coming up in the near future. Thanks to the melodic Metal lovers for picking up Holy Hell!