E.C.: How did Malstrom form and how did you come up with the name?

Mike: Bill (our drummer) and I have been jamming together for about nine years in various bands. When he went to college up in Albany, we were more or less on hiatus, with the exception of summers when we would jam. While I was at Fordham, I met Alex, who played bass and had very similar musical tastes to myself. We did one show at our school with me, Alex, Bill, and two other friends of ours playing all covers, and from there we evolved from a cover band into an all-original metal band. At the time, Alex and I were very into the work of Edgar Allen Poe, and after reading his classic "Descent into the Maelstrom”, we ripped the name and lost the "e", since about 10 other bands existed with that name.

E.C.: Who are some of the band's influences?

Mike: In short, the band's main influences are, in no particular order: Opeth, Iron Maiden, In Flames, At The Gates, Metallica, and countless others.

E.C.: How would you describe Malstrom to someone that never heard you before?

Mike: I would describe us as a mixture of melodic Swedish metal, ‘80s thrash, and to a lesser extent ‘70s prog, all thrown together in eight minutes of music.

E.C.: How does a Malstrom song get written?

Mike: In the beginning I would come in with about 75% of a song and Bill would fill in the rest with me, but more recently we have all been getting into the mix. Sometimes Alex and I will work on something he has put together, and sometimes Bill will come in with the majority of a song, and sometimes I will come in with a song. In the end it is a pretty democratic process, as everyone writes their own parts that are always unique.

E.C.: When I'm not in Malstrom I'm...

Mike: Either with my girlfriend, watching the Mets, boozin’ it up with my boys, or drinking alone George Thorogood style listening to the Cure, Pink Floyd, and Opeth. Yeah, I'm a nerd.

E.C.: What's the one thing your most proud of about Malstrom?

Mike: That we're still around, and getting better and tighter by the day. We've been at this as Malstrom for almost three years and in that time, we have outlived all but one or two bands we know in the local scene. Metal bands in this scene come and go, and even those who are around for a while usually stagnate to the point where they eventually call it quits. The fact that we have survived this long and made a pretty weak demo, then a more respectable demo, and now are ready to record a full length we believe will floor people, is a testament to our growth over these last few years.

E.C.: What's the toughest thing about being in an unsigned band?

Mike: The toughest thing about being in an unsigned band is promoting yourself, promoting your shows, and getting your name out there. It is a lot of work, and a very difficult task to be successful.

E.C.: What would you like to achieve in 2006?

Mike: In 2006 we would like to have our first full length out, and would hope to attract the interest of a Century Media/Nuclear Blast/Metal Blade type label.

E.C.: Do you prefer gig or studio and why?

Mike: I much prefer gigging, but I like being in the studio as well. The thing about the studio is there is really no time for fun, as you are there on your own dime, so it is all business. You go in, bang out your parts as quickly and efficiently as possible, and you get out. In the live setting, at least at our level, you are with all of your friends, you have a few drinks, and rip it up as best you can with no regrets.

E.C.: What bands do people compare you to that you agree/disagree with?

Mike: We have been compared to tons of different bands. Some we agree with, some we don't, and some we've never even heard of (Messiah AD?) The ones we get the most are Opeth, Mastodon, In Flames, Shadows Fall, Megadeth, and NWOBHM stuff like Maiden and Priest.

E.C.: Any final words?

Mike: Hope to see you all at the next show, with a drink in your hand and a fist in the air.