Amy Sciarretto: I’ve been to over 1000 in my life, so it’s hard to pick just one. Anytime I get a shout out though, that pumps my ego.
What genres of metal are your most and least favorite?
I don’t discern by genres. If I feel something when I listen to it, it’s good!
Who is the most underrated metal band?
Machine Head, in the US, at least. They are huge overseas, and should be just as huge as Lamb Of God is over here.
Who is the most overrated metal band?
Mudvayne.
Who are some of your favorite metal bands?
Hatebreed, Killswitch Engage, Lamb Of God, Shadows Fall, Opeth, Dragonforce, Every Time I Die, Snapcase, Far, Vision Of Disorder, Earth Crisis, Boy Sets Fire, Deftones, Poison The Well, Metallica, Def Leppard, Slipknot, Clutch, A Life Once Lost, Anthrax, Meshuggah, In Flames, Avenged Sevenfold, Blood Has Been Shed, Demon Hunter, Down, Pantera, Slayer, At The Gates, Starkweather, Judas Priest, Machine Head, Mastodon, Sepultura, and many more that I am forgetting to list right now.
What is your all time favorite metal album?
Hatebreed – Satisfaction Is The Death Of Desire. Love every second of those 26 minutes of positive mosh glory.
You’re both a writer and editor. Which do you like better?
Writing. Editing someone else is difficult, especially if they are not clear or shaky with their style. I edited the Warped Tour edition of Chord, and some of it was delightful, and some of it was nightmarish. I prefer to write, hands down.
What suggestions would you have for somebody wanting to get into writing about heavy metal?
Start early, and do it for free. You don’t wake up and go, ‘I want to write for Revolver or Kerrang or Rolling Stone. How do I do that?’ You have to hone your craft, build your name and reputation and byline, and get yourself out there. Do it for the right reasons, too.
What advice would you give someone already writing about metal, but would like to write for bigger and better websites and/or magazines?
Send out clips to editors. Do the work for them. Pitch them stories/ideas.
