R.U.S.T.X. :the continuation of R.U.S.T. and they welcome you to a never ending metal/rock fantasy.
Interview conducted on
R.U.S.T.X is the continuation of R.U.S.T. and they welcome you to a never ending metal/rock fantasy.
R.U.S.T. formed in 2003 (then known as Flames in Ice) with the pure purpose of playing Traditional 80’s Heavy Metal, following the footsteps of Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Warlord, Savatage, Stormwitch, Riot, etc.
Panayiotis Xanthou and Adamos Adamou on the Guitars, George Xanthou on the bass , Tasos Karonias vocals and Andreas Kallis on the Drums.
R.U.S.T. have been a live active band in the island of Cyprus and Europe for many years now. Some of the highlights during their career where opening performances for legendary heavy metal bands such as DARK QUARTERER,PRAYING MANTIS,SABBATON,OMEN, TOKYO BLADE, PAUL DI ANNO, MARAUDER, ROSS THE BOSS & SCOTT COLUMBUS,BONFIRE and also participating in festivals in Greece like UP THE HAMMERS and ROCK YOU TO HELL festival. In addition, they are proud co-organizers (along with Hardraw and the rest of the P.O.T.N. Crew) of the annual Power of the Night Metal Festival. And of course, delivering live performances whenever possible!
Band Members
Giorgos Xanthou-Bass&Vox
Panagiotis Xanthou-Guitars-Vox
Giannis Xanthou-Drums&Vox
Katerina Xanthou-Key&Vox
Dan Locke: How did you get your name?
Peter Pan Xanthou: Originally our name was R.U.S.T. in the beginning of 2004 until 2014. We named the band R.U.S.T because the word has a certain meaning to us which we never revealed to anyone (ie what the letters actually stand for). The only thing we can say is that we named the band R.U.S.T. because Heavy Metal music at the time, especially in our home country of Cyprus was like the iron oxide that is called… R.U.S.T. The bands and everything was there but not very active and we aimed to revive Heavy Metal on our little island.
Now, the decision to add the letter X came because of our new line up as of 2014. Our sister joined the band and we wanted to make a little adjustment to our name to show the world that R.U.S.T. is still here! Yeah!!!!
How has your band changed over the years from the original band R.U.S.T. to R.U.S.T.X?
Sure we evolved by the countless amount of music that we hear and play every day. Hundreds of concerts and meeting new people around the world helps improve and define you “musically” and gets you even thirstier to do more. We can surely say that throughout the years our music was always becoming better and better.
Being a family, how often did you play together as children?
Very often! We lived in the same house and we were practicing and playing together all sorts of music – Classical, Folk, Blues, Rock and Metal.
What is the process of writing music as a family?
There is no process or rules of how we write music. Music is in the air and you have to try and listen to it. When you actually do manage to listen to it, sit down and record it or write it down on a piece of paper and present it to your band members and let it evolve like a small child.
Do you have any power issues, as who is the leader?
No, we don’t. Everybody is the leader and everybody is there for everything.
We are a band!
Tell me about your new CD “Center of the Universe”?
Center of the Universe was recorded at Piombino Italy with the guidance of our dearest friend Andrea Ramacciotti and Alex Marton. The great, big, powerful sound there to blow your mind! The album contains a hell of a lot of influences and you can only understand what we are saying when you hear it. The spark began back in the summer of 2016 when we were recording T.T.P.M at Piombino. Our dearest friend and manager of mighty epic Dark Quarterer Gino Sozzi took us to Piazza Bovio. It’s a magical place (especially at night) where land meets the sea and the sky and the setting can take you anywhere you want to go. Then we all look at the sky and Gino said: “Guys you are at the Center of the Universe”!
George that night took some notes and “heard” the music in the air and said to everyone “I have something, it’s called Center of the Universe“. The rest is history.
Of course, we want to thank Pitch Black Records and its manager, Phivos, for releasing our album and for the support.
I listened to the CD and I hear both Rush and Triumph?
That’s very true! A few of our many influences are Triumph and Rush.
Before I heard the CD I was thinking “Children of the Sun” by Billy Thorpe? Mind you that was just by the title. But I still enjoyed it.
We never heard of Billy Thorpe before, but we are actually listening to it as we are answering this interview! It’s fantastic man! Thank you for sharing this fantastic music with us. We have a lot of influences from the 70s era and something in common with Billy Thorpe that we see now is Australia! Two of us (myself and George) were born in Australia in the 80s. Yeah!!!! Very excited!!!!
What would be your dream tour?
On a plane travelling around the world with our family and friends on board, just having fun and listening to LPS all the time…
How do you see yourselves in five years?
Conquering the world with our music of course!
Anything you like to close out with?
Be true to yourselves always and don’t let anybody stand in your Way!
WAKE UP AND FOLLOW YOUR HEART
NOW THAT THE TIME IS STILL IN OUR HANDS
WAKE UP, MAKE YOUR OWN PATH
CAUSE TOMORROW IS SOONER TO COME
Many thanks for this very enjoyable interview and cheers from the beautiful island of Cyprus!
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