When you're first starting out, there's always the temptation to hide behind distortion because it lets you get away with murder. But, when it comes to rhythm work, you've gotta back off that gain control a bit, especially if you're playing with another guitarist.

I went through a whole blues period in the Nineties, and that had some influence on 'Load' and 'ReLoad.'

Guitar players in the nineties seem to be reacting against the technique oriented eighties.

I'm death obsessed. You know, I have death all over my house. I have a stuffed two headed sheep!

I think the whole concept behind lyrics is you better mean what you say, or you should like, become a storyteller. I mean, there's a lot of bands who are just storytellers, and then there are bands who actually have something valid to say. And the bands who have valid points are few and far between.

Ampeg made incredible guitar heads in the early Nineties and then stopped. And I don't know why. The one we used had a nice clean, warm sound, and it blended well with the other amps that were in the studio.

I think it goes without saying that a lot of big horror fans are just nerds and geeks.