July 27th, 2013 - Antton's Warface: An Interview with Antton Lant!

Antton Lant (left) with friend and fellow drummer, Gene Hoglan
(Dark Angel/Death//Dethklok/Strapping Young Lad/Testament) 

Hello thrashers and drinkers!!  A very special treat for you today... an interview with legendary drummer Antton Lant!!!

Mr. Antony "Antton" Lant is an English drummer, best known for his time with British thrash/black metal band Venom and his current thrash/groove metal band, DEF CON ONE (www.reverbnation.com/defconone). He started his musical career actually as a guitarist, but after trying out many drummers, decided to give it a go himself in his band Sanity's Edge.  "My oldest brother is a drummer and he let me play his kit and showed me a lot of stuff, I swapped him my Jem Steve Vai guitar for his kit n the rest is history."  Antton drummed for Venom from 2000-2009 and recorded three killer albums with them: "Resurrection," "Metal Black," and "Hell". He is also the younger brother to lead singer/bassist Conrad "Cronos" Lant.  Antton left Venom in 2009 in order to concentrate on DEF CON ONE. (Check them out at www.reverbnation.com/defconone!)  He has also been part of Nu-Furture Cowboys and Dryll together with former Venom guitarist Jeffrey Dunn.  Antton played drums for Mpire of Evil (formerly Primevil), alongside Jeffrey Dunn and Tony Dolan until 2012 before leaving to concentrate on DEF CON ONE. In 2012, DEF CON ONE released the album "Warface."  (https://soundcloud.com/scarlet-records/def-con-one-warface)

 BT: This is probably a question you get sick of hearing, but who have been the biggest influences on you as a drummer/musician? 
AL: My brother Graham, Angus Young, Tommy Lee, Vinnie Paul, Eric Carr, shit this list could go on n on.

BT: What was your experience like playing with Venom, both studio and live?
AT: I guess the most part was ok, just a shame, one person is a dickhead and spoiled everything.  I really enjoyed working with Mike Hickey he is an awesome guitar player and a really good friend.

BT: Apart from the incredible DEF CON ONE, what current/new metal bands do you find interesting? How do you feel about the current state of metal in the U.K.? America? Wordwide?
AT: There are some killer bands out there. We've had the pleasure to play with quite a few of 'em too; metal music is defiantly alive n kicking in the UK for sure.

BT: If you could play with any band/individual (living or dead), who would that be and why?
AT: Nightmare question but I would have to say Bon Scott. I was brought up on AC/DC, but never got to see bon live in Newcastle.  They only ever played the Mayfair and it’s an over 18 venue. I had tickets for the "Highway To Hell" tour both nights, but couldn’t get in.

BT: What’s the next step for DEF CON ONE? Any American tours in the works?
AT: We are working on some new tracks and they are sounding great, really happy with them.  "Warface" got killer reviews and kinda gave us a big kick up the arse when I came to writing the new stuff, but the tracks are coming really easy and sound massive. We would love to get over to the States and I think the Americans would love us, but being an original band is hard. It’s hard to get across to new people, I guess we could play a shit load of Venom songs n get gigs eh, hahahahaha.

BT: Where can we see DEF CON ONEin the coming weeks/months?
AT: We are playing some gigs for Headbanger's Balls; it’s a charity trying to raise moneys for testicular cancer.  We have a gig in Manchester with Exentrix and a gig in Newcastle with Hatebread, plus on both nights we will be playing alongside Reign of Fury too.

BT: As you probably have gathered, my blog, Brews and Tunes pairs music and beer. When Antton gets home from some heavy thrashing, what brew does he grab and what album(s) does he spin?
AT: Beer, lager, I'm not a big spirit drinker, maybe a Jagerbomb or two, but mainly just beer. And the music depends on the mood I'm in. Here's a killer scenario for ya, a case of beer and "Powerage" by AC/DC! \,,/

 

We can certainly go for that Antton!!! 

 

Make sure you pick up a copy of DEF CON ONE's "Warface" at your local retailer!!  Cheers!!!