When was nolifetilmetal.com born?
It was born November 15, 2000. Of course it took me many, many months before to create the site. Within a year I had been kicked off several free servers for excessive traffic and bandwidth usage. I now average over 100,000 page hits a day.

I recently made the acquaintance of this guy from Singapore who's also into metal. We actually discuss the merits of albums we like based on your reviews. Scot, you have a global audience, did you ever expect your site to be this popular?
No. I never expected my site to be as popular as it has become. It's just my personal CD collection and my thoughts on those CDs. I am glad people enjoy it though.

Where the hell do you get the money to buy all those CD's?
I've been purchasing CDs for decades. It's just years and years of collecting. I became obsessed with heavy music when I was in grade school.

How did Kurt (from metalmetropolis) and you become friends?
I can't remember exactly how kmorg and I met. I believe it might have either been on the Tourniquet board, or the Christian Metal Realm discussion board. Kurt has become my good friend and I hope someday to meet up with him. It almost happened when my band Once Dead was scheduled to play a festival in 2006 in Norway. Unfortunately that fell through. Kurt has also become a big Ultimatum supporter.

You have a thrash metal band, Ultimatum. I think the name kicks ass. When was it formed and who are the members?
- Ultimatum was formed in 1992 by Robert Gutierrez (guitar), Steve Trujillo (guitar), Greg Dingess (bass) and John Carroll (drums). I joined soon after . The line-up has changed over the years but Robert and I remain. Today we have Rob Whitlock (bass), who has been with Ultimatum since 2002 and Alan Tuma (drums) who joined the band this year after longtime drummer Sean Griego had to leave. Since I am discussing Ultimatum, we have a new CD coming out on Retroactive Records in October 2007. It will be our fifth album.

 Ultimatum. ScottWaters is the long haired dude at the front.

I'm trying to tap into your first-hand and authorative knowledge of metal here. Can you explain why thrash had such a large impact on Heavy Metal? What was it about this genre that made it largely American and universally influential?
Well, I think in the 1980's when many metal bands like Priest, Twisted Sister, Savatage, etc. were going into a more commercial direction to appeal to a wider audience, thrash was rising from the underground. Fans longing for that raw, metal sound went for thrash, a style that combined the elements of classic metal and NWOBHM with the speed and delivery of punk. Early bands like Raven, Anvil, Venom and Exciter were riding a fence between classic heavy metal and thrash. It's odd that some distinct movements developed during that time. Of course there was the early innovators like Exodus, Slayer and Metallica, but across the U.S., Anthrax and Overkill were also gaining momentum. Also, the German bands were coming out of the woodwork and had a sound that was quite distinct from the U.S. bands. Bands like Kreator, Sodom, Destruction, Accuser, Living Death, etc. It was a very cool time for metal. It was new, innovative, heavy and aggressive. There was an attitude about it as well. It wasn't all about good production or super technical playing ability, it was about that fist pumping, neck snapping, head banging heavy metal attitude. I think the freshness and that attitude had a lot to do with why it became so influential.

I remember a user comment from blabbermouth.net describing Ultimatum as a Christian Overkill, is this a fair description of your music?
We've been compared to Overkill, mostly because of my vocals. We also get compared to Exodus, Vengeance Rising, Metal Church, Accept and Kreator. I think most of those comparisons are due to my vocals. We've never tried to sound like any of those bands. We started out as a straight forward heavy metal band, as you can hear on our early demos and first CD. We morphed into the hybrid mix of thrash and heavy metal we are today. I don't really mind the comparisons. I guess if we are going to be compared to someone, it's great to be compared to great bands like Overkill and Exodus.

Did you have any previous bands?
No, no previous bands. Before Ultimatum I was a college student and didn't have time for a band. Besides Ultimatum, I have also sang with Once Dead, which was the Vengeance Rising reunion that happened in 2004. I sang with them for two years.

Why are you the singer?
Why am I the singer? Well, I never even considered singing in a band until Robert Gutierrez asked me if I'd be interested in singing for his band back in 1992. He ran a music store that I use to frequent quite often and he and I became friends. I turned him down several times before I finally gave it a shot. My tryout sucked! I was terrible. However, I didn't give up. I took singing lessons and improved quickly. However, over time my vocal style has really changed and is something far removed from what any vocal coach would approve of. LOL!

Do you play any musical instruments?
I goof around on the drums. I can play some simple beats. I taught my son to play. He now blows me away as a drummer and plays in jazz bands as well as a youth band.

Ultimatum already has a couple of releases; can you give us a behind-the-scenes of sorts on the production/recording process so we could better understand how albums are made?
Wow! Well each Ultimatum album has been a learning experience and each recording was far different from the next. Our first recording was almost recorded live in the studio. We've experimented with all sorts of studio techniques. On our latest CD we did something different we haven't done in the past. On all our past albums we had both guitarists play all the rhythms and then share their lead duties. On this album Robert played all the rhythms, which gives the album a tighter sound. He also played a good share of the leads, but Augustine Ortiz, who was a member of Ultimatum for a while, also plays some leads. We've experimented over they years with all sorts of recording styles. Natural drums, triggered drums, click tracks, without clicks, recording live, recording parts. On the new CD, we layed down a scratch track with rough vocals and drums, then each member went back in and recorded their parts over the drum tracks. Of course the vocals were laid down last.

As far as the way we write for an album, usually Robert will bring some riffs to practice and I'll bring some lyrical ideas I am working on. Sometimes he'll throw out a riff and I'll see if I have some lyrics that will fit. At other times I'll have an idea in my head to go along with the lyrics I have written and I will try to get Robert to play something similar to what I have in my head. Our bassist, Rob, has also had a hand in the song writing for this new CD, as well as our EP last year.

How much do you guys tour? Any Spinal Tap-ish anecdotes?
Spinal Tap? Back in 97 0r '98 our bassist at the time, Alex Cantwell fell off the front of a stage. That was pretty funny. Many, many times we've played clubs with power problems and would have no power in the middle of songs. We often make Spinal Tap jokes about the band. 'We said, Ultimatum THEN puppet show!'

Ultimatum has done Europe right? How cool was it to play so far from home?
No, Ultimatum have not played Europe. I played a show with Once Dead in Switzerland and I have to say, I love European metal crowds. I hope to get Ultimatum over there one day.

You were an 80's metal kid, what are your fondest memories of that bygone era (I was born 1987 and became a metalhead in 2001- yeah, I know I missed so much)?
Wow! That could take a book. I've been a metal fan since the 1970's when I discovered bands like Thin Lizzy, Ted Nugent, Kiss, Judas Priest and Aerosmith. Every album has a memory attached to it. I've seen more shows than I can even remember. I'm not even sure how to answer this question. The 80's were a great time for metal. Metalheads back then seemed less elitist. You could like Ratt and Motley Crue and also like Slayer and Venom. It was all metal bands then. Now there are a million sub genres and the more extreme forms seem to have fans who think they, or their music, is superior to all others. Back in the 80's you could see a guy with long hair and a Metallica shirt and you knew instantly you had something in common. Shoot, there are so many things I could say about that era like waiting in line all day to see Black Sabbath and Quiet Riot, seeing Yngwie tear it up in Alcatrazz, watching Twisted Sister and Anthrax grow from local bar bands to huge mega sellers. Man, those were good times.

Udo Dirkschneider is one of your favorite singers, what makes him so cool in your eyes?
Oh man, the first time I heard "Fast as a Shark" I was hooked. It's one of the greatest metal songs of all time in my opinion. The entire "Restless and Wild" album is fantastic. It was that album that made me a fan. Udo has a unique voice and has more style and charisma than a lot of more technically better, but generic singers. I also respect how he's remained true to metal all these years.

You've seen UDO live, right? How are they onstage?
U.D.O. ruled!!! I saw them on the "Holy" tour. I was lucky enough to meet the band as well. I saw them in Santa Fe on the last night of their tour with Saxon. Udo was just hanging out in the back of the theater. I happened to have my Holy CD in my jacket pocket and had him sign it. He was very cool. His band was tight. Fitty, Stefan and Igor are pros. They know how to put on a metal show.

More on live shows- what are your most memorable?
Wow! This could take up a book as well. Ok, my first concert was Aerosmith and Pat Travers at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, so that was a very memorable concert. Being an Aero-fanatic since I was a kid, it was a blast. I've seen Black Sabbath many times, but seeing them with Ian Gillan was very memorable. That was just a fantastic show, and who could forget the stonehenge stage setup. I've seen Ted Nugent twelve times and he has always blown me away. Some of my favorite shows were in small clubs. One show I saw that hardly anyone was in attendance was Iced Earth on their Something Wicked tour with Nevermore and Destiny's End. Great show. In college I saw another nearly empty club show with Helstar and TT Quick. Partied with the bands afterwards. Seeing Vengeance Rising in 1990 on their Once Dead tour was an unforgettable show. I don't have time to tell the whole story, but I was locked in the club until 4AM with the band, so I got to know them very well. Other bands I've seen? Barren Cross, Deliverance, Recon, Extol, Iron Maiden, Motorhead, Raven, Hammerfall, Dio many times over, Judas Priest. Man, I saw Priest for the first time on the Defenders of the Faith tour. I saw them in New York and in Philadelphia on that tour. They were at the top of their game then. Others? Holy Soldier, Kiss, Tesla, Cinderella, Styx, CCR, Twisted Sister, Anthrax, CoC, Overkill. Ohhhh man, I saw Overkill at this little dive in New Mexico. I guess I must have looked like part of the band because the club allowed me to walk around like I was a roadie or in the band. I watched that show from the side of the stage! That was great. Same thing happened with Fireball Ministry. I pulled into the parking lot behind the club the same time as the band. I asked if they needed help carrying in equipment. They were happy to have the help. The club assumed I was with the band. I didn't even pay to get in, hahahaha! That ruled! Had the band sign some stuff. Others? Molly Hatchet, ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Slayer, Saxon, Savage Grace, Heathens Rage, Symphony X, Megadeth, Dream Theater, Deep Purple, Thin Lizzy, Guardian, The Crucified, Moshketeers, Testament, Frank's Enemy, One Bad Pig, Triumph, Mountain, Joshua, Stryper, Oil . . . this could be a very, very long list.

You're a big fan of Aerosmith, what made you love the band?
1976, 'Toys in the Attic.' A neighbor friend had the album. I LOVED IT! Been a fan ever since.

Based on what I know about you from your site, your passion for music is balanced by a very deep spiritual foundation- what does it actually mean to live a Christian life?
I am a Christian, which means I trust in Jesus Christ for my salvation. To me it's a relationship with God. He communicates to me through his Word, which gives me guidelines to live by. I communicate to him through prayer. It's not a super religious thing for me. I am not interested in pointing fingers and telling others how to live. I have no problem sharing my faith with others and letting them know how much my life has changed since becoming a Christian. However, as you saw from my site, I enjoy life and love music whether it's Christian or not. I can respect others opinions, even if I don't agree with them.

A Christian metalhead: It's bound to raise uninformed eyebrows. Yet there are a lot of people like you. Has there ever been a conflict with your beliefs given that metal can be quite abrasive?
I've had some rather silly emails sent to me because of my site, but for the most part I find most people don't seem to have a problem with it and many people are relieved to find another believer that likes metal.

On your sites biographical segment you mention a personal crisis at one point in your life where you shunned metal completely and sold your collection. Why did this happen?
I became overly religious. I allowed the church I was attending to rule my life. At times I regret that time in my life. At the same time I see it as a time that God was working in my life, so I don't regret it that deeply. I won't allow that to happen again. What I didn't realize then was that the holiness is something that comes through Christ alone. The Bible is very clear about this. It's not what we listen to, or read, or watch that makes us holy, it's faith in Christ alone. The Bible says that our righteousness and good works are as filthy rags to God. He sees me through the sacrifice of Christ. It's that work, the work of Christ on the cross that makes me righteous before Him, not my music. Rather, now I see that music is a gift God has given me and it's my passion.

I'm a twenty-year-old Political Science junior; you have a wife and kids. I'm just curious: how different is it being an adult?
My wife says I still act like a kid.

Again, I'm just curious, you don't have to answer if you find this question too intrusive, but how did you meet your wife?
I met my wife in high school. We met in 1984 when I was a Junior in high school. We've been together ever since. I married her after graduating from college in 1989.

Are there any upcoming albums you're hotly anticipating?
Oh yes, the new Ted Nugent, which is titled 'Love Grenade.' Also, the new releases from Overkill, Motorhead, and Avenger of Blood. Of course, I can't wait for Ultimatum's new CD, which is titled 'Into the Pit.' I am the singer, but am also a fan. I'm always up for new music. I've also been into the new Symphony X, U.D.O., Annihilator, Anvil, Grave Digger, Symphorce, Merciless Death, WASP, Hirax, Riot, Tesla, Saxon, 3 Inches of Blood.

What is your diagnosis of the current state of metal in the USA?
Metal is best kept underground and that's where real metal is right now in the U.S. The masses are into all the metalcore and nu bands, which I don't really care about. I find most bands from these styles to be boring.

Is there any chance you might do a few shows here in the Philippines? Better yet, how can we get Ultimatum to play here?
We would love to do a free show there. If you know a promoter willing to bring us out, we are there. Contact Robert at ultrametal@msn.com for booking information.

http://www.myspace.com/ultimatummetal
http://www.myspace.com/ultmetal

STAY HEAVY