SAV'S 10 QUESTIONS-FRANK (SLIT)

Maltese Metalheads SLIT return to the Dungloe Bar in Derry on Sunday September 10th. The band's last date in Derry has been mentioned as one of the best Metal gigs to happen here in the last few years. The Group's vocalist frank has taken the time to answer Sav's '10 Questions'.

Not too bad, I'm at home at the moment battling against the ardent summer heat, spinning the latest Aborted album and answering this interview of course.

Lots of things actually. We've just finalized everything for the 'Ode to Silence' CD that is missing (mastering, sleeve etc), which is to be released on Anticulture Records September 18th. The writing and recording of the album has kept us busy for a while, and we actually haven't played live since January. Right now we're rehearsing and preparing for the upcoming tours in September and October, tightening our songs up with our new guitarist Omar Grech (from Beheaded). Things have never been so good.

Probably Ozzfest '05. Seeing Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Slayer, Superjoint Ritual, Black Label Society amongst others, all in one day. It was unreal.

I think the first song Slit ever wrote was called 'Jaws'. It had an opening riff which actually sounded like the soundtrack from the movie. The music was written before I had joined, I did the vocals and lyrics fot it. (No it wasn't about sharks.) The first song we performed live was called 'Slut' which had an opening voice sample ''what makes me a slut, if I feel horny I will fuck anybody, anytime, anywhere'' That was the first thing Slit gave to the world of metal!

5. Do you remember the first place/ time you stepped on stage to play? What happened?

The first show we did was around 6 years ago, we supported Beheaded at The Rock Cafe in Malta. I remember being very excited and anxious performing for the first time ever in front of a 300+ audience. It turned out to be a great show and one that definitely left a mark on the local scene back then.

I'd have to say Phil Anselmo. I know he has stirred a lot of controversy and many say he's full of shit sometimes, but fact remains he's a monolothic singer and frontman. He's been of great inspiration to me growing up, especially on the 'Far Beyond Driven' (Pantera) album. Not to mention 'Reinventing The Steel' which I consider a lyrical and musical masterpiece. Apart from Pantera I'm a big fan of Down and Superjoint Ritual. Even with these bands I think the man has proved himself over and over again to be a legend.

To me the ability to be in this band sharing this experience with other individuals with the same vision and mentality, performing to people who find something meaningful in the music you create is a constant high point. The low point would possibly be if I ever lose my voice or anything that would stop me from doing what I'm doing.

I'd probably be growing a thinking beard and studying philosophy, something which I have already tried but didn't have enough time to concentrate on because of band commitments.