According to a recent press release: "With replicated, simulated and easily-absorbed tracks dominating the airwaves and often showy, overly conceptualized prog-dilutions ruling the underground, it seems the ability to achieve any sort of balance of the two in metal is primarily lost. Enter Kansas City metal hybrid HYBORIAN, who illustrate a perfect equilibrium of rich concept and straightforward songwriting with their debut album, Hyborian: Volume I. The album drops on March 17, 2017 "  Frontman Ryan Bates took our 10 Quick Ones for a spin... read all about it here!

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets the band put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

Definitely some hidden stuff, there are a few hidden messages that the discerning listener might stumble upon. Don't want to give too much away, but a little digging will produce rewards.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

I grew up around my dads garage band called The Favorites, they did a bunch of 80s covers, Men at Work, Police etc., so being in a band was kind of instilled at birth.  But when ...And Justice for All came out I was a scuzzy little skater kid and that record really convinced me I should play guitar.

3. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Pantera, Metallica, Motörhead, Rhodes era Ozzy, and AC/DC

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be?

Definitely Dimebag

5. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before?

90s groove metal with some heavy thrash elements

6. What’s the best thing about being a musician?

I love that it's an outlet for expression, and the constant challenge to get better.

7. When the band are all hanging out together, who cooks; who gets the drinks in; and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Anthony is a badass cook, we are all drinking, and we used the acoustic for kindling for Anthony's cook fire.

8. If you weren’t a musician, what would be your dream job?

A Las Vegas magician, but the only thing I can make disapear is weed, booze, and money.

9. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over”?

Not starting Hyborian 15 years ago.  I should have spent way more time on the road when I was younger.

10. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Master Of Puppets, writing that record in two weeks like they did had to be insane.  Would have loved to see that.  Or Far Beyond Driven, just because it had such a big influence on my playing.

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