MAIDENHEAD GUITARIST ZACK ROBERTS TALKS 'MAXIMUM CLONAGE,' CHRIS POLAND, GLEN DROVER, RANDY BURNS AND THE FUTURE OF THRASH METAL
Massachusetts/Rhode Island thrash/death metal outfit MAIDENHEAD recently released its new album, "Maximum Clonage." Guitarist Zack Roberts discussed the record, the band's new lineup, its high-profile guest musicians and the group's plans for the future during an appearance on "The Zach Moonshine Show" on Metal Devastation Radio.
Maidenhead's new album, Maximum Clonage , arrived August 14, bringing together the band's old-school thrash/death metal influences with a modern recording approach and a lineup that features some serious firepower.
Among the musicians appearing on the album are former Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland , former Megadeth and King Diamond guitarist Glen Drover , and Annihilator bassist Rich Gray . The album was also mixed by veteran producer Randy Burns , whose credits include Megadeth, Death, Nuclear Assault, Kreator and Possessed.
During his appearance on The Zach Moonshine Show , Maidenhead guitarist Zack Roberts discussed how those collaborations came together and what the band was attempting to accomplish with Maximum Clonage .
"It was a bucket-list experience," Roberts said when discussing the opportunity to work with musicians who had influenced him personally.
The involvement of Chris Poland came about after Roberts met the guitarist at a convention in Massachusetts. After eventually reconnecting, Poland agreed to contribute a guest solo to the Maidenhead track "Kill Or Be Killed."
Glen Drover's appearance came together after Roberts contacted him through social media.
"I reached out to him and just asked if he would be interested in doing something with us," Roberts explained.
Rich Gray's contribution was somewhat more extensive. According to Roberts, Gray recorded bass parts for multiple songs and completed the work in roughly two days.
"He even tapped out all the music for us," Roberts said, explaining that the tabs would also help whoever eventually takes over the band's bass duties learn the material.
'NOT STERILE, NOT OVERLY PRODUCED'
For Roberts, the production of Maximum Clonage was just as important as the musicians involved.
The album was mixed by Randy Burns, whose resume reads like a history lesson in extreme metal. Roberts said Burns' use of analog equipment helped give the record the warmth and character the band wanted.
"Not sterile, not overly produced, pretty old school, but still kind of modern," Roberts said when describing the album's sound.
That balance was deliberate.
Roberts and Moonshine discussed the differences between modern ultra-polished production and the more aggressive character of classic thrash and death metal.
"If you're doing that old school thrash death metal thing," Roberts explained, using analog equipment and other techniques to retain an old-school character "is pretty sick."
The result is a record that Roberts believes maintains the aggression of classic metal while benefiting from modern recording and mastering techniques.
THE ARTWORK AND THE WORLD OF 'MAXIMUM CLONAGE'
The album's visual presentation also plays a major role in the Maidenhead concept.
Roberts discussed his appreciation for classic metal album artwork and the influence of artists such as Ed Repka, whose work became synonymous with some of the most recognizable thrash and death metal releases of the 1980s and '90s.
For Maximum Clonage , Maidenhead commissioned multiple pieces of artwork, including illustrations for the individual songs.
The record's storyline revolves around clones and a character attempting to battle them. Maidenhead's mascot, Nada, is also part of the concept, with the character inspired by the protagonist of John Carpenter's 1988 cult classic They Live .
The album also draws inspiration from the video game Killing Floor .
The opening track, "Enter The Killing Floor," was specifically influenced by the game's soundtrack. Roberts said the band even brought in a synth player to help capture the sound and atmosphere of the game.
'KILL OR BE KILLED' WAS INSPIRED BY 'PREDATOR'
Not all of the album's concepts come from the same place.
Roberts revealed that "Kill Or Be Killed" was inspired by the 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger film Predator .
The song incorporates elements from the movie, including its famous "get to the chopper" reference.
Other songs take a darker and more personal approach.
"False Masked Hero" deals with people who present themselves as friends while behaving differently behind someone's back, while "Death March" explores the human cost of war and the idea of individuals being sent into conflicts they may not personally support.
The album also explores fantasy, supernatural themes and the ongoing battle between good and evil.
JACKSONS, MARSHALLS AND A QUAD CORTEX
Roberts also gave listeners a look at the equipment behind Maidenhead's guitar sound.
For the album, he used a Jackson KVXMG , which he originally purchased as an inexpensive guitar he could take on the road. He also discussed his 2000 pre-Fender Jackson King V, which he has been using extensively for live performances.
His current live setup includes a Neural Quad Cortex , a Marshall 100-watt power amp and a Marshall 4x12 cabinet.
Roberts said the compact setup allowed him to take his entire rig to California while maintaining essentially the same guitar sounds heard on the album.
"I can fit that in a backpack," he said.
Despite using modern modeling technology, Roberts remains firmly attached to the sound and feel of Marshall amplification.
The result is another example of Maidenhead's approach to Maximum Clonage : use modern technology where it makes sense without losing the character of traditional heavy metal.
MAIDENHEAD ALREADY HAS ITS NEXT RECORD IN SIGHT
Despite having just released Maximum Clonage , Maidenhead isn't planning to sit around for long.
Roberts revealed that the band intends to work on new material while also re-recording its earlier album Decapitation Of A Maiden .
The reason is simple: Maidenhead now has a largely new lineup, and Roberts believes the current incarnation of the band is tighter and better prepared to revisit the older material.
"We're a tighter band," Roberts said. "We're better at recording."
Roberts believes the older songs deserve the same treatment that was given to Maximum Clonage .
A MAIDENHEAD VIDEO GAME?
Perhaps the most unexpected revelation of the interview was Roberts' plan to potentially turn Maximum Clonage into a video game.
He is currently working on the concept for a Sega Genesis-style 2D shooter based on the album.
The project could eventually be released through Steam and mobile platforms. Roberts has even investigated the possibility of producing a limited number of actual Sega Genesis cartridges.
"I did also look into actually getting it on Sega Genesis cartridges," Roberts said.
For a band whose album concept already draws heavily from classic video games, the idea makes perfect sense.
Roberts also discussed the possibility of setting up an actual Genesis console at the band's merchandise table so fans could play the game while checking out Maidenhead's merchandise.
'YOU HAVE A LOT MORE CONTROL'
The discussion eventually turned toward the realities of being an independent metal band in 2026.
Roberts acknowledged that modern musicians are responsible for far more than bands were expected to handle decades ago. Recording, promotion, merchandise, touring and other aspects of the business increasingly fall on the artists themselves.
At the same time, he sees a major advantage in the current landscape.
"You have a lot more control, I think, in this modern era of being an independent musician," Roberts said.
According to Roberts, the tradeoff is that bands must provide much more of their own financial backing, but they also have considerably more creative freedom.
"If you do work hard enough, you can still achieve what the people who would have been backing you... you'd still be able to achieve those same things if you had that backing," he added.
That philosophy seems to be reflected in Maidenhead's approach to Maximum Clonage .
The band isn't waiting for somebody else to tell them what the record should sound like, what the artwork should look like or what merchandise they should sell.
They're doing it themselves.
FROM IRON MAIDEN AND MEGADETH TO MAIDENHEAD
Roberts' own history with heavy metal goes back to childhood.
He recalled being introduced to Iron Maiden through his father, who brought home The Number Of The Beast , while his mother introduced him to Metallica. Megadeth would eventually become one of his biggest musical influences.
One particularly memorable story involved Roberts repeatedly singing Bon Jovi's "You Give Love A Bad Name" while visiting his older cousin.
His cousin eventually put headphones on Roberts, dropped the needle on The Number Of The Beast and recorded the album onto cassette for him.
"That really just blew my mind," Roberts recalled. "I was fucking hooked."
Decades later, Roberts is now releasing music featuring guest appearances from musicians connected to some of the same bands that helped shape his musical identity.
That's quite a journey.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Maidenhead will hit the road next week with Radar, with dates scheduled across New York, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Roberts encouraged fans in those areas to come out and see the band live.
Beyond the immediate touring plans, the band has plenty on its plate: Maximum Clonage , new material, a re-recording of Decapitation Of A Maiden , potential vinyl plans, expanded merchandise and, if everything comes together, a heavy metal video game straight out of the 16-bit era.
For a band rooted firmly in the classic thrash/death metal tradition, Maidenhead appears to be taking a decidedly modern approach to keeping that spirit alive.
Maximum Clonage is available now.
Listen to the complete Zack Roberts interview on "The Zach Moonshine Show" via Mixcoud below:
Full Track List:
Battle Of The Bands Top Six Winners:
1 - Okl's FruitLoops - Scream Of Silence - (1,394,084 votes)
2 - Soul Of Sheol - Paradise Is Not For Us - (34,961 votes)
3 - Rage of Justice - Digital Prison - (8,039 votes)
4 - Heidbekka - Völva - (4,457 votes)
5 - Mistress - Terrified eyes - (2,166 votes)
6 - HKSPK - rot in despair - (1,156 votes)
The Zach Moonshine Intro
7 - Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath (live 98)
8 - Ola Englund - DOGMA PROGMA
9 - Narcotic Wasteland - Fentanyl Zombie Apocalypse
10 - Marilyn Manson - Unalive
Maidenhead - Interview featuring Maximum Clonage/Death March
11 - GODFLESH - Living/Ending
12 - Miscreance - The Moaning Hill
13 - Crown Magnetar - Shut Up and Bleed
14 - Thorndale - Spiritual Chains
15 - Nefarious Grime - Vampiric Seduction
16 - Burnt Witch - We Hate You - (Electric Wizard Cover)
17 - Deth Provider - Weaponized/March of Decay
18 - Mass Punishment - Eye of the Storm
19 - Rise From Your Grave - Like Mother Said
20 - NetherDred - Necrodancer
21 - Flight of Odin - Andromeda
22 - Visions of Morpheus - I Will Arise
23 - TAETHEN - Paradise for Fools
24 - Wooden - Veil Of Mankind
25 - Seethe - Between Here and Delirium (Lost)
