There are really not many things to write about Jack Starr. The man is a legend and a deeply respected musician. His return to the music business can only bring a big smile to our faces especially when it is accompanied with such a good album. The name of his new band is Guardians Of The Flame (obviously named after Virgin Steele's second album). I contacted Jack Starr and he answered all my questions very willingly.

Q. Hello Jack, it's nice to see you are back in business!

A. Hello Harry! Thanks for your interest in the cd and the new band, I am very happy to be signed to CultMetal and to be a part of the metal scene again, so now I will answer your questions.

Q. Before we talk about your new album, would you like to tell me some things about your new band? When were Guardians Of The Flame formed and what led you to forming this band?

A. Guardians of the Flame was formed in 2001 but this lineup was formed 8 months ago. The reason why I started the band was that I was tired of living in the past and never having anything new to play even for myself, I wanted to be a part of the metal world again and I also saw that the kind of music that I helped start in the early eighties was having some popularity again with bands like Hammerfall and Rhapsody and I thought if the fans like them. Maybe they will also like me and my new band. I hope I am right!

Q. Why did you choose the title of the second Virgin Steele album as band name?

A. I choose the title of the second Virgin Steele record because I thought of it in 1983 and I think it s a good name. And it means a lot to me, the act of guarding a flame is to believe in something and want to preserve it and that is how I feel about metal.

Q. Can you give me some information about the other band members? What is their musical background?

A. The guys in the band have all been around the block, they have all played in many bands but e still have much enthusiasm and most of all they are nice guys. Shmoulik the singer was in Picture and the Rods and he reminds me al lot of Dio and that is a good thing. The drummer Joe Hasselvander is a madman who likes horror movies, girls that look like Vampires and has played in Raven, Cathedral and the doom rock band Pentagram. Joe plays like Cozy Powell and that is a good thing too, but he also has his own style which is pretty wild, he is not like the drummers of today. The bass player Ned is great and the nicest guy I have ever worked with, he never has anything bad to say about anybody and he plays great, a little bit like Steve Harris and Joey Demaio, he was playing with Joe Lynn Turner. It was easy to find them because I had already played with them in a band, so I called them and I asked them if they would want to do this again. I was very pleased that they all said yes.

Q. When did you start working on the songs? Are you responsible for all the music and the lyrics?

A. I have been working on these songs for about 3 years and one of them I used to play with Chris Collins who was the first lead singer of Guardians of the Flame. He helped me write "Conspiratos Sanctos". I wrote almost everything, words and music, except of "Conspiratos" and the song "Sharon of the Woods", where everyone in the band contributed.

Q. Do you think that "Under A Savage Sky" can compete with the new and modern releases of today or that it may sound a bit too old-fashioned for young metallers?

A. I think that Under a Savage Sky can compete with the younger bands, why not, I think that some of those bands are great, but in France, the country of my birth, we have a saying: "In an old pot you can make the best soup". So I like to think that I am an old pot and I will make some good soup for everyone to enjoy! I hope this saying makes sense in another language and this is why I love the bands like Manowar and Saxon etc. that are still going strong I am happy that my playing has roots and I hope to continue in this style and compared to some of the bands that are still playing. I am not that old a pot (laughs)!

Q. Your record company is the Greek Cult Metal Classics. It is a small label, isn't it? Didn't you have any offers from bigger labels?

A. I love being on CultMetal because we have very close communication and I can talk to the owners of the label Chris and Manos often and we can talk about plans and ideas to make things happen and reach the next level. Yes I had two offers from much bigger labels but I though why do I want to be on a label with 50 bands, they won't be able to give me any time or attention and I will be just a number to them so I decided to sign with Cultmetal and now we can both become big together!

Q. How did you come in contact with them? Are you satisfied by the work they are doing for you?

A. I met Chris and Manos on the internet and I am totally satisfied with the hard work and strong direction that they have given to my band and this cd. In other words they KICK ASS.

Q. What are your memories from the early Virgin Steele years? What's your opinion of the albums Virign Steele recorded after your departure?

A. I have good memories of the early days of Steele and some of the albums I think are good especially "Invictus" which sounds a lot like Manowar, which is the reason why I like it. I also like some songs of "Noble Savage".

Q. Considering that you began your music career in the glorious (for metal) eighties, can you compare the metal scene of the past to the one of today?

A. I think that the metal scene of today is great and as good as the eighties, especially in Europe.

Q. Can you name five albums that will accompany you even to your death?

A. The albums that I love are anything by Stevie Ray Vaughn, Led Zeppellin, Queen and the classical music of Pachabel and Albioni.

Q. Will you tour for the promotion of this album? Are there any dates confirmed?

A. There are no tour dates confirmed but I will be making an appearance at Bang YOur Head. We will try to plan some other shows once we sign with a booking agent for Europe.

Q. You probably know that there is a strong fan base for epic metal here in Greece. Are you going to come here for a show any time in the future?

A. I know that the epic metal scene in Greece is big and that is a great reason to come over and I think that soon this will happen, especially if the cd does well and people begin to hear it so I am hoping to come over. I have never visited Greece and there is so much I would like to see and experience and while I am there I would like to play a little guitar too.

Q. Well, that's it. Is there anything else you would like to add?

A. In closing I would like to say thank you to all the fans who have not forgotten about me and my promise is to continue to make honest music that comes from my soul and heart. To the Greek metal fans thank you for keeping the flame of true metal burning.