Tag Archive: 2023


https://adifferentcloud.bandcamp.com/album/sult

Tomasz Radzikowski is a guitarist, vocalist and founder of the band SPIRIT’S WAY. But that’s not all. He is also a good friend of the Golden Age Of Metal site. A few years ago he gave me an interview that appeared on this blog and even wrote a few essays. Tomasz is working on the new album of his formation, and for this reason I took the liberty of asking him a few questions about the upcoming material.

Hello Tomasz. It’s been quite some time since our last conversation. It was in 2016, shortly after the release of the album “Devoid of Morality”.
How do you remember the time after the release of this album?

  • Hi! Indeed, the years fly by, and we are still at the post. The album you mentioned brought us many changes, I have great memories of all that time… concerts: in Germany, in Poland, but above all this album opened new doors for us and thanks to that, we had the opportunity and pleasure to play on big stages with many great bands. I have to admit that I didn’t use the full potential of this album, because somewhere along the way, during the promotion of the “Devoid of morality” concerts, there was an offer to play in another band, which in retrospect turned out to be a huge mistake … one can be tempted to compare that I traded a Bentley for a bike, but who doesn’t make mistakes. There are still many projects ahead of me, which makes me happy, but I decided to return to Spirits Way, my most important child, to show my sharp fangs again…

It’s been a few years, you moved to England if I’m not mistaken, and now you’re getting ready to release new Spirit’s Way material. Can you tell us why you moved here and what are you doing in the UK?

  • As far as my private reasons are concerned, first of all, the longing for freedom and the possibility of making dreams come true, which somehow become easier here … but as I mentioned before, I got a proposal to play in a project that was to be stationed in London, and one day I packed my suitcase and went to be a part of this creation, which ended up just composing and recording an album. Then our paths parted…

Have you been composing new music over the last few years, or did you just get off your feet recently before a scheduled session?

  • I composing stuff all the time, whether it’s for myself and ends in a drawer or for other bands or artists, but there was a breakthrough moment when I said to myself that it’s time to do something for my band … I met the right man (Shaun Black – drums) who I was very motivated and we set off to work together. Our history is very similar as we had the opportunity, but not the pleasure, to play together in the aforementioned project.

What does Spirit’s Way lineup look like today?

  • Invariably, I run this ship, and Shaun Black (drums) joined me. We had plenty of time to “get in” in the rehearsal room…then we started composing material for the follow-up to “Devoid Of Morality”. The rest of the line-up will join us at the shows and forgive me, but I won’t tell you who it is yet.

On the band’s social media, there have recently been short teasers, where you revealed the distinguished guests who are taking part on the album. These are known and interesting people on the metal scene. Can you tell us something about how you came to work with Dave Suzuki, whom everyone knows from Vital Remains’ divine riffs?

  • Correct ! Dave and I have known each other for a good few years, he has always shown great warmth towards me and the whole Spirits Way. He is absolutely, one hundred percent, a professional, a great musician and friend … after years it was appropriate to ask if he would like to play a few notes on our new album and he answered yes and with great pleasure! I must admit that Dave Suzuki is one of the guitarists who have inspired me for years and whose music is important to me. It is a great honor and distinction that we can collaborate with such a musician, because he is also a great inspiration for Shaun.

The next guests are the well-known Polish singer for band Symbolical, Paweł “Cymer” Cymerman and, unfortunately I do not know much about, Amira Gaafar. “Cymer” needs no introduction, but tell me what he was doing there, and tell me more about Amira.

  • What should I say? The invited guests are not only great musicians who enrich the music, but also my friends with whom we have known for years. Recently I had the pleasure to play a solo on the song “Dark Urizen” on the new Symbolical album, and then it was time for Cymer’s do the vocals in my humble home. We played many concerts with Paweł and we support each other for years. It’s the same with Amira, a very talented singer and a great friend! We are very happy that we managed to get together, a bunch of old buddies to do something together … thank you again!

There’s another revealed guest, Jim Ross. A guy who plays in countless bands, small and big (live guitar with Nader Sadek). How did the cooperation come about?

  • None of the elements are accidental … with Jim we also played, me and Shaun, in the great Bandwhore project, bringing together absolutely outstanding musicians from the metal scene from around the world, including Derek Roddy, Steven Tucker, James Murphy etc. Inviting Jim was an absolutely natural decision and I could say only good words about this man! Great musician and great friend!

If I’m thinking right, these guys are only on single tracks, so the guitars and vocals on the album are still your domain?

  • That’s right… everyone got their space to color the song with their phrase. On this record, I not only do all the guitars and vocals, but also the bassline….

At what stage of work on the new album are you at the moment?

  • We have such a comfortable situation that no one is rushing us. I would like the music on this album to have some space for breath and we are working on many elements so that the final effect is satisfactory for us. We are getting closer to the end step by step. We’ve got a lot of work behind us. Already at this stage I can say that I am very proud.

Can you reveal where and with whom this material is recorded? (what studio, producer, producer, etc.)

  • Production is handled by Shaun Black (drums), who owns Hybrid Studio. This is a comfortable and new situation for me, when the musician also sits behind the sliders … the atmosphere during the recording is very important to me and Shaun, by recording and producing this album, puts his whole heart into it! He is absolutely passionate about what he does, thanks to which we get along perfectly on a musical and friendly level.

What can we expect from Spirit’s Way’s new album and when is it scheduled for release?

  • Death metal! Sounds that are the result of our inspirations … I decided, despite the long-chosen direction, to open up to new suggestions, which will result in a great wall of sound, where there will be what I love in music. We have the pleasure of working with Teufelszeug Records, with whom we signed a new contract … they do not put pressure on us, which is very important to me. The company’s commanders: Manja and Marko are very fine people who will definitely make the right decision regarding a specific publishing plan. We are waiting for all sessions in the studio to be completed and then it’s downhill from there….

What are your expectations and plans after the release?

  • I don’t have many expectations … nothing comes for free, we will earn everything with our work. Together with our Label, we are ready for great things! As for the plans, I adopted the rule to work in silence and then “brag about” the effect … and I can only say that it will happen!

Tomasz, thanks for your answers and your time. Finish the album as soon as possible and the last words are yours.

  • Thank you for the interview ! Spirits Way is back and doing well… it’s never been better. Horns up!