Ronny Munroe lead vocalist for Metal legends Metal Church sat down for a interview with THE METAL PIT to discuss all things Ronny including his solo release THE FIRE WITHIN which is available now.
 

Metal Pit : How would you describe your solo release?

Ronny Munroe:   

A labor of love, soul and spirit.
I am very proud of The Fire Within and I think it is a very solid first effort!

Metal Pit :   You cover the classic "Man on the Silver Mountain" Why did you pick that song to cover?

RM:         It was the first song to make me want to be a singer/frontman  That great riff and of course Ronnie James Dio's voice blew me away and from that moment on I wanted to be a singer.

Metal Pit :       Why did you decide to do a solo release?

RM:               It was the right time,,with Metal Church on hiatus and the lack of touring because of that,,i wanted to finally get the voices out of my head and to the fans!

Metal Pit :      How much touring will you be doing in support of this album?

RM:             As much as I can,,I will go where ever people want me too,,thats what you do when you release a record,,you tour on it as much as possible!!

Metal Pit :   Is there any different approach for yourself with this cd since its your name on the cover and not Metal Church?

RM:         Not really,,I always approach recording very seriously and with a lot of fire regardless because it doesn't matter who I'm singing for at the time,,my name is going on it and people are gong to be able to listen to it for years to come, and it needs to be as good as possible!

Metal Pit :   How is this solo release different from a Metal church album?

RM:         Its a little darker, I am able to approach the subject matters a little differently and there my songs and co-written songs with good friends. And it's a bit faster paced then the Metal Church records I've done.

Metal Pit :    What are some of the lyrical topics you cover on this cd?

RM:         Politcs and religion, love and loss and just plain hard rock lyrics like you'll find in the song Ride Me!

Metal Pit :    You have a great voice and vocal range. What vocalists influenced you to be a singer?

RM:      Thank you very much,,,I would have to say  Dio, Dickinson, Halford Gillan, Perry and many more I listen to a lot of different stuff and try and take a little of each for inspiration !

Metal Pit :    You releasing a solo release does not mean the end of Metal church?

RM:   Not at all!  Metal Church will be around for a long time,,we just all have to do other things, other projects to keep busy,,you can only play the same clubs so many times.

Metal Pit :  Metal Church has been around for a long time now and you are the 3rd singer over the Metal Church career.  How was it to follow in the footsteps of the late David Wayne and Mike Howe?

RM:         First off,,I have much respect for both previous singers , who were great in there own ways. As far as following in there footsteps,,I never really thought about that, that much! I have been around a long time and I knew I was prepared long before Kurdt asked me to join. But I do try to sing the old songs as close to the original as possible out of respect to Mike and Dave and the fans.

Metal Pit :   When you did your first concert as Metal Church vocalist were you nervous and or what were you feeling before
going on stage?

RM:          I don't get nervous, I get excited and I was very excited at the first gig,,it was in Olympia Washington at a little bar and we went in under the name Mental Curse . I'm still excited every time we hit the stage.

Metal Pit :   What do you do to prepare yourself before going on stage for a concert?


RM:       I scream a little,,have a glass of wine and then go out and do it!

Metal Pit :     Do you now get nervous at all about performing live?

RM:         No ,,I just get excited and I try and get the audience excited as well!

Metal Pit :      Do you have any favorite Metal Church songs you love to perform over others?

RM:            I think ,,Gods of Wrath and Badlands,,I really like to perform those.

Metal Pit :     What other metal vocalists out there now do you admire, whether for their singing ability or their stage presence?

RM:          Right now I'm listening to the new Heaven and Hell,,its great,,Dio sounds better than ever and there's a guy with killer stage presence
he commands  the crowds attention! Also,,dickinson and Halford have that dominating presence as well.

Metal Pit :    Thank you for doing this interview. Any closing thoughts to your fans out there?  

RM:         Thank you,,To all the fans I'd like to say ,,thank you for your support, pick up The Fire Within and we will see you on the road soon!!

Metal Horns/ Ronny

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Ronny Munroe Myspace     www.myspace.com/ronnymunroe
Metal Church Myspace       www.myspace.com/metalchurch
Metal Church Website      www.metalchurchmusic.com

     SIG