I was a bit apprehensive about meeting Bullet for My Valentine. It was, (as I found out and easily guessed) the hottest day of the Mayhem tour for not just them but every band on the bill.  And hailing from Wales, I knew that this was not anything close to what they would be used playing or even BREATHING in. Coupled with the media frenzy, radio station DJ’s, and fans buzzing around them backstage, I wondered how one man representing one website would be received by one of the biggest and most successful metal bands in the world.

As I sat down with guitarist Michael “Padge” Paget, I was pleasantly surprised to find him humble and appreciative even as I so unprofessionally spoke my admiration for their work. He was, in short, a joy to speak with.

Sean: Having toured in North America a number of times, have you noticed any inherit differences between American Fans and the U.K. fans of heavy music?

Michael: I think everyone who loves heavy music just loves heavy music. The fans react differently depending on what venue we are playing in. For example in an amphitheater such as this (Cricket Pavilion) the fans seem more reserved because of the seats. But when we play smaller venues and clubs people seem to go crazy, there seems to be more energy.

Sean: Has the heat been a factor today? How is the band dealing with it?

Michael: To be totally honest none of us are looking forward to tonight’s show because of the weather. We will get through it I know, and we are very grateful for the fans to endure this heat with us, but we still have to be careful.

Sean: How do you have to be careful?

Michael: We just have to drink more water than beer tonight and hope nobody passes out on stage. (Laughs)

Sean: Scream, Aim, Fire is well very made record. Who did you work with as far as production is concerned?

Michael: We worked with Colin Richardson. He has worked with us before on our EP and on The Poison, so we tried to get him back to work with us on this record. He mixes very well with the band in both a personal and professional sense.

Sean: Why does Colin work so well with you?

Michael: He really helps craft the sound. When he came in he didn’t really mess with our overall ideas, he wanted to polish up what we have and make it sound the best it can. He always has good ideas, and will also suggest a riff here and there, but he keeps the integrity of what we want.

Sean: With this particular tour (the Mayhem Festival) who do you consider your peers?

Michael: We really enjoy everyone on the tour, but we have become very good friends with Killswitch Engage. As a band we remember sitting back with their first and second albums with Howard Jones and that’s all we listened to for weeks. They just crushed everything. They have always been really supportive of us. Them and of course Slayer!

Sean: There seems to be an unspoken comradely between people and bands that love heavy music. Being part of such a heavy tour is it more prevalent here?

Michael: I think so. This is such a package tour; you have a lot of bands that don’t sound just like Slayer. But everyone here loves heavy much of all kinds, so the response has been great. Nobody has been booed off stage yet. (laughs)

The band themselves might have just as easily been wearing tuxedos instead of the camo shorts and shirts with the sleeves cut off with the air of dignity and class they carried. They might do that someday, but certainly not at a show during summertime in Arizona. I am happy to report that the band’s performance went off without a hitch despite the weather, and that they are embarking on another tour after the Mayhem festival has ended.

For more info on Bullet For My Valentine visit their myspace page – www.myspace.com/bulletformyvalentine