Grigoris Chronis from www.Metal-Temple.com recently conducted an interview with TOKYO BLADE's mastermind Andy Boulton. The entire interview can be found here.

Some excerpts are below:

Metal Temple: We listened to a new TOKYO BLADE song during your gig in Athens, "Rip It Up". Should we start to expect a new TB release in the near future? Is there any news regarding this ’topic’?

Andy Boulton: "Indeed, after the tour and after the winter holidays we will begin writing and recording a new album to hopefully be out sometime in 2009. We already have bits and pieces we have begun working on that are right out of the Night Of The Blade-era but will also have a heavier modern Metal side to it as well...no one will be disappointed!"

Metal Temple: It was announced you’d release a solo CD and an instructional DVD, too. What happened regarding these releases? Do you have any idea when we’ll enjoy new music from Andy Boulton, anyway?

Andy Boulton: "The instructional DVD is out, I’m not sure exactly where it is available but I do know that it is out there but is more about basic guitar than on how to play old Blade songs. My solo album, Why Me?, is also available, there are links on the Tokyo Blade and Razar Ice Records MySpace pages. And has been delivered to iTunes, Napster, Rhapsody and many other online outlets and should be available online shortly."

Metal Temple: Was it on purpose that fans of the band did not have sufficient information regarding the band’s status the last (many) years? Really, what were your thoughts for Tokyo Blade’s existence/future? You’ve been in the music business for 25+ years now. What’s the motive for still playing music?

Andy Boulton: "Well, I am a musician, I teach music for a living but the reason for bringing Tokyo Blade back is explained above. The reason there was no information is that there was none to give, the band was over, I had lost interest in keeping the band going due to past issues until the fateful meeting with Bryan and the rest of the band which showed me that this could without a doubt be the viable and relevant touring and recording band I had always dreamed it could be and now is!"

Metal Temple: Do you feel - kind of - embarrassed when fans ask mainly for songs off the band’s first two albums? You feel Tokyo Blade had lack of promotion for the rest of their discography (you know, many fans interested in TB may not be aware of some of your '90s works) or it was also something else goin’ on (e.g. a change in the songwriting patterns, new members etc)?

Andy Boulton: "Not at all, those songs are a part of their lives like THIN LIZZY songs are a part of mine. I am very grateful for the loyal support and for giving the new lineup such a warm embrace, I don’t believe anyone will be disappointed. The labels in the past without a doubt dropped the ball in many regards of promoting and supporting the band, the changes in the band didn’t help, I was just doing what I could to keep it going."