KILL SCREEN 067: Angry Video Game Nerd James Rolfe of REX VIPER Is Happy to Talk Metal

After nearly three years of being the most niche column in both metal and gaming, a long overdue upgrade is finally ready. Though we are proud of the literal hundreds of thousands of words brought to you since we launched, it is time to take the very daunting step of entering the fourth dimension. Starting today, all Kill Screen interviews will be offered up as videos on the Decibel YouTube channel (what, you didn’t know we had one?), giving you a complete view of the full-blown nerdery that the extreme music community can no longer deny. We’re equal parts excited and nervous to start this journey, but we couldn’t have a better guest to welcome us at the door to this algorithmic hell: Rex Viper rhythm guitarist and the Angry Video Game Nerd himself, Mr. James Rolfe.

For almost two decades, Rolfe has remained a mainstay on the platform in the house of Google. His trademark frown, ’80s wood-paneled set and legendarily foul mouth have been shared and reshared millions of times over. Following his initial videos lambasting NES titles Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, he has cultivated a career celebrating and jeering the retro games and movies that he grew up with. It was the pandemic, however, that gave him the opportunity to explore another love of his—music. Years of worshipping bands like Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Metallica and Iron Maiden lead Rolfe to supplement his Nintendo zapper with a mighty axe, forming hard rock act Rex Viper in the process. During our conversation with Rolfe, we explored his metal roots, his tolerance for extremity, what’s in store for his new project and the age of nostalgia in which we live.

Welcome to Kill Screen v. 2.0, and welcome… to die!

The post KILL SCREEN 067: Angry Video Game Nerd James Rolfe of REX VIPER Is Happy to Talk Metal appeared first on Decibel Magazine.