Interview with Vocalist Nick Marino of NZM

September 22, 2025

Interview with Vocalist Nick Marino of NZM

By Mick Michaels

Cosmick View: Hello, Nick, and welcome to The Cosmick View. Thanks for taking some time out of your day to speak with us. It's greatly appreciated.

CV: How do you bridge the gap between your classical music background and your love for modern rock music, specifically Power Metal? How does it influence your writing style, and what do you feel it offers you uniquely?

Nick Marino: Thanks for having me on Cosmick View. I truly appreciate it.

Classical music certainly has a big influence on my writing style, especially in chord progression.

My original love is blues and hard rock but a combination of these two styles is a spontaneous formula that always results in a solid song. Classical musicians, such as Bach snd Beethoven, were actually the rock stars of their centuries. A classical progression with a blues and pentatonic scale always produces an exciting track.

CV: With such a strong classical training and performance resume, when did you realize rock music is what you really wanted to do? What was the catalyst?

NM: I realized it was what I wanted to do when I was 12 years old . A Deep Purple album, made in Japan, and Led Zeppelin III and IV, forever put me on the path of rock music.

CV: Tell us a little about your new single and video, "No Way in Hell."

NM: I’m very proud of our latest release. Musically, it’s one of the most inspiring and best performances. The song is about the couple that had an amazing relationship in the beginning but, as time passes, their egos and urge for control prevails. In the cutting edge video editing, I used the real band members but also had the help of AI in creating a very realistic 18th century time period with characters that resemble myself, and my wife.

The entire video resembles an Oscar winning Hollywood movie that features the NZM band members and our song in a dramatic 18th century love saga.

It’s t truly an exciting video….

CV: Looking back over your NZM catalog, beginning with your solo effort, "Freedom Has No Price," to the present release with "No Way in Hell," what do you consider to be a major turning point in your musical career in terms of songwriting?

NM: The major turning point was definitely when I toured with Yngwie Malmsteen in 2005. His style in many ways mirrored my aspirations.

CV: As there are often times when an artist can find that they're beginning to repeat themselves, how do you keep the music you write fresh?

NM: I am always in search of a new chord progression and unusual melodies in combination with the newest guitar riffs and drum beats.

CV: What's your thoughts on artists and bands currently relying on backing tracks to keep the live performances going? Many critics believe it's a slap in the face to fans. What do you think?

NM: I prefer that everything is live even if the band needs to hire an additional guitar or keyboardist.

CV: As an artist, songwriter. composer, is AI something the music industry should be fearful of, or should it be embraced as another tool to help creativity prosper?

NM: For the videos - yes, but using it to replace live singing and recording, definitely - no.

CV: What more can fans expect to see coming from you and NZM in the remainder of 2025 and beyond?

NM: A new NZM ball ad album will be available by the end of this year. Then we will be releasing our next album in 2026. There will be a lot of shows in between.

CV: Thanks again, Nick, for taking the time to share with our readers. We wish you all the best and continued success.

NM: Thank you and to all of our fans, “Rock On”!

Check out NZM at:

Official: https://www.nzmband.com/

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My name is Mick Michaels...I'm an artist, music fan, songwriter, producer, author, show host, big dreamer and guitarist for the traditional Heavy Metal band Corners of Sanctuary. Writing has always been a creative outlet for me; what I couldn't say in speech, I was able to do with the written word. Writing has given me a voice and a way for me to create on a multitude of platforms including music and song, articles, independent screenplays, books and now, artist interviews. The Cosmick View is an opportunity to raise the bar and showcase artists in a positive and inspirational light. For me, it's another out-of-this-world adventure.