HELLYEAH's TOM MAXWELL On Latest Lineup Changes: 'We Can't Let Somebody Else's Decline Drag Us Down'

Artisan News recently conducted an interview with HELLYEAH members Tom Maxwell (guitar) and Chad Gray (vocals). You can now watch the report below.

Asked what the hardest part was about making HELLYEAH's fourth studio album, "Blood For Blood", Maxwell said: "The hardest part was the emotional drama we had to go through with parting ways with two members and trying to hold it together, you know, emotionally. Musically, it kind of fell into our lap. That was, honestly, the easiest part — writing it. I think just getting through the turmoil to get to the point of being able to actually go in and make the record and see it through was the hardest part."

Regarding whether the departure of guitarist Greg Tribbett and bassist Bob "Zilla" Kahaha was caused by personal or musical differences, Maxwell said: "It was just personal stuff. Both of those guys just had some stuff going on that was distracting, some more severe than the other, and it just got to a point where it was just a toxic situation, and it could have broken us up, actually. And I think it was our love and respect for each other — between myself and Chad and [drummer] Vinnie [Paul Abbott] — that… We said, 'Hey, this is bigger than any individual. We need to, kind of, pull the reins in, tighten up and really make this happen for us. We can't let somebody else's decline and downward spiral drag us down along with it.' So it was that. I'm not gonna into absolute specifics of that stuff. It just got to a point where it just wasn't working anymore. We couldn't move forward together." Gray added: "People reprioritize their lives every day. And just one day, somebody woke up and this wasn't the most important thing. And understandably. But it was ours."

"Blood For Blood" is likely to sell between 13,000 and 15,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to industry web site Hits Daily Double. The estimate was based on one-day sales reports compiled after the record arrived in stores on June 10 via Eleven Seven. The chart will be unveiled on Wednesday, June 18.

HELLYEAH's third studio album, "Band Of Brothers", opened with 19,000 units back in July 2012 to debut at position No. 19 on The Billboard 200 chart.

The band's sophomore CD, "Stampede", registered a first-week tally of 28,000 copies back in July 2010 to enter the chart at No. 8.

HELLYEAH's self-titled debut CD premiered with 45,000 units in April 2007 to land at No. 9.

"Blood For Blood" was helmed by producer Kevin Churko at his The Hideout Recording Studio in Las Vegas, Nevada. Churko is the Canadian musician, sound engineer, songwriter and record producer who has previously worked with OZZY OSBOURNE, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH and IN THIS MOMENT, among other acts.

HELLYEAH has recruited new bassist Kyle Sanders, a former member of BLOODSIMPLE and the brother of MASTODON's Troy Sanders. Also in the current lineup is touring guitarist Christian Brady. who has previously played with MAGNA-FI and FRANKY PEREZ & THE TRUTH.

A press release describes "Blood For Blood" as a "welcome return to form" for the band, adding that it "sounds like a recharged HELLYEAH, taken up many notches."