Hammer caught up with Vinnie Paul as Hellyeah just finish their US touring with Disturbed and Avenged Sevenfold.

How are things going for Hellyeah?
Vinnie Paul: “Things are going great. We just finished a US tour and we did a quick trip to Europe which was a blast. We played all the major festivals and did Sonisphere and Download for the second time. The fans really embraced us and they were really good to us. We just got back from Australia and it went really well. We’re out on tour with Avenged Sevenfold and Disturbed right now and this runs until October. The first show was completely sold out. The record debuted at number eight on Billboard which is great for any kind of hard rock band in the States right now, so we’re really proud of that. We’re doing a big festival in Japan on the 16th of October, and then we’re coming back to Europe, supporting a big band that are a pretty good size over there. I can’t say who it is right now, but we’ll be back and hopefully we’ll be back again next summer for the big festivals and things will be even better for us every time we go back.”

Do you feel like you’re keeping the Pantera flag flying in your new band?
Vinnie Paul: “We really feel like Hellyeah has its own sound, but it does continue the tradition and vibe of what we did in Pantera. I really, really enjoy playing with these guys and we get on great and I think we’re gonna have a long career, man. I’m really excited about building this thing from the ground up again. And this is the hardest drinkin’ band I’ve ever known! Ha ha ha!”