Photographer Michael Alago (Left - Photo by Isauro Cairo), whose other passions include music, art and literature, has recently released his newest book “Brutal Truth,” which is currently available on Amazon.com. This provocative 260-page collection of photographs highlights friends, models and bodybuilders in various stages of undress and arousal. The follow-up to his 2005 book “Rough Gods,” “Brutal Truth” represents the strength and honesty of Alago’s pictures through  raw, in-your-face machismo. Michael Alago, who had a career in the music business, recently opened up to Mark’s List about “Brutal Truth,” the male physique, nudity and working in the music industry.

Your new book “Brutal Truth” has recently been published. What can your audience expect to see in the book?

My audience can expect to see strong provocative portraits of the “Rough Gods” they know I love to shoot. There are some images of men with flowers and peppered in the book are some cool poems I wrote. Of course there are sexy nudes as well.

How does this book differ from “Rough Gods”?

“Rough Gods” was like the little engine that could: Soft cover 65 pages, really cool. It got my name out there. It was my first book and first step in my new life after reinventing myself as a photographer after years in the music business. The new book is published by German publishing house, Bruno Gmunder, and it’s 260 pages of full-color images that are strong, extremely erotic and in-your-face.

What does the title of the book represent?

“Brutal Truth” represents the strength and honesty of my pictures: hard, masculine, pecs, muscles, dick, eye contact.

How would you describe your style?

Handsome, but horny, portraiture.

How did you decide on which places to shoot these provocative photos?  Are you trying to tell a story with each different scene?

I like shooting outdoors because anywhere is a possible backdrop—from a flowering park, to a garden, to a beautifully distressed wall. Any place that gives off a bit of an atmosphere, has character or tells a story attracts me.

Does the pictorial have an overall theme? 

The overall theme in my pictures is pure sexy portraiture—a celebration of masculinity.

What was the criteria for the models for this shoot? Do you have a favorite type of model?

I like to meet the men I shoot in advance to get a vibe for what they are like. I like strong personalities who are sure of themselves and why they want to be in front of the camera. I am attracted to big men, redheads and all types of big built guys—from football players to professional bodybuilders, and swarthy guys covered in tattoos, scars and hair to the pure white porcelain skin of redheads.

Do you have a part of a model you prefer to shoot over others? 

I like pec shots with huge nipples, but overall I like the entire man in a picture. Big cocks are a plus.

Is there a level of shock value with these photos? Do you hope the photos make people think about sexuality and nudity in a different way?

I am not looking to shock the audience. What I hope is that those who look at my work see that I love the male physique and are open to nudity and great photographs with the occasional fetish shot thrown in for excitement. I really hope that people get over being afraid of male nudity and soon.

Do you think society’s view on sexuality and nudity has changed over the last 10-20 years, or do you think there will always be some level of “taboo” involved?

I think its amazing that women can be nude, and also with other women; but the moment a male nude is presented, especially a male nude with big erect nipples or huge uncut cock, they are taken aback and get all nervous when all it’s just the beautiful human body in all its shapes, sizes and variations. I would hope every great nude would put a smile on your face, or get you thinking, or hard, or wet, or even getting off looking at it.

What is your personal view on nudity and provocative imagery?

I love nudity in all its forms from elegant to pornographic. The human body excites me all of the time for a myriad of reasons—from the beauty of a muscled physique to the frank eroticism of a hard cock.

What was the process like signing Metallica? Do you still keep in touch with the members? 

I am a big music fan. I love all types of music, but heavy metal has always been a favorite. I love the noise. I love the sweat. I love the smell of beer and that the audience is almost all leather clad young men bonding to the music. I always found that so sexy to be a part of.  And I have fuckin' excellent instincts! I saw them and instantly fell in love with them as men and musicians. I knew they were going to be huge. I signed them to Elektra records. The rest is Rock history! Yes, I am still in touch with them. Just saw them in LA a couple months ago at a massive thrash concert.

How do you think the music industry differs now from back then? Are there any artists out there that you just can't get enough of?

The internet changed everything in the music business. The major labels didn’t pay attention. The internet fucked them up. The companies are still trying to apply old templates and methods to the selling of albums, when there is this brave new world out there of websites, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube—everything viral. Very DIY for new bands and that’s a great thing! I was signing artists from 1983 to 2004 and had a blast doing it and being involved with artist development, but it’s a different world today. As far as artists I like, I have been listening a lot to Bettye Lavette's new CD, “Interpretations: The British Rock Songbook.” It’s raw and intense very cinematic.

You are involved with photography, music and literature—a true artist.  What’s next in your journey as an artist?

Yes, I work on all three things—photography, music and literature, but it’s all part of one life, so I make it all work and it’s a beautiful thing. So right now I am out there promoting my “Brutal Truth.” I will go to London soon to read from my poetry book, “Night Blooming Jasmine” on one night and sign copies of “Brutal Truth” the following night at the hot gay Soho shop, Prowler on June 23rd.  I am currently hoping I get the next music project I want—an awesome hard rock/heavy metal artist. It's all good.

More about the artist:

Michael Alago is the quintessential New Yorker with an “only in New York” career. From booking bands at the legendaryEighties East Village rock club the Ritz (now Webster Hall) to famously signing metal gods Metallica and executive-producing Nina Simone’s final album to shooting some of the hottest roughnecks on the planet, Alago’s story is driven by creativity, instinct and guts. For more about Michael Alago please visit www.roughgods.com