Interview with Seven Kingdoms: A Discussion About Things Other Than The Square
With The Square—their upcoming 5-track EP set to release on November 8th through Reigning Phoenix Music—Seven Kingdoms continues to push boundaries in power / thrash metal. In this interview, we dive deeper than the usual questions, exploring everything from the standout moments in the album's creation to the personal challenges that shape their music. Here’s what Seven Kingdoms had to say about the making of The Square, their inspirations, and the stories behind their sound.
Power Metal often revolves around themes of strength and perseverance. What's a personal challenge each of you overcame that influences the energy you bring to your music?
Personally and on behalf of Kevin too, we both went through some pretty drastic weight loss journeys, so building the discipline that it takes to do that, for sure brushed off on other areas of our lives. I also deal with a lot of stress being a TM for a lot of bands and being on the road handling a lot of logistics and financial things. Just putting your head down and getting it done, while taking the good and the bad is a way to build a better character. Learning to deal with things without getting emotional about it is quite hard, but, the more you handle and get through, the easier it gets to take on more. I think that this brushes off on our lives with music especially because we have the get it done attitude and are able to remain more stoic about situations that may arise that become challenging. A lot of our music talks about getting through things and coming out the other side victorious.
Power Metal has a reputation for bringing fans together. What's one of the most memorable fan interactions you've had that made you feel like your music really connected?
There is a lot of times where people come up to us and mention that they were going through a bad spot in their life and they listened to our music and it gave them hope, or the strength they needed to get through it. They come out on the other side better. Lots of stories like that, and it’s just wonderful to hear that the music is able to help peoples lives get through things. It’s a very rewarding thing to hear.
If you had to pick a favourite Power Metal anthem from another band, which song speaks to you the most, and why does it resonate with your own musical journey?
There are actually so many great songs, but the ones that you wake up singing, and not even trying to remember them, but then they are there, are the ones I really enjoy. The Earworm type songs that you cant get out of your head I have tremendous respect for. Even if it doesn’t click the first time but you end up humming it out of the blue one day. Thats when it’s connected with you in a way ive tried to learn to notice. Its something we try to bring across with our music and hope that the fans find some songs that are like this with our material.
Many Power Metal bands draw from history as much as fantasy. Is there a particular time period or historical figure you’d like to explore in your future work?
We have touched on some historical stuff previously. I think mainly we stick to kinda sci-fi stuff now, but look to some old things, or periods for artistic inspiration, kinda like the Egyptian theme on the cover of the new EP, The Square.
You get one venue anywhere in the world to play a 'bucket list' show. Where is it, and why would it be the ultimate Power Metal experience for your fans?
I was just working for Wind Rose on the Powerwolf tour in Europe - I would really love to support a large band in an arena one day - it was a crazy experience to witness.
With your new EP about to release, was there a particular moment during recording or writing that felt like the true 'defining' point of the album's direction? What makes this album stand out from your previous work?
Honestly, most of the time, once the vocals get sketched out, thats when the song becomes ’the song’ as guitarists Kevin and I usually have an idea of what it could be, but historically once the vocals are done with Sabrina and Jim working on them, they really take shape and they come up with things we never even would have thought of. So thats a very important moment in all our previous releases, especially starting from Empty Eyes and on as we got more time to spend writing in a studio setting.
Power Metal bands have an amazing stage presence with their style. What is your inspiration for your on stage presence?
You must deliver an energetic show to the fans and lift them up with everything you do. That is our focus is just being in their faces as much as possible and interacting with them. Moving is important. If they leave entertained, then we did our job.
If Power Metal had a ‘hidden’ superpower that people don’t often talk about, what do you think it would be?
I think that it would be the power of the hook in the chorus. In Power Metal the chorus is probably the defining part of the song. If it’s not good then the song will flop in my opinion. Against all the other genres, I think that is where it stands out, so I guess that would be Power Metal’s Superpower.
A huge thank you to Seven Kingdoms for giving us a glimpse into the making of The Square and sharing the stories behind their music. Be sure to mark your calendars for the November 8th release, and don’t forget to save the album on your favourite streaming platform to be the first to experience this powerful new EP from Reigning Phoenix Music.
Make sure to come back here on the 8th as well to read my review of this powerful EP.