No Kings Allowed is set to unveil A New Era, an album that represents a bold new chapter for the band. Combining metalcore intensity, genre fusion, and powerful themes of resilience, A New Era promises a fresh, unifying sound.
1.
Congratulations on the upcoming release of A New Era! Can you share
what the title represents and why it feels like a new chapter for No Kings
Allowed?
A New
Era represents
both accepting what has come before and the determination to move forward.
Everyone reaches a point where they may feel stuck, and they have to decide how
to proceed. This album is a reflection of that pivotal moment.
Gold: This
album marks a fresh approach to our songwriting and band structure. The first
album was an experimental phase where we were finding our footing. For this
one, we finalized our lineup with a fantastic new drummer and a phenomenal
clean vocalist, which has really transformed our sound. With these changes and
our evolved sound, the name A New Era felt fitting.
White: For
me, A New Era symbolizes the fresh sound we’re creating. We're
truly developing a unique "No Kings Allowed" sound. We've moved from
a deathcore-heavy sound to more of a metalcore album, bringing in more
dynamics.
2. The
album blends elements of metalcore, deathcore breakdowns, hardcore energy, and
operatic vocals—quite a unique mix! How did you approach this genre fusion, and
what inspired this direction?
We start
writing songs by jamming along to a drum track, aiming not to end up with a
"riff salad." Inspiration mainly comes from our varied musical
influences. For this album, we wanted to push boundaries, combining elements
that sound great together to create something new. The process is like building
layers: starting with a basic instrumental, then adding vocals, and finally
weaving in orchestral elements and samples.
Gold: With
thousands of bands out there, creating a unique sound is a real challenge. Our
goal is to blend genres in a way that makes our music relatable to people
across genres, bringing listeners together. Music is powerful and uniting, and
we want everyone to feel like family, especially with the struggles going on in
the world today.
3. With
new members White and Orange joining on clean vocals and drums, respectively,
how has their addition influenced the band’s sound and dynamic?
Gold:
Orange is an incredibly skilled drummer who brings the strength and precision
we need, while White’s clean vocals add a new level of melody and emotion,
balancing out the heaviness of my vocals. As a band, we all get along really
well, and their addition has made us feel more complete.
White: I
initially came on board as a guest, but once the band heard my clean vocals and
saw how they added melody and dynamics, they invited me to join permanently. My
addition has helped shape NKA’s new sound, bringing more depth and versatility.
4. Your
music explores intense themes like fate, personal battles, and inner strength.
Are there specific life experiences or stories that inspired the lyrics
on A New Era?
Gold: Yes,
most of the lyrics come from my own struggles, battles, losses, and mental
health challenges. These songs are about facing fears and standing strong,
sometimes alone but often together. Other band members, like Red and Green,
also contributed their personal stories to some tracks, which added even more
depth.
White: The
lyrics deal with experiences and emotions that many people can relate to but
don’t often talk about. I believe it’s important to bring these themes to light
so people feel understood. Writing about these experiences has been
therapeutic, and I hope it resonates with listeners in a similar way.
5.
"Lion Eyes," "Rise Up," and "Garden of Eden" are
slated as radio tracks. What made these songs stand out for you, and how do
they represent the album as a whole?
These songs
give a strong impression of our new direction. Garden of Eden is
a more straightforward track, Rise Up has an anthemic, catchy
chorus, and Lion Eyes has a softer, more emotional feel. It
was challenging to pick singles because we felt there were so many gems on the
album.
Gold: Lion
Eyes was a clear choice because it showcases White’s vocals and
introduces his unique style. Rise Up is powerful both
musically and lyrically, encouraging listeners to stand united and overcome
challenges together. For Garden of Eden, it features some of Red
and Green’s favorite riffs, making it a natural choice.
White:
Personally, Lion Eyes is important to me as it was the first
track I wrote for the album, and it ultimately led to me joining the band. I
felt strongly that it should be a single because of its powerful theme and
memorable chorus.
6. Each
song on the album sounds like it carries its own identity and story. Was there
a track that was particularly challenging or rewarding to create?
The title
track, A New Era, was the most challenging and rewarding to
create. It was our first time incorporating acoustic guitars with a slower
tempo, but we didn’t want it to be too soft. We experimented, bringing in
Valerie to create the main vocal melody, White to add harmonies, and Gold to
add heavier screams and even a rap-style verse. Balancing all these elements
was tough, but in the end, we loved the result.
Gold:
Writing at such a fast pace was difficult, and I hit a writer’s block on
several tracks. A New Era stands out because of its unique
structure and emotional depth—it’s the ballad of the album.
White: I
enjoyed working on Violence. It captures a feeling of
powerlessness that transforms into anger. Although it’s intense, it’s about
expressing overwhelming feelings without causing harm.
7. A
powerful element in your music is the lyrical focus on unity and resilience.
How do you hope fans connect with these messages, especially during challenging
times?
Gold: All
these songs come from personal stories, and there were times when music was my
only support, giving me the strength to keep fighting. That’s what I want to
convey: you are not alone, and we understand what you’re going through. We want
our fans to know they are part of something—a big family that’s here for them
when times are tough.
White: I
hope that by discussing topics people often keep hidden, we can help listeners
feel understood. Sharing these themes openly can create a stronger connection
and sense of unity among listeners.
8. The
album is entirely self-produced. What were some of the most exciting and
challenging parts of handling production, mixing, and mastering yourselves?
Initially,
we planned to outsource the mixing and mastering, but things didn’t work out,
so we took it on ourselves. Everything was on track until early October, when
the band’s laptop and external hard drive crashed, and we lost all the project
files. Fortunately, we still had most of the original recordings, but we had to
start the mixing process from scratch with only three weeks left. It was
intense, but the accomplishment was rewarding.
Gold: You
should ask Red and Green about this—they handled so much of it. From the mixing
setbacks to retracking parts, it was a huge challenge, but we’re incredibly
proud of what we’ve created.
White: I
didn’t contribute much to the technical side; that’s largely thanks to Red.
9. No
Kings Allowed is known for its energetic and intense live performances. With
live shows on the horizon, what can fans expect from your performances of A
New Era?
Our first
shows in the Netherlands and Belgium are scheduled for December. We’re working
hard to deliver a powerful, high-energy show with a setlist that includes fan
favorites from both A New Era and Dethroned.
Gold: Fans
can expect an intense experience—moshing songs, high energy, and a killer show.
Be ready for a wild time!
White: Our
goal is for fans to lose themselves in the music, forget their worries, and
have an unforgettable experience.
10. The
band has a mysterious side, using masks and maintaining a certain aura. How do
you think this element of mystery impacts your music and connection with fans?
Gold: The
masks help us stand out and make it easier for fans to identify with us, as
they can project their own experiences onto us. Fans relate to us through
emotions rather than faces, which makes the connection more meaningful.
White: Not
knowing who’s behind the mask creates curiosity. It also speaks to a theme we
all share—how everyone wears a “mask” in life to hide parts of themselves. With
our masks, we’re sharing this message without hiding our true selves.
11. With
three vocalists adding layers to your sound, can you walk us through how you
approach vocal arrangements? How do you decide when and how to incorporate each
vocalist’s unique style?
On the
album, we have two tracks with three vocalists and others with two. Valerie
joined us as a guest vocalist, so White and Gold primarily share vocal duties,
with White handling most of the melodic parts and Gold taking the verses. We
approach each song individually to determine what works best.
Gold: As
the main lyric writer, I keep White’s style in mind and try to highlight our
different strengths. Typically, White handles the choruses, but we collaborate
to make each song unique.
White: We
each bring our own talents, and in live performances, we ensure everyone gets a
chance to shine. Each vocalist adds something distinct, creating a unique blend
in every song.
12.
Lastly, what do you hope listeners take away from A New Era, and
what’s next for No Kings Allowed as you embark on this new journey?
We hope
listeners have a unique experience with this album. It’s not just a collection
of songs but a cohesive story about facing challenges, finding strength, and
embracing new beginnings. Everyone has an “era” they need to move toward, and
we hope these songs can inspire that journey.
Gold: We
want listeners to feel connected, like they’ve found a place where they’re
understood. This album represents both our journey and the strength we see in
our fans.
White:
We’re beyond excited to perform live and connect with our fans face-to-face.
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