You think power metal is fun? And having fun is exactly what Heroes Of The Gauntlet are here for! Hailing from the North West of England, HOTG began as a solo project in December 2021 with the goal of combining heavy metal and video games. Since 2022, the group has expanded internationally. The band, which had members from Italy, the UK, Argentina, and the USA, aimed to fuse the strength of German metal bands like Blind Guardian and Gamma Ray with the symphonic epic silliness of Gloryhammer. Check out the exclusive interview below:
1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?
HEROES OF THE GAUNTLET: Sure. This started as a solo project in December 2021, in the North West of England. I (Marco) have been in several extreme metal bands since the late 90s, but after attending a live show by Alestorm + Gloryhammer I decided I wanted to play some power metal. I wrote down the first three songs (The Grand Magus, The Valkyrie Has Fallen, Heroes Of The Gauntlet) in a couple of weeks, but they needed a singer. I cheekily asked on the Gloryhammer subreddit whether Sozos (the current singer) or Chris (founder, songwriter and frontman of the pirate metal legends Alestorm) wanted to sing on a new song I had composed. Not surprisingly they did not reply, but a couple of members of the subreddit offered their voices. With Sy and David, along with Anna, Heroes Of The Gauntlet recorded and released the first song, The Queen’s Nest, in December 2022. However, collaborating online was very difficult and Heroes Of The Gauntlet were no more. With a couple of more songs ready (The Dryad’s Song, The Burning Temple Of Dur), I decided to reach out to Fofi from the Argentinian hard rock band Jesters & Klowns to record the vocals for what has now become our first EP, Tales From The Maze.
2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?
HEROES OF THE GAUNTLET: I am a classically trained guitarist, but I learned how to play electric guitar and bass by myself. In the 90s there was no YouTube and tutorials were not a thing! However, thanks to my classical training, I was able to become a sufficiently proficient musician. My songwriting is still rather naive, especially the orchestrations, but I consider this an advantage since it allows me to write some unusual arrangements.
3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘HEROES OF THE GAUNTLET?
HEROES OF THE GAUNTLET: I have been an Iron Maiden fan since the late 80s, and you can hear their influence on Heroes Of The Gauntlet and The Burning Temple Of Dur, which features galloping rhythms and twin guitars. Gloryhammer, Sabaton, Blind Guardian and Gamma Ray, along with classic acts like Rainbow and Dio, clearly left a mark in my musical development and are homaged in our songs. Another big influence, both musically and as a concept, was the videogame Gauntlet. Anna and I have spent hundreds of hours leading the four heroes into the depths of the endless maze (figuratively, it is just a game!) and when we started the project we thought it would be fun to have the videogame as the foundation of the lyrics and storytelling. And there is nothing better than Heroes Of The Gauntlet as our band name, right?
4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
HEROES OF THE GAUNTLET: This is one of those questions that I always find difficult to answer, because everybody reacts differently to the same song! But I think if you like epic atmospheres, movie soundtracks, captivating melodies and a great story narrated through tongue-in-cheek lyrics, you are going to love Heroes Of The Gauntlet. We don’t take ourselves too seriously, we think that music is fun and we want to give our listeners some happy times. With regards to our sound, it is symphonic power metal at its core, but with vocals in the lower register and quite classic metal oriented. Someone described us as the child of Sabaton and Rainbow, some said that we are an orchestral version of Blind Guardian, someone else categorised us as pop metal. So you are in for a trip!
5. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?
HEROES OF THE GAUNTLET: I wrote and arranged all the songs on Tales From The Maze. There are generally three phases involved. First, I come up with a riff on the guitar, then I layer the drums, and finally I write melodies and harmonies. I tend to write a whole song in a day or two, so I can give it a coherent structure. I let it sit there for a few days, and if I still like it I start working on the arrangement and, for Heroes Of The Gauntlet, compose the orchestrations. Sometimes I start with a very concrete idea; for example I wanted The Dryad’s Song to be a ballad about hope and friendship and I wrote each part with that concept in mind. I write the lyrics when the song is fully composed, and adapt them to the main melodies and mood.
6. Do you think is it important for fans of your music to understand the real story and message driving each of your songs, or do you think everyone should be free to interpret your songs in their own personal way?
HEROES OF THE GAUNTLET: We sing about a warrior, a valkyrie, an elf and a wizard fighting evil creatures controlled by a corrupted alien sorcerer… Nothing to interpret here, it’s just a classic adventure story! But if anyone comes up with their own theory as to why the wizard used fireballs when ice would be more effective, I am all ears. Jokes apart, while the lyrics are intentionally tongue-in-cheek, they tell an organic story which is also complemented by the musical themes. Going through the lyrics while listening to the album would definitely improve the overall experience and understanding of the whole concept.
7. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style?
HEROES OF THE GAUNTLET: To me it was the opposite, to the point that I still don’t know how to play the classics! My approach to music has always been “play what I feel I want to play”, and in my early days I would mix grunge with reggae, or black metal and pop music. But as I matured, I started to appreciate the importance of seminal bands and songs, and I think I have become a better music writer by understanding what makes those bands and songs so great. It came at the price of sacrificing unleashed creativity, but now my songs are more coherent and, why not, more pleasant to listen to.
8. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?
HEROES OF THE GAUNTLET: Music is the main outlet for my emotions and I write it for myself, first and foremost. So writing music gives me 100% fulfilment, it is like a highly effective treatment. Yes, the process can be frustrating -especially if you have to write, record, and fully produce an entire album- but extremely satisfying. Having said that, having fans showing some appreciation is priceless, and I really hope our songs will leave our listeners with a big smile on their face.
9. With social media having a heavy impact on our lives and the music business in general, how do you handle criticism, haters, and/or naysayers in general? Is it something you pay attention to, or simply ignore?
HEROES OF THE GAUNTLET: Fortunately or unfortunately, I got exposed to social media only in my 30s and I have to admit I am not a heavy user. I fully understand their role in promoting music and creating a fanbase, and for that reason every post has to tick some boxes and avoid generating an unhealthy discussion. Constructive criticism is not only welcome, but encouraged; there is no better way for an artist to improve and learn from previous mistakes. However, I can’t stand haters and naysayers who provide no reason for negative feedback or comments. Luckily, reactions have been very positive so far, and the small but growing fanbase has been extremely engaging.
10. Creative work in a studio or home environment, or interaction with a live audience? Which of these two options excites you most, and why?
HEROES OF THE GAUNTLET: They are both exciting. I love the creative process, but having even one person singing your song while you perform in a dirty pub is fantastic, too. But if I have to choose, I would say that interacting with a live audience is more satisfying and rewarding. We are in contact with some local musicians to explore the possibility of creating a “live” version of Heroes Of The Gauntlet (as much as I’d like to, I can’t play all instruments at a gig!) and we had some festivals already offering us a slot. So hopefully we will hit the road soon.
11. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?
HEROES OF THE GAUNTLET: I have no strong view on this. To me, music in particular, and art in general, is an outlet for your own emotions. If you feel angry and hate the government, feel free to write a punk song about wanting anarchy in the UK. I won’t judge you for what you say, but only on the basis of the quality of your music and lyrics. I personally leave politics and religion out of Heroes Of The Gauntlet, but I have touched upon spiritualism with my other bands in the past.
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