BLOOD STAR (EN)
– How are you guys doing having just released your debut album? It might be exciting times, I
guess. What’s the feeling when you can hold the real, physical artifact in your hands? When it’s not
just something abstract anymore, not just ideas?
It’s super exciting! This is the first full length album I’ve recorded. Holding the record in my hands
made the long days of writing and recording so worth it. We’re really proud of the record and so
grateful for the overwhelmingly positive response to the music.
–Even though being a new band, you have already played at festivals such as Muskelrock, KIT or Up
the Hammers and have already played several gigs in Europe. Is there a difference between the US
and the European’s crowds?
There’s a little bit of a difference in the energy of the crowds but it really just varies from city to
city. That’s kind of how it is in the US too.
– Since this is our first interview with you: how and why was BLOOD STAR born?
Jamison had songs that didn’t really fit with Visigoth and he wanted to play music that went in a
different direction so he got Noah on board and they started writing songs when Noah moved
from Oregon to Salt Lake City. They asked me to join shortly after although I had never sang for a
band (thanks for believing in me, guys!) and we’ve been working ever since!
– Already the band name itself gives a hint that you lean more somewhere in between sci-fi and
dark fantasy. How do you transport this to your sound and how did you come up with the name?
What does it mean (literally and not)?
Jamison found the name in a short story title in Heavy Metal magazine. Our song Cold Moon is a
sci-fi tale about a bounty hunter who is willing to forego a great reward and risk his life to take
down a mass murderer… but on an asteroid at the far reaches of our galaxy.
–Sound-wise you play a very traditional style, mixing ‘80s Heavy Metal with some ‘70s Hard Rock.
Are there any new bands or artists where you can recognize yourselves in?
There are a ton of really talented bands putting out music now. I don’t know if we necessarily
sound like another new band but we share influences with a lot of new bands! We love Blue Oyster
Cult, Black Sabbath, Riot, Dio, Accept, Saxon, W.A.S.P. and so on, and I can hear those same
influences in bands like Riot City and Night Demon for example.
–What does inspire you to write lyrics? They feel human and transport a lot of despair. Is it a
reflection on the current state of the world?
Yeah the state of the world and our experiences in it are a big influence on us. A lot of bands write
about steel and glory and they do a great job with that, so we decided to focus on the darker
aspects of life that a lot of us face. Maybe it will help some people feel less alone, or give them a
different perspective.
–They also have this subtle sci-fi vibe I mentioned before. What do you read/watch?
I’m a big fan of Star Trek like Deep Space Nine and The Next Generation. I also enjoy reading
random sci-fi novels I find secondhand. One of my favorite novels is Dune by Frank Herbert.
-I think somehow the lyrics, even touching on different ideas and feelings, build themselves from
the idea of despair. What is despair the context of BLOOD STAR? Does it also work as an archetype
for something maybe?
There’s a lot of despair in the world and that’s an experience all of us humans share. It can
permeate every part of our lives. It’s important to know that we can choose our responses to it
though, and our reactions are really the only thing we can control in this chaotic world.
–The cover also keeps this vibe. Looking a bit apocalyptic too I’d say. What does it represent? Is the
woman depicted the ‘Fearless Priestess’? Is any of the stars a “blood star”?
The black star approaching the planet is the blood star. We wanted it to look like it didn’t belong in
the sky, like an unnatural, menacing omen. We’re actually working on a song that describes the
origin of the blood star but you’ll have to wait until the next record for that story to unfold.
–Speaking of ‘Fearless Priestess’, which depicts a strong, fighter woman, is it a symbol or a suiting
imagery? Is it maybe a statement too?
It’s a tale about self forgiveness, redemption and inner strength. I use the imagery from the
Rider-Smith-Waite tarot deck to help illustrate the Fearless Priestess’s journey from being
wounded and seemingly powerless to finding the strength inside to free herself from the darkness
of her past.
-In fact, gender stereotypes seem to be firmly screwed in the genre (as in society in general). What
do you think is the reason behind this? Maybe that it tends to be a very nostalgic “world”? And
what would be the first steps to make to revert this? As we are all part of this, from musicians to
writers, from promoters to fans.
I’m not sure the reason behind it, maybe you’re right about it being a nostalgic world. Change is a
hard thing for most people to handle and maybe it’s easier for people to stick with what they
learned. A way to revert this could be treating everyone with respect and seeing them as the
individual they are, not just their gender.
-As a woman in Metal or as a woman artist; which were your role models when you were younger?
My mom was and is a big role model for me. Her strength and adaptability is really admirable to
me. Once I discovered metal I really looked up to vocalists like Doro Pesch and Leather Leone.
-And finally, what’s next for BLOOD STAR? Considering you’ve done some covers on your singles, is
there any song you’d especially like to play?
We just got back from a short tour with Intranced and we’re heading out to the west coast of the
US with our pals in Exciter. After that tour we’re going to focus on writing and demoing for our
second album!
– That’s all from our side, thanks again for your time. If you’d like to add some final words, feel free
to do it.
Thank you so much for your time! See you on the road!
