Each interview we’ve got revealed since 2020 has been essential to me, another way it might by no means have seemed right here. On the other hand, I’ve to confess that the dialog underneath with Savage Oath is one in all my most sensible 3. It was once an enormous excitement to speak to Phil Ross (former Manilla Street, now Sentry and Ironsword) and Leeland Campana (Visigoth) about their “new” band specifically and epic steel basically. Due to the good effort the 2 of them have installed, we will be able to provide you with an especially fascinating interview that provides so much to talk about. I want to take this chance to thank Phil and Leeland as soon as once more – our epic steel international is fortunate to have you ever and your comrades-in-arms in Savage Oath.
André: Hello, initially I want to thanks for the chance to interview you. You’ve simply performed on the Hell‘s Heroes Pageant. How did you revel in your gig?
Phil: Hi André, thank you for talking with us! Hell’s Heroes is all the time a terrific time. It was once my first 12 months acting on the fest however Brendan, Leeland, and I’ve all been to this competition again and again. It’s a marathon match, the one grievance you’ll have is that there is also TOO MUCH to peer from a fan’s point of view. The competition was once packed this 12 months with some dream artists: Candlemass, Post-mortem, Traveler, Forbidden, Cauchemar, Everlasting Champion, Sumerlands, Rotting Christ, Solitude Aeturnus, Cirith Ungol, Evening Demon… the record is going on! It was once a fantastic weekend filled with pals and beers and we will be able to’t wait to be again. The amenities and team of workers are international elegance, the venue is gorgeous. They have got one thing in point of fact particular brewing for any such younger fest.
André: You’re enjoying on the Stay it True Pageant in April – I’m hoping you convey a large number of (!) merch with you, Divine Fight dropped like a bomb within the German underground. Folks will rip the information and shirts from your palms…
Phil: We can completely be armed to the enamel with merch for all of you maniacs! A couple of other blouse designs, 12“ EPs, Divine Fight CDs, and a few extra surprises! We all the time recognize the reinforce from the German underground. The 3 people up entrance within the band had been fortunate sufficient to play to your gorgeous nation again and again. It’ll be our drummer Austin’s first time in Germany – he’s in a position to rock for all of you.
André: There have been already euphoric reactions in your self-titled debut EP, which was once decided on as one of the vital 3 highest EPs of 2023 at the Epic Steel Weblog. Did those enthusiastic voices put you beneath just a little of power? Many lovers had been anticipating one thing in point of fact giant to your first full-length.
Phil: I believe the timeline for some folks outdoor of the band is skewed just a little. The LP because it exists now was once already written / in part recorded when the EP was once launched. There’s if truth be told subject material at the LP this is older than the 2 EP songs. There was once by no means any power to “reside as much as” the EP, we’ve got been assured for a very long time that the LP would fulfill somebody who took the time to hear it, and we recognize the individuals who beloved the EP coming again for extra and giving the LP an opportunity.
Leeland: We recognize and are so thankful for the certain response to the Savage Oath EP! Like Phil mentioned then again, the album was once most commonly already written by the point the EP launched in 2023, all with the exception of for one track. We didn’t revel in any nervousness as a result of we knew if lovers of the style licensed of and loved “Warlock’s Trance“ and “On We March“, they had been additionally going to like what we had coming subsequent at the Divine Fight LP. We couldn’t wait to in spite of everything unlock those songs we’ve been running on for see you later!
André: Do you if truth be told learn opinions? Or are you now not so concerned about what others write about your track?
Phil: We make this artwork at the beginning for ourselves. Do we would like folks to find it irresistible? Positive, however we by no means write anything else for somebody however ourselves and our love of lifestyles, track, steel, and each and every different. No, we aren’t eager about opinions or reviews however in fact the everlasting curse of social media is that you simply “want it” to get your artwork out to others, and folks have issues to mention about your artwork, it’s how this all works. We don’t in point of fact search out opinions however we’re glad when issues come again with reward. After all I’d want for the track to do the speaking, and people who recognize it unfold the phrase in an natural method. It’s so much much less paintings for us, ha!
Leeland: I believe Phil answered completely, the concern with songwriting for Savage Oath is that we’re assured that the songwriting is just right and the track is what we crave to listen to as lovers of the style ourselves. Whilst we for sure don’t write track with the singular objective of simply receiving just right opinions, it’s to not say we don’t perceive opinions are essential for the total luck and discoverability of a brand new band. I in my opinion like studying opinions to peer how different devoted track listeners have interaction with and reply to the songs we’ve labored so exhausting on. I most commonly need to see if the sentiments and intentions in the back of the songs resonate with whoever is listening. I believe that whether or not or now not a overview is total certain or vital, isn’t as essential because the songs being memorable sufficient to make an emotional and felt have an effect on on whoever is being attentive to the recordings or attending a reside display.
André: Thankfully, you had been even ready to exceed the prime expectancies with Divine Fight. In my overview I already praised the pretty art work by means of Adam Burke. Used to be this portray created in particular for Divine Fight? Or had Adam already painted it prior to your request? Individually it suits the temper of your list 100%.
Leeland: Sure, the quilt portray for Divine Fight was once commissioned in particular for the album. I knew this debut album deserved one thing as particular as how all of us felt the songs had been all through the writing and recordings procedure. I used to be already an enormous fan of Adam Burke’s artwork and distinctive taste for different steel bands, in addition to his non-public paintings, so it was once a no brainer to succeed in out to him. Thankfully, he was once to be had and concerned about participating at the concept! All people within the band couldn’t be extra extremely joyful in how the overall outcome became out, Adam is amazingly gifted and it was once a privilege to give you the chance to fee this scene from him. A lot of the metaphorical and emotional which means in the back of the track “Divine Fight“ is ready coping with the revel in of loss and grief, after we lose our family members and honoring and remembering them whilst we’re nonetheless alive. The thematic environment of Brendan’s wonderful lyrics for this track reference the wild hunt in fact which clearly makes an look within the entrance duvet scene. I requested Adam for a scene in his taste to seize the idea that of the wild hunt the best way a classical portray may, in addition to a few of these underlying emotional topics for the monitor “Divine Fight“. The quilt portray additionally makes an attempt to subtly tie in with the temper and topics of the opposite tracks at the album, so I’m more than pleased you felt it completed that as neatly!
André: Which steel works of art have inspired you lately? Particularly within the epic heavy steel style, there are all the time wonderful items to surprise at.
Phil: I’d say that Ravening Iron takes the award for one in all my non-public favorites in fresh reminiscence. Additionally Cirith Ungol’s Perpetually Black sticks in my thoughts as neatly. I additionally recognize Gatekeeper’s items from Duncan Storr, the legend in the back of Skyclad, Edge Of Sanity, Hawkwind and plenty of different a lot of album covers.
Leeland: There are such a large amount of albums that experience pop out lately and such a lot of just right covers, it’s in point of fact exhausting to come to a decision, haha. A pair that experience stood out to me specifically even though had been the covers for each Crypt Sermon albums “Out of the Lawn“ and “The Ruins of Fading Mild“, the ones each in point of fact gripped me stylistically.
André: Let’s transfer directly to the track: it’s transparent that you simply took a large number of time to paintings at the songs. When did the speculation of making Savage Oath if truth be told come about? And when did you write the primary tunes? As you might be energetic in numerous bands, you all have so much to do…
Phil: Savage Oath was once “based” in 2017 technically, even if now not a lot paintings was once finished till Leeland joined the undertaking someday in 2018. I requested Carlos Llanas if he was once concerned about participating on one thing steel as fuck after he was once let cross from Everlasting Champion. We in point of fact had no fucking clue what we had been doing – buying and selling riffs by way of mobile phone video, exploring topics, concepts. We even toyed with black steel or different kinds of steel. Carlos requested Leeland for assist in 2018 [I think?] and we snort now, however I used to be very skeptical! “That is our undertaking guy…who’s this man from Visigoth?!” However it became out to be precisely what we wanted. A shredder with an ear for manufacturing and songwriting and somebody who at the side of Kalli Coldsmith [from my other band Sentry] taught me the whole thing I do know now about recording at house and in my small studio. We had a couple of skeleton track preparations in combination as this “trio” with Leeland programming drums and studying our portions from movies and document buying and selling. Lee discovered our portions and made each and every unmarried demo for the EP and the LP together with his personal guitar tracks and a mixture of my bass portions and a few of his personal. Issues in point of fact got here in combination when I met Brendan on the Chaos Descends competition in 2018. He was once fronting Pagan Altar, and I used to be there with Manilla Street. Status aspect degree I believed to myself: “Wow, this dude has were given one thing particular, hasn’t he?” I went house after that tragic excursion and concept what, let me glance this man up and it seems he was once in numerous bands I already had in my list assortment, Thoughts Eraser and Rival Mob being the earliest, Magic Circle being the newest. Brendo agreed to sing on among the tunes we had in early shape beneath the pretense that if we didn’t find it irresistible, we’d simply inform him and cross our separate techniques. We in fact beloved what he laid down in those early demos and a few of the ones authentic tracks/layers stay at the EP.
Leeland: I’d just upload how fortunate I believe to be running along such gifted and wonderful musicians. We’re nonetheless in disbelief about how the whole thing got here in combination and labored out, it’s unparalleled. I used to be and nonetheless am energetic in Visigoth this whole time. I wasn’t certain in the beginning the place Savage Oath would cross once I joined, however as soon as Brendan despatched again the ones first vocal takes our jaws hit the ground. We knew this may be one thing particular and other than some other bands we have been in in the past. I believe it will be significant I say this, all of us threw the whole thing we had into making those songs the most efficient shall we, all people driven ourselves previous what we concept shall we do and took what felt like many dangers alongside the best way. I couldn’t be happier and extra proud with the place that introduced the list, it’s the most efficient paintings musically I believe like I’ve ever finished and would argue the similar for the remainder of the fellows too. With regards to the making of the EP and Divine Fight there have been such a lot of hurdles and trials that had been conquer to make it a fact, it’s inconceivable to explain it succinctly. They each exist as a testomony to the entire exhausting paintings, determination, ability, and revel in that everybody introduced forth to make it occur, and we couldn’t be happier.
André: Individually, the entire list is good, however “Blood for the King“, “Savage Oath“ and “Divine Fight“ stand out specifically. To your opinion, are those additionally tracks that you’ve finished in particular neatly – compositions the place the whole thing suits in combination?
Phil: I don’t in point of fact put any songs over others in my thoughts. All the revel in taught everybody that continues to be on this band [Lee, Austin, Brendan, and myself] the place we need to cross with the following unlock. We take a look at the album as simply that, an revel in entrance to again. We most definitely each and every have our favorites however for me it’s inconceivable to select one over any other.
Leeland: I’ve to trust Phil, it’s exhausting to select an function favourite. Every track felt find it irresistible happened in a different way and was once a novel formation because of the best way Savage Oath collaborates remotely thru document sharing. That is by means of necessity since we don’t all reside in the similar state or town with the exception of for Austin and myself. I will be able to say that the ones 3 songs in particular happened later within the writing procedure. “Blood for the King“, “Divine Fight“, then “Savage Oath“ had been if truth be told the final 3 songs written for the album in that order. It’s imaginable that as a result of we had written the opposite songs previously, we had won sufficient revel in to support how the ones final 3 tracks got here in combination total.
André: There are some posts, as an example in boards, through which the sound of Divine Fight is known as a “vulnerable level“. Initially: I don’t see it that method! Which information/artists did you orientate yourselves on when growing this sound?
Phil: I believe that for each and every listener “you lose” in any form of cult steel style, there are 5 different dungeon crawlers that do “get it” and it doesn’t subject. As somebody who was once fortunate sufficient to have a hand within the Divine Fight LP there are issues I’d trade, adjust, or re-record. You must pick out it aside eternally. After all what issues to me is “are the songs just right?” and in my view, they’re. What somebody else thinks is secondary, particularly somebody on any on-line discussion board. I couldn’t care much less. Leeland and I certainly argued [in a friendly way] over what albums or instructions shall we emulate, after all it got here out distinctive in my view and that’s what has made me happy with the LP, it’s merely “us” – take it or go away it.
Leeland: First off I’m so satisfied to listen to that you simply concept the sound nonetheless have compatibility the songs neatly! To be completely truthful and clear, the EP and Divine Fight had been the primary actual recordings I’ve ever formally taken the position of “blending engineer” on most sensible of songwriting and recording. In the past I had a large number of revel in with self recording and combining demos for the 2 Visigoth albums and EPs to get a “pre-production” so I felt I may just take the next move totally with this position when I used to be requested to enroll in Savage Oath. If the “sound” is known because the vulnerable level by means of attentive listeners, that may be a truthful critique and one who I’m glad with. This list may just now not have existed with out the large quantity of agree with and reinforce that was once allocated to me by means of everybody else within the band to provide it my highest shot at blending and I’m so thankful to in spite of everything have had the danger! In my view I’m more than pleased with the sound and felt I used to be ready to succeed in my “imaginative and prescient” for a way the overall outcome for the songs must be, which if you’re a fellow recording musician studying this, you understand how tough and irritating that may be to succeed in. I felt I used to be ready to do the songs justice, and don’t have any regrets taking the danger of doing it myself, however I already know there may be such a lot I will be able to do higher the following mixes I paintings on for the band. What if truth be told maximum orientated discovering our sound for me was once being attentive to and studying interviews with a few of my favourite manufacturers and audio engineers for steel. Dan Swanö, Jens Bogren, Dave Otero, Peter Tägtgren, Fredrick Nordström, and Kurt Ballou and others all have a large amount of perception and encouragement to supply in how they turned into the track manufacturers they’re lately. Delving into what they and different manufacturers needed to say concerning the “artwork” of blending a steel album, particularly the usage of no matter restricted gear to be had was once beneficial. I believe that analysis allowed somebody with restricted revel in like myself to get a snatch on some fundamental basics and philosophy that hugely progressed my mixes for Savage Oath. The very last thing I’ve to mention about sound for lovers and critics alike is that Savage Oath is fortuitously in complete keep watch over and possession of our track. I’m really not in any respect hostile to attainable remixes someday after a while passes, or running with a perfect blending engineer with a life-time extra revel in than myself targeted in this vital talent. To reiterate as all the time, the standard of the songwriting comes first as maximum essential. However we certainly strived for a just right sound as neatly! I’m assured each and every Savage Oath unlock someday shall be a step ahead in high quality from the former.
André: Individually, the energy of epic steel lies in the truth that it appeals to listeners on an overly emotional degree and can give monumental energy in the most efficient moments, particularly in darkish instances that each and every people has skilled or is lately experiencing. I believe you’ll pay attention in each and every 2d of Divine Fight that there’s a huge quantity of middle and soul in it. “Blood for the King“ strikes you to tears if you happen to let your self get entangled. Have you ever as listeners skilled this energy of epic steel yourselves prior to now? And the way do you maintain it when lovers let you know that your track enriches their lives such a lot (I’m speaking about Savage Oath, however in fact additionally about your different bands)?
Phil: Inside the style of epic steel and others in fact, as a track listener I’ve skilled this. It’s most often reside for me, bands I’ve observed whilst on excursion – DoomSword, Ironsword, Darkish Quarterer, Visigoth, Everlasting Champion, Sumerlands, Pagan Altar, Etrusgrave… the record is going on. I’ve been fortunate sufficient to peer some insane shit for simply being a bass participant from Kansas. I’d upload that on recording as neatly bands within the style have a great deal helped me thru a wide variety of strife, even specific songs. I might say the strengths of epic steel you point out are strengths of track basically as neatly, I’m nonetheless pissing in my mattress being attentive to Captain Beefheart or King’s X, as an example [haha].
Leeland: I couldn’t agree extra together with your evaluation of why this track manner such a lot to lovers of the style and myself. You just about precisely described how this style turned into loved to me in my opinion at an early age. The sentiments of energy and perseverance particularly in tough cases can regularly be what we’d like maximum. Particularly when nowhere else in our lives we will be able to appear to seek out it. It can be a predictable cliché to confess, however discovering a band like Manowar early on in point of fact solidified that have for me particularly as a tender teen. I believe the arc of albums main up during the Warriors of the International album had been completely formative. The theme of discovering energy inside of to be a hero in a single’s personal lifestyles’s tale and conquer the percentages, is an encouraging and emotionally optimistic message nonetheless to nowadays, and that’s exhausting to overcome in relation to epic steel. (The songs “Center of Metal“ or “Fight Hymn“ as an example, somewhat exhausting to disregard offhand) In fact I don’t suppose it’s restricted to simply Manowar. There are such a large amount of different improbable bands that experience discovered that thread and invoked the ones emotions for me. Glaring classics like Iron Maiden and Dio to bands (songs) like Virgin Steele (“Cry for Pompeii“, “Noble Savage“), Twisted Tower Dire (“Axes and Honor“) and Misplaced Horizon (“Sworn within the Steel Wind“). There are such a large amount of other imaginable bands and songs in epic steel that we would in finding at other instances in lifestyles. They’ll make an have an effect on on our emotional lives and supply inspiration in numerous techniques. What I believe is maximum common is there’s something elementary within the human spirit that resonates with the power and vibrancy of the epic heavy steel style. All people can nearly all the time in finding some technique to attach emotionally to a perfect epic steel anthem. In some way, that attainable enlivening revel in makes this style of steel distinctive and particular. Every so often because of this it’s criticized as “corny”… however regardless, the facility of that have when it in point of fact hits house is plain.
André: At the Epic Steel Weblog we’ve got all the time admired the North American epic heavy steel scene, which has such superior bands as Visigoth, Gatekeeper, Everlasting Champion, Smoulder, Morgul Blade and plenty of, many others – now together with Savage Oath. Would you name this a “scene“ – with shut contacts? And may just or not it’s that you simply force each and every different to top performances? Each band units the bar just a little upper with their new releases, I might say…
Phil: I’ve pals in nearly each and every such a bands – even supposing each and every sounds other to the following. The “drawback” with calling anything else in the United States a “scene” is that everybody is thus far clear of each and every different and we hardly have interaction with one any other in the United States. I see my pals in Everlasting Champion or Visigoth extra in Europe than in the United States. Of the bands you’ve discussed above, I don’t suppose the simpler ones are thinking about what some other band is doing and that’s what units them aside from the remainder.
Leeland: I even have pals in each and every such a bands and we’ve got recognized each and every different for somewhat a while, particularly Everlasting Champion and Gatekeeper... So in some way I perceive the belief of a “scene”. I will be able to verify that there’s authentic reinforce and a comrades-in-arms dynamic happening with North American bands anytime we will be able to see one any other at a competition in Europe or at Hell’s Heroes. More or less like seeing family members and siblings a couple of times a 12 months all through the vacations, haha. The huge separation by means of sheer distance in america and Canada then again is a major issue. Possibly there could be just a little extra pageant or optimistic friction between the North American epic steel bands if we had been all from the similar town or small area, who is aware of? We’re all so unfold out from one any other even though that no person is “stepping on” somebody else’s ft, now not even shut. It’s extra like a meeting of the tribe sort feeling and I’m all the time stoked to peer what others had been as much as.
André: Do you’ve any insider pointers for our readers? Is there any other gem in the United States or Canada that we would now not but have on our radar?
Phil: I believe the readers of your weblog or maniacal steel lovers basically train ME extra about what’s happening in present track than I may just ever train them. There are lots of under-appreciated bands in the market that come to my thoughts even though, now not all from the United States – Capilla Ardiente, Armagh, Dionysiaque, Legendry, 9th Realm, Sadistic Power.
Leeland: I don’t know if I’ve a tip that readers wouldn’t already know, however I will be able to say this. Whether or not you suppose it’s just right or dangerous, Bandcamp has been one thing of a revolution for artists self publishing their track. If I’ve ever discovered an unknown gem from a brand spanking new artist it’s been hidden away in a Bandcamp unlock that can had been lost sight of for numerous causes. Till one thing adjustments for the worst, it’s nonetheless probably the most possible position you are going to come throughout a by no means prior to heard band from someplace. I might all the time stay an eye fixed out for the latest releases there if you’re having a look to listen to one thing “first”.
André: As discussed at the start, you’ll be enjoying reside in Europe quickly. Will or not it’s simply this one date? Or will there be extra alternatives to peer Savage Oath reside quickly?
Phil: KIT is our most effective scheduled date in Europe as of now, I’m hoping that can trade as soon as the LP reaches extra folks. There were extra gives however not anything that is sensible for everybody within the band but.
André: Closing query – and this one is just a little imply: Which 3 epic steel songs would you suggest as an advent to somebody who’s new to our style?
Phil: As I discussed above already, “The Temple Of Katholic Magick” from Atlantean Kodex, and I’d upload DoomSword’s “As soon as Superb” and perhaps “The Prophecy” by means of Manilla Street. One among 30 Street tunes that you’ll want to come with, however that’s one in all my favorites.
Leeland: Certainly a really perfect tough and surely extremely scrutinized query, haha. If it’s 3 songs for somebody new to epic steel, I’d most definitely make a selection “Fight Hymn” by means of Manowar, “Medieval Metal” by means of Medieval Metal and “I’m the Hammer” by means of Everlasting Champion. It’s inconceivable to hide each and every side and stylistic palette of the epic steel style in simply 3 track alternatives however I believe those 3 could be a just right glimpse at one of the crucial distinctive power in the back of lots of significant epic steel.
André: Thanks very a lot for this wonderful interview – and for the unbelievable track that I’ve on consistent repeat. I want you the entire highest for the long run, each in my opinion and as artists. Benefit from the Stay it True competition – there shall be many Epic Steel Weblog readers within the entrance row.
Phil: Thank you very a lot, André.
Savage Oath on Bandcamp: Click on right here.
“Have a pay attention”: Savage Oath – Divine Fight: Click on right here.
