Can you tell us about the origin of the band name, a history of the band and a little bit about the various members?
KD:Certainly. Knightfall was a project that I carefully planned, with a clear message in mind. I aimed to revive the virtues of the medieval knight’s code: honor, chivalry, justice, and, perhaps most importantly, kindness and the protection of others. When deciding on a name, I wanted it to prominently feature the word “Knight” to symbolize these values. Additionally, I sought to pay homage to one of my greatest influences, Nightwish. The word “Knightfall” resonated with me for its evocative sound and its embodiment of the ideals I wished to convey. After conducting a thorough search and finding no other band legally using the name, I felt it was a fitting choice for the project.
Knightfall is more than just a band; it’s a studio project that brings together talent from around the globe. While I write the majority of the music, it’s truly a collaborative effort. My vision for Knightfall dates back to my earlier project, Evince Ethos, back in 2009. I dreamed of creating a symphonic metal project that drew from various influences, including power metal, 80’s music, and elements of musical theater, with a hint of pop for good measure. I wanted to create an album that offered something for everyone.
The project boasts an impressive lineup, with 7 vocalists and 3 guitarists. It all began with guitarist Patrick Goble and vocalist Dee Wolf joining forces on the first three singles. Then, Jessica Mercy and her husband Sergio Salvucci, Jess is my former bandmate and writing partner from Evince Ethos (now known as Anaria), joined the ranks. Vocalist Pete Rawcliffe, whom I met through social media, introduced me to Stefani Keogh, who then connected me with Marcos Peñate.
George Acker initially reached out to me for advice on his own project, but our connection led to him becoming a guitarist for Knightfall. Susy Eskarlett’s name came through a mutual friend, and I invited her to lend her vocals to a song. Lastly, through an open audition, Adrien Djouadou answered the call, completing our ensemble. It’s been a remarkable journey bringing together such diverse talents to create music that resonates with a wide audience.
Are you all from the same area? How did you get together as a band?
KD: Modern technology has given us the ability to collaborate from around the globe and for this project I enlisted amazing talent from every corner of the Earth.
Patrick and I hail from the Bowling Green, KY area, and our collaboration began through our mutual connections. Initially, I got to know Patrick by attending production classes together, seeking to improve my skills for recording demos. Impressed by my work, I invited him to join Knightfall, and he jumped at the opportunity. Together, we crafted our debut single, “Waiting For You,” a tribute to the ’80s sound that I hold dear.
Finding the perfect vocalist for our project was paramount, and after an extensive search on Fiverr, I discovered Dee Wolf, a vocal powerhouse from Italy. Her deep, soulful tone immediately caught my attention, and I knew she was the ideal fit to kickstart our project. Dee’s exceptional talent brought our music to life, and she continued to contribute her vocals to our next two songs, enriching our sound with her incredible voice.
Jessica and Sergio, based in my native New England in New Hampshire, play pivotal roles in our project. Jessica’s diverse talents as a costume designer, makeup artist, author, and model bring a unique creative perspective to our work. She not only contributed to the lyrics of tracks like “Starfall,” “Farewell,” and “Raise Your Fist,” but also assisted with vocal arrangements, particularly on “Destiny Calling.”
Sergio, on the other hand, is a true multi-talent: a gifted multi-instrumentalist, producer, sound engineer, and videographer. His contributions to our project have been immense. Sergio lent his expertise on bass and guitars for several tracks, including “Destiny Calling,” and assisted with arranging orchestration. He even wrote lyrics for “Raise Your Fist” and directed and shot both of our music videos with his team. Moreover, Sergio took charge of mixing and mastering the majority of the album, ensuring its quality and coherence.
Both Jessica and Sergio were indispensable in the creation of our music videos and the successful launch of our album. I am deeply grateful for their dedication and talent.
Pete and Stefani, both hailing from the UK, are phenomenal singers with remarkable talents.
Pete possesses a rare gift as a male sopranist, which makes his voice incredibly unique. In fact, his vocal range is so impressive that viewers mistook him for a female vocalist in a reaction video. Our collaboration began when a mutual friend shared my cover of “Invincible,” and Pete expressed his admiration for it. Upon hearing his voice, I knew immediately that I needed him to perform on the album.
Stefani, recommended to me by Pete, is equally versatile. She can effortlessly sing high, low, and even growl, showcasing her incredible vocal range. Beyond her singing abilities, Stefani is also a talented actress. Her invaluable contributions to tracks like “Warcries” included helping finalize the lyrics and delivering outstanding vocals for the verses. Their talents truly elevate the project to new heights.
George, from Connecticut, discovered Knightfall after stumbling upon our single “Waiting For You” in a group post. Impressed by our production quality, he reached out with questions, leading to a collaboration that expanded to three songs and a solo on a fourth. George’s passion and talent added depth to our project, enriching our music further.
Susy Eskarlett’s gritty vocals were exactly what I envisioned for “Raise Your Fist.” Hailing from Mexico, her vocal style stood out to me after hearing her work on the Woods Of Wonder’s album. Combining her vocals with Jessica’s added a powerful edge, elevating the song to new heights. Their combined efforts brought strength and intensity to “Raise Your Fist,” making it a standout track on the album.
Adrien Djouadou’s involvement in Knightfall came about through an open audition for “Remember My Name.” Hailing from France, Adrien showcased remarkable talent as a bass singer, standing out among many musicians. His audition prompted a rethink of the song’s direction, originally written for a tenor voice. Adrien’s outstanding performance led to adjusting the melody to suit his style, enhancing the song’s depth. His unique voice and talent have left a lasting impact, reshaping Knightfall’s sound and highlighting the power of collaboration.
Who are your favourite artists/bands and how have they influenced your own sound?
KD: My journey into metal music began with Megadeth’s “Symphony of Destruction,” a track that captivated me with its intensity and energy. Prior to that, musicals had been a significant influence in my life. However, it was Stratovarius’ “Hunting High and Low” that introduced me to the world of symphonic and power metal, ultimately leading me to discover Nightwish.
Nightwish has been the most influential band in my musical journey, particularly their album “Once.” Among its tracks, “Ghost Love Score” stands out as my favorite song, a sentiment that has remained unchanged for two decades. Tuomas Holopainen’s songwriting has been a profound source of inspiration for me, shaping my own approach to music composition.
In addition to metal, I draw inspiration from classical film composers such as Hans Zimmer, James Horner, Howard Shore, and John Williams. Their mastery of orchestration and storytelling through music has deeply influenced my musical style and composition process.
Tuomas and Hans are indeed innovative composers who have pushed the boundaries of their respective genres. Despite their formal training in music theory, they are not confined by traditional orchestration techniques. Instead, they constantly challenge conventions and strive to create something new and unique.
Similarly, in my own composing style, I aim to break away from the norm and introduce fresh elements to the genre. While I may not have formal training in music theory, I believe in the power of experimentation and exploration. I seek to push the limits, break the rules, and bring innovative ideas to my compositions, ultimately contributing to the evolution of the genre.
Did you always have the ambition to be a musician and in a band or did you originally have other plans?
KD: Since I was around 13, I’ve harbored a deep desire to pursue a career in music. Performing in musicals and writing and performing my own songs were aspirations that fueled my passion. However, life’s unpredictable twists and turns led me to take a significant step back from this dream when I decided to start a family.
During this period, I found that neglecting my musical ambitions took a toll on my mental well-being. It was my wife who recognized the impact this was having on me and encouraged me to rediscover my love for music. Her support reignited my passion and brought me back to the path I had once envisioned for myself.
A pivotal moment came a few days before my father’s passing, when I played him a song I had written for him titled “Not Ready To Let You Go.” The emotional response it evoked from him, coupled with his heartfelt encouragement, profoundly impacted me. He saw in me a gift and a calling, describing it as my destiny. His words became a guiding light for me, especially after his passing, and served as the impetus for starting the Knightfall project. Those words are the inspiration for “Destiny Calling” His belief in me reinforced my determination to pursue my dreams and honor his memory through my music
What songs or albums are on your current playlist?
KD: Recently, I’ve been immersing myself again in the soundtrack of the show Paradise City, enjoying both the curated tracks and the original compositions created for it. Additionally, I have a keen interest in indie artists, and I make it a point to listen to their latest releases whenever they share new music.
I’ve been exploring the latest album from Sonata Arctica, appreciating their return to their roots.
However, today has been a somber day for me and many fans of 80’s rock, as we mourn the passing of CJ Snare from Firehouse, one of my beloved bands from that era. In tribute to him, I’ve been revisiting Firehouse’s albums, reflecting on the impact their music has had on me over the years. It’s a poignant reminder of the enduring legacy of artists and the profound connections we form with their music.
Do you sing in the shower?
KD: Yes, I sing in the shower all the time. It’s actually where many of my song ideas are conceived. For example, the anthemic chorus of “Warcries,” with its “Pound, Pound, Hit the ground” rhythm, was created by stomping in the shower. The hot water helps shut off all other noise, allowing my mind to focus solely on creative ideas. I often find myself spending 30 to 40 minutes in the shower, using this time to brainstorm and develop new songs.
Do you have any plans for the band for this year and into next year?
KD: Yes, we have several plans in the works for the band. Firstly, we just released our debut album two weeks ago, so our main focus right now is promoting that and reaching as many listeners as possible. Additionally, we have two other singles in the early stages of development, one original and one cover, which we plan to release sometime this year.
On another front, I’m currently working on composing orchestral music for a video game called Aspect Heroes. It’s a fantasy RPG with an old-school feel reminiscent of the original Diablo. I’m excited to release this music later in the year.
However, there will be a temporary slowdown in our activities due to an upcoming surgery I’ll be having on my neck next week, which will require some downtime for recovery. Once I’ve recuperated, I hope to dive back into working on Knightfall’s next album and continue exploring new musical avenues.
Do you currently have any new songs/albums ready to be released?
Yes, We just released our debut album “Destiny Calling” with 11 Tracks on it. We also have other singles in the works as well for later this year.
If you could play at any venue in the world, where would you choose?
Wacken for a festival. For an arena Hartwall Arena which I believe they renamed to Helsinki Halli. Hopefully it reopens soon.
Do you have a favourite album? If so, what is it?
Nightwish – “Once ” has been my favorite album since I first heard it in 2004. Prior to that I kept going back and forth between Megadeth – Countdown to Extinction and Danger Danger – Screw It!
Do you have any guilty pleasure songs/albums?
I am completely obsessed with Electric Callboy – Tekkno Train
If you were putting together the greatest show on earth, who would be playing?
I would get Nightwish, with Tarja, Anette, and Floor performing together with Marco Hietala back as well. I would want Kamelot with both Roy and Tommy. Avantasia, Hammerfall, Sabaton, Megadeth, H.E.A.T. with Erik and Kenny, Doro, Rob Halford, Delain with Charlotte and Timo, Within Temptation, Epica, Equilibrium, Stratovarius, Beast in Black and Battle Beast.
Can you remember the first album you bought with your own money? What was it and do you still have it?
It was Countdown to Extinction by Megadeth on a cassette tape. Unfortunately it was destroyed.
As your fans will be reading this, is there any message you would like to send out to them?
To all our incredible fans,
I want to express my deepest gratitude for your unwavering love and support. When I embarked on this journey with Knightfall, my goal was to fulfill a lifelong dream of creating a full album and pursuing music professionally. At the time, I never imagined the incredible response we would receive. Whether it’s one person or a hundred, your support has surpassed my wildest dreams.
To see our music resonate with thousands of listeners and accumulate over 100k views on YouTube is a testament to the power of music and the incredible community we’ve built together. I am profoundly grateful to each and every one of you who has supported us along the way. Your enthusiasm and passion fuel our creativity and drive us to new heights.
Thank you for being a part of this journey with us. Your support means the world to me, and I am beyond grateful that you are enjoying our music. Here’s to many more adventures together!
Finally, let us know all your social media sites so your fans, old and new, can find and follow/like you!
Website: www.knightfallband.com
Bandcamp: knightfall.bandcamp.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/knightfallmusicproject
Instagram: www.instagram/knightfallband
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@knightfallband
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@knightallband
We, at The Metal Asylum, would like to thank you for your time. Is there anything further that you would like to add?
I want to thank you for allowing me to answer these questions for the feature. I truly appreciate you taking the time and interest in Knightfall! Rock on Knights!
This interview is the property of The Metal Asylum
Metal Planet Media 