FIRE FROM THE GODS have just finished their US tour supporting Five Finger Death Punch and Megadeth, followed by the release of their third album „Soul Revolution“. With their mixture of metal, core and rap, the band from Houston, Texas, has hit it out of the park. We talk to singer AJ Channer about how much of his heart and soul is in the album, what he thinks of Gatekeepers and about the message of the music.
You just finished your US tour. So how has it been and how have the new songs been received?
The tour was an incredible great way to finish out the year. We played “Soul Revolution” this tour which was very well received. People were definitely feeling the vibe. We also played “SOS” in Europe during the summer. It was live the videos from Rock am Ring and Rock im Park were awesome.
Your new album is titled “Soul Revolution”. How much of your soul have you put into this record?
Trying to write this record was a huge task. We started the first demos in February of 2021. We had no idea how we were going to get it finished because the world was in such a weird place. But we fought hard and got it done. So, as an answer to your question: we put in everything we had. I poured 100% heart and soul into the record.
The album is clearly recognizable as a follow-up to „American Sun“, but you seem to have found even more to yourselves and your own sound. Would you say that you have found your sound and yourselves even more on „Soul Revolution“?
Great question. I do believe that with every release we have gotten closer to who we believe we are. With every release we’ve discovered something new. I’m already looking forward to what we can produce going forward.
Rarely have I heard a mixture of metal, hardcore and hip-hop that fits together so smoothly and naturally. Do you simply not pay attention to genre boundaries and just do what you like, or do you focus on a balanced mixture of elements in songwriting?
We just go for it. We knew we wanted to try and reach more ears, but never with the intention to focus on a particular mixture of genres.
How did the recording process go? Did you record the stuff in your home studios or did you go the traditional way with a recording studio?
A lot of the work was done in Houston, TX where we demo a ton. Then we headed to LA to work with Erik Ron who we worked with on “American Sun”.
„Fuck the haters“
The metal scene stands for tolerance and openness and always preaches these values. But there are always people that won’t appreciate metal music with key elements from other genres. How is your experience with FIRE FROM THE GODS with (in)tolerance and prejudice in the metal scene?
Firstly, I agree with the first part of the question wholeheartedly. I love the huge crazy international family that are metal fans worldwide. I used to focus on the idea of gatekeepers and the stance of „keep metal pure“, but that’s bullshit and forgive my bluntness, but fuck the haters. I keep my mind focused on trying to bring people together. That’s the message behind our music.
Your vocals sound so emotional and passionate. How much of yourself and your personal experiences are in them?
Every lyric, every melody comes from the heart and my experiences. Straight up from a real place.
Is writing the lyrics also a kind of self-therapy for you? You seem to work out many of your thoughts in the songs and lines like “I must confess I break from the stress; I tell my story, get it off my chest” from “Thousand Lifetimes” point out that it could help you to write some things off your mind.
I’ve been trying to break through in the metal scene for a while now. I believe my earlier failures or setbacks stemmed from the fact that I was trying to be something I wasn’t. As soon as I started keeping it real and putting my real-life experiences on the pages, so many things started to change like my mental state. So, to answer that – yes, the pages and vocal booth have become a form of therapy.
„The pages and vocal booth have become a form of therapy“
How does it feel for you when people sing along to the lyrics at concerts? What does it mean to you when the listeners identify with the lyrics and can pull something out of them for themselves?
It’s definitely one of the greatest rushes in the world. It’s satisfying but I get fulfilled knowing that people are listening and understanding the message.
In the comments under your videos on YouTube I have often read that the songs and lyrics have helped people in dark times and even kept them alive in tough times. What does it mean to you when you see that you can help so many people in a way and that your music has such an uplifting effect?
It’s a true blessing. People need something to help them through tough times. I’m happy to provide the soundtrack for that.
You also deal with many current issues and problems, such as loss in „Thousand Lifetimes“ or self-discovery in difficult times in „SOS.“ How important is it for you to address such profound topics and to spread a message with your music?
It’s very important to me. I only want to be real about the things I talk about in my music, because I know people gravitate to things that they can relate to.
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“SOS” was the first song you released in advance of the album. Why was this song so well suited as the first single and how does it represent the sound of „Soul Revolution“?
It’s no secret that the world was going through a bit of a rough patch to say the least, especially in the US. I felt like it was something that needed to be said. My life was in crisis of sorts as well. So, in my case I wanted to address this but in the same form as I did on the track “Right Now”, created a sense of urgency. “SOS” is another call to action.
„The Message“ seems very depressing despite the relaxed reggae rhythm, both musically and thematically with war and violence. What message do you want to convey here, and which speech is that at the end of the song?
“The Message” is about the message behind our music. The chorus says „You think you are teaching me violence” but Jah guides I with love. The world is polluted by violence and the song is a triumphant exclamation that I nor those that believe in the message will continue to live that way.
The speech is taken from Marcus Garvey’s famous „Know thyself“ speech. He also influenced one of Bob Marleys most popular songs, the “Redemption Song”.
So, with “Soul Revolution” finally rolling … What about a big European tour with some shows in Germany?
My friend, that is definitely the plan. Every time we’ve toured Germany it’s been an absolute blast. Definitely need to again.
Let’s conclude with our traditional brainstorming. What comes to your mind first when you read the following words?
Current favorite album: Deftones – White Pony.
Religion: Condemnation and constraints.
Family: Love.
Best Movie-/Series-/Book-Universe: “Wizarding World”, “Star Wars”, “Marvel” comics.
Something that makes every bad day better: On the real: my family.
A food that always makes you happy: Curry Mutton and white rice.
Best way to relax: A spliff and dope film.
FIRE FROM THE GODS in ten years: I pray I’m still out there ripping and headlining huge tours, venues and festivals.
Thank you once again for your time and all the best with “Soul Revolution”. I hope you get the recognition you deserve for this album! The last words are all yours.
Thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak about “Soul Revolution”. Respect to all those that check us out. Keep your head up. In us we trust. Unite or Die. All Power to all people. Peace.
31. Oktober 2022 Stefan Popp
Dieses Interview wurde per E-Mail geführt.
Zur besseren Lesbarkeit wurden Smilies ersetzt.
„Die Welt hat eine harte Zeit hinter sich, besonders die USA.“
„Ich Versuche schon eine Weile den Durchbruch in der Metal-Szene zu schaffen…“
„Ein Joint und ein toller Film.“
Drei Aussagen, die mir zeigen, dass ich da nicht reinhören brauche. :D
Hm ja, nun … Ist trotzdem ein sehr gutes Album :D