Spanish metallers HITTEN have been around for a decade now and released a strapping four albums during this time. So far they haven’t reached the same level of stardom as their compatriots Angelus Apatrida but together with bands such as Iron Curtain or Lizzies they make up the hottest stuff to currently come out of Spain’s underground metal scene. Their latest effort „Triumph & Tragedy“ was released just in time for their tenth birthday, which is why we jumped at the chance to talk to guitarist Daniel „Dani“ Meseguer.
Hi and thanks a lot for taking time for this interview! The last too years have been both strange and pretty rough. How are you doing?
Hello, thank you for having us! Yeah indeed they have been really weird but we all are doing good fortunately.
It has been three years since the last HITTEN album „Twist Of Fate“ came out. What has been happening for you guys since?
We presented the record in several countries around Europe. Club shows and festivals. Then the lockdown came and we start to compose and record the new album.
Your new album „Triumph & Tragedy“ has just been released. What can you tell us about the record?
We are really proud of the record. Our best one by far (yeah I know this might sound too classic but actually is true). Also we are really happy on how the album is being sold.
How would you say has your sound evolved since „Twist Of Fate“?
T&T is the natural evolution of Hitten’s sound, and nothing that you hear on the album has been stretched to sound in a way or another. We didn’t sit around a table one day and decide to sound more melodic, everything just came this way. The melodic Hard’n’Heavy sound was already strong on the predecessor “Twist of Fate”, we just pushed it a bit further. We’re all huge fans of the 80’s/early 90’s Hard Rock and, of course, useless to say, the more classic 80’s Heavy Metal sound, so blending the two has been the more natural thing to do.
How did the songwriting and recording for „Triumph & Tragedy“ go down? Did you have to change your way of working due to the COVID-19 pandemic?
The real composition process began during the first month of 2020. I said “real composition process” because actually we already had several riffs recorded back in 2019 or even before. For example, the main ‘Hard Intentions’ riff came out during the recording sessions of the previous record ‘Twist Of Fate’. I know this might sound weird, but Covid-19’s pandemic had a good influence on this record. Due to the amount of time we had during the “first wave” we were able to focus, take a look at the riffs that we had written, compose new ones, study them, compose arrangements, and so on.
Please explain the album title to us!
The cover is a sci-fi representation of the Greek goddess Ananke, the dictator of fate, the goddess of the inevitable. She’s the one who keeps and cuts the threads of fate. You’ll never know if the choices that you make, the path that you’ll pick, will be the right one or the wrong one, if they will bring you to TRIUMPH or TRAGEDY.
On the new record your music seems to be influenced by the great U.S. Metal bands from the 80s. Which bands and styles inspire you the most?
Well… they have been always there but it’s true now they are more evident. If I have to say some bands I would say Van Halen, Dokken, Riot, Y&T, Firehouse… among a bunch of other bands!
HITTEN have been around for ten years now. What’s your view on the metal scene both in your home country and international?
Well… I can not say nothing actually because there are no shows for 2 years now. I can say that the market is in good shape. A lot of bands are releasing stuff these days. Unfortunately I have no clue about live shows.
Are you making plans for when concerts will be possible again? Is there a chance that HITTEN will come to Germany soon?
We hope to play there soon!
How do you feel about entrance restrictions for concerts such as proof of vaccination etc.?
Well… it was clear from the beginning that this situation was going to arrive. So that’s it. Let’s face it. There is no other way. It’s like it is.
Thank you for the interview! Please let us do a short brainstorming in the end of this interview. What comes in your mind first reading the following terms:
Baron Rojo: Great Spanish band.
Lockdown: shit
Shake The World: memories
Pay To Play: never
HITTEN in 10 years: Sold out show at Budokan.
Once again thanks for your time. The last words are yours – is there anything left you want to tell our readers?
Thank you for having us and to all the people who read this!
23. Februar 2022 Thomas Meyns
Dieses Interview wurde per E-Mail geführt.
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