Interviews: Ancient Settlers

We have had the opportunity to interview the Metal band Ancient Settlers from Spain. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or come out just like that?

It was actually Carlos who brainstormed the idea of the name, he went through various proposals for the name, and of course, we fed some info too back and forth, and well... Ancient Settlers was the best idea; because it represents who we are in this world, we, as people that had to leave our homeland in search of a new home, of a new hope for us, and for our kin. And it doesn't strictly target the band, but it's a voice for all the people that were forced to leave home.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Well, Melodeath is a common element within the band, and it's a genre that we grew up listening to (the majority of the band members) even though of course over the years, as individuals we grow up and our music taste spectrum develops. I personally don't come from a Metal Background; I’m a classical trained pianist mostly, then I entered the rock world when school friends introduced me to the Rock/Metal world by listening to Stratovarius, Dream Theater, Rush... Then a bit later in life, I discovered what I consider THE best Melodeath band that ever existed, of course it was the first one that I listened to, which was Throne of Chaos, that really changed my perspective on music, at least regarding to Metal. 

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed? 

Oh yeah, we all knew each other from back home, we were all in the very very little Rock/Metal circle back in our hometown; of course, we weren't in the same band or anything like that, but yeah, Melodic Death Metal was this pivotal point, we were playing the same genre of some sorts.

4. Each band member's favorite band? 

Well, that's a very complex question, but I will try to work it out the best I can; Carlos's favorite band I think are Born of Osiris, Arch Enemy, and Architects, but he listens to a lot of music, he’s a metal connoisseur Mike's favorite band I really don't know; this guy's a universal mind within the metal. Herman's I think it's Pantera and Periphery; but I couldn’t say for sure Emmy's favorite; he's a really old school, 80's Glam/Hair Metal lover (you know, Warrant, Motley Crue, Poison, Whitesnake...) but he also loves European Power/Hollywood metal, I would say his favorite band is Stratovarius or Rhapsody. My favorite band; that's very difficult nowadays; but to make things very short and synthesized, I would say my favorite Melodic Death Metal band would be Throne of Chaos, they were excellent to what I consider good, you know; Very Melodic, Intricate, Fast-paced and it sounded big and anthemic.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs? 

This is a very good question actually, I can find musical inspiration from everywhere mostly, it depends on the mood, on the tone, on what I’m doing at the moment, of what I’m thinking... but it would mostly be Film Score music, or another metal albums, and lastly I’ve even took into consideration K-POP music as a sort of inspiration... as I said, it's really a context situation.

6. Where was your last gig?

The last concert we held was at Barcelona back in summer 2021, during the European Tour that we did; yes, in a whole pandemic situation, but we managed, it was great!

7. Where would you like to play?

My dreamlike gig would be really Resurrection Fest; it's an awesome scene, with an awesome vibe, and heck! It’s an entire town that becomes a metal scene!

8. Who would you like to support? 

Personally, I would love to support a band like Insomnium, Omnium Gatherum, and those Finland Melodeath Heavyweight bands you know?

9. Who not? 

Oh nobody! Any band that would want to partner with us, we'll receive them with open hearts and open arms!

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that? 

Me, at the beginning, and it's completely normal, being human it's normal, to fear the unknown, to fear that you don't do well, or fear of something out of hand goes wrong and ruins the performance, but it's completely normal! My best tip for it is; "Brave through it, the next one will be 100 times better, and so on and so forth"

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

It is indeed very very vast and complex to mention specifics, but well, for the album that's coming soon, and the EP that came out in 2021, I would say I inspired myself from Jens Johansson in some parts, like how to solo correctly to those tunes, Hans Zimmer in other parts, EDM music for other parts, Jordan Rudess in other things (Like creating my synthesizer sounds and those technical aspects of being a keyboard player on a metal band), Armin Van Buuren as well, Above & Beyond... A lot, a LOT of different people.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

"Is your hair really yours?" that would be the weirdest question I’ve heard from a person that came to our shows.

13. What do you think of your fans? 

Well, I love them, a band that doesn't love their fanbase is not doing the best job, we're a band thanks to the people that back us up, and follow us as a band! Every fan of the band out there is a Settler! I LOVE Y'ALL PERSONS OUT THERE!!

14. What do you think of our site?

It's a neat website! I discovered Sinyells through your website, awesome and thanks a lot for that!

15. Something to add? 

Thank you so much for giving us a spot here to share some details of the band with you, and the people out there, hoping you support the band in any way you can, listen to our stuff!, it's nice stuff See y'all on the road!