Interviews: Kingseeker

We have had the opportunity to interview the Metalcore/Hardcore band Kingseeker from Norway. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

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

The name comes from Dark Souls, Emil and Aron are obsessed with it, I only recently got into it (I just finished Dark Souls 3). "Kingseeker" is the title of a primordial serpent named Frampt. We liked how it sounded and kept on with that. 

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

I think it just came naturally. I love Hardcore, especially like 00's hardcore and metalcore like KSE, AILD, and such. As well as Hatebreed, Poison The Well, Shai Hulud, and such. Aron is more of death metal and deathcore guy, when I met him he mostly listened to things like Emmure, Attila so that influences the way he writes riffs, making them a bit more unpolished, while Emil really loves things like Billy Talent, Leprous and Architects, which are quite polished. From what the guys have told me, a lot of the reason Kingseeker sounds the way it sounds is because of my voice. Me having a more hardcore-sounding voice and having a limited clean vocal range made them write songs the way they do. Why I wanted to play this genre is quite simple, I love the catharsis of yelling and screaming and the way songs in the genre are built up.

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

Emil and Aron knew each other from high school and were in a band previously down in their hometowns of Porsgrunn and Skien. I did not know them at all, I just answered an ad from Facebook, and booked a train to meet two strangers, on the off chance that we could have a band. We instantly hit it off and wrote the instrumentals for "Flowered Waterfalls" in about 20 minutes I think. It was kind of wild!

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Jan: I hate this question, cause there's not just one band that I'm like "ride or die for. It's between two bands I think. that would be either Poison The Well or Shai Hulud. Poison The Well because they create such great soundscapes, and to this day there's not a single band that has even remotely the same atmospheres and sound. (For some fucked up reason.) Shai Hulud because they sound so technical, yet so unmistakable hardcore. Aaron: Emmure, since I discovered them in 2006 and listen to them as much now as then, and because they are the kings of 0's and breakdown, and have only managed to make breakdown albums for years even when people hate on it, They go as hard as ever. They're a good mix of Deathcore, Metalcore, and Hardcore elements, and they have 4 songs that are about sucking cock, so yeah, guys are CHADS. Emil: Leprous. They do things in a way I haven't heard other bands do before. They have songs that have zero dead-time. Fantastic vocals, production, and drumming. The music also has a wide range of expressions that never get boring

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Life inspires me, everything about it. The sad stuff, the happy stuff, and the weird stuff. Daily Reminders for example is an album that reflects this, in my opinion. Though lyrically it's my words and Emil and Aarons music, I think they would agree that the lyrics reflect them as well, even if it is written from "my" perspective most of the time.

6. Where was your last gig?

We actually haven't had one, Covid is a bitch.

7. Where would you like to act?

Not sure I understand the question but if this is where we would like to play; Anywhere and everywhere. Book us and we'll find a way to come and play.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

With all the big bands. It would be pretty sweet to play with Knocked Loose, Architects, Bring Me The Horizon, or any of those bands. Locally though we're hoping to play with Anchors, Beyond The Barricade, Halcyon Days, Atena, and Frostbitt.

9. Whom not?

We don't have anyone we don't wanna play with, to be honest, It's a complete lovefest here in Norway

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

I donæt think so, I mean everyone gets nervous before going on a stage, and you don't wanna look stupid doing it. Tips? Uhm, try to believe in your own ability, do what your gut tells you to do. And do your best.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

As a band, we're all inspired by different bands and different sounds from different genres. Bands like In Flames, with their melodeath thing. Bring Me The Horizon - Suicide season with the amazing sound, Knocked Loose for their brutality, Architects for their amazing songwriting skills have been huge influences. As well as bands like Billy Talent, Breaking Benjamin, Three Days Grace, Killswitch Engage etc.

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

I don't think we have many fans tbh, not that are vocal at least. Most of the "fan" interactions we have are with friends who like the band. So sadly we can't really pinpoint anything at the moment.

13. What do you think of your fans?

The people that listen to us are amazing, the fact that someone could listen to the stuff we make and actually rock the fuck out to it is incredible. We'd love to hear more from the ones we don't personally know though. In the wise words of Keanu Reeves: You're breathtaking!

14. What do you think of our site?

Breathing The Core is an amazing site for people like us who both make music in the genre and for us as fans of the music. There are so many bands that we never would've known even existed without reading about them on your site. The work you do for the underground is amazing and we hope you all continue and understand the importance of the work you do. 10/10 site.

15. Something add?

Thank you to anyone reading this and listening to our music. Our debut album "Daily Reminders" is out now on all relevant streaming platforms. If you would like a physical CD or anything we've printed up 300 copies of it and are trying to get them out the door. So contact us on our socials and we'll find a way for you to buy it. Also don't forget to follow us on our socials for all the latest news and shitposts, link to them in our linktree. https://linktr.ee/kingseekerband

Much love and see you in the pit.

Jan, Emil and Aaron.