Interviews: Vallorch

On this new occasion, we had the opportunity to interview the Heavy Metal band Vallorch from France. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

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

Vallorch is a Cimbrian village located on the Cansiglio plateau - so it’s not a name we came up with ourselves. From the start, we knew we wanted a name tied to our Cimbrian heritage, but we couldn’t settle on the right one. Being familiar with the plateau, someone eventually suggested "Vallorch," and it immediately resonated with everyone. It had a unique ring to it, and before we knew it, the name stuck!

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

It was all about a shared passion! When the band first formed, the folk-metal scene was just beginning to emerge in Italy, and as metalhead kids, we absolutely loved the genre. The band officially started after founding member Max, along with former members Marco Munari and Matteo, met up to attend an Eluveitie concert featuring support from Furor Gallico and Spellblast. By a twist of fate, Marco Povolo was at that same concert, though he wouldn’t join the band until much later. From day one, our love for melodic metal and folk was at the heart of everything we did.

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

Only Matteo and Max knew each other personally. Most of the band members joined through networking or responded to an ad we put out. While we were vaguely aware of each other from previous bands in the local scene, it was mostly just by name. The band’s formation goes way back to 2010. At the time, we were fresh out of high school and had only just started traveling to other cities for concerts. Living in a rural area, you don’t really get to know the music scene until you finally have a driver’s license!

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Leo and Marco can confidently say it’s Nightwish. Sara’s favorite band is Gojira, Max’s is Harakiri From The Sky and Mattia’s is definitely Tool.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Our songwriting process often begins with Marco, our primary songwriter and composer, whose inspiration can arise from the most unexpected places. It might be sparked by nature, such as a memorable hike or a personal experience he feels compelled to translate into music. Sometimes, it’s a performance that left a lasting impression or a major life event that stirs creativity. Other times, it’s simply the joy of playing for fun and letting the music flow from there. Leo typically draws his themes from literature or personal experiences, channeling those emotions into retelling a specific story. Similarly, Sara infused her own reflections into Antermoia, a song about loss, making it deeply personal. Inspiration is unpredictable and ever-changing—it can stem from any moment, thought, or event, making it difficult to shape but endlessly exciting. That unpredictability is what makes the creative process so rewarding!

6. Where was your last gig?

Our last performance was at the Jungle Youth Center in Meran, Südtirol! It was an incredible experience—everyone there was fantastic, from the staff to the other bands and even the accommodations. We had such a great time, and we’d love the chance to go back!

7. Where would you like to act?

We’d love to get back to Germany specifically, we were welcomed in such a warm way up there. The Netherlands is also a big spot we’d love to tour in this year! Of course, we’d love to also play overseas someday, we’ve had a lot of people over the years asking us to go to Mexico, the US, or Brazil.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Ah man, it’s such a difficult question. There are so many artists we’d love to play with, we’ve had the pleasure of opening for Arkona, Alestorm, Wind Rose, and Rhapsody of Fire. I think that’s the kind of artist we’d like to go on tour with. A dream come true would be Nightwish or Epica.

9. Whom not?

Maybe artists that have no connection to our niche or genre, but I don’t think there’s anyone we wouldn’t play with on principle.

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

Oh, absolutely. Stage fright is something we know all too well: we’re a band full of introverts. The first tip we can offer is to build a strong bond with your bandmates. Foster a sense of friendship and trust—it makes stepping onto the stage so much easier when you know you’re not alone and have a team that’s got your back.

If you’re just starting out, practice relentlessly at home and lean into whatever makes you feel more confident or less exposed on stage. Find what works for you, whether it’s headbanging, preparing and rehearsing your speeches, or focusing on the parts of performing that don’t put you in a negative headspace.

The truth is, the only real solution to stage fright is to keep going on stage, over and over again. The more you put yourself out there, the more comfortable you’ll become—even with mistakes. Learning to embrace failure and roll with the punches is key.

Once you’ve rehearsed as much as you can, accept that live music is never going to be perfect. Instead, focus on adapting and staying in the moment. The more flexible you are, the less you’ll worry if things don’t go exactly as planned. Finally, try to adopt a mindset of invincibility. Remember, the crowd is there to see you. The stage gives you a unique power to command attention and guide the audience’s experience. Tap into that energy and let yourself have fun. It takes time, but it’s a journey worth taking, and one that gets better with each show.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

It’s difficult to pinpoint, as each of us has a unique background and diverse musical tastes. As a band, however, it’s clear that Eluveitie has had a significant influence on us, as well as Nightwish and much of the Finnish melodic metal scene. We’d also mention Epica and Ensiferum as key inspirations.

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

There've been many, but the one that comes to mind right now was a fan asking us to sign a teapot. 

13. What do you think of your fans?

They’re the best! Nothing brings us more joy than meeting someone who has been touched by our music in any way. When fans share that our music has had a positive impact on their lives, we’re often overwhelmed: it’s the main reason we do what we do.

14. What do you think of our site?

Fantastic place and keeping the metal scene alive. Thank you for letting us take part in this fantastic endeavor!

15. Something to add?

Thank you for all your support! Please, check out our new video for Circle of the Moon, and keep following our social media for the release of our new full-length “The Circle” in 2025. Thank you so much!