interview with Warlock A.D. UK
Formed in 2019, WarlocK A.D. are a Heavy Metal band from the west-midlands, UK, that blends together Symphonic, Power and Folk Metal elements with Parodical Fantasy themes.
WarlocK A.D. Live shows are performed as Live Action RPG events where a dice is used to determine the direction and story of the setlist - creating a unique live experience at every show!
Jon Asher - Why did you form? How did the idea come to be?
WarlocK A.D. - This iteration of the band joins Whiteacre the Nomad (Formerly Whiteacre the Mighty Warlock) as he finds himself stranded across the multiverse in the magical land of Brittanni following a great battle. He is joined by three mighty heroes as they quest to the Valley of Vâgené - a gateway which will allow Whiteacre to return to the lost allies he was seperated from at the end of “Book I: The Reserrection”.
Jon Asher - How would you describe your sound in five words?
WarlocK A.D. - Large, Epic, Accurate, Cinematic and Adequate.
Jon Asher - Your upcoming album, how do think it will be received by fans?
WarlocK A.D. - This entry in our saga is already highly anticipated, for it is an epic tale of adventure and mystery.
Jon Asher - What kind of listening experience is trying to give fans with this album, its singles?
WarlocK A.D. - The album will feel like an epic, Dungeons and Dragons style quest, told through the medium of a heavy metal musical of interwoven motifs and reprisals.
Jon Asher - How is the writing process for the band?
WarlocK A.D. - We usually begin with the story, following this comes the implementation of a basic structure leading to the composing of a blend of full orchestration and metal.
Jon Asher - Are any of the band members known on the local scene from any other bands?
WarlocK A.D. - This universe’s version of Ahriman Cullblade the Shadow Assassin (Known as Dan Cole) is the composer for the experimental metal act “Fractures in the Sky”.
Jon Asher - How did you decide on the tracks for this album? How much more music can fans expect?
WarlocK A.D. - Every track on this album tells a key part of the tale of The Party’s Quest across Brittanni in varying styles - the songs pick themselves…
Jon Asher - What can people expect live from your band compared to other bands?
WarlocK A.D. - A live “choose your own adventure” show with a setlist determined by the roll of a 12 sided dice.
Jon Asher - Where do your lyrics come from? What inspires your writing?
WarlocK A.D. - The stories themselves.
Jon Asher - Are the songs a collaborative effort?
WarlocK A.D. - They are - Every song begins as an idea from a member which is then elaborated upon by the rest of us.
Jon Asher - Does the band have a main songwriter?
WarlocK A.D. - Every member plays their part in the songwriting process.
Jon Asher - How does the music affect the lyrics and vice versa?
WarlocK A.D. - The lyrical implementation is directly affected by the sound of the lead instruments in the orchestra and vice versa.
Jon Asher - How would you describe the evolution of the band’s sound?
WarlocK A.D. - The first iteration of the Party adopted more of an 80’s Heavy Metal sound devoid of orchestral sound - until we eventually became a full symphonic metal act.
Jon Asher - Name the Top 5 band influences of the band/ Top 5 Bands that your band sounds like that fans like.
WarlocK A.D. - Dio, Nanowar of Steel, Victorius, Nightwish and Wind Rose.
Jon Asher - What metal genres influence you as a band the most?
WarlocK A.D. - Definitely the earlier, fantasy inspired wave of heavy metal from the likes of Dio and the more modern iterations of Power/Symphonic Metal - Especially Japanese metal acts. Also, not metal, but the works of such composers as Nobuo Uematsu and Masayoshi Soken.
Jon Asher - Describe the album as a whole.
WarlocK A.D. - The album can almost be described as a Symphonic Metal Musical - every single song is interwoven in a way that ties every track together through the use of motifs, reprisals and callbacks between songs.
Jon Asher - Describe each song track by track.
A Strange New World (That is not My Own)
Heavily inspired by Japanese Metal often used as Anime Openings, this track details the arrival of Whiteacre in the mysterious land of Brittanni, culminating in the journey to seek the aid of Horatus the Mushroom wizard.
The Valley of Vâgené
Released as an independent single in 2023, the album’s title track details the quest that is to be undertaken by the heroes to The Valley of Vâgené…
Nanum Imperium
…Meanwhile at the Dwarf Citadel of Lochnagar, the Evil Emperor Thorumm III details his plans to use the awakened Valley to leave Brittanni and conquer the vast infinite multiverse! A darker track, this song is heavily inspired by the likes of Behemoth and Children of Bodom.
The Golden Showers of Prestønia
The first track on the album with a real traditional power metal feel, this song is a cautionary tale as Whiteacre fails to heed the words of the Wizard, disturbing a magical pool and awakening the deadly Siren, Uriña (played by Dani Bentham of Wailing Banshee). This track also tells of the moment the Party is joined by Ahriman Cullblade the Shadow Assassin, having just saved Whiteacre’s life.
By The Path of the Exiled
Danger awaits as this folky track details the expedition over The Mountains of Titus via the Path of the Exiled Prince. Atop the mountain, Prince Quinn duels with Björnulfr the Beast Slayer (Played by Scot Evans) - an agent of the empire - told through the medium of a guitar duel.
Rothgar Warsong
Heavily inspired by the music of bands such as Turisas and Feuerschwanz, this track tells of the caputre of the party by a tribe of ravenous Half-orcs led by the titular Rothgar Warsong (Played by Scot Evans). When a Trial by Combat demanded by Whiteacre goes wrong, the intensity of the track ramps up as The Human Resistance of Brittanni swoops in to save the day.
As One, We Stand!
With fanfare and triumph we are introduced to The Human Resistance of Brittanni - led by the Heavy Metal Battle Wench (played by Jade Maris of Vanitas) - Who wage a constant war against the oppressive Dwarf Empire of Lochnagar. This song was influenced by the overture heard in the early Final Fantasy games and reveals that Ahriman Cullblade is infact the true King of Brittanni from the forgotten line of Anâlin.
Ancient Dragon of Storms Flüffir Mighty Guardian of Valley (Techno Wyrmhole)
Enter the Caverns of Nave at your peril…for you risk awakening the Ancient Dragon of Storms Flüffir - Mighty Guardian of The Valley of Vâgené! This high energy track is inspired by the more synth-laden works of Angus McSix, Beast in Black and Gloryhammer.
The Sacred Spears of Brittanni
A tragic tale of a fallen kingdom told alongside the mission to acquire the last of The Sacred Spears of Brittanni. This song is divided into both past tense and present tense lyrics and changes in intensity throughout reflecting the emotions of it’s storytelling
Stormbreather
The heroes of reached The Valley of Vâgené - and the final battle awaits! Heavier than most of the rest of the album, Stormbreather’s fast pace reflects the urgency and intensity of the battle with the ancient dragon… and the betrayal of the Elven Prince as he murders Horatus and defeats Whiteacre - leaving him for dead as the airship fleet of the Dwarf Empire arrives…
The Sword of Cühm
…All is not lost however, as Whiteacre awakens in the Eternal Halls of the Goddess Vâgené (Played by Anna Rose of Tales of Time/Pirate Queen). In this spoken word track, The Goddess bestows upon Whiteacre a celestial relic, The Sword of Cühm, and a chance to return to life - in return for his oath to protect the multiverse as Whiteacre the Mighty Hexblade of Vâgené.
The Rising Flames of the Eternal Golden Empire Rise
The longest track on the album at 14+ Minutes, the final song is a whirlwind culmination of all the previous tracks - featuring returning motifs, callbacks and reprisals - as Whiteacre returns to end the conquest of the Evil Dwarf Emperor with the aid of The Human Resistance of Brittanni led by King Ahriman and The Heavy Metal Battle wench, The Elves of Sherwood and a defeated and redeemed Prince Quinn - concluding with an epic reprise of the Album’s title track and an open ending as Ahriman and Whiteacre leave Brittanni behind, unsure of what lies before them in the multiverse…
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