Dirk Kennedy
Hittman
We're doing very well, thank you, considering the pandemic.
We had already felt the creative juices flowing before the Keep It True Festival. But that cemented the feeling of acceptance for the band, an exceptional experience. Once we started writing, we knew we had much to offer and it felt fresh and wonderful to be back writing those kinds of songs.
Well, we toured in Europe as you know. We felt we were making great strides but in the end. We didn't get the label support of the booking agencies to place us on tours or festivals. This led to not much happening, no steam, no movement. So we just kind of drifted apart.
First it was just the nostalgia, but Jimmy and I decided to write and see if we had anything to say. So a decision was made early on to come back fully.
As far as I know, the metal scene in the USA has been dead for ages. Kids listen to Hip-Hop and only till recent times have they discovered the older music and embraced metal again. It's really picking up and I think it might have a bright future. I think the style we play is very much classic. Metal. So, it's not part of a past. Power metal will always live, it's pure.
The title track is really the only song that deals with the subject matter. It was basically a contemplation of the state of American politics with a slight Sci-Fi edge. It was exciting to be working with my Hittman family again. It was instantly comfortable and we were very productive.
Always. We were a band that made albums in big expensive studios. Tape machines, analogue. So today its all-digital and somewhat isolating as were not always in the same place but deliver the music over the internet. It's not the same, but we were on the phone all the time talking and using face-time. We're all over the US, so that was the only way to do it. John and I live nearby so he came to my studio, Jimmy did his thing in LA and Greg came to his.
Something like that, listen, that song has a message. If we don't take a hold of our leaders and check them, they will try to grab as much power as they can especially now with the current administration. We need to put humanity first. Money and power rules too much of this planet.
It's the Fermi-Paradox. Why haven't we detected other intelligent species in the universe? Because it's likely we will destroy ourselves before we achieve the ability to do so. Sure, they exist, but never in the same Point in time.
Actually the opposite happened. We didn't listen to modern productions, or styles. So, in essence, we just continued with what would have happened in between the debut and "Vivas Machina". We went for a classic production without all the modern digital enhancements. Most records today. The vocals are so loud and compressed; the music takes a back seat. We wanted this album to sound like it was 1988, Big, rich and expansive.
We made a pact. Only our original influences would be present on this album. The bands that made us want to be a band in the first place. So nothing after 1990. So it's Maiden, Queensryche, MSG, KISS, Sabbath. The bands that influenced us.
Yes!! While it's never smart to say this is our "best" album, its ok to say, "hey, I'm a better songwriter and have more musical knowledge at my disposal" and that is true. We're better at our craft. But not as young. Being young makes you fearless and that's what we tried to achieve, to find the fearlessness in the music. "Vivas Machina" was the result of many years of musical experimentation. Orchestra, cinema etc. This is pure Power Metal on a grand scale. So next level? I hope so
Who knows, maybe the label, us not sure. But both of those songs were to be on "precision killing" the supposed 2nd album we never got the chance to make. We were put on ice by the label and couldn't record for 4 years. If we had made a new album in a timely fashion, believe me these songs would have been on there. We resurrected them as a tribute to Michael and because they're so good. They needed to be heard. And there are more too.
Well, thank you. Hittman always had the ability to write catchy songs. It was a part of our appeal. Yes, its classic metal, but it's also radio friendly. We love catchy melodic music. It's part of our DNA.
"Love, The Assassin" is a song we had to make because it was collaborative. John and I got together with Greg and Jai in NYC and jammed it. I recorded a video of it and got to work, it was harder to write because all the pieces didn't fit and had to be constructed. I then sat down with John and we mapped it out. I worked so hard on that one because I knew I would be proud of it. Then we sent it to jimmy and he added his stamp and Voila, a real collaboration. It was rewarding. It's also very cinematic. I love that, it's my favorite song on the album.
We have a lot of songs that didn't make this album, not because they weren't good enough, it's because we knew we'd be making another one and some songs felt like the next one. We're always working on things and the dialog is open to all for new things.
I think it's time we finished the sentence. We had so much promise and never delivered on it because of the powers that be. Well, now we all control our own destinies and we can make it happen with hard work and resolve. I really hope to play all the big festivals, maybe get a shot at Opening for a big band (Hello Steve Harris!) so we can bring the music to the people.
Thank you so much, its so nice to chat and we're looking forward to bigger and better things. Here's to 2021 may the touring be plentiful and the music divine. Cheers
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