Kingcrown have just released their new, fifth album, “Moonfall”, and all fans of European power metal have every reason to celebrate this fantastic new record from the French band. Superb songs, packed with gorgeous melodies and incredible power, are more than enough reasons to get excited! Myth of Rock, absolutely thrilled with “Moonfall,” got in touch with the band, and Ced Legger (guitar) stepped up to answer our questions! And as it turned out, he had plenty of interesting—and quite “hot”—things to say!
by Dimitris Zacharopoulos
Kingcrown have been active for several years now and have already released a number of strong albums. How would you describe the band’s evolution from its early days to where you are today?
Hi there, and thanks for giving us this interview! To answer you directly, I’d say we’re following a logical progression from the previous two albums. While ‘Nova Atlantis’ had a certain epic feel, with ‘Moonfall’ we’ve delved deeper into specific themes—even creating sequels to some tracks—and leaned into the sci-fi aspect by focusing on the consequences of what we’re experiencing right now.
You are now releasing your new, fifth album “Moonfall”. How are you feeling about that? Which are your ambitions for “Moonfall”?
I firmly believe—and I speak for all the other band members here—that ‘Moonfall’ is our most accomplished album to date, and the one we’re proudest of. We stick to a very simple formula: catchy, anthemic choruses tailor-made for live performance, and powerful yet melodic riffs—the very essence of Power Metal. We have no desire to venture into the kind of instrumental showboating that can, over time, come across as somewhat pompous or tedious; instead, we bank on boundless energy—shared on stage—and melodies that stick in your head. I want to emphasize—and take this opportunity to clarify—that we do not, and never will, claim to be innovating within the genre or reinventing it. I’ve read that sort of thing in some reviews and couldn’t help but smile… I think if every band had to innovate with every new album release, we wouldn’t have much music left! (laughs) We simply stick to what we do best.
Where and where was the album recorded? Who mixed and mastered the new album? Describe please the recording and the production process.
We are all fortunate enough to have our own home studios where every riff and song was recorded. We bring ideas to the table and share them; everyone adds their own touch, a theme emerges, and Jo or David writes the lyrics. We add details, Seb and David compose orchestrations to flesh out the sound, and we layer in guitar parts, overdubs, and so on. Once we agree on a song’s final form, we lock it in and get together—usually at Jo’s place—to listen to all the demos. This process allows us to decide which songs to keep, tweak details, add breaks, and generally refine the material. Then comes the recording of the final parts: the guitars (Bob’s and mine) were recorded at Jo’s place under his supervision (laughs), while the other parts were recorded individually. The countless tracks were then sent to Simone Mularoni at Domination Studio, who handled the mixing and mastering. The album artwork took several months to create and was done by the same graphic artist who worked on ‘Nova Atlantis’: Oleg Scherbakov of Voodoo Dark Art.
Where would you trace the differences between the new album and the previous one (“Nova Atlantis”)?
I’ve already touched on this previously. I think ‘Nova Atlantis’ emphasized an epic and legendary side. ‘Moonfall’ is more direct, unifying, and pessimistic in its approach, but positive if you read between the lines. A certain awareness and sensitivity are more pronounced in ‘Moonfall’; whereas mythology was omnipresent in ‘Nova Atlantis’, here we enter the realm of sci-fi where humans are clearly replaced by machines.
Who is responsible for the music and the lyrics of Kingcrown? How is a typical Kingcrown song composed?
Same here—I actually answered that earlier (laughs). Generally speaking, Seb Chabot, our bass player, and David Amore, drums, are incredibly prolific when it comes to songwriting. They’re outstanding composers who never run out of ideas! But, by and large, we all write together; a track doesn’t originate from just one person but emerges from a collective collaboration—a coming-together of ideas and riffs. The lyrics are mostly written by Jo or David.
Kingcrown’s songs often feature powerful choruses and memorable melodies. How important is the “sing-along” factor when you are writing a new track?
It’s absolutely essential—in fact, it’s the formula we’ve always used. We place special importance on sharing the experience with the audience—our fans. So, it’s important to us that our choruses can be chanted and sung along to by the crowd! We want an instant hook—the very signature of Kingcrown, the essence of what makes Power Metal what it is. We want to get the world moving, to make people happy—even euphoric—and seeing that from the stage is simply wonderful.
How would you define the music of Kingcrown? Which are your main influences?
We play European-style Heavy/Power Metal, much like bands such as Helloween/Gamma Ray, Primal Fear, Masterplan, Iron Maiden, and Blind Guardian. We also incorporate some progressive elements—which Bob Saliba, my bro on stage with the other guitar, is particularly fond of—reminiscent of Symphony X or Vanden Plas in certain aspects. Kingcrown’s music is a blend of each member’s influences spanning the decades, particularly from the glorious 1980s.
Where do the lyrics of the new album refer to? Do you try to convey any messages to the listeners through your songs?
The theme of ‘Moonfall’ is decidedly dystopian, imbued with a sense of inevitable doom toward which we are dangerously heading. This rather Orwellian approach prompts us to question humanity’s true future in a society where we are losing all feeling and sensitivity. Several messages emerge from the album—such as the vital importance of remaining united rather than tearing each other apart over trifles. There is an underlying message of hope: that a fresh start is possible and that nothing is irreversible. Although the theme feels very cinematic and sci-fi, the reality is not so far removed. We hope to spread this message of hope and light amidst the prevailing darkness.
Which are Kingcrown’s trademarks, in your opinion?
A sound, a catchy and unifying melody, boundless energy to share with the audience, and above all, an unwavering friendship.
What is more important for Kingcrown, melody or power?
Both (laughs)—we can’t part with either one; otherwise, it wouldn’t be Kingcrown anymore. We remain rooted in traditional metal above all else, doing what we love and drawing on our own influences; we couldn’t distinguish between the two or do without either one.
Describe Kingcrown with three adjectives!
Powerful – melodic – wacky (laughs).
How do you see things today for heavy/power metal music? What are the qualifications of a successful heavy/power metal band?
I probably won’t make many friends saying this (laughs). Let’s talk about the situation in France: heavy and power metal aren’t exactly genres that are widely appreciated or listened to around here. Instead, younger generations are increasingly gravitating toward what’s known today as “modern metal”—genres directly descended from nu metal, often with names ending in “-core.” Personally, I don’t relate to that at all; it’s not my cup of tea, and I feel we’ve largely lost the true spirit of metal. In France today—where metal is already, unfortunately, a divisive genre—the only bands that break through and get all the buzz are the likes of Gojira, Ultra Vomit, and Mass Hysteria. It’s as if French metal begins and ends with them… That’s a real shame, because we have such a rich scene filled with hidden gems—bands that are unfairly overlooked or under-appreciated but are every bit as good as the big names… I’m venting a bit here because, these days, people don’t seem willing to look beyond their own noses or step out of their comfort zones to discover this wealth of untapped talent… Even the promoters for major French festivals are completely unaware of these bands, which is truly appalling! That’s precisely why we tour more in Germany and other German-speaking countries, where traditional metal—and heavy/power metal in particular—is still thriving and widely appreciated by audiences.
How are things for heavy metal bands in France nowadays?
I actually just answered this in the previous question: unfairly unknown, not enough—or even zero—recognition, and a music industry decimated by social media, where you have to be an influencer with thousands of followers more than a musician.
What do you think about the use of AI in music?
Specifically in the realm of music—unlike other fields where it might serve as a beneficial tool—it is simply dangerous when it comes to artistic exploration and the pursuit of a genuine “feel”. I may sound like I’m living in a fantasy world, but I don’t believe AI-generated music can replace or supersede music created by actual musicians. Sure, there’s a plethora of it on YouTube these days; I recently listened to some Synthwave-style reinterpretations of Iron Maiden albums (and I love Synthwave), but it left me completely cold—it did absolutely nothing for me. It’s amusing, but it’s not something that will become a viable business. That’s just my personal opinion, but I think AI should be viewed as a tool, not an end in itself. Technological innovations—as has always been the case throughout history—can be dangerous depending on how we use them. I believe people will simply lose interest in bands that use AI to generate albums, causing the practice to vanish as quickly as it appeared.
Streaming and social media have completely transformed the music industry. Do you see these changes as opportunities for independent metal bands or do they create more difficulties?
I feel like I’ve already anticipated your questions as I’ve been answering them (laughs). Like I said, for me, social media has killed music, bands, and the music industry. Why? Because people only take an interest in you and your work if you’ve got a huge following—and, more importantly, if you fit the mold of a modern-day “influencer,” which goes way beyond just being a musician! Nowadays, nobody cares about musical quality; it’s all about, first, your social media presence—and that applies to promoters and festival/venues promoters, too! It’s completely absurd, demeaning, and even discriminatory! It could have been such a fantastic tool for sharing and spreading music, for good publicity and good vibes… but instead, people are more interested in trivialities, the lowest common denominator, ass shots, or cats… (laughs). Sure, I’m exaggerating a bit, but you’ll see it’s not that far from reality! People would rather follow morons showing off their lunch or their daily diary entries than follow people who actually have something to share—like art.
If you could collaborate with a famous musician in a song of yours, whom would you select and why?
There are so many… I can only speak for myself, but I’d say sharing a solo with Dave Murray? (laughs) He’s the reason I became the guitarist I am today… It might not be representative of what others would choose, but it’s my little childhood dream. (laughs)
Imagine you could put together your ultimate metal festival lineup, with Kingcrown sharing the bill with five legendary bands from any era. Which bands would you choose?
So, legendary bands!! Let’s go: Iron Maiden, obviously!!, Judas Priest, Metallica, Helloween, King Diamond. Can you see my influences from back when I was a teenager? (laughs)!
Are you satisfied with your partnership with Rockshots Records, and why?
Yes, absolutely! Roberto, at Rockshots, immediately understood our message and our ambitions; they saw us as a hungry band with plenty of plans, and they put their trust in us. We can’t thank them enough for that! They are very accessible and never hesitate to offer effective, professional advice.
Which are your future plans? A tour maybe?
The album comes out on September 4th, and for the rest of the year, we’re going to focus on this release and really hone our live show in preparation for what’s coming in 2027! I can only reveal that we’re lining up two dates in Italy for January, but I’m keeping quiet about the rest because there are some huge—and truly surprising—things in store! So stay tuned, and sorry I can’t say more (laughs). We would like to perform in your beautiful country, a lot of festivals are open to heavy power metal bands, and where metalheads are really wild!! If a promotor is reading this interview…contact us please !!(laughs)
Send your message to our readers!
Thanks again to you, Dimitris, for this really cool interview, and to all our fans—your support is invaluable to us! I encourage you to give ‘Moonfall’ a listen and to share and spread the word as much as possible; we need you! We love you!
