Emerging from the German underground with a refreshing blend of melody, energy, and classic influences, Kingsmash is a band that proudly embraces the spirit of traditional Heavy Metal and Hard Rock while injecting it with a vibrant, feel-good attitude. Formed in 2024, the quartet quickly found its chemistry and direction, driven by a shared passion for songwriting and live performance. With their debut full-length album The Heart Remains at Home set to be released via Fetzner Death Records, Kingsmash is ready to make a strong first statement. In this interview, we dive into the band’s origins, influences, creative process, and their vision for the future as they begin carving their path in the metal scene.
Asmoth: Kingsmash is a new name in the Heavy Metal/Hard Rock scene—can you introduce the band and tell us how the project was formed? What inspired you to start this musical journey together?
Michael: I have been making music for quite some time and have played in various bands since my youth. However, these were always "just" cover bands. But I gradually realized that "covering" (i.e., playing well-known songs) wasn't really fun for me anymore. And so I decided to (finally) write my own songs. I already had a few song ideas in my head at that point, which I then worked out in a very cliché way in my basement at home. Once I had a small repertoire of songs "finished," I tried to put together a band based on these demo recordings (fortunately successfully). With Severin, Ralf, and Atze, it quickly became clear that I had found the ideal band lineup. And so things could continue. Since the beginning of 2024, the four of us have been performing together as KINGSMASH, and we all share the same goal. Severin, the drummer, and I have known each other for a very, very long time and have played together in bands before, but apart from that, we're a motley crew. But it just clicked perfectly right away. The four of us were meant to be, as they say.
Asmoth: Your debut album The Heart Remains at Home is about to be released through Fetzner Death Records. What does this title represent, and is there a central concept or message behind the album?
Michael: No, there's no central concept behind this album. As with our first EP, we've incorporated a little bit of our home, the Black Forest, into the cover artwork, and the song title "The Heart Remains at Home" was a perfect fit.
Asmoth: Every band has its own musical roots. Which classic or modern Heavy Metal and Hard Rock bands have had the strongest influence on Kingsmash’s sound and songwriting?
Michael: I, as the main songwriter, definitely have to mention the Scorpions here. They were my first "childhood heroes." I still love their catchy song structures to this day. Mike Ness from Social Distortion is also a major influence for me. Generally speaking, I've always been a fan of the old heroes. Modern stuff, especially modern metal, hasn't really interested me much. The older I got, the more I discovered metal alongside Hard Rock and Punk. My introduction was through bands like Helloween, Iron Maiden, Blind Guardian, Grave Digger, etc. I think that's why the KINGSMASH sound is a mix of Rock and Metal.
Michael: For the recording of the new album, we went back to the same studio where we had recorded our first EP – Black Forest Power Rock – a year earlier. We were therefore already familiar with the processes and working methods of producer Christoph Brandes. Christoph is a great guy! It was simply a lot of fun recording the new songs. We had already created demos for the songs before the studio sessions, so we all arrived very well prepared. The recording process was, of course, still quite demanding, but all in all, it was another great time that we look back on fondly.
Asmoth: Heavy Metal and Hard Rock can take many different directions—from classic and melodic to darker and heavier sounds. How would you personally define Kingsmash’s musical identity?
Michael: Our songs are catchy and melodic. Furthermore, we often hear (which makes me very happy) that our music lifts people's spirits and creates a very cheerful atmosphere. Hard Rock and Metal don't always have to be evil *wink*
Asmoth: The underground Metal scene remains very important for new bands. How do you see the current Heavy Metal scene in your country and internationally? Do you feel it is still a strong space for young bands to grow?
Michael: The underground scene here is fantastic! We're incredibly happy that we've been able to gain such a foothold in the metal scene. Initially, we were worried that we might not be heavy enough for metalheads, but as it turns out, we've been quite well received – which we're absolutely thrilled about. I think that young or new bands definitely have a chance to establish themselves. The most important thing, in my opinion, is simply to play live often and connect with the audience.
Michael: We're naturally delighted with any positive feedback. We hope the album is received at least as well as our first EP; that would be a complete success! And to your question about what's next for KINGSMASH? We'd love to play the new album live, of course! Live performances are fantastic and we have a blast. Well, and unfortunately, live performances are currently the only real chance for a real band to compete against all this AI crap popping up online! But I don't want to end the interview on a negative note. We're really going for it now! We're excited. It would be amazing, and it would be a pleasure for us, to conquer the world with our music. There's a lot more to come!
The Heart Remains at Home on Fetzner Death Records - Website or on the bandcamp below