From Greece, Royal Altar Answers Our Questions... |

“We Try To Transmit a Force Of Good And Some Light In These Darkened Times”

In recent years, the Greek metal scene has been giving the world some great bands, and Royal Altar is one of them. “Warrior’s Dance” is their latest album, which we have in our hands and which we were able to review. It’s an album focused on traditional Heavy Metal, but more specifically on the “Epic Metal” genre, a style that is not widely explored in general. For this reason, and because we found it to be a very interesting album, it seemed obvious to us to seek out an interview with the band. So, we had the opportunity to talk with Sotos “Insane,” Royal Altar’s vocalist and bassist, as well as the rest of the band. Among other things, Sotos told us that they have just brought Vaggelis on board as the band’s new guitarist, that they are working on new music, and several other things that we reproduce here in this interview…

First of all, tell us how Royal Altar was formed and what is the specific meaning of the band’s name?

“We are a band of friends and brothers that have played together through the years. From rock and metal to gospel from a young age. We have also a rock band with Greek lyrics (Aima kai Anasa). So Royal Altar is just a good evolution.
The name has to do with the trip of life. We see the world like a fighting arena between good and evil. It’s an Altar, on which we offer our best offers, music and deeds, to draw from Heaven the best benefits for humanity. It’s royal because Heaven and Earth belongs to the Creator and Anointed King, Jesus Christ.”

Is “Warrior’s Dance” your first album? Or have you released another album before? Tell us how the idea for the album came about, how it came to be recorded and edited…

“Yes, “Warrior’s Dance” is our first album as Royal Altar. This album was a need for us. We wanted to make the music that we most love and give a fit message for these troubled times. So there is purpose there, too.”

When listening to “Warrior’s Dance,” we notice a clear influence from traditional and epic heavy metal. What are Royal Altar’s influences, and why did you choose to approach a genre that, in general, has never been very popular?

“Our influences are surely Iron Maiden and also Manowar, Manilla Road and Stryper. I think we can add more there to make a good recipe for the wondrous brew!
We chose this heavy epic power metal genre firstly because it’s in our blood. The second reason has to do with my history. I’m the singer of an epic metal band from the 80’s that called Ageless Wisdom. (We made some fuzz back then with our demo “After the Gates”. That’s why we played in Up the Hammers festival in Athens recently as a tribute to my old band.) Another reason for the epic approach is that it gives you the artistic freedom and fantasy of the 70s. Finally, epic power metal gives a very loyal following as fan base.”

We found the lyrics of the songs on Warrior’s Dance very interesting, a bit different from the classic message of Christian bands… Do you agree? What is the idea behind the lyrics?

“Warrior’s Dance” is a song based in a Greek traditional rhythm that according to scholars has to do with the psychological preparation of the ancient warrior before the battle. You can also see there the preparation of Christ in the garden of olives before the Crucifixion. Deep inside every song is the theology of struggle in a real world. We don’t believe that the Christian life is a walk on the park. It confronts not only the inner self but also the condition of society. It’s the narrow path of a warrior that takes joy from endurance, victory and the touch of the Spirit of God in a hostile world.”

What is the composition process? Do you write the lyrics or the music first? What is the main message you want to convey with your music?

“Usually someone brings an idea in music with some lyrics and we process it to a full composition and text. Sometimes someone brings a more complete song. Rarely, it’s just lyrics in a form of a poem and we put the music after.
The main message that we give is an encouragement. We try to transmit a force of good and some light in these darkened times.”

One of the songs that caught our attention the most is “Just Free,” in which you take the opportunity to criticize this new global wave of neoliberalism. What are your thoughts on this, and what do you think about the unprecedented growth of the far right in Europe?

“Before I answer this, I must say that we have in our band all the colors from right to left, but we all believe in democracy in a genuine form and we hate every tyranny from fascist blue to communist red. (Personally I like the political philosopher John Locke). Even capitalism can be used as a tool under State’s supervision with good results for the simple man. But neoliberalism is a monster with no boundaries that consumes everything. It’s pretty cynical for someone to use the sacred name of Liberty for that beast. In contrast, we see it as a great threat for humanity and it brings the new feudalism.
In Europe we have a complex situation. After many years of corruption, bureaucracy, media control and flexible working conditions. In addition, an attack comes on traditional values and faith along with unchecked Islamic migration. It’s like TNT. So as a reaction, the lower and middle classes turn to more conservative ideas. If this can be balanced, it can be good. Even the human body works with balance mechanisms. But if the far right or the far left take advantage of this it can be lethal, because it will lead to civil war or the dictatorship of another beast!”

Lately, we’ve seen a lot of metal bands coming out of Greece. What is the metal scene like there? What can you tell us about it?

“Yes, Greece has a strong metal scene and it has good representatives in every genre. Look at Firewind, Suicidal Angels, Diviner, Inner Wish, Elysion etc. There are a lot of new bands, too. A solid metal community. But we got to win the youth of Greece again… this is our challenge because we don’t have the percentages like in Central Europe or Latin America and USA.”

From what we’ve seen, “Warrior’s Dance” has been practically self-managed by the band itself. How difficult is it for bands in Greece to release an album? And even more so in physical format?

“It’s difficult! The bands must pay everything in a country which has been in financial crisis from 2008 non-stop! It requires lot of self-sacrifice, a little help from our friends… and the art of the deal.”

What future projects do you have as a band? Are you performing “Warrior’s Dance” live? When will we be able to hear something new from Royal Altar?

“We will play again for the Up the Hammers festival next year… but in our own city, Thessaloniki. We work on making more concerts from now on. We’re recording also a couple new songs as singles and we will cover the Oliver Anthony song “Rich men north of Richmond” but in a metal way!”

Today, music is generally listened to through digital platforms. Why continue to release in physical format? What are the advantages and disadvantages of both formats in your opinion?

“There is still a market for Vinyl and Cd in Europe. The digital way gives easy promotion worldwide and it also plays the role of the old Walkman on the move. Nevertheless, I think nothing can replace the relaxed listening of a vinyl at home along with the reading of lyrics. Man must find the time again for this. Fantasy and passion comes from attention span! And then the concert comes as a celebration!”

Leaving aside religion and religious institutions, what do you think about God and why believe in God?

“God for us is like life itself. We see God through a personal relationship glass. For me, the universe has a Creator and it has hierarchy. Moreover God is the ally of the poor and the simple and He is one in the circle of friends in our passage from this madhouse called Earth. I believed consciously in God years ago through difficult times. I discovered strength, peace, love and the supernatural! After that, nothing was the same…”

We appreciate the opportunity to interview you. I’ll leave the last few lines for whatever you want to say and a message to our readers in Argentina and around the world….

“I want to encourage people to live their good times in this metal community, to make friends and to appreciate life. It’s a fine relaxed circle with lots of freedom and acceptance. A place to grow. And if some people have found the answers to eternal questions, then they are lucky and blessed to promote that light and live within it. If they don’t, then I can say that the metal community it’s a safe Haven to search about it! So …keep on rocking!!!
And something more that I want to tell to the artists of our beloved music… Don’t forget this! Rock & Metal is not just music. It began also as a strong social music movement… so, speak the truth and scream it aloud!”

To get in touch with the folks at Royal Altar, find out what’s new, and learn a little more about their music, below are their social media handles, as well as our review of their album Warrior’s Dance, released in 2024. As if that weren’t enough, we’ve included one of the tracks from this album called “Metal,” which, of course, will appeal to all those who love and fly the flag of heavy metal…

https://www.facebook.com/royalaltarband

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTnHRHFSqpcK3llB486G_ZA

Metal Warriors