Kingdom of Sorrow Interview
Interview with Kirk Windstein of Crowbar and Down on Metal Band
Sludge Metal Legend Kirk Windstein of Down and Crowbar combines forces to form the monstrously heavy sludgecore hybrid Kingdom of Sorrow with Jamey Jasta of Hatebreed.
Two genuine heavyweights of the heavy music scene, guitarist Kirk Windstein (Crowbar, Down) and vocalist Jamey Jasta (Hatebreed, Icepick) join together to create Kingdom of Sorrow, whose eponymous debut album was released in February this year.
Kingdom of Sorrow Album Review
In its Kingdom of Sorrow album review, Kerrang! magazine said: "This is a full-force, decimating record that while having powerful sludge and hardcore elements throughout, ultimately avoids being pigeonholed into a subgenre - this is metal, and don't you forget it."
Suite 101: Most people who've heard the band seem to agree you sound like an amalgamation of Crowbar and Hatebreed. How would you describe Kingdom of Sorrow's sound?
Kirk: “An airplane filled with lead crashing into a barge filled with tar! I think it’s a pretty good schtick. Jamie came up with that and I think it’s right. It’s pretty doggone heavy.”
Kingdom of Sorrow Tour
Suite 101: You managed a short tour in Feb/March - did KoS start to feel less of a project and more of a band?
Kirk: “Yeah, it was great - we’ve really been having a good time and we’ve really and truly started to gel. It’s really becoming like a real band…we had Derek (Kerswill) on drums in the studio but we never actually played a song together. I’d be on guitar, Jamie would be on guitar and we’d be writing riffs together and Derek would be on the drums. It’s actually gelling now and sounding like a band and we’re looking like a band. Obviously I’ll be in Europe with Down for a while so we couldn’t make this thing (KoS tour) any longer. I wish I had the time that we could make it longer and hopefully there will be a point where later in the year we can fit in a proper tour and maybe do stuff in Europe as well.”
Down Tour and New Crowbar Album
Suite 101: With the other bands and projects, how much time will you be devoting to Kingdom of Sorrow?
Kirk: “As much as possible. I mean, Down is my number one priority and I also want to try and get a Crowbar record out this year – I’ve got about five Crowbar songs written – but as much as I can I’d like to be able to play and tour with Kingdom Of Sorrow. It’s kinda difficult with Jamie as well – I’ll be off when he’s touring and vice versa. For both of us to be off and have the time to dedicate is kinda tough but as much as we can we’d like to do it because we’re really enjoying it.”
Click here for Kirk Windstein's most Spinal Tap moment.
For more metal interviews check Venom unleash their new album Hell and Exodus interview with Gary Holt.
