Currently making their own head waves and gaining traction in leaps and bounds; Horizon’s Edge is a melodic power metal outfit from Melbourne that has the world at their feet. Their recently released album Let The Show Go On was produced by Bob Katsionis (Firewind), with the vocals recorded and produced by Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear) who also appears on guest vocals. The band most recently performed alongside Ross The Boss on the east coast of Australia and are now set to support Primal Fear and Sinner at two exclusive shows in Melbourne and Sydney in November, we get a few words from vocalist Kat Sproule to find out more on the band.
Tell us about the process of writing and recording the new songs and what some of the things you wanted to achieve with “Let The Show Go On”.
We wanted to really push ourselves with this recording, so we did from start to finish. We worked with Bob Katsionis and Ralf Scheepers and they were fantastic! I flew to Germany and spent two weeks with Ralf in his studio, working on my vocals. We put in a lot of hours and he really pushed me out of my comfort zone vocally and as a result, I’m super happy with how it all turned out.
Do you enjoy the process of creating? Are you someone who continually writes or does the best come out under a little gentle pressure?
I do enjoy writing, I usually have ideas brewing for some time before I attempt to sing them or write them, but once I actually do it, it all comes out pretty quickly.
What does it feel like as an artist waiting for the songs you’ve lived with for some time to get released to the fans? Is there a sense of excitement or a little panic in there too?
I have had to learn a lot of patience in this aspect, I would rather everything get released properly, so I have to distract myself big time! So far, with each album, I’ve felt excited, we always try to put in everything we have and be the best we can be. There is always going to be a sense of nervousness, but also lots of excitement.
What were the lyrical themes and main inspirations for the songs?
The main theme is about how people (and myself at times), will do things that aren’t necessarily good for you, in order to get some attention and also the way we have to sometimes, pretend to be someone else to be accepted in society. So I took inspiration from what I see of others and also a lot of what I experienced in Hollywood and the music scene in general.
Any favorite moments or songs on the release?
My favourite track is definitely the title track, we have Ralf Scheepers as a guest vocalist on that one. Also, recording the cover of Holding Out For A Hero, Ralf and I had a lot of fun doing that song, singing lots of choir tracks together.
Horizons Edge recently toured with Ross The Boss in Australia, how did it go?
The tour was amazing! Melbourne was by far the best show, biggest and most responsive crowd. The guys in Ross The Boss were super nice and made us feel really welcome, which is always nice.
How do you pick out a setlist and is that a difficult process?
It can be, but you sort of get the feeling of which songs will work best live, so we pick those but also make sure there is a bit of variety too.
What is your favorite song to play live?
I’d say A New Day Will Dawn, vocally it’s got a bit of everything.
How has the experience of playing live been like for the band so far?
Always a really great experience. Always nice when you have an energetic crowd, definitely helps with keeping the excitement levels up…but some nights you have to keep giving the energy to the crowds, so if you’re exhausted, it can be a bit hard, but we always make it work.
Any favorite places to play live?
I like to move around a lot, so anywhere with a bigger stage haha.
How did the band form and get started?
Eddy and myself started the band, we were in another band together which in a way, sort of formed into what Horizons Edge is now.
What have been your greatest challenges to date, and your favourite moments musically?
I guess, overcoming my own fears and anxiety, and finding the right people for the band. There’s times when certain members are no longer a good fit and so you have to keep moving forward and find someone new, then the dynamics of the band change, but it’s often for the better.
With technology changing so much over the last few years and seemingly not slowing, and TV force-feeding us the lowest common denominator, what hope is there for rock & metal music?
I think there’s a lot of hope, when people keep getting fed uninspired art, they eventually will want something better and there is so much opportunity to search any kind of music you want, from anywhere in the world. I have faith in people haha, that they get out there and look for something new.
From what you’ve learned so far what is the most valuable advice you’ve been given so far as a musician?
Be a good person, work your ass off, don’t expect that you can ever reach a point where you can stop working for it. Always strive to learn more and be better at your instrument. People will want to keep working with you if you’re respectful, so basically, don’t be a c*nt
Who are some of your main influences?
Dragonforce, Manowar, Judas Priest, Rhapsody of Fire. Plus I’m also a big fan of Andrea Bocelli.
Who or what inspired you to be in a band and play music?
I don’t know really, I have wanted to play music ever since I can remember, not a day has gone by where I didn’t want to.
How do you feel about the current music scene right now?
I think it’s great, there’s so much awesome stuff out there!
Do you believe music can still change the world?
Yes!
If you could be a fly on the wall for the recording of any album in history, what album would it be?
Iron Maiden, Seventh Son of a Seventh Son
What is the meaning of life?
Have fun.
Catch Horizons Edge on tour with Primal Fear and Sinner in Sydney and Melbourne
TOUR DATES
Friday, November 16: Max Watts, Melbourne
Saturday, November 17: Max Watts, Sydney
Tickets via metalobsession.net & oztix.com.au
