Japanese Virtuoso Metal Guitarist, Nozomu Wakai released his brand-new studio album, Metal Souls under the moniker of Destinia via Golden Robot Records on July 13. Featuring world class musicianship courtesy of vocalist Ronnie Romero (Rainbow, Lords Of Black), bassist Marco Mendoza (The Dead Daisies, Thin Lizzy, Blue Murder & more) and drummer Tommy Aldridge (Whitesnake, Ozzy Osbourne, Gary Moore), the album brings authentic and melodic heavy metal into the 21st century. We get a few words from the visionary behind the music to find out a bit more about how all of this came into being.
So first thing is first, how did Destinia get started?
Nozomu: It all started when I decided to do a solo project. There was a big earthquake in Japan in 2011 and since then I started to reconsider my music. It was then that I thought I should create my favorite HR/HM music in my own way so I formed DESTINIA. In 2014 I released my first album and the second one followed a year later. Both works became very popular and even though they were only released in Japan, I got a positive feedback even from overseas fans. I felt so happy about that. Then, when I was thinking of what to do next, I wished that people from all over the globe could listen to my HR/HM music, so I decided to release an album worldwide. It’s very hard for a Japanese musician to release an album on a worldwide level so it was a big challenge for me. I choose the best musicians that would fit the concept of my HR/HM music, so I would not regret it later. Firstly, I found Ronnie at the Rainbow’s reunion live. I listened to his voice and I quickly thought that I had to write songs for him.
When he came in Japan as Lords Of Black, I got touch with him and made an offer. He accepted my offer right away, and while I was writing the songs, I got a clearer idea of the concept of “Classic Modern”. I combined the wonderful melodies of the 80’s music with the modern sound. It’s perfect sound for me as I am a rock star revived from 80’s (laughs). Then I started to look for the perfect rhythm section to make this concept stronger, and Tommy and Marco were the only one that could fulfill it. They are known to be the pioneers of the 80’s music. It’s quite “Classic Modern” right? It was difficult to make an offer to them, but I had to give it a try as I said before that it was a big opportunity for me. At first I thought I would be happy if they could work only a few tracks, but after listening to my demos they told me that they could perform more songs. I was very excited that I had the chance to make music with them, even now I feel honored.
Tell us how the new album “Metal Souls” came together and the process of writing and recording these songs?
Nozomu: I really enjoy writing songs, but I don’t consciously compose songs. Usually in my everyday life, I imagine the vocalist and the things I want to express, and when I try to imagine the concept I want to convey with my music, new songs start to play in my head like a radio or a music video. What’s more, they come up in almost a complete state, so I try not to forget it and quickly make demos. I don’t compose songs with my guitar; the only moment I pick up the guitar is to make the demos. Then with DTM I try to make demos that sound like the final work, so every player can have a better idea during the recording but still can also add his own colors to the songs. I would say sometimes it is good to ignore the demos. By incorporating those “happening” in the way we like, the songs take a different shape from what was the first imagination. It was the same for “METAL SOULS”: the idea and experience that each member brought to the recording really gave a good result to the songs!
What were some of the things you wanted to achieve with the release?
Nozomu: Well, the first was to release an album worldwide, and now that I achieved this goal so I am way beyond happy! Second, I’ve been receiving a lot of good responses from the fans all over the world, and many people are sharing their thoughts on my HR/HM music as I thought in front of HR/HM music, the world is one. From a producer’s point of view, I think there are still things that I could not achieve such as promotion and the release. Those have become useful experiences that I will treasure and use the next time. Anyway, my goal was to be able to reach the position I wanted to by delivering my ideal HR/HM to all the fans over there!
How does it compare to previous releases?
Nozomu: Well I can say that everything is different from the others because this time I wrote songs aiming at a worldwide release. Specifically, the melodies and the chords reflect a slightly different in the way of thinking. With my previous albums I didn’t have to think about what melodies and chords would fit better because it was a domestic release, so only for the Japanese market. Even the album “shape” was totally different because last time different vocalists took a part of the album but this time it’s more a band style, so I could have a concrete concept which is a big difference.
What were the main inspirations for these new songs?
Nozomu: I took inspiration from the 80’s HR/HM music and styles that I truly love and respect, and also the HR/HM history up to now. And as I said before, this time the concept “Classic Modern” which came up from Ronnie’s voice gave me a lot of inspiration. There are many songs based on the concept. Thanks to that I was able to create an album with these amazing members.
Any favorite moments or songs on “Metal Souls”?
Nozomu: Well I love all the songs equally. Basically I don’t choose a single track by myself because it’s up to a listener who gets the CD or the digital album, to decide which song likes the most. I enjoy the moments when both the physical CD and digital album come out to the world. From that moment, it isn’t mine anymore, and it is in the listener’s hand. No matter how the album is judged, it is already a part of their life. And thanks to that, I can also get many interviews. Every time I release an album it’s interesting to see how many invisible connection develops through my music.
Which song are you looking forward to playing live the most?
Nozomu: As I said before I don’t have a song that I particularly like more than the others, but perhaps “Raise Your Fist” is the song that I am looking forward the most to play live. When I pictured the image of this song, I was able to imagine playing this song live. The song has rich elements like a big chorus and great tempo, as the title lets you imagine! I am so looking forward to see all your fists raised up in the air when I will play this song live!
Who or what inspired you to play music?
Nozomu: My love for music started thanks to Ritchie Blackmore. It was the late 1990s and I was a student. Before that, I didn’t have any interest in music. I totally got into the HR/HM by his magical power. Then like a crazy, I’ve listened to all the HR/HM and studied further about that kind of music. Especially the 80’s music was very suitable for me. I’ve been influenced by gorgeous look of hair metal, melodies of industrial rock, and riff works of N.W.O.B.H.M.. As a guitarist, other than Ritchie, Randy Rose and Michael Schenker have also influenced me. Michael Schenker’s guitar playing is truly incredible. I’ve had the chance to design a part of his official merchandise, so because of that I often have the chance to closely see his playing. He and his guitar are like one. He can express his life only with his guitar.
With technology changing so much over the last few years, what hope is there for rock & metal music?
Nozomu: Well, I often do mixing by myself, but I don’t think that technology is going to interfere with music. Even if technology will improve, I think the important thing is how the user utilizes technology. Up to now I often used technology as much as I can to create music, however as the concept of “METAL SOULS” is indeed “Classic Modern” I had to limit the use of technology. For example, I could edit the timing precisely by using technology but I didn’t use much on this album because you cannot technologically express and calculate the powerful sound and energy that the 80’s HR/HM had. As for the overall sound I left everything up to Fredrick Nordstrom, who gave to the album a feeling of “modern”. Depending on how technology is used for music, there will be a wide variety of potential to Rock and Metal music. You definitely need to get used to evolving technology, but it will be a key to a bright future of music. It’s the same when it comes to live shows: there is modern and artistic usage of technology like Meshuggah, or the way ACCEPT is running their stage during their performances. Anyway, there are different ways to use technology and the evolution that gives us is truly incredible.
From what you’ve learned so far what is the most valuable advice you’ve been given so far as a musician?
Nozomu: Practicing an instrument is really important, but what I think is that as an artist, the most important thing is to make a lot of life experiences. For example facing many challenges, having a broad perspective and a flexible way of thinking, those are all very important factors. What I want to do with my music, what I want to express, and what I want to achieve, the answer for those cannot be found through practice, and you could get the answer from your experiences. I think that the originality that comes from my experiences will largely effect my compositions and performance. Different experiences helped me being a musician. I am very grateful for everything that happened so far, both failure and success helped me grow up more as an artist and as a person.
If you could assist in the recording of any album in history, what album would it be?
Nozomu: Oh well, I would say “WASP” by W.A.S.P.. I love the album, but the sound production of the overall album is not my favorite. It sounds like very 80’s, but I think that the album would had turned out much better if it was harder and heavier. I would love to assist at the recording of Ozzy Osbourne’s “DIARY OF A MADMAN”. How I would love to see Randy’s recording and Tommy’s drumming, it would be the coolest thing!
What do you have planned for future shows or tours coming up?
Nozomu: At the moment the first show in Japan was just announced, for the 19th January 2019, in Tokyo, but I am talking with the agent for future shows. I want to make people excited at the show so it is going to be kind of aggressive and powerful! Should we set up a world tour, don’t miss the chance and come see us!
Grab the new album “Metal Souls” HERE.
