A Hero for the World should be considered as a European band, although its members are based in Philippines nowadays. After all, their music style it is definitely on the so called Euro sympho-power metal. Their debut was quite gratifying so we caught up with the vocalist/songwriter, Jacob, to learn how this band came to being and what they want for the future to come. Read below for more…
Hi Jacob. I’m glad we’re given the chance to talk about A Hero for the World. Please tell us what A Hero for the Word is, how & when it all began.
J: It is the name of the band and the self-titled album, consisting of me, Jacob Kaasgaard (vocals, keyboards & songwriter), David Sivelind (guitars and bass), Andy Gentile (drums) and Louiebeth Aratan on female vocals.
I’ve been writing Metal songs for several years, but it is first now that a serious recording has been completed. David and I have known each other since high school. We played in some bands before in Sweden, but it was not the right time. We believe 2013 is the perfect time if any for a return to true melodic heavy metal! \m/
Even though you and David are from Sweden you’re now based in Philippines. I’m sure the metal flame can be eased no matter where you find yourself to be in the world. Did you think at any point that starting such a thing there would be harder than doing so in Europe for example?
J: It is certainly easier for inspiration here with the paradise living of the Philippines! Regarding live gigs it’s very much different than Europe though, the scene is not the same. However, these days it’s so much about the online stuff anyway, a metal band needs to reach a wide niche audience all over the world. We’re glad to see that we’ve already gained a good amount of fans in South America and Europe as well as here in Asia!
How long had the debut been in the writing/recording process for before you started searching for a label?
J: I wrote most of the songs 2011/12, and it was recorded 2012. We decided to release it through our music & entertainment company Jacob K Music (Hong Kong), since it was the most logical decision at this time.
How did you come up with the name “A Hero for the World” for both the band and the album?
J: It’s from the suite “A Hero For The World”, track 8,9 and 10 on the album. Actually, more than 5 years ago I wrote the film music score for a low-budget superhero movie feature that eventually got cancelled. Then in 2011 I reworked the main theme in to what is now “Over Land and Sea”, “A Quest for the Brave” and “One Hope of Light”. The name accentuates our heroic style of epic metal, and that it is influenced by the world in large, both musically and lyrically.
Who is the hero? Well, no one knows… For some it could be related to religion or even something like a political leader. Or maybe the hero is that friend that will never leave your side. Or a fighter, refusing to give up in times of despair.
Jobert Mello did an excellent job with the cover artwork. Is this the Earth that’s about to explode?
J: Yeah, it shows that the earth is at its boiling point, or even beyond that limit. Ready to self-destruct. Only thing is, we don’t know from what yet, nuclear war, global warming, etc. And you can see the stars at the top; “Heaven’s Eyes”, the symbol of “One Hope of Light”.
What’s the story that you’d like to say through this Hero? Does our world today need a Hero more than ever?
J: Yes… we’re at a very special time in human history, where everything is moving too fast. Each generation has grown larger, and for the first time in many countries the next generation will be worse off than the one before. There are so many problems around the world that are getting worse each day, and this is something that can be very relevant to sing about. So many metal bands are hung up on dragons and Vikings etc., which is fine, however that is the past, not the future (or maybe?). (i.n.: I feel you dude… you do have a point here)
Can you give us a hint about the songs…?
J: “We are Forever”: It is the opener of the debut album. I remember when I wrote it, I was thinking: this song should feel it is just a 4-minute long chorus. The short verse and the lifting bridges are like “mini’-choruses on their own. 100% energy through the whole song was the goal, and then pushing to the limit to 110% in the end. “Higher, set on fire”, it is meant to be played loud.
“Eternal Shadows”: First single off the album. Love the guitar solo by David on this one. The lyrics are about the near future; a change has to be made, or Eternal Shadows will await us.
“Free Forever”: The melody was inspired by music I heard while visiting China a couple of years ago. The lyrics are about life, death and afterlife; cynically this would be the only place where true freedom can be achieved, and it may already be too late at that time.
“Let It Go”: Is about a fighter – never backing down!
“Heaven’s Eyes”: Lyrically it continues the concept of the album. The fighter/hero sees the “Heaven’s Eyes” which is the stars in the sky, somehow aligned on a straight extraordinary line. It is the sign of change, however he doesn’t know yet if it’s good or bad. “The key to know your enemy is to open your eyes”…
“Alive “: is about hope and the fact that in a crisis you feel more “alive” and start to value what is important.
“End of Time”: Continues the story; a star is the sign, and one must be ready to defend their rights until the “End of Time”, and be prepared for the worst.
“Over Land and Sea”: The start of the main-theme “A Hero for the World”. These last three tracks on the album are to this band what a main title theme is to a movie. This track marks the start of a long journey.
“A Quest for the Brave”: Lyrically this is about the Hero’s beginning of leading to a mission for freedom and change.
“One Hope of Light”: Brings the album to end with epic proportions, developing the melodies and themes from the 2 previous tracks. My personal favorite on the album.
You also took care of the mixing and the production of the album. How’s that so? Do you prefer to have the total control of your work? The final result is excellent I’d have to say!
J: Thanks! We have learned from scratch how to tweak and get the right sounds. It sounds best at high volumes! It would be hard to find a good solution for an external producer for us at this time. But maybe in the future…
How did the cooperation with the drummer Andy Gentile occur? He’s just a session drummer, right?
J: Andy is awesome, one of the best upcoming rock and metal drummers around! He came into to the project during the recording stages.
Tell us about the participation of the wonderful female singer Louiebeth Aratan…
J: Actually, she is my wife! She has a beautiful voice that I think fits perfectly with the sound to give some dynamics and variation. (i.n.: I wasn’t aware of that… great voice by the way!)
Do you have in mind to make AHftW a full time so that you can tour and give live shows also in the future?
J: That would be the ideal scenario, however only time will tell if it will be possible.
Was it easier to find a label from any other country besides Europe or Us? Does this worldwide release by a Hong Kong label break the barriers and the monopoly for other bands and labels around the world as well?
J: I believe it is 99% about the Internet marketing nowadays. Got to break on Youtube. And it’s got to be worldwide, and move quickly. There’s so many listeners that never buy CD’s anymore, so the audience has to be captured on Spotify, iTunes, Amazon and similar. (i.n.: Sad but true!)
I’ve written: “…“A Hero for the World” marks the beginning of a brand newcomer that’s ready & willing to take it all the way..”. Do you agree with that?
J: Yeah!! Heavy Metal or No Metal At All! I’ve got so many songs already written, just waiting to record them and release. It is awesome and humbling at the same time to see reviewers that have compared the debut album to the first Avantasia album and the great Keeper albums!
We are hopeful that there’s still an audience for this kind of straight-forward melodic metal, and that fans will continue to share this passion and tell all their friends about the band.
Do you also believe, as I do, that “One Hope of Light” summarizes the whole album in a very special way?
J: Yes! It is the main theme of the band. It is certainly not one of those songs that was thrown together in a few minutes… it took a very long time to write. At the end, where themes from the song “Free Forever” returns; it mixes the emotions of bright and dark, not fully revealing if it is “Free” as in the positive kind of freedom, or “Free” as in dead… It is up to the listener which one he/she chooses to feel, depending on the mood of the day I guess.
Also, by the way, there’s a new lyric video for this song coming up on Youtube in a few days. It features a slightly different edit version of the song, with some more female vocals in the end part. (i.n.: Swell! I can’t wait to listen to it…)
J: It is the name of the band and the self-titled album, consisting of me, Jacob Kaasgaard (vocals, keyboards & songwriter), David Sivelind (guitars and bass), Andy Gentile (drums) and Louiebeth Aratan on female vocals.
I’ve been writing Metal songs for several years, but it is first now that a serious recording has been completed. David and I have known each other since high school. We played in some bands before in Sweden, but it was not the right time. We believe 2013 is the perfect time if any for a return to true melodic heavy metal! \m/
Even though you and David are from Sweden you’re now based in Philippines. I’m sure the metal flame can be eased no matter where you find yourself to be in the world. Did you think at any point that starting such a thing there would be harder than doing so in Europe for example?
J: It is certainly easier for inspiration here with the paradise living of the Philippines! Regarding live gigs it’s very much different than Europe though, the scene is not the same. However, these days it’s so much about the online stuff anyway, a metal band needs to reach a wide niche audience all over the world. We’re glad to see that we’ve already gained a good amount of fans in South America and Europe as well as here in Asia!
How long had the debut been in the writing/recording process for before you started searching for a label?
J: I wrote most of the songs 2011/12, and it was recorded 2012. We decided to release it through our music & entertainment company Jacob K Music (Hong Kong), since it was the most logical decision at this time.
How did you come up with the name “A Hero for the World” for both the band and the album?
J: It’s from the suite “A Hero For The World”, track 8,9 and 10 on the album. Actually, more than 5 years ago I wrote the film music score for a low-budget superhero movie feature that eventually got cancelled. Then in 2011 I reworked the main theme in to what is now “Over Land and Sea”, “A Quest for the Brave” and “One Hope of Light”. The name accentuates our heroic style of epic metal, and that it is influenced by the world in large, both musically and lyrically.
Who is the hero? Well, no one knows… For some it could be related to religion or even something like a political leader. Or maybe the hero is that friend that will never leave your side. Or a fighter, refusing to give up in times of despair.
Jobert Mello did an excellent job with the cover artwork. Is this the Earth that’s about to explode?
J: Yeah, it shows that the earth is at its boiling point, or even beyond that limit. Ready to self-destruct. Only thing is, we don’t know from what yet, nuclear war, global warming, etc. And you can see the stars at the top; “Heaven’s Eyes”, the symbol of “One Hope of Light”.
What’s the story that you’d like to say through this Hero? Does our world today need a Hero more than ever?
J: Yes… we’re at a very special time in human history, where everything is moving too fast. Each generation has grown larger, and for the first time in many countries the next generation will be worse off than the one before. There are so many problems around the world that are getting worse each day, and this is something that can be very relevant to sing about. So many metal bands are hung up on dragons and Vikings etc., which is fine, however that is the past, not the future (or maybe?). (i.n.: I feel you dude… you do have a point here)
Can you give us a hint about the songs…?
J: “We are Forever”: It is the opener of the debut album. I remember when I wrote it, I was thinking: this song should feel it is just a 4-minute long chorus. The short verse and the lifting bridges are like “mini’-choruses on their own. 100% energy through the whole song was the goal, and then pushing to the limit to 110% in the end. “Higher, set on fire”, it is meant to be played loud.
“Eternal Shadows”: First single off the album. Love the guitar solo by David on this one. The lyrics are about the near future; a change has to be made, or Eternal Shadows will await us.
“Free Forever”: The melody was inspired by music I heard while visiting China a couple of years ago. The lyrics are about life, death and afterlife; cynically this would be the only place where true freedom can be achieved, and it may already be too late at that time.
“Let It Go”: Is about a fighter – never backing down!
“Heaven’s Eyes”: Lyrically it continues the concept of the album. The fighter/hero sees the “Heaven’s Eyes” which is the stars in the sky, somehow aligned on a straight extraordinary line. It is the sign of change, however he doesn’t know yet if it’s good or bad. “The key to know your enemy is to open your eyes”…
“Alive “: is about hope and the fact that in a crisis you feel more “alive” and start to value what is important.
“End of Time”: Continues the story; a star is the sign, and one must be ready to defend their rights until the “End of Time”, and be prepared for the worst.
“Over Land and Sea”: The start of the main-theme “A Hero for the World”. These last three tracks on the album are to this band what a main title theme is to a movie. This track marks the start of a long journey.
“A Quest for the Brave”: Lyrically this is about the Hero’s beginning of leading to a mission for freedom and change.
“One Hope of Light”: Brings the album to end with epic proportions, developing the melodies and themes from the 2 previous tracks. My personal favorite on the album.
You also took care of the mixing and the production of the album. How’s that so? Do you prefer to have the total control of your work? The final result is excellent I’d have to say!
J: Thanks! We have learned from scratch how to tweak and get the right sounds. It sounds best at high volumes! It would be hard to find a good solution for an external producer for us at this time. But maybe in the future…
How did the cooperation with the drummer Andy Gentile occur? He’s just a session drummer, right?
J: Andy is awesome, one of the best upcoming rock and metal drummers around! He came into to the project during the recording stages.
Tell us about the participation of the wonderful female singer Louiebeth Aratan…
J: Actually, she is my wife! She has a beautiful voice that I think fits perfectly with the sound to give some dynamics and variation. (i.n.: I wasn’t aware of that… great voice by the way!)
Do you have in mind to make AHftW a full time so that you can tour and give live shows also in the future?
J: That would be the ideal scenario, however only time will tell if it will be possible.
Was it easier to find a label from any other country besides Europe or Us? Does this worldwide release by a Hong Kong label break the barriers and the monopoly for other bands and labels around the world as well?
J: I believe it is 99% about the Internet marketing nowadays. Got to break on Youtube. And it’s got to be worldwide, and move quickly. There’s so many listeners that never buy CD’s anymore, so the audience has to be captured on Spotify, iTunes, Amazon and similar. (i.n.: Sad but true!)
I’ve written: “…“A Hero for the World” marks the beginning of a brand newcomer that’s ready & willing to take it all the way..”. Do you agree with that?
J: Yeah!! Heavy Metal or No Metal At All! I’ve got so many songs already written, just waiting to record them and release. It is awesome and humbling at the same time to see reviewers that have compared the debut album to the first Avantasia album and the great Keeper albums!
We are hopeful that there’s still an audience for this kind of straight-forward melodic metal, and that fans will continue to share this passion and tell all their friends about the band.
Do you also believe, as I do, that “One Hope of Light” summarizes the whole album in a very special way?
J: Yes! It is the main theme of the band. It is certainly not one of those songs that was thrown together in a few minutes… it took a very long time to write. At the end, where themes from the song “Free Forever” returns; it mixes the emotions of bright and dark, not fully revealing if it is “Free” as in the positive kind of freedom, or “Free” as in dead… It is up to the listener which one he/she chooses to feel, depending on the mood of the day I guess.
Also, by the way, there’s a new lyric video for this song coming up on Youtube in a few days. It features a slightly different edit version of the song, with some more female vocals in the end part. (i.n.: Swell! I can’t wait to listen to it…)
Are you into that digital/downloading trend or do you believe that’s killing music little by little? What’s there for a band when most people download their albums and do not even care to listen to them most of the times? What shall change so as to make it through?
J: It is easy for labels to play the blame game and say that it is the consumers’ fault that the music industry has been failing so badly for so many years now. However, times are changing, and I do believe monetization must get better with Spotify, Deezer and similar streaming services in the near future. iTunes and Amazon are great platforms.
Ultimately, I think it comes down to the quality of music being written today is just not good enough. I mean, sound quality has become much better since the digital era started for most bands, but it has put less emphasis on the actual songwriting. In my opinion, songs should be composed with only a piano or guitar in hand. Actually when I think about it, there are not many albums at all from the last 10 years that I really like…
OK it’s time for our weird questions!!! Which is the music style you can’t stand hearing at all and why?
J: Anything without talent… there are so many songs in the commercial genres like R&B, pop and hiphop where a song has been written in 5 minutes and people like it because it’s “cool”. Then the next year that song is forgotten. (i.n.: So true…)
Which is the record you wish you had written and why??
J: This is a tricky question. There’s no album that I wish I had done 100% the same, there are always some songs that I don’t like on albums. But the Keeper-albums with Helloween in the late 80’s are special. The first “Keeper of the Seven Keys” album was released the same year I was born. If I would have been making music at that time it might have been a different situation than it is now, who knows…
Another album, non-metal, that I really dig is “Pet Sounds” by the Beach Boys. It meant a lot to rock music, the way Brian Wilson mixed emotions, harmonies and styles into songwriting in unique ways.
Name 3 top (symphonic) power metal releases that influenced the whole genre…
J: “Warriors of the World” – Manowar. Great songs on this album, and a very tight sound.
“Metal Opera part 1” – Avantasia. Part 2 was great also, but after that it has just not been the same again.
“Battle Hymns” – Manowar. The song “Battle Hymn” is just one of the absolutely best songs in the history of Metal. The purity of it is just amazing. When Eric Adams sings that third verse one octave higher, it stretched the limit and set a new standard for how great a singer can actually be. (i.n.: It sends chills down your spine dude!)
Were you obliged to give just one album to extraterrestrials that would represent the whole human music evolution, which album would it be and from which band/artist?
J: This is an amazing question! Unfortunately I can’t think of any album that would be good enough. Maybe a compilation of songs would do? This question actually gave me some inspiration; it’s a great idea to try to represent the evolution of music on one album, melted into Metal of course. Maybe for the second album… (i.n.: Glad I helped in my way…)
Which is that band that has influenced more bands & musicians since rock music begun…?
J: I would say the Beatles, Elvis Presley and the Beach Boys. I still keep coming back listening to that music often; that kind of quality and talent is just not there in a lot of music nowadays.
What are those 3 songs that anyone who hates metal music could hear on the radio and won’t even bother to re-tune?
J: Maybe; “Abandoned” by Kamelot. Any 70s-90s Meat Loaf-song! Or maybe “Free Forever”. It has been getting some airplay already!
Football, Basketball, Sex, Music or Philosophy? Which one do you prefer the most?
J: Music – simply because it lasts forever! It is endless! And powerful!
Asian hooker vs Stripper girl… What’s your choice & why?
J: The second, being married, it’s “look but don’t touch”…
(i.n.: hehehe…)
Size does matter after all or is it a big women’s lie eventually?
J: Size always matters!
Would you stop listening to metal music if a girlfriend of yours asked you to? Metal vs chicks huh!
J: No fucking way! It is a basic human right to listen to heavy metal. However, if someone is sleeping, use a pair of headphones, because it needs to be played LOUD! (i.n.: I’ll agree on that!)
You need to make a romantic atmosphere so as to seduce a lady. Which 3 songs would you choose to play in a row as soon as she comes in and why?
J: Maybe some instrumental epic orchestral music, classical, oriental or latin. Most important is what NOT to play; and that would be track 7 on “Kings of Metal” by Manowar.
(i.n.: hahaha… and a bunch of Cannibal Corpse tunes I bet…)
Why is rock/metal (any kind) music better than sex… if it is…
J: Well, Metal is forever! There’s no limit, you can enjoy it all the time!
You have the opportunity to have sex with the porn-star/movie celebrity of your choice. Who would it be & why?
J: There are so many it would be hard to choose!
Imagine that your wife is selling your whole album-collection just to buy an expensive ring for herself. How would you react?
J: It would mean the End!
I think we’re done Jacob. Close this interview in your own way… Thx for everything… Take care dude!
J: Join us on Facebook and Youtube; We will keep posting videos and updates. If you like the music: tell all your friends! And play it loud! \m/
J: It is easy for labels to play the blame game and say that it is the consumers’ fault that the music industry has been failing so badly for so many years now. However, times are changing, and I do believe monetization must get better with Spotify, Deezer and similar streaming services in the near future. iTunes and Amazon are great platforms.
Ultimately, I think it comes down to the quality of music being written today is just not good enough. I mean, sound quality has become much better since the digital era started for most bands, but it has put less emphasis on the actual songwriting. In my opinion, songs should be composed with only a piano or guitar in hand. Actually when I think about it, there are not many albums at all from the last 10 years that I really like…
OK it’s time for our weird questions!!! Which is the music style you can’t stand hearing at all and why?
J: Anything without talent… there are so many songs in the commercial genres like R&B, pop and hiphop where a song has been written in 5 minutes and people like it because it’s “cool”. Then the next year that song is forgotten. (i.n.: So true…)
Which is the record you wish you had written and why??
J: This is a tricky question. There’s no album that I wish I had done 100% the same, there are always some songs that I don’t like on albums. But the Keeper-albums with Helloween in the late 80’s are special. The first “Keeper of the Seven Keys” album was released the same year I was born. If I would have been making music at that time it might have been a different situation than it is now, who knows…
Another album, non-metal, that I really dig is “Pet Sounds” by the Beach Boys. It meant a lot to rock music, the way Brian Wilson mixed emotions, harmonies and styles into songwriting in unique ways.
Name 3 top (symphonic) power metal releases that influenced the whole genre…
J: “Warriors of the World” – Manowar. Great songs on this album, and a very tight sound.
“Metal Opera part 1” – Avantasia. Part 2 was great also, but after that it has just not been the same again.
“Battle Hymns” – Manowar. The song “Battle Hymn” is just one of the absolutely best songs in the history of Metal. The purity of it is just amazing. When Eric Adams sings that third verse one octave higher, it stretched the limit and set a new standard for how great a singer can actually be. (i.n.: It sends chills down your spine dude!)
Were you obliged to give just one album to extraterrestrials that would represent the whole human music evolution, which album would it be and from which band/artist?
J: This is an amazing question! Unfortunately I can’t think of any album that would be good enough. Maybe a compilation of songs would do? This question actually gave me some inspiration; it’s a great idea to try to represent the evolution of music on one album, melted into Metal of course. Maybe for the second album… (i.n.: Glad I helped in my way…)
Which is that band that has influenced more bands & musicians since rock music begun…?
J: I would say the Beatles, Elvis Presley and the Beach Boys. I still keep coming back listening to that music often; that kind of quality and talent is just not there in a lot of music nowadays.
What are those 3 songs that anyone who hates metal music could hear on the radio and won’t even bother to re-tune?
J: Maybe; “Abandoned” by Kamelot. Any 70s-90s Meat Loaf-song! Or maybe “Free Forever”. It has been getting some airplay already!
Football, Basketball, Sex, Music or Philosophy? Which one do you prefer the most?
J: Music – simply because it lasts forever! It is endless! And powerful!
Asian hooker vs Stripper girl… What’s your choice & why?
J: The second, being married, it’s “look but don’t touch”…
(i.n.: hehehe…)Size does matter after all or is it a big women’s lie eventually?
J: Size always matters!
Would you stop listening to metal music if a girlfriend of yours asked you to? Metal vs chicks huh!
J: No fucking way! It is a basic human right to listen to heavy metal. However, if someone is sleeping, use a pair of headphones, because it needs to be played LOUD! (i.n.: I’ll agree on that!)
You need to make a romantic atmosphere so as to seduce a lady. Which 3 songs would you choose to play in a row as soon as she comes in and why?
J: Maybe some instrumental epic orchestral music, classical, oriental or latin. Most important is what NOT to play; and that would be track 7 on “Kings of Metal” by Manowar.
(i.n.: hahaha… and a bunch of Cannibal Corpse tunes I bet…)Why is rock/metal (any kind) music better than sex… if it is…
J: Well, Metal is forever! There’s no limit, you can enjoy it all the time!
You have the opportunity to have sex with the porn-star/movie celebrity of your choice. Who would it be & why?
J: There are so many it would be hard to choose!
Imagine that your wife is selling your whole album-collection just to buy an expensive ring for herself. How would you react?
J: It would mean the End!
I think we’re done Jacob. Close this interview in your own way… Thx for everything… Take care dude!
J: Join us on Facebook and Youtube; We will keep posting videos and updates. If you like the music: tell all your friends! And play it loud! \m/