I gotta tell ya… I’ve known of this band for years, and if it’s any band that has evolved and deserved all the exposure they receive now – it is this band. Today’s word, children, is “epic”. And under the definition of this word, you will find bands like ICED EARTH and BLIND GUARDIAN – Give this band a few years – and they will reach to that same legendary status. My metal brothers and sisters, it is with honor that I present to you, Camden Cruz and Sabrina Valentine of SEVEN KINGDOMS.

Lizz Rizzo (THE METAL PIT): Now, I know this band has an incredibly large history – so in brief, share with us the start of SEVEN KINGDOMS.

Haha, I wouldn’t consider it a very large history. We have been a band for about 5 years. We started Seven Kingdoms when we were still really young (around 16 to 19 years old) but have really been giving it a really serious run for 3. My buddy Bryan Edwards and I started the band as just a fun project to just throw lots of genres of metal into a pot and stir. Needless to say over time and member changes, we developed out love for Power Metal and have since focused our time on that. 

Lizz: Tell us some of your musical influences and the equipment you can’t be found without!

We take influence from any and all music that is good! Of course we listen to the pioneers like Guardian and Iced Earth but we try to mix lots of other things into everything we do, even if some TV commercial has a hook in it that can be used as inspiration for something awesome. Its mostly power metal that we listen too though.

Lizz: What is the song-writing process like for SEVEN KINGDOMS?

Usually it starts with Kevin and I tossing around riffs then Keith will do his thing over it. We all sit down and just “judge” the riffs and place them into a structure that we think fits and sounds correct. Then we spend lots of time studying the vocal melodies to make sure they are good then, wah lah!

Lizz: I’m glad to see that you chose the legendary Morrissound Recording studio to record your debut album. Was this a group decision? Or did it take awhile to balance out your choices on where to record?

It was our choice, collectively, since day one. I’m not sure I could feel good releasing a record that Jim didn’t at least have some part in. It’s really just like a family over there.

Lizz: It is known that SEVEN KINGDOMS lyrics, and name, are heavily influenced by George R.R. Martin’s series of “A Song of Ice and Fire”… I can’t help but feel curious as to what the reactions were like when you saw the popular HBO show “Game of Thrones” – And what are your thoughts on the show?

It was amazing! We don’t have HBO but we did see a few episodes and shots! It looks amazing!!! We will have 3 songs inspired by those books again on the new record. They are really good so far. The lyrics are terrific. Bryan was the Martin guy and he helped us construct the lyrical aspect of these 3 new songs.

Lizz: Along with HOLY GRAIL, your band has shared the stage with the legendary BLIND GUARDIAN recently. Care to share some of the highlights of that tour?

It was just an Amazing experience overall. We can’t wait to do it again. Coming from Florida, we really never had the opportunity until then to see what it’s really like on a legit tour. We learned a LOT and I believe it showed by the end of the tour. We are chomping at the bit to go out on one more national tour before the release of the next record.  Meeting the people that basically helped created this genre was amazing. All the guys in BLIND GUARDIAN and HOLY GRAIL were awesome.

Lizz: Other than the tour, what were some of the most memorable moments for the both of you?

Just seeing the country was a blast, also being with the people you love doing what you love. It really was just awesome! There is no other way to describe it. It took us LOTS of work to make that tour happen but I think that is why we loved it so much. Sometimes it works out to put all your eggs into one basket.

Lizz: What are some of your favorite songs to perform live?

We have actually played two of the new songs live. Those are very fun to play for all of us! Other favorites are Vengeance and Seven Kingdoms.

Lizz: Are there any other bands you would love to play live with someday?

We would love to go on tour with any of the bands we look up to: Iced Earth, Helloween, Gamma Ray… Hopefully something good will happen soon.

Lizz: So what else can we expect from SEVEN KINGDOMS in the future?

Well we are currently writing the next record. We are about 3 full and two half songs in. Like I said earlier, we hope to go on another national tour before the release of the next album, then after we will hit the studio for a release next year. J After that we hope to somehow get our tails to Europe!

Lizz: That is awesome! On behalf of THE METAL PIT, I would like to thank you both for your time and wish you the greatest of luck with the next record and tour!