A Dirty Dozen with SÉBASTIEN CHABOT from KINGCROWN – September 2026
According to a recent press release: “French melodic heavy/power metal band Kingcrown returns with their forthcoming album Moonfall, due for release on September 4th, 2026, via Rockshots Records. Founded by brothers Jo Amore (vocals) and David Amore (drums), former members of Nightmare, Kingcrown have progressively built a cohesive and recognizable identity within the European metal landscape. The current lineup – Jo Amore, David Amore, Sébastien Chabot (bass), Bob Saliba (guitars), and Ced Legger (guitars) – continues to operate with a strong sense of continuity, a key factor in the band’s increasingly focused sound. Produced by KINGCROWN and mixed and mastered by Simone Mularoni at Domination Studio, “Moonfall” further develops the band’s conceptual direction centered on dystopian themes, technological evolution, and the fragility of human existence.” We get bassist Sébastien to discuss new music, influences, and more…
1. Tell us a little about your latest release. What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through? Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?
Hi everyone. It’s Seb, bass player of KINGCROWN. Moonfall is a pure power / heavy metal album, and the 4th, born from our influences: bands like Iron Maiden, Helloween, Dio, or Gamma Ray. With Moonfall, there is continuity in the theme on some songs with Nova Atlantis, our previous album released in 2024. I’ll let you listen to both and figure out which ones they are 😉
2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?
Metallica and Iron Maiden got me into metal when I was a teenager. It changed me. I started learning guitar then and never stopped. After that, Helloween, Angra and Gamma Ray got me into power metal. With the melodies and the fast power of the music, I knew I had found my stuff there.
3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?
The first song was “Welcome Home” from Metallica. After that, Gamma Ray was also a big influence, with their albums Somewhere Out in Space and Powerplant. Also, Walls of Jericho from Helloween, along with the two Keepers.
4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?
Most certainly Kai Hansen, one of the best songwriters, for me, in metal music.
5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour? What do you like to do to unwind?
Practicing sports and meditation to maintain my body. Reading books and writing songs take up a large part of my time.
6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?
I would say: our music is powerful, full of melodies and choirs. If you like epic themes, heavy riffs, and pure metal singers, you are in the right place.
7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?
Mmm, the cooks are the restaurants! (laughs) and sometimes a barbecue at Jo’s…by the pool. We don’t all live in the same area in France, so it’s difficult to see each other every day or every weekend. We are very moderate when it comes to alcohol—a bit of wine or a few beers, but we never get drunk, especially before a concert. And, of course, for the acoustic set, our buddy Bob Saliba (one of the guitarists in the band) is the first one to pick up his guitar.
8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?
I am not starstruck, sorry.
9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?
The best part of being a musician is meeting people before and after concerts, traveling the world, and, of course, creating music to share with as many people as possible. If I hadn’t been a musician, I might have become a landscaper—working close to nature is something I really love.
10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?
Mmm maybe: Do you think that the universe is an infinite consciousness where All is One? My answer: yes!. I don’t mind answering the same questions from journalists from time to time; you all pretty much share the same desire to know who we are.
11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?
No misstep; every situation is a learning. Experiences, good or bad, forge who we are. No regrets.
12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?
Michael Jackson’s Thriller, perhaps. It must have been something truly special to be in the studio with those people, exchanging ideas with them, and creating one of the best albums ever released.
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Category: Interviews
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ToddStar - that's me... just a rocking accountant who had dreams of being a rock star. I get to do the next best thing to rocking the globe - I get to take pictures of the lucky ones that do. I love to shoot all genres of music and different types of performers. If it is related to music, I love to photograph it. I get to shoot and hang with not only some of my friends and idols, but some of the coolest people around today.Subscribe
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