A Dirty Dozen with AJ BERGIN from THE ASTRAL PROPHETS – October 2026

According to a recent press release: “Canadian cosmic storytellers The Astral Prophets are preparing metal fans for the “Invasion” of their debut album out October 30th with the release of their latest lyric video for the title track. The song is a powerhouse featuring punchy riffs that will get your heart pumping and a dueling guitar solo between TAP’s AJ Bergin and Jeff Black from Glyph. Born from the ashes of the acclaimed folk metal act Scythia, The Astral Prophets have spent the past several years forging a sound all their own. Combining crushing groove metal, soaring power metal melodies, infectious hooks, and futuristic storytelling, the band has dubbed their unique style Power Groove. Since emerging in 2019, The Astral Prophets have steadily built momentum with fan-favorite singles including “Firewall,” “USB Humanity,” and “Lazerwitch,” followed by their 2023 EP Anywhere But Here. Now, with a revitalized lineup featuring vocalist Staci Allen, guitarist Harley D’Orazio, drummer Kyle Summers, guitarist AJ Bergin, and bassist / songwriter Terry Savage, the band is ready to deliver its most ambitious release yet.” We get guitarist AJ 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?

This album is a refinement of our true sound. We have added in some symphonic and electronic elements and have really dived back into our metal roots. We still have that groovy flair, but it’s much more rooted in the metal elements. We do have one nugget! We have a guest soloist featured in our title track, which is dropping October 1st; stay tuned!

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

For music in general, I grew up hearing about how my dad played saxophone in high school. My dad was my hero (and still is) growing up, and I wanted to be just like him. I played saxophone for two years when I hit grade 8, but I dropped it right at the end of grade 9, rendering it unplayable. Shortly after that, I was at one of my mom’s friends’ houses. He showed us his old Telecaster and played Smoke on the Water for us. It was the simplest riff ever, but the guy was so smooth and looked like he was having the time of his life. It was then I realized I wanted to play the guitar. Then my mom bought me one shortly after!

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

Anything and everything from Finland! I started listening to Metal in high school. I had a weird first exposure to the genre, though. I mean, I grew up listening to an Iron Maiden album or two, but nothing devout and on repeat. My circle of friends in high school introduced me to Children of Bodom and Ensiferum. I then dove deep into other bands related to them and found so many great bands. Wintersun, Kiuas, Thunderstone, Nightwish, Tarot, Norther, Finntroll, etc.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Jake Wright from Panthalasson (Formerly Ravenous and Viathyn). Something of a superstar in my neck of the woods. The guy can do anything on guitar, has the most glorious hair, and I have always wanted to work with him.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour?  What do you like to do to unwind?

I really enjoy nerdy shit like Magic: The Gathering and gaming. When I am not raising my kids, that’s how I chill.

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?

If you take a high-energy ball of rhythmic grooviness, slap some epic melodies on it, and sprinkle some sassy punkish vocals over top. That is sort of what we sound like. There hasn’t been a bad comparison of the music yet that I have heard, but a fan called me ‘Chunky Gordon Ramsay” once. That’s it…

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?

When we eat together, it is either for an evening out or for a big gathering like Thanksgiving. In those instances, we all make something. Terry is usually the first one to bust out the grandpa guitar, followed by me.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

I was able to meet Teemu Mantysaari from Wintersun / Megadeth many years ago. I was able to go up into his studio, play some of his guitars, and chat with him a bit. He is such a nice guy!

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?

For me, its being able to express myself and play my heart out on a stage. I think I enjoy performing more than the music sometimes! But they go hand in hand. It just feels like the right place for me to be. Working a crowd, seeing people enjoy themselves because of something that I am a part of, and building the metal community one show at a time.

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?

I have always wanted someone to ask me about guitar-specific stuff. Why do I play the way I do? I am entirely self-taught and have taken major inspiration from Brendan Smalls (Dethklok), Jari Mäenpää (Wintersun), and Mikko Salovaara (Kiuas).  The question I am tired of answering is, “What do you mean Astral -Profits-? Like, are you Astral Bankers?”

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?

When I was much, much younger, I was in a death / thrash band, but wasn’t feeling it. I created a folk metal band on the side and just lost interest and motivation in my original band. They ended up kicking me out right before going into the studio for an album recording because I wasn’t involved much anymore. I don’t blame them at all. I was meant for more positive and dancey music. I just wish I had seen that album through to the end before allowing that to happen. It was weird hearing an album that I wrote at least half of not have my name on it. But we all learn as we grow older and mature.

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?

Iron by Ensiferum. That is such a foundational folk metal album, and folk metal is my jam! I just would have loved to have been part of their pivotal album that allowed them to gain traction and catch everyone’s attention.

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Category: Interviews