Interview with Keith Dombrowski of Knightfall

May 01, 2024

Interview with Keith Dombrowski of Knightfall

By Mick Michaels

COSMICK VIEW: Hello! Welcome to The Cosmick View. Thank you for taking some time out of your day to chat with me, it's greatly appreciated.

CV: Do you feel Heavy Metal music in general is viewed differently by fans in Europe compared to fans elsewhere, especially in America, and if so why?
Keith Dombrowski: Yes I think Heavy Metal is more popularized in Europe for sure. America has definitely been taken by Pop, Country, and EDM. However Metal is making big moves in the underground and there has been a major resurgence of Metal music due to covering pop music a lot. I think a lot of people who hear the word “Heavy Metal” these days think it's one thing. Growls and screams. Every time I state I do Metal people are like “Oh that music where people scream” I don’t think people realize that Metal is the most diverse music genre ever to be created.

CV: What do you feel makes Heavy Metal music so alluring to the fans? What is it about the music that personally resonates so strongly with you?
KD: For me it's the diversity of the music. If you dive into all the subgenres of metal there is something for everyone within its walls. There is something about the way the sonic sounds of a guitar resonate with the ear. It honestly makes everything sound better. A guitar can literally accompany almost any other instrument. This is why I love doing the Symphonic Styles as much as I do. Orchestration with the heavy guitars makes it all sound so big and epic just adds a layer to the music.

CV: Has Metal splintered into too many sub-genres in your opinion, thus, making it harder for newer bands to actually classify themselves as one style over another? Is it confusing for fans as well?
KD: This is a matter of opinion. My view is that I like that we are naming the sub-genres. I think the diversity in Metal is so much that it needs at least some definition and categories to it. Have we may be gone overboard a little? I can see where we might have. However, when you have a style like Death Metal in the same category as something like Symphonic Metal… sonically they are two very different things in the traditional sense. But then you make a new sub-genre like Symphonic Death Metal. I now know exactly what I am getting when listening. I think for non metalheads yes it can be confusing. Those of us that have been following Metal their whole lives I think we all mostly get it.

CV: How would you describe the current state of the music business considering we are now living in a COVID aware, and maybe even feared world? Have things drastically changed long-term for artists and bands given the recent pandemic? What are your thoughts?

KD: I think we are now out of the COVID era of music. Everything is returning to normal and the fear has worn off. People want to get back to their lives. I do believe COVID opened people’s eyes to the state of the music industry and showed all of us that we need to fight for change… especially around streaming… especially for independent artists. There has been a boom in bedroom studios and people creating and releasing music. The landscape has changed. If all musicians have to rely solely on touring to make a living that's a problem. Streaming needs to be able to contribute to musicians at least making minimum wage outside of touring. Not all musicians have the means to tour as well. I do believe with where our world is heading in terms of technology, I feel that entertainment in all forms is going to have another boom. Which is why it is crucial that we advocate for change of the current infrastructure and how musicians are paid now rather than later. The US has legislation in the Senate right now that would force streaming companies to pay 1 penny a stream instead of a fraction of a penny. That’s a start if it gets passed.

CV: What do you feel makes your band and its particular approach to songwriting work? What keeps the band together and making music?
KD: This project is unique because I create all the music and then collaborate with musicians, vocalists and Guitarists primarily to fill in the gaps of the things I am unable to do myself. I have over 100 pieces of music unreleased at the moment in scratch form so I have tons of material to draw from. I also have renewed friendships and made new ones with musicians that can add a lot of creativity to my projects. I have a very unique way of composing because I am not trained in theory, so when I string things together it's not a conventional way of doing things. Many orchestrators probably would not pair the things I do together. So it makes what I am doing different from the standard. I hope to innovate further and incorporate things in this style of music that people normally don’t do. Like more Musical Theater and pop influences to add to the blend of what I do. As long as I am kicking and have my creative mind there will be more music and more collaborations.

CV: On a more global view, how do you see your band’s music and songwriting separating itself from just being another Heavy Metal act?
KD: Like stated in the previous question. I bring my own style to songwriting which is not conventional. The way I approach orchestration is wildly different than most trained composers. Adding the different nuances to the music like 80’s, Theater, Pop, Synth, and my own brand of Orchestrations is already different. I also think the emotion I bring to the project translates as well. So many people have commented they can feel the love and care that went into these songs. The other thing is the message. Yes I use fantasy themes and that is nothing new. But I bring with it a message of Honor, Chivalry, and Kindness. Protecting those who need it and shielding from the darkness.

CV: Can an artist truly be unique? Some would argue there is no such thing as being unique; that it’s nothing more than a compounding of influences making an artist who or what they are. Would this then say that artists today are destined to be just copies of those who have already come to pass?
KD: I think that every artist has influences that shape and mold their brand of music. You will always be able to compare one artist to another artist. That is just a fact. However, you can take what you do and make it your own and add your own style and brand or message to make it unique. Emotion and personality play a factor in things. Look at Metallica and Megadeth. Nightwish and Epica, Within Temptation and Delain. There are similar themes in those comparisons but the people and stylings make them each unique. What you don’t want to do is make a project that sounds exactly like something else. There is no innovation there.

CV: What do you feel makes someone a “rock star”? Does being a rock star automatically make one iconic or are the two completely different in your opinion?
KD: “Rock Star” is a term that doesn’t necessarily mean Icon. There are plenty of musicians over the ages that can be called a “Rock Star” that never became true icons that people know just by the name or the beginning of a song. Ozzy Osbourne for example is an Icon. His music is played everywhere. Not just on the radio but pieces of Crazy Train are always played at sports games here in the USA. So it's hitting multiple generations and regardless of your musical tastes most people have heard that song. I truly think that you can be a “Rock Star” by playing any form of music and owning what you do with your personality. It’s a mindset rather than a term of description. It’s also based on perception from your audience. For example my kids think I am a “Rock Star” I don’t think I have achieved that status yet but they sure do. I have heard many people say “Taylor Swift, oh she's such a rock star” I know many people reading this will not agree, but the perception of her fans is that she is one on top of being a Pop Icon. So again I think it's more a mindset or personality than a description.

CV: What's next for you? What can fans expect to see coming as the world looks to surmount a new normal laced with a load of restrictions?
KD: “Destiny Calling” was released a week ago at the time of writing this. So we are riding the wave of that. I decided to continue releasing the rest of the album song by song to streaming so we will continue that release schedule for the rest of the year. If people want to listen to the music though you can find the digital download on Bandcamp and the physical CD through our website.

I am currently writing Orchestral music for a video game called Aspect Heroes. I have a second Knightfall album planned. A concept EP around a story of a Knight of the Hospitaller order during the Crusades. I started working on a concept Metal Musical album as well based on the story of The Count of Monte Cristo as well. I am also working on a story and music for another video game based on a world I created years ago and used to run as a Dungeons and Dragons campaign. So I have a lot of stuff planned for the future.

CV: Thank you again for spending some time talking and sharing with our readers. It was a pleasure. I wish you all the best and continued success.
KD: Thank you so much for having me and sharing the project. I truly appreciate it greatly and it was a joy to do this interview with you.

Check out Knightfall at:
Official: https://knightfallband.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Knightfallmusicproject/

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My name is Mick Michaels...I'm an artist, music fan, songwriter, producer, show host, dreamer and guitarist for the traditional Heavy Metal band Corners of Sanctuary. Writing has always been a creative outlet for me; what I couldn't say in speech, I was able to do with the written word. Writing has given me a voice and a way for me to create on a multitude of platforms including music and song, articles, independent screenplays, books and now, artist interviews. The Cosmick View is an opportunity to raise the bar and showcase artists in a positive and inspirational light. For me, it's another out-of-this-world adventure.