If you want to feel the heat of smouldering steel then you need to get familiar with Heathen Kings. TheNwothm.com caught Andy from the band for a quick interview to get a snapshot of the bands upcoming plans for 2023!
THE NWOTHM: For those who do not know who you are, can you tell us your band name, who is in the band and where you are from?
Andy (HK): We are Heathen Kings, from the east of England. We are Andy on vocals, Oscar and Pete on guitar, Alex on bass, and our founder member Joel Kurta on drums.
THE NWOTHM: How did the band form and is there any interesting story surrounding its formation?
Andy (HK): In late 2020 I had just been catching up with my old friend Joel after not speaking for a while, and he’d shown me a metal song he’d written and recorded as part of his endeavour to learn home recording (this ended up being In The Hall Of The Kings) – impressed by the song and also dissatisfied with how my own musical projects were going at the time, I offhandedly messaged Alex that we should start a metal band with Joel. We ended up having a long phone call about plans, influences, direction for potential material, and me, Alex and Joel started writing together and eventually (when COVID restrictions would allow) rehearsing and jamming together. We recruited our long time friend virtuoso Oscar to fill out the guitar, and then after a brief hiatus Pete came onboard in 2023 and relieved me of my guitar duties so I could focus on singing.
THE NWOTHM: Since the bands formation what big milestones have you achieved?
Andy (HK): The release of our three singles, and recently finishing our album – news coming soon, watch our socials!
THE NWOTHM: What bands and artists have influenced you and helped you to carve your sound?
Andy (HK):We all worship at the altar of Iron Maiden of course, but some big inspirations for our voyage into the NWOTHM were Visigoth, Sellsword and Wytch Hazel. Oscar loves his hair metal too – but we love him so we’ll let him off.
THE NWOTHM: What shows have you got coming up for 2023? Any major performances you would like to highlight?
Andy (HK): Our first gig this year is supporting Wytch Hazel on February 7th, which we’re super excited about, they’re one of our favourite bands to come through in the last decade. We’re also playing Warhorns Festival in September and opening for Tailgunner in October, a band who are really hot right now.
THE NWOTHM: Any other plans for 2023? With it being a new year, what do you hope to achieve in the upcoming months?
Andy (HK): The main goal this year is to release our album, make it the best product and the best release we can, see if any small labels/distributors are interested in picking it up, but regardless we will promote the absolute hell out of it and see where it takes us! We all believe in these songs and we really think people will connect with it.
THE NWOTHM: Where can people check you out on social media and buy your music/merch?
Andy (HK): Our main social platform is Facebook, we also have Instagram and we sell our merch and music on Bandcamp. Most importantly though, come to a show and check us out live!
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/HeathenKingsBand
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/heathenkingsuk/
Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@heathenkings4465
Bandcamp https://heathenkings.bandcamp.com/
The Nwothm 
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