James Durbin, the mastermind behind his band Durbin is a talented musician who takes inspiration from the likes of DIO and Halford and aims to create heavy metal music that will blow people away! We wanted to delve into his mind and find out more.

TheNwothm: Hey there Durbin! I hope you are well! First of all can you introduce the band and where you are from?  

I’m doing great, thanks so much! Introducing the live lineup, out of Santa Cruz, California USA:

TheNwothm: How did the band come together in Santa Cruz, California, and what inspired the decision to form under the name Durbin?

D: I’ve always released music under my full name, “James Durbin”, but knowing that I wanted my NWOTHM record(s) to be their own thing, I took inspiration from DIO and HALFORD and went with DURBIN. Everyone who currently plays in the live lineup is either a native Santa Cruzian or resident, so that part is easy.

TheNwothm: What is the metal scene like where you guys are based? Are there any decent music venues that have helped kept the scene alive?

D: The local Metal scene used to be incredible, when we were all in our own bands on the circuit circa 2008. There is still somewhat of scene but it’s a different time we’re living in now than it was when we were all hungry kids with something to prove lol. Santa Cruz is still a big music town with venues like The Catalyst and The Atrium, as well as The Blue Lagoon, The Vets Hall, The Rio Theater and The Crepe Place to name a few.

TheNwothm: Growing up who were your biggest influences both musically and in general?

D: The very first Heavy Metal song I remember hearing that stopped me in my tracks was DIO’s “Holy Diver”. I’m very much committed to the classics: Black Sabbath (Ozzy, Dio & Martin eras), Judas Priest and Iron Maiden: The Holy Trinity of Heavy Metal. With that said, I’m a big fan of music. I’m currently loving Foreigner and Ambrosia. Good music is good music and it’s all a matter of personal taste. I get as much from Dio as I get from Bob Marley. 

TheNwothm: Collaborations can often bring fresh perspectives. Are there any artists or bands you’d love to collaborate with in the future?

D: That’s the cool thing about DURBIN is that I write all the songs and then get friends and acquaintances to contribute guitar solos or guest vocals. I’ve gotten to highlight some incredible musicians on the 2 DURBIN albums so far. I’d love to collaborate with Trevor Church (Haunt) on a cover of John Farnham’s “Thunder In Your Heart” from the RAD Movie Soundtrack. I heard that song in a Instagram Story of his and have had the idea ever since lol. Funnily enough, I’m telling you before I’ve told him ☺4

TheNwothm: In 2020 you released your debut single “Kings Before You.” How did the song come about and what is the lyrical theme that it follows? 

D: In true DIO fashion, I was inspired by a mountain range where I live, here in Watsonville, CA. This was during Lockdown when we were prohibited from being outside. I just wrote what I imagined. I was fighting my own self-doubt telling myself I wasn’t good enough to write my own Heavy Metal concept album. I envisioned The Wizard, the spiritual guide to The Prince Of Metal, descending from the sky on the dark side of a rainbow and reassuring The Prince that he has the power of all every King that stood atop that mountain before him. All of their failures and their triumphs and their wisdom and from that, this poetic, inspiring story unfolded. For the riff I just thought to myself “what would Tony Iommi do?” And that’s where it led me.

TheNwothm: Are you guys collectors of any instruments and if so what do you have in your collection?

D: Not that I know of, though one of my guitarists Dylan Rose may have some hidden guitar treasures. I’m currently collecting Mattel He-Man MOTU Origins figures. 

TheNwothm: When you’re kicking back what do you like to do in your spare time?

D: My wife and I have 3 children, 2 chickens, 1 dog and 6 cats, so there’s always something to do lol. I’m an avid fan of Professional Wrestling and I play in 7 working bands, so I do what I love all the time.

TheNwothm: ”The Beast Awakens” in 2021 seemed to mark a new chapter for the band. Can you tell us about the inspiration and themes behind this album?

D: That was the debut. I’ve been making solo albums, side projects and fronting other band’s albums on a large scale since 2011, but DURBIN “The Beast Awakens” was that first BIG step as an artist. I wrote every song, every guitar riff, every lyric to the extent I’d never been challenged or equipped to do before. Though the songs are wrapped in the mystique of The Realm, magik and dragonlore, they’re deeply personal. Overall, the album is about taking a chance on yourself and earning wisdom through trials and failures, then knowing that a “failure” is anything but that, as you wouldn’t have earned the wisdom without the experience. You can buy experience, you can’t buy wisdom.

TheNwothm: The album consists of 12 killer tracks!  How did the album come together and was it a quick process?

D: I wrote the album during 2020, simultaneously writing and producing demos from January to June The album was tracked remotely while still in varying states of quarantine and the master was completed in, I believe, September of 2020.

TheNwothm: How do you feel about the current state of the nwothm scene? Do feel it has changed since the early to mid 2000’s when it started?

D: I mean, I’m quite new to the scene myself, so from where I’m at it looks pretty good to me. There are a bunch of festivals across the States and plenty of great bands that love and appreciate the classic sound, look and presentation. 

TheNwothm: What are you currently all listening to? Who do you have on your playlists?

D: Like I said before, I’ve been on a Foreigner kick and am currently digging Ambrosia’s first album. On the Metal side, I’m stoked that Apple Music has finally put new remastered releases of Black Sabbath’s “Headless Cross” and “Anno Mundi” out. Judas Priest’s latest release is amazing. Also been loving some classic Bloodgood and on the NWOTHM side, some Visigoth. Those guys are amazing.

TheNwothm: Your recent full-length album “Screaming Steel” released in February 2024 showcases your evolving sound. Can you tell us about the creative process behind this album?

D: Well, originally I wanted to write the concept follow up to “The Beast Awakens” and continue the story of The Prince Of Metal. But writer’s block had other plans in mind for me lol…so I decided to just let the music take me where it wanted to and just write about my love of the genre. That’s where the title track “Screaming Steel” and the album’s opener “Made Of Metal” came from. I pulled from my love of Harry Potter for the next tracks “Where They Stand” and “Hallows”. There are some remnants of The Prince’s story arch in “Power Of The Reaper”, “Beyond The Night”, “Tear Them Down” and “Rebirth”, plus some Stoner vibes for “The Worshipper 1897” and “Blazing High”.

TheNwothm: Can you give us an overview of the tracks on the record? Do any of them have a strong place in your heart?

D: I really love “The Worshipper 1897” as it’s inspired by an article in my town’s local newspaper the Santa Cruz Sentinel. The article was published in an 1897 issue and was titled THE WORSHIPPER. It’s about a cyrptid ocean-land-hybrid creature that guards a vast treasure in the redwood covered Santa Cruz mountains. I was having a bout of writer’s block and was inspired by a documentary on Black Sabbath where they discussed the writing of “Paranoid”, which was executed in about 15 minutes. So I grabbed my guitar and tried a writing exercise to just write whatever came to mind and about 35 minutes later, the song was finished.

TheNwothm: “Screaming Steel” has some killer artwork! What can you tell us about it? Who designed it?

D: The artwork is inspired by my black cat Bear. He’s a magical boy lol. The album art was designed and drawn by Jose “Kat” Canales.

TheNwothm: What are your touring plans for 2024? Where can fans expect to see you perform?

D: In many ways, the DURBIN albums are studio albums but I do have a live band. Currently the only date on the books for DURBIN is to be a part of the FROZEN IN TIME 2 Festival at Strummers in Fresno, CA – June 22^nd with Haunt, Hell Fire, Grey Hawk, Saber, Angel Fury, Devilution and More.

TheNwothm: Where can fans buy your music and merch?

D: DURBIN “The Beast Awakens” and DURBIN “Screaming Steel” are available wherever you stream your music. Both albums are also available to listen to for free on the NWOTHM Full Albums YouTube Channel via Frontiers Music SRL. DURBIN Merch is available at https://jamesdurbin.threadless.com/

TheNwothm: Is there anything else you would like to mention?

D: I always thank the fans for giving my music a listen, whether it’s “for you” or not, I appreciate the time taken to see what it’s all about. The best place to follow my endeavors is on my Instagram and YouTube channels @jamesdurbinofficial