Francesco Cavalieri of Wind Rose Talks ‘Trollslayer’

Written for New Noise Magazine

Stay Heavy, and Keep Digging

Every once and awhile, there is a band and seemingly obscure genre that breaks the mold and catapults itself into the forefront of the industry. Sure, power metal isn’t new, with legends like Dragonforce and Blind Guardian paving the way, but the genre subsets that emerge along the way sometimes just fit perfectly and makes us wonder how no one came up with it before. Enter Wind Rose, “dwarven” power metal from Tuscany, Italy; inspiration for music and live show drawn from the dwarven race depicted in Lord of the Rings.

“We like to think of ourselves as the most famous, and quite possibly the only, Dwarf metal band in the world!” exclaims vocalist Francesco Cavalieri. “Our sound is epic, combining powerful orchestral arrangements, massive choirs, and folk elements with hard-hitting metal.” 

The inspiration for Tolkien’s world, especially the dwarves, was not present until it materialized during the writing of their second album, “Wardens of the West Wind.” According to Cavalieri, during the song, ‘The Breed of Durin,’ something felt different; a unique sound that resonated deeply with the band. 

“The way that song came together had a distinct flavor. It felt like we had tapped into something much larger than just a song, more like a whole concept that we needed to explore. We realized we were creating something that felt like it belonged to the world of Tolkien’s dwarves. From there, we kept digging deeper into that “rabbit hole,” experimenting and expanding on that sound and theme until we eventually fully embraced what is now known as Dwarf Metal”

Pure, Unadulterated Excitement

The newest addition to the discography, “Trollslayer,” is set to be released October 4th, via Napalm Records. The group, formed in 2009, according to their website, says “we don’t write songs, we smith them against the anvil,” and it’s exactly what you think it sounds like and bringing that sound to Europe supporting Powerwolf and Hammerfall. The album is a ride or die album and the excitement everywhere is palpable. 

“The excitement within the band is absolutely off the charts!” proudly shares Cavalieri. “Every time we’re about to release new music, there’s a mix of emotions: anticipation, a little bit of anxiety, but mostly pure excitement. With “Trollslayer,” we feel we’ve created our most complete album. There’s a lot of variety on this record, which is something we’re really proud of. Fans who’ve been with us for years will find plenty of surprises; we’ve incorporated fast, aggressive passages that will appeal to the power metal crowd, but there are also folk elements and party songs to capture the spirit of celebration and camaraderie that is central to dwarf culture. On the other hand, we have tracks that dive deeper emotionally, bringing out more serious, epic undertones. We’ve worked hard to make sure there’s something for everyone on this album.”

The upcoming tour, supporting those two giants of the metal world, has massive implications for Wind Rose; not only the size of the shows and venues themselves, but also reaching new audiences. Most importantly, the band gets to grow immensely, learning how everyone handles themselves on the road by observing the legendary veterans, day in and day out, on and off stage.

“Sharing the stage with them is an honor,” shares Cavalieri. “Powerwolf and Hammerfall have mastered their craft, and observing their work ethic and how they connect with fans is going to be a great learning experience. We’re excited to take what we learn and apply it to our own shows in the future.”

All According to Plan

In the age of digital media, content and the subsequent engagement are king and queen, especially when it comes to a band trying to put themselves out there and gain and retain that attention. Wind Rose has seen explosive numbers on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube while also reaching a million monthly listeners on Spotify. These milestones have created more and more opportunities and it is all coming along according to plan.

“It’s incredible to witness how far we’ve come, especially in this digital age where social media plays such a pivotal role in reaching fans,” admits Cavalieri. “It’s really gratifying to see the fanbase continue to grow, but it’s important to note that this level of exposure didn’t happen by chance. We’ve made a conscious effort to understand how these platforms work, what kind of content resonates with people, and how to effectively engage with fans.”

In beautiful Tuscany, Italy, Wind Rose seems to have it all; a perfect sound and stage presence that blends with the art of fantasy and whimsy of Tolkien’s Middle Earth at their disposal. It’s been a little over a decade since they took the genre and world by storm, but it was a fight the entire way. The road to success in the music industry is a day in day out grind and Wind Rose was in the thick of it, but they pushed, fought and continued to make a name for themselves.

“Looking back over the last 15 years, one of the most important things we’ve learned is the value of persistence and self-belief,” reflects Cavalieri. “We didn’t have major industry contacts or a lot of money when we started. What we had was our passion for music and the determination to push through the challenges that came our way. There were certainly moments of doubt, times when the path forward wasn’t clear, but we never gave up. We stayed true to our vision and kept working, refining our sound and growing as musicians. And now, looking at where we are today, we feel proud of everything we’ve accomplished. The journey wasn’t always easy, but it’s made us who we are as a band. Our success is proof that hard work, dedication, and believing in your art can take you a long way.”

Photo Credit: Tommaso-Barletta