Texas metalcore powerhouse Fit For a King has been a staple of the scene for over a decade, known for their emotionally charged lyrics, aggressive sound, and dynamic live shows. We caught up with frontman Ryan Kirby to talk about the band’s upcoming tour, their latest single Keeping Secrets, the changing landscape of metalcore, and how they're evolving without losing what makes them great.
“Keeping Secrets” – A Return to Roots
The band’s newest single, Keeping Secrets, taps back into classic metalcore vibes—hard-hitting, honest, and unapologetically heavy.
"There are definitely a lot of typical metalcore elements in it," Kirby says. "But it was also a new process for us. We wrote most of it on our own, without a producer. It’s probably the most honest song we’ve done in a long time.”
Rather than building tracks in the studio from scratch, the band has been writing more independently and outside traditional recording sessions.
“We’re sitting on 15–20 tracks. Not all of them will make the next record, but it’s better to have too much and cut than to force songs that don’t belong."
The Balancing Act of Touring and Evolution
Fit For a King is about to hit the road with Chelsea Grin, Kingdom of Giants, and first-time tourmates Soulkeeper.
“Our agent had just picked up Soulkeeper and sent us their stuff. They’ve never toured before, but they sounded amazing—like The Chariot meets Mouth of the South. We said, ‘Let’s do it.’”
Despite their extensive touring history, Kirby admits he appreciates the rare downtime.
“Right now is one of the few times we’re actually not on tour,” he laughs.
The touring lifestyle has changed for the band. With members living in different states (Dallas, Houston, LA, and New Jersey) and many of them starting families, logistics are more complicated than ever.
“We see each other on tour, during rehearsals, and in the studio. That’s about it.”
On Warped Tour, Legacy Songs, and Fan Favorites
Fit For a King played three runs on Warped Tour, an experience Kirby says was foundational for their career—and the metalcore genre.
“It was huge for younger bands. That’s where a lot of bands got their start. It’s a shame it doesn’t exist anymore.”
He believes the tour ended because bigger headliners realized they could tour solo and make more money. Attendance dropped, and it became harder to justify.
“At one show in Las Cruces, New Mexico, there were literally more people working the tour than there were in the audience.”
As for live shows today, the band knows fans expect certain tracks—and some songs inevitably get left behind.
“We’ve probably only played about half of the songs we’ve released. Not because we don’t love them, but because it’s so hard to fit everything into one set. We try one or two new ones each tour, but mostly stick to the bangers.”
God of Fire is one that’s become a must-play every night.
“That’s the one where things go totally wild—on stage and in the pit.”
Songwriting Growth and the Role of AI
When asked about how his lyric writing has changed over time, Kirby reflects on how much life has shaped his creativity.
“Back then I was just a 20-year-old in community college. Now I’ve got kids, a family, more life experience. It definitely gives me more to say.”
He’s also experimented with AI tools like ChatGPT to refine lyrics and avoid repeating words or themes.
“It’s like a smarter thesaurus. I’ll tell it to avoid certain overused words like ‘pain’ or ‘undertow’ and help rework a line. It’s not replacing creativity—it’s helping guide it.”
The Future: More Singles, Calculated Risks, and Respect for the Genre
Fans can expect at least three more singles before the next full-length album drops—but there’s a twist.
“Some of them might not even be on the record. We’re experimenting and seeing how people react before committing to a whole album of that sound.”
While experimenting is exciting, Kirby acknowledges that the band still has to play it smart.
“We don’t have a Hybrid Theory or Meteora like Linkin Park did. We can’t just do anything. Our fans matter, and we have families to think about too. So we take calculated risks.”
Final Thoughts from Ryan Kirby
As the interview wraps, Kirby expresses appreciation for the fans who’ve stuck by them all these years.
“If you cared enough to listen to me talk this long, I appreciate you. We’re constantly writing, always trying to bring you something fresh. Hopefully, we’ll see you at a show soon.”
Fit For a King’s latest single Keeping Secrets is available now on all streaming platforms. Stay tuned for more singles and tour dates as the band continues to push metalcore forward—one honest, heavy song at a time.
Stay heavy. Support the underground. Long live metal.
Want more? Follow Fit For a King on their Website, Spotify, Facebook and catch them when they come to your town.
No comments:
Post a Comment