METALWAR: Power metal seems to be going through a revival in recent years. Where do you think Valiant Sentinel fit within this new generation of bands?
VALIANT SENTINEL: We believe that Valiant Sentinel belong to the new generation of bands like Triumpher, who don’t simply try to reproduce the classic sound but aim to evolve it. We see power metal today as a meeting point. On one side there is tradition – the grand melodies, the epic atmosphere, the fantasy – and on the other a new tendency toward more cinematic storytelling, darker themes and more modern production. Within this framework, Valiant Sentinel stand somewhere in the middle. We keep the core of classic power metal but try to build something more unified and narrative-driven, almost like the soundtrack of a world, which is what Neverealm represents.

METALWAR: The world of Neverealm feels like it has its own mythology. How did this idea originate and how long did you work on the concept?
VALIANT SENTINEL: The idea for the world of Neverealm didn’t appear suddenly; it evolved organically over time. At first there were isolated images and ideas—small fragments of stories, characters and landscapes that didn’t necessarily belong to the same world. As the songwriting progressed, we began to realize there was a common “core” connecting them all: a dark, epic atmosphere and a sense of decline, like a world that was once glorious but is now in decay. I’m also a fan of wordplay, and I thought it would be very fitting for the title itself to be a wordplay.

METALWAR: Your compositions carry a strong sense of adventure and cinematic storytelling. Are you influenced by fantasy literature, films, or video games?
VALIANT SENTINEL: Definitely. That’s our main source of lyrical—and not only lyrical—inspiration. On the new album we were even influenced by darker aspects of fantasy literature, for example in the title track. Movies and TV series also play an important role, as do video games. For instance, on the first album we had the song “One Must Fall,” inspired by the game One Must Fall: 2097. On the new album we have “To Mend the Ring” and “Elden Lord,” both inspired by the game Elden Ring.

METALWAR: How different was the creative process of Neverealm compared to Valiant Sentinel’s first album?
VALIANT SENTINEL: It was quite different. The first album was more of a collection of songs I had written at different times and liked. For the second album there was a clear vision from the very beginning: epic atmosphere and melodies, sharp riffs and speed. That was the approach we followed during the writing process.

METALWAR: Collaboration between musicians from different countries and scenes is becoming more common in metal. How easy or difficult is it to create chemistry in such collaborations?
VALIANT SENTINEL: Something very important is for the composer to have a clear idea of how they want the guest musician to sing or play. In my opinion that’s the most crucial element. Then it also depends on how well the guest can understand the vision and deliver it as faithfully as possible without losing their own personality.

METALWAR: Do you think power metal today needs to keep evolving, or does its strength lie in staying faithful to the classic sound?
VALIANT SENTINEL: I know it may sound strange, but the answer is both. There should be bands that keep the classic ’90s power metal sound we grew up with, and bands that try to evolve the genre. That way new fans can be attracted to the style and eventually appreciate the more traditional-sounding bands as well. Neither side should eliminate the other—both need to coexist for power metal to stay alive.

METALWAR: The album has a strong epic atmosphere. Is there a song that you feel represents the essence of Valiant Sentinel the most?
VALIANT SENTINEL: Yes—“War In Heaven.” It’s also the opening track and the reason we chose it for the videoclip. It has tight riffs, melody, speed, and of course an epic and majestic chorus.

METALWAR: What was the biggest challenge you faced while creating Neverealm?
VALIANT SENTINEL: Creating cohesion between the songs and making sure every track had a reason to exist—that each one played a role in shaping the overall listening experience of the album. Another challenge was finding a drummer who could actually play what I had composed, haha.

METALWAR: If Neverealm were a film or a fantasy story, what kind of journey would the listener experience?
VALIANT SENTINEL: It would be a journey of catharsis. The listener would start as a simple observer—someone entering an unknown world full of myths and epic battles. As the story progresses, they become part of it. Not a hero from the beginning, but someone who is tested, doubts themselves and eventually changes.

METALWAR: How do you see the future of Valiant Sentinel? Is there already a plan for continuing the world you’ve created?
VALIANT SENTINEL: Yes, there is. The next album is already being recorded and we can’t wait for you to hear it. In general, we want to release as many albums as possible. We also hope to play at various festivals in the future, open for well-known bands and hopefully go on tour if that becomes possible.

METALWAR: If someone hears Valiant Sentinel for the first time today, why should they start their journey with Neverealm?
VALIANT SENTINEL: Because it represents the band better than anything else—or, if you prefer, what Valiant Sentinel have evolved into since the beginning. There are also clear improvements in the sound and the production, which make the overall package more appealing.

OFFICIAL LINKS
https://www.facebook.com/valiantsentinel/
https://www.instagram.com/valiantsentinel/
https://theogonia-records.com/
https://www.facebook.com/theogoniarecords