Lodestar Talk New Album, Musical Influences And More
Words by Glenn Sargeant
Photo Credit: Supplied By PR
Lodestar was originally formed in 1996 by three members of legendary British rap-rock band Senser (Heitham Al-Sayed (vocal), Alan ‘Lord Hagos’ Haggarty (Guitars and Synthesisers) and John Morgan (drums) to fulfil their hunger for a heavier musical palette.
After releasing two killer singles, an eponymous album hailed by the NME as ‘a modern metal masterpiece’ and touring with the likes of Tool, the band ceased operating in 1997.
2024 sees Lodestar resurrected and joined by Charlie Beddoes (Rub Ultra, Trash Palace, Nasty Little Lonely) on bass. Their new material is a beautiful, brutal and esoteric mix of doomy grooves, gutsy onslaughts and eccentric wanderings through a sweetly sinister landscape, inspired by prescient visions, occult symbolism and subtle sensuality. Heitham Al-Sayed chatted to us about the new album and more:
How did you meet?
(Heitham) I Met John when he appeared at my door when Senser was auditioning for a drummer in the early 90’s. We met Hagos when he first did the live sound for our band. And we met Charlie when her band Rub Ultra played on the same bill as us a couple of years later. I can say that when hearing each of them do their respective thing for the first time I was very impressed and excited.
How did you want to approach the making of Zonen?
The process was about as organic and inspired as you could ask for. Johnny and I had stayed in contact with Hagos since the original incarnation of the band. He had written a few demos and we instantly found them inspiring and wanted to add drum and vocal parts to them. Those sounded so good that we continued in the same vein until we had an album. I had always loved Charlie’s playing so we asked her if she would be interested in listening to songs and playing with us. We’re very glad she said yes.
Where did you record the album and who produced it?
There’s definitely a big advantage to having a professional producer/sound engineer in the band.
We each did our parts in separate countries. Guitars and bass were recorded in Scotland. Charlie’s Bass recordings were done in Brighton. Drums in Whyteleaf Surrey and vocals mostly in Le Plessis-Robinson, a far suburb of Paris.
It was mixed in Scotland by Hagos. He avoided a lot of the tropes and gimmicks of heavy music production and the result is a very satisfying sound.
What is the meaning behind the album title?
It means zones. It’s a nod to the film Stalker in which a mysterious event creates a zone where the normal rules of physics don’t apply and at thé center of which there is a wish fulfilling chamber . The album is like a place in which unexpected things can happen . It’s also a reference to magic circles of all kinds.
The ‘Bring Me The Head’ video, what was the thought process behind the video and who directed it?
The video was directed by Gee Steppa. He’s someone who is more known for making hip-hop videos for underground Rap artists using a kind of collage technique from old movies. I’d seen a very impressive one he did for Krash Slaughta called U is for underground. We asked him if he could somehow insert us into a Hammer Horror film and he did an excellent job. Although the ideas in this song are quite weighty, we didn’t want our first video to be too serious. There’s definitely a kind of wry self effacing quality to the song that it fits the kitsch horror feeling perfectly.
Who created/designed the album artwork?
(Heitham) I did. It’s linked to the idea of zones in the album title.
Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?
Pedals: Death By Audio Fuzz War; Black Arts Toneworks Pharaoh and Destroyer; JHS Supreme; Prunes and Custard.
Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?
As you can see everyone in the band has their own hometown. My home town is Paris.
Bustling, ornate, dirty, magical, surprising
Do you have any plans for live shows in Europe/UK in 2024?
We have shows coming up at the Desertfest in Camden and Southampton and a view to some more in September.
You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?
The master and Margarita by Mikhaïl Bulgakov. It’s a masterpiece. It is so full of diabolical magic and beauty. It’s completely overflowing with occult imagery and yet it’s funny and deeply human. Kubrick apparently started work on it but abandoned it because it was too difficult to do it justice. In terms of sounds I can hear it in my head just thinking about it. I would also say Blood Meridian but that soundtrack really should done be by my friend Dylan Carlson.
Which of your new album tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?
This is hard because they don’t really have those single colour emotions to them but…
A. The real world
B. Be ready
C. Hyperitual
Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?
Mark Lannegan, Saviours, Altin Gun, Cinderella, The Faces, Cauldron, Stars of the Lid, the Who, Burning Witch. Lee Hazelwood, the Poppy Family, King Crimson, Black Sabbath, Tangerine Dream.
Was it a difficult album to write?
Not at all.
How do you look after your voices?
Lots of water. Some vocal warm ups.
Less shouting in bars.
What makes Lodestar happy and what makes you unhappy?
A. Completing music which inspires us and playing that music together.
B. The unfolding genocide in Palestine
Feature Image Photo Credit: Supplied By PR
Lodestar’s latest album ‘Zonen’ is out now.
To purchase the new album, previous albums, live dates and for more information visit their official Linktree here: https://linktr.ee/lodestarband
