Adrienne Cowan stands out as one of the most unique voices in the metal scene, effortlessly transitioning between clean and harsh vocals. With her band, Seven Spires, she has consistently showcased her remarkable ability to convey a wide range of emotions through their music. Their latest album, “A Fortress Called Home,” is a testament to the band’s enduring quality and innovation. In this engaging interview, we enjoyed speaking with Adrienne Cowan about the new album, the band’s creative process, and her perspectives on women’s representation in the metal genre.
Reuel
Hello Adrienne. It’s a pleasure to chat with you. How are you and the rest of Seven Spires doing?
Adrienne Cowan
Hello! I am doing well thank you, although a bit tired from all of the travel and touring this year 🙂
Reuel
Hope you have time to relax! Your new album “A Fortress Called Home” has been recently released. How excited are you for this release to be out and available for fans to listen to?
Adrienne Cowan
That’s right! Well although this is in some ways an ugly album, I’m really proud of the work we did together. So I guess that means I am very excited 🙂
Reuel
‘A Fortress Called Home’ is your fourth studio album. How does this new album differ from your previous albums musically and thematically?
Adrienne Cowan
It’s a bit less of a point A to point Z type of adventure, and more of a guided inward journey through one’s own darkness. But thematically it’s not so different; it could even be said that these songs dive deeper into the feelings and motivations behind the events of our previous records. Musically we took the same approach as we always do: write what feels right, and let the limits be pushed if the song calls for it.
Reuel
Is there a song in particular on ‘A Fortress Called Home’ that you are excited to see how people will react to?
Adrienne Cowan
I’m quite interested to see how “Love’s Souvenir” is received 🙂
Reuel
Everyone perceives music differently, but what feeling or message do you hope fans will take away after listening to ‘A Fortress Called Home’?
Adrienne Cowan
I hope “A Fortress Called Home” will leave behind a sense of being known, not alone.
Reuel
How are you preparing for the upcoming tour and live performances?
Adrienne Cowan
The album is out in the world since 21 June, and we are very much looking forward to getting back into a rehearsal room together for Mile High Power Fest in August! And there is plenty of behind-the-scenes planning and excitement for our co-headlining tour of Japan this December with Lords of the Trident.
Reuel
This year marks a decade since you released your first EP in 2014. What are some of the biggest milestones the band has achieved in the past 10 years?
Adrienne Cowan
With every year came new growth and bigger milestones. With our first full-length album “Solveig”, we were so proud to play festivals like ProgPower USA, 70,000 Tons of Metal, and MetalDays. “Emerald Seas” was our first album signed to Frontiers Records, and even though we struggled through national tour cancellations as every other band did, I think one of our biggest achievements in that time was really connecting with our fans during the unique situation the world was in. The “Gods of Debauchery” years put us on tour in Europe for the first time and across North America with bands like Dragonforce, Eluveitie, Twilight Force, and more, and we were even able to perform “This God is Dead” live with Roy Khan (Conception) as we had it recorded on the studio album.
In my eyes, “A Fortress Called Home” marked our most authentic musical expression yet, and looking back on our decade-long journey through the world together as friends who met as teenagers – these two things are probably what I am most proud of so far 🙂
Reuel
Thank you for taking us on this epic journey! The process of creating a new album involves many stages, from writing and recording to marketing. What was your favorite part of making ‘A Fortress Called Home,’ and what was the most challenging aspect?
Adrienne Cowan
The creation of the songs, both writing and recording, was easily the most challenging part. Not technically of course – I feel so lucky to work with the best of the best, who bring out the best in me. Although… the vocal performances themselves are at times quite difficult and took everything I had on a given day to execute. But that’s very often the case with our recording sessions 🙂 Anyway, I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed watching the visual aspects of the album take form, like the merch designs, the album cover, the general aesthetics, that sort of thing. Since it was much less of a linear story than our previous albums, I didn’t have as clear of a vision of how things should look, and it was a beautiful experience to let go of control in that situation and see it come to life in someone else’s hands.
Reuel
As a prominent figure in the metal scene, how do you feel about the representation of women in heavy music today, and what do you think can be done to promote more inclusivity and support for female musicians?
Adrienne Cowan
I love to see how far we have come in this. Compared to even 10 years ago, I feel incredibly lucky to be making art in the time and environment that I do. There is still sometimes a feeling of an element of fetishisation at times, and the feeling that we are put on a pedestal. I can understand preference from a matter of taste in instruments, just as some people prefer the sound of a violin over the sound of a cello, so in that case I think it’s great to have opportunities specifically dedicated to women in metal. But beyond the opportunities geared to the specific sound of a female voice (both from a job perspective and from the perspective of a consumer’s taste) I think the whole thing is much more complicated. Through the years I always wished to be seen more for my art and abilities, and less for my gender and the societal implications – dare I say baggage? – that comes with the territory.
I don’t know how that can change because it’s even deeper than important things like getting rid of magazines rating the hottest women in the scene, or festivals doing away with the stage for girls in favour of giving equal mainstage opportunity. It becomes a topic about how people view gender and the respect that is shown to not only women, but people in general. It is right to remember how much harder it must have been for women in metal before. It is also right to continue to look for ways for everyone to acknowledge and celebrate differences while enjoying shared mainstage opportunities.
In the end I can only control how I feel and how I present myself, so that’s what I do: be strong and proud, stick to my principles, make my art, take no bullshit, and support other women in metal by wholeheartedly celebrating their wins and being there when they need help picking up the pieces. We are living in the now with each other, and we are role models paving the road for those who come next, just as the women before us did.
Reuel
Wow thank you for your brilliant insight. And thank you for your time, Adrienne, and for this interview! Good luck in your upcoming tour and congratulations on your new release. Is there anything else you’d like to conclude this interview with?
Adrienne Cowan
Thank you very much too! And thank you so much to everyone who has purchased or listened to “A Fortress Called Home”, to our incredible team, and to everyone who supported us on Patreon or at merch booths along the way. We really can’t wait to see you again soon!
