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Levinia has had a very busy year, releasing four brand new singles that their fans (me among them) were eager to hear. I spoke with vocalist Kourt Henson about the inspiration behind songs like “Bite” and “The Blank Page,” how fans have responded to the new music, alongside a range of other topics.
Reuel
Hello Kourt! I’m so happy to talk with you! How are you doing?
Kourt Henson
Hey! It’s great to hear from you!
Reuel
I got to learn about many talented bands through working on FemMetal, and you were one of the first and one of my favourites. No question here. Just wanted to say this 😀
Kourt Henson
Oh my gosh, thank you so much! That genuinely means the world to me. FemMetal has been in our corner since day one, and I’ll always be incredibly grateful for all the support you’ve given us. You guys have done so much to champion women in metal and help so many incredible bands get the recognition they deserve. The scene is genuinely stronger because of what you’ve built. I still remember winning two awards for Liberation during the Goddess of Metal Awards in 2018. That was such an honor, and it’s a memory I’ll always cherish. Thank you again for believing in us from the very beginning. It means more than you know.
Reuel
You’re going to make me tear up! Thank you so much for those incredibly kind words.
You’ve recently released three singles, the latest being “Bite”. How are you feeling about the way fans have received this new cycle of releases?
Kourt Henson
Absolutely! I’m feeling really great about how this new cycle of releases has been received. We’ve seen so much more traction than we did with our Liberation EP, and that’s been incredibly encouraging. As an independent band, you always hope your music finds the right audience, so seeing more and more people discovering Levinia has been amazing. What means the most to me, though, is seeing fans who have been with us since the beginning continue to support us while so many new listeners are joining the journey. The response to all three singles has been overwhelmingly positive, and it’s exciting to watch our fanbase continue to grow. It really feels like momentum is building, and we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who’s listened, shared our music, and believed in what we’re creating.
Reuel
You have one more single set to be released soon, I believe. What can you tell us about the upcoming single?
Kourt Henson
It actually just dropped! It’s called “The Blank Page,” and it’s probably our most personal release yet. The song explores the creative struggle that so many artists face, but it also goes much deeper than that. At its core, it’s about wrestling with self-doubt, feeling like you’re not enough, and battling the pressure to constantly prove yourself. I think those feelings are something almost everyone can relate to, whether you’re an artist or not. We wanted to capture that internal conflict while also creating something powerful and cathartic. Musically, it still has that signature Levinia heaviness, but emotionally, it’s one of our most vulnerable songs. We’re incredibly proud of it, and we’re so excited that it’s finally out for everyone to hear.
Reuel
Are these four singles an appetizer for a bigger release you’re planning for?
Kourt Henson
At the moment, there aren’t any concrete plans for a full-length album. That said… never say never. We’ve really found our creative stride lately, and Alon and I have been writing nonstop. It’s been an incredibly exciting season for us creatively, and ideas just keep flowing. Right now, we’re focused on continuing to release music that we’re genuinely proud of rather than rushing toward an album for the sake of it. But fans definitely won’t have to wait long for new material. We’re constantly writing, experimenting, and pushing ourselves, so I’d definitely say to keep an eye out—there’s a lot more Levinia on the horizon.
Reuel
Definitely keeping an eye! What, would you say, makes Levinia stand out from other bands with similar musical style?
Kourt Henson
That’s always a tough question because there are so many incredible bands in the melodic metal scene. I think what makes Levinia stand out is that we never write music just to fit into a particular subgenre or trend. Every song starts with a story we genuinely want to tell, and the music grows naturally from that.
Lyrically, we explore themes of resilience, inner battles, mythology, literature, and the darker aspects of the human experience. While those themes are deeply personal to us, one of my favorite things about songwriting is that once a song is released, it no longer belongs solely to the writer. Listeners bring their own experiences to the music, and whatever they take away from a song is completely valid. If someone finds a meaning we never intended, that’s part of the beauty of art. Musically, I think our blend of cinematic melodies, aggressive riffs, and dynamic vocals gives us our own identity. I’m classically trained, but I also love the grit, power, and raw emotion that metal allows me to express, so I enjoy living between those two worlds. Alon’s songwriting is also a huge part of our sound. He has an incredible ability to write riffs and orchestrations that are both crushingly heavy and incredibly memorable. More than anything, though, I think what sets us apart is authenticity. We don’t chase trends or try to fit into a formula. We write the music that excites us and tells the stories we want to tell. If those songs connect with people and become part of their own story, that’s the greatest compliment we could ever receive.
Reuel
What musicians can you credit as the ones who inspired you, personally, in your life or career as a musician?
Kourt Henson
Without a doubt, I’d have to credit Lacuna Coil for opening the door to metal for me. I discovered them when I was thirteen years old, and they completely changed the way I looked at music. They introduced me to an entirely new world, and from that point on, I was hooked. Another huge influence was Simone Simons of Epica, but the story behind that is a little more personal. Growing up through the end of high school, I was a competitive vocalist. I always joke that singing was my sport. I competed throughout Southern California in both classical voice and musical theater, and I was fortunate to have a lot of success. Ironically, though, by the time I reached my senior year, I had grown tired of being “the classical singer.” I wanted to belt. I wanted to do Broadway. I wanted to act. Looking back now, I didn’t fully appreciate the years of discipline and training that had shaped my voice or how unique that classical foundation really was. Around that time, my boyfriend made me a mix CD, which definitely dates me! One of the tracks was “The Haunting (Somewhere in Time)” by Kamelot. I remember being completely captivated by Roy Khan’s voice, but it was Simone Simons’ guest vocals that stopped me in my tracks. I had this moment where I thought, “Wait… I can sing classically and still sound like an absolute badass? Sign me up.” That song completely shifted my perspective. Instead of seeing my classical training as something I wanted to leave behind, I suddenly realized it could become one of my greatest strengths. It introduced me to the world of female-fronted symphonic metal, where powerful operatic vocals and crushing guitars could exist together. From there, I dove headfirst into bands like Epica, Nightwish, After Forever, and Within Temptation, and I never looked back. Those artists helped me embrace the voice I already had instead of wishing it were something else. It’s funny how one song can completely change the trajectory of your life. If my ex hadn’t put The Haunting (Somewhere in Time) on that CD, I’m honestly not sure I’d be sitting here doing this interview as the vocalist of Levinia. The rest, as they say, is history.
Reuel
Wow! Thank you for sharing this amazing origin story with us! Quite inspiring!
If the senses of taste and hearing were mixed up together, what food do you imagine Levinia’s music would taste like?
Kourt Henson
Oh, that’s a really cool question! I think Levinia would taste like a poke bowl. There are so many different flavors, textures, and ingredients that come together to create something unique. You have the freshness, the spice, the richness, the crunch, each element has its own personality, but somehow it all works in harmony. I think that’s a pretty good representation of our music. We blend heavy riffs, cinematic orchestrations, melodic vocals, harsh emotions, and storytelling into one experience. On paper, some of those ingredients might seem like they shouldn’t go together, but when they’re balanced well, they create something cohesive and memorable. Plus, no two poke bowls are exactly the same, and I feel the same way about our songs. Each one has its own identity while still feeling unmistakably like Levinia. …Also, thanks a lot, now I’m going to be craving poke for the rest of the day! Haha!
Reuel
So will I! That was good content for a poke ad!
What are your feelings about the way women are represented in music today, and what do you think can be done to promote more inclusivity and support for female musicians?
Kourt Henson
I think we’ve made a lot of progress, and it’s exciting to see more women being recognized across every corner of the music industry, not just as vocalists, but as guitarists, drummers, bassists, producers, songwriters, engineers, and business leaders. There are so many incredibly talented women out there, and it’s inspiring to watch more of them get the opportunities they’ve earned. That said, I think there’s always room for growth. I’d love to see the conversation shift away from simply labeling bands as “female-fronted” and instead focus on the music itself. While I understand why that label exists and the role it’s played in helping listeners discover artists, I think the ultimate goal should be that a great band is simply recognized as a great band. One thing I’ve always appreciated about the metal community is how supportive it can be. Organizations like FemMetal and so many passionate fans have done an incredible job of creating spaces where women in metal can be celebrated and discovered. That kind of support makes a real difference, especially for independent bands. For me, promoting inclusivity starts with opening doors for one another. Invite emerging artists onto shows, collaborate instead of competing, share each other’s music, and celebrate one another’s successes. The more we lift each other up, the stronger the entire scene becomes. At the end of the day, I hope people connect with Levinia because they love the music and the stories we’re telling. If our journey encourages another young woman to pick up a microphone, guitar, or drumsticks and believe there’s a place for her in metal, then that’s something I’ll always be proud of.
Reuel
Well said! Thank you for your time, Kourt! Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Kourt Henson
First, thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me! It genuinely means a lot. Thank you to everyone at FemMetal for everything you’ve done to support not only Levinia, but women in metal as a whole. You’ve created an incredible platform that has introduced fans to so many amazing artists, and we’re honored to be a small part of that community. And to everyone reading this, thank you for listening, sharing our music, coming to shows, and believing in what we’re creating. None of this would be possible without you. If you haven’t heard our latest single, “The Blank Page,” I hope you’ll give it a listen. We have plenty more music on the way, and we can’t wait to share what’s next!!!
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