Photo: Brian Hunsaker
“Power Over You” has such a cinematic, story-driven feel. What first inspired you to create a fantasy narrative around a sorceress and her unwilling accomplice?
That eerie D minor riff has been echoing in my head since 1997. I wrote it with my old drummer half a lifetime ago and knew I had to resurrect it. When I started writing lyrics, the first lines that came out were, ‘Rising up from the ashes of myself.’ That was my life at that moment. I was returning to music after a long exile, sparked by the loss of my best friend, who was also a musician. That personal story almost instantly became a fantasy narrative: a sorceress returning from her own exile to take over the world. The fantasy element became a perfect escape to channel all of those real, raw emotions.
The track moves from delicate, clean guitar passages into massive riffs and soaring vocals. How did you approach structuring the song to capture that sense of an epic journey?
The song was never meant to be a power ballad. Originally, it was just clean guitar and vocals. But when Mats sent over his incredibly dynamic drum tracks, everything changed. I heard them and knew the choruses had to be massive, driving rock sections. The song completely reshaped itself around his performance. I also love subverting expectations, so throwing in a sudden key change and some unexpected dynamics was my way of keeping the listener on an epic, unpredictable journey.
You mentioned recording your upcoming Where Dreamers Fall EP in your car during lunch breaks as a new father. How did that environment shape the sound and emotional feel of the music?
Recording in my car during my lunch breaks was my sanctuary. As a new father who had just lost a close friend, I was processing a storm of emotions. The solitude of the car, away from all distractions, gave me this intense clarity. A lot of these guitar parts were over a decade old, but the lyrics and melodies finally poured out of me. That confined space became the perfect environment to channel all that energy and create something raw and honest.
Working with international musicians like Mats Eriksson, Raymond Hayden, and Clif Chambliss adds a global dimension. What was the most rewarding or surprising part of collaborating remotely on this track?
Each musician completely transformed the track from afar. Raymond’s gorgeous piano and synths gave it a new dimension. Mats’ drums provided the drive and drama that pushed me to reimagine it as a power ballad. Then Clif’s bassline locked everything together with incredible groove and fills. The song became so much bigger than my original draft, and I knew immediately that I had to bring this exact team back for the next one.
Producer Matt Dougherty has credits with heavyweights like Megadeth and Disturbed. How did his touch influence the final sound of “Power Over You” compared to your vision going in?
I take my mixes as far as I can, but Matt is the one who brings the magic that makes a track ‘pro ready.’ He has an incredible ear. He took my vision, tightened up the low end, made the vocals soar, and gave the entire song a clarity and punch that I couldn’t achieve on my own. He doesn’t just mix a song; he elevates it into something better than I imagined it could be.
Your July single “Haunted” set the stage for this project. In what ways does “Power Over You” expand on or contrast with that release?
Haunted is full-throttle melodic metal—tempo shifts, vocal gymnastics, and lots of hooks. Power Over You, by contrast, begins intimately with softer vocals and stripped-down guitar, then abruptly explodes into heavy riffs and layered harmonies.
That contrast in dynamics is a big part of its appeal, and I think it has crossover potential for listeners outside the metal sphere. At the same time, both songs carry the hallmarks of my style: crunchy riffs, guitar solos, and strong vocal harmonies.
Storytelling is a huge part of your songwriting. Do you see these characters (the sorceress and her accomplice) returning in other songs on the EP, or are they unique to this track?
For now, this track is their standalone feature. The other songs on the EP are already mapped out and don’t connect to this story. It’s not a concept album, but rather a collection of powerful, story-driven songs—each with its own world.
The blend of progressive metal, classic influences (Dio, Skid Row), and modern heaviness makes your sound distinct. How do you balance honouring those inspirations while still carving out your own identity?
My influences are all over the map. You’ll hear clean guitar parts inspired by bands like The Police or Rush, right before a heavy riff that channels classic Dio or modern metal. The key for me now is to let it flow naturally rather than trying to ‘sound like’ someone. A huge part of my own identity, though, is in the vocal harmonies. I love stacking them and making them a prominent feature, like in classic Boston or Yes songs. In a lot of modern music, harmonies are subtle, but I want them to be a powerful, essential layer of the sound.
You’ve also leaned into AI-assisted visuals to create a cinematic world on an indie budget. How do you see technology shaping the way independent artists like you can present big, ambitious concepts?
That was a new adventure for me! I wanted the video to bring the sorceress and ancient Egypt to life, and AI allowed me to create realistic, cinematic visuals without a huge budget. When used thoughtfully, it’s an invaluable tool for independent musicians who want to build a larger-than-life world around their music.
I know some artists use AI for songwriting, but that’s not my path—I’ve got plenty of ideas already, and I don’t want to risk homogenising them. For me, the value is in visuals and in playful side projects, like parody songs.
Looking ahead, what do you hope listeners feel or take away after experiencing “Power Over You” and the larger Where Dreamers Fall project?
I hope listeners feel transported—whether it’s to ancient worlds, wandering an alien limbo world in search of someone, or reliving the pain of loss. Each track tells its own story, but together they create a journey through mystery, awe, and catharsis.
The best way to keep up with me and my music is through my YouTube channel—it’s really my headquarters. You can also join my website’s newsletter for updates.
https://www.brianhunsaker.net/
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FVMusicBlog September 2025
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