Moonfall, Metal, and Hope: Bob Saliba on Kingcrown’s Darkest Album, Aedan Sky, Galderia, and the Power of Resilience

Moonfall, Metal, and Hope: Bob Saliba on Kingcrown’s Darkest Album, Aedan Sky, Galderia, and the Power of Resilience

French melodic metal outfit Kingcrown has returned with Moonfall, an ambitious and timely album that explores artificial intelligence, humanity’s uncertain future, and the search for hope in an increasingly complicated world. While the album tackles weighty themes, guitarist Bob Saliba sees Moonfall as much more than a warning about technology. At its heart, he believes it is an album about perseverance, human connection, and finding light even in the darkest moments.

During this in-depth conversation with Highwire Daze, Saliba discusses Kingcrown’s evolution, the possibility of touring America, his work with Aedan Sky and Galderia, and the deeply personal experiences that inspired his solo release Testimony. One thing becomes clear throughout the discussion: whether he’s writing about mythology, futuristic dystopias, or real-life struggles, hope remains at the center of everything he creates.

Introducing Kingcrown

Introduce yourself and tell me what you do in Kingcrown.
I joined Kingcrown in 2021 as a guitarist. Like the rest of the band, I’m also involved in composing and writing songs. We all contribute creatively, and that’s a big part of what makes this band special.

Where are you based, and what is the music scene like there?
We’re from the south of France, mainly around the Marseille, Nice, and Cannes areas. Our drummer, David, lives a bit farther north, but still in the southeastern part of the country. France has a very rich music scene, and we’ve been fortunate to grow up in an environment where heavy metal and hard rock have always had passionate supporters.

From Nightmare Fan to Bandmate

How did you wind up in Kingcrown? Were you a fan of Nightmare before joining?
Yes, absolutely. I owned all of the Nightmare albums. Back in the 2000s, when I was at university, I used to buy music magazines and would often see Nightmare featured in them. I was always proud to see a French band achieving that level of recognition.

They were very well-known then and still have a strong reputation today, especially throughout Europe. I never imagined that one day I’d have the opportunity to work alongside Jo and David. The work they did with Nightmare was fantastic, and it’s been a real pleasure collaborating with them in Kingcrown.

The Meaning Behind Moonfall

Moonfall is a fascinating title. What is the overall story or concept behind the album and the title track?
The album explores apocalyptic themes and reflects on many of the issues we’re facing today. It touches on artificial intelligence, the increasing loss of authentic human relationships, and the uncertainty surrounding the future.

The title track, “Moonfall,” imagines a world facing catastrophe as the moon falls toward Earth. At its core, it’s about how human beings react to overwhelming challenges and how we hold onto the people we love during difficult times.

The entire album examines the world we’re creating and the direction our society may be heading. Songs like “Rise of the Machines” ask questions about humanity’s future. Will humans and machines coexist side by side, or will technology ultimately take control of our societies? We don’t claim to have all the answers, but we wanted to explore these concerns through music.

While the album has a futuristic and apocalyptic atmosphere, it’s really about reflecting on the choices we’re making today and where they might lead us.

It’s interesting because that theme is incredibly timely. Everywhere you look, people are talking about AI and its impact on humanity, and you’ve just released an album that tackles those very ideas.
Exactly. What makes it especially relevant is that all of us have careers outside of music. Kingcrown is a passion, but we also experience these technological changes in our everyday professional lives.

We’re seeing AI become part of more and more industries, and naturally it raises important questions. How can we use these tools responsibly? How do we ensure that technology serves humanity rather than replacing it? Those ideas are at the heart of Moonfall and the story we wanted to tell.

“We Are Kingcrown”

“We Are Kingcrown” sounds like a song that could be played on rock radio around the world. It’s a huge anthem. What’s the story behind it?
We wanted to create an anthem for everyone who supports us. We’re not a massive band, but we’ve been fortunate to have incredibly loyal fans who continue to believe in what we’re doing.

“We Are Kingcrown” is dedicated not only to the band, but also to those supporters who have stood behind us and encouraged us from the beginning. We wanted something people could sing with us live.

I remember the first time we performed it onstage. The audience reaction was fantastic, and we immediately knew the song was connecting with people the way we had hoped. It’s very different from some of the heavier and more reflective material on the album. Instead, it’s a celebration of unity between the band and our fans.

Going Back to the Eighties

“Back to the Eighties” is another really fun song on the album. Tell me about that one.
I love that song. None of us are very young anymore, and most of us grew up during the ’80s. That decade is a huge part of our musical DNA.

Many of the bands that influenced us came from the ’80s, and we wanted to pay tribute to that era while bringing back some great memories. It’s really a celebration of the music we grew up listening to and continue to love today.

Of course, we’re influenced by music from the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, but “Back to the Eighties” is our most direct tribute to that incredible period. There was so much personality in the music back then. As musicians who play melodic heavy metal and power metal with occasional progressive elements, it felt natural to honor an era that helped shape who we are.

Beyond the Darkness

I always like to explore the final track on an album because it often reveals the artist’s ultimate message. In this case, that’s “Beyond the Stars.” Tell me about that song.
“Beyond the Stars” comes from a different emotional place.

Even in the darkest situations, there is always a reason to keep searching for the light. While Moonfall is certainly darker than our previous albums, and probably the darkest record we’ve ever written, we never wanted to leave listeners feeling hopeless.

The song serves as a reminder that, no matter how difficult circumstances may become, there is always the possibility of something better waiting beyond the darkness. Hope is ultimately the message we wanted to leave people with at the end of the album.

Bringing Moonfall to the Stage

At this point in your career, would you like to tour in support of Moonfall?
Absolutely. Touring is what we want to do, and what we need to do.

We toured extensively in support of Nova Atlantis and played a lot of shows behind that album. Our goal is to do the same with Moonfall. We already have several concerts planned in France and Italy, and we’re expecting additional opportunities in the near future.

We’re currently working with agencies in both Germany and Italy, and we’re optimistic that some exciting proposals will come from those partnerships. Right now, we’re focused on finding the best opportunities to bring the new album to audiences and connect with people face-to-face.

Has Kingcrown ever played in the United States, and is that something you’d like to do?
That’s actually one of our biggest dreams.

We’ve toured throughout Europe, but we’ve never had the opportunity to perform in the United States. If we’re going to come over, we’d love to do it properly with a substantial tour rather than just a handful of shows.

Hopefully Moonfall can help open some doors for us. We’d love the opportunity to meet American fans in person. It’s definitely a goal we all share.

It would be great to see you in Los Angeles, maybe even at the Whisky.
That would be incredible. Los Angeles is legendary. For many of us, it’s almost a pilgrimage destination because of its history in rock and metal music. If that opportunity ever happens, it would be a very special moment for the band.

Enter Aedan Sky

Tell me about your recent project, Aedan Sky, and their latest album The Universal Realm.
That’s another project that’s very close to my heart.

The album was recorded a few years ago and released last year with my good friend and brother-in-metal, Seb. We previously played together in Galderia, and he wanted to create this side project and bring the concept to life.

Like many of my projects, it’s a concept album, but with a very different message. The story features three principal vocal characters. Seb is one of the central figures, while I portray Aedan, who serves as a mentor within the story.

It’s a very melodic album, and I thoroughly enjoyed recording it. More than anything, the album is filled with light and positivity.

The message is about following your path, becoming the person you’re meant to be, and continuing forward regardless of the darkness or obstacles you may encounter in life.

Looking Back at Galderia

When you look back on your time with Galderia and the albums you recorded for Massacre Records, what are your thoughts today?
Those are wonderful memories, and I still think they’re great albums.

Galderia was built around themes of universality, self-discovery, and personal growth. The music was highly melodic, but there was also a strong introspective and philosophical side to it.

We had so many great experiences together. We toured with great bands, traveled extensively throughout Europe, and built a strong following in places like Poland.

What made Galderia unique was its commitment to positivity. We deliberately moved away from many of the traditional heavy metal clichés. Instead of focusing on darkness, death, and destruction, we wanted to explore hope, light, and personal evolution.

I think a lot of listeners connected with that message because people often need something uplifting in their lives.

Revisiting Debackliner

One of your albums recently celebrated its tenth anniversary, Debackliner. What do you think of it today?
It’s still a fantastic album. It was packed with energy, very dynamic and very punchy.

I have wonderful memories from that period, especially the shows we played opening for Blaze Bayley. One funny story is that one of the songs on the album actually features the vocal recording from my audition for the band. Those original takes ended up being so good that they remained on the final version of the record.

Many of those friendships still exist today, and some of those musicians continue to work with me. In many ways, it’s still a family.

The Deeply Personal Testimony

You mentioned your solo project. Can you tell me about that?
My latest solo album is Testimony.

Originally it was intended to be a studio project, but eventually I assembled a live band to bring the material to the stage.

The project gives me complete creative freedom. The music remains very melodic, but I enjoy experimenting with different instruments and approaches.

Testimony is deeply personal because it deals with social injustice and the impact family separation can have on parents and children.

The album is inspired by both my own experiences and the experiences of friends who have faced similar struggles. I’ve been fighting for six years to maintain my relationship with my son, and I dedicated this album to him.

While the subject matter is painful, the album is ultimately about hope. No matter how difficult a situation may become, I believe the bond between a parent and child remains incredibly powerful.

A Final Message for Kingcrown Fans

Do you have any messages for Kingcrown fans reading this right now?
My message is that Moonfall is the natural continuation of everything we’ve done before.

If Nova Atlantis explored mythology, Moonfall takes a deeper look at the future, technology, and the choices facing humanity.

On one hand, it’s a warning. On the other hand, it’s a message of hope.

We should embrace the positive possibilities of modern technology while remaining aware of how those same tools can be misused.

Most of all, I want to thank everyone who continues to support Kingcrown and allows us to keep making music and releasing albums. We truly believe in this album, and we can’t wait to share it with audiences around the world.

And thank you, Ken, and everyone at Highwire Daze. Exposure like this is very important for us, especially as we continue working toward the goal of bringing Kingcrown to America someday.

In Conclusion

Speaking with Bob Saliba reveals a musician whose work is connected by far more than soaring melodies and powerful metal anthems. Whether discussing the apocalyptic warnings of Moonfall, the uplifting spirituality of Galderia, the fantasy narratives of Aedan Sky, or the deeply personal experiences behind Testimony, Saliba consistently returns to the same guiding principle: hope.

In an era increasingly defined by uncertainty, division, and technological disruption, Kingcrown’s latest album serves as both a cautionary tale and an affirmation of the human spirit. If Moonfall is indeed the band’s darkest release to date, it is also one of its most inspiring, reminding listeners that even when the world seems headed toward the abyss, the search for light is always worthwhile.

And if Bob Saliba gets his wish, American audiences may soon have the opportunity to experience that message firsthand. Until then, Moonfall stands as a bold and timely statement from a band determined to keep melody, meaning, and optimism alive in modern metal.

For more information on Kingcrown and Moonfall, visit the band’s official social media pages and streaming platforms.

(Interview by Ken Morton)

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Bob Saliba on Instagram