STORM FORCE

“Music is meant to be enjoyed. I wouldn’t want to write anything I don’t like and can’t relate to.”

“The song always comes first. If an outside musician makes the song stronger, they’ve earned their place.”

“The performances provide the aggression and emotion, while the production gives those performances the clarity and impact they deserve.”

“The vocalist should feel the lyrics, and that’s why the storyteller has to write them.”

“Every great band is more than the sum of its parts. Everyone in Storm Force lifts the songs to a new level.”

“We didn’t want to make the same album again. We wanted every song to be stronger, every performance to be better.”

“Don’t be afraid to show vulnerability. That’s what gives a song depth and allows people to connect with it.”

“Sometimes you lose the identity of a performance by trying to make everything perfect. We’d rather keep the energy alive.”

“The world affects all of us. Even if you’re not a political band, you can’t help but write about the reality you’re living in.”

“We can become slaves to the algorithm. We have to do better and make sure the things we share are actually true.”

“Find the Truth.”

Some bands write songs.
Others build chemistry.
Canadian hard rock outfit Storm Force belongs firmly to the latter category.
With their second album ‘Truth‘, the band delivers powerful hooks, memorable melodies, and modern hard rock energy while refusing to ignore the world outside the studio.
The record balances classic arena-rock spirit with contemporary themes, proving that strong songwriting and honest emotion remain timeless.
In this interview, conducted by Fok ‘bs‘, vocalist Patrick Gagliardi and guitarist Greg Fraser talk about truth, collaboration, vulnerability, and why authentic music will always outlive trends.
With ‘Truth’, Storm Force chose a title that sounds almost like a mission statement.
In a time where music, media, and even personal identities are constantly questioned, what kind of ‘truth‘ were you searching for when writing this album?
Pat: “I think as a writer, you’re always affected by the world around you. It has been a crazy 6 years since ‘Age of Fear’ and there is an ongoing onslaught of misinformation when it comes to the news and the internet. I feel that we need to do better when it comes to ensuring the things we see and listen to are True. There are so many posts that seek to divide and I believe that we have to understand we can be slaves to the algorithm. We all have things in life that drive us to feel a certain way. I think as a being on this planet, we should strive to not spread information that may be harmful to others. We need to do better!. Find the ‘Truth’!”
You have described ‘Truth’ as a step beyond ‘Age Of Fear’.
Not just a continuation, but a stronger and more focused version of the band.
Looking back, what did you discover about Storm Force during the process of creating the debut that changed the way you approached this second album?
Pat: “I think we’ve grown as collaborators and we found that we have something to say. Although we’re not a political band, we can’t help but be affected by the world. I also believe that you can’t just focus on good or bad. I find that I’m happier when I understand that there are bad things out there, but there are also wonderful things. Try to focus on both.”
Melodic hard rock has always been associated with emotion, big choruses, and larger-than-life performances.
How do you keep that sense of scale alive in an era where much of modern music is built around shorter attention spans and instant impact?
Pat: “I know this is cliche, but we write songs that we dig. I don’t concern myself with what is popular and trying to write with a certain method in mind. Just try to tell stories that are interesting, while also just having fun with others. Music is meant to be enjoyed. I wouldn’t want to write anything, I don’t like and can’t relate to. All the best bands write songs that they enjoy. If you try to fit a certain mold or criteria, it’s not fun. I think it’s evident on this album, because we change the style so often on ‘Truth’. We go from heavy Metallish ( I might have made up a word there) types of songs and then move to a soft ballad and other types.”
The album contains songs like ‘Anti Social Media’ and ‘Karma’s A Bitch’, which sound like they are observing the modern world rather than escaping from it.
How important is it for Storm Force to reflect current reality instead of only celebrating the classic rock tradition?
Pat: “Yeah, like I said earlier you can help but be affected by the world around you. It also makes writing easier as it gives you a variety of topics. Although I love songs about having a good time and getting wild, I also love telling stories.”
Greg, you have a long history with Brighton Rock and decades of experience behind you.
How do you balance the weight of that legacy with the desire to make Storm Force something completely independent and forward-looking?
Greg: “I don’t really give it much thought, to be honest. I don’t think in terms of balancing a legacy with making Storm Force something completely different. To me, it’s just a continuation of my songwriting. Whether it was Brighton Rock or Storm Force, I write the same way I’ve always written. The songs on the first Storm Force record – and especially the new one – could easily have been Brighton Rock songs. I don’t sit down and think, ‘I have to write differently because it’s a new band.’ I just write what excites me. Sometimes it’s a great riff, a cool groove, or something that makes me think, ‘Yeah, that’s going to be a fun air guitar moment.’ I don’t overanalyze the process. I just keep writing the way I have for the last few decades and hope the end result is something the band is proud of and that the fans connect with.”
‘Truth’ features guest musicians adding keyboards and cello, but the core of the record remains very much band-driven.
When you bring outside elements into Storm Force, what has to happen for them to become part of the band’s identity rather than just decoration?
Greg: “When you bring outside guest musicians into the fold, the number one thing is they have to gel with the band and not just be a decoration, as you put it. There has to be a reason they’re there. Their job is to enhance the song if there’s something missing. Sometimes you hear a hole in an arrangement and think, ‘Instead of cluttering this up with another guitar, maybe a keyboard would add a different dynamic.’ Or on a ballad, you might think, ‘This part would sound amazing with a real cello instead of a keyboard trying to imitate one.’ That’s where those outside musicians can really make a difference. To me, it’s all about lifting the song. If those extra elements bring more emotion, more depth, or a different texture that makes the song stronger, then they’ve earned their place. If they’re just there for the sake of having another instrument, then they’re not serving the music. The song always comes first.”
The songs on ‘Truth’ were written by both of you.
How does the creative dynamic work between the songwriter’s vision and the personality a vocalist brings when interpreting those ideas?
Pat: “The songs on this album start with Greg. He is a fantastic writer and has an incredible way of sending me something that can really get his vision across. Most of the time, he will title the song but does not care if I change the title at all, which I have many times. He is also open to me making melody changes to suit the lyrics as well. He wants me to be the storyteller and he has a strong conviction that the vocalist should feel the lyrics and therefore should write them.”
Roger Banks joined the band on drums and brought a new energy to Storm Force.
What was the biggest difference you felt when the chemistry of the current lineup started to develop?
Greg: “I think the biggest difference with the chemistry of the current lineup is simply growth. From the first record to this one, we’ve had a lot of time to get to know each other better as musicians. We understand each other’s strengths, what works best together, and how to bring out the best in one another. I also think we all raised our game. We were really excited by the response the first Storm Force record received around the world, and instead of being satisfied with that, it motivated us to push ourselves even harder. We didn’t want to settle for mediocrity or just make the same album again. We wanted every song to be stronger, every performance to be better, and to bring something fresh to the table. I think that’s exactly what we’ve done. We’re all really proud of this record, and I honestly believe it’s a step forward from the debut in every way.”
Many classic hard rock bands focus on creating timeless songs rather than following trends.
After decades of changes in the music industry, what do you think makes a rock song survive beyond its release date?
Pat: “I think it goes back to writing something you enjoy. I don’t think there is a formula, and if there is, please give it to me. Ha! I think the writer knows when they’ve got something special. I think the whole band feels it. I also think it has a lot to do with the whole band. I look at all the great bands through the years and they had something special because of the sum of the parts. Everyone in this band contributes and lifts the songs to a new level.”
The album moves between powerful anthems and more emotional moments like ‘I Wasn’t Finished Loving You’. Is vulnerability something that has become more important in your songwriting as the band has evolved?
Greg: “I think vulnerability is huge. Once you’re willing to show that side of yourself, it opens up so many more doors as a songwriter. It keeps your music from becoming cookie-cutter or predictable because you’re exploring different emotions instead of just one. As hard rock musicians, it’s easy to fall into the mindset of, ‘We’ve got to rock, we’ve got to rock.’ And of course I love that side of it. But I also think it’s important to show the other side of the coin. Don’t be afraid to show some vulnerability, some real emotion, because that’s what gives a song depth. If you can touch a nerve with a lyric, a melody, or even a chord progression, that’s huge. That’s what every songwriter is chasing – to make people feel something. Whether it’s excitement, sadness, hope, or inspiration, you want the listener to connect with the music on a personal level. I hope we’ve achieved that on this record. I think it has all the power and energy people expect from Storm Force, but it also has moments that show a different side of who we are.”
Working with producer Darius Szczepaniak, you created a modern production while keeping the traditional hard rock character intact.
What was the biggest challenge in finding the right balance between old-school warmth and modern clarity?
Greg: “We never really talk about whether something sounds old-school or modern. It’s more about what feels right to the ears and what feels right inside. I think today’s recording technology is incredible, but it can also be a bit of a trap. There are so many tools available now that it’s easy to get caught up in the minutiae and overproduce things. Years ago, if you had a four-piece band, you’d hear a guitar, bass, drums, and vocals. Today, you can have what sounds like a four-piece band, but there might be ten guitar tracks on each side trying to create this massive wall of sound. For me, that’s not always the answer. Sometimes you lose the identity of the performance and that live energy that made the original take special. On the Storm Force record, if you listen to the guitars, there’s one rhythm guitar on the left and one on the right. We weren’t trying to build a wall of guitars – we wanted the performance itself to create the impact. To my ears, that leaves more room for dynamics and lets every instrument breathe. That’s where Darius was fantastic. He’s got an incredible ear, and we trusted him throughout the whole process. He understood exactly what we were trying to achieve and made sure every instrument had its own space while still sounding powerful. We’re thrilled to have him working with us, and around the band we jokingly call him the fifth Beatle. He really has become an important part of what Storm Force is.”
‘Truth‘ proves that Storm Force isn’t interested in chasing trends or recreating the past.
Instead, Patrick Gagliardi and Greg Fraser have crafted an album that combines timeless hard rock songwriting with themes that resonate in today’s world.
Whether discussing misinformation, vulnerability, or the simple joy of creating music they genuinely believe in, one message remains constant: authenticity will always outlast fashion.
If ‘Age Of Fear‘ introduced Storm Force, ‘Truth’ confirms that the band has found both its voice and its purpose.
by Fok ‘bs‘