Interviews: Rise Of The Northstar

On this new occasion, we had the opportunity to interview the Hardcore/Metal/Rap band, Rise Of The Northstar, from France. Check out the interview and follow this band on their FACEBOOK PAGE. All the answers have been answered by (Eva-B / Lead Guitar)

1. Take us back to the early days—how did Rise Of The Northstar first come together in the Paris suburbs?

EVA-B: The original lineup came together through the Parisian hardcore scene. They all met during shows. As for me, I remember seeing them in Lille in 2009; they were missing a guitarist. Back then, the bass player was a good friend of mine, so after the show I asked if they were looking for someone new, and that’s how it all started.

2. What was the original vision when you started the band, and how close is that to what ROTNS has become today?

EVA-B: The original vision was to mix violent music with Japanese pop culture, especially anime and manga imagery. That hasn’t changed. The only difference is that as the band grew, we had more opportunities. For example, we could add animation to the “NEO PARIS” music video and go even crazier with our stage design.

3. The name Rise Of The Northstar is loaded with meaning. What inspired it, and what does it represent to you now compared to back then?

EVA-B: Rise of the Northstar is a direct reference to the manga Hokuto No Ken, known as Fist of the North Star in America. It’s an anime about vengeance and justice, themes that Vitia often explores in his lyrics.

4. What were some of the first shows you played, and what do you remember most about those early gigs?

EVA-B: Our first shows were through the hardcore scene, underground venues, no barriers, wild pits, terrible sound… but such good times!

5. How did manga and Japanese culture become such a foundational part of your identity from the very start?

EVA-B: To keep it simple, that part of Japanese culture has always been huge in France. We all grew up with it. Vitia had the idea of blending that world with our music very early on. ROTNS is really just the result of how our childhood shaped us.

6. Looking back, what do you consider your first big breakthrough moment as a band?

EVA-B: I think there were two big moments: our first Japanese tour in 2012, along with the Demonstrating My Saiya Style music video; and the release of Here Comes The Boom and the whole The Legacy of Shi album, which we recorded in New York with Joe Duplantier from Gojira.

7. Touring Japan in 2012 seemed to be a milestone. What impact did that experience have on your growth? When did you first feel like ROTNS was starting to resonate outside of France?

EVA-B: Touring Japan was one of the best experiences ever. It felt like everything we’d dreamed of through manga and anime had come to life, an incredible feeling. I think Protect Ya Chest was the song that first made ROTNS tour outside of France. But thanks to the hardcore scene, we were already playing all over Europe pretty early on.

8. How did the success of “Here Comes The Boom” change the trajectory of the band?

EVA-B: It brought us a new audience, and a lot of people discovered us through that song. But I wouldn’t say it changed our path that much. We’ve always had the same goal: to play our music by our own rules.

9. Has there ever been a moment where you thought ROTNS might not make it—and what pulled you through?

EVA-B: It depends on where you draw the line for “making it.” For some of us, we’ll make it when we sell out arenas, haha. Of course, there are moments of doubt, but the strength and power of music always push those feelings away.

10. The French heavy music scene has exploded in recent years. How have you seen it evolve since you started?

EVA-B: It was completely different back in the day. We were kind of alone in our genre, and running into other French heavy bands at festivals was rare. Now it’s the opposite — the scene is thriving, and everyone supports each other. It’s amazing to see.

11. Did you face resistance in the early days because your sound didn’t fit neatly into hardcore, rap, or metal categories?

EVA-B: Yes… It’s funny because the hardcore scene is supposed to be open-minded, but a lot of people hated us for our image and outfits. I remember one underground festival in Belgium, before our set, other bands told the crowd not to move during our show, haha. Needless to say, that didn’t happen!

12. What role did DIY culture and independence play in building your career?

EVA-B: It allows you to stay free. It can be harder financially because you have to handle everything yourself, but the freedom to do whatever you want makes it worth it.

13. Who were some of your earliest influences, both musically and visually?

EVA-B: I got into metal through the nu-metal era, Slipknot, Limp Bizkit, Korn, etc. Then I discovered hardcore with bands like Biohazard, Terror, and Hatebreed. As a guitarist, I later got into more technical stuff like Necrophagist, Periphery, Plini, and Sithu Aye. Visually, our main references come from manga and anime like Akira, Rookies, Slam Dunk, Dragon Ball, Evangelion…

15. How has your chemistry as a band changed over the years?

EVA-B: Because of lineup changes, we’ve had to bring new people into ROTNS. But everyone integrated really fast; we already knew each other before the band, so it was pretty easy.

16. Have there been lineup shifts, and how did those affect the sound or energy of ROTNS?

EVA-B: The original member is Vitia, so yes, there have been some changes, haha. Over the years, each new member has brought more skill and energy, so we’ve only gotten tighter and stronger. The current lineup is definitely the best we’ve ever had musically.

17. What’s one lesson you’ve learned as a band that you wish you knew at the beginning?

EVA-B: Honestly, nothing. I like the path we’ve taken and every lesson we’ve learned along the way. The journey has been amazing, and I still want to learn more every day.

18. How do you keep your creative fire alive after more than a decade together? 

EVA-B: For me, creating music is always exciting. I love writing riffs and building songs; bringing ideas in my head to life is awesome. And with all the tools we have today, it’s easier and faster than ever. Plus, there are so many great new bands out there; listening to them always inspires me to write more.

19. Looking back at all your past chapters, what makes this new one different from the rest?

EVA-B: On this new album, we really wanted a more modern sound. The production is definitely the biggest change. We worked with Florent Salfati from Landmvrks for the mixing and mastering, and he absolutely nailed it! We’re also showing a more melodic side of ROTNS. This new chapter feels really exciting, and I can’t wait for people to discover it.

20. ROTNS has always been about a strong visual identity—why the decision to stay masked and stylized instead of showing individual personalities?

EVA-B: It probably comes from all the manga and anime we read and watch. At the same time, it’s not that far from reality — the early steps of ROTNS were heavily influenced by Japanese furyos, the “bad guys” or delinquents in high school.

21. Do fans ever try to “unmask” you, or do they respect the character-driven approach?

EVA-B: It’s never happened to me personally. I know some people were curious about Vitia’s eyes and tried to catch a glimpse, but I don’t remember any serious issues with fans. They’re mostly very respectful.

22. What sacrifices have you had to make to keep the band alive and going strong?

EVA-B: Honestly, none. We’ve always had a good balance between the band and our private lives.

23. What’s one memory—good or bad—that defines your journey as ROTNS?

EVA-B: It’s hard to choose — there’s so much to say — but playing in Japan was definitely the best experience for me.

24. If you could send a message to the version of yourselves just starting the band, what would you say?

EVA-B: Believe in yourself.