Interviews: To Fight For

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview again the Metalcore band To Fight For from the USA. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Can you give us the story behind “Holy Ground”? What inspired the lyrics and themes?

B: Yes, the story behind the artwork is the crown of thorns at the top and the crucifixion scene at the bottom, depicting the “Holy Ground.” Both of these events inspired the lyrics and overall feel of the song. It is a song about realizing that Jesus paid the ultimate price for our sins and is the reason for worship.

2. How does “Holy Ground” fit into the broader concept of the Glorify Deluxe Reissue EP?

B: The overall concept is glorifying our Savior; each song has a special fit within the overarching theme of the album.

3. Each song on the EP has its own energy — how do you decide what story or message each track conveys?

B: Prayer goes into the writing process, letting God voice things as the process unfolds. All of my influences and life experiences contribute to the overall feel and lyrical content.

4. The artwork for Glorify is striking — what’s the concept behind it, and how does it reflect your music?

B: The artwork for Glorify is based on the fact that we are supposed to let our lights shine for Christ, represented by the lightbulb.

5. Did you have a hand in designing the visuals, or did you collaborate with an artist? How did that process go?

B: Yes, I am the designer of the art, except for the Trinity logo. Most of the visuals are directly tied to the overall writing process. 

6. How did To Fight For form? Was it a natural partnership, or did you have to fight for it?

B: This is a great and very loaded question. It formed from the disintegration of We Are Victory. The name fits the lifestyle we have lived in order to see it come to fruition.

H: Yeah, Bobby and I have always been close, and we greatly trust each other. When God was putting TFF on Bobby's heart, he asked me if I wanted in. It was a no-brainer for me; I once walked away from my calling due to taking things in my hands instead of trusting in God for them, and I was never going to let that happen again.

7. Your music blends faith with metalcore intensity — how do you balance the message with the heaviness?

B: There is an intensity to get the truth out there and to meet people where they are at because we ourselves were once there as well. The heaviness comes from the intensity of the message overall and conveying the urgency and conviction behind the words of a life lived on both sides of the coin, knowing the truth and not being afraid to tell it.

H: I think the genre is the perfect representation of our faith: unapologetic, energetic, technical yet easily digestible, and filled with soul and passion from beginning to end. This is greatly involved in the entirety of the process of making and finishing each song.

8. Who or what are your biggest inspirations, musically and spiritually?

B: Jesus. Everything from Metal, Hardcore, Punk, Country, Gospel, Pop, to B.B. King, and good musicians, no matter the genre.

H: Jesus is the primary one. The ministries that helped me to have that relationship with my Lord and Savior were Dan Mohler, Jeff Jansen, and Todd White. While the latter two have had issues arise, personal and otherwise, if it weren't for their ministries, I would not have had the grounding I needed to pursue Jesus in a mature manner.

H: Musically, my parents grew me up on Southern Rock, Blues (Eric Clapton), Old School Country, and Classic Rock. My cousin got me into Eminem in middle school, then I discovered Green Day, then My Chemical Romance, then Crown the Empire. The "screamo" stuff was really hard to get used to, but I guess the bug bit me, and now I am doing Brees for a Christian Metalcore band.

9. What has been your favorite show or tour so far, and why?

B: There have been so many great moments and many, many more to come. I would say every show is a favorite because each one offers its own challenges and rewards.

H: I honestly don't have a personal favorite; any show where I can get people to mosh and circle pit is one for the books for me.

10. Looking ahead, where would you love to take the band in 2026 and beyond?

B: We hope to be out spreading the gospel in a new way and expanding our reach to wherever God allows us to take it. 

11. If you could collaborate with any band on the planet, who would it be?

B: I think an August Burns Red collab would be killer, but the grail would be For Today.

H: Honestly would love to see more CCM/Christian Pop/Gospel artist collaborations like what we did with our song "Holy Ground" and another upcoming track in the Glorify EP Deluxe Reissue. Brandon Lake himself likes Wage War, so it is not beyond the realm of possibility!

12. Have you ever had a fan experience that really stuck with you — crazy, touching, or unexpected?

B: Yes, especially in previous bands, but more to come with TFF. Anytime someone discovers the truth about life, it is exciting, and to be a part of that process, whether that’s planting seeds or getting to experience a full-on life change, is important.

13. Any inside stories from recording or performing that fans would never expect?

B: Not really, we are pretty much what you see is what you get, especially Hal. H - Depends on what you mean by that, Bobby, haha! People just look at me and think clean cut, Youth Pastor-esque, no tattoos or piercings, and think I just listen to Starbucks-core. When you meet me, though, my heart is on my sleeve; no deception there. Feel free to meet and talk with me and test it out for yourself! 

14. Do you each have a “guilty pleasure” song or artist outside of metalcore?

B: I wouldn’t say guilty pleasure, but definitely a lot of different artists outside of just Metalcore.

H: My "not-so-guilty pleasure" band is GUNSHIP. I love '80s-themed music, especially synthwave like The Midnight and GUNSHIP. Would love to collab with them, especially since GUNSHIP has remixed Bullet for My Valentine before.

15. What do you hope listeners take away from your music, both sonically and emotionally?

B: We hope that it brings an undeniable presence and energy that makes you think nostalgically and connect your old self with your new self. That it will make you analyze the different seasons of life you have experienced, knowing that God has been the one to carry you through it all — the loss, the disappointment, rejection, high times, low times, etc. It was all God and all uniquely your story to tell and share when it is time.

H: I pray it resonates with every listener and challenges them to consider that Yahweh is the uncreated Creator, and that Jesus is the prophesied Messiah, who took the sins of the world so we can be in relationship with Him for eternity. Reflection & Advice:

16. Have any of you dealt with stage nerves, and how do you overcome them?

B: Be prepared and practice every possible scenario so that you are ready for it. Get as many local and dive bar shows as you can under your belt before you aim for the bigger ones.

H: Know your gifts and flaws and own them. God didn't make me into Les Claypool Jr or Bruno Mars 2.0; he made my voice and talent uniquely for me. Do I get insecure sometimes? Yeah, but I know this is what God has for me to do, and that gives me the strength and wisdom to move the way I know I can.

17. What advice would you give up-and-coming bands trying to fuse faith and heavy music?

B: Let God lead your ministry because it’s all for him anyway, and it was his plan for your life before you even had breath. He knows the beginning from the end, so just trust the process and go where he leads.

H: What Bobby said!

18. How do you handle criticism, especially when mixing spiritual themes with aggressive metalcore?

B: Metalcore was predominantly started in the Christian community first, so if anything, I feel as if the others adopted Heaven's sound and tried to counterfeit it, the same as the enemy does with everything else. So it’s not a surprise. All music was created by God and for God.

H: I direct them to the Beatitudes. God cares as much about the heart behind what we do as He does the actions themselves. When we are told to make a joyful noise unto him, the uncreated God does not have a genre preference; he has a heart preference.

19. Looking back at your journey so far, what’s been the defining moment for To Fight For?

B: Defining moments have been our entire journey.

H: Our journey as a band has been a fight, honestly (pun intended). Our brotherhood has solidified our foundation to operate from, and has helped us to be stronger for it.

20. Anything else you’d like to share with Breathing The Core readers about this release or the band?

B: Thank you so much for listening and supporting. Please learn the words and come scream them with us so we can glorify together! We have much more coming and can’t wait to reveal it all. Remember to read your bible, stay connected to the vine, and abide in the Lord, and watch God work in your life.

H: I'm thankful for each and every one of you, and can't wait to see everyone! If you haven't considered whether Jesus is who he said he is, I would encourage you to examine the historical evidence of His ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection for what it is. Whether Jesus is God or not is the most important question of existence, and I logically conclude that the evidence points to this being correct. Don't take my word for it, find out for yourself!

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