Bloodstained Kingdom Takes The Throne
Voted by Metal Messiah Radio listeners, Bloodstained Kingdom is our August 2026 Band of the Month.
After earning the support of the MMR faithful in the MMR Top 10, Bloodstained Kingdom takes the August throne.
Their crushing riffs, powerful melodies, and dark fantasy atmosphere bring ancient wars, fallen rulers, and blood-soaked kingdoms to life.
Throughout August, Metal Messiah Radio will feature their music, share their story, and introduce listeners to the musicians behind the kingdom.
The votes are in.
The banners have been raised.
Bloodstained Kingdom has taken the throne.
Interview: Bloodstained Kingdom Talks Coming Soon!
Mead Bradley, first off, welcome to Metal Messiah Radio, and congratulations on being voted our August 2026 Band of the Month. Let's rewind the tape a little. Bloodstained Kingdom is one of those names that instantly grabs your attention and paints a picture. So where did it all begin? And I'm curious which came first, the name or did you already have the music before the kingdom had a name?
Thank you. I actually wrote a song 2 years ago titled Bloodstained Kingdom that I recorded, played and even did the vocals on. When Troy and I started this project and were thinking of names, he suggested we use the name Bloodstained Kingdom because it definitely does grab your attention. We are actually working on that song now. Redoing it with the current band. The whole premise of the name is that every Kingdom was built on the bloodshed of the Kingdom before it. Someone is always conquered by the more powerful. As metalheads we all love the imagery and lore that surrounds medieval battle, Viking Warriors, bladed weaponry etc. Its Metal.
You're not just the guitarist you've got your fingerprints all over Bloodstained Kingdom as a songwriter, producer, and the guy steering the ship. Out of all those jobs, which one puts the most pressure on you?
Its really a partnership between Troy Yates and I as far as the logistics of the band go, and we consider ourselves a band where everyone has input and contributions. Definitely not a dictatorship. That's what makes our music so cool in my opinion. Each musician gets to put his "magic" on every song, and the outcome is a very unique sound. For me, the hardest thing is producing the songs. There is a ton of effort that goes into making things sound good. I have spent a lot of time learning from experts and honing the craft of recording and engineering. It helps that the guys in the band have great experience with different aspects of the business, and we are all open to each others feedback.
Your music sounds incredibly polished, but it never loses its personality. How do you know when all those little tweaks are making the song stronger... and when you're just chasing perfection?
Wow, thanks! Well, we typically start with a "skeleton" of a song idea that's usually just a riff with a drum machine. Troy and I get together here at my studio and build out the parts of the song and track the initial guitar parts. After everyone else records their parts, I start tweaking the mix and since we are in different locations I will put the song in a shared folder in GOOGLE drive for the guys to listen to. Then they all send me feedback and we continue to tweak, re-record parts if needed until everyone is happy with the song. Because we all have the same goal of putting out kick ass METAL songs and nobody has a huge ego, we have had good success with the process. Usually we don't have to pull back and say "that's too much".......usually we're like DUDE we need more screaming vocals, or lets add another lead here, or lets do some crazy tribal drum beats, or a bass groove for the intro! There is no such thing as too much.
The Band
Some Bands have become obsessed with streams, followers, and algorithms. When you strip all of that away, how do you personally measure whether Bloodstained Kingdom is succeeding?
While all that stuff is important in this day and age of social media and streaming music, we feel like the real indicator of success is when we get great feedback from metalheads when they hear a song on MMR. Its great if they go and follow us and stuff, but just having someone say, "man that song kicks ass" is what we look for. Also, when people reach out to us on social media from other countries to tell us how much they love our music and cant wait until we go play over there.....man that is awesome!
Do you see Bloodstained Kingdom as a band that's always going to reinvent itself, or one that's going to spend decades refining and perfecting its own signature sound?
Good question. Not sure. We just want to keep writing bad ass metal songs, play shows and see where this all goes. Our sound is really developing with each new song and so far we are really happy and excited by how things are going.
How much of Bloodstained Kingdom's identity comes from your original vision, and how much changed once the full band got involved?
I think the initial vision was pretty solid but since we finalized the lineup it just keeps getting better and more refined. Troy and I are thrilled to have the guys we do in this band. Literally some of the best players and creative minds I have ever worked with. Everyone is 100% into the vision of Traditional Metal with a modern edge.
Okay before we dive deeper into the songs, let's introduce everyone to the rest of Bloodstained Kingdom. Who are the guys in the band, what does each one bring to the table, and how did this lineup finally come together?
So Troy and I met through Metal Mike Chlasciak. We both have been students of Metal Mike, and Troy actually works as his guitar tech. We both have worked with Dan Prestup our drummer on individual projects where he played drums as a session player. He was the natural choice for this project. He is a busy guy as he also plays in some kick ass other bands, Everdawn, and Power Theory. Dan Damon is a guy who we saw last November when his other band Them Damn Kings opened for Metal Mike at Dingbatz in NJ. Troy and I were like, "that dude kicks ass, we should call him and see if he has availability". Dan also has a really cool cover band called Reckless Devotion.
Last but definitely not least is Will Shaw on vocals. We were really struggling to find a singer who could do the stuff we really wanted to do. For our first single "Hellhounds" we actually reached out to Tim "Ripper" Owens for vocals on that song because we just wanted to get it released and we hadn't yet found a permanent singer. Dan Prestup actually suggested Will, since they had played in bands together before. Holy crap, Will is amazing. Aside from having a killer voice, he is super creative and has a great ear for song structure, writing and recording. It could not be a better fit with all of these guys!! Now we are actually re-recording Hellhounds with Will doing the vocal duties, and it is turning out incredible.
Songs like "Battle Axe," "The Dagger Awakens," and "Wendigo" all share this epic sense of mythology, steel, and conflict. What keeps drawing you back to those worlds as a songwriter, and why do you think they fit Bloodstained Kingdom so naturally?
As I mentioned earlier, we all love and take inspiration from stories and imagery of mythology, fantasy, and epic adventure. That subject matter also just happens to be very METAL.
I love the song titles they immediately flash an image or story. Do the titles usually come first and shape the song, or do they emerge later from the music, and how much are they inspired by history, mythology, or pure imagination?
In most cases I had lyrics and titles already written. Then once I heard the right riff to go with a specific title, the process begins. The Dagger Awakens was inspired by a visit to the History Museum in Chicago where they had a huge Egyptian exhibit. There was some literature about the Iron Dagger of King Tut, and I immediately was like, oh yeah that would be a cool song.
Blade Oath came about as Troy and I were messing around with some exotic scales on guitar. He started playing this Japanese sounding scale that we instantly matched up with a riff he had been playing earlier. We were like, "how cool would it be to write a song about an immortal Samurai warrior who travels through time!?" Total imagination running wild.
Then for Wendigo, I had these riffs in my head and we recorded it in a few hours. It just kind of happened. I had some thoughts about what I wanted it to be about but wasn't really sure. After listening to it, Will was like hey guys, I have an idea for this song....something I've been wanting to write about. He sent back Wendigo with his first pass on the lyrics and we were all blown away.
Wendigo" has such a cool atmosphere. What drew you to that legend, and what did you want your version of that story to say?
Will wrote the lyrics to that song. It has a few different angles. First is the duality of a beautiful winter scene and the cannibalistic feeding frenzy of the insatiable Wendigo. In a modern sense it kind of represents the over consumption and greed that we see in society today.
Mead, you mentioned earlier that you're re-recording 'Hellhounds,' this time with Will Shaw on vocals instead of Tim 'Ripper' Owens. That's a pretty big decision considering Ripper's reputation. What made you want to revisit that song, and what do you think Will brings to it that makes this new version worth doing?
Well Ripper is definitely a true professional and one of my favorite singers. When we discussed putting all of our singles together on a full length album, we really felt it was important that Will be the singer for the entire album. The plan is to keep the Ripper version available for people to hear on our website to honor the history of it. Will Shaw is the singer for Bloodstained Kingdom however, so we feel its important that he record the song in his vocal style so it matches our other songs.
When I listen to these songs, they all feel like they're part of the same world. Is that intentional? Are these separate stories, or are we slowly getting pieces of one much bigger Bloodstained Kingdom universe?
They certainly could be part of the same world! The themes are all related as far as the mythology, legends and imagination. We want to create an overall experience that we can build on and run wild with.
If Bloodstained Kingdom could collaborate with one fantasy franchise whether it's a game, film, or book series which universe would feel like the perfect match?
I think we would probably be a Dungeons and Dragons type thing. We have actually joked about that.
Let's talk about what I know a lot of us are wondering a full-length album. How's it coming along? Do you guys have a title picked out yet, and are you starting to see the finish line, or is there still a lot of work ahead before we finally get to hear it?
Well we are working on the "Hellhounds" redo as well as the song "Bloodstained Kingdom" and another track that Troy has written called "Iron Beast". Once they are done we will be putting it all together as a full length album. We still haven't picked a title or had any artwork done yet so we have a ton of work yet in addition to the actual production of the album. We would love to release it on CD and colored vinyl. The target is by the end of this year hopefully.
Are you planning to release the album independently like you've done so far, or are you talking with record labels? And if the right label came calling tomorrow, what would they have to bring to the table to get your attention?
As of right now we plan to release it independently. The right deal from a label would have to include tour support and travel expense coverage. I really enjoy producing things myself so keeping control of that aspect is important.
As Bloodstained Kingdom continues to grow, what goals have you set for the next year or two? Are there plans for touring, festivals, videos, or other projects fans should be watching for?
Yeah our short term goals include playing shows. Preferably opening for bigger bands and playing festivals. There are so many cool Metal Fests around the US now. We have talked to a video producer about doing something really cool but as of now its cost prohibitive. We are staying laser focused on preparing to play a killer live show.
🎤 Will Shaw (Vocals) Will, you've built a career fronting bands like Heir Apparent, DeadRisen, and Rust Belt Gothic, while also appearing on projects like Ayreon and Star One. After everything you've already accomplished, what was it about Bloodstained Kingdom that made you say, 'This is a band I want to be part of?
I feel that BSK retains the soul and character of a traditional heavy metal band. I've always been interested in writing and being a part of modern music that has a traditional metal sound. I think what we achieve together sets us aside from a lot of the other modern metal bands. I also feel like the band has an assertive attitude towards writing and releasing music. Its a good mixture of elements for me.
🎤 Will Shaw (Vocals)You've worked with a lot of different songwriters over the years. Without comparing anybody, what makes Mead's writing style stand out from the others you've worked with?
Mead likes to tell a story about a specific thing often with a theme attached to it. There's no vague allusions. It fits well with the traditional metal vibe because we get to nerd out over fantasy and horror stories. Sometimes its an axe or a blade, sometimes its a folklore story, sometimes its about the existential pitfalls of being an immortal vampire. I like to think we work well together.
🎸 Troy Yates (Guitar) Troy, what's it like sharing guitar duties with Mead? and Who's harder to impress... yourself or Mead?
Sharing duties with Mead is very cool. We have same influences and same love for legendary 2 guitar bands. Because we both want to play at a high level, having someone to help push you has been great. I would say trying to impress my self is hard because I know Mead is practicing and getting the reps in, I cannot just be good enough.
🎸 Dan Damon (Bass) What's your favorite moment on the upcoming album where you feel the bass really gets to speak?
Wendigo bass line as I wanted to capture the essence of a mythical beast galloping through the forest. Also the bridge section of this song with the fast triplet feel as the beast gets ready to pounce.
🎸 Dan Damon (Bass) Has Bloodstained Kingdom made you play differently than you did in your previous bands, or has it let you be more of yourself?
Definitely, has made me play different as I’m a groove metal bassist. Traditional metal is about speed, attack and playing right on top of the note. With that being said I love playing these songs!
🥁 Dan Prestup (Drums) Looking back at Spider Rockets, DeadRisen, Everdawn, and now Bloodstained Kingdom, what have you learned from each stop along the way that you brought into this band?
Thanks so much! Yes I always kept out there playing and always love meeting new musicians! What brought me into Bloodstained Kingdom was knowing Troy and Mead having done sessions and being a part of Metal Mikes guitar retreat. It’s an absolute pleasure working with them. I’ve learned always persevere in whatever it is that you want to do and never stop!
Alright... let's settle this once and for all. If Bloodstained Kingdom really lived inside a medieval kingdom, who survives the longest, who's leading the charge into battle, and who's accidentally burning the castle down before the first enemy even arrives?
Survive the longest would be Dan Damon. He is in 3 bands and works a 9 to 5. A master of the blade he will work extra hours just to continue slaying bodies and stacking them.
Dan Prestup, when not pummeling the inhabitants of the Kingdom, with his war drums would most likely set the Castle on fire due to his love of fine dining, and flambé technique of food presentation.
Most likely to lead…. Hmmm you would think that Mead or myself would share this honor, seeing how we co founded the band, but Will has been guiding us and making recommendations. I guess he would be THOR and Mead and I would be his two goats!!
Bloodstained Kingdom is still writing its story. When people look back at this debut ten years from now, what do you hope they'll say this band got right from the very beginning?
First, that we never wrote the same song twice! Second, that we didn't apologize for the type of Metal and imagery that we love!! Truthfully, We hope people listen to a record like Sad Wings of Destiny, Heaven and Hell, or Awaken the Guardian, and hear an evolution of that same kind of spirit of heavy metal now 40 years later with a modern production.
Band of the Month
Bloodstained Kingdom
E: This site rulz as well! \m/
Keep it up!
MMike!NJ
The attention you're giving us is outstanding! Long Live Metal, Long Live BLOODSTAINED KINGDOM- Troy
-LC
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