SOURCE – Many fans see Wars of Spirit // Wards of Light (2026) as the natural continuation of the evolution that began with The Endless (2022). Internally, at what point did you realise that you were creating something artistically different? And how did you first get in touch with Julius Mauranen and bring him on board for the album’s production and mixing?
Kelly Schilling (Vocals, Guitars, Keys, Synth) – We knew we wanted to make something artistically different from the outset, but it took some time to figure out exactly what we wanted the album to be. We knew we were entering a new chapter and wanted to make the best Dreadnought album yet. With our love of sci-fi and the rise of real-world problems surrounding technology, we began to shape what the album would become, both sonically and conceptually. We also knew we wanted to step up the production. It had to sound big, lush and better than ever. Julius Mauranen was our first choice to mix the album. We love the work he did with Oranssi Pazuzu and thought he would be a perfect fit to bring all of our elements together. After speaking with him on a video call, we knew he was right for the job and are grateful for the partnership!
SOURCE – The album expands the use of synthesisers and electronic textures without abandoning the band’s progressive and extreme roots. How do you balance experimentation with artistic identity?
Kelly Schilling (Vocals, Guitars, Keys, Synth) – I think our artistic identity comes naturally because we’ve been writing together for much of our lives. Kevin (Handlon – Bass Guitar), Jordan (Clancy – Drums, Percussion) and I have been playing music together for 20 years now. Our very essence is built into how we play our instruments and how we hear music, so it’s hard not to sound like ourselves. Our need to experiment comes from that as well. Since we don’t want to recreate the same album over and over, we need to challenge our habits. I think this album reflects both sides of that. You can hear vintage Dreadnought in it, but you can also hear us pushing beyond our roots.
SOURCE – At a time when many metal productions pursue extreme compression and loudness, what was your philosophy when it came to sonic dynamics and the preservation of nuance?
Kelly Schilling (Vocals, Guitars, Keys, Synth) – It was very important to us that the movements within our songs sounded natural in the production. We are both extreme and delicate, and those qualities need to be present in the music. We wanted to create a vast soundscape that transports the listener into new realms for 40 minutes. I think there has to be nuance in order to convey that feeling, similar to the subtleties found in soundtrack work.
SOURCE – Dreadnought have reached their sixth studio album in an extremely competitive landscape. What has changed in the way you manage the band’s career compared with its early years?
Kelly Schilling (Vocals, Guitars, Keys, Synth) – I think we’ve become more selective about where we invest our time. When we were younger, we toured a lot, whereas now we’re focused on doing only selected tours and shows. We’ve become more focused on the band’s broader vision, developing it into a complete concept both sonically and visually. We’ve also learned over the years that production really matters, so we went all in on it.
SOURCE – Without necessarily going into confidential figures, what are the biggest costs involved in producing an album at the level of Wars of Spirit // Wards of Light?
Kelly Schilling (Vocals, Guitars, Keys, Synth) – The biggest costs involved in a record like this include studio time, gear upgrades, mixing, mastering, artwork and, of course, time. We spent months on pre-production, refining every detail we could before entering the studio. It took us 14 consecutive days to record the majority of the album with Andy Patterson at his studio in Salt Lake City. After that, I recorded synths and Rhodes at my home studio. Ryan (Sims – Vocals, Guitars) and I then contributed additional engineering before we sent everything off to Julius for mixing. This record was a massive team effort!
SOURCE – Has streaming done more to help you discover and reach new audiences, or has it ultimately replaced sources of revenue that existed during the era of CDs and paid downloads?
Kelly Schilling (Vocals, Guitars, Keys, Synth) – I think it’s a little bit of both. Streaming allows people to discover the band more easily, but people still pay for downloads and physical releases too. The metal scene in particular has always been a collector’s scene and is full of people who are happy to exchange their money for art. I don’t know what the data says regarding collecting versus streaming, but I still feel that we exist within a niche community of art lovers who will continue to collect and support art, even if that’s less common than it used to be.
SOURCE – How does a band with such a complex and conceptual artistic approach compete for attention on platforms that favour content that lasts only a few seconds?
Kelly Schilling (Vocals, Guitars, Keys, Synth) – Personally, I’m not a fan of the short-form content world we currently live in. What we aim to create is meaningful artistic work, not content. With that in mind, I think the best thing we can do is stay true to ourselves and share what naturally comes from that. We understand that we need to promote what the band is doing, but we never want it to feel forced.
SOURCE – What knowledge of business, management and planning have you had to acquire to keep the band going for so long?
Kelly Schilling (Vocals, Guitars, Keys, Synth) – Six albums in, we’ve definitely learned a lot about the processes of writing music, touring, recording and working together. Even after this latest record, there are things I would want to do differently next time. It’s always an evolution, and each step gets better. It’s important to maintain good communication with your bandmates, check in regularly and align your goals. Recognising your strengths and weaknesses, both as a band and as individuals, is essential when building a team around you that can help you achieve those goals.
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Kelly Schilling
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