Hey! First of all, for those who may not be familiar with your band - what is Monarchist all about?
Hey there! René here, frontman of Monarchist. We are a quartet from Düsseldorf, Germany, combining the energy of classic heavy metal and hard rock with modern, melodic elements. I’d say our sound feels both familiar and refreshingly new and is built on powerful guitar riffs, memorable melodies, and charismatic baritone vocals.
The riffs are straightforward and effective, drawing inspiration from bands like Metallica, Black Sabbath, and Rammstein. At the same time, you'll hear melancholic melodies and big hooks like in Ghost, HIM, Nightwish, In Flames, and other Scandinavian bands - and of course Iron Maiden.
What can you tell us about Monarchist’ latest album, Life Noir?
I wrote “Life Noir” between the ages of 23 and 25, primarily during the pandemic - a time of both personal and global turmoil. But that period was also a great opportunity for self-reflection and growth. Lyrically, it’s deeply personal - dealing with themes like depression, emotional unrest, estrangement, self-doubt, and broader issues like morality, closed-mindedness, and media influence. Musically, the arrangements have more space and dynamics, while dialing up the hooks and production.
The album captures the sound I envisioned for Monarchist from the very beginning, but couldn’t fully realize on our first album, “Cosmos”. So “Life Noir” is us truly finding our voice.
The sort-of-title-track “Noir” talks about the ups-and-downs of life. It serves as a reminder, or mantra, to share even your deepest, darkest feelings, because there is always someone or something out there to help carry the weight. This was the guiding thread and my motivation to be personal and honest with my lyrics on this album - to confront the darker sides of life in a cathartic way. After all, that’s what art is - expressing your truest self in hopes of connecting with others. Sonically, the album reflects this too: it’s dark yet colorful, heavy yet infused with a pop sensibility - like a musical yin and yang!
As for the album title, it’s inspired by “La Vie en Rose” by Edith Piaf. I like twisting well-known phrases, but “La Vie en Noir” felt a bit too on the nose (and too French for an English-language album), so when I stumbled upon the “Film Noir” genre, it clicked - let’s simply go with “Life Noir”! The artwork, featuring a retro cinema at the edge of the world, ties into that perfectly.
When can your fans expect to hear new music after Life Noir? Is there any info on a new album in the works?
Yes! We’re eager to dive into rehearsals for the next record. Most of it is already written, and it’s going to be a conceptual album. It comments on the current state and future of our world through a retro-futuristic lens, in classic utopia-slowly-revealing-itself-as-dystopia fashion. Musically, it feels a bit “brighter” in tone, yet more desperate in mood - with more uptempo tracks and futuristic synths adding urgency while keeping the balance with our darker, heavier elements.
To bridge the gap until its planned release in 2027, we’ll be dropping some leftover tracks and covers from the “Life Noir” sessions probably later this year or early 2026.
Have you received enough positive feedback on the album so far?
There can never be enough positive feedback, haha! Just seeing the album, this musical vision, come to life and be released into the world is already incredibly rewarding. Still, music is meant to be shared, and hearing that your song moved someone, inspired them, or simply gave them a great time is the best feeling. So, I really hope we can reach more people, because I believe there’s something in these songs that will resonate with a wider audience.
You’ve been active for nearly 7 years - what keeps you motivated to continue making music?
The first few years were all about finding our identity - figuring out our sound, getting stage-ready, learning the ropes. The pandemic slowed things down, of course, so I’d say Monarchist really came alive with our 2022 debut “Cosmos”.
Personally, I’ve been writing songs since I was 11. It’s just part of who I am - I don’t need extra motivation; inspiration usually comes naturally, anytime, anywhere. The only times I feel drained are when the behind-the-scenes workload - studio sessions, organizing physical releases, concerts, social media content, all while working a full-time job - becomes overwhelming. But the creation of music, lyrics, concepts or visuals? That will never stop.
From your point of view, how easy (or difficult) is it to play metal and maintain a stable lineup in Düsseldorf?
Düsseldorf is not really a city with a thriving metal scene. There are quite a few great Indie and Alternative bands, but not too many young metal bands pushing boundaries. And in terms of support, I don’t feel like the city really embraces metal. For example, there’s been a band sponsorship program from the cultural office for almost 15 years, but I don’t recall a metal band ever getting funded.
How did you manage to establish a solid and permanent lineup?
Well, we had a stable lineup from late 2021 to early 2024. But it’s tough balancing full-time jobs with the demands of an ambitious band which is why our guitarist and drummer had to step back.
Right now, Nicolai (our other original guitarist) and I are still on board. Fernando (guitar) joined in April 2024, and Theo (drums) came in at the start of 2025. For a small band that’s not actively touring or generating income, keeping 2 out of 4 original members isn’t bad, haha.
If you had to introduce a new listener to Monarchist, which song from Life Noir would you choose and why?
Tough question! I try to make sure every song has its own identity, so there’s no single track that defines us completely. But if I had to pick one, I’d go with “Have You Heard the News?”. It’s got a strong hook, a punchy riff, high energy, and lyrics that tell a layered story.
Was there a specific band that made you say, “That’s it - I’m starting a metal band!”?
I got into rock when I was 7 years old (around 2003/2004), with bands like The Rasmus and Green Day, but it was Lordi’s 2006 Eurovision win that really lit the spark. That moment made me realize I wanted to make music and have a band of my own.
Other Finnish bands like Nightwish, HIM, and Children of Bodom with their blend of heaviness and melancholic beauty have also had a huge influence on my songwriting. You can definitely hear that in tracks like “Noir.” As a teenager, I really got into old school metal bands like Iron Maiden and Metallica. So there you have the two foundations of Monarchist’s style.
More recently, Ghost has been a big inspiration - not just musically, but because the band is a complete artistic experience. Also, they’ve brought hard rock back into the mainstream in such a unique way.
Any final words for the readers of Iron Backstage?
Thanks for reading, and if you haven’t yet, give “Life Noir” a listen. Maybe it’ll bring you the same joy it brought us. :)