Holy Wars – Legend
“Legend” is the first single off the upcoming, second EP “Unholy” from LA-based rock duo Holy Wars. Formed in 2017, Holy Wars consists of Kat Leon and Nicolas Perez whose debut EP “Mother Father,” was released that same year.
Produced by Hunter Burgan of AFI, “Legend” seductively slithers in with Leon’s cool voice that has a touch of Lauren Becall-like grit. The track builds to a crescendo where Leon triumphantly wails “We could be legends/ Tall like the trees/ I keep on praying/ I’m down on my knees.” A heavy electric guitar riff and synth add to the track’s foreboding quality. As the track builds, syncopated drumming raises the blood pressure of the song and makes it feel more ominous.
Written for a Fox tv pilot, “Legend” cinematic origins are evident in the anthemic feel. This is partly due to Leon’s powerful voice and partly to the lyrical imagery about the triumph of light over the shadows in life. “Legend” was written about the struggle of being on the outside of the music industry looking in. Of the lyrics Leon said, “The message behind ‘Legend’ is about desire, obsession, struggle and desperation… a whole spectrum of emotions that we feel as humans in this life chasing greatness.”
The pain of this struggle is evident in Leon’s voice like a 2019 version of Billie Holiday. Much like Holiday herself, Leon is no stranger to tragedy after unexpectedly losing both parents in 2015. The pain and isolation of grief seeps through every aspect of the song from tone, to production, to lyrics. From this place of tremendous adversity, Holy Wars was birthed, so named for how Leon described the process of grieving her parents. With “Legend,” Holy Wars proves that great gain can come from great loss.
They stopped by the Dash Radio studios last week to perform “Legend” and a few other tracks. Be sure to check out those performances and their interview up now on wefoundnewmusic.com and the entire show is now available as a podcast on SoundCloud and Apple Podcasts. Holy Wars will be performing at our July 2nd showcase at Madame Siam, along with Sam Fischer, Christina Castle and Fever Joy. Free with RSVP at wfnm.nightout.com 21+ and the doors open at 8PM.