The Goo 1
Words: Oran O’Beirne IXIII DOORS With industry le
gends like Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott already singing their praises, XIII Doors are gearing up to shake the foundations of modern rock, and vocalist/guitarist DJ O’Sullivan tells Oran O’Beirne that he is more than ready to lead the charge. How did XIII Doors come together, and was your sound established from the start? The idea for the band has been around since 2015 but only came to life when we started recording in 2022. The sound is close to the original demos—a blend of our influences. Your music incorporates Irish, Arabic, and Hindustani influences. How do you merge these elements into hard rock? Growing up in the West of Ireland, Irish trad is always there subconsciously. The Arabic and Hindustani influences came through George Harrison and The Beatles. I’ve collected world instruments—sitar, oud, tabla, baglama—so sometimes you hear something that works and build a song around it. XIII Doors has been compared to Alter Bridge, Tremonti, and Stone Temple Pilots. How would you describe your sound? We jokingly call it “Pop-Metal”— heavy riffs with melodic, memorable 34 vocals. Our influences range from Ravi Shankar to Free, Soundgarden, and Slipknot. Ultimately, we aim to bring positivity through our lyrics. ‘See How Far You’ve Come’ explores personal growth. Does this theme run throughout Into the Unknown? Yes, that theme appears in tracks like Unleash the Beast, Lead The Way, and Inside, all about finding inner strength. If you want change, it has to start with you. Tell us about the creative process behind Into the Unknown. Any standout influences or themes? Thanks so much! Most tracks came from sifting through riffs and ideas on hard drives, picking the strongest ones. We rewrote a lot in the studio, which added an energy you can’t replicate. Thematically, personal transformation was a major influence. It’s our debut, so in many ways, it’s an album written by us, for us. Being based in Ireland, how has the local scene shaped your journey? Ireland’s music scene is fantastic, from trad and folk to the heaviest metal. Playing the same venues as Thin Lizzy, U2, Horslips, and Rory Gallagher is surreal. Rock and metal aren’t as dominant as they were in the ’80s and ’90s, but there’s still a dedicated fanbase. rish Hard Rock Revolution What’s been the most defining moment for XIII Doors so far? There have been so many, but selling out our first gig in Cork was humbling. None of us are from there, yet people showed up to support us—it really hit home that our music is resonating. What’s next for XIII Doors? Any touring plans or ideas for your next album? We’ve got big plans for 2025 and beyond! We’re currently on our album launch tour across the UK and Ireland and have just finished up some amazing gigs supporting Michael Schenker on his Irish dates. As for album two, the ideas are already flowing—big riffs, melodies, and uplifting lyrics. Hopefully, the sound matures like a fine wine or cheese— both of which I’m quite fond of! For more information, visit www.xiiidoors.com.