Today we’d like to introduce you to John Yelland
Hi John, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I have been involved in the broader power metal scene for over ten years. I first made my mark with a power-prog band called Disforia. This is where my friendship with Hansi Kürsch of Blind Guardian began, as I managed to secure him as a guest vocalist on our debut full-length album.
I am best known for my work in the power metal band Judicator. We started as an online-only project, but after receiving so much acclaim we decided to transform into a real band. We would go on to tour the United States, perform internationally, and sign with Prosthetic Records.
Now we are working on our seventh full-length album, and next year we will perform in Europe for the first time at Epic Fest.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Judicator became the darlings of our niche, and many regarded me as a fantastic vocalist. We were sort of “micro-celebrities.” I did not adjust to the attention well. All the praise and adulation went to my head, and, long story short, I began to act more and more cringe. Over the course of 4 or 5 years I burned many bridges, tarnished not only my name but also my band’s, and made an ass out of myself in general.
This all came to a head in 2020 when, after Judicator had released our first album under Prosthetic Records, the band’s co-founder and principal songwriter Alicia Cordisco quit the band. There is a lot to this story, but in short — this caused me to step back and evaluate who I was, what I was doing, and the effect I was having on the world around me. I was not a force for good, and I had to change.
Since then we have made serious and consistent steps toward reforming myself for the better, and I feel I’m much happier, healthier, and wiser for it. If the spotlight should ever shine on me again I will be much more sober about how I handle it.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a vocalist and songwriter. There are many accomplishments I am quite proud of, but for the sake of brevity, I’ll only list a few.
First, I have worked with Hansi Kürsch, who is a hero of mine, on multiple occasions. He sang on Disforia’s “The Dying Firmament” and Judicator’s “Spiritual Treason.” Judicator opened for Blind Guardian this year when they toured through Salt Lake City. There are also some threads being quietly spun, which could lead to more exciting collaborations in the future.
Secondly, I wrote all the lyrics and music for Judicator’s last album ‘The Majesty of Decay’ (2022). This was an immense accomplishment, especially given the circumstances. This is the album we produced after Alicia Cordisco left the band — a real “make or break” moment in the band’s history. The album proved polarizing, but was surprisingly very well-received; in fact, it was our most critically acclaimed album to date!
Thirdly, Judicator signing to Prosthetic Records was a huge achievement, and I have to thank Alicia Cordisco for her years of hard work in making that possible.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I am an avid Warhammer 40k fan. There are many ways to participate in this world. Some people just enjoy the lore, others like the video games, I myself am an o.g. — I’m all about the hobby and tabletop gaming aspects. I take a lot of pleasure in assembling an army, painting it, and fielding it against other people’s armies. I’m a big board game fan, so Warhammer 40k, being the super-involved, complex game it is, is right up my alley.
Pricing:
- $150/song for guest vocals
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/judicatormetal/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/judicatormetal
- Twitter: https://x.com/JudicatorMetal
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JudicatorMetal
- Other: www.judicator.bandcamp.com
