[MUSIC INTERVIEW] KAPTAIN KOLLNOT – The Aquarius Shift EP Interview
KAPTAIN KOLLNOT is a progressive thrash metal project from Michigan run by Jeff Kollnot. The project started in 2018 and released its first record, The Colorado Archive, in the summer of 2019. This was a fairly diverse and personal record that established several of the project’s core elements: thrash rhythm guitars, harmonized guitars, shred-influenced solos, fast tempos, and precise drumming. Kollnot handled all the instruments on this record (excepting drums).
The next release Future Human was released in September 2022. This was a significant step forward for the project as it is the first featuring the vocal work of Stu Block (Into Eternity, Annihilator, Iced Earth). The songs themselves became more aggressive, complex, and far more overtly “metal”. The highlight of this release is the 10 minute epic, Exodus From Orion. The cover of David Bowie’s Starman is also a noteworthy moment.
The new EP “The Aquarius Shift” will be released on July 18th 2025 and once again features Stu Block behind the mic. It is a focused and intense collection of songs focusing on themes such as the evolution and unification of the human race.
More exciting news are waiting on the horizon: KAPTAIN KOLLNOT is in the process of assembling a live line-up and taking the music beyond the state of Michigan.
This week the band spoke to Dave Griffiths: