Slaying Trolls and Digging Holes: An Interview with Claudio Falconcini of Wind Rose

Wind Rose are a band that combines power metal, folk metal, and dwarves....lots and lots of dwarves. Founded in 2009, the band skyrocketed to popularity with their song "Diggy Diggy Hole" off their 2019 album Wintersaga. The band's fun attitude, both live and on social media, helped the band's popularity climb to heights higher than Mount Doom. Delivering catchy, heavy and fun metal that only a bunch of dwarves can deliver at the end of a long day in the mines and a couple pints of ale. With a new album on the horizon, the band wants to keep that intensity and good times going with the release of their upcoming sixth album, Trollslayer, coming out October 4th on Napalm Records.

I sat down with the band's guitarist Claudio Falconcini. We talk about how the band formed, the making of the band's new album Trollslayer and what fans can expect. He talks about the band's rise in popularity with the song "Diggy Diggy Hole", how people are "mining" in the pit, and how impactful their social media presence is. He also shares a cool story the band did for a young fan and he tells us about some music he think you should be checking out.

TDIM: How was Wind Rose formed?

Claudio: Wind Rose was formed in 2009 in Italy. Initially, we started as a symphonic power metal band, drawing influence from bands like Blind Guardian and Rhapsody of Fire. Our early music was inspired by fantasy themes, but it wasn’t until our second album, Wardens of the West Wind, that we found our true identity as a Dwarf Metal band. It was during the writing of the song “The Breed of Durin” that we realized we had tapped into a unique sound, inspired heavily by the dwarves of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-Earth. From there, we refined that concept and built our signature sound, which incorporates epic storytelling, symphonic arrangements, and elements of folk, all tied to the lore and mythology of dwarves.

TDIM: Wind Rose’s new album, Trollslayer, comes out October 4^th on Napalm Records. The band described it as “a new Dwarf Metal Opera”. Is Trollslayer a concept album?

Claudio: Yes, Trollslayer can certainly be described as a concept album in the sense that it tells a cohesive story, much like an opera. While not every song follows a linear narrative, the overarching theme is about battles, adventures, and the timeless conflict between dwarves and their enemies. We wanted to immerse listeners in a rich, epic world where dwarves face legendary challenges. The album is an expansion of our Dwarf Metal universe, with both light-hearted tracks and deeper, more serious themes, all tied together by the unifying story of heroic feats and camaraderie.

TDIM: On Trollslayer, you said that you brought back the fast-paced rhythms from your previous albums. What spawned the decision to go that direction on Trollslayer?

Claudio: The decision to bring back the fast-paced rhythms on Trollslayer came naturally as we reflected on the music that really resonated with our fans from previous albums. We wanted to keep the energy and intensity that people love about songs like “Drunken Dwarves” and “Diggy Diggy Hole”, while also pushing our musical boundaries. The fast rhythms help capture the urgency and epic feel of battles and adventures in dwarf culture. It was important for us to maintain the balance between aggressive, high-energy moments and more atmospheric, epic passages to give the album a full range of emotions.

TDIM: Trollslayer’s lead single is the song “Rock and Stone”, which you took inspiration from the video game Deep Rock Galactic. How did that song come together? And have the developers heard the song?

Claudio: “Rock and Stone” came together because we’re big fans of the game Deep Rock Galactic. The game’s focus on dwarves, mining, and teamwork felt like a perfect fit for Wind Rose. The chant “For Rock and Stone!” in the game became something of an anthem for us, and we knew we had to create a song inspired by that. We reached out to the community, and the reception was incredible. As for the developers, yes, they’ve heard the song and gave us great feedback! They were excited to see how we incorporated their game into our Dwarf Metal universe. It was an amazing collaboration of sorts, and the fans of both the game and the band loved it.

TDIM: Wind Rose’s breakout song was “Diggy Diggy Hole” off your 2019 Wintersaga album. At over 63 million streams on Spotify, did you expect that song to be as popular as it is? Are you amazed at the popularity of the song?

Claudio: We knew "Diggy Diggy Hole" had a special energy when we were recording it, but we could never have predicted it would blow up the way it did. The song became a phenomenon, not just because of its catchy melody, but because of the fun and spirit it embodies. It taps into that inner child who loves fantasy and adventure, and it’s hard not to sing along once you hear it. Seeing the song hit over 63 million streams on Spotify is mind-blowing! We are incredibly grateful and humbled by the response. It has become the song that defines us for many people, and we never tire of playing it live because the energy it creates is just unmatched.

TDIM: I have even seen pics and videos of your fans "mining" in the pit during that song. Do you remember the first time you saw people doing it during that song?

Claudio: Yes, the first time we saw fans “mining” in the pit during "Diggy Diggy Hole" was unforgettable! It was at a festival, and as soon as the song started, a group of fans spontaneously dropped to the ground and started mimicking the act of digging. It was hilarious and epic at the same time. We love seeing fans interact with the music in such a creative and fun way—it really adds to the whole experience. Since then, the “mining” pit has become a tradition at our shows, and we look forward to seeing it every time!

TDIM: You will embark on a European tour with Powerwolf and Hammerfall. What does it feel like to be touring with the legendary Hammerfall? Have you toured with them before?

Claudio: Touring with Hammerfall and Powerwolf is a huge milestone for us. Both of these bands have been monumental in shaping the modern metal scene, and we’ve admired them for years. This is our first time touring with Hammerfall, and we’re beyond excited. Not only is it an incredible opportunity to play in front of massive crowds, but it’s also a chance for us to learn from some of the best in the business. Hammerfall has a legacy of epic performances, and watching them do their thing night after night will be a great experience for us. It’s going to be an unforgettable tour!

TDIM: Your social media pages are full of fun stories, behind the scenes of music videos and fan interactions. Even being dubbed by Blabbermouth as “The TikTok Metal Sensation”. Was that the goal with your social media pages or it just evolved into that kind of stuff?

Claudio: Initially, we didn’t set out with the goal of becoming a social media sensation, but it evolved that way as we started to engage more with our fans online. We realized that social media platforms, especially TikTok, gave us a new way to reach people who might not have discovered us otherwise. We wanted to show not just our music, but also our personalities—the fun, playful side of Wind Rose that fans don’t always see on stage. It’s been amazing to see how our social media presence has helped us connect with fans worldwide, and we’ve embraced it as an important part of what we do. The response has been fantastic, and we’re having a great time with it!

TDIM: If you could, could you tell the story from Facebook about the young fan Sebastian and how he was able to see Wind Rose live?

Claudio: Sebastian’s story is special to us. He was a young fan who really wanted to attend one of our shows, but unfortunately, he was below the age limit for entry. His family reached out to us, explaining the situation, and we knew we had to find a way to make it work. We made some arrangements and managed to have him and his mother sign a waiver, allowing him to attend the show. Seeing him there, enjoying the performance, was a rewarding moment for us as a band. It’s moments like these that remind us of the impact music can have on fans, especially younger ones.

TDIM: I always end my interview with this question. What are some bands/albums that yourself or Wind Rose are digging that you think people should be checking out?

Claudio: As a band, we’re constantly inspired by a wide range of artists. Right now, some of our favorite bands and albums are Wintersun, Turisas, and Symphony X. These bands have had a big influence on us, and their music is a perfect blend of complexity and power that we admire. Additionally, we’re fans of Wardruna, a band that mixes folk elements in a way that really resonates with our interest in epic, atmospheric soundscapes. If you haven’t listened to them yet, we definitely recommend checking them out!

I want to thank Claudio for talking to This Day in Metal about the band's history, their social media, and the making of the new album. If you'd like to check out the band live on their European tour, you can get tickets HERE. You can pre-order the band's new album on the band's Bandcamp or you can pre-save it on their Spotify page.