What was the beginning pint for your music career? How did it all start?

I’m a solo artist—a rare thing in the rock/metal genre—but everything you hear in my music is 100% me. It’s a one-man army!

I started as a guitarist and songwriter, playing with various bands. Unfortunately, no matter how much energy I invested, the bands kept breaking up. By 2014, I felt drained and quit, thinking my journey was over.

In 2015, everything changed. I was with this girl—spoiler alert, she’s now my wife—who believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. She told me she loved my voice, something I’d never heard before. Her encouragement gave me the courage to pick up the mic and find my voice.

I recorded my first song, Father, in 2016 but fear held me back from releasing it. That changed in 2017 when I met my guitar idol, Mark Tremonti (Creed, Alter Bridge), at a guitar clinic during the Alter Bridge Canada tour. I played Father for him, and he said

something I’ll never forget: “Let the world decide where this song belongs. Don’t hold back.” Those words ignited my journey as Zayd.

Was there any bumps on the road? What kind of challenges did you have to deal with?

Navigating the music industry has been one of the biggest challenges. No matter how many YouTube videos or guides you watch, there’s no step-by-step blueprint for success. It’s a constant cycle of trial, error, and learning on the go. Marketing, branding, and figuring out how to get my music in front of the right people has been just as important as writing songs.

Another challenge is finding balance between creating, promoting, and making time for personal growth. The constant grind of writing, recording, and content creation can be overwhelming, but I’ve learned that taking care of my energy is just as important as the music itself. Staying consistent while avoiding burnout is a battle, but the passion keeps me moving forward.

What was the most fulfilling and satisfying moment so far?

Releasing my first EP, Deceit and Desecrate, is a major milestone. It represents everything

I’ve been working towards—years of persistence, struggles, and victories. Also, being nominated for Radio WIGWAM’s Best International Male Artist and SaskMusic’s Metal/ Hard Rock Artist of the Year was an incredible validation of my journey.

How would you describe the music that you typically create?

My music blends the raw intensity of rock and metal with deep, emotional storytelling. I don’t just play songs—I create moments. Every track I write comes from a place of real struggle, real pain, and the relentless pursuit of hope. I want my audience to feel something raw and unfiltered, to know they’re not alone in their battles. When people come to my shows, I want them to walk away feeling like they’re part of something bigger—a community, a movement, a family.

What is your creative process like?

I let things flow naturally. I don’t start with a rigid structure—I let a song evolve from a riff, melody, or even a random lyric idea. Once I have a rough idea, I record everything before analyzing it too much. My best songs come from being vulnerable and letting my emotions lead the way.

If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?

The industry often prioritizes trends over artistry. There’s a pressure to conform rather than create something real. If I could change anything, it would be to give more power back to artists—to let music speak for itself rather than chasing algorithms and trends.

If you were asked to give a piece of advice to upcoming bands, what would that be?

Be consistent. Stay true to your message. And don’t be afraid to evolve—growth is part of the journey.

What has been the best performance of your career so far?

My last show of 2023 was one for the books. That night, WWE had a main event in town, and I had no idea that one of my favourite wrestlers, Drew McIntyre, was in the audience. During my set, I got caught up in the energy and climbed onto a table in the crowd— turns out, it was his table. Someone told me after the set, and I couldn’t believe I didn’t recognize him in the moment. By the time I realized, he was already leaving. Definitely a wild experience!

If you didn’t become a musician, what would you be doing now?

If I weren’t making music, I’d still be in a creative field. Filmmaking and photography have always intrigued me—telling stories through visuals the same way I do with music. Marketing is another area that interests me since it’s all about creating connection, just like music. But honestly, I can’t imagine life without music. Even if I wasn’t performing, I’d still be writing, producing, or working behind the scenes in the industry. Music isn’t just something I do—it’s part of who I am.

What is new with the band at the moment? What are you currently working on and would like to share with the world?

So currently I’m focusing on promoting my very first official EP, “Deceit and Desecrate”. Deceit and Desecrate is an intense and emotional rock/metal EP, exploring themes of inner conflict, betrayal, and redemption. Through powerful riffs, raw vocals, and haunting melodies, the EP delves into the struggle between past and present selves, the pain of deception, and the journey toward breaking free. Each track carries a deep message, blending heavy instrumentals with heartfelt storytelling to create a dynamic and immersive experience for listeners.As I’m wrapping up the new release, I’ll be starting the writing process of my next EP/album. Also I’m in chat with different artists around world about a collab project. So definitely a busy schedule ahead.