Feature: Brian Hunsaker Decodes “Power Over You”
Can you tell us about the inspiration behind "Power Over You" and the story it tells?
Absolutely. The song really operates on two levels. On the surface, it’s a story many of us know—the destructive push and pull of a toxic relationship, that feeling of being caught in someone's orbit against your will.
But the real story, the one that drove the music, is a much bigger, more mythic tale. It’s about a powerful sorceress who has been exiled and returns with a vengeance, binding an accomplice to her cause with dark magic. It's a clash of magic, destiny, and the simple will to survive. The seed of the idea came from one of the opening lines: "Rising up from the ashes of myself." In hindsight, I realized I, too, was rising from the ashes. I had essentially quit music for two years to focus on being a new father, and it was only after my best friend - also a musician - suddenly passed away that I felt pulled back into it.
We actually brought that epic narrative to life in the song's official music video, which is out now. It's a cinematic journey that's set in ancient Egypt, and truly uncovers the sorcery-inspired meaning behind the lyrics. You can watch it on my YouTube channel.
How did you approach the arrangement and composition of the music for "Power Over You?"
That's a great story, actually. For a long time, “Power Over You” was just a quiet, atmospheric piece, with a fairly intense vibe on the chorus, including singing with some "edge" due to the message of the lyrics. It was only during the final recording sessions that it transformed. I sent the files to my drummer, the incredible Mats Eriksson in Sweden, and the powerful, thunderous drum track he sent back completely changed the DNA of the song. Clif and I listened and thought we should try a heavy chorus. It worked amazingly, and we followed up by overhauling the bridge too! That's the moment it became a true power ballad.
From there, the goal was to build on that dynamic. It starts intimately with those clean, classical-sounding guitar lines and synth, and then explodes in the chorus with huge, heavy riffs. The arrangement is all about mirroring that emotional sweep—the quiet moments of doubt and the explosive moments of power. For this tune, I felt the song demanded a more laid-back guitar solo. It arrives unexpectedly, much like several other standout and surprising moments in the track.
Were there any memorable or standout moments during the recording sessions for this song?
The entire EP was recorded in my car on lunch breaks, which was a wild experience. But the single most insane moment of the entire project happened while recording this song. I had just laid down the new bridge riff I came up with, and hit record to sing something over it after jotting down some lyric ideas. I was improvising the melody and timing, just to see what would happen.
What came out in that single, unplanned moment was the final melody that you hear on the record. It was one of those rare, magical experiences of pure inspiration that you can't plan for. Capturing that raw, improvised moment of creativity in the back seat of my Ford Freestyle was the highlight of the entire recording process.
I also had a ton of fun recording the video! There was a moment right before the chorus when I literally batted the mic stand away after angrily snatching the mic from it. Watch for it! I thought it looked badass, metal, and pretty funny at the same time, so I kept it in.
Can you tell us more about you as an artist?
For a long time, I was primarily known as an instrumental guitarist, and I was fortunate enough to be featured on projects like the "Northwest ShredFest" compilations. But I've always felt a pull to tell stories in a more direct way—and for that, you need a voice. I’d been singing for over 20 years, mostly as backup and on cover songs. Over the years, people often told me I had a great voice and should use it to its fullest. So now I’m taking that plunge.
The last few years have been a journey of reinventing myself as a frontman. I took it very seriously, training with the renowned vocal coach Susan Carr, who famously coached Layne Staley of Alice in Chains, which was an incredible honor.
My goal as an artist now is to fuse that classic metal and hard rock DNA that I grew up with—the powerful vocals of Dio, the intricate guitar work—with a modern, cinematic, and emotional approach. It’s all about creating a huge, epic sound that still feels human and tells a real story...or a fantasy story. Hard to tell the difference sometimes.
Are there any upcoming projects or releases that you're particularly excited about?
Definitely. “Power Over You” is the second single from my forthcoming 5-song EP, 'Where Dreamers Fall.' The very next single I'm releasing is a track called “Edge of the World,” which I'm incredibly excited about. It takes the cinematic, epic feel of “Power Over You” and pushes it in an even more intense, progressive direction. This may sound over the top, but the video dives into UFOs and science fiction.
The best way to keep up with the new singles and the “Power Over You” music video is to subscribe to my YouTube channel. That's the headquarters for everything. You can also sign up for my newsletter at the link below!
