By Dig Dirkler
When a band with an established legacy brings in a new vocalist, fans naturally wonder how the dynamic will change. Swedish singer Tezzi Persson stepped into that exact situation when she joined Italian hard-rock outfit Hell in the Club. With six albums already behind the band, Persson now makes her debut on their upcoming record Joker in the Pack.
We spoke with Persson about stepping into the band, shaping the new material, and finding her voice within the group’s signature 80s-inspired hard-rock sound.
How did you end up joining Hell in the Club?
Because the guys are crazy—that’s all I can say. No, actually I already knew Andy and Mark, the drummer and bass player, from before. We had worked together previously. Andy came up with the crazy idea to ask me if I wanted to continue working with them and become the new singer and voice of the band when the previous singer stepped down. So basically, coincidences—one thing leads to another.
Your debut with the band is on Joker in the Pack. How did you approach joining a band that already had six albums behind them, and how much input did you have in the new material?
It was actually a bit scary, to be honest. They’ve released a lot of albums before and they’re really great. I was already very familiar with Hell in the Club before getting the question to join. I didn’t really know how included I would be in the writing process, but the guys included me right away when we started writing the new album. It’s tricky because it’s a new person and a new voice. I have my own way of writing vocal lines, but it still needs to sound like Hell in the Club.
I was a bit worried that what I created wouldn’t fit, but we realized very fast that it actually came naturally. That fear disappeared pretty quickly once we started working on the material.
The song “Magentaars” touches on the struggle of not fitting into societal norms. Was that message drawn from personal experience?
Yeah, 100 percent. That lyric is very close to my heart. A lot of people go through struggles growing up and through life feeling different—feeling like they don’t fit in or can’t accomplish things the same way others do. Trying to follow other people’s rules about how you’re supposed to be isn’t easy. In the end, acceptance is the key. You don’t have to do things exactly the way everyone else does. As long as you’re coping and staying true to yourself, there’s nothing wrong with that.
You’ve worked with projects like Infinite & Divine and Venus 5. How does your role in Hell in the Club differ vocally and emotionally?
They’re all very different projects, but Hell in the Club is definitely where I feel most at home. With this band I feel like I can be myself in another way, both in my writing and on stage. It’s pure rock and roll. It’s high energy, and the key word is fun. Having fun is very important with these guys, and that energy really comes back to you when you perform.
The new album blends classic ’80s hard rock vibes with a modern edge. How did you balance honoring the band’s established sound while bringing your own identity?
That was the fear I mentioned earlier—how much of myself I could bring without compromising what’s at the core of Hell in the Club. The guys sent me tracks and ideas back and forth, and I started writing and recording vocal lines at home. It seemed to work for them right away, so I realized I could pretty much do what felt right for the songs. Sometimes we’d try different ideas like changing a chorus, but overall it was a collaboration that worked very smoothly.
The album includes both high-energy songs and a closing ballad. Was it challenging to deliver that emotional range?
Not really. The ballad was actually written around the same time we released the single “Carolina Reaper.” We recorded it at the same time but decided to keep it for the album instead of releasing it as a single. It’s nice to give listeners a chance to breathe for a few minutes with a ballad, even though it still has energy in its own way.
Do you have a favorite song on the new record?
That’s really difficult. I’ve gone through so many phases where one song becomes my favorite and then another takes its place later. But one of them is definitely “Robert the Doll.” It was so fun writing that one—the music, the vocal lines, and the lyrics. It turned out to be this funny, half-creepy little tune.
After just one rehearsal, the band knew you were the right fit. What was that first rehearsal like for you?
I was pretty nervous before the first rehearsal. I had been practicing the songs over and over at home, wanting everything to be perfect. But about 30 seconds into the first song, once we were playing together and making eye contact, the nerves disappeared. It was just so much fun. They made me feel really relaxed, and it was a great start.
What techniques or preparation help you keep your voice powerful and consistent on stage and in the studio?
A lot of practice and preparation. There’s a lot of variation in the vocals between different songs, especially when we play older material as well. I rehearse constantly before gigs and recordings so everything becomes muscle memory. My neighbors probably hate me because they have to hear my singing all the time.
As someone fronting a band rooted in ’80s hard rock, what’s your favorite song by Mötley Crüe?
It probably sounds like the most boring answer, but I’ve always loved Kickstart My Heart. It’s such a great song—and it’s really fun to sing too.
You are wearing a Slipknot shirt. How did you first discover them?
The first time I encountered them was actually live at a festival around 2005. A friend told me I had to check them out, but I had never heard them before. We went to see them and I just fell in love with the band. We were using the mosh pits to move closer to the stage. After that show, I went home and listened to them nonstop for about a month.
What’s next for Hell in the Club following the album release?
Right now we’re working 24/7 preparing for our release party in Italy. It’s going to be a really special night with 11 guest singers joining us to perform some of the older songs. We’re also building a schedule for gigs in 2026 because we want to be out playing as much as possible.
Any final thoughts for fans reading this interview?
Thank you for sticking with us and thank you for giving me a chance as the new singer trying to keep the ship going. Please listen to the album—we’re super proud of it and we really hope you enjoy it.
With Joker in the Pack, Hell in the Club enter a new era—one that keeps their high-energy hard rock roots intact while introducing the powerful voice and creative perspective of Tezzi Persson. What could have been a risky transition instead feels like a natural evolution, blending the band’s signature ’80s-inspired swagger with fresh energy and personality.
From personal lyrics about individuality to playful tracks like “Robert the Doll,” Persson’s debut with the band shows both confidence and chemistry. If Joker in the Pack is any indication, Hell in the Club aren’t just continuing their legacy—they’re expanding it.
With a major release show planned and touring in the works for the coming year, fans will soon have the chance to see this new lineup bring the songs to life on stage. And if Persson’s enthusiasm is anything to go by, the next chapter for Hell in the Club is only just getting started.
Categories: Hell in the Club, Interviews
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