Joel Hoekstra on From the Fade: Inside the Riff-Driven Sound of Joel Hoekstra’s 13
Fresh off another massive touring run with Trans-Siberian Orchestra, guitarist Joel Hoekstra (Whitesnake, Trans-Siberian Orchestra) continues to expand his own creative voice through his project Joel Hoekstra’s 13. The band returns with its fourth album, From the Fade, a record that leans into the melodic hard rock sound that has shaped Hoekstra’s career for decades.
During his appearance on Metal Mayhem ROC, Hoekstra discusses the philosophy behind the album, the musicians who helped bring it to life, and why creating music under the Joel Hoekstra’s 13 banner remains an important part of his long-term artistic legacy.
The Catalyst
Joel Hoekstra’s 13 began as a response to an unexpected challenge in Hoekstra’s solo career. Earlier instrumental releases explored a wide range of styles—from fusion to acoustic guitar work—but some fans who discovered him through his rock band work were surprised by how different those albums sounded.
Rather than abandon solo projects, Hoekstra reshaped the concept.
Joel Hoekstra’s 13 became the platform for recording full melodic hard rock albums built around his songwriting and guitar work. Under this banner, Hoekstra writes the riffs, melodies, and lyrics while assembling a lineup of musicians who can deliver the songs with the power and precision the style demands.
With From the Fade, he continues building that catalog. The album follows Dying to Live, Running Games, and Crash of Life, each one expanding the project’s identity while staying rooted in the classic melodic hard rock tradition.
The Creative Process
The writing process for From the Fade was intentionally direct. Hoekstra decided early on that he would not rely on older demos or previously written material. Instead, he committed to writing every song specifically for the new record.
Each night he would sit down with his guitar and build a new riff-based structure, recording rough ideas on his phone before transferring them into Pro Tools for development. By the end of the process he had assembled a complete set of song frameworks ready for production.
Once the structures were in place, the songs began to take shape with the help of a veteran lineup of musicians. The album features drummer Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, Dio), bassist Tony Franklin (The Firm, Blue Murder), and keyboardist Derek Sherinian, all players known for bringing both technical skill and personality to the studio.
Hoekstra’s philosophy when working with musicians of this caliber is simple: create the structure, then give them room to interpret the parts naturally. Rather than dictating every detail, he prefers to let experienced players bring their own feel and musical instincts into the recordings.
Sound, Intent, or Message
While melodic hooks have always been central to Hoekstra’s songwriting, From the Fade leans slightly heavier than some previous Joel Hoekstra’s 13 releases.
Many of the songs begin with guitar riffs rather than vocal melodies, giving the album a more aggressive foundation. Even so, the hallmark elements of melodic hard rock remain present—big choruses, layered guitar textures, and dynamic arrangements.
Hoekstra credits a wide range of influences that shaped his early playing, including bands like Queensrÿche and Dokken. Those inspirations occasionally surface throughout the record, particularly in the atmospheric guitar tones and vocal-driven songwriting.
At the same time, the album explores darker territory in places. Tracks such as “The End of Me” push toward a doom-influenced heaviness reminiscent of classic Sabbath-era metal, adding contrast and depth to the record’s overall sound.
The result is an album that balances power and melody while staying true to the genre that first inspired Hoekstra to pick up a guitar.
Touring / What’s Next
Even with the release of From the Fade, Hoekstra’s schedule shows no signs of slowing down.
In addition to his ongoing work with Trans-Siberian Orchestra, he continues to perform acoustic duo shows with vocalist Brandon Gibbs. These intimate performances blend material from Whitesnake, Poison, Joel Hoekstra’s 13, and Gibbs’ own projects while giving audiences a chance to hear the songs in a stripped-down format.
Hoekstra also remains active in the studio. Upcoming projects include new recordings with Revolution Saints as well as additional material with the band Iconic, featuring a lineup of established hard rock musicians.
For Hoekstra, staying productive is simply part of the job. Rather than separating touring, writing, and recording into different phases, he approaches music as a continuous process that evolves day by day.
Why This Interview Matters
Joel Hoekstra’s career reflects the path of a musician who has successfully navigated multiple eras of rock music while continuing to grow creatively.
From arena tours with major bands to theatrical productions like Rock of Ages, Hoekstra has performed in a wide variety of musical environments. Yet his own recording projects remain a central piece of his identity as an artist.
Through Joel Hoekstra’s 13, he continues building a catalog that showcases his songwriting and guitar playing on his own terms.
With From the Fade, that catalog grows stronger—delivering a record that blends classic melodic hard rock influences with the experience of a guitarist who has spent decades refining his craft.
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