Rock Meeting Nº 141 (English Version)

WORDS OF EDITOR

SPIRITBOX SUN KILLER

T

wo months after the release of ‘Eternal Blue’, by

Canadian Spiritbox, the album still reverberates very loud and clear. It’s scary good how much this debut is being accepted.

There are so many good songs that it’s hard to select just one to put it in a playlist, but I decided to highlight the song “Sun Killer”. It’s amazing!

When the album was fully

. PEI FON @PE IFO N JOURNALIST, PHOTOGRAPHER AND ROCK MEEETING'S GENERAL DIRECTOR

released, I took my headphones and listened more carefully to the songs we didn’t know yet. “Sun Killer” opens the audition and prepares listeners for what’s to come. I dare say

Photo: Alexander Bemis

it is the epitome of “Eternal Blue”, as it features every detail that will be throughout the 12 songs of the album.

With a smooth voice, inspired by the great vocalists of Heavy Metal, Courtney LaPlante wins the hearts of everyone who listens to this track. When you think you’re going to end in a calm and serene way, in the final minute you’re surprised in a way that you can’t measure.

Personally, I’ve listened to

. PEI FON

it several times and it’s al-

@ P EI FON

ways a surprise. The music

JOURNALIST, PHOTOGRAPHER AND ROCK MEEETING'S GENERAL DIRECTOR

has that, perpetuating the good feelings at each future audition.

SUMMARY 2021

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59 06. PALE NEW SINGLE "LITANY"

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14. STAIN THE CANVAS LYRICS THAT TOUCH THE HEART 28. AS EVERYTHING UNFOLDS "WITHIN EACH LIES THE OTHER" 44. VENUES DÉBUT ALBUM "SOLACE" 59. CURRENTS MODERN METAL EXPONENTS

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86. ACHROME "TO BRING OUR MUSIC AROUND THE WORLD"

GENER A L DIR ECTO R Pei Fon EXECUT IV E DIR ECTO R Felipe da Matta S TA F F Barbara Lopes Fernando Pires Gustavo Tozzi Kayomi Suzuki Marta Ayora Mauricio Melo Murilo da Rosa Rafael Andrade Uillian Vargas

C O N TA C T contato@rockmeeting.net

75 AXTY A BRAZILIAN BREATH OF FRESH AIR

WWW.ROCKMEETING.NET

INTERVIEW. PALE

“OUR MAIN GOAL IS TO CONNECT WITH THE LISTENER”

PALE B Y G U S TA V O T O Z Z I PHOTOGRAPHY PROMOTION

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INTERVIEW. PALE

A

lways thinking of finding upand-coming artists, Rock Meeting talked to the brandnew Pale. Coming from England, the band consists of Reece Banks (Vocals), Ryan Williams (Guitar), Matt Kirkham (Bass) and Tom Morris (Drums).

Pale is a band that every heavy music fan should have on their playlist. Why? You don't need to weave a lot of words, just listen.

The formation of this quartet is very recent, but they are already musicians who know the scene and were ahead of other bands. Today, with Pale, these guys know very well the path they want to take. Open your mind and meet Pale right now.

Pale begins in mid-2020, releasing their first EP in early 2021.

Could you tell the fans how the band was formed?

We had all worked together in various bands and projects over the last three or four years prior to forming Pale. We all shared the same desire to create something personal and unique to us, yet at the same time creating something that so many others can relate to.

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By paying attention to the sound of (the) Pale, it is possible to notice a particular sound ambience, ranging from Post-Hardcore to Alternative Rock, with an emotional tone in the compositions. What are the main influences of Pale and its members?

We all have very different musical tastes which we draw our influences from. Whilst we draw influence from the music we listen to, I’d say that our main influence isn’t a particular band or artist but life and the things that are going on around us in the world or that are affecting us personally.

With the release of the single Absence (17.01.2021), Pale reached almost 40k in views. Did you expect to reach such a mark already on the first single?

Not at all! We were incredibly overwhelmed by the support we received, and we can’t thank everyone enough for taking the time to listen to our music, it means so much to us all.

Linked with the previous question.

The song's lyrics fit perfectly into the music video for Absence by showing moments of loneliness and anguish represented by Reece. Is that what Pale was looking for in the video recording process?

INTERVIEW. PALE

Definitely! The whole concept was to capture as much emotion as we could in a literal and metaphorical sense. Our main goal is to connect with the listener and viewer, as what we write about is exactly the way we feel, like so many others. We want to have our music videos to be an integral part of the experience when listening to our music.

What are your expectations regarding the repercussions of the new single Litany? How was the process of this composition?

The writing process for this new single

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was a long one. Most of the vocals were written very early on as we had a specific theme in mind, but the instrumental went through multiple rewrites and changes in order to capture the theme and feelings we were initially going for. Like so many others in the industry, we had a particularly tough time in putting this new single together with the ongoing pandemic, however, now that we’re we want to be, we aim to further expand on our story, and we really hope people can connect with it.

Exclusively, RM watched Litany's video: around a dark look that explores a life abandoned by love, as the first stanza of the song begins, the final explosion is like a scream for (to feel) love. Do you agree with this

INTERVIEW. PALE

interpretation?

I really like that interpretation! We feel that the video and the track can have multiple interpretations unique to each listener and viewer. We look forward to seeing other people's impressions of the song when it is released.

It is always good to see how people have taken to the song and how they’ve connected with it.

Can Absence and Litany already be considered included in the next EP or can we wait for a debut album?

At this moment in time, they’re just stand-alone singles and we’ve not got any plans for an EP or an album. It is something we may do in the future but right now we would like the main focus to be on each individual song rather than them being overlooked on an EP. This way we feel each release gets a chance in the spotlight and will get the same amount of attention to detail in the creative process too.

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Do you have any forecasts for when the debut show will be? Are you very anxious?

It's a mixture to be honest. There are definitely feelings of anxiety as it's our live debut and it will be the first time anybody has heard these tracks live. Then, there is also the anticipation of finally getting to play these songs in front of an audience and having the opportunity to showcase the set and live imagery we’ve created. We have some upcoming plans for our live debut in 2022 and we are excited to share more on that topic in the near future.

Finally, what are the goals and projects we can expect from you?

Rock Meeting thanks you for making your time available and cheers for you!

In terms of goals, we aim for our music to reach a wider audience and hope to connect with as many people as possible.

We look to build on the release of Absence with this new single and beyond to expand on the themes and ideas of Pale.

Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us and we hope you enjoy what we have in store!

I N T E R V I E W . S TA I N T H E C A N VA S

“WE HAVE USED MUSIC AS A MEANS TO LET KNOW OUR FEELINGS”

STAIN THE CANVAS

BY PEI FON PHOTOGRAPHY ARNAU RECTORET

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I N T E R V I E W . S TA I N T H E C A N VA S

I

was browsing through the groups on social media when someone posted a news about an Italian band’s debut single: Stain The Canvas. I wrote down the name, looked up the single and listened. That first audition was enough to gain my attention.

Formed by Bryan Marte (vocals), Lorenzo Accattoli (guitar), Ricardo Cerolini (guitar), Luca Giorgi (bass) and Alessandro Bonetti (drums), they released their debut album, “God Made Hell”, in 2020, and they already have good numbers to show. With a very good acceptance right from the start, the Italian quintet is not to be trifled with, they really want to show what they know.

For the first time, Stain The Canvas is interviewed by a Brazilian media and in this exclusivity, Rick, Bryan and H (Lorenzo) talk a little about this debut album, return to the stage, past, present and future. Check out this special interview right now.

With memorable singles and an expressive play count, Stain the Canvas is a new band that stands out in the heavy music scene. How it all began?

Rick - STC journey began 4 years ago, when me, H (Lorenzo), and Luke moved

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I N T E R V I E W . S TA I N T H E C A N VA S

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to Milan to meet Bryan. We made this big step forward because we felt that was the only moment to start a real project with real aims. Our target was to start writing metalcore music and Bryan was the perfect singer for doing that, so we packed our bags.

You unleashed into the world with “Like a God”. With a massive fan acceptance, it made you stand out. Did you ever imagine being embraced by the public in this way?

Rick - When “Like a God” dropped we did not imagine that boom. It’s been a great surprise for us all. I think the success of LAG depends on multiple factors and it is really hard for me to mention them all. Surely the videoclip in the blue church is one of that!

Fun fact: in the ‘Like A God’ videoclip you can see our old drummer. And no, he’s not Ale with long hair, stop saying that! Ahah And you didn’t stand still and released other singles, “Anima” and “Hell Made Me”. Do you believe that your songs connect listeners because of the proximity that the lyrics have to the real world?

Rick - Absolutely yes! Lyrics are an essential part in the creative process and we hope they can touch the heart of our fans.

H wrote all the lyrics out of GMH and we all love them. He’s deeply inspired by philosophy and literature, especially from Plato, Svevo, Nietzsche, Freud. The

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main themes of our debut album are soul and the human behavior, themes that every person faces daily.

In 2020, you released the debut album “God Made Hell”. With more than two million plays (and counting), what is your assessment of this first full-release work?

Rick - We’re really happy for this and we never expected these numbers, in particular because GMH has been released a week before the global pandemic. We’re stunned by all the support fans have given to us, and we’re so proud of our first baby!

With the return of the live shows, you are now able to show your debut album. How has the crowd been reacting to it?

Bryan - Restarting live shows has been a breath of fresh air! Recently we took part of the “Music Resurrection Tour” in Europe supporting Elyne and Ankor. We won’t lie.

Recovery for live shows has not been immediate. Tour was great, and all our fans were enthusiastic to see us. It was crazy to finally being able to meet people.

When I met your sound, it was through “Anima”. It caught my attention at the time, and I started to follow your work. How important is it to plan each step of a band?

Bryan - Thank you so much, Anima is also

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one of our favorite song.

Planning every little step is essential for a band, because it helps you being focused on every deadline and good results. We all have our job inside the band and put out all our efforts to make sure everything goes right. No pain no gain ahah.

We can’t stop talking about the new songs released in 2021. “End” talks about the wave of despair and pessimism about the future caused by the pandemic. How was this period for you? What is the balance after experiencing this up close?

Rick - The pandemic was obviously unexpected for us all. For a 20 y.o. guys been reclused in home and not being able to meet friends and play shows has been so depressing. Fortunately, now we see the light at the end of tunnel. Restarting rehearsals together and meet the bandmates has been priceless.

Not being able to do what you love was quite difficult for all of us during the pandemic. “Overload.exe” sums up this feeling, from uncertainty to anger. How important is music as a help mechanism in difficult times?

Bryan - Music influences both thoughts and habits of people and right now is a way to communicate to people. It’s been moreover an essential medicine. Music for us,

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in this context, had different weight. Conversely to GMH, that have a specific concept, now we have used music as a means to let know our feelings to the others.

“Condemned” is Stain The Canvas’ newest single. And there is a very strong rhetoric that we are all doomed... but to what? Tell us a little about this song.

H – “Condemned” is a dystopian critique to all those who had a positivistic point of view about the pandemic. We couldn’t understand how to stay positive while being powerless, seeing our time vanish and, in the worst cases, losing loved ones.

In this scenario, there’s no light at the end of the tunnel, and that’s what we really felt while locked down. Distrust, disappointment and pain are the main themes of this song.

There are already three new songs released. Do you intend to release an EP or you’re already thinking about the second album?

Rick - We cannot spoil to much in here. Of course, there will be more music anytime soon next year and we are constantly in the studio recording and producing new songs. Just keep an eye out on our pages.

The music you make brings more

I N T E R V I E W . S TA I N T H E C A N VA S

modern sound elements and I feel that there is a very strong inspiration from Linkin Park. How do you feel these bands shaped the modern metal scene today?

Bryan - Surely legendary bands of modern rock and metal like Linkin Park had brought it back to mainstream so that anyone could listen and enjoy it.

You can definitely notice the big influence they had on such a huge number of bands nowadays and so it did to us, we’re millennials guys and LP had inspired and shaped our sound.

To end our conversation, do you still intend to release more singles this year? Thank you very much and success to you.

Take care!

Rick - Thank you very much Pei and thanks to Rock Meeting for this interview! Hope to talk again with you in the future. New music is at the door, we’re working hard to make the best STC contents ever, like I said before, I can’t say too much but we invite everyone to keep an eye open on our Instagram page @stainthecanvasofficial or Twitter @stainthecanvas for any kind of announcement and maybe some behind the scene spoiler.

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INTERVIEW. AS EVERYTHING UNFOLDS

“WE’RE WRITING, CREATING AND VISUALISING EVERYTHING T H AT ’ S C O M I N G N E X T ”

AS EVERYTHING UNFOLDS

BY MURILO DA ROSA PHOTOGRAPHY PEARL COOK

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INTERVIEW. AS EVERYTHING UNFOLDS

F

acing the chaotic current setting, we are capable to find a way to free ourselves through aggressive and deep musicality. Brutal versions added to the suffering of one or more individuals can become true poetry for a heart in search of encouragement.

With a melancholic essence overlaid with cries of hope and help, the british of As Everything Unfolds expose the identity of a legitimate Metalcore band, in which emotional beauty merges with phrases and visceral instrumentation, creating a dense and protestant atmosphere, conquering the public through the veracity and appeal of what is sung.

On the release of their first album, after the release of incredible and remarkable singles, Rock Meeting took the opportunity to exchange an idea with these guys, who proved themselves experts in the art of moving and making the listeners’ blood go to their heads.

Check out next to see how this conversation was.

After 2 consecutive EPs and several singles, the band is finally releasing their debut album on major streaming platforms. After this journey, how do you feel about having reached this new stage in your career?

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INTERVIEW. AS EVERYTHING UNFOLDS

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It was a scary but rewarding time. I feel releasing a debut album these days is so anticipated and that anticipation can create such anxiety about how it’s going to be received, but it went down better than we could have hoped! It’s been such a joy and I’m glad we took the step forward and I’m excited for what else is to come.

Since the beginning of the band, with the EPs “Closure”, “Colida”, and now with the first album, how do you perceive the interaction of the audience during this trajectory until the Debut?

It was a very slow build up with the EP’s, we’d pick up fans here and there online but a lot of our fanbase was created from the shows we’d do which we would do as often as we could but between school/ university and job’s it was hard. We also had no label and everything we did was self released, and we had to learn how to do things ourselves and sometimes it wasn’t perfect! Our fans stayed loyal and they were always very supportive and a lot of them were asking for an album for a long time.

You’re part of a scene in which Post-Hardcore also bet heavily on elements of pop music, such as melodic verses and clean guitar riffs.

In what way do you understand that

INTERVIEW. AS EVERYTHING UNFOLDS

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these mixtures can bring the public closer to this musical style?

Using elements of pop music, pop formulas and just general music psychology (used in pop music writing) is the best way to bring people who wouldn’t normally like ‘metal’ or ‘post-hardcore’ into the sphere and vice versa, as sometimes a lot of ‘metal’ fans can be quite closed minded.

This band loves to fuse genres and styles, we all listen to such a large range of music and if we can get fans from both sides to enjoy it, that’s a win for us!

With a total of 11 tracks, “Within Each Lies the Other” has reached important numbers of plays and views 8 months since its debut. What does this recognition, from fans and the general public, mean for the group?

It’s so amazing, the response is everything we could have wished for and more, and people are excited for the future of the band as much as we are which is such a humbling thing!

The opening track of the album, “On The Inside”, has already reached the mark of more than 2 million plays on Spotify, being the highlight of this new work. For the group, what is this song in particular that is so special for fans and the general public?

When we were writing this song we knew

INTERVIEW. AS EVERYTHING UNFOLDS

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it would go down well, it was a band favorites from the beginning, it’s fun, it’s catchy and it’s great live for getting the crowd going.

As for the video for “On The Inside”, released in March this year, practically along with the album, there is a theme in a sequence plan, in which the band members are presented in different places in the same scenario, so that they are finally together as a band. How was that experience?

It was fun! We hadn’t done a video in this way before, we had to choreograph every move we did and had to do it in sections over and over until we got it right, we wanted it to look like a one shot style video as much as we could.

Before its release and even after, the album had a very elaborated disclosure in the visual part, with a total of four music videos that add up to almost 1M of views on YouTube. How does this synergy between image and music develop, when it comes to “Within Each Lies The Other”?

During the recording process we were throwing ideas around in the apartment while we were engrossed in the music, we came up with this cohesive theme and we wanted to follow it through the whole campaign & fully commit to it. The theme was the magician tarot card, but more so the meaning behind it’s upright and downward meaning, which tied very clos-

INTERVIEW. AS EVERYTHING UNFOLDS

ly to the lyrical content, and from then the name ‘within each lies the other’ was created, the balance of ones self.

Throughout some of the video clips, we noticed a standardized identity, mainly regarding the aesthetics of the sets and color palette, dialoguing with the cover of the album. But beyond that, there is also an interesting character that appears more than once, covered by a red veil.

What is the idea of this figure?

The figure is meant to represent the magician from the magician tarot card, a figure to remind yourself throughout the videos that it’s a presence in all the songs and their meanings Another song with a great repercussion is “Hiding From Myself”, one of the last tracks on the album inclusive, and which is already with almost 1M of on Spotify. With a strong chorus and constant modulations in the voice and instruments, how was the composition process of this song?

This song was written actually not long after we released ‘Closure’ and it was the perfect song to bridge the gap between the older songs and the new album tracks. We wanted to create something fun, chaotic and heavy with those catchy choruses we

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INTERVIEW. AS EVERYTHING UNFOLDS

love, it’s definitely one of the more ambitious songs on the record, people could have said it had too many elements that it sounded like a mess but instead people loved it!

Along the tracks, the album undergoes an evolution in which the melody becomes denser and melancholier, so that the clean vocals gain more space and expand into strong and powerful choruses. What is the idea of these modulations for the album’s narrative?

We really wanted to take you on a journey with the album, where you’re eased into the darker more melancholic elements as the album progresses. Coming towards the end we wanted the instrumentation to really take a backseat and quieten down, allow the vocals to have a real sense of ambience and depth before the tidal wave of sound crashes back in for the choruses.

Among the subjects covered in this album, we have delicate themes such as depression and loneliness, but it also exhibits an important position of revolt and nonconformity, in order to influence listeners about these attitudes. For you, how can heavy music help the audience to overcome similar issues?

Music has always been a form of escap-

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INTERVIEW. AS EVERYTHING UNFOLDS

ism for everyone in this band, but not only the music, the scene and the people around you. We wanted to create music that people could relate to, put their own stories into the songs, some together as a group and sing our hearts out, and hopefully make some friends which I know a few of our fans on our band discord have done ie.

Meeting up at shows if a person is going to a show alone and it’s so lovely to see, and exactly what we wanted.

Finally, the band finally arrives with its complete work, giving as a present to the fans a moving piece, energetic and full of important reflections. With that, what else can we expect for the group’s next steps? Thank you very much for your attention and continue with this captivating presence!

We’re continueing to work all the time, we’re writing, creating and visualising everything that’s coming next and we’re growing more confident in our product the more we grow, and we cannot thank everyone enough for their support!

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INTERVIEW. VENUES

“ W E D EC I D E D TO GIVE OUR BEST”

VENUES

BY PEI FON PHOTOGRAPHY VENERA RED

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INTERVIEW. VENUES

T

here is a world out there that is much bigger than we imagine, whether in culture, language, or music. And in this vibe of knowing what is good, we went to Germany, a hotbed of famous bands and festivals, where we met Venues.

Currently formed by Lela (clean vocals), Robin (scream), Constantin (guitar), Valentin (guitar) and Dennis (drums), the German Modern Metal quintet releases its second album, “Solace”, on Arising Empire.

“Solace” was produced by Christoph Wieczorek (Annisokay) and is an album that reflects the maturity of this group. Rock Meeting had the opportunity to talk with vocalist Lela. Very friendly, she answered our questions quite sincerely and shows passion for what she does.

Coming from Germany, you already have two albums, with “Solace” being the most recent. In these five years of band, what is your assessment of the walk you are taking?

Lela - Since I joined the band in early 2019, I can only talk about the past three years. It’s been an awesome journey since then. And I guess VENUES took a big step with the lineup change. It could have meant the end for the band but the guys made the best out of it and catched me and Valentin to be the new members.

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Photo - Pia Böhl

INTERVIEW. VENUES

So, we decided to give our best and move on with playing shows and working on new stuff.

We didn’t know how we would work together when it comes to songwriting and producing but it fit so well that we are absolutely glad about the path we took.

Taking a reference from Robin’s speech when he says that, in 2020, the band helped him keep his sanity. How important is music for maintaining mental health?

Music is absolutely important for maintaining

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mental health.

Working on SOLACE was the only thing that kept each of us moving during the past two years, when the world seemed to stand still. This ongoing pandemic showed us, once again, how lucky we are to be able to write music together and create something that will remain. But not only music is important for mental health. I guess it’s all kinds of Art that really help to cope with things. Not only by creating but also by consuming.

A reflection of the Venues maturation

as a band is “Solace”: heavier, more melodic and involving. With just a short time of release, it has been heard over 650k times and still counts. Did you expect such a quick response?

Of course, we were hoping for good feedback.

But we were really curious because the listeners haven´t heard my voice yet. Replacing the main vocals is a big thing so we didn’t really know what to expect. We could have lost some fans but we gained a lot which makes us really proud and grateful. This makes us feel like we made the right decisions and

keeps us motivated so we directly started working on new stuff.

You were preparing the fans with the release of the songs “Rite of Passage”, “Shifting Colors”, “Whydah Gally” and “Deceptive Faces”. With many positive responses, and how do you handle this receptivity?

We are totally happy about the awesome feedback we got so far. So, like I already said, we are currently working on new stuff, and we hope that people will like it at least as

INTERVIEW. VENUES

Photo - Ilona Gerasymova

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much as they like our current Album. This really keeps our heads above the water. Especially now, when it’s not sure if touring will be possible next year.

The videos of these songs capture the viewer’s attention. In partnership with videomaker Marius Milinski, you show personality and present your music in a very interesting way.

How did this collaboration come about?

Marius is an old friend of the band.

He shot every music video VENUES ever did. So, the band was working with him for many years now. It was easy for us to choose him again for these kinds of videos. We only knew that we wanted to create something special and not only performance-stuff. Marius gave the album a listen and came up with the idea of a funny and crazy zombie-story.

We were instantly on fire for this so we decided to let Marius write the whole story.

“Whydah Gally” was the first song I heard from Venues. I looked forward to hearing Lela’s voice and it was a pleasant surprise. It fits perfectly with the proposal that the band has, the feeling is that

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INTERVIEW. VENUES

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she has always been part of the group. How did you find her? Was it a selection process, nomination...?

I knew Constantin for a few years.

We met at a Steel Panther show where I had the honor to sing a song with the band on stage. Constantin was in the crowd and filmed my performance with his mobile phone. After the show we randomly met somewhere in the crowd and I gave him my number so that he could send me the video.

A few years later I saw that VENUES´ former singer has left the band and Constantin and I got back in contact. He invited me to join their rehearsal and I went there.

We instantly played a whole set and it felt like this would become something great. The guys invited me to join the band and what shall I say?

I accepted ;) “Solace” contains 10 tracks that are ‘negative energy exorcisms’. Given this perspective, do you believe that the pandemic has touched our worst fears?

Maybe not our worst fears but definitely some. We never thought that there would be a time where we are not allowed to meet in the rehearsal room or to even go outside our

INTERVIEW. VENUES

houses. This was new for all of us. And we started songwriting when the first lockdown here in Germany hit us. Luckily, we all were able to record at home so we could continue songwriting without meeting in person. On one hand this was pretty strange and didn’t really feel right but on the other hand, like I already said, writing songs and working on the album kept us busy and sane.

“Rites of Passage” has very interesting lyrics, and some of the phrases reflect the dialogues that exist within relationships. Have you guys been getting feedback on this issue reported in the song?

We try to keep our lyrics pretty open so that every listener can take what he needs from the song. But yeah, Rite of Passage is about Relationships between two people. I really hope that some of our fans may have found solace in this one and felt that they are not alone with their feelings.

2022 is starting with bands hitting the road, and you will go on tour together with fellow band Oceans. What are the expectations for these shows?

First of all, we are absolutely stoked about the tour. It will be our first co-

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Photo - Small Kid Min

INTERVIEW. VENUES

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headline-tour and we are working on our show to bring the songs on stage in the best possible way. We finally have the freedom to create the show how we want it to be.

How has this return to the stage been? How did you feel when you meet the audience again, feel this warmth that comes from the fans?

It felt awesome. Our first time back on stage was for an online-streaming festival. This was a bit weird because we were performing in front of cameras instead of real people. So, you can say we had a soft start in getting back to live shows. Our first real festival with a real audience was out of this world. We were absolutely hyped and I will never forget the feeling I had when our fans joined and sang our songs with us. Especially the ones from the new album that we never played live before.

Social networks are a beautiful bridge to be close to fans and during the pandemic it was a fundamental tool. Do you have contact with the Brazilian public, for example?

We stay in contact with all our fans all over the world via social media. I think it’s awesome how easy you can spread

INTERVIEW. VENUES

your word nowadays and how easy you can stay in touch with people even if they are living on the other side of the planet. So, if you are reading this, feel free to send us a message on Instagram, Facebook, etc. we are happy to hear from our fans and to talk to them. No matter where they’re from ;) To end our conversation, what are Venues’ plans for this very end of 2021.

Thank you very much and much success for you.

We are going on Tour to support a German band called Emil Bulls. The tour will be only in Germany but we can’t wait to hit the road again.

Apart from that we are working on new songs to come and planning our live show for the Tour with Oceans in early 2022. We can’t wait for the next weeks and months. It looks like we’re gonna have a great time!

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INTERVIEW. CURRENTS

B Y S U Z U K I K AYO M I PHOTOGRAPHY SARAH HOLICK

“

Currents ended up being a vehicle for all of the people who wanted to leave the Connecticut music scene and get out there". In the words of Brian Wille is a brief summary of what Currents represents for the music scene.

With 10 years of career and a lot of sincerity involved, the American quintet has already released three studio albums and is currently formed by Brian Wille (vocals), Chris Wiseman (guitar), Ryan Castaldi (guitar), Matt Young (drums) and Christian Pulgarin (low).

In an exclusive interview for Brazil, Rock Meeting spoke with vocalist Brian. He was very attentive to our questions and didn't give us many clues about the next steps, even though he said that something new is coming.

Currents have 10 years on the road, is that right?

Brian - 10 years ago the band just got started, a pretty different line-up of people and the band just started doing local shows, getting their name out in

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the local scene. One of the founding members, when other people started falling off of the band, was adding other members from Connecticut bands who were serious and wanted to go.

Currents ended up being a vehicle for all of the people who wanted to leave the Connecticut music scene and get out there. It is a cool thing.

And how do you evaluate this progress so far?

All expectations of mine had been met and are kinda just a series of what else can be done. We are all excited about the future of the band.

In the beginning, you were trying to find your identity as a band, how do you think this part had been going?

I feel like we had redeemed what we think our sound is. What we enjoy, what we think other people enjoy, and trying to balance those things. I think we are on a good trajectory, like… hmm...

We are really excited about where it is going, without spoiling anything now, but we are very excited, is all that I can say for now.

Do any of the members diverge on different thoughts, ideas?

Anybody who was in the band, we think like “Oh Matt is such a cool drummer, and this will be his first record being

INTERVIEW. CURRENTS

able to show off what he can do.” I am really excited for Matt to showcase what he can really do. In general, everybody contributes with ideas, Ryan throws some lead ideas here and there, and sometimes it turns out to be an entire song. Chris is always on something new, something excited.

So, you guys really get along when creating something for Currents, right?

Absolutely. Not everybody is as involved in the creative process as far as music goes, the same level as other people, but I think that is kind of standard. As we go along adding other people’s ideas and influences, like having Christian in the band is awesome, I think that is such cool energy, he really brings in a lot of excitement, kind of hype. I want to write things that impress my closest friends.

And your debut album, "The Place I Feel Safest", was released in 2018, do you think you achieved your goals with that release?

I think everything kinda works out the way it should work out, I don’t think we will change anything about it.

And the name is interesting, "The Place I Feel Safest", you think it is the place Currents feel safe or other people feel safe?

Oh, a lot of people feel safe in it, that is for

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sure. I think that is a big fan favorite, I enjoy "The Place I Feel Safest" a lot and it is cool to re-visit those songs. Have its flare.

And last year everyone had new releases, scheduled tours, and ready to go, but the pandemic just made everything postponed or canceled.

What do you think are the positive, and negative, sides of this moment?

Negative in the sense that we could have played a lot of shows to support the album.

Which is a huge part of getting the album out there to people. But we were deprived of that because of covid. In the end, having that presence on the internet over covid was a big thing, was a huge part of the band growth. If we got the opportunity to tour these songs more before the record came out and as it came out maybe we would have reached more people, maybe. Still, the reaction is beyond my expectations.

But this is actually a thing when a band releases an album, they wanna go on tour. I kinda feel the recorded songs evolve, or change, after you perform them, doesn’t it?

Yeah, you come up with your adlibs. You think about “if I switch this word a little bit, it will flow a little better”. Sometimes I say something different, but nothing crazy.

Sometimes I hear people saying,

INTERVIEW. CURRENTS

every time they go to the first concert of the tour, and the last one, the song sounds different, more exciting, you know?

A lot of bands get familiar with the songs, after being able to actually play them and see how they go out to the world.

You can like a song on the record, but you play it live and it just doesn’t hit the same way for you or for anybody, and you are like “oh that is ok”. It is what it is, but once you find the songs that people resonate with it in a live setting, that is an exciting thing.

And you released the album “The Way It Ends" during the pandemic, do you think the feelings during the lockdown interfere in the final results of the album?

I don’t know, because the album was already out by that time. I just listen to it like any other record. I don’t think my feelings change with any songs, I still think that the ones I enjoy are the ones I enjoy, and I think everyone has the same idea.

Was hard to work during a pandemic?

So, we haven’t really got it. When we were home, a lot of us just went back to our home jobs. Everybody has their own things they do on the side, but we didn’t

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practice too much since everyone was doing their own things. We were planning things for the band obviously, but you have to keep life moving.

Were there any restrictions in the US that limited your activities? Like can’t go to a studio, can’t gather together to talk about music.

Now that you mentioned, there were times we really wanted to practice and get together, but covid comes with many complications. Personal and with business. You can’t have gatherings of certain sizes in a room, and when you can do it, people don’t feel comfortable doing it yet.

In one of those things, whatever keeps everyone safe and comfortable, that is the most important thing.

Many bands turn to the online mode during covid, like doing meetings online, publishing videos. Did Currents try it?

We have been very quiet online, to be honest. We will post drops, and when we have some shows coming up. What I think is that now is a good time to engage with people online, you should be answering, and talking to people, trying to make that connection.

But wait when you start creating “The Way It Ends"? Before or after

IINTERVIEW. N T E R V I E W . CMISSTIQ URRENTS

the pandemic?

Was before the pandemic. We didn’t have any idea the pandemic was going to happen when we were planning to release the album. We had two singles out, we had announced it, and everyone was waiting for it, so we can’t just say “we gonna delay the album until whatever”, I think this is wrong.

And what is funny is the title of the album, the name is kinda scary, “The Way It Ends”. Especially with so many bands breaking up because they couldn’t afford to continue.

It is kinda funny, because look at the title of the album, is literally about the apocalypse. A few months before it was supposed to come out, things turn bad. We had some time to sit on it, think about it, but it ends up the way it happens. The title was decided, all the arts had been made, everything was done, and then everything shut down. It ends up being all very coincidental.

It is so funny that the album is like the end of everything, and suddenly we have almost the end of everything.

Like a prediction. But how was the feeling when you saw everything being canceled and shutting down?

Was such a nightmare because you just looking at it and thinking “What is happening?” “When it is gonna be normal

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again?” and we are still kinda here.

And you ever thought about stopping activities or going fully online, live streaming, and other stuff?

We thought about the live streams, we saw bands having this online interactive performance. The way I thought we wanted to do it; the budget wasn’t there. Everyone is trying to keep things going, ideas flowing but we couldn’t do something like that the way we wanted to do it. I see bands who just do Twitch streams of their practices, or just sit in a room and play, and sounds great. I think there is a viable way for you just to do that on your own, but until that happens, we already had decided to stay like a live band.

In "The Way It Ends" you bring clean vocals and more subtle tones but also can become heavier and aggressive. How do you manage this balance during each song?

I don’t know, a lot of it comes out from the structure. Chris is a classically trained musician and usually what he does is stir things the way he wants to go, with structure. We look at things like the first chorus and every part has a name and a purpose. I think that is helpful and also helps stir creativity in that way to keep things dynamic and

INTERVIEW. CURRENTS

exciting. You just have to strike that balance that you think sits right, if it sits right with you is hard to think about how other people will feel about it. Because if you are confident about it, and excited, nothing matters.

It comes naturally, right?

Yeah, exactly. And usually, is the best idea.

that

Is very interesting to see how bands have members with a classical background, which is completely opposite to the type of music you do. So how is working with someone with such a different music background?

Is a challenge for me sometimes, because I will always worry that if I say something that is not ‘musically correct’ he will tell me that is wrong, but he doesn’t do that and he is very understanding. He has a lot of experience working with bands now, and he is just the chillest dude ever.

I send him something I am kinda worried about and he comes back to me with constructive things.

So, he always comes with constructive advice to everyone, like “don’t do this” or “do that”?

Yeah, but a lot of it is just encouragement. He won’t pick apart things unless he feels like he needs to, but if he 68 // ROCK MEETING // NOVEMBER. 2021

doesn’t that is great. He has a broad understanding of music, I think all of us have it, but he has a very expanded taste. He always heard the record, always checking new stuff, new music, and many more.

And what about you? Do you search for new releases or go only to a specific type of music?

I kinda go to a specific type of music, I usually listen to more chill music like Circa Survive. Not so much metal, I think that is a good thing because I love metal, and I love alternative music, so when creating I like to bring in my influences to the band if I can.

Do you mean the other members sometimes come and say “nah, this not gonna work”?

I mean, if someone doesn’t like something, they will say it. I think nobody will be holding back their thought if something is not good.

I trust them to let me know when something is not good.

Is interesting that you mentioned you listen to more chill music because sometimes people have this image that metalcore or hardcore bands listen to only the same type of music.

I think a lot of people are that way,

INTERVIEW. CURRENTS

whatever they admit it or not. You can just like one genre of music, but even people who listen to very heavy music also will listen to a lot of light music, rock, pop songs, or even hip-hop.

Everyone has a varied music taste, which is pretty common nowadays. A lot of people listen to a lot of stuff.

I kinda have the feeling that still has people who are like “I like metal, so I can only listen to metal.”

I feel like this type of person exists, but I also feel they are getting behind. Get out of your shell a little bit, go explore.

Yeah, you need a break from listening to the same style over and over. I feel I have this break listening to “The Way It Ends” because you have aggressive songs, but also there is a moment to breathe and enjoy more subtle songs.

I think it is an important part of making a record that works. You don’t have to make big reaches in any direction but as long as you keep things moving, keeping exciting and interesting is ok.

The sky is the limit.

One of the songs that caught my attention is “A Flag to Wave”, which feels like you are looking for a meaning.

Tell me more about how was 70 // ROCK MEETING // NOVEMBER. 2021

working on this song.

When I was writing every line, I was thinking a lot of things. I guess a song will take it to shape as you go along and pick different topics to take meaning from, like inspiration. That one when I wrote it, and I still feel this way, is about us making our movement into the world and being our own entity, so to speak. We had that vision for "The Place I Feel Safest", but we didn’t achieve that, we were still learning so much at that time, we were getting many opportunities, and things just fastened. I think this record was like we are kicking the door in and being like “This is us!”.

Many of your lyrics carry a lot of feelings in them, which many people can relate to. How close are

these lyrics to your own feelings?

I guess in a certain way when I think about it, everyone is looking for something they can get behind and really believe in it. Some people chase religion, but people have something they want to align themselves with it. A meaningful material way. I guess this is kinda my own search for something like that, and that is an ongoing thing for everybody. I think will be cool to have something in common so people can tap into it to be part of something.

That is actually true, we see many comments on your videos saying, “I can relate to that.” How does this make you feel?

It’s awesome, I mean if someone resonates or connects with the music that is

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great. I think that is the thing a miss the most about touring. Connecting with people, talking with them in shows.

Any memorable meeting that stays in with you until now?

A lot of tattoos, that is always awesome. Not much a connection, but this had been in my mind recently, that is a family that comes out and has their very young sons coming to a lot of metal concerts. I didn’t see their last concert I know they were there, but that family absolutely shout out. Any family who brings their kids to the shows I think is pretty cool.

That is actually awesome! But is scary too, because metal and hardcore shows normally have mosh pits and all.

Yeah, you have to stay safe,

have your earmuffs.

Your second album has impressive numbers on streaming services, one of the songs has more than 5.5 million plays. Did you ever imagine getting these numbers? How do you feel about it?

Nah., I mean you set goals for yourself in a way, but that is way beyond my expectations.

And Currents is doing great, playing in festivals, and going to Europe to tour with Crystal Lake, how is the feeling?

Oh my god, it is always in the dreams, and you imagine it in your head. It is cool.

I remember the last time he didn’t get the offer to go to Europe, and you keep thinking “that will be so nice” and then it happens. The culture shock is cool, like traveling was I think that I didn’t do much before the band, I never been to Europe, so it is a great opportunity to just experience things. And I am so excited to see Crystal Lake again, they are such an amazing band and nice people.

Especially at festivals, you play for such a wide range of people.

Absolutely, at these festivals, you have such a different demographic fan who will normally come. I don’t know, is pretty cool, plus you have bands. You

INTERVIEW. CURRENTS

always think about “who will catch your set”. You have the chance to meet so many people, you can see old friends, just getting to see your friend passing by is just great.

You are now going back to the stages, doing concerts, and connecting with the fans once again. How are you dealing with it? Feeling nervous, excited?

Is a mix of feelings. Kinda bring some excitement in a way but also feel like we are starting over again.

Just getting through all the covid thing it feels like a reawakening sort of thing. I still get the nerves before going to the stage. Before covid I didn’t care, I just walk up, but now I get worked up a bit. I think is because we stayed away from the stage for almost a year and a half.

And what is next for Currents?

We just writing, doing lives as we can. We have more tour announcements coming up, but we can’t say much. I am definitely excited about the Europe tour; Cascade was announced as a guest. But so far, that is what I can say.

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MAIN. AXTY

BY MURILO DA ROSA PHOTOGRAPHY FELIPE HERVOSO/

A

nxiety is a corrosive feeling, present in the daily lives of many of us. However, through the suffering that this goes through, we can find a way to protest, using this destructive entity to create a force to manifest through the power of music.

Born in São Paulo and already achieving international recognition, the band AXTY exhibits the technical potential of its members without vulgarity or arrogance, making it clear that the important thing is to talk to others, with those who listen and share those same feelings, fueling the desire to scream and expressing everything that gets stuck in our mind and soul.

With the lineup now complete, following the highlight of the new singles and the album that is on the way, the Rock Meeting staff exchanged an idea with the gang of this promising Progressive Metalcore band, which through its authenticity unites elements of heavy rock with hip-hop and the trap. Check out how this chat went.

Metalcore has become one of the styles of extreme music with the greatest worldwide spread, either because of its proximity to the public or because of its sound identity. For you, how was the choice of

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MAIN. AXTY

this specific subgenre?

It was something natural, as we have bands from this side of metal as the main influences. Since the band's inception until today, we've sought to create songs that are an extension of what we like and admire, so we ended up orbiting around that subgenre.

Besides, you are totally independent, that is, all the planning and production of the band are by the members themselves.

What is it like to maintain such a notorious and constant activity on your own like that?

It's challenging and very rewarding, with lots of hits and misses. Doing it all by yourself forced a quick maturation, but it takes a lot of time too, so it takes a lot of dedication. We treat the band as a company, we divide the tasks internally and everyone in the band takes the responsibilities very seriously, and for three members it's a full-time job,

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Felipe Hervoso, Felipi Grivol and Jonathas Peschiera, who even created a deal with the band. knowledge acquired during this process: Noiseforge Productions, audiovisual production and digital marketing aimed at independent artists and bands.

In your visual identity, you also bring a lot of references from other bands in this universe, national and international. For you, how does AXTY's visual concept dialogue with fans?

In the same way that our fans identify with our visual concept, we are fans of other bands in this universe, and we identify and seek a visual identity that is similar. We are always analyzing what our idols are doing, how they are doing it, and translating it to

our reality, without violating personal values and blending all of this with the cultural and regional aspects that we share with our fans.

After the consolidation of the group as a quintet, we also see a much broader and more authentic identity construction, demonstrated in its most recent releases.

What evolution do you see in AXTY from the beginning until now?

In the beginning, the songs were more focused on instrumental virtuosity. Over time, we realized that the listener's main connection point with the music is the voice, what is being sung, the emotion that is being expressed. From there, that became the focus. The instrumental is not less important, but its function is to create the atmosphere, the scenario that will enable and direct this expression. The fact of increasing the numbe of members also increases the range of in-

fluences, we tested elements from other musical genres (pop, trap, hip-hop, deathcore, etc.) in different songs, so there was an evolution in the creative process and in how to incorporate these elements to bring innovations to our sound.

The group has already released two music videos that feature individual performances by group members, drummer Gabriel Vacari and vocalist Felipe Hervoso. In your view, how do materials of this type interact with the band's audience?

The idea of playthrough, as the music interpretation videos are called, is to give a greater focus on the instrument in question, so the audience that interacts with this content ends up being people who also play the instrument, or who have greater

MAIN. AXTY

curiosity by playing the songs. It's a way to bring musician and audience together, without the conceptual charge that official music videos have.

The quintet has already had its musical style compared to great international Metalcore names, mainly regarding the technical quality of the group as a whole. What are your main influences for AXTY songwriting?

Our main influences within metalcore are Bring Me the Horizon, Architects, Wage War, Dayseeker and Polaris.

The music videos are also very expressive, as are the songs themselves. In “What I’ve Become” and “Walk Away” we see a contrast in re80 // ROCK MEETING // NOVEMBER. 2021

lation to the color palette, in which one comes closer to pink and vivid tones, and in the other we have a darker filter. How do these versions talk to specific songs?

We always define a palette for each video clip, and this extends to all art related to that release, the colors help to reinforce feelings and we try to use that to our advantage. In ‘What I’ve Become’ the idea was to contrast originally happy motifs (balloons and toys) with the sad sound and theme of the song. We used the contrast of light pink color with the heavy sound, as usually metal bands use darker palettes, focusing on black as a representation of the style's sound, so we wanted to get away from that. In ‘Walk Away’ we reinforced the black and gold

colors to emphasize the luxury of the location where we recorded. The lyrics talk about leaving a situation or person, so we wanted to convey that feeling of wanting to leave, despite the beauty and apparent perfection of the place.

Even inserted in the Metalcore universe, the band also uses a lot of Hip-Hop and Trap elements in their songs, giving an even more authentic face to their songs. How did you come up with the idea of blending these elements into the essence of your songs?

We like to listen to these styles too and we always seek to innovate in our sound, so we decided to explore with this combination. The repercussion was really good, so

it's something we should explore again in the future.

In 2020, you released the single “Dark Eyes”, which features Scotty Overdose, who contributes a hiphop verse to the song, adding to the aggressive feel of the sound. How did this partnership come about?

We met Scotty through Instagram, he was a very talented rising artist in the niche, with work already out, but still accessible. We sent him a message with the idea of participation, and everything flowed in the best possible way. His excerpt in "Dark Eyes" was perfect, gave a new look to the sound.

The single “What I’ve Become”

M A I N . A X T Y MISSTIQ INTERVIEW.

so far is the one with the highest number of plays on the Spotify platform. In the lyrics, you work a lot with delicate and intimate issues of each and every individual.

What are the main themes implicit in the speech of this song?

Music is about acceptance, overcoming and persistence. It's about looking back and understanding that the traumas that took place, and what seemed like the end of the world at the time, had a positive spin and helped shape who we are today. It's about remembering that we are alive, despite these traumas, and that we must always move forward.

On the EP of “What I’ve Become”, we have an introduction titled Look, which precedes the theme song. Next, we have the original music and other versions of it in 82 // ROCK MEETING // NOVEMBER. 2021

different styles, such as Unplugged, Lofi and instrumental. What was your idea of giving these different versions to this song?

We wanted to make an EP around this song, explore other possibilities with it.

The idea of the intro already existed and from it came the Lo-fi version. The acoustic version was obvious too, as the song already resembles a ballad originally. To complete the EP, we've also included an instrumental version.

You guys did a singles and EP release campaign. With the path already trodden, we now know “Helpless”, the debut album. Adding heavier songs, and having the participation of Mi Vieira (Gloria), how has the repercussion been?

The repercussion is very good! The song

"Until We Die" entered two official playlists curated by Spotify (with that we had 4 songs from the album that were selected for official playlists) and the album has already surpassed the 600,000 streaming mark. The feedback we've received is very positive and despite it being a heterogeneous album (we range from deathcore to pop-punk in songs), most people have said they liked it in its entirety.

ten to it. There are strong influences from the sound of Wage War and together with 'A Perfect Son', it is one of the songs where we use the most different effects (glitches) on the guitar, exploring as much as possible the types of sounds that we can get from the instrument. About the weight, we also brought it to the lyrics, which are more aggressive and one of the few on the album that has content labeled as explicit.

“(IN)s4n1ty” is by far the heaviest track on the “Helpless” album. With a strong nu metal influence, you bring in modern elements and add an AXTY touch to the sound. Tell us a little about this song.

This song was conceived with the premise of being intense, direct, fast and have a fast-paced and catchy groove, one of those that is difficult to stand still when you lis-

“Your Eyes” is a bilingual song featuring Mi Vieira (Gloria). There are many bands that sing in different languages and that succeed. How was the process to harmonize Portuguese and English?

The process took place in a very natural way: we defined the parts of the song where Mi would participate and we left him totally free to create his parts, which

MAIN. AXTY

was done in two meetings between the bands. As most of his career consists of works in Portuguese, we already imagined that we would have this mix of languages in music, but we don't see this as a problem. The result was great and we hope that with this song our audience (which is mostly foreign) gets to know Gloria and that Gloria fans get to know our work.

tional market, it is necessary to make the songs in English. That's the main point.

Communication must also be internationalized, and marketing actions focused on this market. For the rest, it's the same as for the national scenario: focusing on quality and persistence, knowing that things don't happen overnight and that it's necessary to insist.

The band started here in Brazil, in São Paulo, and today you are already present in important editorial playlists on streaming platforms such as Spotify. Any tips to inspire other national artists who wish to follow the same paths?

If the intention is to reach the interna-

You were selected as one of the artists to participate in the Top 10 Brazil for the second stage of Vans Musician Wanted, along with other big names in our heavy and alternative rock market. What is it like to be part of such an important event?

We were completely taken by surprise! We

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registered for the event, but without much hope of selection, as the event covers the entire national territory and for all styles, not just metal. So, it was an immense joy to receive the news that we were in the top10.

This recognition by companies that promote musical events is very important to the scene and helped a lot in the dissemination of our work.

We are super happy and looking forward to it! Expectations are the best possible, making our debut show sharing an event with the greatest metalcore band on the national scene is the realization of a dream and a declaration that we are on the right path, that all efforts and sacrifices are worth it.

We are very grateful to the people at Gloria, especially Mi Vieira, who besides being

And now, in December 2021, AXTY will open for Gloria's concert, along with the band Little Quake. What are the expectations for this great festival, together with one of the most notorious bands in Brazilian Metalcore? Thank you for your receptivity

an amazing musician is a simple guy who

and success on this new journey!

ful for the invitations made. A hug, AXTY.

has helped us a lot and has a heart the size of the world. Many thanks to all of you at Rock Meeting, for the space and support you have given us in this beginning of our career! You do a great job, and we are grate-

INTERVIEW. ACHROME

“TO BRING OUR MUSIC AROUND THE WORLD”

ACHROME

BY MURILO DA ROSA PHOTOGRAPHY PROMOTION

86 // ROCK MEETING // NOVEMBER. 2021

ARTICLE. ACHROME

I

n troubled moments, sometimes the best way out is to scream, scream and scream some more.

Let our spirit speak and our revolt tear the words. As said by the people of the band Achrome: “(...) we can't wait to scream our songs along with the audience...”.

And with this energy that the Progressive Metalcore band agreed to exchange an idea with Rock Meeting.

With the recent release of two singles and an album on the way, the Italian-born group is keen to tackle tough and important issues in synergy with the audience.

Deep lyrics, engaging verses and a robust and electrifying instrumental line, Achrome foments listeners' revolt against moral inaccuracies and raises awareness about delicate and tangible themes, through torn vocals, riffs, and intense drum lines, followed by striking choruses and catchy. Check out the chat that these guys had with us, taking advantage of the hype that these new materials left us, fans, and listeners.

Now with the complete formation, Achrome is resuming activities and preparing for a new

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phase in the band's career. As for the beginning of the story, what was it like for you to become the band you are currently?

It has been difficult during these years to get to the point where we are now, we have faced many difficult situations, we have started from scratch and after so many sacrifices and so much effort we have reached the point where we are. But this is just the beginning for us, we are continuing to work hard to improve ourselves and try to bring our music around the world.

The group hasn’t performed since the COVID 19 pandemic began. But now, you have a new full schedule, getting closer and closer to getting back on stage. How does it feel to be able to scream with the audience after such a long time?

We haven’t had a chance to get back to playing live yet, but we are looking forward to

ARTICLE. ACHROME

90 // ROCK MEETING // NOVEMBER. 2021

coming back more charged than ever and can’t wait to scream with the audience our songs. After almost two years of stop from live for us will be like the first time. Returning to the stage and feeling the warmth of the audience are the main goal of this year.

Achrome is another pillar within the multiculturality represented and defended by international Metal, mainly Metalcore. For you guys, what is it like to be part of this worldwide entity?

Being part of this scene is a bit like being part of a big family. Being a small reality, you can create a nice bond with both other bands and your audience. As for the technical aspect since we started playing the thing that fascinated us about this genre is the mix that is created between heavy riffs, screams and melodic refrains.

Your first EP is called Inferno, it has 5 excellent tracks and is already completing 3 years since its release. From that time until then, what evolution do you feel in Achrome's musicality?

Over time we have always experienced and written what came from within. In terms of evolution with the new songs we have raised the level both in the search for new sounds and in writing, taking in-

spiration from different genres such as pop, Trap and of course metal.

In the lyrics, is quite present the members' position regarding internal conflicts such as insecurity, uncertainty, and anguish, common in the daily lives of many. In what way does the band seek to reach the public with its proposal?

With our texts we try to express what each of us has surely spent at least once in our lives, always looking for different points of view and making sure that anyone who reads our texts can identify with them.

You have two new singles this year, with "Bury Me (Let Me Sleep)" being the latest to be released. In this song, the group uses predominantly melodic excerpts, with some more aggressive ones, giving an immersive aesthetic to the song.

How was the process of building this single?

We started with the idea of creating a melancholy but also aggressive piece that would fully describe the two states of mind that this period of pandemic caused us. At a technical level we started with the idea of creating a piece that mixed very melodic parts with heavy and aggressive breakdown, but still in-

ARTICLE. ACHROME

tended not only for those who listen to this genre but also for those who come out for the first time.

The single “Bury Me (Let Me Sleep)” also won a music video promoted

by Spaceuntravel. Dialogue with the song, the clip has an atmospheric construction that gives an idea of comfort amidst the chaos of our mind. Which concepts were most considered in the elaboration of this film?

The video describes a situation of deep loneliness and depression, caused by a historical moment that none of us could have foreseen. The video was filmed with the idea of bringing to light what each of us has tried in himself at least once in a lifetime.

Another recent work is the song “DROPZ”, mixing the weight with the sentimentality implicit in the song.

The main theme to be dealt with in this single is the constant struggle with an individual's depression, but beyond that, what other messages are part of this work?

The message that we wanted to launch with Dropz was to fight depression without the help of drugs that do not really save you from it, but that put it on pause for a

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short time to then make you fall back into the state where you were.For this the best thing is always to get help and look with all your own forces to get out. We have chosen a more aggressive writing method for Dropz precisely to launch this type of message in the most appropriate way.

The videoclip for “DROPZ” presents a narrative with two characters who are constantly chased by dark and degrading specters, one of them being the very weight of the band itself.

How was transmitting the message of music through audiovisual?

With Dropz for the first time we have experienced the use of actors to fully convey our message. Thanks to their expertise we recreated the perfect scenario for Dropz, giving the video that sense of anxiety and loneliness recreated by the set design around the actors.

The heavy drops of the songs come as a punch in the face of reality, joining the intense and progressive lyrics and also use cosmic and electronic effects, reinforcing the authenticity of its materials. What musical and/ or personal influences contribute to Achrome's identity?

There are many bands and musical genres that in these years have formed our style, although with each song we try to mix vari-

ARTICLE. ACHROME

ous genres. Surely two bands that have inspired us from the beginning are Bring me the horizon and Architects.

You promote the empowerment of others in the face of these feelings and afflictions that disturb the daily lives of many people, as a message to stand firm and never abandon hope.

For you, in what way has Metalcore become a means of propagating this ideal?

In our opinion, the scream can fully convey that sense of anger, frustration, and anguish that many people try to express and throw out but sometimes do not have the strength to do so. Thanks to this kind of music, they can vent.

With two overwhelming new singles and provocative music videos, the band resumes activities with its consolidated identity. What else is coming? Thank you very much for your receptivity and continue with this unique essence!

We are about to release a new single that we conceived during the quarantine period, we put in all the frustration experienced in that period and we hope to be able to play it live as soon as possible. Thank you for the opportunity, it was a pleasure for us to be interviewed. Greetings from the Achrome!

94 // ROCK MEETING // NOVEMBER. 2021