9 minute read
INFECTED RAIN
BY MURILO DA ROSA PHOTOGRAPHY VICTORIA WONKA
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With almost 15 years on the road, the authentic group from Moldova Infected Rain has just released what is certainly one of their most definitive works then. With its genuine mix between Nu Metal, Melodic Death Metal and Metalcore, but still maintaining a unique and indescribable identity, the band led by the powerful Lena Scissorhands still has musicians who have been proving to be legitimate masters of New Metal - bassist Vladimir Babici, drummer Eugen Voluta and guitarists Vadim “Vidick” Ojog and Serghei Babici. Gather with the release of its newest album - a masterpiece that discusses living with modern social terror, in addition to traumas and ghosts of the past - we from Rock Meeting managed to exchange some thoughts with Lena which dye’s modern metal with its dark and avant-garde genius. Check it out!
Infected Rain has almost 15 years of career and in that time you guys have experienced some changes. Evaluating the band’s journey, what is your analysis of this period until now?
Lena - I would say that, besides it being a really hard working and struggling journey, it was the most beautiful thing we did
for ourselves as people in the first place. When I say this, I mean that music and specifically Infected Rain with its adventures and supporters gave us a purpose and determination.
Belonging to a scene that’s not well known worldwide yet, Infected Rain puts Moldova at the forefront of the New Metal universe. How did you stand out in a country with little reference in Metal?
We never thought about it that way. We just followed our dreams and made music from our heart. We knew that this is what we want, and we will do it no matter what for as long as we can. Our determination brought us where we are right now, and I know there is more to come.
Full of references to different musical styles, in addition to Metal, also having Hip Hop and electronic elements in its lore, “Ecdysis” is a reflection of this mix of genres. Where this idea of mixing such musical elements came from?
This is not new to our band; we mixed styles and sounds since the very first album. We always loved it and we think that by mixing genres like that we are able to achieve specific emotions and deliver them more accurately.
In the album’s narrative, we notice an interesting structure that establishes for the listener a passage, which trills through the two parts of “Postmortem” (Pt. 1 and Pt. 2). How important is this narrative concept to the album’s discourse? It’s not the most important part of the album however, we really wanted to bring the listener to the mood of the beginning
of the album. Almost like, closing the circle where it started.
Among some of the themes discussed in “Ecdysis”, there are such as the weight of guilt, the consequences of our actions and ghosts of the past. Besides these, what other subjects are consisted in this new album?
The subjects are very diverse you are right. Depression and fear of abandonment are some of the subjects also, the search, the constant search for something better something else.
Among the songs that stood out the most so far, there’s the overwhelming “The Realm of Chaos”, in which you have the iconic collaboration of Heidi Shepherd from Butcher Babies. How did the idea for this partnership come about?
We never planned this. That idea was born when we were listening to the raw versions of the songs and analyzing them. We thought about this song and one other being perfect for a collaboration. Naturally and organically, I thought about my friend Heidi from the Butcher babies. It was a perfect choice and, she absolutely loved the idea right away.
In the videoclips compilation, “Postmortem Pt. 1”, “Longing” and “The Realm of Chaos”, the artistic conception emphasizes cold colors in contrast to the Gothic and surrealist aesthetics. What’s the importance of this harmony for the transmission of the music’s message?
This was only because we wanted to set a certain mood for the videos. A mood that is definitely connected to the message of the lyrics as well as the visuals themselves. We care a lot about our visuals just like we care a lot about our sound and the music itself that’s why, every single detail
is important. The color and light sources are one of the best vehicles to deliver or underline a mood.
With a long tour coming up, how are you guys feeling about returning to the stage after this troubled period of the pandemic? What’s your expectation? Thank you very much. Success and we hope to see you in Brazil.
We never have any expectations when he comes to touring and people. We are extremely happy to get back on doing what we love. Traveling and sharing our music around the world makes us very happy so we are very excited.
MONUMENTS
BY PEI FON PHOTOGRAPHY JOESETH CARTER
Since the change of vocalist, all the fans have been waiting for a new album from the British Monuments. “In Stasis” was released in April with very high expectations and, you can be sure, surprised! Making a joke with the album’s name (but also with that bit of truth in it), this new Monuments play takes the listener to ecstasy. It’s a sound journey that transcends any expectations, it’s much better than you can imagine, truth be told! With the arrival of Andy Cizek, the (now) quartet, together with John Browne, Adam Swan and Mike Malyan, is much more comfortable and this is felt in the ten songs that make up the new play. “In Stasis” shows how much Andy’s arrival left the environment favorable for new experiments and the result of this will be seen on this album and the next ones, and the band already says “that there is much more where it came from in the rest of the recordings”. Rock Meeting had the privilege of talking to Andy again and finding out about this news and what’s to come.
After a period away from the stages and without releasing a full album,
you present “In Stasis”. Flirting with the album name, what level of ecstasy do you want listeners to reach?
Andrew - The highest level!! We hope the listeners achieve a receive a healthy dose of aggression, passion, catharsis, and balance. Basically, we hope you have a blast listening to it.
“In Stasis” is the first full-length with Andy Cizek. When listening to the new album, the impression it gives is that he was always in the band, there is a particularly good synergy. How much freedom did he have to build this new album?
Thanks! Andy had full freedom over his vocals for the album, as well as contributing broadly to the songs as a whole. I’d say we all had an equal amount of freedom during the writing process. Each member would sort of run their own way with each song, and then we’d come together and work on the songs together. It was a very collaborative and synergetic process.
In a speech by Mike about Andy’s involvement in the composition, he says that now the songs make more sense. And I can reaffirm this in the
first few minutes of “No One will Teach You”. Can it be said that Andy brought the versatility you needed?
Without a doubt. His dynamics and personality definitely bring something fresh to the table. I think Andy helped us refine our songwriting approach to create a more cohesive and structured body of work.
I dare say that “In Stasis” is a collection of mathematical riffs, surreal vocals and enveloping atmospheres that enrapture the listener. Is this the sum you expect us to have?
Couldn’t have said it better ourselves! We were hoping to deliver a dynamic yet balanced experience.
“No One Will Teach You” has the participation of one of the main names in the world of games, composer Mick Gordon. How was this partnership born? Tell us a little about this writing process.
We were fortunate enough to enlist Mick Gordon for the entire record! This partnership came from Browne who already had a pre-existing friendship with Mick. They both had immense respect and admiration for each other’s crafts, so asking him to write the record with us was a no-brainer. Luckily, he was stoked on
the idea, and we were able to work closely with Mick throughout the whole album process (which was an absolute dream).
“Arch Essence” has intense melodic dialogues between Andy and Spencer Sotelo, another cameo in “In Stasis”. How did his name come up to be present in this song?
Spencer is another amazing talent that we’re fortunate enough to have a pre-existing relationship with. Andy felt strongly about having him on the song, and Spencer was up for the task! He’s previously been featured on our track “Denial” from our first full-length, so having him back for In Stasis felt just like coming home.
The mixing of the new album has the signature of George Lever who helped to sharpen the sound and thus brought a new beginning to Monuments. Can we say that you already have a basis for new songs in the future?
It’s safe bet to assume that Monuments and George Lever have a future working together.
Andy’s vocal melody combined with Browne’s riffs on “Cardinal Red” won me over. With almost
700k plays, it is not difficult to understand how this song fell in the listener’s taste. How are you analyzing these numbers?
We are blown away by the response, and incredibly grateful to our listeners for spinning the track. We are happy to say that there is plenty more where that came from on the rest of the record!
Intense and fast, “Collapse” is one of the songs that the fans will like. Each stanza is a mix of distinct emotions that come together in the chorus. I
wonder what it would be like on the show... this song will be on the setlist, right?
All I can definitively say is that you will hear it live at some point or another. Other than that, our lips are sealed.
Now as a quartet, what can we expect from this new Monuments? Success always and we hope to see you in Brazil. Thank you!
We are eager to continue evolving in this new chapter of the band. You can expect more content, more tours, and more tunes from us moving forward. Thank you for the interview, and thanks to our fans for your continued support!
