Today, we're excited to sit down with the anonymous multi-instrumentalist behind Brazen Forgery, a rising metal project that has been turning heads with its unique blend of doom and gothic metal, classical music, and more. Conceived during the pandemic isolation, Brazen Forgery has quickly gained a following with its haunting melodies, dynamic instrumentation, and genre-defying approach to music-making. With its introspective and atmospheric themes, Brazen Forgery's music has been described as a musical journey that blends the heavy and the ethereal. Join us as we delve into the creative process behind Brazen Forgery's music, the challenges of making music during the pandemic, and what the future holds for this exciting new project.
Brazen Forgery is my personal solo project that has been waiting for the right time to mature into finished music. Musically and sound-wise, it reflects who I am at my core. The roots of Brazen Forgery's music date back over 25 years, but some of the tracks are composed completely just recently. When it comes to the soundscape and atmosphere, I've always been drawn to a darker, more somber tone, which is why elements of doom metal, classical music, and film scores are integral to my project. It was a natural progression for me to combine these elements into a soundscape that echoes like a funeral mass in a grand cathedral.
2.What was the biggest challenge you faced while creating music during the pandemic isolation, and how did you overcome it?
Since I independently produced my first album, the coronavirus restrictions didn't cause much harm; in fact, they had quite the opposite effect. The pandemic was actually the reason why I was able to bring my solo project to life. When I couldn't play music with others and my lifestyle was limited to being stationary, I suddenly had the time to revisit my old songs and began creating music based on them.
3.Your music blends different genres and styles, from doom and gothic metal to classical music. How do you approach mixing and balancing these elements in your music?
My music tends to be "thick," with numerous elements and instruments featured in each song. As a result, I mix the music as a whole, prioritizing the overall sound rather than, say, the guitar tone. The challenge lies in the fact that some songs on the album rely heavily on orchestration, while others are primarily driven by the band instruments. Despite this, I aim for all the songs to sound cohesive and as if they belong on the same album.
4.Your music often features grand horns and orchestration. What role does classical music play in your creative process?
Brass instruments hold a special place in the music of Brazen Forgery. The name itself is a play on words, one meaning of which is related to the Bronze Age and the religious and administrative development of that era. That's why we still associate brass instruments with holiness and divinity in our imagination and art. Even in the Bible's Book of Revelation, archangels blow trumpets on judgement day. What could be a more fitting soundscape for music that flirts with destruction and the end of time?
In the creative process, orchestrations are involved from the very beginning, as soon as new music begins playing in my head. I usually hear the complete music with both the band instruments and orchestrations, and the rest of the musical process involves reproducing the sound I hear in my head as faithfully as possible in its final form.
5.Your music has been described as introspective and atmospheric. Can you tell us more about how you convey emotions and atmosphere through your music?
I believe that I am a self-aware and observant person, and these qualities can be heard in my music as well. When it comes to music and striving for perfection, I am quite hard on myself, and at times, even unreasonable. However, I hope that in the end, listeners can hear that my music and the emotions and atmosphere it holds was produced exactly as it was intended, with attention paid to even the smallest details.
6.How do you see Brazen Forgery's sound evolving in the future?
I have a very open-minded approach to music and enjoy listening to a wide variety of genres, ranging from jazz and progressive rock to classical and black metal. I don't want to repeat myself, so it's quite possible that Brazen Forgery's music will evolve and take on a different shape for the next release. I'm not quite sure how yet, as I still have old unused material in my drawer, and the new music playing in my head is quite distinct from what I've done before. It remains to be seen.
7.As an anonymous multi-instrumentalist, how do you balance the creative aspects of music-making with the more business-oriented side of promoting your project?
I am a relatively private person, and at the same time, I want my music to speak for itself. However, this presents its own set of challenges when it comes to marketing, as an artist's appeal is not just about their music but also about their persona. In my case this leads to focusing on creativity and musical freedom at the expense of marketing. As a solo artist who performs under a different name, I don't feel the same pressure to constantly produce new content and put my entire personality on display.
8.Your music has been described as "genre-defying." How do you feel about genre labels and how they are used to classify music?
I appreciate being described as "genre-defying" as it reflects my open-mindedness towards different styles of music. However, I believe that genre labels can be limiting and restrictive, and that music should be appreciated for its individual qualities rather than conforming to a specific genre. While genre labels may help people and algorithms to discover more music similar to what they already enjoy, it also runs the risk of reinforcing echo chambers of opinions, similar to social media bubbles. In my opinion, it would be better for all of us if we didn't label things so easily.
9.Can you walk us through your songwriting process? How do you typically go from an idea to a finished song?
In my mind, parts of songs often come together as a complete arrangement, with different instruments, melodies, and stems ready to be used as part of the song. Usually, a guitar riff or a piano melody is the first thing that comes to mind, and I start composing the song from there, either by picking up the guitar or playing the piano. Since the music already plays as a complete arrangement in my mind, I try to quickly capture it in some form in my DAW and complete it track by track. I don't create demos, but rather fully-formed song structures, which I then start to enhance with real instruments once the song's structure, lyrics, and melodies are complete.
10.Your project is still relatively new, but it has already attracted fans of metal and beyond. How do you hope to expand your audience in the future?
While I certainly hope that my music will reach as many people as possible, the creation process itself and releasing my songs into the world has been the most important aspect for me. This journey has also been a significant learning experience, particularly in terms of composing, singing, and producing music. I don't have high expectations for my music to gain a large following because new music is constantly being created in huge amounts every minute. However, if just one listener can experience something beautiful, unique, and empowering while listening to my music, that would be wonderful.
11.Your music tackles themes of introspection and sorrow. What draws you to these themes, and how do you hope your music resonates with listeners?
The lyrics of my music focus on the timeless truths and lies of humanity, exploring the relationship between religion, politics and war. Against the backdrop of our world today, where worldviews, religions, and political ideologies are increasingly on a collision course, I hope my listeners can find some solace in my lyrics and themes, realizing that even if civilizations crumble, life itself will persist in some form. Perhaps even in a better form than we know it now.
12.What can fans expect from Brazen Forgery in the coming months, and do you have any upcoming live shows or tours planned?
The fact that Brazen Forgery is a solo project means that there are currently no plans to perform live, unless I manage to clone myself and have a symphony orchestra perform with me. In the meantime, my focus will be on creating new music and potentially releasing a single or even another album. The future is uncertain, but I am excited to see where the creative process takes me.
https://linktr.ee/brazenforgery
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