Parham Gharavaisi, a solo artist, discusses his musical evolution from instrumental to Melodic Gothic/Doom Metal. Dive into his thematic depth, creative process, and upcoming albums, exploring genres and storytelling.
1.
Parham, your musical journey started as a solo instrumental project in 2019.
How has your artistic vision evolved since then, leading to the transition into
Metal, specifically Melodic Gothic/Doom Metal?
Well, the metal genre, especially its old-school sound, has always been my main
passion and what I aimed to create since I started my musical journey. But at
the same time, I grew up listening to video game soundtracks, and that's
definitely left its mark on me. That's why my debut album was just instrumental
soundscapes, kind of to get it out of the way, you know? Afterwards, I released
a couple of gothic rock albums since I was really into the gothic atmosphere
and its sound. Once I got the hang of music production and all the digital
tools available, I fully transitioned into the metal genre and have been mostly
putting out metal records since.
2. Your music is known for its thematic depth, exploring human nature,
philosophy, and sociopolitics. How do these themes inspire and shape the
composition process for your albums?
As an author and scholar of literature and philosophy, I find the human mind
quite fascinating, a sentiment some might consider intense. This fascination
naturally extends to social and political concepts. I tend to write only when I
have something specific to say or when there's an idea I need to express; the
idea always takes precedence. I view elements of language, like words and even
phonemes, as pieces of a puzzle I'm assembling. The big picture is the concept
I'm trying to convey. The challenge lies in choosing which pieces to pick and
how to put them together. Music, in this sense, serves as a vehicle that
transports the ideas encapsulated in words across the bridge of entertainment,
if that metaphor makes sense. You get the idea! Although writing lyrics and
recording vocals is the final part of my creative process, it's the most
significant step in my mind.
3. Your debut album, "Identity Cipher," was instrumental, while
subsequent releases incorporated vocals and evolved into different rock and
metal styles. How did this evolution come about, and what prompted the shift in
your musical approach?
Other than being a nod to the video game soundtracks I grew up listening to,
the challenges of production also played a significant role in my
decision-making process. I found programming drums particularly challenging for
a long time, as I never had a background or specific interest in percussion
instruments; melody has always been my forte, I guess. As you know, drums,
especially the kick and snare, play a central role in metal and rock genres,
both literally and figuratively. Without a strong drum presence, it's difficult
to achieve the intended impact of these genres. As my skills in programming and
mixing drums relatively improved, I gradually moved closer to metal and further
away from my atmospheric roots. In my more recent records, I decided to feature
synths more prominently to recapture some of that old atmospheric charm.
4. Can you share the creative process behind your album "The Roundest
Cube" (2022)? What were the influences and inspirations that drove the
creation of this particular record?
The Roundest Cube is the album where I fully embraced philosophy and
sociopolitics, and even now, I believe it features some of my best lyrics,
aside from my upcoming albums, of course. The title track, The Roundest Cube,
delves into the power of abstract ideas and the inherent conflict within them.
Ethereal Spark and Catharsis both explore introspective themes. Subsistence is
about perseverance in the face of a cold and indifferent world. Chrysalis, one
of my personal favorites, addresses the unrealistic beauty norms in society and
their corrupting influence. Dissect the Dissent portrays political turmoil and
the potential for civil war. Deathwish is inspired by one of my all-time
favorite video games, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl. Last but not least,
The Eldest Fear is a tribute to the works of H.P. Lovecraft, particularly The
Call of Cthulhu. I am a huge fan of Lovecraft, who is my favorite author.
5. "Prodigy" (2022) is one of your metal releases. How do you approach incorporating elements of Gothic and Doom into your metal compositions, and what challenges or rewards come with blending these genres?
Prodigy is, in fact, my first concept album that narrates a story. The album is set in a world where certain individuals, known as Prodigies, possess the unique ability to transfer their consciousness across time and space into another human being's body. However, this ability comes with a heavy price. Every time it's triggered, the Prodigy is compelled to experience the entirety of someone else's life from start to finish, as a mere observer with no influence. They witness every moment from cradle to grave, unable to escape, while the person whose life they inhabit remains unaware of the Prodigy's presence. The protagonist of this story is a Prodigy who lacks control over their power. Their ability is involuntarily triggered by looking into a mirror, which then transports and traps them inside the mind of another person. They are forced to watch that person's entire life unfold until their death, powerless to intervene or alter the course of events.
Each song on the album explores the various lives and experiences this unnamed protagonist endures. The narrative builds towards a tragic conclusion where, spoiler alert, the protagonist, overwhelmed by the relentless cycle of lives they've witnessed, decides to end their own life in an attempt to break free. Tragically, this act doesn't bring release but instead results in the protagonist being eternally trapped in a cycle of life and death where they are condemned to endlessly and simultaneously experience every human life, suffering through each existence without respite or escape.
6. "P4R4SYTE-C0RE" (2023) has a unique title. Can you provide some
insights into the concept and themes explored in this album, and how they
relate to the overall narrative of your musical journey?
P4R4SYTE-C0RE is my only album with a stylized title. The main reason for this
was to create a distinct presence in search results. Ironically, choosing song
and album titles is one of the most daunting tasks for me, as it seems every
combination of words from any dictionary has already been taken a thousand
times over by countless other bands! It's challenging for a song title to stand
out in searches if it's been used multiple times before. The title of this
album was particularly significant to me, so to maintain its essence while
ensuring uniqueness, I opted to stylize it.
As for the songs themselves, here's a brief overview of their major themes: The
title track, Parasite Core (if you could call it that), is a cynical reflection
on the nature of humanity. Words on a Page was initially inspired by Ruvik, the
main antagonist of the video game The Evil Within. This inspiration shifted
when I decided to dedicate another song entirely to this game, which later
became Beacon on my next album. Yesterday 2.0 delves into the advent of AI and
our evolving role in an increasingly digital world. Mediator will resonate with
those struggling in a dead-end job they despise. Unus Sol... Radiant Still is
about resilience. Philosophers' Stone explores humanity's fascination with
immortality. Become as Angels examines escapism. Finally, Abstract271 speaks
out against the corrosive nature of postmodernist ideology.
7. You have an upcoming album titled "The Video Game Album"
(2024). Can you give us a sneak peek into the concept behind this album and how
it differs from your previous works?
As a huge gaming nerd who grew up playing video games, creating The Video Game
Album is something I've always dreamed of. I've always wanted to dedicate an
entire album just to my favorite games. Musically, it features some of my
heaviest tracks to date, predominantly in the melodic metalcore genre. Each
song is dedicated to one of my favorite video games and largely retells its
plot. SOLDIER draws inspiration from Final Fantasy VII, World of Terror is
based on Deus Ex, To Die a Colossus echoes the narrative of Dark Souls II,
Beacon is inspired by The Evil Within, Eve Color pays homage to Parasite Eve
and The 3rd Birthday, Wishgranter is influenced by Twist Metal, Dhampyr takes
its cues from BloodRayne, Executioner is a nod to NieR:Automata, Silent Assassin
is inspired by Hitman 2, and lastly, Lucifer is based on Alone in the Dark:
Inferno.
8. "Ghosts of Nations" (2024) is another addition to your metal
discography. What can listeners expect from this album in terms of sound,
themes, and overall atmosphere?
One aspect that sets this album apart from my previous work is the boldness
with which it tackles taboo and controversial subjects. I've delved into mature
themes without resorting to explicit language. Without giving too much away,
the album explores topics such as societal collapse, domestic abuse, mass
shootings, self-harm, and suicide, among others. My aim is to address these
issues in a manner that is hopefully seen as relatively tactful. Musically,
this is a pure metal record and marks my first album professionally mixed and
mastered by an external studio. Until now, all my releases were self-produced,
so this represents a significant step up in sound quality.
9. With a diverse range of albums, from instrumental to rock and metal, how
do you maintain a cohesive musical identity across your discography while
exploring different genres?
While it's not particularly challenging for me as a creator, I can only imagine
how my music might be divisive for my potential audience, illustrating the
classic dilemma of trying to please everyone and ending up pleasing no one.
However, pleasing everyone has never been my goal. I create music primarily for
myself; every song I make is something I personally want to listen to and
enjoy. It's a passion project, not just a commercial endeavor. The result is
that my songs often sound too heavy for the rock crowd and too soft for the
metalheads, and when you add a few instrumentals into the mix, the outcome is
even more unique for lack of a better term! This hasn't influenced my creative
process or deterred me from pursuing my own interests in music. It's just an
interesting observation on my part.
10. The album "Infect the Clouds" (2025) is in the future lineup. What can you tell us about the inspiration behind this upcoming release and any surprises or innovations fans can look forward to?
Infect the Clouds marks my second concept album, featuring a distinct plot and story arc. I also believe it's my best work as a musician. I put my heart and soul into every aspect of each song, from composing and writing lyrics to recording and producing. The album centers around a disgruntled villain protagonist, a misanthrope on a vengeful journey, harboring nothing but hatred for mankind. This album is my darkest, grimmest, and most repulsive work to date in terms of both lyrics and music, making it what I consider my magnum opus. This is the kind of creation I've always aspired to make, and I'm proud to have finally achieved it.
11. Your 2021 album, "In Thy Image," marked a clear move into the
metal genre. How has the reception been to this transition, both from existing
fans and new listeners?
In Thy Image was, as I can only imagine, as divisive as ever, particularly due
to the unconventional vocal style I employed, a choice I still stand by. I
believe it perfectly complemented the atmosphere I was aiming for and enhanced
the message behind the lyrics. If I were to approach it differently today, it
would be more for the sake of variety rather than correction. With that said, I
think the album showcases some of my most interesting guitar work and solos, as
it was heavily focused on metal riffs.
12. As a solo artist, how do you navigate the challenges of producing,
composing, and performing all aspects of your music? Are there specific aspects
of the process that you find particularly rewarding or challenging?
One might assume that mastering the various ins and outs of music production,
especially as a fully self-taught multi-instrumentalist, would be like climbing
an insurmountable mountain. However, I personally didn't find it particularly
challenging, nor did I struggle needlessly with any specific aspect. I believe
my background in competitive gaming and growing up with video game music might
have indirectly aided the process. Now, bear with me and don't laugh, but I
have this theory: perhaps being a superfast typist on the computer keyboard
might, at a neurological level, assist with playing different instruments. It's
all about training precise finger movements, right? In any case, I'm always in
the process of self-training, and I hope to learn something new every day!
13. Your album titles, such as "Replicas/Hollow" and "War
Without," suggest intriguing concepts. Could you share the stories or
inspirations behind these titles and how they connect to the music within those
albums?
My second album, Replicas/Hollow, is a mix of half pop rock and half metal, and
the split name subtly alludes to this duality. War Without holds a special
place in my heart, particularly for its atmosphere and bass lines. My only
regret is that the production quality isn't on par with my upcoming albums, but
considering I was just starting out, it's understandable, wouldn't you say? The
title track, War Without, takes an environmentalist stance, focusing on the
damage we're inflicting on the planet, especially in terms of pollution and
conflict. Twilight, one of my all-time favorites, is a song I'm currently in
the process of re-recording. It delves into the horrors of war, following a
soldier as the protagonist. This album also features a significant number of
instrumental tracks.
14. How has your musical background and any non-musical influences shaped your approach to creating atmospheric and thematic music?
Beyond my theory about fast typing on a keyboard aiding in playing instruments, both music and video games have had an undeniably huge influence on who I am today, in every aspect of life. There are recurring motifs in my music that stem from my favorite pieces of video game music. Even some of my favorite English words that I frequently use in my lyrics are related to concepts commonly explored in video games. I believe my instrumental tracks would be perfect fits for video game soundtracks, whether as main menu themes or even boss battle themes. No matter how much of a metalhead I consider myself, my background in video games seems to overshadow everything else.
15. Looking ahead, what aspirations or goals do you have for your musical
journey, and how do you see your sound evolving in the future?
I am currently in the process of re-recording and completely remaking my older
songs to achieve a more professional and appealing sound quality. Once again,
I'm handling all the production work myself, which includes mixing and
mastering the tracks. The sound quality you can expect will be similar to the
track Mirror's Gaze, which I mixed and mastered myself. While I don't have a
specific release date set for this entire project, the first single, Forlorn
(Reimagined), will be released on September 6, 2024. Beyond that, I plan to
stick to my usual schedule of releasing a new single on the first Friday of
every month.
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