The Total Sound Of The Undergound

Lelahel Metal

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.


Parham Gharavaisi - SOLDIER [OFFICIAL AUDIO] (MELODIC METALCORE) | Inspired by Final Fantasy VII (youtube.com)

Musique | Parham Gharavaisi (bandcamp.com)

Streamez de la musique Parham Gharavaisi | Écoutez des chansons, des albums, des playlists gratuitement sur SoundCloud

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