BLYND's new album, "Unbeliever," marks their return after nine years, blending themes of war, surveillance, and personal struggles into a dynamic and expressive musical journey.
1. "Unbeliever"
marks your return after nine years. What was the inspiration behind this new
album and what message do you hope to convey through it?
Firstly,
thank you for the interview! We genuinely appreciate it! There was not one
single source of inspiration, there were a few actually; ranging from the
impact of wars, Leonard Cohen, literature, mental struggle, etc. After all, we
are a group of people who are actively participating at every level of the
creative process, and each one of us brings different ideas and experiences to
the table. However, if there is a single source of inspiration that is equally
shared within the band, it would be the creative fire that still burns strong
within us. And nine years is a long time, man. So, that’s a theme that comes up
in the album as a whole. As for messages, there are none. We are conveying an
artistic reaction to whatever each individual project (song) is about. The
intention is not so much to convey a message, even though the way music is
consumed is unique to each individual, but to creatively express ourselves.
2. Can
you talk about the creative process for "Unbeliever"? How did the
band approach writing and recording this album compared to your previous ones?
We really had fun creating this one, and we took our sweet
old time doing so! The plan was to stay true to our identity while exploring
ways to broaden it. As for the composition part, we have no formula in place.
Sometimes a single individual would initially compose a song from start to
finish, only for it to be completely changed by the time the whole band heard
it; other times it was not changed, and at other times it was a team effort
from the get-go. We try different things and go with whatever sounds good to
us. But we are all there in the process, one way or another. Same for lyrics.
3. The
album addresses various themes such as war, Orwellian mass surveillance, and
the suppression of free speech. Can you elaborate on how these themes
influenced the lyrics and overall tone of the album?
Regarding Orwell, see below. Now, as for war, one example is “One Last Dance.” The song is dedicated to and inspired by the memory of Leonard Cohen. Cohen wrote “Dance Me to the End of Love” as a reaction to a story he had heard about a Jewish violinist in Auschwitz. This person was forced to perform as part of an ensemble while other Jews were marched naked toward the gas chambers. The intention was to create a peaceful atmosphere so that the prisoners wouldn’t suspect what was going to happen, but also to mask the subsequent harrowing cries. This individual had to perform while his own family was being marched to the gas chambers. “One Last Dance” is our reaction to this story.
4. Musically,
"Unbeliever" has a dark atmosphere with a mix of slow and fast-paced
songs, progressive passages, and epic choruses. How did you achieve this
balance and what challenges did you face during its creation?
There was no challenge here. Actually, it would have been more challenging to go for a narrower route; we would have been repeating ourselves, which is something we dread, so it would have actually been more challenging (and boring). Having the creative freedom to explore different dynamics is easier, it is more fun, and it all shows in the result.
5. BLYND
has been a significant part of the Cypriot metal scene since 2003. How has the
metal scene in Cyprus evolved over the years, and what role do you see BLYND
playing in its future?
There is a
significant metal scene in Cyprus, with numerous great bands, considering the
size of the island. This is even more true today than it was back in 2003. We,
as Blynd, are going to keep doing what we are doing. We are not sure if there
are any roles to be played here. We’ll just keep on creating.
6. Given
the nine-year gap between albums, how do you feel the band has evolved
musically and personally during this period?
Since there
were lineup changes, the people, and therefore, to some degree, the music too,
have obviously changed. And we are nine years older and aren’t getting any
younger! As far as the music is concerned, we wanted to go for a tighter, more
dynamic, and more in-your-face album in general. A lot of work on the
composition part, actually, went into consciously trying to figure out: “How do
we convey this in a more raw, rather than loquacious, way?” We challenged our
own disposition of going for as much as possible (composition-wise) and focused
our attention more on the foundations of what we are doing.
7. "1984" is a track title that seems to
reference George Orwell's famous novel. How did Orwell’s work influence this
track and the album as a whole?
“1984” is a great book in its own right and it is the track;
as in, it didn’t just influence the song, it is the song. We are simply making
an exposition of the book via our music. We are presenting it. Sure, 1984 is
being mentioned in various political contexts left, right, and center nowadays,
but we are going a different route. We are simply exposing what the book is
about as a book: a dystopian society where constant surveillance and strict
control warn about the dangers to freedom and the power to manipulate truth and
reality. Plus, the emotional state of the people involved.
8. With
the release of "Unbeliever" coming up on June 7, what are your plans
for promoting the album? Can fans expect any tours, music videos, or special
events?
We have
some live shows planned, no tours as of yet, and we are in the process of
making a music video.
9. The
album can now be pre-ordered and a track is available for streaming and free
download. How important is the digital presence for BLYND and how do you think
it impacts your reach and connection with fans?
Nowadays
everything is digital, so we are following suit. If you are not present
digitally, you are simply not present, period. And we welcome it, as connecting
with fans all across the globe has never been easier.
10. Finally,
after almost two decades in the metal scene, what advice would you give to
emerging bands trying to make their mark in today’s music industry?
Most of
all, have fun. If you are not having fun, you are not making anything, let
alone making a mark, period. Don’t ignore those who will warn you that there is
no professional future to be had here; really, really don’t, but don’t pay too
much attention either! 😉
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