In this interview with Ghostheart Nebula, we delve into the creative journey behind their new album "Blackshift," exploring cosmic themes, collaborations, and the powerful emotional impact of their music.
1.
Congratulations on the upcoming release of "Blackshift"! Can you tell
us about the creative process behind this album? How did it come together?
We started
to write “Blackshift” right after we finished the recordings for “Ascension”
because we felt that this should someway be a continuation of our previous
album and we wanted to keep the same spirit of “Ascension” as the core of the
new album.
Then we
took three years to finalise it because we focused on taking care of every
sound and graphic aspects at their best, it was a overwhelming journey full of
sleepless nights to achieve this result but we’re really happy with it and this
album helped a lot to create more chemistry between us as well.
2. The
album's themes revolve around cosmic melancholy and the vastness of existence.
What inspired you to explore these profound concepts?
These
cosmic concepts have always been our main inspiration in making this kind of
music and, even tough we thematically started with our feet on the ground with
our first EP “Reveries” (which is more about sadness, regret and loss), we feel
like we’re on a path with an open destination but at the same time it’s very
clear to us the direction to follow.
However,
the themes we present in our music are not really a choice, they are part of us
as individuals and when we put them all together the magic happens.
For
example, in this album we talk a lot about quantum entanglement and its
relationship with the Indian philosophical concept of vacuity, all translated
in the depths of space, with mourn and sorrow patiently waiting around the
corner.
3.
"Blackshift" features several guest artists, including Diego 'Didi' Cavallotti
and Øysten G. Brun. How did these collaborations come about, and what did they
bring to the album?
We already
knew Diego for his outstanding talent as a guitarist, but thanks to mutual
friends we had the chance to discover the exceptional human being that he is.
This alchemy is exactly the substance of his guitar solo that can be heard on
“Sunya”, in which he managed to turn his feelings into notes that perfectly
blend with the song’s atmosphere.
Øystein has
always been our mix&master engineer throughout our works , we first got to
know him for Borknagar of course, but over the years we have built a really
nice relationship with him and he also gives us a lot of advices and creative
inputs for our albums every now and then.
This time
we felt there was a nice spot in the song “Infinite Mirror” where we wanted to
try experimenting some acoustic guitars and we asked him to record them for us.
He took the
line we gave him and built a wonderful section that was so good that we even
replicated at the end of the song where it wasn’t originally supposed to be.
He’s a man
of many talents and we just love collaborating with him every time!
4. The
opening track, ‘VdB 141 IC 1805,’ sets a powerful tone for the album. Can you
explain the significance of this track and its title?
This track
is a transition between our previous album “Ascension “and “Blackshift”.
We kept
some instrumental lines from “Ascension pt III - Nebula”, reverse them in order
to create a cinematic and imposing build-up.
You can
hear the morse code getting sucked in a giant black hole and then ejected out
in another plan of the multiverse, where the new album takes place.
The title
is a conflation of celestial objects: “Vdb 141” is the designation of the
“Ghost Nebula” and “IC 1805” the “Heart Nebula”. The merger of these two
nebulae together will create the “Ghostheart Nebula”, our safe place in the
cosmos.
5. Your
music has been described as ‘Cosmic Doom Metal.’ How would you define this
genre, and what draws you to it?
Our
inspiration comes from the depths of space which is reflected in the essence of
our souls. As musicians and, first of all, human beings, we try to transform
chaos and grief into dancing stars and this imaginary always leads us to look
at the sky with dreamy eyes.
6. The
album is both sonically and emotionally intense. What was the most challenging
part of creating such a powerful listening experience?
It's like a
puzzle, every little step was fundamental for the success of the album but
without any doubt the most challenging part of the process was recording this
material with the right mood and connection.
We tried to
give emotion to every corner of this record and every nuance of sound is proof
of that. There are very few repetitions, we like to writing following a flow
that is always changing and never redundant in the same way.
Everything
transforms, even us.
7. Heike
Langhans created the artwork for "Blackshift." How does the visual
art complement the themes and music of the album?
We think
the visual part is as important as the music.
It helps to
get in the mood of the album and we’re very happy with Heike’s work! She
managed to represent the spirit of this album.
As you can
see, shades of green and red dominate the cover, the colours of “Reveries”
(red, our first EP) and “Ascension” (green, our previous album) alternate to
create a new scenario over a toroidal field, and if you blend the colours
together you obtain a white light combination which is another one key element
of this recording.
8.
"Orphan Of Light" is mentioned as having masterful dynamic shifts. Can
you elaborate on the song’s composition and the emotions you aimed to convey?
Contrasts
that’s what “Orphan Of Light” is about.
We stand
among the desperate cries of the motherless child who tries to find consolation
by the Mother Light, in a limbo made of rarefied atmospheres, spatial synths
and explosive crescendos.
The songs
moves on this dualism where all the instruments follow one another in this
roller coaster of emotions that we can say it’s the summary of the entire album
and a perfect ending.
9. How
do you hope listeners will feel after experiencing "Blackshift"? What
kind of impact do you want the album to have on them?
It’s a very
honest album, we’ve addressed personal topics through the songs and we hope
this can somehow help those fragile people who need a hand to find a little
glimmer of relief.
Let’s say
that anyone can fall into a “Blackshift”, it’s human, but music it’s always
here to help, and that’s what Ghostheart Nebula is all about.
It works
for ourselves, it might work for our listeners too.
10. Your
previous album, "Ascension," set a high standard. In what ways does
"Blackshift" differ from or build upon your earlier work?
In
“Blackshift” we had the opportunity to take more care of every aspect of the
songwriting and production.
“Ascension”
was made and released in pandemic times and we didn’t had the same
possibilities as now to do things properly, even if we love that album!
We've also
grown a lot as musicians since the last album and that’s reflected in the
quality of “Blackshift”.
11. As
you prepare for the release on October 17th, what are your plans for promoting
"Blackshift"? Any upcoming tours or special events your fans should
know about?
Yes,
absolutely, we’re closing some deals for a special release show and some mini
tours, inside and outside Italy. It will be a challenge to bring the new stuff
on stage and recreate all the sonic layers and atmospheres but we’re well on
our way with rehearsal sessions and can’t wait to bring these new songs live!
Ghostheart Nebula (@ghostheartnebula) • Photos et vidéos Instagram
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