Exploring the evolution of Under Victoria, this interview delves into the organic growth of their sound, personal inspirations behind "The Ephemeral," and the challenges of transitioning back to black metal.
1. "The
Ephemeral" is your third album. How would you describe the evolution of
your sound from your first album to this latest release?
I would
describe the evolution as more of an organic and natural approach to the music,
especially during the production process. Over time it’s evolved to be more
lush and vibrant compared to the earlier releases, while still being cold and fitting
in the black metal style. The songs have become a lot more dynamic and dense, I
think that just comes with having a clearer vision of how I’d like the songs to
come across in the end.
2. The themes of isolation and loss are
central to "The Ephemeral." Can you share some personal experiences
or inspirations that influenced these themes?
During the
process of recording the album, I went through some personal loss. It is part
of life of course, but that definitely shaped the mood and theme of the album. I
already had the concept of change and isolation for the album, but when that happened,
I experienced that acceptance is a big part of the process. So the record is
quite personal to me, all the while still aiming to transport the listener on a
journey.
3. Following the acoustic EP
"Solemn," how did you transition back to the more aggressive black
metal sound in "The Ephemeral"? What challenges did you face during this
transition?
The Solemn
EP was an interesting project, I’d always incorporated acoustic elements in the
black metal records, but a standalone acoustic EP felt like a good closing
chapter to the last record I had released, ‘Beyond the Shadow Veil’.
But that
slight detour left me eager to get back to the roots of the project, back to
the intensity of previous LP’s. I found that spending more time working on
acoustic, sonically beautiful music in turn had the complete opposite reaction
and left me with some of the most intense and aggressive songs for the latest
LP.
4. Your music has been compared to
bands like Wolves in the Throne Room and Spectral Wound. How do you feel about
these comparisons, and how do you differentiate your sound from theirs?
I very much
appreciate the comparisons. They are both legendary black metal projects, so it
does feel strange. I just try to make music that moves me, and that speaks to
me at a core level. I like to put things on the records that are reflective of
my songwriting style, and that are genuine to my own feelings and reflect my
own melodic approach. If it feels real and genuine to me, then I’m proud of the
work.
5. As a one-man project, what are some
of the advantages and challenges you encounter in the creative process?
The advantages are that it is completely my vision, from the earliest seminal idea to the whole finished piece. I’m responsible for every element of the project. That is also the disadvantage though, when performing all instruments and making all creative decisions, it can be a daunting experience. There’s no one else to bounce ideas or inspiration off of, unlike a normal band environment, which I have grown up in. But I really enjoy the process. The whole record is completed in my studio, the only time it leaves is when it’s ready for release to the public.
6. Can
you take us through your songwriting process? How do you approach composing and
recording your music?
The process
is always quite different with each song. I find I’ll start with a riff,
melody, drum pattern or bass line and build off that. A lot of the time it’s a
feeling or emotion that I’m trying to get across to the audience, or similarly
a theme. My process is messy and quite unorthodox to be frank, I’m surprised
anything gets done. Once I have my idea demo recorded, I’ll start the actual
recording, and that’s when the song starts to finally bloom and take shape.
7. The
album artwork and visuals play a significant role in black metal. Can you tell
us about the concept and creation of the artwork for "The Ephemeral"?
The album
artwork is important to me, as are the visuals in general. The theme of nature
and the constant change that nature goes through, death and rebirth are always
subjects that inspire me. The cover artwork to me reflects some of the themes
that are present in the album, such as the ephemerality of nature and our
lives. The cover photo was taken by French photographer Francois Léonache.
8. How do you see the themes of change
and acceptance, loss and remembrance, reflected in the structure and
progression of the album?
The
structure of the record is quite dynamic, it ebbs and flows, rising in
intensity for moments of anger or aggression, and falling off to quiet moments
for reflection. Ultimately, it’s quite tumultuous, as a reflection of life in
general. The record ends with the track ‘Ephemeral / Time takes you away’,
which is the culmination of the records themes, and expresses that things may
leave, but still remain in memory.
9. Black metal often involves a strong
connection to nature and atmosphere. How do you incorporate these elements into
your music, especially being based in Melbourne, Australia?
I live in a naturally beautiful area, so I’m lucky enough to take direct inspiration from my surroundings. I incorporate nature sounds into my recordings to enhance the atmosphere that I’m trying to create for that song. That is what I love about black metal over other extreme metal genres, (even though I love death metal as well) the chance to create an atmosphere for the listener to be transported to, that doesn’t necessarily have to be aggressive or intense most of the time.
10. What are your future plans for Under
Victoria? Are there any upcoming releases, live performances, or collaborations
that fans can look forward to?
I would
love to do another split; I have done two in the past and I really enjoyed the
collaboration. Most likely I’ll begin workshopping another future release,
either an EP or something more. Too early to say at this point, but I can’t
wait to expand on the current sound of Under Victoria and see where it leads,
it’s always quite exciting.
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