Happy Days Interview

 

.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording and release of the new album?

I have moved to Europe and have begin making arrangements to start playing live shows as well as already begun composing new material for the next Happy Days album. It has been a very busy year for Happy Days

2.In January you had released a new album, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

This new album is very special because it's the first album thats been released that I have decided to incorporate classical music elements funeral doom sound to the DSBM genre. As well as also write some of the lyrics in French. 

3.This is also your first release since 2017, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during this time frame?

I spent the entire time writing and composing the new album with help from fellow composer Kenny C and we spent this entire time perfecting the new album as well as I was dealing with major changes in my personal life which is also why it took 5+ years to compose. 

4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you explore with the newer music and also how would you describe your progress as songwriters over the years?

The lyrics that I have written for this particular album are possibly my most emotional and painful because it basically summarizes my rise and downfall in my personal life and what i endured these past 5 years. As i always said Happy Days is has always been like a diary to me to where i can escape the harsh and bitter reality i live in and just disappear into my world of composing. I'll leave it up to the fans to try and figure out what the album is about. Read between the lines and you'll know.

5.The lyrics on the new album where written in French, what was the decision behind using this language instead of French and do you feel this separates you from most of the bands in America that write in English?

I have always had a deep love for the French language and i always loved languages in general. But French holds a very special place in my heart. I believe it does seperate Happy Days from other US black metal bands because its tapping into a realm thats unfamiliar territory. And I feel when you can speak a different language you open up doors and connections that you couldn't have opened if you hadn't branched out and explore the world.

6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?

The artwork is very emotional and personal to me and really captures the raw feeling of the theme behind the album. It's open to interpretation of course but there is a deeper meaning behind the artwork than alot of people may realize. Ill leave it up to the fans to decipher its hidden message. 

7.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?

I wouldn't know since we haven't played a show yet. ill get back to you on that once Happy Days has played live.

8.Do you have any touring or show plans for the new album?

we have 3 confirmed shows. one in Belgium,one in Switzerland, and the other in Austra. dates and info on the Facebook and Instagram page.

9.In 2017 you where also a part of a split with 'Deadspace', what are your thoughts on the other band that had participated on the recording?

hardworking

10.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your newer music by fans of depressive black metal?

Overwhelmingly positive and i couldn't be more grateful since i was worried that the new style would not be accepting since ive stuck with a particular style for a very long time. But i am glad to see that i was wrong. 

11.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?

lots of touring 

12.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

Ideally id like to say that we would be touring the world full time and living off of playing live shows. But that just seems so unrealistic unfortunately. who knows what the future holds.

13.What are some of the bands or musical styles the band members are currently listening to nowadays?

Usually in my personal time i steer far away from black metal in fact i don't usually listen to black metal these days. However i will say that Kanashimi's new album Yamiuta has been on my playlist all month.

14.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

Thanks so much for taking the time to get to know Happy Days alittle bit and I look forward to our future endeavors. 

Bandcamp: https://happydaysofficial.bandcamp.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/happydaysofficial
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happydays.band

Happy Days/En Enfer, J’ai Régné/Talhiem Records/2023 Full Length Review

 

  Happy  Days  are  a  band  from  Texas  that  plays  a  very  depressive  and  suicidal  form  of  black  metal  with  some touches  of  funeral  doom  metal  and  neo-classical  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2023  album  "En  Enfer,  J’ai  Régné"  which  will  be  released  on  January  31st  by  Talheim  Records.

  Evil  sounding  laughter  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  spoken  word  parts  a  few  seconds  later  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  yet  depressive  sounding  black  metal  screams  along  with  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  also  bringing  in  elements  of  funeral  doom  metal. 

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while t he  solos  and  leads  are   done  in  a  very  melodic  style.  Growls  can  also  be  heard  at  times  along  with  some  keyboards  also  being  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  recording  which  also  adds  in  touches  of  neo-classical.

  Operatic  vocals  can  also  be  heard  briefly  along  with  the  riffs  also  adding  in  a  great  amount  of  melody.  Clear  male  and  female  vocals  are  also  added  on  some  of  the  songs  as  well  as  some  of  the  tracks  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length,  when  the  music  speeds  up  a  small  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast b eats  can  be  heard  which  also  gives  the  album  more  of  a  raw  feeling.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in a  mixture  of  English  and  French  and  cover  depression,  suicide  and  loneliness  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Happy  Dies  are  a  very  great  sounding  depressive  suicidal  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Hollow"  "Forgive  Me"  and  "Life  Goes  ON'.  8  out  of  10.

  Bandcamp: https://happydaysofficial.bandcamp.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/happydaysofficial

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happydays.band