Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording of the new album?
Greetings, Marek speaking. You caught us in the middle of applying the finishing touches to the album release. It can be quite tedious and routine work at times, as most of the "artistic" aspects of the music and visuals are already completed (except for the album layout). What remains is a lot of typing, Excel spreadsheets, more typing, and adhering to deadlines, both mine and those of others.
To be fair, after each step is finished, it is also satisfying to witness one's work physically manifested in the world, like seeing it come to life. With my other bands, this is typically the phase where I start composing for a different group, taking a creative break from the one currently releasing. However, SOMNIATE is different and more inspiring in this regard. I'm already gathering ideas and concepts for the third album.
On a side note, there have been significant personal changes that occurred in winter and later this year, which means that the next album will be created with a different line-up. However, since we haven't made an official announcement yet, I won't delve into further details at the moment.
In July you have a new album coming out, musically how does it differ from your previous release?
Well, you tell me.
I could say the old cliché that the new album takes a bold step forward, exploring new sonic territories while staying true to our essence… In terms of the musical aspect, the album kind of carries on where the previous one left off. It's like looking at yourself in the mirror every day, where your face seems unchanged despite noticeable changes in your appearance on any given day. However, when you compare pictures of yourself over the decades, you can truly see the vast transformation that has taken place in your features over time. Contrary to common practice, where the tracklist is often adjusted after completing all the songs, we create the flow of an album in the exact chronological order of their composition. If you listen to our two albums from start to finish, you will experience our creative process unfolding from the earliest to the most recent effort.
From a production standpoint, the difference is evident. Our debut album, mixed and mastered by BST, was intentionally crafted with a raw and aggressive approach, reminiscent of the work BST did for his own bands at that time (AOSOTH, THE ORDER OF APOLLYON, VI), which we still greatly appreciate. BST prefers a massive kick drum, a guitar sound with a razor-sharp edge, and he enjoys utilising both super expensive and totally lo-fi equipment without any reservations, to achieve the specific blend of grim charm he aims to deliver. On the other hand, Victor (V. Santura of TRIPTYKON) has his own distinctive style of creating dark sonic landscapes. He leans towards a smoother and more polished sound, maintaining a noir quality, while adhering to the written and unwritten rules of production, something BST often happily disregards. Both approaches bring different aesthetics to the table. Let's say the second album demonstrates a higher level of refinement.
All of the members also play in other bands. What is it that you bring into the music of 'Somniate', that you have not been able to do with your other groups?
During the creation of our previous album, we embraced black metal as a secure refuge for exploring any musical ideas we desired. It's similar to cooking in that even though you prepare a specific dish for a particular occasion, there are foods and meals that complement anything. Black metal has got a remarkable ability to blend seamlessly with other styles, allowing any genre of music to take on a black metal essence when approached with the right attitude.
Now, I strongly believe that there is only one music, and all the subgenres and generalisations are merely outcomes of minor stylistic choices, the artist's mood, execution, and musical context. Probably I could make any given music sound like SOMNIATE. Therefore, the main distinction for me lies not in the music itself, but in the overall sentiment that I am not beholden to anyone in terms of establishing a rigid musical direction in advance.
What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the newer release and also how would you describe your progress as songwriters over the years?
It is once again a concept album. I collaborated with Aleš in composing all the music. Speaking for myself, I always come full circle after each new release. I often find myself thinking, "Wow, it turned out well, but it escalated so quickly. I wish I were a less inadequate musician who could handle this complexity better." However, the cycle never ends. The better you become as a player or composer, the more you twist and blend elements in the next endeavour, which leaves you both depressed about your abilities yet entertained, haha.
This time, I dug into Richard Brautigan's highly psychedelic novel, "In Watermelon Sugar," which is generally regarded as utopian. I took Brautigan's thoughts and ideas, which were initially charming and bright, and transformed them into something dark and pessimistic. It has been naughty of me, sorry for that. I made my own choices when confronted with any ambiguous hints concerning the book's characters and plot interpretations. In essence, it is truly our own interpretation of the story, rather than a mere soundtrack to a predefined script, so to speak. I adhered more closely to the original writer's vision on our debut album than I did on this one.
You have also mentioned an interest in the writings of Gustav Meyrink, Frank Kafka and Richard Brautigan, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in their literature?
GM, RB - yes. FK? Nope. I respect Kafka as an author, but his works did not directly influence our album. My interest in the works of GM and RB stems from their remarkable ability to blend reality and the fantastical. I find inspiration in their writings, allowing me to explore my own patterns within their narratives. Indeed, the written word of this kind possesses a remarkable ability to inspire readers and ignite their curiosity to explore various patterns and themes within the works they encounter.
Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?
Not much needs to be said. It mirrors the atmosphere and incorporates minor details from the lyrics and the book. The drawing from VIEW FROM THE COFFIN and the two paintings from Vama Marga each offer their unique interpretation of the theme, adding their own distinct twist to the overall artistic presentation.
What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
To be honest, we don't particularly enjoy performing live. It brings about a great deal of stress as we strive to meet a certain standard of performance, which can be challenging due to various factors that are both within and beyond our control. We tend to appreciate and evaluate the experience more in retrospect, once the show is over. While I won't single out the best performance, some of the notable shows we've played include Brutal Assault festival, Enter the Eternal Fire, and Czech Death Fest.
Do you have any touring or show plans once the new album is released?
None for now.
On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black metal?
It has been surprisingly positive for us, considering the niche within a niche that we represent. We were pleasantly surprised by how our approach resonated with the audience.
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?
Both Adam and I are switching to a death metal mode with BRUTALLY DECEASED, and we have already booked the studio for late October. Zdeněk's band SÓL is scheduled to perform with AKHLYS in Prague on the day of this interview. Meanwhile, Aleš is occupied with jamming new songs with SELF-HATRED, and Tom's band MALLEPHYR has got their new album ready, although the release date is still uncertain.
Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
Who knows? While there is some concept in mind, the final result will undoubtedly emerge in its own unique way. You can expect more bizarre and twisted elements to unfold.
What are some of the bands or musical styles the band members are currently listening to nowadays?
Haha, that would be a mess. From contemporary classical and microtonal music to blastbeat-driven metals of all kinds, as well as synthwave and post-punk. Speaking for myself, I could find enjoyment in certain artists and bands within almost every genre there is, although it's important to note that not all genres are created equal. When you love everything, you have no taste. I grew up listening to extreme metal from the 90s and 2000s. Subconsciously, it will always be my dearest poison of choice. But what matters to me is when music effectively conveys emotions and is skillfully crafted, whatever it means within the given style.
Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
As every contemporary individual can quickly confirm, no thought is ever truly final.
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