Lichtbringer; das ist der Name der Single („Lightbringer„), die sich die schweizer Metalcore-Band Dreamshade als erste Veröffentlichung ihres neuen Albums „A Pale Blue Dot“ ausgesucht hat. Grund für diese Entscheidung war das Coronajahr mit seinem Mangel an Licht, in dem jedoch die Arbeiten und Aufnahmen zur Platte, die am 05.03.2021 erscheinen wird, stattfanden. Wie sich das für die Band angefühlt hat und was wir soundtechnisch erwarten dürfen, haben unsere Redakteure Kevin und Jacky von Gitarrist Luca im Interview erfahren.
Frontstage Magazine: Hello guys, we hope you had a good start into the new year and are looking forward to 2021?
Luca: Hey guys, thank you for having us. We certainly had a really good start into 2021 since we released another single called “Shanghai Nights” and it is being taken really well from the fans. We really look forward to this year since it’s the first independent release we are going to face and it’s both exciting and scary but as everything in life, without fear of failing you won’t try to do your best
Frontstage Magazine: Right, you are refering to your fourth studio album „A Pale Blue Dot“ which will be released at the beginning of March. The album was made during the Corona period. Did this complicate the process of completion or did everything go as usual?
Luca: So, in September 2019 we decided to make the album and do anything possible to release it early 2020. Me and Fella started to work on the music and it was so special ‚cause right from the start we were so inspired and we actually ended up nailing a song every week leaving enough time for Kevin and Fella to work on Vocals, Fry to learn and perfect the drums part and me and Gian to work on synths and samples. We were lucky enough to record drums with Fry right before the total lockdown period started and with lots of effort and teamwork we managed to finish the recording soon after. We were supposed to go to Denmark mixing and mastering with the almighty Jacob Hansen after recording but of course that wasn’t possible anymore since all borders were closed. What Corona did was giving us our first ever experience of mixing online through Skype, so no problem. Looking back I’m actually so grateful for this cause thanks to technology we actually managed to work really well. Instead of going there for three days we actually spent an entire week to work on just the guitar sound.
The final mixing part was so fun as well. We used Skype to communicate and an audio plugin called Listento from Audiomovers to remotely listen and adjust the mix in real time. Long story short, Corona didn’t complicate the process, it made it just very different and somehow interesting!
Frontstage Magazine: Good that you mastered it. The single „Lightbringers“ gives a first impression of the upcoming album. You have deliberately chosen this single, because it marks the special of the past year. How important is it to you to process current topics in your music?
Luca: For us it’s really important to create not only a musical connection with the fans but also and emotional one. In this last album we are speaking about the view of the earth from a far prospective and we are lyrically managing today’s topics that anyone could relate with.
Luca: When you release a song with a certain message at the right time it will get to the audience more directly and they will subconsciously appreciate it more. So again, it’s important to process current topics if you have something to say about them.
Frontstage Magazine: Understandable, your musical change is well known: from melodic death metal it went more into the hardcore direction, before the last album „Vibrant“ even took on electronic and rap influences. What can we expect on „A Pale Blue Dot“ thematically and especially sound-wise?
Luca: Right! With this album we just took a little jump back into what we think was the album that defined us, „The Gift Of Life„. Thematically, as mentioned in the previous answer we are speaking about today’s topics and we are watching the earth from another point of view. Sound-wise it’s just huge.
We really wanted Jacob to work on this ‘cause he actually defined our sound with “The Gift Of Life” and he is a really fun and awesome guy to work with. „A Pale Blue Dot“ has as much screaming as clean vocals and it has a lot of really cool ambients and those loved Dreamshade guitar riffs that fans are always expecting. I would say that this in my opinion is the best album so far ‚cause it’s a mix of the previous ones. Heavy, Punchy, Melodic and Various.
Frontstage Magazine: We are very excited for your new work. How will you celebrate the album release?
Luca: Probably home with a glass of wine on Zoom. Lol.
Frontstage Magazine: Nothing better to do it now! In 2019 you have shared the stage with some great acts, such as Arch Enemy, Emorosa or Don Broco. What are your plans for an album tour? Is it feasible at all in the current situation?
Luca: 2021 is still a big question for the music industry. We are obviously trying to book shows, festivals and tours but it’s not easy as you know. Everyday shows and events get cancelled again and again and again. We just hope that one day everything could come to a stable situation and that the bands can get back on read and do what they are good at.
Frontstage Magazine: True. With which act would you like to work with and in which form (support, song, video etc.)?
Luca: Personally, I would love to do a song with Rob (Don Broco), tour with In Flames, make a video with Oli Sykes and support the lighting engineer of Rammstein (laughs).
Frontstage Magazine: Yes, our last question is always a bit out of line: For which sport do you have absolutely no understanding and why?
Luca: Chess… I just don’t get it (laughs heavyly), probably ‘cause I’ve never really learnt it.
Frontstage Magazine:Thank you very much for your time. We wish you a lot of success with your release and all the best for 2021.
Luca: Thank you so much guys. Have a wonderful and blessed year you all. Hopefully we’ll see you on the road. Ciao!
Fotocredit: Kyrhian Balmelli
