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1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the musical project since the recording and release of the new ep?
I’ve spent a lot of time writing new material and I’m ecstatic with what’s next. I got hold of a 7 string guitar after the release of the debut EP and it’s really influencing the sound direction for the upcoming releases. It’s still going to be symphonic and melodic, but with an even bigger sound! The guitars are taking a more prominent role. On the first EP I worked with João Miguel (Enblood, Nephilim) to do guitar solos, but the next series of songs will feature him from start to finish, as well as solos. I’ve also spent plenty of time promoting the debut EP and soon after its release I was able to secure a distribution deal with WormHoleDeath Records. The EP is being reissued on Dec 2, 2022, so I’m excited to see what transpires.
2.Recently you have released a new ep, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording?
The sound of Exist in Ruin on the debut EP is heavily inspired by a few of my favorite bands (Amon Amarth, Dimmu Borgir, and various other influences), while still maintaining a uniqueness. With guitars, drums, and the heavy male vocals it’s more of the melodic death metal/metalcore influence of Amon Amarth, plus a slight touch of black metal influence in places. With the Orchestration and the female vocals I was very influenced by Dimmu Borgir and one of their female vocalists, Agnete Kjølsrud.
3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you have explored with the music so far?
The EP has a strong undercurrent of persecution in the stories told in the lyrics of each song. Songs are about the predictable cycle of violence and persecution in genocides that take place in parts of the world. The tyranny of invaders. Amazing how relevant it is with world events today. One is about emotional predation or persecution by a Succubus. Another is about religious persecution where innocents were burned as witches. One about persecution of people through experiments in asylums of the past, and the title track is about persecution by one’s own mind by the depths of depression.
4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Exist In Ruin'?
It was a perfect encapsulation of my existence when I started working on the project at the end of 2019. At the time I had no idea the music would be what it is today. Mentally, I was in a very dark place. Years of sliding backwards in life and feeling trapped in a home/investment that I grew to despise, I felt very overwhelmed by it all. At the time I was fed up, blaming all my problems on others, and I wanted to leave my family and start a new simple and minimalist life. I was also extremely unhappy about my overall health and appearance and didn’t feel like I was myself anymore. Writing music at the time was a hiding place from it all. When the pandemic arrived it was terrible for many people, but it gave me a much needed break from the daily grind of life. Things have improved drastically since then, but at the time it was a perfect description of my existence.
5.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the ep cover?
It’s a piece of art from an incredible artist “The Iron Parasite”. He says it was very influenced by a Children of Bodom album cover he liked. On the image there’s a lone character, isolated and completely covered in robes in an environment of skulls and desolation. I thought it was perfect metaphor for how I felt at the time and also visually a perfect fit for the Exist in Ruin name. The isolated character, hiding its face from the world in a desolate environment was a perfect reflection of myself. Even my personal band photo’s chiaroscuro lighting style, with my face half in darkness, symbolizes a struggle within.
6.On the ep you also had a great amount of session musicians, can you tell us a little bit more about who they are and also their contributions to the recording?
American composer Jonah Weingarten, known for his incredible work in notable bands; Pyramaze and Catalyst Crime, is an old friend of mine. We worked together on a 3-song symphonic death metal demo many years ago with a band I was in at the time. All the other musicians were found online and all were/are experienced members of very talented bands. From Portugal, César Moreira (vocals in Enblood) and João Miguel (Lead guitar in Enblood) deliver the brutal vocals and guitar solos on this EP. From France, Jessy Christ (NZGL, Syndo-syS) delivered a range of Soprano, melodic, and heavy vocals as the female counterbalance to César’s deep death metal vocals. From Germany, Sebastian Bracht (Sophicide, Dahlian) delivered a unique male a cappella metal choir that fit perfectly in the middle of the EP to balance it all out. From Bulgaria, Konstantin Raydovski, a session guitarist very early in the project delivered solos on two songs that were just perfect for two of the songs.
7.Do you have any plans to search for a live line up to do shows or tours in the future?
I think that would really open doors to finding new fans, so it crushes me to say there are no plans at the moment. I’d really love to do something with the original members. One way I imagine it can happen is if we arrange a festival slot and all get on board to make it happen. Herculean effort, but not impossible!
8.A lot of the musicians who contributed to the recording come from different parts of the world, what impact does this have on the musical style that you play?
We are all fans of similar bands and music so we click on that level, but being able to hand pick each member online from anywhere in the world has allowed me to find the exact members I needed to emulate my influences, who are mostly European bands. It’s not likely I would have found an epic symphonic keyboard player who plays in European metal bands, a Soprano opera singer that loves black metal, and a heavy metal a cappella vocalist operating at these levels in my own area. They do each bring a bit of flavor from each of their countries to the songs. For example, Jessy Christ subtly added some French lyrics in one of the songs she sings on, and it works!
9.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of symphonic black and death metal?
I went into it thinking that there would be a bit of criticism. I accept that not everyone is going to like it. Also, when you claim to fit into certain genres, and people don’t agree, they can get quite irritated. I was expecting some of that, but really there has been none that I’m aware of so far and it has been overwhelmingly positive. I’ve had many messages from people that love the EP and are looking forward to more.
10.When can we expect a full length and also where do you see yourself heading into as a musician during the future?
Most of the songwriting is complete for everything that will be released in 2023. The plan currently is to release several singles, each with it’s own video and artwork, and then fully promote and market each one to keep growing the audience. I will also pitch the songs to see if I can secure funding for a full length album or or EP. Besides all the work getting the singles out the door and the associated marketing, I will continue writing new material throughout 2023. I have extensive material to draw from and will see where I stand at the end of the year.
11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that you are currently listening to nowadays?
According to my end of year wrap up on Spotify I have been listening mostly to Exist in Ruin, Slayer, Eonian (A project similar to Exist in Ruin put together by one guy with guest artists), Nephilim (A band that Exist in Ruin’s vocalist, César Moreira and guitar soloist, João Miguel play in), as well as one of my favorites, Old Man’s Child. Some other bands I’ve fairly recently discovered and now love are Uada, and King of Asgard. Basically all a mix of melodic death, symphonic melodic death or black metal, and thrash.
12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Just to thank everyone for their support! Please spread the word. The reactions I’ve had so far are a huge inspiration to continue and I can’t wait for everyone to hear the new stuff! Thanks for the interview!
www.existinruin.com
www.youtube.com/existinruin
www.instagram.com/existinruin
www.facebook.com/existinruin
twitter.com/existinruin
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