Celebrating 30 years of melodic death metal, Suidakra reflects on their journey with the release of their 15th studio album, DarkanakraD, marking a fusion of nostalgia and musical evolution.
1. Congratulations on 30 years as a band! How does it
feel to be reaching such a major milestone with the release of your 15th studio
album, DarkanakraD?
Hi there, Lelahel Metal community and thank
you very much! Reaching 30 years as a band feels just incredible and somehow
also a bit surreal. It feels like a mix of nostalgia as well as excitement for
the future. With the release of "DarkanakraD" it´s like we are
celebrating our journey while also pushing forward. We can’t wait for our fans
to hear it and find out what they think!
2. DarkanakraD is
described as reflecting on your early years while also representing a
development in your sound. How would you describe the evolution of your music
from your debut to this album?
The evolution of our music has been an awesome
journey so far. Initially, our sound was rooted in a more straightforward
experiment and melodies, capturing our early influences. Over time we began to
incorporate more complex arrangements, range of styles, sounds, instruments and
influences and focusing more on the lyrical concept and implementation of
these.
That said, "DarkanakraD" represents
a significant highlight in this exact evolution for us because it combines
nostalgic elements with innovative sounds, reflecting both our past and our
future. The album features a wider instrumentation and production, allowing us
to express a extensive range of emotions and ideas.
3. This album concludes the Realms
Of Odoric trilogy that began in 2016. Can you tell us how DarkanakraD ties together the
narrative and themes of this trilogy?
I think it serves as a culmination of the
storylines and character arcs developed since 2016, that has been written by
our friend Kris Vervimp - who, by the way, is also responsible for the great
artwork and lyrics for many years in the bands history. Each album in this
trilogy has added layers to this narrative, creating a richer general view of
mythology and emotions. In this release it reaches the peak, bringing
resolution to the journeys of the protagonists. "DarkanakraD" ties
their struggles and growth all together with reflecting on the consequences of
their choices while emphasizing redemption and transformation.
4. The title of the album, DarkanakraD,
translates to “Armageddon.” What inspired this title, and how does it relate to
the themes explored in the album?
Kris came up with this wonderful title that
was inspired by the culmination of conflict and transformation that is a key
factor in the storyline. "DarkanakraD" reflects the intense themes
explored throughout, including the struggle between good and evil, the
consequences of choices, and the ultimate battle for survival and redemption.
Overall, the title serves as a powerful metaphor for the journey undertaken by
the characters, suggesting both an ending and a new beginning.
5. With 11 tracks on the new album, what can fans expect in terms of
musical diversity and songwriting? Are there any surprises or elements that
stand out compared to your previous releases?
I think the new album contains everything you
can expect from a SuidAkrA album... and much more. No album sounds like
another, although we always stay true to our roots. We have always tried to
incorporate new elements and are constantly evolving. We do not want to stand
still in this regard. Sounds, instruments, arrangements, influences and so on
go into it. And of course it should correspond to the stoyline. One standout
element might be even more this time the incorporation of unexpected
instrumentation and arrangements, which adds depth, texture and freshness to
the music as well as the sound. This sets "DarkanakraD" apart from
previous releases, making it not only a conclusion to the trilogy of ´Realms Of
Odoric´ but also a fresh exploration of our musical identity - it showcases a
blend of styles that reflect both our roots and new influences.
6. Kris Verwimp has designed the cover artwork for DarkanakraD, continuing a long-standing
collaboration. How does the artwork visually represent the themes of the album?
Thats right! We are very happy to have our
long-time companion and friend, Kris, by our side again! He has once again done
an fantatstic job in creating the artwork as well as the lyrical concept for
this album. The artwork visually brings out the album's theme of conflict,
transformation, and the struggle between light and darkness which supports
perfectly the narrative depth of the music.
7. Your sound has always incorporated Celtic and melodic death metal
elements. How do these styles influence DarkanakraD, and how have you balanced them with your heavier death
metal roots?
The incorporation of celtic and melodic death
metal elements plays a crucial role in shaping the album's sound. It is our
longtime identity and it enhances the music's depth, creates a dynamic
interplay and also creates a rich, atmospheric sound that we wanted and needed
for this album. These elements add a unique texture to the music that go along
beautifully with the heavier and much more aggressive aspects of our music.
Balancing these styles definatley enriches the album but also involves careful
songwriting and arrangement.
8. After 30 years, many bands struggle to stay relevant or inspired.
What keeps you motivated and passionate about creating music after such a long
career?
It is a combination of several factors. First
of all the love for music itself remains a driving force as well as the
creative process in writing, composing and of course performing our music.
Additionally, the desire to evolve as an individual artist as well as a band in
exploring new sounds, themes, instruments and ideas that lie in front of you in
every new recording - pushing our creative boundaries. But moreover the
connection between us as a band - as friends and family is so important. We get
along great with each other and all inspire each other again and again. And
last but not least the connection with our fans plays a significant role. Their
love and support for our music over all those years energizes us every time.
The highlight is clearly the playing of live concerts and getting in contact
with our fans that fuels our passion.
9. How has your fanbase evolved over the years? What does it mean to you
to have die-hard fans still supporting you after three decades?
I would say that our fanbase has evolved
significantly over the years, reflecting changes in musical taste as well as
the growth and changes of the metal community. As our sound and music developed
over the years as well, we've seen our audience expand to include a diverse
range of listeners who appreciate the different elements and what we stand for.
Having die-hard fans supporting us after all those years definately means a lot
to us! Their loyalty and passion are incredibly significant and inspiring. Newer
fans often discover our music through recommendations from long-time
supporters. Ultimately our fans are an integral part, shaping our identity as a
band and inspiring us to keep making music in the future.
10. Are there any particular tracks on DarkanakraD that you feel represent the essence of the album
or hold special meaning to the band?
Obviosly, every song on
"DarkanakraD" is very special to us in many different ways and holds
special significance for the band and includes the essence of the overall work.
Each track contributes to the album's overall message but the song ´As Heroes
Abide´ on this album maybe even a little more because it is a varied mixture of
old-school and new-school with a lot of subtleties as far as an insight into
the concept of ́this album allows. This track is not only leaving room for
different great guest musicians who are again part of this album and have done
an absolutely amazing job and we fortunately can call our friends, but it also
offers the catchy melodies as well as harder riffs, parts of orchestral
accompaniment and folky influences that make up the identity SuidAkrA.
11. You’ve been releasing music on both CD and vinyl for this album. Do
you feel there is still a strong demand for physical formats, and how important
are these formats to you and your fans?
Yes, there is still a request for physical
formats like CD´s and Vinyl - eventhough the demand noticeable and for the most
part decreased over the last decades. But many people still appreciate the
aspect of owning music within reach at home - to look at and or touch. Physical
releases often come with an extended artwork and booklet, notes, lyrics,
special packages even and of course a sense of collectibility. Vinyl, in
particular though, has seen a resurgence in popularity over the last years. If
it is up to us we will definitely stick to the aspect of releasing our music in
a physical way like we did before.
12. Looking back on 30 years of SUIDAKRA, what do you see as the band’s
biggest achievements, and where do you see yourselves heading in the future?
We've definitley built an amazing, passionate and inspiring fanbase that spans generations and countries, allowing us to tour and share our music worldwide. Besides that we are fortuneate enough to have released multiple, well received albums that we are absolutely proud of. Each album has contributed to our growth as a band and individual artist and has helped us evolve. Collaborating with talented musicians, artists and friends over the years, like Kris Verwimp for our artwork for example, has also enriched us. Concerning our future, we aim to continue evolving our sound and us while staying true to our roots. We want to explore new musical territories, work with different, inspiring musicians, incorporating more influences and play some awesome shows around the world if possible. But above all, we want to have fun with what we do, now and in the future. This is the most important thing.
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