Portugal’s Reverent Tales discusses the release of their powerful new single "Your Future Died" and hints at the bold, heavier direction of their upcoming second album.
1.
Congratulations on the release of "Your Future Died"! How does this
single reflect the themes and musical direction of your upcoming work?
Thank you!
We’re still in the thick of composing our second record. As for a central
theme, it’s still taking shape since many of the lyrics are a work in progress.
So far, though, it’s less of a concept album and more of an exploration of
different ideas and emotions.
Musically,
we’re building on what we’ve done before but with a few new twists. Fans can
expect our signature mix of metal, progressive, and melodic elements, but the
overall sound is shaping up to be a bit heavier and more intense. We’re excited
to share a second single before the end of the year, giving a taste of what’s
to come!
2.
"Your Future Died" seems to offer a mix of heavy metal with
progressive and melodic elements. How do you approach blending these influences
to create your unique sound?
For us,
it’s all about the natural flow—when we’re composing, the music just takes
shape on its own. It’s a seamless process rooted in the music we’ve been
immersed in for years. We’ve always aimed to blend heavy riffs with melodic and
progressive elements, and that mix feels second nature because it reflects the
sounds that shaped us growing up. Each song feels like a tribute to the styles
we love, creating a sound that’s both familiar and uniquely ours.
3. Your
live performances have been noted for their intensity. How do you capture that
same energy and rawness in a studio setting?
That’s a
tough balance to strike, for sure. We’re still experimenting with the best way
to bring everything together. Deciding to release two singles while still
composing was part of a plan to give ourselves more room to explore in the
studio before diving into a full album.
We were on
a bit of a recording hiatus due to lineup changes and the pandemic, which
really shook up our rhythm as our lives changed in so many ways. This return
has been about reuniting, finding our groove again, and taking some creative
risks before committing to the recording of our second full-length album.
4.
Following the success of Visceral, what new themes or musical ideas did you
want to explore in this new single and your upcoming projects?
When it
comes to our musical direction, we’ve discussed creating shorter, more direct
songs with an emphasis on a heavier sound. I think listeners will definitely
pick up on that in the first two singles we’re releasing. With the new lineup,
there’s a lot of room for fresh ideas, and we’re excited to experiment in
different directions. But overall, fans can expect a bolder, heavier edge to
our music this time around!
5. The
title "Your Future Died" is powerful and evocative. What inspired
this song’s message, and how does it connect with the themes of mortality and
future?
This song delves into the struggle of seeking a path to the future while realizing you’re trapped in an unchanging present. The future isn’t just bleak—it’s utterly doomed. Through a mystical series of events and encounters with another realm, the message becomes clear: the future is dead; it simply won’t come to pass. We’re condemned to remain in the present, and no matter how hard we push forward, we’re bound to face only obstacles and despair.
6. As a
rising metal band from Portugal, how has the local scene influenced you, and
what has it been like to gain recognition on an international scale?
We see the
Portuguese metal scene as a bit of a ‘sleeping giant.’ There are some truly
outstanding bands here with the potential to captivate listeners far beyond our
borders, which keeps us inspired to push our own boundaries. At the same time,
there’s an incredibly passionate fan base that comes out in droves for major
festivals and international shows, yet our underground venues often struggle,
sometimes resorting to cover bands just to stay afloat.
Fortunately,
there’s a rising wave of smaller festivals popping up, creating an atmosphere
that feels more vibrant and supportive with each event. It’s exciting to see
this kind of grassroots momentum, and it gives us hope for a stronger, more
unified scene that can showcase Portugal’s talent on a global stage.
7.
What’s your songwriting process like? Do you start with a concept, a riff, or a
melody, and how does each band member contribute to the final sound?
Funny you
should ask! We’re actually at a bit of a turning point with that. In the past,
our approach was fairly traditional: one or two band members would lay down the
core of the song, and the rest of us would add our parts, fine-tune it, and
voilà—a finished track.
Now,
though, we’re experimenting with a more collaborative and iterative process.
We’re bringing everyone into the creative fold much earlier on, so the songs
evolve in a way that better captures each member’s unique musical
sensibilities. The idea is that if each of us has a deeper, more personal
connection to the music—and yes, we’re all about those ‘visceral’ vibes—our
performances will feel more authentic, and the songs themselves will come to
life in a richer, more dynamic way.
8.
You’ve self-released this single. How has the experience been managing and
distributing your work independently, and what has been the biggest challenge?
We’re not
full-time music professionals, so every task outside of playing and composing
takes a bite out of the limited time we can dedicate to the band. Our main goal
is to stay focused on what we love: creating and performing music!
Thankfully,
the network of contacts we’ve built and the digital tools available today have
helped us navigate a lot of the business side. Still, signing with a recognized
record label feels like a mark of credibility. Labels have established
connections with music magazines, websites, and other channels that are often
inaccessible to outsiders, giving bands a significant boost in exposure.
For us, in
particular, the PR support has been invaluable. It’s made a huge difference in
getting our music out there and helping us grow beyond our own reach.
9.
"Your Future Died" is your first release since Visceral. How do you
feel your music and creative process have evolved between the two projects?
As we’ve
grown, both as musicians and as people, we’ve started experimenting with new
sounds and approaches. In fact, we often deconstruct our songs, creating
several versions that feel like entirely new pieces before landing on the final
form.
With our
refreshed rhythm section, there’s a new energy in the band that’s added a whole
new dynamic to our music. The creative process has become much more immersive,
with every member involved early on, contributing ideas from the ground up. I’m
genuinely excited to see where this journey takes us with our second record.
We’re still in the thick of composing, and some songs have taken unexpected
twists and turns—evolving in surprising ways until they reach their final
version. It’s been a thrilling process, and I can’t wait to share what we’re
creating.
10.
Finally, what can fans expect from your next releases? Will there be a
continuation of the themes introduced in "Your Future Died," or can
we expect some surprises along the way?
Before the
end of the year, we’ll be releasing a second single crafted by the same lineup
behind Your Future Died. Beyond that, things are a bit more
fluid—but we’re excited to see how the addition of Carlos, formerly of 11th
Dimension, as our new bassist will shape our evolving sound. His
presence is bound to bring fresh energy and perspectives to the new material
we’re working on.
While there
will definitely be some surprises, fans can rest assured: Reverent
Tales will always stay true to its essence. We don’t foresee any major
shifts away from the core sound that defines us—just an evolution that feels
natural and true to who we are.
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