Belgium's Splendidula delves deep into concealed struggles with their single "Behind My Semblance," exploring themes of hidden pain, personal loss, and resilience in a powerful journey toward their upcoming album, Absentia.
1. With "Behind My
Semblance," you explore themes of concealed struggles and hidden emotions.
How did these themes take shape in the creative process, and what inspired the
lyrics for this track?
The
lyrics of "Behind My Semblance" were born from deeply personal
experiences we've endured over the past few years, including several painful
losses. Often, when people ask, "Are you okay?", there's a strong
urge to be truthful and say, "No." But when you’re asked that
question repeatedly throughout the day, it somehow becomes easier to respond
with a simple "Yes." There's also an unspoken expectation that
"yes" should be the answer; otherwise, you risk creating awkward
silences or opening up a conversation you may not be ready to have.
The
song reflects that while someone might appear happy on the outside, their inner
struggles often remain hidden. A smile doesn’t necessarily mean someone is
genuinely happy—it might just be a fleeting moment where they’re trying to
forget their burdens. But once that moment fades, they might be pulled back
into darkness, a reality we rarely see.
Wearing
a mask, in that sense, can make it easier to shield oneself from constant
reminders of personal demons. This theme of concealing emotions evolved
organically as we reflected on the emotional weight many carry while showing a
different face to the world
2. The
new single was recorded, mixed, and mastered by prominent names in the
industry. What was it like working with JDB, Tim De Gieter, and Alan Douches,
and how did they influence the final sound of "Behind My Semblance"?
We
were fortunate to work with the exact same team as for our previous album,
Somnus, which allowed us to dive even deeper into refining our sound with them.
Collaborating with them again felt seamless, as if we’d developed an unspoken
understanding. Their expertise allowed the music to naturally reach the sound
we envisioned without needing much direction.
Each
of them brings a unique influence to the process. JDB has a keen ear for
atmospheric layers, while Tim De Gieter is renowned for his work with Amenra
and Doodseskader, blending heavy yet immersive tones. Alan Douches, who has
mastered records for acts like Mastodon and Chelsea Wolfe, gave the final
polish to the track, ensuring that our sound carried both depth and clarity.
Their experience with these influential acts inspired confidence in the
process, and each brought a piece of their signature to "Behind My
Semblance."
3. Kristien
and Joachim, you mentioned that this release is both a reckoning and a tribute
after the difficult losses within the band. How did these experiences shape the
sound and direction of Splendidula moving forward?
After
the passing of our bassist and the departure of both guitarists, we found
ourselves as the only two remaining members of the band. This shift gave us the
freedom to fully pursue the sound we had always envisioned—Atmospheric
Black/Doom. Behind My Semblance is a track we had started with the previous
members, and layered in influences that will play a larger role on the upcoming
full-length album. It marks a transition into our evolving sound. The
experiences have also inspired us to take the music in an even darker
direction.
4. The music video for
"Behind My Semblance" combines atmospheric imagery with dark,
introspective themes. Could you tell us more about the collaboration with
Mikhail Nilov and how the visuals were crafted to complement the song’s message?
We
never had personal contact with Mikhail, but after a long search, we discovered
his footage, which fit perfectly with the theme. The visuals were edited by
Joachim in a way that truly conveys the song’s message.
5. This
release also marks a transitional phase with a new lineup. How has the band
dynamic changed with new members, and how do you think it will impact your
upcoming full-length album?
We
looked for band members who share our vision, allowing us to work more
seamlessly together. This alignment has had a significant impact, particularly on our live
performances. Concepts we’d envisioned for a while (like playing to a click
track, adding visual elements, coordinated stage outfits…) are now finally
coming to life. With this new lineup, we now have the freedom to pursue the
style that feels right for us. This will definitely shape our next full-length.
6. With an exclusive
limited 8” vinyl for this single, it’s clear you’re focusing on unique,
tangible releases. What does this format represent for you, and what do you
hope fans experience when they listen to "Behind My Semblance" on
vinyl?
“Behind My Semblance” will also be a bonus
track on the CD reissue of our full album “Somnus”, and we felt the song truly
deserved a place on vinyl as well. There's something special about holding a
vinyl record, it creates a deeper connection with the music. This exclusive edition
gives fans the opportunity to experience the track in a unique and tangible
format. We hope it offers a richer, more immersive experience, allowing
listeners to connect with the song in a more personal way.
7. Atmospheric
black/doom is a genre that leans heavily into creating a visceral, immersive
experience. How do you go about crafting this atmosphere in your music,
especially with the blend of vocals, synths, and instrumentation?
Creating
the atmospheric experience in our music is something we approach with great
care and intention. The blend of harsh vocals, ethereal synths, and the weight
of the instrumentation all serve to build a certain mood and depth. Kristien has also dedicated herself
to mastering a depressive black metal scream technique, which will be featured
on the upcoming full album, enabling her to convey emotions in a way that makes
listeners feel her pain. It’s important to us that the audience truly feels the emotions behind
the music. The synths bring in layers of atmosphere and texture, guiding the
listener through different emotional landscapes. It’s all about balancing the
raw energy of black metal with the immersive, atmospheric qualities of doom,
creating a journey that is both intense and deeply emotional.
8. Splendidula
has an impressive history with three full-length albums and appearances at
numerous festivals. What would you say has been the biggest milestone in your
journey as a band so far, and what are you most looking forward to?
Our performance at Caves du Manoir in Switzerland was undoubtedly one of
the biggest highlights for us in terms of live shows. The hospitality, the
stunning location, a hotel with a view of the mountains, and the energy of the
crowd made it an unforgettable experience. It was also the last time we shared
the stage with Peter, our bassist who passed away. Another major milestone was
the beginning of our collaboration with Argonauta Records, as it opened up many
exciting opportunities for us. Looking ahead, we’re especially excited about
the release of our next full album, as well as a major show announcement that
we can’t reveal just yet, but it’s something we’re really looking forward to!
9. With festivals and live
performances being a core part of your presence, what do you feel the live
experience adds to the Splendidula sound, and are there any upcoming shows
where fans can experience "Behind My Semblance" live?
The emotion and atmosphere we create on stage bring the music to life in
a way that resonates more when experienced live. We also incorporate visuals
during our live performances, which enhances the immersive experience and helps
transport the audience further into the atmosphere of our music. As for 'Behind My Semblance,' we actually performed it live for the
first time at our last two shows, and we're excited to bring it to even more
stages in the near future.
10. Lastly,
could you share any hints or teasers about what fans might expect from your
next full-length album? How will it connect to or expand upon the themes in
"Behind My Semblance"?
The title
of the next album is “Absentia”, and it revolves
around the feelings of grief and loss. We came up with this theme after the
death of Sven, a very close friend of ours. He was an enormous music lover, and
we wanted to dedicate the album to him as a tribute. Little did we know that,
in the meantime, we would also face the loss of our bassist Peter and our cat Gimli
(our child), which means the album will now also be dedicated to them. It will
definitely be the most emotional and personal album we've created so far. The
lyrics of 'Behind My Semblance' came from the same emotions, which create a
natural connection with the themes of the upcoming album.
Splendidula (@splendidula.band) • Photos et vidéos Instagram
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