Oathswan, a new metal project formed by members from Mask of Prospero, Gentihaa, and Aetherian, explores cinematic metalcore with emotional depth. In this interview, they discuss their journey, sound, and future plans.
1. Oathswan
brings together members from several prominent metal bands like Mask of
Prospero, Gentihaa, and Aetherian. How did the idea of forming this band come
about, and what inspired you to create a new musical identity?
Oathsawn was founded by Manos and Chris and the idea was born during the
songwriting of a different project. When Manos composed the first tracks, Chris
saw the vision of creating something new and different from the destination
that it was meant for. In the past we had several attempts of co-existing in
previous bands, but never successfully. Due to common life experiences, the
band's aspect was just accepting each other's struggles and sharing the need of
telling the same storytelling. Our music identity - The “Swans’s” identity was
the perfect match of our words and aspect, since we saw ourselves living a
Cinematic Love Story into our shallow present. I think our past through our
previous projects does not coincide in our style, more like leaving the
previous wounded skin behind.
2. The
single "Cursed" delves into themes of forgiveness, despair, and
self-destruction. Can you walk us through the story or emotions behind the
song? How did the lyrics and music come together?
The first
EP was the apology from us to us, for letting ourselves love a person who
breathes from darkness (Ep’s Title). Now it's time to get back. We have
accepted and acknowledged the damage that's been done. We are evolving now to
our new selves by growing fangs through our beak. We let the Curse conquer the
innocent past, so it becomes powerful and unpredicted. "It's
time to embrace our new selves”
3. Your
music is described as a blend of metalcore, post-metal, and djent with a
cinematic twist. How do you incorporate cinematic elements into your
songwriting and production?
The
cinematic aspect it's the perfect frame of telling a love story, but it became
a nightmare composing and arranging it. Everything has to be in balance, such
as writing music for a movie or arranging for an orchestra. Meanwhile you can’t
lose Core’s power, Djent's Modernism and Alternative's twistiness. We have some
very powerful elements to blend and we are always experimenting through the
edge of exploding this mix. But in the end when you sit back and listen this
poly-edging shape of music, clarity’s redemption running from ears to the brain
4. Bob
Katsionis played a significant role in the production, mixing, and mastering of
"Cursed." What was it like working with him, and how did his
expertise shape the final sound of the track?
Bob is a
multi-tasking producer who has already run numerous projects of different
styles and genres. Oathswan’s style is not his speciality, that’s why it's a
challenge even for him (and for us) to deliver the final result successfully.
It triggers him to overcome and redirect his consciousness of production, since
he has to manage these multi-genre ideas and guide them into a single path.
Sounds like a heavy and difficult process, but we are having fun and we love
this artistic process. His music identity is strong such as his daily behavior
and the environment that he builds around this work, it's like writing music
with our dad.
5. The
music video for "Cursed" is visually striking and features Mary
Voulgari and Sofia Evangelidou in acting roles. Can you share more about the
creative vision for the video and how it complements the song?
We had to
describe the vision of letting our past self behind, so we had to kill our
previous self Sofia “The Swan” and let Mary “The Curse” take her throne. With a
medieval sword like fighting in the ancient times, symbolises the non-present
existence of our story since we are talking about the forever pain. On the
other hand the song takes place in the present, since our composing elements
and the blend of aspects are extremely fresh. Generally we love to experiment,
even trying to combine "the opposites” like the Past - Present.
6. You’ve
mentioned that gaming and cinematic scores inspire your sound. Are there
specific games or soundtracks that have influenced Oathswan’s music?
We were all
born in the 90’s, we lived our childhood through the Golden times of Cinema and
Gaming. Plus, we are going to experience the first E-Game Olympics soon with
games that we grow up with. In the past week the first cinematic gaming series
successfully completed its cycle and dominated every viewer's sight, nominated
for countless awards and emerging the new blood era to the surface. In
conclusion, we have many memories, experiences, moments of happiness and
despair through the living stories and the scores of cinema and gaming, how can
you be distant from these influences! I can run the Hans Zimmer collection and
see "moving pictures” with closed eyes.
7. With
"Cursed" being a precursor to your upcoming album, can you give us a
glimpse of what fans can expect from the LP? And how are you preparing for your
first European tour in 2025?
“Cursed” is
the starting point of this new experiment, so as you can see the upcoming LP is
unpredictable, unstable and hybrid. You can guess, but you're always going to
end up wrong. As for the tour now, it's the first time that any of our band
members are going to travel and perform in these countries. The excitement and
the hunger for the show is high, as well as the aspects of the fans (I guess).
Also 2025 will be a touring circle in different points of the European map, we
are preparing for the UK and more countries that will be announced soon.
8. Having
performed alongside bands like Tesseract, Thy Art is Murder, and Dimmu Borgir,
what lessons or experiences from those shows have influenced Oathswan's
approach to music and live performances?
Every
performance that we’ve experienced was a note to our pads. We’ve learned,
influenced and structed by them. If I had the chance I would revisit those
performances, just be sure that I have written down all the possible lessons.
9. The
Greek metal scene has gained international recognition in recent years. How do
you see Oathswan fitting into or standing out from this vibrant musical
landscape?
Greece
stands equally alongside other countries in metal charts. Oathswan's style and
identity its something new from our Greek idols, but not arrogant across them.
Etc Sakis Tollis's power of touring is remarkable, Gus G’s heavy crowded
performances giving us cold feet. We all hope someday to become like them.
10. Beyond
the album release and tour, what are Oathswan’s long-term goals? Are there any
collaborations, festivals, or unique projects on the horizon?
We have
accomplished every goal that has been set, with a great success and trusted
process. The key is to maintain ourselves throughout every challenge and keep
our love for this project. We sure have setted our new goals, the new plans,
the new challenges already. But mostly we can't face them, not just expecting
them to end. We have faith in ourselves and the capability of working our way
to success. What is for us, you will experience it in the upcoming years.
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