Interview Shape of Water

Shape of Water returns with their heaviest track yet, Silence of the Lambs, a dark and cinematic piece exploring power, submission, and rebellion. We discuss the song, their evolving sound, and upcoming album.

1. Your new single Silence of the Lambs has been described as your heaviest and darkest track yet. What inspired the song, both lyrically and musically?

It came from a need to try something different. We wrote this song a long time ago but never found the right place for it within our music. We felt that a song this extreme needed equally extreme lyrics. Musically, we pushed ourselves to blend crushing riffs, atmospheric tension, and a sense of urgency, creating something both aggressive and cinematic.

2. The title Silence of the Lambs immediately evokes a sense of psychological tension. Does the song have any direct connection to the film, or is there a deeper meaning behind the name?

The title is more metaphorical than a direct reference to the film. It represents the idea of being silenced, manipulated, or forced into submission—whether by society, personal relationships, or oppressive forces. There’s a psychological weight to it, just like in the movie, but in our case, it’s about the moment when confusion and defeat blend together, leaving you in the role of the victim—the lamb.

3. This track is part of your forthcoming third album, set for release in 2025. How does Silence of the Lambs fit into the overall theme of the album? Can fans expect more of this heavier sound?

This song is a key piece of the album, but it doesn’t define the whole record. Our music has always been dynamic, and this album is no different. It’s an intimate album, and "The Silence of the Lambs" is just the joker card in the deck. It’s all about contrast—we don’t limit ourselves to one sound.

4. Your music has always been genre-fluid, blending rock, electronic, and atmospheric elements. With this heavier direction, do you feel Shape of Water is evolving into a new phase?

We’re not shifting into a single "heavy" phase; rather, we’re expanding our sound. Shape Of Water has always been about exploring different sonic landscapes. "The Silence of the Lambs" is just one of the many sides of who we are. Our goal is always to create music that feels authentic, whether it’s dark and heavy or ethereal and melodic.

5. You’ve worked with renowned producers and engineers like Paul Reeve and Sky Van Hoff in the past. What was the production process like for Silence of the Lambs, and how did working with Grant Berry on mastering influence the final sound?

Grant has mastered all our records, and we trust him to bring out the depth and nuances in every song we release, including "The Silence of the Lambs." From a production standpoint, we’ve learned a lot from Paul and Sky, but right now, we feel more comfortable experimenting with absurdity until it becomes something real. It’s a bit like alchemy—starting in a raw, chaotic state (nigredo) and transforming it into something higher.

6. Since your formation in 2018, your music has explored themes of human emotion, societal issues, and political critique. Does Silence of the Lambs continue in this vein, or does it introduce new thematic elements?

It’s definitely in line with our usual themes, but it carries a more visceral energy. It’s about the power structures that control people, the internal battle between compliance and rebellion, and the feeling of breaking free. In a way, it’s both personal and universal.

7. Earlier this year, you released covers of Russians by Sting and Blinding Lights by The Weeknd. What drew you to those songs, and how did reinterpreting them shape your creative process for original material?

We always choose covers that resonate with us in some way. "Russians" had a powerful message that, sadly, is still relevant today, and we felt compelled to put our own spin on it. "Blinding Lights" was a different kind of challenge—we loved its retro vibe and wanted to reimagine it in a way that fit our sound. Working on covers gives us a fresh perspective on songwriting and production, which naturally feeds into our original material.

8. You also recently released your first song in Italian, Amandoti. How important is it for you to incorporate your Italian heritage into your music? Can we expect more Italian-language tracks in the future?

"Amandoti" (which is a cover of the Italian alternative rock band CCCP) was a special release for us. It was our way of honoring our roots while still making it our own. While most of our music is in English, we’re always open to experimenting, so who knows? If the right song comes along, we won’t hesitate to do it again.

9. Post-pandemic, you’ve played live shows with Radkey, Bad Touch, and Christian Death, and appeared at UK festivals like Call Of The Wild. How have those experiences influenced your stage presence and musical direction?

Playing live again after the pandemic was a huge wake-up call. The energy, the connection with the audience—it reminded us why we do this. Sharing the stage with such diverse bands has also reinforced our belief that we don’t need to fit into a single category. Every show pushes us to be better performers and to make our live experience as immersive as possible.

10. Your DIY approach to visual art is a key part of Shape of Water’s identity. How do you integrate your visual aesthetics with your music, and what can we expect for the upcoming album’s artwork?

We see music and visuals as two parts of the same storytelling process. Every song has a mood, a texture, and a visual identity to match. For the new album, we’re working on artwork that reflects the contrasts in our sound—dark yet vibrant, surreal yet grounded. It’s all about building a world around the music. We want to deliver the most complete experience possible, fully immersing our listeners in that world.

11. Classic Rock Magazine called you “potentially huge,” and BBC Introducing Lancashire has featured your music. With growing recognition, how do you see Shape of Water evolving in the next few years?

We’re grateful for every bit of recognition we’ve received, but we’re just getting started. We want to reach more people, play bigger stages, and keep pushing our creative limits. The goal is always to evolve while staying true to what makes us unique.

12. With Silence of the Lambs setting the stage for your next album, what message do you want to leave fans with as they prepare for this next era of Shape of Water?

Expect the unexpected. This album will take you on a journey—sometimes heavy, sometimes ethereal, but always immersive. We can’t wait for everyone to hear what we’ve been working on, and we hope our fans connect with it as deeply as we do. It’s a deeply personal record, shaped by our own experiences and emotions, and we’ve pushed ourselves to explore those feelings more than ever before.

SHAPE OF WATER Official Website

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