Barcelona-based progressive metal band Aran return with “Everything Ends,” a powerful nine-minute odyssey and lead single from their upcoming concept album WWI. We dive deep into its creation and meaning.
1.Let’s
start with your new single “Everything Ends.” It’s an epic, nine- minute
journey. Can you walk us through the songwriting process and what you aimed to
express with this track?
I started composing already thinking about writing an epic and long piece, with
several ideas from different styles that intertwine throughout the track. The
rest was just going bit by bit and letting the ideas flow. The process was more
natural than one might imagine.
2. “Everything Ends” serves as the lead single for your upcoming concept
album WWI. Why did you choose World War I as the central theme for this album?
I chose the First World War as the theme after watching a documentary series
called Apocalypse. We love talking about historical events in our songs, always
under the concept album approach, and I realized that, although wars like World
War II and the Vietnam War (just to name a couple) have had and continue to
have extensive coverage in the art world, the "Great War" is rarely
talked about — even though people had to live through situations that, today,
would seem extreme and unimaginable. I thought it was a very compelling topic.
3. Your debut album EVO – A Progressive Journey featured 20 guest artists
from across the prog scene. Will your new album follow a similar collaborative
approach, or is this one more inward and introspective?
WWI will undoubtedly be a much more introspective album, although it will still
feature collaborations with many renowned musicians. However, this one will
feel more like an album made by the band Aran, compared to EVO, which had a
clear focus on being a collaborative and experimental challenge.
4. Musically, how would you describe the evolution from EVO to WWI? Did you
explore any new sounds, instruments, or compositional techniques for this new
chapter?
WWI will still be an album with a wide range of influences, both stylistically
and conceptually, but I believe the songs have reached a different level of
maturity—showing more commitment to offering something that both classic
Progressive Rock and Metal audiences, as well as lovers of Afro-American-rooted
music, can truly enjoy from start to finish. It will be less experimental and
more focused, with more tracks and longer ones as well.
5. Your cover of “Straight Lines” by VOLA was an unexpected and exciting
surprise. What inspired you to cover this particular track, and what did you
want to bring to it as Aran?
We wanted to do a cover, but without falling into the cliché of going for
classic bands and their greatest hits. Instead, we wanted to spotlight a modern
song by a band we truly love. And there will be more covers like this coming,
as a way of showing that the world of prog is more alive than ever. Well, and
of course, to have some fun too.
6. Progressive metal is known for its complexity and conceptual depth. How
do you balance technicality with emotional storytelling, especially in a topic
as heavy as war?
That’s a very good question, and a tough one to answer clearly. I think the
idea is that, since progressive music is full of instrumental sections, the
first thing is to learn how to tell a story through notes—not just through
words. The other big challenge is making sure the vocal parts fits naturally
with the solos and instrumental sections. But after putting in it hours and
hours trying, I think we’ve managed to find a balance that, for our goals, is
the right one.
7. Let’s talk lyrics. Are there specific historical moments or figures from
World War I that inspired certain songs on WWI? How much research went into
crafting the lyrical themes?
There’s been a ton of research—many books and documentaries—to help us tell the
most compelling stories, but that’s not all. The focus of the songs will be on
portraying key historical moments, like the Battle of Tannenberg, the Somme, or
the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. But it won’t just be a
historical account—we also want to explore what life was like during the Great
War: what it felt like to live in the trenches on the Western Front, or how a
general might have felt after losing a major battle... All of this, without
ever losing the anti-war perspective that defines this album.
8. Barcelona has a vibrant and diverse music scene. How has the local
environment shaped Aran’s sound and artistic identity?
The artistic environment here in Catalonia is a very free one, with tons of
possibilities. Although Metal might not be among the most listened-to genres by
the general public—especially Progressive Metal—there are several organizations
and festivals that support experimental, free, and underground music, and that
has really helped us grow not only as artists but also as persons.
9. There’s a clear cinematic quality to your compositions. Have you ever
considered scoring film, or collaborating with visual artists to expand the
Aran universe?
Yes, my way of composing is heavily inspired by modern film soundtracks, and
especially by video game soundtracks, which have been my passion since I was a
child. I always like to add a touch of that legacy to my compositions to give
them a different vibe as well. You can notice this a lot on songs from the
first album like “Modern era” or “Human coming darkness”.
10. You describe your sound as blending metal with experimental jazz and
rock. Can you share some of your influences — musical or otherwise — that
continue to inspire you?
We have a ton of different influences, so I'll just name a few. Talking about
Progressive Rock, I'm a huge fan of the Italian scene from the 70s, bands like
PFM, Banco del Mutuo Soccorso, and Le Orme are among my favorites. Then there
are the classic English bands with virtuosos like Yes, Emerson, Lake and
Palmer, and King Crimson. Rush is also one of my favorite bands. In the world
of Metal, without a doubt, Dream Theater, Haken, and Neal Morse. And we can't
forget about great artists from the Jazz world that inspired our compositions
like Chick Corea, Victor Wooten or Weather Report.
11. With “Everything Ends” set to premiere on November 8th, what are your
hopes for how listeners will connect with this track? What do you want them to
take away from it?
We're convinced that the audience will enjoy the new approach we've started
this year with Everything Ends and Straight Lines, a more modern approach aimed
at music lovers who are fans of good Rock music, but also opened to the new
generations.
12. And finally — your message “Let there be Prog!” resonates loud and
clear. What does the progressive genre mean to you personally, and what’s your
vision for the future of Aran?
The interesting thing about the term 'Prog,' just like the term 'Jazz,' is that
in my opinion, they don't define just a style but rather a way of artistically
understanding and interpreting a musical movement. Progressive music dares to
break barriers with eccentric sounds, long durations, bold solos, and themes
that aren't everyday topics. It's the artistic freedom behind the word 'Prog'
that I love and that I believe defines us as a band and as artists. The
desire to create something creative and unique.
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