Interviews: Ethereal Darkness

On this new occasion, we had the opportunity to interview the Atmospheric Death Metal/Melodic Death Metal band Ethereal Darkness from Belgium. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, did you plan it or did it come out just like that?

I didn't really plan the name, I guess it sort of came to me. It's been in my head since I was a teenager. Initially, it was the name of a band I formed in my youth. When the time came to record new music, it felt like the perfect fit. The name is evocative and atmospheric, capturing the essence of the sound I wanted to create. It seemed like a shame to let go of such a good name.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Ethereal Darkness' music defies easy categorization, blending elements from various genres that have resonated with me over the years. What unites these disparate styles is the captivating atmosphere that permeates their sound. I've always been drawn to music that transports me to another realm, where each note weaves a narrative. Naturally, I gravitate toward genres that emphasize this immersive quality. My journey began with the first time I listened to Cradle of Filth's “Cruelty and the Beast.” The powerful and immersive atmosphere enchanted me, and from that moment on, I became a sucker for atmospheric music. Later, during my teenage years, Melodic Death Metal became my preferred genre, and it's evident that it has had a significant influence on my musical preferences. However, Ethereal Darkness emerged as a means to combine all the styles I love into a unique and personal expression that encapsulates the essence of emotion, power, and immersion.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

No, we didn't know each other before the band was formed. I had been wanting to start a band to bring my musical ideas to life, but finding the right members proved difficult. Instead of waiting, I decided to push forward and release our debut album as a solo effort, hoping it would help me attract like-minded musicians. Thankfully, it worked, and soon after, I found these talented musicians (Brecht, Mike, and Peter) who have helped me bring Ethereal Darkness to the next level. Recently, while preparing for our next album, it became clear we’d need extra hands to bring its feeling to the live setting. That’s when we found Zjesse, our newest addition and third guitarist, who turned out to be the perfect fit.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Lars: For me, it's hard to choose a single favorite band because, as I mentioned before, there are so many that have influenced me. But if I had to pick one, it would be old In Flames, they had a huge impact on me and my approach to guitar music.

Brecht: I don't really do favorites since I barely ever listen to the same band for a while. In our genre, however, I always turn back to Be'lakor and Omnium Gatherum. Overall though, Alcest, Igorrr, None (the band).

Mike: I’m an old-school death metal fan, so my favorite bands are more than 30 years old: Carcass, Morgoth, Death, Incubus, Pestilence, etc.

Peter: Tough question, hit's hard to pick one “all-time favorite” but at the moment I really like and listen to a lot of Gaerea.

Zjesse: Harakiri For The Sky, their lyrics are sometimes so deep and powerful and I listened to the trauma album for months non-stop when I had some hard times coming.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

I normally draw inspiration from things I've heard or experiences I've been through. Sometimes, I'll hear a cool riff and think to myself, "I'd love to try to create something like that" Other times, it's life's different experiences that shape my ideas. Beyond that, my writing process is very organic, I just sit down, start writing music, and let the song speak to me, telling me how it wants to go. I like to say I don't create music, I discover it.

6. Where was your last gig?

Our last gig was an incredible event. We played a sold-out show in Ghent, Belgium, alongside our friends from Splendidula (you should check them out) and the Australian band Austere, during one of their rare club performances. It was a fantastic evening, full of energy, emotion, and atmospheric metal.

7. Where would you like to act?

Since I was a teenager taking my first steps into metal, I've always been fascinated by Wacken Open Air in Germany. Playing there would be an absolute dream come true. That said, there's something incredibly special about performing in smaller clubs too. Feeling the proximity of the audience creates an intense connection and energy that’s hard to match.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Like my influences, there are far too many bands and musicians I’d love to collaborate with to list them all. If I had to choose, I’d say having guest vocals from Niilo Sevänen of Insomnium or Anders Fridén of In Flames would be incredible, as both have influenced me immensely. That said, there are so many many more, Dan Swanö is a personal hero (and collaborating with him on the mixing and mastering of our upcoming album Echoes has been a dream come true), Russell Allen from Symphony X (one of my all-time favorite vocalists), Loïc Rossetti from The Ocean... or even someone less conventional like Rob Swire from Pendulum!

9. Whom not?

I can't think of anyone at the moment. I'm pretty open to collaborating with anyone who shares a passion for music and creativity.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

Lars: Not really, to be honest. Once I step on stage, it's like entering a trance-like state, I become one with the music and the audience. Time flies, and before I know it, the whole set is over. If I had to give advice to beginners, I'd say don't be afraid. Just rehearse a lot, and once you're on stage, things will come naturally. Adrenaline is a helluva drug, haha!

Brecht: Obviously, I did, especially as a singer, but also as a lead guitarist because I have a mind that doesn't always work with me. Sometimes, my mind wanders into negative thoughts, which can lead to blackouts in the middle of a song if I get stuck in them. Concerts that feel 'off' to me are stressful, and it's hard to describe why they feel off. When the audience is into our music and the atmosphere is great, I have no stage fright. When the audience seemed reserved, distanced, or judgy, I used to lose confidence. I overcame it by realizing most of the people in this audience are not close to your skill level, and these are the ones you play for. Even if some of them are above you, from a technical point of view, you're here to share a whole as a band that they can't create. Whether they appreciate that is up to them. You can only be your best self and live in the moment. Second, by learned that failure is acceptable, which I learned by epically failing a sound-check as a singer where I took it with light self-mockery: “Well, that wasn't good, huh? Let’s try again". Or as a guitarist, one of our fans pointed out: “You missed a note here and there. Instead of being bothered by that, I just saw a guilty smirk on your face. It’s an awesome way to deal with a mistake". A mistake is the first thing that hurts you and is not always in control. How you deal with that mistake is in your control. Remember that the vibe and energy you play with impact your audience. If you linger on a mistake, you will ruin their experience, while the mistake probably didn't have an impact on them at all. As a band, it's important to say before the concert, “Whatever happens, happens, yet let's aim to be the best we can be".

Mike: Be ready for each gig, and everything will go well. Anyway, sometimes I have bad dreams about this situation haha.

Peter: No, as a drummer I feel safe in the background.

Zjesse: Maybe in the beginning when I started playing live shows, I had it a little bit, but it was all gone after the first 5 minutes back then. Once you're in the right mindset, it is just awesome. Any tips? Maybe a good thing to do is to just focus on doing your own thing and not worry that much when you make the slightest mistakes. You're worried too much in the beginning, but actually, no one is going to hear these small "mistakes".

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

I know I'm repeating myself here, but as I've said before, there are just too many bands to name. My inspiration comes from all across the musical spectrum, from the raw aggression of Anaal Nathrakh to the serene calmness of carbon-based life Lifeforms.

12. What’s the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

Haha, that's an interesting question! Sadly, I don't have any equally interesting anecdotes to share. Apart from the occasional request for a picture or signature, our fans are a pretty well-behaved bunch, haha!

13. What do you think of your fans?

I love our fans dearly, and their support means everything to us. Writing and producing music these days is really challenging, and without their constant support and motivation, we might have called it quits by now. Thankfully, we're lucky to have some of the best fans out there. Even though we don't release music very often (it's taken us five years to follow up on our debut) they were still there, waiting excitedly. Thank you all so much!

14. What do you think of our site?

It's fantastic! In our opinion, the metal scene isn't just about the bands, it's everyone involved that makes it thrive. From the photographers capturing moments to the zines like yours writing reports and spreading the word, you're all absolutely essential. The effort and the coverage Breathing The Core provides mean so much to bands like us, and we can’t thank you enough for everything you do to support the scene.

15. Something to add?

We just want to thank everyone who has supported us over the years, whether you've been with us since the beginning or you've just discovered our music. Creating Ethereal Darkness has been an incredible journey, and we're beyond excited for what's to come with our upcoming album Echoes. We hope it connects with you as much as it does with us. Stay metal, stay true, and keep supporting the scene, it wouldn't exist without you! A special thanks to Breathing The Core for this interview and for giving bands like ours a platform to connect with fans. You guys are doing amazing work for the scene, and we're honored to be a part of it.