Interviews: The Mourning

On this new occasion, we had the opportunity to interview the Progressive Metal/Power Metal band The Mourning from the USA. 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?

Johnny Ray came up with the name while reflecting on the state of the world and its inhabitants. The concept of mourning resonated deeply with him, and he’d always been drawn to the name Lamentations from the Bible. However, he felt The Mourning was not only more memorable but also captured the depth of emotion he wanted to convey. The idea first struck him years earlier, during his time with his previous band, AIONIOS, but he didn’t have the opportunity to use it. When he started fresh, he seized the chance to bring The Mourning to life.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Johnny Ray often says, “Prog—it's like music, but better!” He’s drawn to the genre because of its dynamic nature—the way it seamlessly shifts from heavy to soft, from intense to mellow, all while blurring the lines between styles. Johnny loves experimenting with different musical influences and blending them into a coherent, captivating product. For him, progressive music offers endless opportunities to create something unique and emotionally resonant.

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

Johnny Ray first met Jason Berlin while he was still in his previous band, AIONIOS. Jason had attended one of their shows and was blown away by the performance, becoming an instant fan. That shared enthusiasm turned into a friendship, which eventually blossomed into a brotherhood as the two became inseparable bandmates.

Johnny’s connection with Francesco Pinter began through Instagram, where Francesco, all the way from Italy, reached out after seeing a video of Johnny singing. He invited Johnny to sing on his solo album, and their collaboration sparked a deep friendship. When the opportunity arose, Johnny asked Francesco to join The Mourning, and Francesco flew to America to record guitars for Hush. Johnny and Alex Nasla crossed paths on the 70,000 Tons of Metal cruise, where Johnny was working as a stagehand, and Alex was doing press. Shortly after the cruise, COVID hit, and during the lockdown, Johnny reached out to Alex to collaborate, knowing Alex was a skilled keyboardist. Later, Johnny asked Alex to remix and remaster the Hush album, as he wasn’t completely satisfied with the original product. Alex fell in love with the music during the process and ultimately decided to join the band.

Johnny met Zai Alyenora in 2019 through Facebook. When the need arose to replace the co-vocalist, Zai was the first person Johnny thought of, and she joined the band shortly thereafter.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Alex: Symphony X

Johnny: Opeth

Francesco: Children of Bodom

Jason: System of a Down

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Johnny Ray draws inspiration from a wide range of sources. He’s deeply moved by mental health struggles and the resilience people show in overcoming them. The beauty of the world, juxtaposed with the sadness and chaos he observes, also fuels his creativity. Additionally, Johnny finds profound inspiration in the concept of divine order and his faith in Christ, which often influences the themes and depth of his songwriting.

6. Where was your last gig?

New Port Richey, Florida

7. Where would you like to act?

For Johnny Ray, the dream is to tour Europe, the United States, and eventually, the entire world. He’s passionate about sharing The Mourning’s music with a global audience. One of Johnny’s bucket list venues is the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado, a place he considers a pinnacle of live performance.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

We would love to tour with Leprous, or Soen, Opeth, Dream Theater, or Symphony X.

9. Whom not?

I can’t think of any that we wouldn’t like to tour with.

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

Johnny Ray has experienced near-debilitating panic attacks on stage—moments so intense that he wanted to crawl out of his skin and run offstage. Despite these challenges, his love for music and performing drove him to find a solution. He worked with a life and mind coach for a year, learning tools that completely changed his perspective. If Johnny could offer one piece of advice to beginners, it would be to focus on having the right “initial thought.” For example, instead of thinking, “I’m nervous,” shift the mindset to “I’m excited.” Reframing the jitters as positive energy can make all the difference. Today, Johnny works not only as a vocal coach but also as a confidence coach, helping others tackle social anxiety and stage fright. He’s always happy to assist anyone who needs guidance in overcoming these hurdles.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Johnny Ray’s musical journey has been heavily influenced by a diverse range of bands, particularly in the progressive and metal genres. Some of his biggest inspirations include Symphony X, Nevermore, Periphery, Veil of Maya, Extol, Steven Wilson, Death, and Opeth. These bands have shaped his approach to songwriting and performance, inspiring him to create music that balances technical complexity with emotional depth. Their ability to blend heavy and melodic elements resonates deeply with Johnny and informs much of The Mourning’s sound.

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

Zai: One of the weirdest things that a fan has asked of me was to tattoo them. They wanted me to pick the location and whatever it would say - as long as I was doing it. I laughed and said I had an idea, but asked again if they had any limits. They said they wouldn’t care even if I just signed my name, “Zai”! So, I tattooed my name onto someone’s leg and I was actually pretty good at it! It happened at a tattoo shop I was networking at where I was the special guest being filmed for the media.

13. What do you think of your fans?

We think they’re awesome! We’re so grateful for every single one of the people who watch our videos, listen to our music, go to our shows, comment on our videos, etc! Our fans are neat, and we think they like cool music. ;)

14. What do you think of our site?

We are impressed with breathingthecore.com and its dedication to supporting global metal! We appreciate how the site shines a spotlight on underground and independent bands, providing them with a platform to reach wider audiences. The detailed interviews, press releases, and free music downloads help connect fans and artists, building a strong and passionate community. We admire the effort to feature bands from various subgenres, showcasing the incredible diversity within metal. We’re grateful for the opportunity to share our music and story on such an inspiring platform.

15. Something to add?

We’d just like to thank breathingthecore.com for featuring us and for everything you do to support the metal and hardcore community. To the fans, thank you for being on this journey with us—we couldn’t do it without you. Keep supporting the music, and we hope to see you all on the road soon!