1- Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording and release of the new album?
We have signed a deal with the label Massacre Records and gave several concerts in France to present our new album. We also organized a release party on the Feb. 21st 2014, day our new record has been available! The show took place at home, in Bayonne at ‘Magnéto’ venue. We worked on our scenic presentation and on all visual aspects and concepts of our music. It was an incredible moment, with more than 200 guests, friends, artists, promoters.
Now, we are working hard on the new album's promotion.
2- Recently you have put out a new album, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical direction of the new recording and also how does it differ from the EP you had released in 2010?
On this record, we wanted to produce more violent, powerful and emotional songs! We kept our progressive influences and asymmetric structures, with much more pieces of death metal and thrash metal! The challenge was to stay coherent throughout this full length album!!!
3- This is the first release that has been out in 4 years, can you tell us a little bit more about what was going on during that time?
We went on tour during spring 2011 to promote our first EP ‘Act One’ and gave several gigs in clubs or festivals. Then, we started to work on ‘Reflections’ in April 2012 and we finished the recording sessions 4 month later.
Finally, mix and mastering made by our great Mobo (Conkrete Studio) were over on December 2012. The whole process spent 8 month!!!
We had to work on the artwork, on music videos, and above all we had to look for a label. We signed with MASSACRE RECORDS during spring 2013 and had to wait to be included in their promotional plan!!
It's been long but we are so glad and proud to release this album on a real & great label!
4- What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores
with the new release?
Every song on ‘Reflections’ explores psychological themes, talks about introspection. Each song narrates cases of bipolarity, maybe schizophrenia, through reflections of our different inner facets. This aspect is revealed by the opposition between the voices of our two singers.
5- What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Silent Opera' and also are you do you know about the band in Italy that also shares the same name?
Well, this is just an unfortunate coincidence! Each band was born at the same time in 2007 but the music we offer is very different.
To us, the name Silent Opera symbolizes contrasts: the contrast between Laure and Steven's voices but also between violence and melancholia. The term “opera” deserves this paradox but doesn’t show an “operatic” aspect of the music, unlike most symphonic metal bands.
6- What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
Each show has good sides but we really enjoyed playing at Secret Place venue on March 2011 or at Hell’Oween festival last October. That was great shows with a wonderful audience!
On stage, we always try to avoid the clichés of symphonic metal bands, by delivering really energetic performances, as death metal bands can do! We also give much more importance to visual aspects (logo, backdrops, video, etc.).
7- Do you have any touring or show plans for the new release?
Actually, we're working on it! We already have some gigs booked in France and Spain.
We're also in negotiation with promoters / venues in order to prepare a tour on autumn 2014.
Virginie, our French contact & booker is looking for booking agencies to tour in whole Europe.
8- On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of melodic and extreme '?
Melodic fans and extreme fans react differently to our music. Of course, some people won't enjoy our music 'cause they'll think it's too violent and others ‘cause it’s too melodic!
But we finally found our audience because a lot of music lovers want to be surprised and want to find different levels of listening in one record.
Since the release, we receive a lot of positive comments and reviews from all over Europe. And a lot of fans from America, Russia and Japan gave us great feedback about ‘Reflections’! We feel so grateful about it!!!
9- Can you tell us a little bit more about the other musical projects that some of the other band members participated in?
Most of us play in other bands in different metal styles: death, thrash, symphonic, tribute bands.
Romain, Jon and Olivier have just launched a new death metal band called Prophetic Scourge. They also played with Steven in Unscarred, a tribute to Pantera.
Olivier enters in Cliff Williams’ role in TNT: AC/DC Tribute Band.
Steven participates in 2 others bands: Undead Strippers (horror glam) and Can of Worms (thrash metal) and finally, Laura is the composer and keyboards of Opus Doria, a symphonic epic metal band. No time to be bored! ^^
10- What direction do you see the music heading into on future releases?
We already started the composition of the future album and all we can say is that we'll keep writing complex songs with different moods and lot of heavy riffs!
11- What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
Each member of Silent Opera listens to different kind of music, to different bands. I think our main influences come from Dream Theater, Pain of Salvation, Dimmu Borgir, Meshuggah or The Ocean releases.
12- Do you have any interests outside of music?
No, we only like music… ^^
Of course, we have. We all live in Bask Country (southwest France) which has so amazing landscapes. We all enjoy walking near the ocean, some of us enjoy hiking and others do surfing.
We are interested by any kind of art, literature and nature that may inspire us for our new lyrics and stage creations.
13- Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Thank you so much for this interview, we hope we’ll have a great success with ‘Reflections’.
Hope to see you very soon on live! Thanks.
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