Interview Interrogation: Emphasis (Estonia)

Emphasis are not holding back nor are they slowing down, the Estonian Progressive / Symphonic Power Metallers have signed a deal with Japanese label Red Rivet Records. Thus giving the band the momentum to reach deep into the Asian market and help expose not only their music, but the rich vibrant sounds the Estonian Metal scene has to offer. It has been two years since the sextet dropped their debut album "Revival" and now they're revelling in their latest offering "Soul Transfer", deviating away from the structural guidelines laid before them in search of a truly inspirational sound for the album as the band go on to explain... it did not happen by sheer accident.

How does it feel to release your second album 'Soul Transfer'; especially on Japanese label Red Rivet Records? Where does this place itself in terms of the band's history and the wider Estonian Metal scene?

Katya (bass):

     "Estonia is a small country and our metal scene is very small as well. Actually, there's only one metal label – Nailboard Records. Many years ago they signed bands, but now they work more as a  distribution company. So it means that we have no choice and it's pretty common that Estonian artists sign deals with foreign labels. So, as you know, our previous album was released on the Italian label "Underground Symphony". This time we sent our record to a list of labels over the world and we were happy to get positive feedback from Japan. Red Rivet Records offered us reasonable conditions and we're still happy about our co-operation. And yes, for us every action and step forward is kind of achievement."


Regarding the 'Soul Transfer' track-list, could you explain the meaning behind  the percentages?; Assuming it ties in with the album title?

Max (guitars):

     "Soul Transfer is a concept album, an entire complete original story where the order of the compositions are arranged in a certain meaningful sequence. All the tracks are combined through smooth transitions or short instrumental sketches, which underlines and complements the full picture of the idea. In order to understand what we wanted to convey to the listener, you need to listen to the disc from start to finish in one session: from zero to one hundred percent with a total duration of 73 minutes. So, in the album, three main lines are closely intertwined: the inner world of feelings and memories of the character, the world of virtual reality created by a super computer, and the real material non-industrial world and its society, manipulated by gadgets and social media.

• Tracks 42.88% Electric God and 68.95% Leviathans talk about the control over society by the world elite, the songs trace the lines about fratricidal wars, the mechanisms of using human resources, turning people into zombies through the screens of TVs and computers.
  

• As for the world of dreams and feelings of the hero - everything is simple: song 63.11% The Metaphysics of Love is full of kindness, harmony and mystery, about the most important thing that is assigned to a person in his life.
  

• The track 31.89% Resonate can be attributed to the relaxation mantra. I would also like to talk about the rest of the tracks, but all this will not change the fact that the main world of our album is the musical world, it is multifaceted, complex, beautiful and anxious, there will be jazz, symphonic, rock and electronic sounds, complex rhythms and chords. From composition to composition, according to the percentages, along with the main character, you will live the entire album and the procedure of transferring consciousness to the server. This was the meaning, the meaning of immersion in comprehension and participation. I guarantee it will leave a residue. The peculiarity of our puzzle album is that it is suitable for repeated listening and studying. Overhearing Soul Transfer, I still discover new moments for myself, new thoughts visit me, I analyse why we did it that way. Whether we managed to create something in the format of rock opera."
  

Using non-tradtional metal instruments can sometimes be considered unorthodox (in this case a saxophone and trumpet). What gave you the inspiration to include said instruments? How was it working with Raul Sööt and Allan Järve? Can we call the album 'Avant-Garde' or 'Progressive Jazz Metal'?

Pavel (guitars):

     "I expected such a question... creating music for "Soul Transfer", initially I did not think about jazz instruments, as well as about violins. The album was at the stage of mixing... there were a lot of instrumental parties and it did not sound boring. But one evening, when the light at the end of the tunnel was already close, I went to the shower. Standing under the hot water, I thought: damn! I want to add something else, why not the jazz sounds? After two beers I opened my computer, sketched out my ideas, and messaged one saxophonist. In the morning I got a negative answer from him. I was quite mad and decided to make a last effort. I wrote a message to one of the best musicians in Estonia - my former harmony teacher and tenor saxophonist Raul Sööt. Next morning he answered me that it will be interesting for him to take a part in this project.

     After that I was thinking about trumpet. Then I messaged to Allan Järve, who was my friend at the Viljandi Academy of Culture. He quickly came to my studio and we recorded a trumpet for two tracks in an hour. Raul Sööt took the task very responsibly. He recorded his parts at the studio with Cristo Cotkas, there were several sessions. When I mixed the album, including their parts, I realized that this is exactly what I would like to hear in the end. The other members of the Emphasis were shocked. They listened to the songs several times and said that it sounds cool, albeit unusual. Avant-garde it or not – let the reviewers to decide :) But for me this record is exactly what I always wanted to record, even at those times, when in our group were only three members - me, Katya and Vsevolod. Ten years passed and we did it! I want to say a big thank you to all the musicians who shared this work with us - Raul Sööt, Allan Jarve, my friend from Moscow - Oleg Lutskevich, and also my colleague Julia Mets and my student Alexander Smirnov."

Tallinn (Visit Estonia website)

Assuming there will be a tour to support the new album, are there any countries you would want to target? Will there be a music video released in support?

Anna (vocals):

     "Currently, we don't plan any tour activities. Our album release party took place in Rockstar's club in Tallinn on April 14. The most of the songs we played for the really first time in our lives and we really enjoyed that! The crowd was amazing. We decided to focus on promotional stuff. Yes, we have some great plans about music video .. but let's see! :)"


For metal fans travelling to Tallinn and wider Estonia, what sights / attractions could you recommend seeing?

Katya (bass):

     "Rockstar's club – the oldest rock club in town, actually! Hard Rock Laager Open Air, of course. If you want to discover more, I totally recommend you to visit Narva, home town of three of our musicians, and got Art Club "Ro-Ro“. Believe me, there's really special atmosphere :)"


What plans does the band have for the rest of the year that have not already been indicated earlier?

Katya (bass): 

     "We are planning to open our online-shop, finally! There you can find our musical stuff and some really cool merchandise. As Anna said, we also have some plans about music video, but.... now we're not ready to discuss it. However, GMA will be the first source who'll get a link ;)"

Anna (vocals): "In autumn, we plan to play more shows. This spring was really hard for us!"
Max (guitars): "And we also plan to continue with the new material."
Pavel (guitars): "... 3,5 of the songs done :D"


Are there any greetings you wish to send out to fans, friends, family, etc?

All: "We wish you to visit more live shows and support local underground scene!"

https://www.facebook.com/Emphasis.Estonia/