1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
Well, our story goes back to 2009 when I left Before The Rain. I had the chance to know and play with Gonçalo in the band for about 3 years when he was playing drums. Soon we realized that we were sharing a lot of common interests in musical taste, feelings and concerns.
Following such background vision, the idea of doing something together grew naturally and we started talking about the creation of a “musical project” to express our deepest “doom” feelings. By end of 2010 we were already playing together once a week bringing to live some of our “darkest” ideas and trying to make something feasible to happen. One year later, the results could be already measured and filling in our souls.
After raising such solid work and keeping our ground rules, we have decided that it was more than time to enhancement and elevate our work looking for new members in Portugal as long as they could share the same musical ideals and likes. These acquisitions turned to be a very hard process. However, one year later the band was complete and we were already able to have our first line up to enter in studio and record together with some Portuguese guests.
The first record sessions started late 2012 during winter season. Unfortunately, time was not our ally and we were expected to record everything in 5 days which turned to be a huge time challenge and regrettably impossible to finish everything as we would have liked to. You know how they say”misery loves company” and we had to keep our “doom” project in standby because two members of the band left sometime after being in studio.
Some months later I decided to leave Portugal and move to Norway where I am settled now. Apart from distance and lack of availability to play together with Gonçalo, we were both able to keep our project much alive. After 4 years working slowly and at distance, we have challenged ourselves to deepen our motivations and reborn our souls bringing back to live our musical project to a higher level. In the meantime, I have started to talk and share some ideas with Natalie Koskinen which came to reveal a big surprise because of the growing empathy between us. Some weeks after, she joined COL clearly demonstrating her added value to the band.
Despite of the acquisition of a third member, we were still missing a guitar player and we have thought of Monteiro from BTR after he left the band. He promptly accepts our invitation and soon after we decide with all’s input to refresh the tracks that were initially recorded in studio in 2012. Although, we are still looking for some members to complete the line up, we can finally say that we have the band’s core!
2.Recently you have released an album, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording?
The main purpose of our work is to help those who listen to us to explore how much can our music touch their souls, release their deepest emotions and evoke ”doom” feelings, opening themselves to their darkest inner thoughts. As in poetry behind each lyric there is a very personal and strong message that it is shaped and tailored made into our music. The message may not reach the listeners’ feelings at the same level of understanding and emotion of those who written and felt it. Exploring different perspectives and approaches, we can say that our main message is revealing the feeling of someone that is being crushed with the burden of what life is.
3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
COL is trying to cover and explore subjects that can express “doom feelings”, such as life failures. If there is a meaning in life after loss or why do people feel crushed and drowned by all things that are part of their life or why do people tend to keep alive inside their souls sadness over joy? How can we put an end on suffering without taking out our lives? Much has been said and explored already on this thematic; there is not much to add or change. COL believes that can make the difference not on the words but on the way words are said, expressed and felt.
4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Collapse Of Light'?
We were looking for a name that could both describe the beginning and the ending of life. The name was born from this concept. Without any certainty, it seems that universe was created from an explosion which is not more than a collapse of light together with different matters allowing the beginning of live....However, and on the opposite side (ending), we shall remain on the darkness if light collapses. The word collapse can be used to give and take life depending on the way we use it. Is there a beginning after an end? COL is approaching this dual-thematic when life loses the sparkle and everything is doomed. Will there be a beginning after closing the cycle of light?
5.There is not much on the internet about the band, all i know is that a couple of members are music veterans and the band is located in Europe, in what parts of the Europe do the band members reside?
We have to agree with you... In fact, there is not much information about COL available online. We have decided to keep some “secrecy” about us until we were able to show some physical proof of existence with the release of our debut album. Step by step we are gathering all the information necessary, so that we can work on our biography as any other band in the market. COL embraces Northern and Western Europe. For now, Gonçalo and Monteiro are settled in Portugal, Natalie in Finland and I’m in Norway.
6.Some of the band members are veterans, what is it that you bring into the music of this band that you were not able to do with your other groups
Do you think there is enough doom bands in the world? I can only answer for myself and share my opinion with you.... I’m too young to retire and there is still much of me to do, share and offer. Sometimes is not what you sing on a song, what your write on a lyric, but the way you sing, play and feel the music that makes the difference and how it reaches those you listen to you. We all believe that we are able to do something that has not been done before offering a different approach for those who like doom.
7.Has the band done any live shows yet or are there any plans for live shows?
No, not yet. However, it is part of our plans to play live in the near future. Hopefully, we will be able to share some news late 2018. Our priority is to find a good line up and whenever the band is complete we need to brainstorm on how we would like to play live for our fans. That being said, I can share already with you that we would like to create a new conception and perspective of what bands are playing alive now.
8.The album was released on 'Rain Without End Records', how did you get in contact with this label?
We have approached several labels, sending them our album. In the meantime, after analyzing several bids and offers, we have decided for RWE because we think it is the best qualified label to bust our work at the moment. Choosing RWE, end up to be a very practical and professional decision because they have shown some interest in our project when I got in contact with them some time ago sending a draft of a simple track.
9.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of atmospheric doom/death metal?
So far so good... We are receiving very good reaction but we are aware that the engine has just started to work now. There is still a stiff way to climb ahead of us. Each day we have new people following COL on facebook page, which is always very grateful and motivating to all of us. On a more professional side, the comments we are receiving on our album reviews are looking very promising and it has been rated above average for a debut album.
10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
If all goes as expected, COL is going to studio later this year. Although, we have already some new material on a final phase we prefer not to compromise with a date with you to avoid a potential failure in our promises and deadlines. As a band, we are all very tough and demanding with ourselves and our work. Our music reflects our mood and feelings directly, so we need to let it flow without any pressures to be more successful in our project delivery.
11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
Going back in time when I started singing in my doom projects/bands, I would say that I had three main influences: Anathema (all albums until and including Pentecost III), Paradise Lost (the two first albums) and My Dying Bride (all albums until Like Gods of the Sun). Although, I have considered those bands as my main pillars, I am an eclectic person and I listen to several music genres, from Shape of Despair to Ólafur Arnalds. I like to listen to music that somehow makes my inspiration flow. Age has also brought me a different perspective on music and nowadays I listen to any genre of music that is able to raise any type emotion on my inner self, no matter what labels are given to them.
12.What are some of your non musical interests?
I am as any other ordinary human being. I’m into cinema, reading a good book, drinking good wine or beer and hanging out with my friends and family. I am also very keen on approaching and analysing life and death in all its different perspectives and points of view.
13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Thanks for the interview and support. For those who are reading this interview, check COL FB page and follow us if you feel touched by our music ... “Até outro tempo”.
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