Interview: Get to know Swiss progressive metalcore band Mycelia

Formed in 2010, the boys in Mycelia already have quite an impressive resume: 2 EP’s and 3 LP’s. Mycelia have continuously strived to defy the traditional boundaries between metal’s various subgenres, while still keeping their sound fresh and engaging. Drawing on influences ranging from hardcore, metal and djent to jazz and classic film scores, the Swiss six-piece has continually baffled both critics and fans with their complex, heavy-yet-catchy arrangements. The band’s signature sound pairs groovy, crushing rhythmic sections with subtle, intricate melodies, on top of surgically precise drumming and vocal arrangements that range from soaring clean vocals to utterly brutal screams and growls. Their newest outing, Apex, is due out October 12th via Eclipse Records. I had a chance to chat with the band about some various topics like the origin of their name, where their roots lie in terms of influences, and plenty of other interesting topics. For more information on Mycelia, please visit them on Facebook, Twitter, or Eclipse Records, and follow them on Spotify. Preorders for the album can be found here.

Where did the name of the band originate from? Is there meaning behind it at all?

Mycelia or Mycelium is the vegetative part of fungi. Interestingly, what most people know and see as fungus or mushroom is mostly only a tiny part of an immense underground network of hyphae. The comparison of such an organism to our musical complexity just seemed like a well fitting name.

What have you all been up to since the release of your last album?

Usually, the release of an album kicks off the start to future releases. Working full-time while writing, recording and preparing the release of a full-length album can drag out the process from a few weeks or months to 1-2 years. This is especially true when you consider the amount of time that goes into the composing process and the songs’ complexity when it comes to recording. It’s not uncommon to have 60+ tracks in our recording projects and every single one of those has to be perfect.

One might think that we grow tired of putting that much effort into every single release we make, but it’s always the release of an album that motivates us the most. Not only because of positive feedback but because you get to listen to your album with fresh ears (after recording and mixing is done, we mostly get fed up with the songs and can’t listen to them for a while). You start to see – or rather, hear – everything from a different perspective and you get to be critical of your work in a more objective way.

This leads to new ideas, things you want to do better or differently the next time and immediately makes you want to work on something new.

What made you all decide on sticking with the progressive metalcore/djent genre? Did you ever experiment with other genres before deciding on the aforementioned?

No, not in Mycelia. Although we always try to incorporate new elements into our compositions within Mycelia, we’ve always stuck to our core. However, outside of our band we’ve played, written and/or produced Death Metal, Black Metal, Metalcore, Screamo, Rock, Classical Music and many more genres in loads of different projects.

What are some of the lyrical themes or meanings behind some of the songs?

Since we had three vocalists contributing to the lyrics on APEX, there is a wide range of different themes spread across the album. While there is no overlying, unifying concept regarding the content of the lyrics, we always tried to adapt to each others’ writing style, to make sure that the lyrics have an overarching, similar feel to it. Regarding the themes and/or meanings behind the songs, they range from issues of and with mental health (Once Upon A Lie, Lawnmower Man) and ethical/political concerns (Slip-Along Jack McTravis, The Hateful Half-Dozen, Cromulon) to more abstract, often Science Fiction-inspired thought experiments and ideas (Monolith, E.V.A.)

Who would you say your biggest influences are?

Meshuggah, The Human Abstract, Dillinger Escape Plan, Dimmu Borgir, Intervals, Plini, Born of Osiris, All Shall Perish, Fell Silent, Animals as Leaders, Tesseract and so many more bands. I guess I could go on and on about what great musicians have influenced us in writing these songs. However, I believe it is much more important to state that we simply love music and believe every genre has amazing artists to discover. Therefore, it is not uncommon when writing a Mycelia song to be completely influenced by a Pop or maybe Synthwave album rather than your typical musical counterparts in the genre.

What albums were you listening to while writing/recording the album?

·         Aversions Crown – Tyrant

·         The Dillinger Escape Plan – One of us is the Killer

·         The Helix Nebula – Meridian

·         Plini – Sweet Nothings

·         Zedd – True Colors

·         Pink Floyd – The Dark Side of the Moon

Any big plans for tours to support the release?

We’re currently working on that ?

Speaking of touring, what are some of your favorite tour memories or experiences?

Well, one of the bands that we toured with had their new music video and a birthday to celebrate. So I baked a bunch of really good and special cupcakes for everyone. They were delicious and gone in minutes during soundcheck. And then, let’s just say, we all had a 420% good time.

If you had the opportunity to tour with 3 bands, past or present, who would you tour with?

1.       Veil of Maya: They’re such great musicians and we had the pleasure to play our first show with them. Getting to know them on a personal level we were delighted to find out what a bunch of nice guys they are. Therefore, we’re sure, touring with them would be hella fun.

2.       Make me a Donut: Our Swiss friends almost dominating the central European Djent market. We got to know them a few years back, have played a bunch of shows with them and there’s no other band we’d rather share a night liner with than them.

3.       The Dillinger Escape Plan: First time seeing them live has probably blown each one of us away. They’re just pure energy on stage and it’d be the greatest honor to go on tour with these guys.

Is there anything you’d like to say your current or future fan base?

Be kind. Help others. Love yourself.