We thank for Adriano Troiano's kindness to learn more about Distant Past, a Swiss band that recently released their latest album, “Solaris”, an outstanding record whose roots are firmly in the past, especially in N.W.O.B.H.M...
Even if "Solaris" is your fifth full length, Distant Past aren't yet most known abroad, would you like to tell us the history of the band and who are the members? If I'm not wrong it was a solo project at first, right?
Yes, it started as my Studio Project, but has turned into a live band around 2016, with the current line-up forming in 2019. It often states that the band exists since 2002, but it’s when I first started to record albums on the Distant Past moniker. The first real record came out in 2010, our singer Jvo joined in 2014, be both were in Emerald before. After the original guitarists left, I recruited my friend Ben, with whom I worked on several projects. Then I found drummer-extraordinaire Remo, he really is an impressive Player. The last to join this current reincarnation was Lorenz, who is a very versatile Guitar player, who knows many styles and was new to Heavy Metal, but could flourish on his guitar, something new to him. This line up recorded the last two albums.
Although at first look you might have thought of a concept album about the novel/movie “Solaris”, your songs instead deal with different themes, right? Would you like to tell us more about them?
Unfortunately, when you only stream or download the tracks, you don’t the whole art and lyrics for the whole album. The concept is in the art and centers around one track. We’ve already released a whole concept album in 2016 “Rise of the Fallen” with my friend Angus McSix, Tom, joining us.
Most lyrics on the new record are based on movies and their literary origin. But not all, “No Way Out” was written a long time ago and is about world-weariness, “Rise above Fear” about overcoming your fears, “Sacrifice” about struggling to keep together something important to oneself. “The Watchers” is about extraterrestrials observing us and “Realm of the Gods” is about the great structures, like the Pyramids, of the Past, coming back to the original intended topics of Distant Past.
“Fugitive of Tomorrow” is the track about Solaris, but I didn’t want it to be called that. “The Island of the Lost Souls” is HG Well’s “The Island of Doctor Moreau”. “Fire&Ice” is about the 1983 rotoscope movie by Ralph Bakshi und Frank Frazetta.
Then “Warriors of the Wasteland” is about all these “postatomici” Italian movies from the early 80’s that I love so much. The Song title is the American Title of “I nuovi barbari” by Enzo Castellari, but I refer to so many more in the song.
Don't you think, however, that having based the title and artwork on the science fiction background inspired by the writings of Stanis?aw Lem might confuse those who approach "Solaris"? At least on the lyrical aspect...
I think it is very clear that when you look at the track list, that is not entirely about Solaris, the artwork is. Many don’t know the book and movie, so if anyone is tempted to find out more, I fulfilled my aim. So, I only pity those who think we invented the title. My first goal was it to find an album title with just one word and has as mystical quality.
The unfortunate thing is that NWOBHM Fans might skip the album thinking it is a spacey Album, but we decide to be Sci-Fi and Mystery themed from the beginning so, just listen, learn and enjoy!
Fortunately, you have avoided the inclusion of synthesizers and the use of space effects within the songs, for which you have always kept a straight route to the more classic Heavy Metal, ehmm.. but haven't you been tempted to do that?
No, most songs were there before the concept of the album took shape. Already did this kind of thing on the first few albums, even with a Theremin. But we envisioned a straight very straight Heavy Metal Album. The Space effects are in the intro and that’s were they belong.
Do you follow a particular procedure during the songwriting?
I write songs and lyrics and send them in Demoform to the guys, we come together and flesh it out. On this album, Lorenz added some of his ideas to “Fugitive of Tomorrow” and “Warriors of the Wasteland”. Also, Remo worked very hard on “Realm of the Gods” – Ben contributed many ideas, like the transition to the last chorus on “Sacrifice”. Our singer Jvo always has great ideas when recording vocals.
Also the recordings are done by me, except for the drums.
Which are, in your opinion, the album highlights and the most effective "Speed Dealer" for your songs?
I haven’t mentioned “Speed Dealer”, a song in which it’s not clear if it’s about drugs or the desire to drive fast. I don’t have a real favorite. I do like to listen to “Island of the Lost Souls”, as we don’t play it live. Surprisingly, “The Watchers” is a favorite of some people, as it is a close as it gets to our progressive past.
In my review I highlighted the qualities of all the musicians. I’ve found Jvo Julmy much more comfortable than on “The Final Stage” and I had a great confirmation from the Sollberger & Laederach couple, but now admit it: how much time did both of them dedicate to studying Dave Murray and Adrian Smith?
Funny, as we everything almost identical to the last album. But many must get accustomed to his particular vocal style. And maybe this is the reason that we are a underground insider band.
The guitarist actually thought about the “Tipton/Downing” thing, but after all, we play he metal we like and yes, it has been done before, even better….
I found very well done the recording and production of the album too, a clear and sharp sound, what about these? Did the result reflect what you had in mind, or did you have to give up something?
No, we actually did it almost in the same procedure as last time. I always think that a new album should sound the best, as it is available. They would have recorded it in the same fashion in the 80’s if the technology had been available.
I don’t believe in recreating a retro sound. But some do and have all the vintage instruments, which is very cool. But we just do it differently.
Are there any guests on the album?
No, not this time. But our drummer did Backing vocals, you can hear him in the chorus of “Island of the Lost souls”.
What are the changes, musically, between the earlier albums and the new one? ... ok: "saying that the new one is better", isn't enough!!
The new one is just the current state of the evolution, but we tried to offer more variation on “Solaris” while keeping it very similar in style and tone. The difference from the earlier album is obviously the absence of the progressive and thrash -like US- Metal elements.
All jokes aside, what is coming next for Distant Past ? Is there a tour planned, festivals and such?
There is much under wraps that will be revealed soon. We have some gigs planned for 2025. We just did our record release show in our hometown, where we had some guest on stage, and Jvo played guitar on a few very old Emerald Tracks and covers we did in the day. Mike from Emerald joined us, it was like 1997 again.
But what is your opinion of the health of the current Hard & Heavy scene? Do you think that this style of music can be appreciated even by the younger generation, or does it remain more of a nostalgic fan affair?
Yes, there is a younger generation enjoying the honesty and down-to-earth attitude of your music. Unfortunately, many refuse Heavy Metal, as they think brutal and aggressive music, but that’s an old problem. The new problem is Playlists by algorithms, that let you discover new music, but not see the artwork, the album experience has vanished. Very sad, the songs get listened to, but has no value, it’s like air.
How hard is it to be a band struggling to get noticed in today’s cauldron of bands all over the place?
Very hard, there are always bands out there, better looking, better sounding, more successful in terms of sales, fans and so on.
I do pretty much everything by myself, I sacrifice a lot of time, money and effort. You must take matters into your own hands.
In conclusion, do you have anything to say to those who have followed us to the end of this interview?
I hope you all enjoy “Solaris” and recommend it to your friends. We hope to play Italy soon, as I have familia there and I like to do the announcements in Italian one day!
We will be back soon with even more new unheard material, stay tuned!