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SILENT SKIES Vikram Shankar was the guest of ZanZanA Metal Interview hosted by Karim Benamor, to speak about the cinematic ambient project of EVERGREY’s Tom S. Englund and pianist Vikram Shankar mesmerizes with Nectar:

▬About Silent Skies  and Nectar ▬

EVERGREY vocalist Tom S. Englund teams up with piano virtuoso and multi-instrumentalist Vikram Shankar once more for an atmospheric walk through Scandinavian melancholy and cinematic soundscapes: SILENT SKIES will release their luminescent label debut, Nectar, via Napalm Records on February 4, 2022. Both artists set themselves free from limitations to captivate their listener with a soulful ten-track offering, produced by Englund and Shankar themselves and mixed/mastered by Jacob Hansen at Hansen Studios. Infinite, heartfelt Nectar enchants with tender instrumentation and deep-reaching lyricism, combining reminiscence of the likes of producers and composers such as Olafur Arnalds, Nils Frahm and Ludovico Einaudi, and bands ranging from Sigur Rós to Anathema.

The balance between haunting instrumentals and vocal intensity that complement each other in perfect harmony walks a delicate line where listeners are treated to the best of both worlds.

With Gothenburg’s EVERGREY being known as one of the most prolific bands in progressive metal, Englund is by far no stranger to the scene. After partnering with North Carolina, USA-based piano player Vikram Shankar – who had already worked with greats like Anneke van Giersbergen – this fateful encounter, now known as SILENT SKIES, set its first milestone with the release of their spine-tingling debut Satellites back in 2020. 

Two years later, this fruitful collaboration returns with Nectar, which marks the sequel of something that’s far more than just a side project of Englund’s. Rather, it’s the brainchild of two highly talented individual artists with deep knowledge and many years of experience, whose creativity and spirit culminates in an exceptional form of musical expression. Shankar’s sensitive yet intense piano tunes merge with the poignant vocal interpretation of Tom S. Englund to take the listener on a touching, melancholic ride that wanders through the darkest facets of life, while always leaving a spark of hope to hold on to. 

This otherworldly sonic collaboration is graced by the outstanding contributions of Leprous' cello player Raphael Weinroth-Browne, who appears on nearly every track of the album to spice up the stirring sound even more. SILENT SKIES’ sophomore full-length sets off with the soulful, ethereal “Fallen From Heart”, immediately creating a tapestry of sound to get lost in. Tracks like delicate “Taper” or shimmering “Neverending” are dominated by the yearning vocals of Englund, but never fails to give Shankar’s instrumental virtuosity the well-deserved space to shine bright like the first sunray welcoming the day. Beautifully honest “Let It Hurt” addicts with its remarkable chorus hitting on point and blends cinematic strings and piano with hooky modern vocals. Darker realms lure with heart-breaking “Leaving”, combining gloomy ambient and infectious pop influences, and dramatically accented, heart-beating “Cold”, with its lingering electronic elements that build a tangible, gripping maelstrom of emotions. Instrumental title track “Nectar” closes this new chapter of SILENT SKIES but leaves its audience with a long lasting impact and the key to a door that’s worth entering over and over again.

Post-rock band There's A Light drummer Jan Lüftner interview about their second album, "f̶o̶r̶ ̶w̶h̶a̶t̶ ̶m̶a̶y̶ ̶I ̶h̶o̶pe̶? for what must we hope?" is ready on ZanZanA's YouTube channel :

▬ About There's a Light ▬

THERE’S A LIGHT was founded in 2011 as a studio project by David Christmann (guitars) and Jonas Obermüller (keys), with Andreas Richau (vocals/bass) joining for their first EP, Khartoum, in 2012. In 2013 Jan Lüftner (drums) and Markus Dold (guitar) completed the line-up. After four years of work, the band released their self-recorded debut album, A Long Lost Silence in July 2018. Followed by an adventurous tour of China, where the band performed ten shows at some sold out venues, THERE’S A LIGHT have already proven that the world is ready for their talent to be heard!

▬ About f̶o̶r̶ ̶w̶h̶a̶t̶ ̶m̶a̶y̶ ̶I ̶h̶o̶pe̶? for what must we hope?  ▬

 @There's A Light   now unveil their second album, f̶o̶r̶ ̶w̶h̶a̶t̶ ̶m̶a̶y̶ ̶I ̶h̶o̶pe̶? for what must we hope? on December 10, 2021 via Napalm Records.

With their symbiosis of post rock and ambient music, THERE’S A LIGHT creates a layer of sonic soundscapes on their sophomore offering, leading to an inimitable state of mind that comes close to an out-of-body experience. Rooted in the post rock scene, their music combines powerful and resolute guitar lines and audacious melodies with elements from the ambient genre, occasionally adding emotional vocals to some of the album’s eleven flawless songs. Everything physical seems to fade away as their hauntingly beautiful sounds fill the void with all-consuming atmosphere, while conceptually taking a deeper look into what hope really means and its different facets: On the one hand, hope can be something good – a thriving force that continually pushes to reach a higher energy and better mindset. But on the other hand, it can be destructive when holding on to something, which can never, or hardly ever, come true. 

The album opener, shimmering “...The Storm Will Set The Sails”, immediately casts a spell with its daydreamy, dazzling melody and great arrangements, while following “Within The Tides” captures a more dramatic, progressive touch with impressive technical and rhythmical trademarks. Far-reaching “Like The Earth Orbits Sun” is the record’s first song that features the captivating vocals of Andreas Richau, in addition to vigorous “Elpis” and lucid “Be Brave, Fragile Heart”. Otherworldly “Dark Clouds Behind, Bright Skies Ahead” and “Appearance Of Earth” create another new facet of THERE’S A LIGHT’s universe, both accented by impassioned cello performances by guest musician Akito Goto. Album closer “Even In The Darkest Place...” weaves heavy tunes with a vibrant melody into a harmonious work, leaving an outstanding atmosphere and synergy of hypnotizing post rock experience in the style of God Is An Astronaut, Russian Circles or Sigur Ros.

▬ Tracklist ▬

1. ...The Storm Will Set The Sails (02:20)

2. Within The Tides (07:09)

3. Magnolia (06:04)

4. Like The Earth Orbits Sun (05:37)

5. Dark Clouds Behind, Bright Skies Ahead (04:54)

6. Refugium (03:31)

7. Elpis (06:00)

8. Fear Keeps Pace With Hope (05:34)

9. Be Brave, Fragile Heart (07:28)

10. Appearance Of Earth (03:57)

11. Even In The Darkest Place... (07:59)

JUGULATOR, groupe de thrash metal algérien sont les invités de la ZanZanA Metal Interviews.

Ramzi Curse et de Ziri Abes ont répondu aux questions de Karim Benamor pour présenter leur second et nouvel album "Under The Verdict" sorti le 25 novembre 2021.

Interview de Vincent Cavanagh chanteur et guitariste du groupe Anathema.

Cette interview a été enregistrée le 19 février 2009 et menée par Karim Benamor, Wessim **W** Amara et Amine BabaCheikh