The Empyrean

► The empyrean. The highest of all heavens, which consists only of fire and light, considered as the home of God and the blessed ones. A monumental symbol of hope, born in the cosmology of the the Middle Ages, anchored in mythologies and religions for centuries, to now give rise to a new, post-apocalyptic vision of the future: With their soon to be published album “Empyrean”, the darkrocker from Lord of the Lost take up exactly this, shaped by epic-cineastic images, scenery and start a sinister journey, whose goal it seems to be to find a new home planet and with it also a glimmer of hope for disillusioned mankind. Sounds frighting? It also is: dirty, brute, threatening. Harder and rawer than everything before, the combo from Hamburg gets to work, but also appears very hymnic and melodic. Lord of the Lost matured, operate even more uncompromising, but also leave a margin for fantasy and darkest abysses of everyone. A journey into dystopic visions of the future and unleashed elemental forces, which captain Chris 'The Lord' Harms and his crew serve the hungry fanbase. But not enough: Aboard also a bonus-CD “The Final Chapter Of Mankind”, which examines the overall plan of “Empyrean” through a progressive way. A space-odyssey of the gloomy kind.

Into the deep

As a thoroughbred musician, Chris Harms moves in a continuously rotating cosmos of creative arts. The question, how the restless frontman manages to get some distance, to get in the right mood for the new album production, emerges. “My head makes these periods of rest automatically for some years now,” the powerful-voiced vocalist starts to report. “At least since my son was born, a natural prioritization became effective. The period of rest starts automatically when I spend time with him. In general I don't need this consciously, because a lot of creativity works subconsciously, without me working on it actively. In the right moments, the creative output finds a way out. But I realize, in my head, this wonderful place I'm very grateful for, always something's happening,” the vocalist from Hamburg describes satisfied, while the rest of the band is waiting impatiently to talk about the new release.

Tobias Mertens, drummer, begins to speak: “For me, 'Empyrean' started with the songwriting of 'No Gods, No Wars', which I wrote together with Chris,” he remembers. “This track was written especially for this album. I already unwittingly perceived 'Empyrean' in the form of songs during the US-tour. Chris wrote songs on his laptop in the tour bus, I partly programmed drums for them. At that time it wasn't clear which song could be for which album. A lot of these tracks found their places on 'Full Metal Whore'. The line 'No Gods, No Wars' came into my mind during the assassination in Paris. It was the first time I realized that a music concert, which should have nothing to do with religion, is victim of mentioned topic. The line is easy and states a lot of what we think and avow for,” the man behind the drums ponders and reveals there were no limitations for this production, neither musical nor contentual ideas. “Written in stone was there was nothing written in stone. But we definitely wanted to make something, for us, new. I guess many think we will continue with a brute metal-album like 'Full Metal Whore' – but that's not the case. It will be more mature, thematically and musically. The use of electronic sounds was a main concept for the sound of the album and this was made in cooperation with the electro-projekt Formalin from Berlin, which Chris had as co-producer in the studio.”

The highest of all heavens

Despite a huge quantity of ideas and tendencies, Lord of the Lost never sort out hastily, but they give the songs the chance to grow. “In general every song gets the chance to be a part of the new album,” Gared Dirge – responsible for piano, synthesizer, percussion and guitar – joins the conversation: “It's mainly the early songs from the origination process, which are procrastinated, because the main sound or main idea of the album emerges and some songs do no longer completely fit into the pattern. They're either getting remodeled, get a place on a B-side or even get an own EP, like 'Full Metal Whore'. This song was also one which originated from the first ideas for 'Empyrean', but stood out, so it had to become something own. Thereby the song got new lyrics, far away from the world of 'Empyrean'.”

The new album will not mainly be build upon autobiographic or personal-emotional experiences, “it can be compared to a Science-Fiction-novel or -movie for the ears,” Chris gives an insight into the thematic matter of the youngest baby. “We will find a post-apocalyptic dystopia, in which mankind is searching for a new home planet. This hope is symbolized by the symbol 'Empyrean', which is equivalent to the highest of all heavens. If 'Empyrean' is the new home or just the hope upon it, if it really exists or not, is the name of a spaceship or its crew, or is just an ominous time-machine, or if all this happens only in the mind or dreams, we leave it open. This space-odyssey-feeling will not only be created through words, but especially because of the sound design of the album. Our personal space-travel-soundtrack for along the way,” the composer concludes, while Gared wants to emphasize the context to the Here and Now, “because despite all this symbolism of this biblical-apocalyptic-feeling topic, it's also something some may experience often enough figuratively in their own lives. Might be with interhuman relations, job, religious crisis of faith, family, in a potentially rebellious-pubertal period of young adults. There are many situations in life, where you can meet this symbol.”

Bonusalbum?

But after which criteria do the darkrocker from Hamburg choose the topics of their songs, is it possible to firm this up? Chris thinks about it: “We always had totally different thematic ideas, from politic and religious statements to plain lovesongs to crazy sexstories and partysongs – everything included, from autobiographic to completely fictional. There is not only one thing, which affects me, but I am, like everyone, in a motley vortex of impressions and nearly everything – at least what I think is interesting or worth mentioning – finds its way into my songs. For 'Empyrean' it was important to find the fitting metaphors. There are also lovesongs and very angry songs, but the choice of words and phrasing fits into the artistic and thematic setting of 'Empyrean'. Everyone can read in the booklet, how exactly this looks,” the charismatic vocalist advises and reveals there is one song on the CD, which touches him a lot: “'Where Is All The Love'. I wrote most of the song 20 years ago, but it was always too early for the song. In a new form, it perfectly fits into the 'Empyrean'-cosmos. Because of the long time the words and melodies of the song have accompanied me, this song is very emotional for me and makes a pretty, nearly hopeful ending for the album.”

The vision, to make a kind of rock-soundtrack for a non-existent movie, always fascinated mastermind Chris, “and during the long drives on the US-tour, I presented this idea to the other guys – they all were on fire,” the dedicated sound artist remembers. “At first the plan was to make a very experimental and progressive album, which consists more or less of one very long song with a continuous story. But it was too voluminous for a full album,” the bandleader reflects, “and since we implement nearly every crazy idea, we realized this one as a bonus-CD for 'Empyrean'. So the mini-album 'The Final Chapter Of Mankind', which includes six long, very experimental, musically and orchestrally sophisticated and for us very complicated and complex songs, emerged. The continuous story of a nameless protagonist, who's searching for earth number two, after earth number one died, is told. This fierce space-odyssey can be perfectly enjoyed while lying on the couch with closed eyes. I tried to give others, in the LOTL-style, what I experience while listening to Gustav Holst's 'Die Planeten'.”

Better than expected

If Chris had to rate the current disc now, he can say there are no extreme changes or variations. The ideas they had before the production mainly could have been implemented. “I could make up a mysterious and interesting story, but I say it like it is: There are no surprises. The picture we're finishing roughly matches my visions – except it has become bigger and more colorful I ever dared to dream.”

Band mate Tobias comments the first demos did not have this musical depth at first, “and what also surprised me positively was there are again songs which you have never heard from LOTL. Songs like 'The Love Of God' for example can't be compared with any other song and is still obvious. We did not repeat ourselves and that's something we can be proud of,” the drummer states and piano master Gared utters the album evolved better than expected: “Based on the sound of the album, in the beginning there is always a certain sound pattern in your head, which is instinctively close to the one from the last album, which is at this time for sure the personal ultimate, if everything was done right. But mainly you have no idea which dimensions an album can take over the time, how the ideas mature and which tonal inspirations can be added to the first song ideas after these two years. And also the songs themselves are beyond what I've imagined in the beginning. And that's how it should be!”

Live-action

A tour with Filter, Combichrist and Rabia Sorda is starting soon, “and the fans get 110% Lord of the Lost-power, like always,” bassist Class promises. “We don't get tired to celebrate every gig with our fans. And we're looking forward to good company. Bands we're friends with and with which we can be on tour for a longer time.” Chris is also filled with anticipation, “even if the own tour is time coming. Now we're going with Combichrist through Europe, after several summer festivals we will be on stage with Subway to Sally for Eisheilige Nächte and in spring 2017, our own big tour for the new album is coming. We're already working on the concept of it – this is going to be something special, I promise!”

Chris:

1. I'm laconic.

2. I hate being the center of attention beyond the stage, like you can see for example at signing sessions or Meet&Greets. Sometimes I catch myself at hiding behind Tobi, because I always have to get used to the presence of a big crowd with unknown people first.

3. I regularly spread rumors – different rumors for different people, to test their reliance. If the rumor is returning like a boomerang, I know with whom I don't want to speak or work from now on. My black list is already very long and the team behind LOTL very transparent and strong.

Bo:

1. I really have to pee before every show. I'm not someone who has stagefright, the opposite: I look forward to going on stage and rock hard. To stand there is the best therapy for me, but maybe it's the anticipation which makes me feel this enormous desire to void, shortly before the intro for the show is playing.

2. Many know I was Chris' student and we got to know each other therefore. He asked me on a party if I wanted to join the band. The first time I heard a song from Lord, like the band was called back then, was in the studio, when Chris' produced my old band Eleven Punch. He showed it to me and I thought “Not my music.” I was too focused on acts like Alter Bridge, Metallica, Led Zeppelin and Lamb of God. Since my band had to go on a compulsory break, because two members had to go abroad, I thought: “Hey, for the meantime I have some cool guys I can make music with.” At the first rehearsal I finally understood: I had fun! And the more often I listened to the songs and played them by myself, the more I felt the music. Now I can't imagine a life without. I can say it was one of the best decisions in my life. I'm living my dream!

3. I'm a war refugee. I was born in Sarajevo and fled from war. I don't want to talk about what my family and I experienced, but I want to say something to everyone who has a distaste for refugees. In general: Every person has to follow the rules! No matter if refugee or not. But you should never forget: These people do not come into a foreign country, because it's fun to them. These people have left their lives behind, to have a future! To protect themselves and their families! There are black sheep everywhere and these are highlighted by the media. I was even illegally in Germany for some time and now look: Now I'm here and you read what I have to say. I didn't steal someone's job, I do my contribution to society, I speak the language better than some Germans. What I want to say: Every person should have a chance.

Class:

1. I have Crohn's disease, a chronic and spasmodic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, since I was ten years old. It nearly ruined my life back then. Today I'm very well, with the knowledge how to treat and respect my body. It made me look way more positive and grateful at some things. I wish you the same amount of strength, no matter which stones are in your way!

2. I'm craft beer-addicted. I love good craft beer from small breweries. I try to have one special beer for every show, which I enjoy during the soundcheck.

3. I love the sun. This might sound unlikely, since I'm a gothicrocker. But I use every chance to enjoy my time in the sun. I would always prefer southern countries to Scandinavian ones. Now you can boo!

Gared:

1. I mainly played the piano with only eight fingers until I was 20. My pinkies on both hands were too weak and I was too lazy to include them in the playing and therefore training them. It was no problem until a certain point, but someday I realized how much it restricts while playing several things and I started to train them intensively. It opens up new possibilities which I could already have had way earlier.

2. I love cats more than everything and everyone. Especially kittens are my weak spot. They make me squeak and are quite alone in this function! Cats are the better dogs and somehow also the better humans. Problem about this: I have an extreme allergy thereupon, which cuts me to the quick and makes it impossible for me to pursue this love.

3. I'm a fastidious stickler for order and use the cleaning of the house as a cathartic exercise. If I don't get ahead with a, mainly musical, thing, I start to tidy and clean my apartment, if even necessary. The result gives me a feeling of safety, inner order and satisfaction, so I can continue working calmly in about 90 percent of all incidents.

Tobias:

1. I'm frequently startled about my bad common knowledge. I often cause confusion and people are worried about me, when I'm wondering what the black ball on the pizza is and someone explains to me it's an olive. In the next moment, I play a guitar solo in the Petrucci-style and I feel reassured that I'm a total savant, not dumb, but partially clueless.

2. At the moment I stand up at 5am, to get done with my three to six hours of guitar practicing. Not everyone does understand this. Practice is my fetish.

3. I thought about founding a religion, which has the Tobias-Mertens-Lifestyle as a paradigm for a good life. Every person which only cares about himself from morning to evening and posts great selfies on Instagram, gets a lot nearer to God and finally enters the paradisial gym, where you can train and play instruments without getting tired. Moreover God himself (=Tobias Mertens) writes albums where he plays all instruments by himself. The fifth of these albums is going to be called Quintupletlifestyle and represents the highest and fastest quintuplet, which can be played in a rain of fire of notes. Let's see if it works.