INTERVIEW: Cyberpunk-influenced band Priest release ‘Dark Pulse’ album
Image: Priest’s new album is called Dark Pulse. Image courtesy of the band / Provided by O’Donnell Media Group with permission.
The Swedish band Priest, featuring former members of Ghost, has recently released its fourth studio album. Dark Pulse features several cyberpunk and goth-influenced tunes, such as “Burning Love,” “Black Venom,” “Dungeon Dance” and “Chaos Reigns.” The musical trio, who wear masks while performing on stage, has been gaining more and more notoriety for themselves in the United States, thanks to successful tours with the likes of Powerman 5000 and Julien-K.
For newcomers, Priest is an amalgam of sounds. There’s definitely an industrial metal feel to the songs, but gothic rock and synth metal would also apply. There’s also no denying that many of the tunes are danceable, with infectious beats and dark, melancholic lyrics that are pulled from the world of science fiction. Think Blade Runner meets Brazil. Helping the dark tones of the music is the look of the band, with the members wearing hellish masks that wouldn’t be out of place in a haunted house or the Carnival of Venice.
To better understand their musical output and the new album, Hollywood Soapbox recently exchanged emails with Mercury, the vocalist of Priest. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
What can your fans expect from the new album, Dark Pulse?
A darker, more elaborate album with prominent influences of ’80-90s dance music, but still with melodies. … Dark Pulse is a bit of a homage to the city of Berlin, which [has] a lot of clubs of different nature but put upon a Blade Runner backdrop. I’m vey excited and proud of it, and we can’t wait to finally release it!
What inspired the song “Black Venom”?
The narrator obviously having thoughts of kicking an addiction and how easy it can be to fall back. He seems to ask for help but is still self-reflective and conscious about this dilemma. It’s eerie and spooky but with a steady beat.
There will be a remix of “Black Venom” out later this summer by none other than Rhys Fulber (Flont Line Assembly, Cyberaktif, Dilirium, etc.), which is gonna be something completely different. Keep your eyes peeled for that one!
Would you say that cyberpunk inspired this new album? How so?
Yes, I think cyberpunk inspires everything we do more or less, since we’re a band with a pretty obvious sci-fi gimmick. In this album, there’s references to [William] Gibson’s book Neuromancer and [Steven] Spielbergs’s Ready Player One, just to name a few
Why is it important to sing songs about addiction and struggle? Does this help you and help your listeners overcome obstacles?
I think songs can be therapeutical in [their] nature and not only for ”pleasure.” It’s good if it hurts a little sometimes. Music is a way of communicating, and if we, as musicians, can establish that I think we do our job right. Many fans and other people have told us in person how some of our songs have helped them through hard times. That makes us very happy and proud, of course, and then you feel like you’re on the right track.
Do you feel like you’re gaining more popularity in the United States? You have been touring the country extensively.
Yes, we love it in the States! We’ve learned to know many new friends, and we’re having a great time touring there.
U.S. is by far our biggest market, and we will come back as long as we’re invited over!
Does being anonymous and behind masks change the way you play before a live crowd? Does it help?
Yes, It changes the perception a bit, and at least I feel more free as a singer. Of course, it’s a bit more difficult to sing with the mask, but you don’t have to be self-conscious about your facial expressions and so forth. It’s also nice not to be recognized by everyone after a show, etc.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Priest recently released its fourth studio album, Dark Pulse. Click here for more information.
