Song of Anhubis
Interview conducted on October 14, 2020
By Dan Locke
Basque’s Song of Anhubis will be unleashing their sophomore album “Reversed Reflection” via Rockshots Records on October 23rd, 2020. The band creates passionate, introspective, intense, and diverse gothic metal that was first introduced to the world on their 2016 debut full length “Revenge As Redemption”. Not quite following in the exact musical footsteps of their precursive album, their second record takes a 180-degree turn as it experiments with electronic elements and sounds more akin to rock and metal along with their staple gothic influences.
Song of Anhubis:
· Rei Reych. Vocals
· Mario Martín. Bass, Synths and vocals.
· Polvareda Johnson. Guitar, Synths
· Jon Goitia. Drums
What is your upbringing?
If you’re talking about music education, I’m self-taught, although I was briefly in two music schools and in a choir. If we’re talking about academic education, I’m a doctor and I’m currently studying to be trained and work as a specialist.
How did you discover music?
I always wanted to create a soundtrack for my feelings and experiences, as music has always been present in my life and I was passionate about it since I was a child. I was very shy when I was younger, but at 19 I decided to overcome my shame and show my voice to the world encouraged by my uncle. Shortly afterward I joined my first band and to this day I have not stopped exploring the world of music.
How did you start to write music?
My first band was a “cover band”, so I had to wait to get into another one that made their own songs. Since I was a little girl, I always liked to create voice melodies. There are even times when I listen to instrumental songs and make up a melody, I can’t help it, haha. As for the lyrics, I always liked writing texts, poetry, and even some stories. So, I simply started to translate it into music or to be inspired by instrumental melodies.
How did you get your name?
Regarding the name we wanted to base it on something related to mythology because we love it. We were clear that we wanted something that we could identify with, so we chose the god Anubis, guardian of the dead, as he has several characteristics that we liked, among them, that meaning of rebirth that we also wanted to reflect for certain personal reasons.
In addition, “Song of Anhubis” seemed to us to be a good name in terms of phonetics. Finally, we added an “h” as a differentiating element.
What was your first performance as a band like?
I remember it was for a charity event. We only had six songs and we thought it would be a good opportunity to start presenting us because it was an informal event. But precisely because it was an informal event, there were problems with the organization because we were too loud and too noisy. I guess in the end it was funny, hahaha.
What makes a good songwriter?
Oh, I think that is very difficult to be a good songwriter. We must try not to be too similar to the thousands of bands that exist. In the end, music is 12 notes, and finding the harmonic combination between them is a real challenge. There is no secret. Simply to insist, try things out, listen to them, and modify what doesn’t convince me. And once the frame is built, complicate it by putting in technical details and arrangements. Without forgetting to always put a part of you, get emotionally involved in your own songs, and do your best to transmit what you have inside. Without that, music loses all meaning.
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
My first original song is called “In other world” and I didn’t record it, but I have made a modified version that will be on our third album!
You just got signed by Rockshot Records. How was that once you that found out?
It was very good news! Our previous album was self-produced and we couldn’t have the visibility that you have been on a label. In addition, they also have an impressive catalog of very good bands and we are seeing that they are very committed to them.
The album Revised Reflection comes out October 23rd. Tell me about it? Why did you entitled it Reversed Reflection?
As can be seen on the brilliant cover illustrated by Francisco Plazas, we believe that there is a duality in everything. That duality involves a “reverse reflection” that is often difficult to detect. A kind face/appearance that hides something dark behind it, or you might even think that the opposite can also happen. This can be found in our daily lives, at work, in the neighborhood, in religion, in politics, etc.
You can see the snake approaching the ear of the skeleton as if it were whispering lies, promises, incitements to evil… On the other hand, that snake becomes the umbilical cord of a child still in gestation that in turn is holding the skeleton, symbolizing the choice of who you want to be or the role you want to play within that intrinsic duality that we all have. After all, the choices we make at any given moment define us. So, yes, I think in some ways the life we end up having is a reflection of who we are, with its exceptions, of course, this is a huge generalization.
The melted candle on the skull symbolizes the passage of time, the decisions taken, or the irreversibility, while the raven is a being that is usually interpreted as the animal that crosses the barrier of life and death or even the messenger of death. In this case, depending on the culture consulted, its symbolism ranges from the incarnation of evil to a kinder aspect such as it has in Nordic or Celtic mythology, which is a symbol that in itself also represents duality to a certain extent.
Tell me through the making of the video Teratos?
We chose the track “Teratos” because it is energetic and we found it perfect for a video clip. The making off was a bit bumpy because we had some unforeseen events on the day of the recording. However, once we started everything went well and the takes were incredible despite being the first video clip we recorded in our musical career. We owe it all to the team of professionals who were guiding us at all times and who understood perfectly what we wanted to convey. We loved the result and, in fact, we will repeat with them again. With regard to the video clip itself, it is an allegory or a metaphor for the duality of the same person, the duality that we all have inside, where the inclination of the balance (and the decisions we make) determines the personality of each one and also our hidden side. That’s why we add the element of the mirror among other things. It is a very interpretative video clip and what we want is that each person who sees it interprets it in their own way, according to themselves.
What is your favorite track on the album?
It is very difficult for me to choose a single track… Each song is a story for me and I think the album has a great variety of songs, as we have tried to create an album that reflects well the different parts of ourselves. Rage, energy, melancholy… In my case, I got completely involved in each of the songs either by composing, writing the lyrics or working continuously on the vocal technique to make the most of each song. So, it’s very difficult for me to choose just one track.
How do you stay healthy while touring?
In my daily life, I try to follow an ovolacto-vegetarian diet, eat healthily without too much fat, and try to exercise whenever I have time. Although from time to time I indulge in sweet treats and chips, that’s mental health hahaha.
Rei- How do you stay healthy during the lockdown?
Same as in the previous question. In this case, the exercise is much more important as the muscles become stiff. I suffer a lot from migraines, and doing daily exercise, even if it’s only half an hour and not necessarily very intense, prevents them, apart from making you feel better physically and psychologically.
What are you’re feeling about streaming music?
Streaming music is really an advance in the musical business. It’s not the same experience or the same sensations as watching live music, but it’s a different way of continuing to enjoy music in these times and I think it’s a good idea and even necessary. I suppose that in time it will be implemented, but in my opinion, it will never be comparable to what it feels like to be in front of a band playing in front of you. Just like for musicians it’s losing a little bit of the magic that music brings to you by connecting with your audience when you’re on stage.
Digital vs. vinyl?
We grew up listening to and collecting vinyl, so the nostalgic factor is there. However, today’s digital playback systems and formats, with no loss of quality or even 24-bit quality, offer very good sound quality in my opinion. Also, the art of the album is completely lost in the digital format. It is also not the same to look and touch a vinyl from your collection as having hundreds of albums on a hard disk. Unfortunately, the digital format is available to everyone even for free and that makes the consumption of music fast and not enjoy an album as much as years ago. Now the focus is on the fast consumption of the product.
Rei- Tell me about MFVC Board Legacy Rock Music 27 Stable List?
It was a nice surprise! It always makes you happy that your work is valued. Behind every song, there is a story, a time dedicated to give it form, illusion, also moments of frustration and others of overcoming after working on the vocal technique for hours, days, months, years… Sometimes it is hard. That’s why I’m very happy to see and feel that so much work is valued and reaches people!
Do you think kids should go back to school his fall?
At the moment, with the data that exist, I believe that prevention measures are necessary, but I also believe that for the moment they should return to the classes, always monitoring the symptoms. The issue of COVID-19 is delicate because it is the first time that we have been faced with something of these characteristics and without a vaccine or treatment per se, in the “modern world”. It is difficult to know with certainty what is the most appropriate way to act, taking into account also the psychological and socio-economic impact.
Studies are showing that because of COVID-19 many students who were ready for college have decide to hold off because many schools are doing virtual school and changing the same amount for school as they would for on campus classes. Do you think the colleges should give some type of discount to these students?
Of course, the students should get a discount. The way of receiving an education is different from the impossibility of doing internships, and that is a very important part, of academic training.
What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?
Usually I always have some ballad in my head. I suppose I have a rather melancholic heart, even though I listen to all kinds of music. Lately I remember a lot the beautiful song “Years go by” by Stratovarius.
I love the instrumentation, the voice of Timo Kotipelto and above all the lyrics. It makes me think that you have to take advantage of every moment in life, overcome absurd and not so absurd fears, live new experiences, meet new people or simply enjoy time with those you love… because years go by…
How do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
I really don’t know. Mythical concert halls have closed in our area, several bands have disappeared and it doesn’t seem that this will be solved in the short term. However, I am hopeful that after the pandemic the venues that have now had to close down will revive and that people will be more encouraged than before to go to the concerts of the emerging bands in their cities. I suppose that this will make us more aware of how valuable it is to enjoy, as we did before, live music.
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
When the quarantine started, I was finishing my medical degree, so I spent it doing university work, the end-of-course work and studying. It was a little bit frustrating not to be able to have a graduation ceremony or to see my classmates whom I missed so much, but I also learned to appreciate certain things much more that I couldn’t do at that time, like just being in a cafeteria chatting with them.
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
I haven’t really had much free time so I’ve kept doing the same thing I always did when I had some leisure time, watching series and movies, reading comics, chatting with my friends (this time using platforms like Zoom, Skype or WhatsApp), spending time with my cats, writing music…
95% of people said that they have changed the way they watch television. This includes people who don’t have television and using their computers to do streaming of programs and movies. Which is your favorite streaming channel?
I am not interested in “commercial” television programmes. I don’t watch this kind of television.
I mainly watch different YouTube channels and from time to time I use Netflix and amazon prime. In addition, fortunately I have a large collection of films and series that I usually revisit a lot.
Many artists are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. In October that is going to change at least on Facebook. Facebook is cracking down on livestreamed shows that include recorded music with new terms of service, preventing artists from using the platform for “commercial or non-personal” purposes, unless they have obtained the relevant licences.
The updated music guidelines state that users “may not use videos on our products [which include Instagram] to create a music listening experience […] This will includes [Facebook] Live,” and stipulates that such content should be posted for the enjoyment of friends and family only.
How do you think this will change the landscape of Facebook?
Facebook is being a corporation where only money care. It’s very difficult to move content on band’s page without paying them. This decision doesn’t surprise me and I think that the bands must search for others alternatives out of Facebook or similar platforms.
