BLACK REUSS - interview


1. Hello and welcome Black Reuss to Given to Rock!! Can you tell us more about the concept behind the four albums that Black Reuss plans to release?
I have developed a concept over four albums. It's about the flow of life. It consists of four chapters. Metamorphosis, journey, arrival, and death. Each chapter has episodes that lead to the next chapter.
Metamorphosis is about transformation. The change in which you build the power to make real and lasting change. Journey is about the journey you are on to make it all happen. Arrival is about arriving in the state that you have wished for, whereby here also comes the realization that everything will never run smoothly, but you have learned to deal with it. And death symbolizes the end of human existence and not the end of everything...

2. You have just released your 3rd album “Arrival”. Please give us an insight on this release. How have fans responded so far?
The album title Arrival could suggest that it is about having arrived in life and that a state is coming in which everything is in harmony and nobody has worries anymore. This is not the case. It is more about the fact that you have now learnt how to deal with the demons. They are still there but they become part of your life and no longer influence you so negatively. If you can manage that, you're almost there.

3. What draws you to the genres of Melodic Metal, Gothic Rock, Doom Metal and Heavy Metal and how do each of them influence your music?
Oh... I'm often asked that, and I can't answer it like that because there are so many things that influence me. Be it consciously or subconsciously. There are so many good artists... but it's not just music that inspires me, but also other art forms like books, paintings, or film. Or other people who manage to make a difference with their ideas and ideals. It's the unique things that happen in life that shape and influence me. Unfortunately, it's also the less beautiful things that make me think. I'm like a sponge and absorb everything. Both positive and negative, and unfortunately that's not always a good thing. Sometimes I would be happy if I could just ignore certain things. I try to express that with music.

4. Can you share some insight into the themes and messages that Black Reuss explores in your music?
I am a very reflective person and at some point I felt the need to clear up a lot of things that were wrong in my life. That was the transformation and it was my first Black Reuss album. In the four chapters I sing about what happened to me in the individual phases and what values are important to me. I think that every life is unique, but also that there are many people who are or have been in similar situations. I hope that everyone who listens to my music interprets it for themselves and doesn't follow me. That would actually be the point of it. To give food for thought but my songs are not a law...
5. As an independent band, what challenges have you faced in the music industry and how have you overcome them?
My goal is not to overcome any hurdles in the music industry. It's simply to make music. I concentrate on that and not on how best to get more followers. In that respect, I just do what I want and how I want to do it and if I manage to find a few people out there who still like it and enjoy listening to it. Then it's a gift and a great appreciation.

6. What inspired the formation of Black Reuss? How has the band's sound evolved since its formation in 2018?
At some point I had enough of being in bands that thought there was some kind of basic democracy. There almost never is. Most of the time it's individuals who bring the thing forward or want to. I was one of those. At some point I had the idea to try it out and prove to myself that I could do it on my own and that's how Black Reuss came about. In it, I can move as I want without having to listen to others. And if I want feedback from friends or other musicians, then I ask for it.

7. What can fans expect from your new album "Arrival" and what from the forthcoming album “Death” both in terms of musical style and lyrical content?
Musically, I don't intend to reinvent the wheel every time. I've found my sound. But I think there is progress in songwriting. It gets better with every album, at least from my point of view. Thematically, Arrival is about getting to grips with the demons that are there. I was able to write Metamorphosis, Journey and Arrival because I lived through the phases. At least the first two albums. I'm still in the Arrival phase myself. I can't do that with Death because I don't have much experience with it and haven't experienced it myself. The question of what might happen after physical death does still interest me. And I will try to look at this topic from different angles.

8. How does living in Liechtenstein influence your music and creative process?
Not really at all. Musically, there's not much to pick from in Liechtenstein. Very little happens there. But life does have an influence. The way people tick here and how they deal with the prosperity they have been given. That's still exciting to see. Because when it comes to values such as trust, loyalty, respect or even death. That's where the money doesn't help you much. In this respect, the influence is more on a human level than a musical one.

9. What is the significance behind the name Black Reuss and how does it represent the band's identity?
The name came along in a very simple way. Black symbolizes melancholy and Reuss is the name of a river that originates in the Gotthard mountains. I was living on the river when it started. That is why Black Reuss...

10. Have there been any memorable moments or highlights in Black Reuss's journey so far that you would like to share?
Of course... Despite the solo project, I've been able to work with a few other musicians so far. Diego Rapacchietti from the legendary band Coroner accompanies me on drums. It's always a highlight when he gets going in the studio. The duet with Anna Murphy from Cellar Darling was also a highlight. Both of them are absolute professionals and it's a privilege for me that they worked with me.

11. How do you see the future of the band unfolding, and what are your hopes and goals for Black Reuss in the coming years? Thank you very much for the interview! Keep up the great work!
Unfortunately, I can't see the future. I will simply continue to do what I want and will continue to take care that life has given me this gift. If I don't feel like it anymore, then I'll stop and do something else. I hope that I can still bring Black Reuss live on stage. That would be something that would still really turn me on. Let's see what the future holds.