After riding a wave of success with their debut LP “Daughters of the Night“ (2022), Italian symphonic/power metal band Nocturna went back into the studio and created their much anticipated sophomore album, “Of Sorcery and Darkness“, which just released last month via Scarlet Records. The new album really impressed us, so we knew we needed to try and get an interview with the band so we could talk more about its production. Thankfully, both vocalists Grace Darkling and Rehn Stillnight were more than happy to oblige! You can read our full discussion below:
Your second album “Of Sorcery and Darkness” has just been released, and as the title suggests there are plenty of dark and gothic elements, but it seems that you have upped the power metal aspect as well. How would you describe the music this time?
Grace Darkling: First of all, thank you too and greetings to all the readers! We can start saying that this new album “Of Sorcery and Darkness” surely wants to continue and define the way started with our debut “Daughters of the Night”. Basically, our sound includes a power-speed metal with neo-classical influences and, on the other hand, the gothic-dark themes, musically and lyrically talking. Your thoughts about power metal developing in the new album are correct: “Burn the Witch”, “Noctis Avem”, “Creatures of Darkness” or “Seven Sins” could be the perfect examples. We tried to unify the fast rhythms of Power to a heavier, darker sound and you can notice the result in many tracks included in the new album, like the last two ones I mentioned, where both elements are present at the same time. I feel this combination well represents our
identity and it may be the direction we will carry on.
What was the recording process like for “Of Sorcery and Darkness”? Was it an easier experience than when you recorded your first album? And did you have any specific goals, or maybe things that you wanted to try differently during these sessions?
Rehn Stillnight: It was easier because this time we knew each other as well as our producer, so luckily there wasn’t any shyness in the studio and we worked very smoothly. We wanted our voices to be very distinguishable this time, almost as if we were playing a part in a theatrical performance, both because me and Grace use different techniques and we wanted to feel comfortable in our own vocal parts, and because we wanted the people who listened to the album to immediately recognize who was singing which part.
Rehn and I have been working together for years.
Grace Darkling
Since that time, we’ve always be aware that together we could work very well, with a great synergy.
You said in the past you were surprised by the huge attention that your debut album “Daughters of the Night” received when it came out in 2022. Did you feel any extra pressure as a result when making the follow-up? Or did it make you more confident?
Grace: “Daughters of the Night” was pretty appreciated by the audience – and I still haven’t realized it at all. You know, today it’s easy to gain but also to lose the interest of people, especially on social medias. So, the pressure never stops, actually. The only thing we can do is working hard on our music and giving 110% to our project. We just hope our passion and dedication could be noticed and appreciated!
You have likely been asked this before, but would you mind just describing your musical backgrounds for our readers, and how you came to be the powerful frontwomen for Nocturna?
Rehn: I started listening to Power metal when I was a little girl, around 8 years old, and my favorite band has always been Sonata Arctica. I’m also a huge Final Fantasy fan, and that means I particularly love the games’ soundtrack, especially the older ones by Nobuo Uematsu. I’m also a big fan of Nightwish and Epica, that’s why I started taking operatic singing lessons, after graduating in art school. I haven’t had many band experiences before Nocturna, actually: I have a Youtube account where I upload cover videos I make from scratch, and I’ve been running it since I was a teenager, dreaming of having my own band one day! Before Nocturna, I got to know Grace in a project in which we sang together and… here we are.
Grace: Well, my background is quite difficult to describe. During my life I listened (and still listen) to very different genres. Before joying the rock-heavy metal side when I was a teenager, I was into dance and pop music. My idols always been Michael Jackson and Lady Gaga. I was also addicted to classical music, as I’ve played in a marching local band for years and singed in the church’s choir. Regarding rock and metal music, my principal influences and idols range between Paul Stanley, Bruce Dickinson, Peter Steele, Jonathan Davis, Steven Tyler, James LaBrie, Attila Dorn. I’ve also been through the “symphonic-gothic” obsession for a few years, so singers like Floor Jansen, Tarja Turunen or Sharon Den Adel surely influenced me. Last but not least, I’m a big fan of Darkwave and Postpunk music and, on the other hand, of the blues-rock vocal style.
About Nocturna, Rehn and I – who had already been working together since 2017 – met Federico Mondelli between 2020/2021 and decided to start a band together. That’s how Nocturna was born!
It was easier because this time we knew each other as well as our producer, so luckily there wasn’t any shyness in the studio and we worked very smoothly.
Rehn Stillnight
The dichotomy of your two voices is one of the things that I love most about this album, and it truly sets Nocturna apart from the majority of other bands. It’s so rare to have two extremely talented lead singers with different styles but who still complement one other perfectly. Is it ever challenging to find the common ground between your voices?
Grace: Firstly, thank you very much! As I said, Rehn and I have been working together for years. Since that time, we’ve always be aware that together we could work very well, with a great synergy. We have so much in common and always support each other with respect. I think that this genuine rapport around the years could be clearly seen and heard: we exactly know who we are and what we can do singularly or together, so, also during the pre-productions, it’s not difficult to us dividing the parts or creating a dialogue between them. We just enjoy the process making art together!
You often take turns when it comes to singing on the verses. How do you decide who sings certain sections of a song? Are the parts usually written for a specific vocalist?
Rehn: We normally already have a specific idea in mind when we listen to the first demo of the song, even if there’s never a “Rehn verse” or a “Grace verse”. We just feel that a part would sound better with one voice or the other as soon as we get into the song. Then, we record our own demo, singing the parts we feel more comfortable with, but sometimes we also change something while studying it (or in the studio, also!).
By our count you have released three singles for the album “Seven Sins”, “Strangers”, and “Sapphire”. Can you give us an insight into how you decided on these tracks? And can we expect to see a music video released for “Sapphire” in future, like we have been given for the other two?
Rehn: We can’t make any spoilers… just keep you eyes on our social pages and Scarlet Records Youtube channel!
Grace: If with the first question you mean by what criteria did we choose the singles, well, it was really difficult because each one, in our opinion, had potential for different reasons. In the end we chose based on what we thought would work best and represent Nocturna the most, bringing all opinions together.
We have so much in common and always support each other with respect.
Grace Darkling
One of my favourite tracks on the album is “Through the Maze”. It seems that you both experimented with your vocals quite a bit on this one, and the result is simply amazing. What gave you the idea to try something different on this track? And do you often have time to try out various approaches on the songs to see what works?
Grace: Glad that you like it! Yes, “Through the Maze” I think it was for us the most experimental track of the new album. Regarding the last question, yes, during the pre-production we all work remotely, so Rehn and I can take our time to study, try different parts with different approaches and recording different ideas, giving at a specific piece the perfect interpretation. In my case I used my non-metal vocal influences for the first verse and the chorus: I thought that using my lower register with a “sadly-pop” style could give an unusual taste and contrast, in my opinion an interesting combination with the classical vibes given by Rehn parts and sound in the background!
Another highlight for me is “Last Day on Earth”, which takes the role of a ballad on the album. I would love to see more songs from Nocturna in this type of format. But as for the question itself, if you knew that today was going to be your last day, how would you decide to spend it?
Rehn: That’s my favorite song from Nocturna, by now. I’d want to spend my last day on this earth with the people I love the most… before haunting them for the eternity as a ghost. If I was able to travel, I’d also love to spend my last night under the Northern Lights.
Grace: Well, I prefer not to think about it now, I have too many things to do before my last day here haha.
We wanted our voices to be very distinguishable this time, almost as if we were playing a part in a theatrical performance…
Rehn Stillnight
How are the preparations going for your live shows? And can you give us a hint as to what we can expect?
Grace: To me, that I love the stage, it’s entertaining to prepare every side of the live concert! The previous days and weeks I am mentally into the making of the show. At the moment we are preparing the next two Italian shows of this summer: Strigarium festival on June 9th and Malpaga festival on July 26th. We can’t wait to bring our new album “Of Sorcery and Darkness” live again! Expect some new features on stage, fun and involvement and, of course, a lot of metal music to headbang together!
Thank you so much for the interview. Do you have anything else you would like to add?
Rehn: Remember you can get our signed stuff on our own shop, along with exclusive merch only to be found there! Thank you, it was a pleasure for us and we hope for you as well! We can’t wait to meet you on the road.
Grace: Thank you too for the invitation, it’s been a pleasure for us. See you around!
