Lost Dreams Interview

Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording and release of the new album?
The biggest task between recording and release was the mixing of the album, as always. This time we had the opportunity to work with Kristian “Kohle” Kohlmannslehner at Kohlekeller Studios, Germany, who added a great sound to our material and completed our work perfectly. At this point, thanks brother you did an amazing job, “Exhale” wouldn’t sound like it does, without your magic.
Another huge challenge was the shooting of the video for the song “Finding X”, because we had to finalize it completely within a few weeks. This caused some sleepless nights for Andreas, in the truest sense of the word, because he edited the whole video - material. In addition, there are plenty more things you have to do until the release date, like all the promotional things, booking some shows, producing merchandise, and so on.

Recently you released a new album, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
I would describe it as melodic death metal with a modern touch. In my opinion the main difference and biggest advantage at the same time, compared to our older material is, “Exhale” is the most diversified album yet.

This is the first album in 6 years, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time frame?
We had a time of substantial changes within and in the environment of the band. We acclaimed Sebastian Brandauer 2013 as our new singer, who familiarized with the band in lightning – speed and gave an unknown new quality to our sound. Furthermore, we had to deal with relocations, new jobs, vocational training and new blood, many things which disallowed to focus on our music. After that we began to work with emphasis on our forthcoming album “Exhale”, although we took us the time to work on the material and let it grow.

What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
Our music is primarily concerned with, let’s call it nihilistic subjects paired with slowly resignation. Sometimes it’s kind of autobiographical to a high degree, sometimes it’s because of terrifying and tiring things that surround us. Our music deals with anti – religious, fantastic or socio – critical topics too. Mainly we only try to capture strong emotions in our lyrics, as well as we do with our sound.   

What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Lost Dreams'?
It’s a secret and if I would tell you, I’d have to make you disappear. (laughs)

What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
According to the countless amount of shows we played yet, the shows as tour support of Six Feet Under or Kataklysm as well as opening the Main Stage on Metalcamp festival in Slovenia, could count as highlights of our band history. Although we have recognized over the years, every show could get very special, independent of performing in front of 20 or 500 people, if the energy you fire into the audience is coming back. Our stage performance, I don’t know how to describe it, every time we enter a stage I go berserk and can’t remember anything.

Do you have any touring or show plans for the new album?
Of course, first and foremost the official release show that takes place at our musical hometown Innsbruck, on the 9th of June, as well as some more shows are booked already and we plan to go on tour this fall. If you want to be up to date, please check our homepage frequently or visit us on Facebook - Lost Dreams official.

On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of melodic death metal?
It’s stunning that people from all over the world listen to our music. For example, some guys from India asked us, if we could send them the lyrics of “Where Gods Creation Ends”, because they wanted to cover the song. I can tell you, it is incredible to see a video, where people from India perform your song. Or another example, a few days ago we sent 5 CDs - our whole discography so far – to a fan in Australia, such things are amazing, it makes us thankful.

Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
I think our sound is subject of constant development and so we will refine and redefine it in the future. In addition, we will enter as much stages as possible, because playing live, sharing that unbelievable amount of energy with the people out there and leaving a sweat soaked, happy audience with neck pain, is everything that counts to us.

What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
In the early days of LOST DREAMS, many variations of extreme metal, especially black metal had a big influence on the sound and the lyrics, but by achieving our own sound the obvious influence of other bands and styles decreased. The spectrum of music we listen to is too manifold to explain, but it reaches from classical music to electronic sounds, or every kind of other serious, honest and handmade music.

What are some of your non musical interests?
There’s a wide choice of interests within the band, if there is time left beneath making music. Herbert for example is very sportive and loves to go biking or ski touring, Raphael is interested in gaming, Andi is a technical genius, working on various projects like his classic car, my time is often very short because of my kids, so I think they are my biggest non musical interest. And Sebastian, I don’t know if he has any other interests than music?

Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Move your ass, go out and try to see, as much bands as you can see on stage. Because metal is one of the last fortifications in music business, where people create art regardless of earning money or not. They do it because they want to, as like as we do.
So we hopefully meet you out there in the near future, sweat soaked and with neck pain.