Inexistence is known for epic, immersive musical compositions, drawing on a deep well of lore that drives the visuals and other thematic elements. Read on for a discussion between Fab Scap of Inexistence and Chaos Lord of Relics of the Eternal City about the creative force behind Inexistence’s latest album, From Aeons Thou Shalt Rise.
Chaos Lord: Hello, please introduce yourself!
Fab Scap: Hi Chaos Lord, my name is Fabrice, better known as Fab Scap. I’ve been a musician for over 20 years. I’m primarily a guitarist and songwriter in an atmospheric depressive black metal band called Suicidal Madness. In recent years, I’ve also accompanied the American band Happy Days on stage as a keyboardist, and I’ll be continuing this collaboration from now on as a guitarist. At the same time, I have a solo Dungeon Synth project called Inexistence, which is actually what brings me here today and we’ll be talking about that in more detail…
CL: What was your writing process like crafting your latest album, “From Aeons Thou Shalt Rise” and the story that goes along with it?
FS: I began developing this new opus shortly after the release of “The Legend of Ialantha.” The story takes place in the same kingdom and tells the legend of a thousand-year-old dragon that has been in a deep slumber for millennia. A brave young knight, accompanied by a mysterious mage, must set out on a quest to awaken it, for darkness threatens to engulf their kingdom.
CL: How has your collaboration with your long time cover artist, Macchabée Artworks changed over time and how did it shape your latest album cover, with the incredible dragon painting?
FS: In fact, Matthias from Macchabée Artworks and I have been collaborating for many years now. He’s so involved that you could almost say he’s an integral part of the project. As soon as I mentioned the concept for the latest album to him, he was immediately very excited about the idea, because he loves dragons. I think it’s safe to say that this is one of his finest works. The result is absolutely magnificent.
CL: How do you feel your composing or writing style has changed over the course of your albums?
FS: I’ve had the chance to experiment with a lot of different things over the course of my albums. Without ever setting too many limits for myself. I’ve explored a multitude of different genres. Over time, I’ve found that I’m more inspired to play music in a FANTASY style. The latest album clearly reflects this, with tracks that are often very epic, such as “The Legendary Valley of Sureorth,” “Let The Prophecy Finally Come True,” and “The Sound of Victory Resounds.”
CL: Tell us about the quest that your newest album, “From Aeons Thou Shalt Rise” is about. How do you envision the hero’s journey going and your image of the dragon?
FS: The story takes place in the southern part of the kingdom of Ydgrur, in the valley of Sureorth. A land once famous for being home to many wonders and creatures with mystical powers. It is precisely in this region that the famous thousand-year-old dragon slumbers, and the hero must awaken it to prevent the world from sinking into darkness. To accomplish this, he must cross the icy mountains accompanied by a mage and his faithful companion, a gnome. Both characters were previously introduced in the album “The Enchanted Waterfall.” Once awakened, the dragon will become a valuable ally to our hero as they fight together against the forces of evil.
CL: What have you been listening to lately, what have your sources of inspiration been drawing on?
FS: Over the past few months, I’ve been revisiting the albums I discovered during my teenage years. A lot of symphonic black metal, like Diabolical Masquerade, Evol, Bloodthorn, Emperor, early Satyricon, and especially Summoning. Bands that have more or less shaped my musical tastes. I also enjoy listening to things like Dead Can Dance, classical music, and movie soundtracks.
CL: What do you have planned next for Inexistence? What’s the next story that’s going to unfold, can you tell us anything about it?
FS: In the coming months, I’ll be performing on stage for the first time. It will take place at a festival in Italy. Sharing my music with a live audience is both an exciting and a little nerve-wracking experience. Up until now, I’ve always played this music in the most intimate of settings, alone at home. But I’m ready to take on the challenge, and of course, I can’t wait to get there. As for what’s next for Inexistence, I’m not currently working on a new album because I have another project in the works with Matthias from Macchabée Artworks. We’re writing a collection of illustrated tales and legends about the kingdom of Ydgrur. I can’t say much more about it at the moment…
CL: Leave us with some parting words, if you want!
FS: Thank you so much for this platform, and I’d also like to thank everyone who supports this project, whether directly or indirectly!
View the bandcamp page here: From Aeons Thou Shalt Rise
A review for From Aeons Thou Shalt Rise
By The Curator
The first thing that I noticed about this album was, of course, the dragon on the cover. Inexistence has always drawn me in with the artwork on their albums and music. This one is no different. The moment the music started, I knew that I was in for a journey of epic proportions. Orchestral melodies begin to swirl with a driving percussion line that marches onward. The first song, “The Legendary Valley of Sureorth,” immediately drops us into an immersive experience, layered with synthesizer grandeour. This song reminds me of some of my favorite Summoning songs as well, but without any of the harsher black metal guitars or vocals. The melody hits those same elements of a forlorn longing for what has left the world and yet is sought again. “Let the Prophecy Finally Come True” opens up with more deep, swelling synth tones, punctuated snare hits, and a melody that builds with mystery and wonder. All of a sudden the spoken words of that ancient prophecy come through with the grit of yearning while the music enters an airier expanse that lets the song breathe and grow. “A Malicious Presence Lurks in the Shadows” brings back that intensity, this song is short and to the point, no frills and pounding drums. “From Aeons Thou Shalt Rise” is the title track and also the entrance for the dragons. Roars belt out over a dark and ominous dungeon synth melody. This is another example of Inexistence’s talent for planning when a song should be a short offering, balancing out with the longer epochs included on the album. “By the Flames of Ancestral Power” carries on the dark dungeon vibes of the album. The rising swell of power is felt through growing layers of music and underscored by a narrative break in the song that drives the immersion forward. The end is marked by eerily enticing soaring vocals and ringing chimes that drop off and leave us with only the crackling sounds of a fire. The album enters a wistful and nostalgic melody that perfectly encapsulates the feeling of waking up after thousands of years of slumber, flexing both mental and physical faculties for the first time in ages. That’s what “Buried Under the Weight of Time” brings. I can only surmise that this song was written from the perspective of the dragon itself, giving us a fresh point of view to the narrative yarn that this album is spinning. A bright atmosphere dawns next on “A Ray of Hope Looms on the Horizon” with another short anecdote that clearly expresses the emotion it intends to deliver and moves the story on towards its conclusion. As the journey continues “Through The Cold Winds of the Icy Mountains,” the next and second to last song, that feeling of hope is quickly changed to that of cautious optimism. A culmination of all efforts sought and found, this song hangs lightly with ambient textures and markedly no percussion. None is needed as the album rounds its last song to the march of drums and triumphant horns, “The Sound of Victory Resounds” brings back that epic, orchestral composition that opened the album. While beginning incredibly strong, the song pulls back after a time, demonstrating restraint. After the initial rush of victory, a calm determination sets in and the quieter moments created here are what take this closing piece to the next level.
As a special treat at the end of the album, Percidae provides a remix for “From Aeons Thou Shalt Rise.” This song provides an excellent canvas for Percidae to work. The formerly little over two minute song is taken over four, with deep, rumbling bass, mystical fantasy synths, and crypt hop drum pads. It takes the original song and creates an experience that is both entirely new and yet still what it was; standing on its own, or fitting right into the lore of Inexistence.
The Reliquary Notes Online 