Tell us a bit about yourself and your musical journey. How did you get started in the world of progressive metal?
Douchan: Hello, we are Polarys, a Paris-based band with two albums, “The Va’adian Chronicles” (LP, 2013) and “Cosmic Singularity” (EP, 2024). Both albums are set in a science-fiction universe that I created and continue to develop. While I wrote the story and lyrics, Sly, our bass player, significantly contributed to enriching the universe with his novel, “La Coulée Verte,” released in 2019.
The journey began in 1996 when I started writing songs, leading to a 7-track demo released in 1997. Initially categorized as metal, press articles in 1996 labeled our music as heavy and progressive metal. Influenced by bands like Dream Theater, Angra, and Eldritch, my primary inspiration remains classic metal, including Metallica, Iron Maiden, and Slayer.
Sly: I joined my first prog band as a bassist in the 90s, during the emergence of progressive heavy metal. Bands like Rush and Dream Theater inspired me. I joined Polarys in 2003.
Gio: I started with the saxophone and switched to guitar at 9. Influences range from classic rock to Dream Theater, leading me into metal. I joined Polarys in 2015, left for two years, and returned in January 2023.
Onov: I began playing drums in 1994, the same year I discovered Dream Theater. Mike Portnoy remains my main influence. I joined Polarys in 2007.
Let’s dive into the featured track on the compilation. Can you share the inspiration or story behind “Cosmic Singularity”?
Douchan: The title track incorporates Indian and Oriental elements with sitar sounds, inspired by Hindu cosmology. The EP cover depicts a cybernetic version of Hindu god Shiva Nataraja holding a black hole, symbolizing destruction and creation. Influenced by Christopher Nolan’s “Interstellar,” the song narrates an elite squad’s mission to prevent Earth’s destruction by traveling back in time through the black hole at the galaxy’s center.
Walk us through your creative process. How do you typically approach writing and composing music? What was your creative process like for your recent album “Cosmic Singularity”?
Douchan: Initially, I composed and wrote all songs for our first album. For “Cosmic Singularity,” Sly contributed as a songwriter, co-signing the track “Back To War” and writing the instrumental piece “The Long Dark.” Gio generates ideas during jams, crafting solos on Guitar Pro before refining them. Our music centers around storytelling, aiming to evoke emotions and images related to our sci-fi universe.
Who or what are your major influences in progressive metal? How do they impact your own musical style?
Douchan: Dream Theater and Pink Floyd are my main influences, appreciating their musicality and atmospheric prowess. While I admire bands like Angra, Vanden Plas, and Symphony X, I don’t feel their direct influence on our style.
Gio: I draw from classic metal bands like Iron Maiden and Metallica, progressing to Dream Theater, Opeth, and Tool, with a liking for Periphery and Tesseract.
Onov: Dream Theater’s “Awake” album sparked my love for prog metal, influencing bands like Eldritch, Vanden Plas, and Fates Warning.
Sly: My early influences include Iron Maiden, Metallica, and Angra, shifting towards Rush, Dream Theater, and Death. Exploring my instrument led me to discover diverse genres, like Jazz.
What challenges have you faced as an artist in the scene, and how have you overcome them?
Douchan: Standing out is a common challenge, and we address it by turning ideas into songs, creating a visual universe, and finding unique stories. Securing gigs and venues remains a challenge.
Gio: Currently, finding gigs is a struggle due to the niche nature of the scene.
Sly: The industry shift from record sales to self-management requires us to focus on our image and communication. It’s challenging but ensures a direct relationship with our audience.
How do you see the scene evolving, and what role do you believe your music plays in that evolution?
Douchan: The progressive metal scene constantly evolves, and our music evolves with it. Our use of keyboards has changed, emphasizing visual immersion. We’ve also tuned down our instruments, creating a heavier sound. We aim to emphasize our “space opera” style, believing it resonates well with the power metal side of the scene.
Share with us some of the most memorable moments in your musical journey so far.
Douchan: A peculiar gig in 2010 at the Virgin Megastore in Paris stands out. Playing in such a legendary place for a metal band was surreal, with a packed audience stopping by for an hour.
Gio: A memorable moment was the first stage performance with my brother and a friend in a Deep Purple tribute of “Highway Star.”
Sly: Walking onto the stage at “Le Zèbre de Belleville” a few years ago felt like facing a giant wave. The venue was small, but the roaring crowd was unreal, a rewarding experience for our hard work.
Do you have a personal favorite among your own compositions? If so, which one and why?
Douchan: “A Secret Revealed” on “The Va’adian Chronicles” holds a special place for me. It represents my preferred style, a long song with diverse yet coherent elements.
Gio: I love “The Warrior’s Pledge” for its simplicity and potential crowd appeal, akin to a Manowar-like power metal anthem.
Sly: I’m always excited about new songs. “Communication Failing” is my upcoming piece, and I’m eager to see it come to life with the input of my talented bandmates.
Can you give us a sneak peek into any upcoming projects or collaborations you’re working on?
Gio: Our new challenge is developing scenography for upcoming concerts, enhancing visuals and storytelling within our lore.
Douchan: We plan to record a new concept album, featuring unreleased material, and set in our expanding universe.
What does it mean to you to be a part of our compilation? How has the experience been for you?
Sly: We understand prog fans’ discerning taste, and while our music has a prog edge, it’s primarily story-driven metal. We hope the audience enjoys the fusion.
Douchan: Being part of the Prog Sphere compilation is an honor. Thank you for this fantastic opportunity!
Is there a message you’d like to convey to your fans who will be discovering your music through this compilation?
Gio: Thank you! We hope you enjoy it, and explore the rest of our discography.
Douchan: We hope this sample sparks your interest. Explore the full “Cosmic Singularity” EP and “The Va’adian Chronicles” album.
If you could collaborate with any artist, living or not, who would it be?
Gio: Dream Theater, despite the skill gap!
Douchan: Devin Townsend and Anneke Van Giesbergen are top choices due to their musical and vocal skills.
Sly: A chat with bass legends like Steve Harris, Geddy Lee, or Victor Wooten, and composers like Lennon and McCartney would be enjoyable.
If you had to pick one instrument (besides your primary one) to master, what would it be?
Gio: Drums for the fun and badassery.
Douchan: Keyboards for their endless possibilities in creating sounds, textures, atmospheres, and immersive elements.
Onov: I started as a bassist before drums, so I’d choose bass.
Sly: Focusing on learning guitar and piano.
What’s your all-time favorite progressive metal album, and why? One album that you always return to.
Gio: “Metropolis Part 2” by Dream Theater – a captivating journey with recurring patterns.
Onov: “Awake” by Dream Theater – a masterpiece capturing everything I love about prog music.
Douchan: Also, “Awake” by Dream Theater – a true masterpiece in my eyes.
Sly: “Moving Pictures” by Rush – incredible songwriting, production, and the synergy of the three musicians.
Are there non-musical influences that find their way into your music? (e.g., literature, art, science)
Douchan: Science fiction and fantasy literature greatly influence me, with authors like J.R.R. Tolkien, George RR Martin, and Isaac Asimov.
Gio: Sci-fi elements from films and books impact our music and image.
Sly: Many riffs are named after movies or games, like “The Long Dark” from a survival game.
Any final thoughts or reflections you’d like to share with our audience?
Douchan: We love creating, and we hope our universe resonates with you, evoking emotions and deep connections, the essence of music and art.
Gio: Enjoy our music, and we hope it resonates with you!
Sly: Don’t forget your towel!
Where can our audience find more about you and your music?
Douchan & Gio: Everything you need is right there: linktr.ee/polarys_metal
