In the small city of Hutt Valley, near Wellington, New Zealand, a unique progressive metal band named Clæmus was born. “There’s not a hell of a lot of music or bands like ours coming out of Wellington or New Zealand in general, especially at the time we formed the band,” they reflect. It was the lack of a local scene for their specific style that drew the band members together, forming the creative force that is Clæmus today.
From the outset, Clæmus embraced a DIY approach, independently recording, producing, and releasing a variety of singles, a full-length album, and their recent EP, Mercurial. “Some massive milestones for us were touring with artists and bands such as Plini and The Ocean,” they recall. Each release marked a significant step in their journey. Over the years, their sound evolved, shaped by their desire to create music that resonates with them at any given moment. Whether it’s a dissonant, eight-minute progressive metal piece or a focused ballad, Clæmus thrives on the freedom to explore different musical ideas.
Clæmus is renowned for blending odd-meter rhythms, hooky melodies, and heavy guitar riffs with a variety of other sounds, including soaring synthesizers and orchestral arrangements. “Cohesiveness is less about what sounds or instruments are being used and more about who is writing the music,” they explain. The natural cohesion in their songs comes from the fact that it’s the three of them creating the music together.
The songwriting and composition process of Clæmus is as dynamic as their sound. “It usually starts very simply with an idea composed with a typical guitar, bass, drums, and vocals setup in mind,” they share. From there, they flesh out the song, adding strings, synthesizers, and layers of harmonies. The most crucial part of their process is letting the song grow naturally by playing it together over time. Many great ideas are conceived through this collaborative playing, allowing the song to evolve organically.
Each Clæmus song has its own unique character, yet all are distinctly Clæmus. “The truth is, they probably don’t and we like it that way!” they admit, enjoying the variety within their work. Odd-meter rhythms play a notable role in their music. “Even when using odd meters and non-conventional time signatures, the idea has to still ‘sound’ conventional,” they emphasize. They avoid adding notes merely for the sake of unusual time signatures, ensuring that each idea remains authentic and impactful.
Incorporating synthesizers and orchestral arrangements, Clæmus is inspired by the sounds of these instruments and how they complement what’s already happening in a song. “Very rarely are the initial bones of a song written on one of those instruments, but who knows, that may change in the future too!” they muse.
Rich vocal harmonies are a key component of Clæmus’s sound. “Most of what ends up on the recording is what we come up with in the studio.” Constant experimentation and pushing the envelope with textural vocals and harmonies are essential to their process.
Working independently has its challenges and benefits. “Benefits are you get to do what you want musically, and challenges are numerous,” they acknowledge. Being beholden to tech corporates and algorithms to get their music heard is a significant hurdle, but the independence allows them to create freely.
Their 2024 EP, Mercurial, reflects the band’s growth and direction. “We went into the EP with the mindset of creating some really good ‘songs’ in the traditional sense,” Clæmus reveal. Each track stands out with its own personality, showcasing a more mature sound than their previous works.
Translating their complex studio sound into live performances is no small feat. “Simplest answer is backing tracks for the instruments and musicians we can’t afford, and lots of rehearsals with the ones we can!” Despite coming from a small city outside Wellington, their influences are global. “I have zero local influences and have always looked beyond New Zealand for music that interests me,” singer and multi-instrumentalist Taylor Hemson says.
Clæmus is always experimenting with new sounds, and fans can expect the unexpected in future projects. “We are always experimenting with new sounds, and the next release will incorporate a bunch of new ones,” they tease.
Engaging with their audience, especially at shows, is a priority. “We love meeting fans of our band, progressive music fans are always kindred spirits,” they say. Managing the creative and logistical aspects as a three-piece band, each member contributes evenly but in their own way, leveraging their strengths.
Looking ahead, Clæmus has exciting plans. “We will be touring alongside Caligula’s Horse in New Zealand in July, which we are extremely excited about!” they announce. With new music underway and hard at work in the studio, Clæmus continues to push the boundaries of their sound and connect deeply with their fans.
Follow Clæmus on Instagram and Facebook. Their new EP, Mercurial, is out now and is available from Bandcamp.
