International progressive metalcore act Flip a Coin has made a bold entrance into the scene with the release of their debut album Reunion. The record explores an impressive range of musical frameworks, drawing from progressive metal, metalcore, hardcore, and even deathcore. The band’s two core members, Tomáš Biza (guitars, composition) and Heyden Smith (vocals), have intricately crafted Reunion to be a dynamic and cinematic experience that flows seamlessly from track to track, creating a cohesive journey for the listener. With its heavy yet melodic tones, recurring themes, and unpredictable twists, Reunion showcases Flip a Coin’s versatility and willingness to push the boundaries of the genre. This album promises to leave a mark on the progressive metalcore world and capture the imagination of fans seeking a fresh and innovative sound.
Describe the musical frameworks Reunion album explores.
Tomáš: This is a hard question since the record is so diverse! We tried to make the album a super cinematic experience, almost like watching a movie. Big part of that was also making the songs flow well into each other, so there’s this added dimension of listening to the album as a whole. Genre-wise, the songs fall into the categories of progressive metal, metalcore, hardcore and even deathcore.
Heyden: Exactly what Tomáš said. It’s not a concept album, but I like to think it has a cinematic flow to it. We definitely tried to make each song feel like a journey by the end with recurring themes and all the twists and turns.
What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced and lessons learned during the creative process for Reunion?
Tomáš: Some of the songs were just very hard to finish, most notably Kill Command and Amaterasu. I tried very hard to make all the songs flow as best as possible, which made it feel almost like solving equations sometimes, and reflecting on it now, I think that lead to a bit of a predictability on some of the songs. So with the next record I’m definitely aiming to have a little bit more fun, go with my gut and make the songs feel less calculated.
Heyden: I don’t quite remember when we started working on the album, but it’s been 4 years since the release of “Haven”—the first song Tomáš and I ever collaborated on. There wasn’t really a demo process. I’d approach one song at a time and kind of write and record my vocals at the same time. “Lifestream” and “Kill Command” were recorded at least 2 years apart from each other, so there were things I could do vocally at that point that I couldn’t when we first started on this album. I would’ve liked to go back and re-record those earlier songs, but at some point you have to just put the music out. Also the recording situation. I lived in an apartment when we first started on the album, so I had to rent out a storage unit as a recording space and make sure I wasn’t tracking at the same time this Black Metal band would rehearse a couple units down.
Is there a message you try to convey with the album?
Tomáš: Each song has it’s own unique message. But I’d say the underlying theme of all the songs on the record are about focusing on the inner self, the relationships with ourselves. It’s not all positive by any means, but each song is supposed to give you a push in the right direction in different branches of life. To make a reunion with yourself.
Heyden: Even though each song has its own message, I like that they all somehow fit into this loose theme of making a reunion with yourself—processing and coming to terms with a new understanding or reality.
To someone who hasn’t heard the album, what can he or she expect from it?
Tomáš: It’s a cinematic and very dynamic experience from start to finish. The album features light enough moments for casual listening, but you will get the most out of it when you find the time to immerse yourself in it, listen to the lyrics and give it your full attention. That’s where the record holds its real value.
Heyden: I think there’s a vast range of metalheads that could get into at least one of the songs on this album. “Amaterasu” is the closest thing we have to a death core song, “Lifestream” and “Lotus” are very melodic, and “False Promises” is a 14-minute long journey with everything in between.
How has your perspective on the possibilities of song arrangement expanded over the years?
Tomáš: I’ve come to notice the recurring trends used in many songs – the repetition of riffs, the different types of choruses, the clean breaks etc. The tropes can get under my skin sometimes, so I’ve been practicing thinking outside the box lately. But at the same time I’ve also come to realize there’s only so much you can do with the arrangement while making the song songs feel coherent at the same time.
Heyden: Like Tomáš said, there’s a lot of tired tropes in our genre. I try to bring more and more of what I learn from other genres to our music in the hopes that it will keep things fresh. There’s no hard and fast rules when it comes to music and I try to avoid convention where I can unless it suits the song.
What types of change do you feel this music can initiate?
Tomáš: I hope everyone finds something they can identify with on this record and inspire a positive change in them, whether it is coming to terms with loss (Lifestream), finding the courage to put others above yourself (False Promises), leaving a toxic relationship (Lotus) or just putting down your phone every once in a while (The Algorithm). [laughs]
Heyden: This music is first and foremost an outlet for my own creativity. It’s a passion project that’s inherently a selfish endeavour, and I don’t claim to have any of the answers. That said, I’m humbled if anyone is moved by our music and connects with it in their own way. It’s certainly a cathartic escape for me when I’m creating it. I can only hope a listener would feel the same way.
Do you tend to follow any pre-defined patterns when composing a piece?
Tomáš: I wouldn’t call it “pre-defined”, but there’s definitely a sort of vocabulary I’ve created during songwriting I tend to reach for when I’m stuck. I try and give every song it’s own unique treatment, though.
Heyden: From a vocal standpoint, not really. I have certain techniques to lean on that I’ve picked up over the years and know my sweet spots, but I like to approach every song with a blank slate and try to just experiment. Things really start to take shape once I’m adding a bunch of vocal layers and seeing how far I can take them without muddying the mix.
What non-musical entities and ideas have an impact on your music?
Tomáš: My daily life experiences in general. Writing my own music is an important creative outlet for me and expressing myself through it has become an integral part of my life. Sometimes the songs I write are an extension of what I’m currently feeling, but sometimes they also end up sounding like what I need to hear the most at the time.
Heyden: Aside from our personal experiences, some of the more conceptual songs on the album borrow from a lot of dystopian themes in science fiction, particularly the Cyber Punk genre. I think we’re living in a time where you see a lot of parallels between some of those fictional worlds and our own, and I think our music is the perfect outlet for doing that.
What advice or philosophy might you impart to other musicians, be it in forms of creativity, technical stuff, the business side of it, or anything else?
Tomáš: Write music for yourself first and foremost. Make it have its own worth in and of itself, not from likes and attention on social media. That’s when you truly make a positive impact on the world and you leave behind something that has value. It might attract lesser amount of people, however unlike your Instagram followers, these people won’t forget 10 seconds later.
Heyden: I think we’ve both hammered on this point throughout, but I agree that you have to write the music you want to hear. I think it’s unfortunate that we so often view success or fulfillment through the lense of what’s commercially viable. I’ve fully come to terms with the idea that music will probably always be a very expensive, time-consuming hobby for me, and that’s okay. The friends I’ve made and the fulfillment of creating something that’s truly mine (and my bandmates) is more valuable than any amount of streams, followers, or whatever metric people are using to define success.
Flip a Coin’s Reunion is out now and is available on Bandcamp here. Follow the band on Facebook and Instagram.
