Hamburg-based progressive/post-metal project Humanclock recently released its new album, Unspoken. This underground gem dives into the intricate connections between dreams, the subconscious, and the waking world, offering a personal and thought-provoking listening experience.
We caught up with the project’s sole member, Lenny Ghersi, to discuss the creative process behind Unspoken, the themes that inspired it, and what it means to craft deeply introspective music as a solo artist. In this conversation, Lenny opens up about balancing heavy and atmospheric elements, the challenges of working alone, and his vision for Humanclock moving forward.
Here’s what he had to share about this introspective release.
Congratulations on the release of “Unspoken”! Can you share the story or inspiration behind this album and how it reflects your personal journey?
Thank you! I appreciate that. “Unspoken” is a deeply personal project that has been brewing in my mind for quite some time. It’s a concept album that explores the intricate cycle of how our life experiences shape our subconscious, which then manifests in our dreams. The album delves into the idea that these dreams, sometimes beautiful and sometimes nightmarish, can significantly impact our waking lives, creating a feedback loop between our conscious and unconscious realities.
The album’s title, “Unspoken,” reflects the hidden language of dreams and the subconscious. It’s about the thoughts, feelings, and dreams we often struggle to express or articulate in our waking lives but find a voice in the realm of dreams. Each track on the album represents a fragment of this unspoken narrative, interconnected and contributing to the overarching story.
With its progressive post-metal sound, “Unspoken” is described as deeply personal and introspective. How do your own dreams and experiences influence your songwriting?
“Unspoken” is a musical journey through the landscapes of my subconscious mind. It’s a reflection of my personal experiences, anxieties, and aspirations, all woven into the fabric of the music. I believe that many listeners will resonate with the themes explored in the album, as dreams are a universal human experience.
Your music blends heavy riffs, soaring melodies, and atmospheric textures. How do you approach balancing these elements in your compositions?
Balancing those elements is a matter of intuition and careful crafting. It’s like painting a picture with sound – you want contrasting colors and textures to create depth and interest. The key is to find the right balance between these elements. It’s a constant process of experimentation and refinement. Sometimes I’ll start with a heavy riff and build the rest of the song around it. Other times, I’ll begin with a melody or an atmospheric idea and then add the heavier elements later. Ultimately, it’s all about serving the song. I want each element to contribute to the overall emotional impact of the music. If I can achieve that, then I know I’ve struck the right balance.
You’ve released an impressive five albums and six singles in just a few years. What drives your prolific output, and how has your sound evolved over time?
I appreciate that you’ve noticed the frequency of my releases. It’s true that I’ve been quite prolific in the past few years, and there are two key factors driving this output.
First and foremost, I have an insatiable passion for creating music. It’s an intrinsic need for me to express myself through my instrument and translate the emotions and ideas swirling in my head into tangible sonic landscapes. I find immense joy in the entire process of songwriting, recording, and sharing my music with the world.
Secondly, my sound has undergone a significant evolution over time, which fuels my desire to keep releasing new material. With each album or single, I strive to explore new sonic territories, experiment with different techniques, and push the boundaries of my creativity. I believe that this constant evolution keeps my music fresh and exciting, both for myself and my listeners.
The themes in your music, such as identity, loss, and searching for meaning, resonate with many listeners. How do you approach conveying these complex emotions through your music and lyrics?
I attempt this by approaching composition from an unconventional perspective, not limiting myself to standard patterns or structures. Instead, I let the emotions and themes guide the music, allowing it to flow organically and take unexpected turns.
As a solo project, Humanclock showcases your multi-instrumental skills. Can you tell us about your creative process when recording and producing your music?
My creative process is very fluid and intuitive. I often start with a feeling or an idea that I want to express, and then I let the music flow from there. I play all of the instruments myself, so I have a lot of flexibility in terms of how I arrange and produce the music. As a guitarist, it’s easy to fall back on what I know best – riffs, intricate chord progressions, etc. But the beauty of being a multi-instrumentalist is the ability to approach a song from different perspectives. I always try to remember that the song is the most important thing. If a part doesn’t serve the song, it doesn’t belong, no matter how cool the guitar riff might be. This helps me make objective decisions about what each instrument should be doing.
The album title, “Unspoken,” suggests things left unsaid or emotions hard to articulate. Why did you choose this title, and what does it signify for you?
“The title ‘Unspoken’ signifies those buried thoughts, feelings, and dreams that linger beneath the surface. It’s about exploring the subconscious and giving a voice to those hidden depths. For me, it also speaks to the power of music to communicate what words sometimes can’t.“
How do you see your music fitting into the larger progressive metal and post-rock scenes? Do you draw influence from other genres or artists outside of these spaces?
I love my music to fit into the progressive landscape, but I don’t stay in one lane. I’m drawn to the energy and complexity of classic rock, the textures and atmosphere of electronic music, and the heaviness and intensity of forward-thinking metal. Blending those elements with progressive ideas keeps my music evolving and hopefully creates something fresh and exciting.
Your music videos are noted for being captivating and visually engaging. How important is the visual component to your overall artistic vision?
The visual component is very important to me. I believe that music and visuals can complement each other in a powerful way, and I always try to create music videos that are both aesthetically pleasing and thematically relevant to the music.
Progressive music often challenges traditional structures. How do you decide when to follow convention versus breaking it in your songwriting?
I don’t really think about it in terms of following or breaking convention. I simply try to write music that feels true to me and that expresses the emotions and ideas that I want to convey. Sometimes that means following traditional structures, and sometimes it means breaking them but for me, it is not a deliberate decision.
Are there any specific moments or tracks on “Unspoken” that hold particular significance for you? Why?
Each track on “Unspoken” holds particular significance for me. They represent different facets of the album’s overarching theme and personal journey.
As a one-person project, collaboration may be less frequent. Do you see yourself working with other musicians in the future, or do you prefer maintaining complete creative control?
I enjoy having complete creative control over my music, but I’m also open to collaborating with other musicians in the future. I think it would be interesting to see how my music could evolve and change through collaboration.
What challenges do you face as a solo artist in crafting music that feels as dynamic and expansive as a full band?
One of the biggest challenges is creating a sense of dynamics and space within the music. It can be easy for solo music to sound flat or one-dimensional, so I have to be very mindful of how I arrange and produce the music.
Looking ahead, what’s next for Humanclock? Are there live performances, new projects, or other ventures on the horizon?
I’m currently working on new music and planning some live performances with side projects.
Check out Unspoken on Bandcamp, and follow Humanclock on Instagram.
