EXTINGUISH THE SUN: Open to Interpretation

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Back in June, Dixon, Illinois-based progressive metal five-piece Extinguish the Sun launched their new full-length album entitled ‘Transformations.’ The band was featured recently on our Progotronics 38 compilation, and here is what they had to say about the new release.

Describe the musical frameworks your new album “Transformations” explores.

I’m not sure if Id identify any specific “framework” or particular concept that is explored, but because of the things that were going on during the bulk of the writing of this record – specifically the pandemic, lockdowns, etc, and just the new “headspace” i think we were all in. I think when we went back and looked at what we had done, I think we were all pretty surprised by what had come out and how much we were influenced by the last few years.

What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced and lessons learned during the creative process for “Transformations”?

I think we really stretched ourselves in terms of arrangements and also in trying to evolve our overall “sound”. From the aspect of the recording itself, we grew alot in terms of things we allowed ourselves to try on this record, whether it was different recording techniques, more layers and tracks of things to fill out the sound, harmonies, etc. Just the overall vibe of, “give it a try, get it recorded, and see how it all sounds together”.

Is there a message you try to convey with the album?

I dont think there is any one particular statement that is being made here. There are a really wide range of influences and ideas, both musically and lyrically that come together in this one – I think its pretty open to interpretation.

To someone who hasn’t heard “Transformations,” what can he or she expect from it?

Overall I think anyone that is familiar with us is going to understand how we got to the songs on this record and be able to hear the evolution. This record represents several extremes of our sound, encompassing some of the heaviest stuff we’ve written, to some of the most dynamic, and layered things we’ve done. I think that Transformations keeps people on their toes, has a lot of surprises, and takes people in many different directions, while still coming off as 1 consistent sounding record.

How has your perspective on the possibilities of song arrangement expanded over the years?

I think as a group we have just become very open to the idea of seeing where things go, and being willing to explore and let a song “go where it needs to”.

What types of change do you feel this music can initiate?

This one im not sure of. Hopefully it makes people feel something, but I think the takeaway might be different for different people.

Do you tend to follow any pre-defined patterns when composing a piece?

No not really. I mean, we all have a ton of different influences, so just about anything is fair game – but I think we all understand the importance of “hooks” and we all appreciate a great chorus and these fundamental building blocks of a good song that everyone wants to hear. At the end of the day, a song can be as heavy, or wild, or weird or whatever as we want to be, but there needs to be a decent hook.

What non-musical entities and ideas have an impact on your music?

Film and books for sure. This is often the case in songs where Morley has contributed to the lyrics.

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?

I think just keep pushing yourself musically and don’t get too caught up in the idea that “we are X kind of band, we need to be writing X kind of songs, or doing.. whatever”. I think if you keep that sort of anything goes mentality WITHIN your genre or style or whatever, you really have a chance to do something cool and different.

Transformations is out now; order it from Bandcamp. Follow Extinguish the Sun on Facebook.

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