Interview with Sean Horror, singer in Swiss shockmetal band DarkFlow, about the new single „Eerily Fading Away“ and the upcoming album „Imminent End“
published 03.01.2025
Hi Sean, hope you’re well. I just realized that our first interview was more than three years ago. Your first album „6“ was one year old at the time, your second album „Insane Circus“ was released on 7.5.23 and now your third album „Imminent End“ is set to be released at the end of March 25. But first, let’s talk about the single „Eerily Fading Away“ which came out on 29th of december. What strikes me immediately is that the orchestration and the choirs set the scene perfectly for this song. Each instrument has its dominant parts in the right place and the fading song ending fits perfectly. The single makes me very curious about your album and I assume that the longplayer contains more surprises. Tell us something about the song writing process for „Eerily Fading Away“.
The creation of Imminent End was no ordinary task, it was a grueling march through darkness, with my health and the ever-looming weight of mortality over me I wasn’t able to work the music. For this apocalyptic opus, I entrusted Flow, my trusted best friend in chaos, to take the reins of composition. He became the architect of our sonic apocalypse, conjuring a masterpiece that transcends mere music. Flow summoned none other than the infernal Andy LaRocque, King Diamond’s own master of the macabre, to Switzerland to craft some of the album’s most haunting passages. Together, they shaped a song that breathes the essence of dread: Eerily Fading Away.
Flow also joined forces with Ed from Algebra, weaving his unique touch into another track, while the symphonic sorcery of Brian Bendahan elevated the entire work to something beyond comprehension. Brian’s orchestral and choral arrangements do not simply complement the music; they plunge the listener into a cinematic abyss, where metal entwines with the grandeur of a doomed soundtrack to the apocalypse.
Once these musical spells were complete, I stepped in as the harbinger of despair, penning the vocal melodies and lyrics that drip with terror. The words of Eerily Fading Away were crafted to instill fear, a tale of sudden, inexplicable death spreading across the globe like a plague, unraveling humanity’s fragile sanity. This song captures the moment when the world begins to realize the horror of its own end, a crescendo of panic and paranoia as death claims victims at random.
Yet, admidst the chaos, I wove moments of eerie serenity, a stark reminder of the lives being extinguished one by one. It is not just music; it is a dirge for the living, a lament for the dying, and a prophecy of the end. Imminent End is not merely an album: it is a requiem for this crumbling world, and Eerily Fading Away is its most chilling anthem.“
How did it come about that Andy La Rocque was involved in the songwriting of the single?
Andy LaRocque’s involvement in Imminent End was born from our infernal collaboration on Insane Circus, He mixed and mastered Insane Circus. But here we searched for something different.
The idea was diabolically simple yet genius. We would summon Andy not just as a mixer or master of sound, but as the producer from the first strike of creation to the final blow. He accepted this unholy task, and his contributions became the very lifeblood of this album’s malevolent spirit. His dark genius joined forces with Flow, the most brilliant composer I have ever known, and together they conjured a soundscape that transcends anything we’ve done before.
This is no mere collection of songs; Imminent End is an apocalyptic symphony, a sonic descent into the abyss. Andy’s influence, combined with Flow’s relentless creativity, pushed this album beyond the borders of madness and into the realm of pure horror. The sound they forged is not just metal, it is the sound of Hell itself.
Eerily Fading Away. It is what I would call our „light“ song. If such a word can even be uttered in the same breath as our music. But don’t be deceived; it is merely one shocking song that I rather say: The whisper before the screams. The album escalates into an exploration of Shock Metal, reshaping the dark legacy of Shock Rock into something more terrifying, more profound.
Imminent End is a conceptual odyssey, a prophecy of the world’s collapse, and Eerily Fading Away is the faint glimmer before the plunge into pure, unrelenting darkness. With this album, DarkFlow has not just redefined Horror Metal; we have delivered a warning, a dark tale that forces people to confront their deepest fears about the future. And that, my loyal followers, is just the beginning. That’s why Andy LaRocque was the best idea, to have the lead guitarist of King Diamond as the producer of the most apocalyptic album ever made, someone who understands horror in music as no one else
A lyric video has also been released for the single on youtube. Like the artwork for the album, this was created and produced by the artist Macslaughterday. What do you appreciate about his work?
To me, having a lyric video is more than just a tool…it’s an extension of the curse we unleash upon this world. The lyrics I write are not mere words; they are the poetry of horror, etched in blood and despair. With a lyric video, these verses of doom are brought to life, woven together with artwork that drips with the essence of the song’s malevolence. It is a glimpse into the abyss, a vision of hell carved into every frame.
Working with Lord McSlaughterDay is like summoning a kindred demon from the depths. His imagination knows no bounds, and his artistry channels the chaos and destruction that resides within me. He understands DarkFlow as if he were born of the same torment, and his ability to transform my cruel visions into visual masterpieces is unparalleled.
Since Insane Circus, McSlaughterDay has been my conspirator in crafting these nightmares. He has evolved into the perfect interpreter of my twisted desires and unholy ambitions, painting the apocalyptic ruin I see in my mind’s eye with a precision that borders on terrifying. His artwork captures my cruelty, my insatiable hunger for the end, and my cold satisfaction in watching the world crumble.
Every metal band should bow before his talent, for he is not merely a graphic designer—he is an artist, a creator of dark worlds, and a harbinger of doom. To work with him is to witness your most horrifying dreams come to life. For DarkFlow, there is no other. He is, without question, the BEST, and his work will forever be entwined with the legacy of terror we leave behind
Will there be another single release or do you want to keep the excitement high until the album is out?
Of course, we want to release new Singles. Creating and sharing our music is what drives me, what keeps this blackened heart of mine beating. But the cruel truth is that the music industry thrives on money, not passion, and every single release demands more than just creativity, it demands resources, time, and the ability to carve through the noise to reach the right audience.
We know we are not the most famous band in the world, yet. This album, this entire vision we’ve conjured, was a dangerously ambitious undertaking. I refuse to let a single song vanish into the void of the internet, unseen and unheard, after the sacrifices we’ve made to bring this to life. So yes, we want to release more singles, but it’s a matter of strategy and survival.
The reality is grim: without the right support (we did have an enormous one but we stayed short), this entire project teeters on the brink of collapse. And let me be clear, I will not stand by and watch the only thing keeping me alive crumble into dust. I have given my death to this band, my soul to this vision, and I will summon every demon and shadow to ensure this album gets the recognition it deserves.
There is no rest for me, not while this battle rages. DarkFlow is not just a band: it is a war, and we fight with professionalism and relentless dedication. Yes, there are difficulties ahead, and yes, the stakes are higher than ever. But there will be more singles, even if the path to them is paved with hardship and sacrifice.
If Satan himself is on our side, we shall prevail, but God is working hard against us.
The album „Imminent End“ was produced, mixed and mastered by Andy La Rocque in his studio. It is the second collaboration with him after „Insane Circus“. What’s it like to work with the King Diamond guitarist?
Working with Andy LaRocque is nothing short of a revelation for any metal band. His calm, focused energy masks an infernal brilliance, Andy is not renowned by chance but because he wields a mastery of his craft that few can rival. His talent is as sharp and precise as the blade of a guillotine, and his ability to breathe life or death into music is unmatched.
For me, this collaboration was more than professional. Andy LaRocque has been my hero, the guitarist whose work shaped my darkest inspirations. To have him as our producer was an opportunity I could never ignore, a moment where admiration met the cold reality of creation. Together, we have forged something far greater than music. It is a sound that screams, terrifies, and lingers in the shadows long after the final note fades.
But as with all things, our future with him depends on one thing: success. If we achieve the recognition we seek, if this album rises like the apocalypse itself to consume the world, then I see no reason we wouldn’t continue this unholy alliance. Yet, the path is treacherous, and failure is a constant specter.
I’ll say this: I am not one to let fate or fortune decide. If we must claw our way to triumph with bloodied hands, then so be it. Andy LaRocque has become part of this vision, and I will do everything in my power to ensure that vision grows, thrives, and haunts this world for years to come.
An unknown name has appeared on your Facebook page and also in the video description: Dr Trykster (bass). Who is the mysterious band member? Can you already tell us something about the unknown or does it still remain a secret?
Yes, the time has come to reveal the newest harbinger of darkness within DarkFlow. Dr. Trykster, the darkest bassist I have ever encountered, has joined our ranks. His talent is otherworldly, his style unparalleled, he brings a presence and sound to our music that we’ve never had before. This man is not just a musician; he is a force, a conjurer of low-end destruction who commands his instrument with unholy precision.
Dr. Trykster lurks in the shadows as we speak, his alchemistic mind forever scheming, crafting sinister ways to channel his genius into every song. A man of science and darkness, he has elevated our music to a level that even I did not anticipate. He doesn’t simply play, he creates, forging basslines that ripple through the void, enhancing the chaos and beauty of every note we unleash.
This is not just an addition to the band; this is the completion of our pack. Dr. Trykster is fully immersed in our vision, his creativity and dedication now entwined with DarkFlow’s soul. From this moment on, he is part of everything we do, and his contributions have already transformed what we thought was possible.
You, my followers, are the first to know. He is the newest and final member of DarkFlow, and soon, the world will hear his impact. Prepare yourselves: Dr. Trykster is here, and with him, our music descends even deeper into the abyss.
The album title „Imminent End“ as well as the cover denotes the end of civilization, right?
Imminent End is not merely an album: it is a prophecy, a grim vision of a world spiraling toward its inevitable collapse. We, DarkFlow, are the harbingers of the last words from the other side. Through our pact with darkness, we have seen the truth: a planet consumed by its own hubris.
The climate, social, political, and natural, is unraveling, and humanity is far too fragile to endure what is coming. This album tells a story that isn’t just fiction…it’s a warning. One day, everything we sing will become reality.
The question is not if, but when. And perhaps… it will be sooner than you think.
Thus, this album could be a trilogy together with the two previous ones. The first album „6“ was about the death of friends/loved ones (past), the second album „Insane Circus“ deals with your health issues, your death (present). Now the topic is the end of humanity (future). Is it pure coincidence or did you have that in mind during the writing process for the album?
I am a man of concept. Our first album mourned the death of my loved ones, Insane Circus reflected my own death, a deeply personal and real experience, and now this third album gazes into the future: the death of all humanity.
This trilogy was intentional, a path I planned from the moment we began work on this album. Once complete, we’ll venture into new stories… if humanity survives long enough to hear them.
Are there any concerts planned after the release? Is there a special release show in the planning?
Planning shows has been a challenge for us, as we are a band consumed by creation, often lost in the depths of our artistry. But the shows are coming, and they will be nothing short of extraordinary.
We refuse to reduce DarkFlow to a mere bar act or a fleeting spectacle in small venues. Our performances demand more, they are immersive experiences meant to haunt and captivate. When we take the stage, it’s not just a concert; it’s DarkFlow entering your life, and we will accept nothing less.
Will it be possible to pre-order the album and in which physical formats will it be available (CD/vinyl)?
We’re going to pre-sale the album soon as vinyl, cds are going to be crafted afterwards, but the important point is, we’re also doing new merchandising, cool and amazing t-shirts. Everything with the help of MacSlaughterday, who has crafted the best items to have from DarkFlow.
Is there something else you want to let us know?
Beware, this upcoming DarkFlow album is a prophecy you want to hear and learn from before the end is nigh… hahahahahaha
Thank you for your time and insights, Sean. All the best for the album release. I can’t wait to listen to it in whole and of course the life versions at a concert!
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published 03.01.2025