Aurium are a symphonic rock/metal act from Serbia who released their third album, The Second Sun in mid-June. The album is reviewed here on RAMzine. Following the review, we were fortunate to be given a chance to ask keyboard player and composer, Sinisa Mladenovic a few searching questions which were answered with refreshing honesty and good humour.
How is the band coping with the pandemic in Serbia – both personally and from a music point of view
SINISA – It was very hard for all of us. Since we were in a lockdown, we had to do all the work for the upcoming album from our homes. A lot of video calls and chats to keep ourselves on track. We all just felt like hostages in our own homes working on a new album.
As an ignorant Englishman, can I ask what is the music scene like in your homeland; do you suffer the manufactured artists and talent(less) shows as we do?
SINISA – Sure. I believe every country has its own “musical cancer” and ours is a modern trap sound with the tint of old Serbian country music, but I guess that’s the sound every average citizen can connect with. The Serbian metal scene is very small and completely underground. I would be very scared if metal is listened to by everyone
I mentioned in my review that ‘Leaden Skies’ (my favourite track) seemed to combine Gregorian, RJ Dio and Kate Bush…is that fair and how did it come together?
SINISA -Thanks! I’m very glad to hear it’s your favourite one! This is very funny you mention Leaden Skies right after the question about the scene in Serbia. This song tells everything about it. These are really great artists you’ve mentioned above… pretty much different musical genres but I guess you found similarity in our tunes or arrangements since there’s no boundaries and particular musical styles in Aurium’s melodies, lyrics or drum beats. We are symphonic metal, and we will continue to nurture it, but I just could never fit in anywhere completely, so I guess it’s the same when it comes to music composition. I always like to explore, push the boundaries and express myself through the music in the best way possible.
I also mentioned a Judas Priest sound on ‘Garbage Eater’; who are your biggest influences when composing and for your own relaxation?
SINISA -Sorry to say, but I’ve never been a fan of Judas Priest’s sound. Due respect for their extraordinary musical skills, I just never could find myself in their tunes. All my inspiration when I compose music is a photo which I usually put in front of me when I play so I can dive deep into the atmosphere I want to translate into the real world. I am a 100% visual guy.
On a similar note, if you could only keep one album from your collection, which would it be?
SINISA – This is the hardest question I’ve ever heard! It would be “Toxicity” (System of a Down) since it was my first metal album when I was 14 and reminds me of my whole life I would keep that one.
The Second Sun sounds like Aurium are growing and maturing together – how do you see the band progressing?
SINISA -Definitely we are progressing and thank you for noticing that. Even though The Second Sun was fully finished back in 2016 (just a year after our debut album) I feel it’s very huge musical progress when we compare it to our first one Still Life.
When the Covid crises are over, what are your plans for touring and recording?
SINISA -Well, we would continue with live shows as much as we can, since we are not able to promote the album right after the release. By the end of the year, there will be one amazing video for one special song from The Second Sun. After that, we will film the video for a new single track (already recorded in the studio) and I believe it will be a big surprise for everyone since the song is very different from what you can hear on The Second Sun.
Finally, is there a message you’d like to share with your fans through the pages of RAMzine?
SINISA – Our message to everyone is just as the one you can find on our album behind the curtain and it says: “Throw the anchor even in the deepest darkest seas and keep your boat steady until the storm is gone”.
The Second Sun is available now on Art Gates Records (artgatesrecords.com) and the usual download and streaming platforms.
