Today we’d like to introduce you to Cold Subject.
Hello Cold Subject, I’m so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
Cold Subject was formed in 2018 by Jorge, our bassist, while a student at Full Sail University. We released our first self-titled EP shortly afterward. In 2020, we released our second EP, titled Crystal Clear. We took some time off after that and returned on September 15 with Midsommar, our third EP (and the first with our current lineup). We’re excited to be back and look forward to playing more shows shortly!
Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
We’ve had a few lineup changes, which are always difficult – for example, we parted ways with our former vocalist a few years ago. After that, there was a period where our momentum stalled out, and we all needed a little break, but now that Midsommar is out, we’ve been really energized and getting back into the groove of writing and playing music together.
On the subject of bumpy roads – writing the lyrics to Midsommar was an intense, draining, and isolating experience at times. Isolation and the difficulties that arise with it can put a damper on our creativity and drive, and spending too much time alone thinking about chaos, societal collapse, and impending death isn’t good for anybody’s mental health. Ultimately, the material ended up so oppressively bleak that it became tough emotionally to write and record vocal parts, especially towards the end of the process. Although we deeply value how these lyrics have resonated with our listeners, we’ll try to do something less apocalyptic in the future. Let’s try writing at the beach.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We make alternative metal music that challenges expectations of what metal is supposed to sound like. We love playing with the boundaries between genres and mixing in elements you’re not “supposed” to put on a metal album – trap beats, flutes and horns, ambient sections, rapping you’ll hear all those things, and more on Midsommar! We’re not shy about what we love; Midsommar pays homage to all our favorite artists, whether they work in nu-metal, EDM, pop, hip-hop, or opera, and many of its most exciting moments come from the juxtaposition and contradiction of musical elements. At the same time, we’re proud of integrating those influences in a way that still feels natural. We’ve never added anything to a song for shock value; we only ever do what works best within the song’s context – and we’re fortunate to have an eclectic set of influences to draw from. We’re also excited about the lyrics – we captured a wide range of experiences and emotions, and we’re astonished at how deeply people have connected with them.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Of course! In so many ways, Midsommar reflects our experiences of the last few years. On one hand, it is a political record depicting how a culture crumbles in the face of calamity; but it is also a deeply personal work telling true stories of transformation, destruction, and bitter resignation. The world struggled with depression, loneliness, burnout, loss, and heartbreak on a massive scale, and we were no exceptions to that. But we found that returning to music – and voicing those difficult thoughts and experiences – was a solace for us that helped us process and recuperate from the challenges of life during that time.
For example, in “The Ninth Wave,” we explore the urge to create art in the face of upheaval and destruction despite harboring a deep pessimism about the future. Throughout history, people have used art to affirm our existence in the face of nature’s indifference. The pandemic raised questions that allowed us to connect deeply with that side of our creativity.
At the same time, in “Ada”, we explore the breakdown of society during the pandemic – alongside the extreme and shocking acts of betrayal that simultaneously unfolded in our personal lives. The song is meant to express the paranoia, helplessness, and despair we felt in those moments. “D.I.K.Y.S.”addresses the feeling of cracking under societal expectations to keep up appearances at all times, even as our ability to meet those expectations suffers. “This Road Extends Forever” is probably the most philosophical song on the record, dealing with the fragility of life and the impermanence of the moment. After such a sad record, it seemed appropriate to end Midsommar on more of a hopeful note, with a celebration of life in a season of grief and loss. But we also set out to capture an enduring melancholy, one that we sense most acutely when longing for the unattainable. To us, that song feels like earnestly chasing something far in the distance, afraid that we might have fooled ourselves into seeing it. We feel that way more and more these days.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/ColdSubject
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/coldsubjectfl/
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/ColdSubejct/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColdSubjectofficial
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/3X7rl89aiJeGxGi4hgRi62?si=AhhrzbMFSPK–QUBAg4ExQ
Image Credits
Cheyenne Runner
