Infected Rain: Sands Of Time

Time, the latest album from Moldovan metal band INFECTED RAIN sees them hit new heights sonically with a hard hitting collection of soaring metal anthems. Prior to the release of Time and the festive season, we caught up with vocalist Lena Scissorhands to discuss the new album and its creation, and how she celebrates Christmas. 

We begin with Lena proclaiming how excited she is to kickstart 2024 with the release of Time. “We’re very proud of this album and the anticipation is very real for sure.” Lena goes onto explain how the lineup of INFECTED RAIN has changed for this record. “We announced a change of lineup in the band, which was very serious for everybody but our new bass player Alice joined in May and with the drop of the new single, we introduced her to our fans and listeners.”

She goes on to explain how this change has reenergised INFECTED RAIN and how excited the collective are with the new lineup. “I feel like it’s a complete new chapter in general in our lives and careers as musicians and even though Alice joined when the album was already composed, she recorded a couple of songs on the album and it already still feels a completely different chapter. A new way in our careers, and we are enjoying it so far very much.”

In fact, it’s all systems go for INFECTED RAIN as they have more things planned ahead of Time being released. “We’ve done a lot of work together in such a short time, we filmed many music videos, three already are out from this album and another three I believe, have to come out, and then the album itself.”

We then discuss the songs on Time and how they are all linked together as Lena explains. “I think that it is our first album that is so conceptual because every song is its own story, its own emotion. With this album, I feel like even though songs are very different and about different topics as well, in the same way they have something in common somehow. I tried to have this imaginary thread that goes through the map of the entire album. When it comes to lyrics, at least that’s what I was trying to incorporate.” 

Lena then divulges about her powerful vocal performance on the new album and how she has evolved as a singer. “I feel like I’m learning every year. I have more knowledge and more practice. Every year and with every algorithm, it is going to be slightly different, hopefully to the right, so I would say that is definitely to the full capacity of my body. In the time being, we asked when we were recording because they said I feel like every year, something happens to us, as individuals as professionals, our body changes, our stamina changes, and there’s plenty things that can become either better or worse, depending on how much work you put into it. I put the maximum I can and I put fully everything, all my energy and my body capacity into albums every time.” 

Lena explains about how the sound of INFECTED RAIN has developed on this record. “Almost half of the songs on the album recording were on eight string guitars, which changes the tune and the sound of the song for sure. It is INFECTED RAIN, but maybe with the fresher sound in a way.” 

Lena talks about the band’s recent tour with WEDNESDAY 13 in America but it turns out that while the tour went well, it wasn’t without its share of problems. “It was a very tricky tour for sure. First of all, it was a very long tour, and we had some difficulties getting visas for certain musicians in the band. We had to miss five shows because two members of the band weren’t able to do to have the visa approved in time. and we had a lot of trouble with the bus that was rented. It was pretty stressful, but, of course, the shows were absolutely fantastic. Our favourite thing to do is actually play shows.”

Lena then reveals what INFECTED RAIN are up to in 2024 when it comes to live shows. “We have some plans that are already announced. We are going to start the year on a very fun metal cruise in America called 70,000 Tonnes Of Metal, which is a week on a cruise with a lot of bands and a lot of fans. We are excited for that. Then in February and March, we have a very big tour in Europe. We go together with AMARANTHE and DRAGONFORCE. After that, we await summer with its festivals and we are working on some plans for Autumn 2024.”

With this interview being conducted right before Christmas, the talk moved away from music for a moment as Lena tells us how much she enjoys the festive period. “I am not a religious person, but I love Christmas and its traditions. I love mixing traditions because I lived in four different countries in my life and I picked some little traditions from each country in each culture that I lived in. I really like to create my own little atmosphere for Christmas. For example, I have a Christmas tree, but it’s black, to make it a bit more unique. Watching Christmas movies and eating foods that are specific for Christmas, I really like that. I grew up celebrating mainly New Year, so I like celebrating both that and Christmas, basically the entire week of celebration!”

We finished this great chat with Lena proudly telling us all about her highlights of 2023, a year that has been a massive one for her. “The change in the band was something fresh, something new. It was, in a way, challenging, but at the same time, very exciting and it went even smoother than I could even predict. Recording the two albums, one with INFECTED RAIN, and one with DEATH DEALER UNION, was a big achievement, because it’s a lot of work that I put together.”

Time is out now via Napalm Records. 

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