INTERVIEW: DARK SKY

Genre: Melodic Metal

Country: Germany

Questions by: Nick Parastatidis

Answers by: Frank Breuninger (Vocals)

Site: Homepage

1. You've recently welcomed a new lineup for "Signs of the Time." How has this fresh energy changed the way you create music together? Are there any fun stories from the recording sessions?

Well, new musicians always bring a new, or rather a different dynamic to the band. This didn't have such a big impact on the recordings, as the songs were actually already more or less pre-produced. Of course, everyone added their own touch to one or the other song, but the most exciting part was the rehearsals together to prepare the new material for concerts. And of course we had a lot of fun shooting the music videos for the last album.

2. Your sound has evolved quite a bit since your early days as an AOR hard rock band. What musical influences shaped this latest album, and how do they reflect where you are as a band today?

I think the musical influences always change a little, depending on which bands are particularly inspiring you at the time. For us, for the "Signs Of The Time" album, it was more symphonic and power metal elements that influenced our classic melodic metal style a little. Basically, though, we see ourselves as a melodic metal band, and I think the album fits that really well.

3. It’s exciting to hear about your collaboration with musicians from Kissin’ Dynamite, especially on “Forgiveness.” Can you share a little about how that collaboration came together and what it was like working with them?

Well, Hannes Braun is not only an excellent singer, but also a good composer and producer, and I personally really appreciate his work. Since we've known each other for a long time, I asked him if he had a song idea that would fit DARK SKY. Hannes actually found an older song idea that I also liked and from which the song Forgiveness was born. And I have known the former KD drummer Andi Schnitzer for a long time, as Andi also helped out on the drums live with DARK SKY. Since Andi is a really good lyricist, we have already worked together on my album with the band Timesless Rage and for the current DARK SKY album, I was able to get Andi to write two song lyrics.

4. Every album has its highlights. Is there one track on "Signs of the Time" that you’re particularly proud of or that holds special meaning for you?

Oh, that's a difficult question, because actually all the songs on the album are like my babies, ha, ha, ha. But OK, the title track "Signs Of The Time" has ultimately become something special for me, because of the atmosphere and the musical implementation of the theme.

5. Your lyrics touch on a variety of themes, from personal struggles to societal issues. What inspired you to write about topics like the ones in “We’re Falling” and “Heroes On Ice”?

With "Heroes On Ice" I was simply inspired by the fascination of ice hockey. Because my son plays in the youth team of the local ice hockey club and we often go to the pros' games together, we have a pretty good insight, even a little behind the scenes. Yes, the song is a tribute to the pros and all their suffering.

With "We're Falling" I express more the frustration and anger about the changes in our world, where in the end the individual will probably be the victim.

6. Four decades in music is an impressive feat! What keeps the fire burning for Dark Sky? How do you manage to stay excited and inspired after all these years?

Ha, ha, ha, I ask myself that regularly too... seriously, it's probably the love of music and the positive reactions of the fans to our releases and at our concerts that always give you strength and motivation.

7. Every journey has its ups and downs. Can you share a challenging moment from your career? How did it shape you as a band?

Well, in the long history of the band there have been several ups and downs. Musicians who left the band at really bad times or serious concert cancellations and contracts with record companies that didn't keep their word. But also highlights, like the first big concert with the Scorpions or the first CD release in Japan. As a band you learn to deal with the ups and downs, so that you stay grounded when things are going well and don't break down when things go wrong.

8. With the new album out, what’s next for Dark Sky? Are there any upcoming shows or new projects on the horizon that you can share with us?

We are currently busy putting together new material for the next DARK SKY album. We have already pre-produced a few songs and maybe we can release a single in advance for the summer. But that also depends on our label. In addition, we are working with our agency to put together the concerts that we want and can play from the summer onwards. It will definitely be exciting.

9. As a band with a rich history, what advice would you give to younger musicians aspiring to make their mark in the rock/heavy metal scene?

Well, it's important to have the right people around you, including within the band. Then you should make music that you really love and not bend yourself too much. And finally, you shouldn't give up too quickly and should persevere in your own way.

10. When it comes to performing live, which songs from "Signs of the Time" are you most excited to play for the fans? What makes those tracks special to you?

Aside from the title track, I always think "Wonderland" is great when we play this song in rehearsal or on stage. But of course the opening song "Fools" is pure adrenaline at every performance. I think it's the dynamics of these songs and how they feel when you sing them that make them so special.

11. Frank, your vocals are said to convey so much emotion. When you’re singing, what do you hope listeners feel or take away from your performances?

That's not easy to write. Of course you try to convey as many emotions as possible with your singing, but sometimes you succeed and sometimes you don't. That's why a concert is always an interplay of what the audience hears and what they see. So what is the band's show like, how do the movements and gestures fit with the song? That's at least as important in a performance as the pure sound of the voice. That's why the audience should take away from a concert above all that the band gave everything to give the audience a great experience.

12. Before we wrap up, is there anything you’d like to say to your fans and supporters about “Signs of the Time” and this exciting new chapter for Dark Sky?

Yes, we are happy about every nice comment under our posts on social media and on our music videos on YouTube. I invite all friends of melodic metal to listen to the album "Signs Of The Time" and last but not least, it would be great if we could see each other at a concert somewhere and sometime.