Although the band name is incentive enough to check out this album, the music is phenomenal. This Dutch ensemble perform emotionally-raping, depressive black metal to perfection, with noticeable death/doom touches for good measure. A combination of enormous attention to detail and less-than-perfect production makes Lost a breathtaking, melancholic wash. The overall sound quality, or tone, of the record is reminiscent of Nachtmystium, although the music is less overtly angry and more agonizingly disheartened. Lost isn't a concept album, but there's an overarching atmosphere that unifies the record and gives one the illusion of the tracks being more like movements of a larger whole rather than separate pieces. That's not to say they all sound alike ― within the harsh, depressed strains of these scores lays a continued exploration of the band's sound. From raging blasts to poignant, almost tender moments and everything in between, Lost's replay value is high. With each ensuing listen, one notices more enmeshed layers and melodies that, when deconstructed, may be fairly simple, but taken together create a staggeringly clever soundscape. The record's title is apt; this one might slip under the radar, but it is well worth keeping an eye out for.
Congratulations on Lost. Are you satisfied with the album? What's the fan/critic response been like so far?
Guitarist/vocalist/keyboardist MXM: Thanks. Yes, we are still satisfied with Lost. So far the reviews/reaction have been quite positive. It's doing better than we ever anticipated.
What do you want listeners to get out of Lost?
Well, we had no preconceived plan regarding the album. While recording and composing we never think of an audience. So music comes out as it comes out. I hope listeners can appreciate our efforts.
What's the meaning or reason behind your band name?
It's a changed song title from [now defunct] UK band Ebony Lake. I like the image it creates in my head: one of utter hopelessness. It fits the music very well, I think. And it's a standout name, so people [hopefully] are intrigued and want to check us out.
In your bio, it mentions that you all play in other bands, but those bands are not revealed. Was it a conscious decision to use pseudonyms and not discuss specifics about the other bands with which the AAFCC members are involved?
Yes, we do not want our projects/bands to interfere with each other. I like our music to be judged on the basis of the music only and not by our previous/future music/bands.
Lost is a detailed, multi-layered and richly textured album. When and how was the album composed? What was your writing/recording process like?
The album was recorded over a year ago. I guess, the year before that we started composing and discussing doing AAFCC. We all write music and we arrange the songs together. For us, that works the best. We record the core of the music first. Later, we add lots of extra parts.
Lost is an apt representation of a huge range of emotions: despair, love, hate and most obviously, melancholy. Was it meant as a cathartic release or more like a reflection of your state of mind?
I think the latter. It indeed contains a broad range of emotions. And that's just about being human.
Along with the album's emotional depth, there is a substantial dose of musical variation. What were some of the influences, either musical or otherwise, that helped form Lost into such an encompassing record?
Lost is the sum of all three members. You get influences from three lives, so that's bound to give a broad spectrum of influences. Musically, the main parts are still early '90s black metal [and] old school doom/death metal.
To you, and to AAFCC, how important is lyrical content versus musical expression?
It's funny, lyrics are important to me personally, but I do not want to share them with other people. They are too personal.
Apparently AAFCC have begun work on their second album. Can you tell us how that is going and what to expect?
We started recording, but it's not finished. We have maybe six or seven new songs. Some turned out great, others not so [much]. We will record a bunch more and select the really good ones. It's a little more melodic and depressing. We are aiming for good/better songs.
Do AAFCC have any plans to tour or is it more of a studio band/project?
We want to play live, but it's uncertain when.
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Thank you for this interview.
(ATMF)Congratulations on Lost. Are you satisfied with the album? What's the fan/critic response been like so far?
Guitarist/vocalist/keyboardist MXM: Thanks. Yes, we are still satisfied with Lost. So far the reviews/reaction have been quite positive. It's doing better than we ever anticipated.
What do you want listeners to get out of Lost?
Well, we had no preconceived plan regarding the album. While recording and composing we never think of an audience. So music comes out as it comes out. I hope listeners can appreciate our efforts.
What's the meaning or reason behind your band name?
It's a changed song title from [now defunct] UK band Ebony Lake. I like the image it creates in my head: one of utter hopelessness. It fits the music very well, I think. And it's a standout name, so people [hopefully] are intrigued and want to check us out.
In your bio, it mentions that you all play in other bands, but those bands are not revealed. Was it a conscious decision to use pseudonyms and not discuss specifics about the other bands with which the AAFCC members are involved?
Yes, we do not want our projects/bands to interfere with each other. I like our music to be judged on the basis of the music only and not by our previous/future music/bands.
Lost is a detailed, multi-layered and richly textured album. When and how was the album composed? What was your writing/recording process like?
The album was recorded over a year ago. I guess, the year before that we started composing and discussing doing AAFCC. We all write music and we arrange the songs together. For us, that works the best. We record the core of the music first. Later, we add lots of extra parts.
Lost is an apt representation of a huge range of emotions: despair, love, hate and most obviously, melancholy. Was it meant as a cathartic release or more like a reflection of your state of mind?
I think the latter. It indeed contains a broad range of emotions. And that's just about being human.
Along with the album's emotional depth, there is a substantial dose of musical variation. What were some of the influences, either musical or otherwise, that helped form Lost into such an encompassing record?
Lost is the sum of all three members. You get influences from three lives, so that's bound to give a broad spectrum of influences. Musically, the main parts are still early '90s black metal [and] old school doom/death metal.
To you, and to AAFCC, how important is lyrical content versus musical expression?
It's funny, lyrics are important to me personally, but I do not want to share them with other people. They are too personal.
Apparently AAFCC have begun work on their second album. Can you tell us how that is going and what to expect?
We started recording, but it's not finished. We have maybe six or seven new songs. Some turned out great, others not so [much]. We will record a bunch more and select the really good ones. It's a little more melodic and depressing. We are aiming for good/better songs.
Do AAFCC have any plans to tour or is it more of a studio band/project?
We want to play live, but it's uncertain when.
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Thank you for this interview.