Here comes some semi-unfiltered and definitely not quality controlled stream of thought from my mind just before midnight when I remember that I was supposed to write this before the sun went down. Plot twist… the summer sun goes down VERY late here in the northern periphery of the world.
What a month it has been! We released our third single - A World Without Direction – a couple of weeks ago now. Based on the feedback we have received, I think we did really well. This is heartening as by the end of the production (I am ever so slightly ashamed to admit) I was feeling so done with the song. We had delays, rewrites, and real-life hindrances (serious ones) - basically a bad case of everything everywhere all at once. But I suppose it is only fitting for the subject matter of the song, after all. You should read through the lyrics on their own to see what I mean!
Anyway, the point is: despite all the obstacles getting it out there, I am super proud of the track now. I am so happy that Morgaine – if you remember our bassist and backing vocalist – was there to push me forward during the proverbial final hour. The other day when I heard the song played on a UK radio channel, Forest FM, I felt the familiar kick that I get from honest and good music that hits the spot.
The song was also reviewed by a Norwegian web-publication called Metallurgi that praised the production quality and the vocal performances. In addition to getting airtime on Forest FM, we have also been played on Total Rock, another UK radio channel. So it feels like the song is going places! We’re so happy you have enjoyed it.
The release of A World Without Direction also marks a milestone in Soulcrux’s story. It was the final song that I initiated before, or at the very beginning of this adventure. Whatever comes next, will be much, much, much more “us”, rather than just “me”. I am so excited about the future; We have another great song in the works and the sketch is almost in a shape where we can actually start talking about a demo. There are only a couple of things missing before we can start fine-tuning and recording our final parts. Morgaine has written great lyrics to go with Toni’s original sketch, which he wrote back in 2015. I feel honoured that he wanted to share it with us and allow us to re-create it as a Soulcrux tune! You will all hear it a little later in the year!
And speaking of milestones: Behind the scenes there will be some logistical changes happening this week. I am moving semi-permanently back to Finland! No, I am definitely NOT abandoning the band and no, it doesn’t change our plans or goals of world domination. I was planning to move anyway in a couple of years, but an unexpected family tragedy made me move my schedule forward a little. So, we will be setting up remote solutions for our writing sessions for the times I am not in Norway and, because I still have a lot of work and personal connections here, I will be flying back and forth as often as I can to attend rehearsals and our preparations for playing live.
A couple more weeks of marketing and pushing A World Without Direction and that will be the end of Chapter 1 in this story that we get to share together.
Have a happy day
— Markus