A solo musician and producer who has released eight full-length albums spanning several different genres Parham Gharavaisi is an artist like few others. Showing an ability to seamlessly shift between styles; from Instrumental post-rock to stark, melodic metal, Parham is continuing to make his mark, armed with his electric guitar and clever programming.
Recently, Parham shared his new single ‘Mirror’s Gaze’, taking on the worlds of melodic metal and death metal once more. To help promote the single and to get to know Parham a bit better, he kindly agreed to sit down with us and answer a few of our questions.
It’s so great to be able to catch up with you, thanks for taking the time to answer some of our questions. Let’s dig right into things, when did you first start making music?
“I had been composing songs and writing lyrics since I was a child, but it was around 2019 that I began to take things seriously, focusing on actual music production. A year later, I released my debut album, an instrumental post-rock work consisting solely of electric guitars. I had always been fascinated by the metal genre, and it didn't take long for my sound to transition into metal.”
What inspired you to start your journey into music?
“It was just something I always wanted to do, and one day, I finally found the will to do it. I grew up playing video games on old 16-bit consoles like the SEGA Genesis. Back then, the music in those games was simple but still managed to captivate me. I don't know what it was, but something about that era stuck with me. Fast forward to the mid-2000s, and the metalcore genre was booming. That's when I got into metal. Melodic Death Metal, Gothic/Symphonic Metal, and Metalcore were the first subgenres I got into, and they remain my favourites to this day.”
What influences most define your music?
“It would be hard for me to pinpoint any specific band or feature. I guess my music is an amalgamation of everything I've listened to, mixed with my personal experiences. Not only that, but my songs are also vastly different from each other in terms of structure, composition, and genre. The only common elements might be certain intervals, chord progressions, and keys that I favour. There are also some musical concepts I avoid because I dislike them, such as modulation, certain vocal harmonies, and to some degree, syncopation. I just don't like them for the most part. So, in a sense, my songs may sound both similar and very different at the same time.”
How would you describe your sound?
“Well, I've made songs in various genres such as Instrumental, Orchestral, Hard Rock, Gothic Rock, Metal, Death Metal, and Metalcore, among others, which is both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, you could say that's a diverse discography, but on the other, my music is often too soft for metalheads and too harsh for the rock crowd. Nevertheless, I make music for myself first and foremost. These are the songs I want to hear, so I'm going to keep doing the same, regardless of reception.”
Can you tell us a bit more about your latest release?
“My recent focus has been on improving my audio/production quality. I mixed and mastered Mirror's Gate myself. Everything else was also done by me as a solo artist. I hope I succeeded in achieving a professional-sounding quality with this release.”
What was your songwriting process? How did it come together?
“Here's the most common production process I use: I start by composing riffs and chord progressions on the classical guitar, regardless of the song's genre, because it's more convenient for me. Once I'm satisfied with the overall structure, I begin by recording the rhythm guitars, and then program the drums. Next, I record the lead guitars, followed by the bass. After that, I write or finish writing the lyrics and record the vocals. The final step is to program the synth and atmospheric elements. Once a song is finished, I rarely go back to revisit or change things. What's done is done, and I move on to the next song.”
What’s the most important thing for you when you’re writing a song?
“The message is always crucial for me. Each song must have a point, an idea I'm trying to convey. To me, the lyrics are the most meaningful; every word is chosen for a reason. However, words are not the only medium to carry meaning and emotions; sometimes, it's the music itself. In a sense, words and notes are somewhat interchangeable. Sometimes a guitar solo can convey emotions that even a page of words might not. It's the effect the song has on the listener that matters most to me; that is my message.”
What’s next for you as an artist?
“I currently have two upcoming full-length albums scheduled for release on October 14, 2024, and October 14, 2025, respectively. The first, titled ‘Ghosts of Nations’, delves into mature themes such as societal collapse, self-harm and suicide, domestic abuse, mass shootings, and loss, among other sensitive subjects, in a manner I hope will be considered tasteful. The latter, titled ‘Infect the Clouds’, is what I consider my best work by far, my magnum opus. It's a concept album with a plot revolving around a misanthropic villain protagonist on a quest for vengeance. Apart from that, I am currently working on two musical projects simultaneously: one full-length album and a Greatest Hits compilation album, which consists of reimagined and rerecorded versions of my best previously released songs. I also plan to continue releasing a new single every first Friday of each month, hopefully.”
Do you have anything you would like to say to our audience?
“I don't have social media so if you have something to say, feel free to reach out to me directly on Telegram or X (Twitter) @dark_reav3r.”
Recorded at his home studio with virtually no professional equipment, and entirely self-produced by Parham, ‘Mirror’s Gaze’ is a fierce glimpse into the artist’s constantly evolving creative world. Available now, the single is a unique experience for any fan of dark, melodic metal sounds.
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