Introduction: Due to time constraints as regular individuals running Witching Buzz and focusing primarily on writing reviews, we are limited to publishing only one (occasionally two) review(s) per day. However, we strongly believe in providing greater exposure to deserving bands and musicians who have put in immense effort. As a result, we have launched a new section called “Witching Riffs: Behind the Sound.” In this section, we have crafted a series of intriguing questions that we pose to every band or musician who wishes to share more about their unique projects. While the questions remain the same for each participant, the diversity among bands ensures that the answers will be fascinating and diverse. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy this captivating journey as we delve into the minds and stories of these talented artists.
POLYMERASE / Philippines
1. What drew you to the immersive and hypnotic sounds?
I guess it just happened. Whenever we try to create sounds/ soundscape our ideas into music, the product we create feels like home to us.
How do you aim to captivate your listeners with this genre?
We aim to captivate them with our philosophy and our song structures. We try to be creative to sound distinct with our own genre.
2. Can you share the story behind your band name?
The band name came to fruition when our main man, Vincent was still in med school. The name came from an enzyme that assembles, and copies DNA, and RNA molecules.
How does it reflect the essence of your music?
By that idea, we tend to create our music inspired by the enzyme. we replicate, then create the idea that we choose to do.
3. What are some unconventional or unexpected influences that have shaped your unique blend?
Sometimes we listen to jazz, classical up to black metal, death metal, and sometimes drone and noise. I think by exploring different genres we can harness our potential to help us create the music we want.
4. How do you approach creating expansive and atmospheric soundscapes?
We try to create first a baseline riff then we try to put it in our mixing bowl then put the ambient and other stuff, and mix it until the flavor we want appears.
What techniques or methods do you employ to achieve that signature vibe?
We don’t have a certain technique we follow but we try to experiment as much as possible to explore different avenues for us to feel the music we want.
5. Are there specific themes or emotions you seek to convey through your music?
Most of our previous works were inspired by space and time travel, weed, and other psychogenic substance. But we think that the emotional spectrum ranges from being happy with the feeling to being lost and alone until you find meaning in your existence kinda vibe.
How does alternative music help you express those concepts effectively?
We think It helps us to be different because by exploring alternative fields of music. We tend to be creative and shy away in what the mainstream has to offer and We think this is good as an artist and as a musician.
6. Share a remarkable moment or incident from your journey as a band that exemplifies the spirit of your music.
I think the first time we played live to promote Dreams and Realities 1. It is such a surreal moment that encapsulates the soul of our music.
7. In what ways do you envision your music progressing or evolving in the future?
I think we are progressing to a more doomy/sludge vibe in our upcoming tracks after Dreams and Realities 1 and 2 but who knows maybe we end up in an experimental approach where-in we will sound so different than our previous work.
Are there any new elements or experimental approaches you’d like to incorporate?
Yes. We are trying to put other instruments in our recording process but we’ll somehow think of a way on how we’ll be able to play it live.
8. Is there a particular song in your discography that perfectly encapsulates the essence of your music?
Probably the track, the traveler from our demo. This track is the epitome of how we create music… We travel, both in our minds and in the physical world.
Please elaborate on its creation and significance.
That happened during the pandemic, Vincent just started creating riffs that will mean traveling either in this realm or another, either one-dimensional or time travel. With that, those riffs from that track were inspired by that idea, creating the traveler.
9. Are there any emerging or lesser-known artists within your music genre realm that you find inspiring or deserving of more recognition? Feel free to share their names and what you appreciate about their work.
Basalt Shrine, They’re a doom/post-metal band. Actually, it is the current band of our previous bandmate. Also, there’s this band that our previous bandmate referred to us, they are called Agham, and they play shoe-gaze. they’re pretty tight.
10. What do you hope listeners experience or feel when they immerse themselves in your compositions? Is there a specific mood or sensation you aim to evoke?
Some of our songs deal with probably some aspects of existentialist philosophy and a little bit of self-actualization hopefully they’ll be able to reflect on themselves for them to be able to introspect about their life, either if it has meaning or none. if it has none, well I guess we’ll just have to survive our daily life to experience the last day of it… eventually.
11. Turbo Regime:
– Fuzz or distortion? – fuzz
– Analog or digital effects? – Analog. But we use digital hahaha
– Sabbath or Zeppelin? – This is a hard question, if doom, Sabbath. If psychedelic, Zeppelin.
– Heavy riff or mind-bending solo? – Heavy riff
– Vintage gear or modern equipment? – This is another hard question. If you want a more authentic sound vintage gear is the way but if you want easier access and manipulation, modern equipment it is.
Read album review HERE.
Polymerase Facebook.
You can order Dreams and Realities I & II HERE.
Label: Sliptrick Records
Promo: Grand Sounds PR
