We’re excited to present an exclusive interview with Phase Transition, a rising Progressive Metal trio based in Portugal. The band — featuring Fernando Maia on drums, Luís Dias on guitars, and Sofia Beco on violin and vocals — has just released their debut full-length album “In Search of Being.” Entirely self-produced, the record showcases a fusion of Progressive Metal, melodic instrumentation, and introspective songwriting. Developed over several years and initially sparked during their university days, the album now marks a major artistic statement, filled with depth, complexity, and emotional contrast.
Let’s start from the beginning. How did the idea for Phase Transition come to life, and what brought the three of you together as a band?
It all started in the library of the Faculty of Sciences at the University of Porto, where Luís and I were studying Engineering Physics. After a study session, we decided to blow off some steam by jamming on Metallica and Megadeth covers — just for fun. Sofia joined later, initially as a violinist, and later also as our vocalist. What began with informal jams quickly turned into a creative outlet. Our shared passion for complex and technical music brought us together, and over time we evolved into what is now Phase Transition.
Your band name, Phase Transition, is quite evocative. What does it represent for you on a conceptual level, and how does it reflect your artistic vision?
“Phase Transition” is a term from physics that refers to a change in the state of matter, like from solid to liquid. But to us, it’s also a metaphor for transformation, evolution, and inner change. We came up with the name after transitioning from playing covers to playing originals.”
Your debut album “In Search of Being” feels both ambitious and personal. How did the concept take shape during your early days as a band, and what pushed you to finally bring it to life now?
Sofia came up with the main concept, which is the cycle of life. We wanted the album to reflect a journey through different phases that many people experience. After releasing our EP Relatively Speaking and receiving encouraging feedback, we came up with this journey through life.
The combination of Heavy riffs, intricate rhythms, and violin passages gives the album a distinctive identity. How did you work to balance these elements without compromising the intensity of your sound?
It was definitely a challenge — but one we embraced. We focused on letting each element serve the story of the song. The violin adds emotional texture and melodic contrast to the heavy guitars and complex rhythms. We tried to make sure that no element overpowered the others. In this album, you can find guitar+violin duets, violin solos, and also the violin playing with blastbeats! This, I believe, is a differentiating factor of the band.
Each track seems to explore different emotional and philosophical themes. Could you walk us through the message or story behind songs like “Dichotomy” or “The Other Side”?
Dichotomy explores the very beginning of life. The song opens with a sense of confinement and potential — we aimed to sonically represent a fetus inside the womb. Then comes the first guitar chord and the cry of a newborn — the moment of birth, the spark of life. It’s a reflection on the duality of existence, the tension between the internal and external world. In contrast, The Other Side delves into the mysteries of death and our perception of mortality. That’s why we used more extreme techniques like growls and blast beats — to evoke intensity and fear. The epic finale captures a sense of transcendence. It’s meant to confront the unknown, and through that, invite listeners to question their own beliefs about the end of life.
Your lineup brings together a variety of influences — from classical to modern Progressive metal. How does each member’s musical background influence the creative process during songwriting and arrangements?
It’s definitely a blend. Sofia brings classical and jazz training, and also a melodic sensibility, both in her violin work and vocal phrasing. Luís contributes the intricate guitar work and a love for progressive structures. About myself, I think I can take the most valuable things out of Luís and Sofia in a structured way.
You’ve chosen to feature Ricardo Pereira on the song “The Other Side.” What led to this collaboration, and what did he bring to the track that made it special for the band?
Ricardo Pereira is a longtime friend of the band and the vocalist of Moonshade, a prominent Portuguese Metal band that Luís is also part of.
When we were writing The Other Side, Sofia envisioned it as a dialogue — a reflection on death, told through two emotional perspectives. Ricardo brought the darker, while Sofia expressed a brighter, more hopeful view — the dream of an afterlife. Ricardo’s contribution added a powerful contrast and narrative depth, transforming the track into one of the most emotionally resonant moments on the album.
Releasing a full album independently requires both passion and dedication. What were some of the biggest challenges you encountered during production, recording, and promotion?
It’s definitely tough, but with hard work and everyone in the band fully committed, it becomes manageable. We each took on multiple roles beyond just making music, from recording and editing to graphic design and promotion. When everyone contributes, the load gets lighter.
Of course, one of the biggest challenges without a label is visibility. Labels often have established connections with the press, playlists, and industry platforms that help get the music out there faster and to a wider audience. Doing it all independently means progress is slower, and you have to build everything from the ground up.
That said, the important thing is that we create content and music with our fans in mind, and we’re always thinking of new ways to keep that relationship growing. It’s a longer road, but it’s genuine, and we’re proud of the community we’re building.
As a debut album, “In Search of Being” shows strong artistic direction and thematic unity. What do you hope listeners will connect with most, and what are your plans moving forward after this release?
We hope listeners feel seen. The album talks about things we all go through — identity crises, grief, resistance, inner conflict. If someone hears a part of their own journey in our songs, we’ve succeeded. As for our plans: we’re bringing the album to live audiences, and we’re already exploring ideas for our next release. We’d also love to collaborate more and eventually tour internationally.
Do you have any plans for live shows in support of “In Search of Being“? Are there opportunities for fans to experience your music on stage in the near future?
Yes! Live shows are essential for us — they bring the emotional intensity of the music to life in a way that recordings can’t. We will play now at Comendatio Music Fest on the same day as Vola and Humanity’s Last Breath.We’re also booking more dates around Portugal and aiming to join festivals soon. Now, our shows aren’t just performances — we want them to be immersive experiences that reflect the emotional journey of the album.
How do you perceive the current Progressive scene in Portugal? Do you feel connected to a local community, and what’s your take on the international Prog landscape today?
Portugal’s Prog scene is small but vibrant. Amazing musicians are doing bold, original work — even if it doesn’t always get mainstream attention. Internationally, we think prog is in a golden age. It’s more diverse than ever, mixing with genres like jazz, metal, electronic, and even pop (Sleep Token – I love them). That openness inspires us to keep experimenting and refining our identity while staying true to the genre’s spirit of exploration.
Besides music, do any of you engage in other forms of artistic expression? Are there parallel passions that influence or inspire your creative path?
Definitely. Sofia is drawn to AI and literature, which influence her lyric writing and the band’s visual identity. She also loves dancing! Luís, a master in Engineering Physics, is very methodical in his approach to music. I am fascinated by the technical side of sound, from mixing to lighting design.
Thank you to Fernando, Luís, Sofia and everyone behind Phase Transition for sharing your thoughts and for delivering such a thoughtful and immersive debut. “In Search of Being” is a powerful step forward for a band that clearly has much more to offer. We’ll be keeping a close eye on what the future holds.
Purchase “In Search Of Being” here: https://phasetransitionofficial.com/product/1071961-in-search-of-being-cd
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