Emerging from a seven-year journey since their demo, Permyon have finally delivered a debut album that consolidates their vision of Progressive Rock and Metal infused with Symphonic textures and melodic sensibility. With “Permyon,” the band presents a sound that is both intricate and accessible, rooted in technical skill yet guided by thoughtful songwriting. In this exclusive interview, we explore the genesis of the band, the creative process behind their self-titled album, past experiences, the live scene in their country, and their perspective on the contemporary Progressive landscape.
Let’s start from the beginning: how did Permyon come together as a band, and what were the first inspirations that shaped your sound?
Some of us met some years ago and realized we had good material to start a band. The first inspirations were classic prog; the likes of Pink Floyd, Camel, King Crimson, etc but it eventually evolved to a heavier sound. Unfortunately, it’s taken us years to find the right line-up to start working on a studio album.
The debut album comes seven years after your demo. How did the band evolve musically and personally during this period?
There’s an evident evolution from that time; an overall better sound and improved musical skills. Some old demos are a bit embarrassing to hear now!
Could you describe the creative process behind “Permyon”? Do songs start from riffs, melodies, lyrics, or do you approach compositions collectively from the start?
For us the winning formular is to write the music and the vocal lines together. Otherwise it could sound contrived and unnatural. Sometimes we write the music from a melody Sergi recorded on his phone. As you know, guitarrists in particular come up with tons of riffs, so they are also a good way to start a new song.
“Morning Sun” opens the album with a balance between melodic passages and Progressive complexity. Was it always intended as the opening track, and what feeling were you aiming to set for listeners?
This song was never meant to be an opener. However, we were particularly impressed with the final mix and the overall positive and catchy feel that set this tune apart, so we thought it was the perfect introduction to the band.
Several tracks, like “Minstrel of Wasteland” and “The Siege,” showcase intricate time signature changes and dynamic shifts. How do you balance technical proficiency with emotional impact?
The emotional impact is mandatory, the technical fireworks are not. However, when all the members of your band are accomplished and incendiary musicians, why wouldn’t we light the fuse?
The album blends Progressive Rock and Progressive Metal with Symphonic touches. Which bands or composers have influenced this hybrid approach, and how do you make it uniquely yours?
We come from different backgrounds and we are all open-minded. The doors are always open to any style if it strikes a chord. Under no circumstances do we want to sound formulaic or generic. We truly appreciate diversity, unpredictability and certain amount of risk in an album. A band we all love is Dream Theater, along with SymphonyX, Pink Floyd, King Crimson, Deep Purple, too many to mantion here!!
Your vocal lines range from melodic to powerful, complementing dense instrumental arrangements. How do you approach vocal writing in the context of complex instrumental passages?
Permyon is a “song” band. Once the vocal lines are clear and have their pivotal space, everything else comes later. And believe me, this band is always willing to add complex instrumental passages if they take the song to the stratosphere!
The keyboards play a key role in creating symphonic textures. Could you tell us more about Jonathan Sainzman’s contributions and the role of keyboards in your compositional vision?
Jonathan is a classically-trained musician and a piano teacher. His contributions to the album are monumental. Pianos, orchestrations, lead solos, amazing songwriting ideas, you name it. He is a hell of a musician and he’s taken Permyon to a superior level.
The guitar work, from Tzak Taylor, mixes riffing and virtuosic solos. How do the guitar and keyboard interplay develop during the writing process?
Two geniuses working together. When they trade solos and harmonies you can feel nothing but talent in bucket loads. They respect each other space and there’s a fantastic connection between them.
“Black Ocean” brings a more introspective, Progressive Rock-oriented atmosphere. How do you decide when to explore heavier versus softer dynamics within the same album?
We just pick up and work on the best songs, regardless of style or atmosphere. There will always be some quieter moments in our shows and albums, maintaining the balance with heavier pieces.
The album features guest musicians, like Laia Esquinas on backing vocals and Carles Salse on guitar. How did these collaborations come about, and how did they influence the final sound?
These two contributions are the icing on the cake. Laia is a trained professional singer who recorded her parts in just one take without any rehearsal, how impressive is that? Her technique, softness and tone play a crucial role in enhacing the melodies. And Carles, wow! What a demonstration of dexterity and taste! due to a sudden unavailability from Tzak, we asked Carles to record Incubo Salvation and he said YES! He’s a hightly sought-after guitar player, involved in many consolidated projects. We feel so blessed to have the two of them on our album.
What themes or concepts run through the lyrics of the album? Do you aim for a narrative arc across the tracks, or are they more individually inspired?
They are individually inspired. There’s always a list of themes to write about, but the most recurrent for us are: overcoming internal fears, historical events and science fiction stories.
Looking back, what were the most significant challenges in recording and producing your debut, and how did you overcome them?
We recorded the album ourselves, with our own gear. That was a risk, but it enabled us to choose the best takes. Then everything was edited, mixed and mastered by Martin Oller, a renowned producer, musician and teacher. What a fantastic job he made!
Are there live performances planned to support the album? How does the band translate these complex compositions into a live setting?
Most likely Permyon will remain as a studio project. There are no inmediate plans for touring, but you never know. The door is open and we all would love to get on stage and play our songs to the fans. They would get most of what’s on the album!
In terms of your past experiences, which performances or milestones have been most formative for Permyon as a unit?
The making of our first album has been very formative. Is there’s ever a follow-up, the whole process would be handled differently, specially to shorten delivery times.
How would you describe the Progressive Rock and Metal scene in your country? Are there particular trends, challenges, or supportive communities that have shaped your journey?
The Prog and Metal community are still healthy in our country. Be Prog My Friend is fantastic festival held in Barcelona every year, just to name one. However, we know it’s particularly difficult for lessen known bands like us to get out there today and opportunities are scarce. Assuming that, Permyon will carry on writing music to the best of their habilities.
Finally, what does the future hold for Permyon? Are there directions or ideas you haven’t yet explored that you’re excited to develop in the next phase of your career?
All Permyon members are prolific writers. There are tons of material for a possible follow-up, which would be even better than the debut, that’s for sure. When the right time comes, we will unleash the beast again!
Permyon’s debut album is a testament to patience, skill, and a clear musical vision. Seven years of careful development culminate in a work that bridges Progressive Rock and Metal while asserting a personal voice enriched by Symphonic layers and melodic sophistication. Through this interview, the band shares not only their artistic process and experiences but also their perspective on the wider scene, providing a compelling glimpse into a
promising trajectory. With live dates on the horizon and a clear commitment to evolving their sound, Permyon are poised to leave a lasting mark on the contemporary Progressive landscape.
Purchase “Permyon” on Bandcamp: https://permyon.bandcamp.com/album/permyon
Read our Review of their debut album here: [Review] Permyon – Permyon