English
Dolmen Gate returns with their potent new album, Echoes of Ancient Tales, a journey steeped in mythology, history, and the darker corners of the human mind. Known for weaving rich storytelling with dynamic metal, this project builds on their debut Gateways of Eternity while showcasing a confident evolution in both sound and performance. We sat down with the band to explore the inspirations behind the album’s title and themes, their collaborative songwriting process, memorable tracks, recording experiences, and the creative vision behind their captivating artwork. From the haunting echoes of lost civilizations to deeply personal struggles, Dolmen Gate invites listeners into a mystical soundscape that bridges past and present with unmistakable intensity.
Hello and welcome to Metal Invader! Congratulations on your new album! Can you share the story behind the album’s title and the main themes you explore throughout it?
R: Hi Giorgos, thanks a lot for your compliments! We like to dwell in both historical themes and the struggles of the human mind at the face of adversity. These type of lyrics connect very well with our kind of music and together they help transport the listener to a mythical and mystical headspace that we so fondly crave. The album’s title is a natural consequence of this! It underlines the storytelling nature of the lyrics (“ancient tales”), while at the same time reflecting the fragility of human communication throughout the ages (“echoes”).
How would you describe the overall sound and style of this new album compared to your previous full length “Gateways of Eternity”?
R: I don’t think we’ve changed that much stylistically, to be honest. Having said that, there is one thing that really evolved and that’s Ana’s confidence! In the first album she was a bit hesitant on what to sing and ended up not taking many chances, apart from one or two parts (the doom section in “The Oath” comes to mind). We have to remember that she didn’t have any band or recording experience before joining Dolmen Gate. Now, on “echoes” I think she really shines and takes both her vocals and the compositions to another level! Also, the work with co-producer Fernando Matias also helped her build confidence, as he had a lot of ideas for harmonies and building stronger vocal lines.
What was the songwriting process like for this album? Did you experiment with any new techniques or approaches?
R: We always approach songwriting the same way. Someone brings a more or less complete idea and then each one work on their parts and then the whole band will rehearse and work together on the song, figuring out arrangements, new parts if needed, etc. When we’re all pleased with the structure, then we start working on the vocals, solos and harmonies. It’s a great way to work because everyone gets to have input on all the songs. The main difference from “Gateways” to “Echoes” was the inclusion of Artur, who joined Dolmen Gate when “Gateways” was fully composed. His input on “Echoes” brought new ideas and new ways to approach the songs.
Are there any particular songs on the album that hold special meaning for each of you? Why?
R: This is like asking which kid a parent prefers ahah! Personally, I have a soft spot for all the songs we created since the beginning. Whenever I listen to them or play them, I can always find new ways to appreciate them and it’s never boring. If we do it in front of an enthusiastic crowd (like the Greek maniacs) it’s even more exhilarating.
Your lyrics have always been a strong point. What inspired the lyrical content for this album? Are there recurring motifs or stories you wanted to convey? Is there a concept or narrative running through the album, or are the songs more individual stories?
R: The songs are individual tales, yes. As I said earlier, there are two main themes: the historical themes and the struggles of the human mind at the face of adversity. In “Echoes” maybe we reduced a bit the “history lessons“ and focused more on exploring the dark side of the mind. There’s this kind of insanity theme that looms over some songs, as it’s more evident on “Souls to Sea“, “The Maze“ or “Rising Whispers“, that hints at a kind of despair that Ana knew very well how to translate to her vocal delivery. On the historical side we went a little further in the past and summoned the old spirits of Carthage (“Carthage Eternal”) and the Sea Peoples (“We Are the Storm”), the mysterious folk that razed almost all of the bronze age civilizations and yet left no marks.
Where the album was recorded, and how was the overall recording experience?
R: We recorded “Echoes of Ancient Tales” on The Pentagon Audio Manufacturers studio, near Lisbon, between February and March. Overall it was a great experience, the studio had everything we needed and even some stuff we didn’t need ahah. Overall, we are very pleased with how things came out as it was a smooth experience, apart some delays that are understandable.
Did you work with a producer or engineer you’ve worked with before or someone new? How did that impact the final sound?
R: We worked with Fernando Matias for the first time. We already knew him from his work with friends. He’s someone who has a background in diverse areas and that’s maybe what we were looking for. Nothing to do with our previous producer/engineer Paulão who we hold in high regard! It was more a matter of trying something new. I think he had most impact on two things: the overall sound and the vocals. Having a more clean and clear sound (as opposed to the more powerful sound of “Gateways”) helps when your band has such a dynamic contrast between the mellow vocals and the more metallic instrumentation. On this album you can really hear the intricacies of all the instruments and the vocals are much more upfront while simultaneously embedded in the whole sound. On the vocal side, Fernando really helped bring out the best from Ana and also helped building some great vocal harmonies.
The album artwork and packaging always complement your music. Who created the visuals for this release, and what was the concept behind the artwork?
R: The album artwork, as in “Gateways”, was done by a Brazilian artist called Márcio Blasphemator. We found him online quite a few years ago as he has been doing artworks for a lot of underground bands (maybe more on the Death and Black Metal scene). When he came across his landscape paintings, there was no doubt that’s what we were looking for. We feel they’re our music transformed into image. This specific artwork has the kind of atmosphere we try to conjure with our lyrics and sound. It’s perfect.
How has the band evolved during the making of this album, both musically and personally?
R: The main difference in this album, as I said earlier, was the full integration of Artur in the band. He brought refreshing ideas both on the songwriting and the arrangements. He also had free rein to develop his solos any way he wants and he came up with great ideas. On “Gateways” there were quite a few songs that were written before he joined, so he had to follow more or less the template that was already established.
With this new release out, what are your plans for touring or live performances?
R: We have no plans right now, except to see how well “Echoes of Ancient Tales” is received by everyone. We have some personal and professional things going on and we are far removed from Central Europe to be easy (financially and logistically) to set up a tour. We’ll see what the future brings!
Do you have a message you’d like to send to your fans and readers of Metal Invader?
R: We love Greece! We love the Greek Metal fanatics! We had the greatest time of our lives last year at Up The Hammers (we even released a tape with our live performance, that’s how much we enjoyed!). So, if you want to support Dolmen Gate, simply go to our facebook, Instagram or bandcamp and follow us.
Heavy Metal Re Mounia!!!
