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The immersive, dark, atmospheric, and deeply poignant sound of Swedish act Ison is already a synonym for the beautiful sonic cosmic melancholy. Ison, now a solo project by Daniel Änghede (Venus Principle, Hearts Of Black Science, ex-Crippled Black Phoenix), is inspired by drone, goth and shoegaze, combined with a deep fascination for the astral planes and the universe. In June this year, Ison released its fourth album named Aurora (you can read the review over HERE), a fascinating intimate and epic musical journey, an intense explosion of emotions, a meditation of shimmering beings in the distant galaxies. Ison was formed in 2015 by Heike Langhans (Draconian, LOR3L3I) and Daniel Änghede. The two released three albums, Cosmic Drone (2015), Andromeda Skyline (2018) and Inner - Space (2019). Soon after the release of Inner - Space, Heike left Ison and Daniel decided to continue with Ison on his own. For the vocal performances on Aurora, he gathered some of the best female vocalists in the dark music field out there: Cammie Gilbert (Oceans Of Slumber), Sylvaine, Carline Van Roos (Lethian Dreams, Aythis, Remembrance), Tara Vanflover (Lycia), Gogo Melone (Aeonian Sorrow), Lisa Cuthbert, Vila, and Circle&Wind. In this interview, Daniel explained how it was working on the new album, the background, his future plans, and talked about many other things that every fan of Ison should know.
Interview with: Daniel Änghede
Conducted and edited by: Tomaz
Tomaz: Hi Daniel. It's nice to see that you are returning with Ison. When Heike left, I was worried for a while that is over. So, to begin the interview, tell me what everything has changed in the meantime since you've released Inner - Space?
Daniel: 2019 was a very challenging year for me. I had just left Crippled Black Phoenix to focus more on Ison after the successful release of Inner-Space, and shortly after that, Heike and I separated, and she left ISON. I had just begun to write new music for a new album, and I thought it was the end for Ison. It made me very depressed because this project means so much to me on a personal level. Everything was put on hold until the middle of '2020 when I decided I would not let this band die. I felt I had so much more music in me, so I started to write again. I think that by the end of 2020, I made a statement on social media that I was continuing with the band, and I got so many positive vibes from everyone, and that's when I felt I did the right thing. Of course, it was scary to do this with new vocalists, but I just followed my heart and did it for myself as a therapy, and it helped me so much.
Tomaz: The new album, Aurora, is now released. It's an amazing one and congratulations on it. It's also the heaviest thing Ison ever did. How do you feel about it?
Daniel: Thank you! I don't know if it's heavier or not, but it is the album that has taken the longest to craft. The whole process from writing, recording, and mixing, has been so much fun, and it was hard to stop writing more songs. In the beginning, I planned to write five songs for it, but it ended up being a bit more.
Tomaz: Since Ison is now a one-man project, you took a different approach and invited for each song another vocalist. How did you choose them? When composing songs, did you already had in mind who'll be singing on which?
Daniel: I already knew I didn't want to find a permanent vocalist to take Heikes place, and the idea to have a different vocalist for each song happened very natural. I started to talk to friends and vocalists I admire, and when so many said yes, I just had to do this, it was a natural way. I also think it made the album stand out, and it made the whole thing feel like a big family in a weird way, where many of the guests didn't already know each other they do now!
Tomaz: How it was working with such a great selection of female singers? I guess that the recording process must have been much more complicated than before?
Daniel: It sure was more complex than before to mix eight different vocalists. They used different microphones and different studios. It took some time to make it sound like that it was made in the same studio. But it has also been the most inspiring process I've ever done. I will do this again if I get the chance.
Tomaz: Guests like Niklas Sandin (Katatonia) on bass and Mark Furnevall (Venus Principle, ex-Cripled Black Phoenix) on synths also need a mention. How much did they contribute with their talents on Aurora, and how it was working with them?
Daniel: Mark just made the intro bass drone for "Jupiter", but the result was fantastic. That warm analogue bass is one of my favourite sounds of the entire album. Niklas got free hands to do the bass for "Penumbra", and it sounds absolutely amazing as well! It's been adding a lot to have guests on the record since I do everything myself. I would get bored if there only I was on it.
Tomaz: I have a feeling that some of the songs, or parts of them, were written for Heike to sing on them. Are any of the songs done in the period when Heike was still a part of Ison?
Daniel: The only song that I had the main tracks for was "Jupiter". All the other songs were written post Heike. I don't think I ever write to fit a vocalist. I write from my heart, so to say. Sometimes I don't even remember how I started a song once it's complete. It's channelling in a weird way.
Tomaz: Then I guess it's just that special "Ison" feeling, which is present since the beginning, and it gets under the skin. It's also refreshing to hear more of your voice than before. So, I wonder if you try to sing all of the vocal lines before the songs get recorded?
Daniel: Thank you! I actually never have any vocal melodies in mind until it's time for recording vocals. I want it to feel natural, so I do the same as when I write the instrument parts. I just channel it and let it come naturally without too much thinking. This is such a fun way to work, and it keeps things fresh for me in a way.
Tomaz: The songs have much more heavy guitars, deep bass, but still, there's a constant presence of that building up and evocative unique atmospheric sound. Tell me more about the compositions and what everything was different when writing them?
Daniel: I didn't plan how the album should sound. It was just a natural vibe this time. In a way, I think I thought it would be more electronic, but hearing it now, it's more guitar-driven. Writing Ison works in mysterious ways sometimes. It will be interesting to see what happens on the next album.
Tomaz: The universe is still the focal point in lyrics. But this time you are the one who wrote most of them. What can you tell me about the words behind the songs, and is there some kind of a concept? What everything inspired you?
Daniel: Some of the lyrics were written by me, and some by guest vocalists. I think the only theme I had for this album was a manifestation, meditation and healing. All mixed in with the vastness of space. I was in a very dark place before I wrote this album. The songs are about finding yourself again, not giving up.
Tomaz: Did you leave to vocalists who wrote the lyrics on their own complete freedom over that, or was there a theme, a subject,... that they had to stick?
Daniel: I had a loose theme and the title of the song. Then I let them have the freedom to write what they felt when they heard the music. It worked better than I could ever have imagined! I love the lyrics they made and especially the vocal melodies they wrote.
Tomaz: The title of the album, Aurora, must have a deeper meaning. To what does it refer?
Daniel: It was just a name that resonated with the whole sound and vibe of the album. I wish I could explain it deeply, but I can't. I guess that it's meant to be like that.
Tomaz: There was and still is something deeply feminine within Ison's music. From where does it come? Even if Heike left, it's still present in a massive way.
Daniel: I don't know. I always wrote the music, even back when Heike was in the band. So nothing has changed. That is the way I write and feel, you know? I guess I have a very strong feminine side inside of me, it's always been that way. I resonate better with females than the "typical male stuff", if you know what I mean? I guess I'm just a softie, haha!
Tomaz: You released a beautiful video for the opening track "Jupiter". It got shot in Canada, so I guess this was once again a complex thing to do? Can we expect more videos coming for the songs from Aurora?
Daniel: Yes, Vila and her friend shot the video in a natural reservoir in Canada, and Niklas Sandin edited it afterwards. It was a very smooth process, and I hope there will be more videos. My dream is to have a video for all of the songs on the album but it's a matter of money in the end. I don't have a budget for Ison in that sense since I fund it myself and then license it to the label. Time will tell!
Tomaz: When we did our previous interview a couple of years ago, we talked about the options for Ison to play live. Now I guess this has changed since Heike left? Or is there still a chance to ever see Ison playing live, and if so, how do you imagine it?
Daniel: There is still a chance! I've got an offer that I can't resist for next year. So if the stars align it might happen! But it would need a full band for it to work. I would never do it with backing tracks. I am dreaming and manifesting it, so let's see.
Tomaz: Not only that a lot of things changed with Ison, but you also had some drastic changes as a musician. You left Crippled Black Phoenix, where you were playing for a long time, and soon after was announced that a new band was born - Venus Principle. Right after the formation, Venus Principle signed with the label Prophecy Productions, and I guess we can expect something outstanding again. Tell me more about this.
Daniel: Yes, things changed drastically in my life during the last couple of years, it's been hard, but I think it was meant to be this way. Good things will come out from this in the end. We have the album ready for Venus Principle, and we are working on the artwork as we speak. Hopefully, it will get released by the end of this year or early next year. I can't wait to share the music with the world. It is a good album and totally different from that of Ison.
Tomaz: For some time, mainly because you were playing live with them, many thought of you as a new bassist for Draconian. Also, Anders hinted at that the last time when we meet. What happened in this regard?
Daniel: I might still play with them, but I don't want to confirm anything yet. They are good friends of mine, and I love playing bass.
Tomaz: Hearts Of Black Science is another project of yours, and I'm interested if there's something new in the making since it's been six years since the last album?
Daniel: I hope so. We haven't disbanded or anything, it's just that life got in the way, but I think there will be another album in the future.
Tomaz: Before we end the interview, I must ask you, what are the next steps for Ison? Before you already alluded to a new album.
Daniel: I have a few ideas. First, I want to make a more ambient album. I also want to get the reissues out of the back catalogue, which is coming soon. And I want to start writing the next album as well. I only need to get in the right mood. Aurora really drained me, even if I loved every minute of it. It was a lot of hard work. I don't want to burn out, so I need to find the right balance.
Tomaz: Thank you for taking your time with the answers and releasing a beautiful album like Aurora. Anything that you would like to add at the end of this interview?
Daniel: Thank you! I want to thank you for taking your time and for the good questions. I want to thank everyone that supported me on this new journey. This means a lot to me! See you on the other side.
Ison links: Facebook, Bandcamp, YouTube
Ison discography:
- Cosmic Drone (2015)
- Andromeda Skyline (2018)
- Inner - Space (2019)
- Aurora (2021)
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