Therapy in Rhyme craft a powerful blend of poetry and music, confronting betrayal, resilience, and hope. We spoke with Jan Helge Almås from the band about the emotional journey behind his ambitious project.
1. "Therapy in Rhyme" is such a
powerful name — can you tell us how the idea for this concept project first
came to life?
The seeds for Therapy in Rhyme were sown in 2014 when I met my wife, whose
Ukrainian heritage connected me to the region’s escalating tensions,
culminating in the 2022 crisis. Poetry became my outlet to process the
disregard for human life by some leaders, contrasted with the selfless efforts
of those aiding refugees. The Norwegian government introduced measures ensuring
refugees received automatic residence permits, and those who secured housing
could be registered as settled with full rights from day one. When we safely
brought our first family members to Norway and the municipality confirmed they
accepted these measures, my focus was on securing housing and purchasing a
minibus to help as many people as possible reach safety. However, local
leaders’ failure to follow state guidelines burdened us with unexpected
responsibilities and expenses, preventing us from aiding more refugees. The
poems I wrote about world leaders’ betrayals soon became relevant in our small
community too.
2. Tragedy in Corruption moves from
classical to heavy metal. How did you approach blending these very different
musical styles into one coherent trilogy?
The transition from classical to heavy metal in Tragedy in Corruption
mirrors the emotional journey from hope to despair. Classical elements
symbolize the initial compassion of those aiding refugees, embodying order and
humanity. As betrayals by leaders ignoring laws and guidelines emerged, heavy
metal’s intensity captured the resulting rage and chaos. Structuring the
trilogy to shift between these styles creates a musical narrative that balances
admiration for selfless acts with outrage at systemic failures, reflecting a
traumatic roller coaster.
3.
You’ve worked with a remarkable lineup of contributors. How did you manage such
a large collaborative process creatively and logistically?
Managing a large collaborative process was challenging, but I learned to
exercise patience and avoid rushing. I encouraged creative freedom, allowing
each artist to bring unique perspectives that enriched the songs. Special
thanks go to my brother, Rune JM Almaas, who contributed to every track, as
well as Vivian Wong and Oleksandr Vesnin for their work on Part 1, and Mikołaj
Krzaczek for Part 2. Their dedication ensured a unified artistic vision, making
the complex process seamless and creatively fulfilling.
4. Many of your songs address
leadership failure and societal betrayal. Why was it important for you to
tackle these themes through music and poetry?
Sleepless nights plagued me for the entire first year after the war in Ukraine
began, and the toll of these traumas was immense. I repeatedly approached
leaders who had taken on ethical and professional responsibilities, hoping they
would address the failures that left us burdened with tasks the municipality
had secured funds to cover. I wanted to be just a landlord, free to focus on
bringing more people to safety. But there’s a limit to how many times you can
plead with leaders to respect their roles and their community. Music and poetry
became my refuge, a way to release mounting frustration and give voice to the
betrayal we experienced.
5.
Tracks like Silence is Complicity and Your Silence Screams feel especially raw.
Were there personal experiences that influenced the writing of these songs?
Silence is Complicity and Your Silence Screams were inspired by the profound
betrayal felt when leaders ignored evidence of unethical practices, despite the
municipality’s ethical guidelines stating, “Employees and elected
representatives should be aware that they form the basis for the citizens’
trust and attitude towards the municipality. Elected representatives and
employees should therefore actively distance themselves from and combat any
unethical practice.” The refusal to challenge fabricated rules or address
exploitation during a humanitarian crisis amplified the suffering of those in
need. These tracks channel the raw pain of witnessing inaction from those
entrusted to uphold justice, reflecting the trauma of unaddressed wrongs.
6. Songs like Tears in Their Eyes
touch on the refugee crisis. How did you go about gathering the stories and
emotions that shaped these songs?
Tears in Their Eyes draws from the experiences of Ukrainian friends who helped
at the Polish-Ukrainian border and aid workers transporting supplies from
Norway and refugees back. Those who assist people in flight often face
significant emotional challenges when hearing stories filled with pain and
loss. The narratives of women and children are particularly poignant, revealing
deep fears and incomprehensible choices. Many express guilt for leaving loved
ones behind, even as they prioritize their children’s safety. By weaving these
stories into a collective narrative, I aim to capture the emotional toll of
aiding those in crisis, reflecting their resilience and pain.
7. The
themes of manipulation, denial, and betrayal are very strong in songs like
Maestro of Tactics and Morally Vacant Minds. Were there particular real-world
events that directly inspired these pieces?
Yes, Maestro of Tactics and Morally Vacant Minds were inspired by events where
leaders ignored clear directives, refused to provide documentation to explain
why, and fabricated contradictory rules to justify unethical actions. Their
deliberate prioritization of organizational gain over ethical duties,
particularly during a humanitarian crisis, fueled these tracks. The refusal to
address these failures perpetuated exploitation, reflecting the themes of
manipulation, denial, and betrayal central to the album.
8. You also recorded acoustic
versions like Shine On — what motivated you to offer two versions of this song?
The orchestral version of Shine On is a grand tribute to the countless
individuals who selflessly step up in hopeless situations, ensuring refugees
find safety and receive the support they’re entitled to. Its soaring melodies
reflect their collective compassion and resilience. The acoustic version is an
intimate dedication to my wife, whose Ukrainian name translates to “Hope” in
English. While I was consumed with trying to hold local leaders accountable for
ignoring state guidelines and refusing to help, she quietly took on the work of
helping others, focusing on solutions rather than the wrongs. The stripped-down
acoustic arrangement mirrors her unwavering hope and strength.
9. The
upcoming album serves as a soundtrack for the animated tragicomedy Director of
Corruption — how closely do the songs follow the storylines of the film?
While Tragedy in Corruption explores the collective failure of a community of
leaders, the animated tragicomedy Director of Corruption zooms in on the most
harrowing traumas, amplifying the absurdity and moral bankruptcy of those who
claim control while causing chaos. Both draw from the same real-life
inspiration: leaders who insist they have “full control” and “nothing to
apologize for,” despite actions contradicting clear laws and guidelines. In the
album, songs like Licked Clean and Opposite Game expose a world where morally
bankrupt characters prioritize profit and power over humanity, manipulating
rules to their advantage. The film takes this further, presenting the “Director
of Corruption” as the proud architect of a chaotic legacy, surrounded by sycophants
who boast about upholding the community’s unethical standards. The songs
provide the emotional and thematic backbone for the film’s narrative, with each
track reflecting specific moments of betrayal, denial, or resistance, creating
a darkly comedic yet poignant mirror to the story’s progression.
10. Lastly, what do you hope people
will feel, think, or even do after experiencing Therapy in Rhyme and Tragedy in
Corruption?
I hope Therapy in Rhyme and Tragedy in Corruption inspire leaders to uphold
their ethical responsibilities with integrity, preventing systemic betrayals.
For listeners, I aim to evoke empathy and outrage, motivating citizens to ask
questions and demand answers from leaders—because silence is the opposite of
helping. By exposing leadership failures, the project urges action to ensure
justice and trust prevail in communities.
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