Forged under pressure, ZUGAR’s “Unbroken” is raw conviction set to groove. We talk breaking points, commitment, production choices, and why honesty—not polish—defines the band’s evolving identity in modern heavy metal.
1.
“Unbroken” sounds like a mission statement as much as a song. What moment or
mindset pushed you to make this track such a direct, uncompromising statement?
At some
point, everyone in the band was close to a breaking point – personally and as a
group. Things got heavy, and there was no room left for half-measures or
pretending everything was fine.
At the same time, the band itself became a kind of refuge. A place where all
that pressure could turn into something constructive.
Unbroken came from that exact place.
It’s a “fuck you” to giving up. Not in a heroic way, but in a very stubborn,
grounded way. Once the mindset was there, the song almost wrote itself. It
didn’t need decoration – it needed honesty.
2.
Groove is clearly at the core of ZUGAR’s identity. How do you consciously
balance groove and aggression so the songs hit hard without losing momentum?
We focus on
power, not complexity.
Groove only works if it moves you physically, and aggression only works if it
feels controlled. We try to compress the energy instead of spreading it out
over technical details.
If a riff
grooves, it stays. If it starts to confuse more than it hits, it goes. The goal
is always momentum – something that feels heavy, direct, and alive rather than
impressive on paper.
3.
Lyrically, “Unbroken” is about commitment rather than simple endurance. Why was
it important to frame strength as standing firm for people and convictions, not
just surviving pressure?
Surviving
alone isn’t enough. Everyone survives something eventually.
What mattered to us was the decision to stay committed – to people, values, and
beliefs – knowing that real commitment always comes with a cost. If something
truly matters, you don’t measure it by words, but by what you’re willing to
give up for it.
Unbroken isn’t about being tough for
the sake of it. It’s about choosing not to walk away. Whether that’s love,
friendship, family, or an attitude toward life – strength starts with a clear
“yes,” not just resistance.
4. The
current lineup is described as a decisive step forward for the band. What
changed internally once this formation came together, both musically and
personally?
There’s
more freedom now. More trust, more playfulness, and more courage to release
things that aren’t polished or safe.
That also means talking about topics that aren’t easy to express and don’t come
naturally.
Musically,
it feels lighter despite the heavy themes. Personally, there’s a strong sense
of respect – everyone gives space to what the others bring, both inside and
outside the band. That balance is crucial for where ZUGAR is right now.
5. Your
sound pulls from classic thrash energy while staying firmly rooted in groove
metal. Which elements from those influences do you actively keep, and which
ones do you intentionally leave behind?
We keep the
energy, the attitude, and the rawness.
What we leave behind is unnecessary complexity. We’re not interested in
technical confusion or nostalgia for its own sake.
The idea is
to take the force of those influences and strip it down until only what really
matters is left. Groove, punch, and intent.
6. The
production on “Unbroken” favors impact over polish. How did you approach the
studio process to preserve that raw, forward-driving feel?
Everything
was done in-house, which helped a lot. No external expectations, no pressure to
“fix” things.
Every production decision was tied directly to the message. The vocals are raw
and slightly too loud on purpose. We deliberately avoided any reverb on
the master bus. While some individual elements use space where it makes sense,
the overall mix stays raw, tight, and uncompromising.
If
something felt uncomfortable but honest, we kept it. If it felt clean but
empty, it was gone.
7.
Jürgen’s vocal delivery is raw and confrontational, almost percussive at times.
How do the vocals function within ZUGAR’s groove—are they another rhythmic
weapon?
Absolutely.
The vocals aren’t sitting on top of the music – they’re part of the groove.
Especially in Unbroken, it was important that the vocal accents and
the riffs lock together as one unit.
The voice
carries the message, but it also reinforces the rhythm. It’s not meant to be
pretty – it’s meant to hit.
8. Bands
like Pantera, Anthrax, and Prong are often mentioned as reference points. What
do you think ZUGAR adds to that legacy that makes your sound unmistakably your
own?
Those bands
influenced how we understand heaviness and groove, but we’re not trying to
continue their story.
What we add is our own perspective – personal themes, uncomfortable topics, and
a willingness to leave things raw.
ZUGAR isn’t
about recreating a sound. It’s about using that foundation to say something
that feels necessary right now.
9.
Visually, the “Unbroken” video matches the song’s directness. How important is
it for you that the visual side reflects the same honesty and lack of
compromise as the music?
It’s
extremely important.
The video isn’t an add-on – it’s part of the song. We spend days planning
lighting and visual details because the imagery has to support the message,
just like the lyrics and production do.
If the
visuals don’t feel honest, the whole package falls apart.
10. With
“Unbroken” setting the tone for 2026, what can fans expect next from ZUGAR—more
evolution in the same direction, or are there still surprises waiting beneath
the groove?
ZUGAR is in
the middle of a transformation, and that takes courage. There’s definitely an
“we don’t care if it’s uncomfortable” mentality right now.
Future songs will differ from each other, because the music will always serve
the theme. We’re not afraid to use elements from other genres if that’s what
the topic demands – even if it challenges expectations.
The only
constant will be honesty. ZUGAR isn’t meant to be comfortable. It’s
meant to feel real.
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