In this interview, AERMST’s Cyril Bossert discusses the band’s melodic death metal roots, socially conscious lyrics, creative collaborations, and the message of independent thinking behind their latest single, “The Muted Consensus.”
1. Let's
start with an introduction. How did AERMST come together, and what was the
original vision behind the project?
It all
started about 20 years ago. I (Cyril) was in a local alternative rock band, and
we had a rehearsal space that Rony ended up renting as well. I knew him
casually from my old neighborhood. Both Rony and I were big fans of melodic
death metal, and that’s how we ended up jamming together. We just wanted to
play the music together that we loved listening to. That was our thing. Nothing
more, nothing less.
2.
You're based in Central Switzerland. How much does your local environment
influence your music, and what is the metal scene like in your region?
I can’t
really see a direct connection between the songs and my surroundings. It’s just
way too beautiful here with all the mountains and lakes. ;-)
I think the
music is more of an expression of whatever’s on your mind.
The metal
scene in Central Switzerland is clearly all about thrash and death metal.
Unfortunately, I’m not really up to speed on the scene anymore.
Where I’m
from, there used to be various metal bands playing regularly. There were also
clubs that hosted metal concerts. But somehow they’ve changed their lineup in
recent years, which is a shame. I saw “Fear My Thoughts” live for the first
time at a concert back then. Unfortunately, they’re no longer around either….
We’re
basically based between Lucerne and Zurich, so we’ve always headed wherever
there was something going on.
3. Your
music falls under Melodic Death Metal, but every band brings something
different to the genre. What influences and musical elements have played the
biggest role in shaping AERMST's sound?
The
pioneers of the Gothenburg Sound had the biggest influence. At The Gates, Dark Tranquility,
In Flames. Without them, AERMST would be making different music. The
combination of being heavy yet melodic has fascinated me ever since and is a
driving force for me. It’s a wonderful combination and gives the music a
certain expressiveness.
4. Your
debut single, "Penetration Of Hate," explored internalized trauma and
the destructive patterns passed down through generations. What inspired you to
tackle this subject, and how important is storytelling in your songwriting?
With
‘Penetration Of Hate’, the song title came long before the lyrics. Back then,
when we were jamming, we thought the title was cool but hadn’t given the lyrics
any thought yet. That didn’t happen until early 2026, when I dug out the old
recordings and sat down at the table to record the songs. I wanted the lyrics
to go in a similar, if not exactly the same, direction, but to deal with
different themes. I think it’s important that you can also read a story, a
narrative, an opinion or an observation alongside the song. It’s only when you
engage with the lyrics that the song becomes a touch more intense. For
‘Penetration Of Hate’, I was inspired by our society, our lives, our history,
and how, sadly, bad things survive for generations because they’ve been drummed
into you – perhaps by someone or a certain power – and because that’s how it’s
always been, or because that’s how it’s supposed to be. Gonzalo did a brilliant
job with the lyrics on this topic.
5. Your
latest single, "The Muted Consensus," shifts the focus towards social
conformity and institutional pressure. What made you choose this subject for
your second release?
I’ve been
reflecting on the past few years and have come to realize that, socially and
institutionally, we are being forced into certain things, which leads us to
march in lockstep. Different opinions are crushed and silenced. People are
being defamed. Wake up, folks.
6. The
song questions a society where people are encouraged to follow a single
narrative rather than think independently. Do you see music as a tool for
challenging established ideas and encouraging people to question the world
around them?
Music – or
rather, the lyrics – are a real tool for getting certain messages across to
people. Good or bad; small or large; crazy or mundane. In this way, people are
encouraged to reflect, to think for themselves or perhaps have their
perceptions confirmed.
7. Your
lyrics contain some striking imagery, particularly the line "Praise the
machine that taught you how to think." How do you approach lyric writing,
and do you usually begin with a concept or a specific musical idea?
The music
comes first. Then comes the concept: what it’s about and what the core message
should be. And then Gonzalo writes the lyrics. ;-)
8.
Musically, "The Muted Consensus" has a heavy, mechanical atmosphere
that reflects its lyrical subject. How did you translate the themes of
oppression, control, and rebellion into the song's arrangements and overall
sound?
This song,
which was also written over 20 years ago, was actually much shorter. But I felt
something was still missing, which is why I composed some additional parts. You
could perhaps say it was done with a certain sense of intuition. The structure
was already in place for the lyrics. I’m extremely grateful that Gonzalo has
once again captured the theme so well in his lyrics and woven it into the
different parts of the song. The newly written section (post-chorus / outro),
for example, brilliantly illustrates the rebellion.
9. Cyril
Bossert and Rony Speck are credited with the music, while Gonzalo Viviani
handles the lyrics. How does the creative collaboration work within AERMST, and
how do the different members contribute to the final compositions?
Rony and I
wrote both songs over 20 years ago. Rony is no longer involved in the current
project, but he is, of course, still credited. I wanted Gonzalo to write the
lyrics as well, because he’s responsible for the vocal melodies. In my opinion,
singers have a much better feel for the lyrics and for deciding whether to use
word A or B. Eliseo has taken the basic patterns from Rony’s drumming but
embellished and enhanced them in his own way. Daniel has added the finishing
touch with his bass, highlighting certain passages. I think it’s brilliant how
everything harmonises, even though everyone’s sitting in their own basement and
files are being sent back and forth. It’s also worth mentioning that the other
three are freelancers and not bound to this
project as I am. Absolute professionals. Ultimately, the project stands
or falls with me. So I hope I can continue to count on working with them for a
long time to come.
10. The
single was accompanied by a lyric video. How important is the visual
presentation of your music, and do you see videos as an extension of the
stories told through your lyrics?
The text
gives the song more intensity, and when presented visually as an animated lyric
video, it works brilliantly. I used to watch music videos on MTV a lot; now, of
course, I watch them on YouTube – and it makes me feel closer to the song, as
if I were actually inside it, so to speak. In that sense, it arose primarily
out of a preference for the visual interpretation of a song.
11. With two singles now released, what can
listeners expect from AERMST next? Are you working towards an EP or full-length
album, and do you already have a clear direction for the next material?
The
direction is clear. I still have two songs from the past that I need to rework
and finalise. There might be something new added as well. But there’ll be an EP
out next year, featuring the two tracks I’ve done so far plus at least two
more. The content will follow the same line, and I’ll also be having a CD
version pressed. For me, it’s important to draw a line under the past so I can
start afresh. Not that it was bad; it’s just unfinished. And this EP will bring
that chapter to a close. That will give me the opportunity to work on genuinely
new songs, and I’m really looking forward to that.
12.
Finally, what would you like listeners to take away from AERMST's music? And if
someone discovers your band through "The Muted Consensus" today, what
should they know about the message you're trying to deliver?
Above all,
I want people to leave with a smile and a good feeling about the music.
Something along the lines of: ‘That was great. I’d love to hear it again … or
will hear it again tomorrow’.
The message
behind ‘The Muted Consensus’ is this: go through life alert and mindful. Don’t
fall into lockstep with the crowd. Be brave and determined, and stand up for
yourself.
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