
Interview // 2023-10-15
Saturnus
With many albums under their belt, some member changes in 2020, and fans that have been waiting for this, Saturnus released "The Storm Within" in June of this year, 11 years after their previous album. My introduction to them was through a viewer request. I should have known this doomy atmosphere would connect with me, as it has with many others around the world.
Julio Fernandez, the band's rhythm guitarist, was kind enough to answer my questions! All the best to the band as they begin their tour!
I am sure the creativity wasn't shut off during the past 11 years without a new album release. How did you get to a point where you knew it was time to put the creativity together and release new material?
JULIO FERNANDEZ: Well, Saturnus endured a prolonged period of internal turmoil, grappling with numerous personal challenges and facing multiple hurdles that often led to frustration. It's possible that this frustration was just one aspect of the situation, as sometimes, the absence of support from different sides makes things even more challenging. After years of confronting these difficulties and experiencing a creative dry spell in terms of new material for upcoming releases, the decision for a change was made. This marked the beginning of a new chapter as Indee and I joined the band, embarking on the journey to create something fresh and improved for the new album while retaining the band's essence.
A lot has changed in the last 10 years in the world. What kind of impact does that have on your music?
JULIO: Absolutely! Apart from the evident changes on what surrounds us and on society due to challenges like i.e. COVID-19 pandemic or lockdowns, 10 years means a complete abyss in terms of musical approaches. But while these circumstances forced us to halt certain activities, they paradoxically fueled our creative output. Nowadays, technology has made it much easier to bridge distances and divergent viewpoints. We could communicate around the clock, sharing musical riffs, ideas, lyrics, and more. We held virtual meetings to discuss what worked and what needed improvement. In the context of, say, the 1990s, we would have had to navigate these challenges in isolation. It took time to synchronize our efforts, acknowledging that distance imposes certain limitations.
Doom, for me, is emotional and has a relaxing element as a listener. Why doom, for you as a musician, and not something faster-paced?
JULIO: Well, it’s our meeting point, a kind of empty room in which we meet and share our feelings. We shape them and make them look awesome, basically. We do like faster paced music, of course, but in Doom we trust and in Doom We meet!
Why is spoken word used versus singing in some songs?
JULIO: If you ask me, that’s one of the trademarks of the band. Spoken passages are used rather than traditional singing voices in select songs because, in my opinion, it reflects our view of doom metal as not just music but as a form of poetry and art. To us, it serves as a narrative tool that recounts the profound journeys through life. By incorporating spoken word elements, we allow the lyrics and emotions to unfold in a unique and evocative manner, deepening the connection between our music and the listener's own personal voyage.
Does music lead you, or do you lead music?
JULIO: The relationship between music and us I think is a perfect circle. It's not a matter of who leads what, but a dynamic interaction where both elements shape and inspire each other. Music is a medium through which we express our thoughts and experiences, but it also has the power to guide and influence our creative direction.
Does it help you to process emotions when you are creating songs, therefore providing healing, or does it open up emotions that lead to regretting going there, at times?
JULIO: Creating material is an emotional and personal walk that serves for processing and healing at the same time, as well as a path that can sometimes open doors that we may have preferred to leave locked. Songwriting allows us to channel our feelings and experiences into a creative outlet, providing a sense of catharsis and healing. However, there are moments when diving into certain emotions or memories can be challenging, as it can be intense and bring up difficult feelings. Nevertheless, it ultimately contributes to growth and a deeper understanding of who we are. So, in a way, it's a mix of both healing and occasionally confronting emotions we may have preferred to keep hidden.
Do you ever shock yourself with how quickly a song comes together, or is it always a slower process?
JULIO: So many factors involved! There are moments when a song seems to be a burst of inspiration that results in something coming together in a surprisingly short amount of time. But this is not always the case. The process can also be slow, involving careful crafting and revision over an extended period. It's a journey where each song has its own unique timeline, and sometimes the most rewarding compositions take time to develop and refine.
How do you decide if something you created is for Saturnus?
JULIO: Somehow, there’s something special within Saturnus’ universe that makes its essence present for us all the time. There’s nothing better than feeling how what we create grows and calls our band’s essence. It’s the circle itself what decides if something is for the band, how everything rolls together.
Some music feels so disjointed from the vocals but yours seems to wrap around and work together well. Why do you think that is?
JULIO: The relationship between our music and vocals is driven by our vision, which is essential conveying the emotions and messages we aim to express in our songs. Our approach involves carefully crafting both elements to complement and enhance each other, creating some kind of connection between the elements, ensuring that they are in harmony. This alignment helps to tell a more coherent and emotionally resonant story. I think that we see our music as an immersive experience, where the vocals and music work together harmoniously to create a powerful and emotional impact on the listener.
Can you tell me about a time a fan told you about how your music touched their life?
JULIO: There are many people that approach us after shows or that leave comments in our posts letting us know stories about how our music had impacted their lives during challenging periods, for instance. Luckily, our compositions somehow help people to channel their emotions, and that means a world to us. There‘re people describing how our lyrics and melodies resonated with their emotions and struggles, providing a sense of catharsis and comfort that they couldn't find elsewhere. I can recall a particular comment stating this: “I was breath taken after your show and cried for 20 solid minutes. Never saw you before, thank you for this!”
Playlist Pick
After interviewing Saturnus, I decided to add the song Even Tide to my playlist.

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