Groovy metalcore band NO HOPE FOR THE LOST discuss COVID, Alberta DIY artists, video games and more!
Combining influences of progressive metal, metalcore, and various influences from science fiction to video games, NO HOPE FOR THE LOST delivers a sound that is as heavy as it is accessible. Their new upcoming EP "The Pilgrimage" is centered around the classic video game Final Fantasy X, and they have re-released their old Deadlights material as a homage to their formative days, thus continuing the pattern of being influenced by various works of fiction. We sat down with the band to give you a new track premiere and an insightful interview about the struggles of the COVID era, NO HOPE FOR THE LOST's new album, their local artists worth a check and, of course, video games!
NO HOPE FOR THE LOST is a project formed and led by musician and audio engineer Nathanael Bohnet. Ran out of Octave Studios in Medicine Hat, Alberta, No Hope For The Lost was formed as Deadlights originally in 2018. After releasing one EP and having Covid-19 cancel all plans for festival appearances and touring, Nathanael and bandmate/producer Re Mayer decided it was time to go back to the drawing board. Thus, starting under the new moniker No Hope For The Lost.
"The Pilgrimage is a structured listening experience that combines an atmosphere of high-energy melody and groove with a foundation of heavy rhythms and ferocious vocal patterns. The EP is meant to flow as one track broken into 4 movements, as we believe the best records are made to be heard that way. It draws influences from many sounds that prevailed through the 2010s, while continuously tipping a hat to the atmospheric soundscapes and vibes of the early 2000s. In a world where the fine line between djent, metalcore, and progressive metal is continuously blurred, The Pilgrimage is a sound confident on its own that refuses to fit in while still having the formulas that make interesting and catchy music. The Pilgrimage is a sound that imagines the heavy side of catchy, and the catchy side of heavy." – NHFTL
For fans of Periphery, Meshuggah, Deftones, Devin Townsend, Gojira
This EP is a structured listening experience that combines an atmosphere of melody and groove with a foundation of heavy rhythms and ferocious vocal patterns. The album flows as one track broken into 4 movements, and creates a contender for progressive metalcore album of the year.
Album Band Line Up: Re Mayer – Guitar / Backing Vocals / Synth, Nathanael Bohnet – Bass/ Lead Vocals, Live Band Line Up: Re Mayer – Guitar/Backing Vox, Nathanael Bohnet – Vox
Answers by Re Mayer – Guitar / Backing Vocals / Synth, Nathanael Bohnet – Bass/ Lead Vocals.
The world has changed with Covid. How has it affected your daily living and your musical creativity?
(Re) This is actually a pretty serious subject concerning myself and many people dear to me. I feel like one day I was going full speed ahead with fests and tours while finding work in the meantime, and suddenly I was stuck home with neither just like everyone else. There is a concern for the all-around mental state for the town I live in, to the point of it being treated as seriously as the pandemic itself without invalidating it. Creatively, I personally have really kept things going, but the depression and anxiety around being in lockdown have put so much self-doubt around me that I often need to reflect to even realize how much I actually have done. My daily living has been affected in the sense that it's made me more of an introvert than ever. Public spaces are scary, and I feel safer keeping my face covered wherever I can because I just feel more comfortable if people can't see my face or eyes. Many people including myself are tired and afraid for their futures and have fallen into self-destructive behaviors that we've had to all work together to keep each other afloat with. It's not easy. This is all very real and anyone that isn't feeling like themselves I beg to reach out and get help.
(Nate) My daily living hasn't changed a whole lot, to be honest, The main thing that has been difficult is trying to be present for those that are struggling with this current situation. I have always been a bit of a loner, which has resulted in me focusing a lot more on refining and harnessing my skills where I can, while still working a p/t job. It really sucked not being able to have people over to work on music ( and I am really lucky to have Re as a roommate, so when we do get to work on things, we don't have any hindrances) But it has also been really awesome to see certain friends in the scene starting to embrace the technology and resources they do have at their disposal to still be creative. We are all dealing with this in our own ways, and it's good to see that even with all the stress of the world around us, people are still finding ways to be creative.
What do you think is the best way to conquer all the extra time covid has given artists to write?
(Re) "Now is not the time to beat dead horses or try to get blood from a stone if you are feeling trapped. If you cannot create healthily, take this time to reflect on yourself as a person and truly learn who YOU are as a human being, and from there you can work on creating a healthier mindset to create during a pandemic that has affected us all. We're not superheroes. There is no shame in feeling trapped during these times, but making sure that this time is precious and spent on making you a better person is important"
(Nate) Small things, just focus on the small things that you can control. Don't let your progress no matter of big or small hinder what you want to accomplish, But with that like Re said, you are a human being and you need to treat yourself right. If you are beating yourself up over things, take a break, play a video game, go for a walk, do something that isn't music-related. Just because we have all this spare time doesn't mean every second of it needs to go towards writing, but if that is what makes you feel good, go as hard as you want. Just don't compare yourself to others and what they are doing.
To release during or not to release during Covid for music fans…. that is the question?
(Re)"This is a tricky question because I feel like saying to release release release goes against what I mentioned above with the self-care and reflection thing. Release music or make content that works around your mental health or all you're going to do is make people worry or worse, ignore you."
(Nate) Do what you feel is right, and don't push yourself past your means. If you need to miss some arbitrary deadline you set for yourself, so be it, sometimes that may be for the best.
How has covid impacted your local scene in Medicine Hat and the rest of Alberta?
(Re)"I think a lot of people used this time to go off on their own journeys and I'm genuinely curious to see who all sticks around by the time the ball starts rolling again!"
(Nate) I think there is going to be quite the influx of bands having new music by the time we are allowed to play live. Every band I do know of is doing things whether big or small to try to keep at it. While doing that a lot of people are also using this time to really find themselves, which in my opinion, can only mean a better end result for whatever they are doing by the end of everything. It may still be a ways away, but I look forward to what the future holds.
What other DIY bands from Medicine Hat and the rest of Alberta would you recommend our readers to check out?
(Nate) There are two main bands that come to mind. For those that prefer more technical metalcore with some djent influences, I suggest you check out Raising The Ruins. If thrash metal is more your thing, I suggest you check out Crimson Caliber, I think they may even have a new album coming out this month.
Deadlights (ReMixed/Remastered) by No Hope For The Lost
Deadlights by No Hope For The Lost
What is the first band you want to see live once concerts are allowed?
(Re)"156/Silence because they have a heavy and energetic angry brand of hardcore that I can't wait to mosh to again one day."
(Nate) " I am going to be a tad selfish on this one. As much as I would love to see any of my friends' bands play that are active, I am most looking forward to finally playing on stage again out of anything else. Before this pandemic hit this band had taken a year and a half hiatus from live, we had some festival dates booked and a tour ready to go. So once we can get to performing live again, my main excitement is going to be towards getting on stage rather than being on the floor.
You met a stranger today… how would you tell them what your band sounds like in three words…?
(Re)"Melodic, heavy, scifi"
(Nate) Groovy Melodic Catchy
If there was a band to cover Nope Hope For The Lost, what band would be the best to do that?
(Re)"I honestly really have no idea and I apologize! I think the better question here would be, what songs do our fans think we should cover after they hear our new ep?"
(Nate) Damn, that's a good question. Honestly, I don't think our music is too complicated overall. There are some tricky parts here and there, but overall I think anyone would be able to cover our music with a little work. Now if I was to pick a band to cover us that I would want to hear also throw their own twist on it, then I would have to say, Soilwork.
Yu Yevon by No Hope For The Lost
We understand you're a band that loves Final Fantasy, which release is your favourite of the anthology? And what has drawn you to enjoy the video game series so much and influence it in your music?
(Re) ""My personal favorite is FFX-2! I love the story of 10 but ever since I was little I was in love with Yuna's character, loved that there was a story that expanded the world of X and had an all-girl party, and honestly feel like maybe perhaps that game was an early indicator that helped me realize my identity more. The story of Yuna searching for Tidus is one that is heavy on the heart, especially as she finds her voice as a musician and tries to find out more about the past, present and future. and the game is worth completing 100% of to see them reunited with each other again."
(Nate) For me, It's a tie between FFVII and FFVIII. I loved X and it was the last FF title that really drew me in, but there is something about the themes of both VII and VIII that really draw me in. The music in those two games specifically has been something that has always been a big factor for me in those games. I grew up with a pc version of VII and used to play it non-stop, sometimes leaving the game on just so I could have the music playing in the background at night. The themes in those two games as well I feel really connected with me in different ways. The journey Cloud and Squall both go through with their respective parties I feel dives into some deep topics, and as a child and as an adult I find I still take things away from it every time I play either title.
Any other fave video games?
(Re)Silent Hill 4 and Homecoming, Resident Evil in its entirety, The Legend of Zelda (specifically Majora's Mask and Ocarina of Time), the Dead Space series, any Super Smash Bros, any Mario Kart, Brütal Legend, Mortal Kombat 3 and Armageddon, Kingdom Hearts 1 and 2, Tony Hawk Pro Skater 2, Jet Grind Radio, the House of the Dead series, DanceDanceRevolution, Sonic Adventure 1 and 2, Guitar Hero 3 and Metallica, the Evangelion Sim Date from Newgrounds hahahaha
(Nate) I like to play a few video games to take breaks from work and the studio. The main ones I boot up at the moment are Titanfall 2, Resident Evil (the ps4 port of the GameCube remaster) Dark Souls 1, Dark Souls 3, and Bloodborne. Some older games I love are Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time, Legend Of Zelda: Majora's Mask, Spyro 2 Ripto's Rage, GTA Vice City, Halo, Halo 2, Smackdown Vs Raw 2008. Super Smash Bros Melee, and Crash Bandicoot 3 Warped
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