Ad Infinitum, the modern symphonic metal band from Switzerland, has just released their third album, “Chapter III – Downfall,” and I had the opportunity to sit down with the band’s guitarist and songwriter, Adrian Thessenvitz, to talk about the making of the album. Adrian and I discussed in great detail the concept behind the album, which is centered around the Ancient Egyptian theme and Cleopatra as the lead figure. Her own story is that of a powerful woman who was often misunderstood and misrepresented in history.
Adrian shared with me the songwriting process for the album and how it all related to the era and time period they were exploring. He revealed that the writing began shortly after the release of their previous album, Chapter II – Legacy, which we named as the “Best Concept Album” for 2021.
The guitarist also highlights a few of the standout tracks on the album, such as “From The Ashes,” which pays homage to artists like Meshuggah, and the closing song “Legends,” which features Chrigel Glanzmann of Eluveitie providing his voice for the atmospheric monologue introduction, adding a touch of Middle Eastern-inspired djent flavor to the album.
We also touched on the struggles the band has faced when trying to tour in the United States; however, he remained optimistic about the band’s future and expressed his hopes of one day being able to bring their music to North American audiences.
If you’re interested in hearing more about the making of Chapter III – Downfall and Ad Infinitum’s journey as a band, you can catch the full interview with Adrian Thessenvitz above or on our YouTube.