Sum of R Interview (Reto Mäder)

Sum Of R's "Lahbryce" (2022) was a tremendous discovery that our web comrade Gocho made at the time. It's one of those albums that you can't easily categorize within a specific concept, where drone is a tool that gives the music something much more alienating or even terrifying. That album was very good and made it onto the web writers' lists in 2022, as well as being considered an album to keep in mind for future recommendations. So, with this concept pushed out of bounds and without a clear label for the band, after 3 years, we have their new studio album called "Spectral," released through WV Sorcerer Productions.

Para leer la entrevista en español: Entrevista a Sum of R

Metallerium: Hello, and thank you so much for taking the time to speak with us at Metallerium! We are really excited to talk with you about your band, your new album “Spectral”, and many other topics today. First of all. How are you doing these days, and how is the band feeling overall?

Sum of R: Hello, and thank you for having us! It’s been an intense but deeply rewarding time for the band – especially with the release of Spectral. After all the work that went into creating this album, it feels great to finally share it with the world and see how people are connecting to it. The feedback so far has been overwhelming, and we truly appreciate that people take the time to engage with music that can also be quite challenging.

Metallerium: In today’s music world, where there is so much competition and listeners often prefer singles over full albums, what inspires you to keep writing and releasing new songs?  

Sum of R: For us, it has never been about competition or trends – it’s about expression. Music is the way we process experiences, emotions, and the world around us. Albums like Spectral are not just collections of songs; they are journeys meant to be experienced as a whole. Even if the music world today often focuses on singles, we still believe in the deeper journey of a full album. Something that invites the listener to slow down, to dive in, and to discover layers of sound and meaning. That’s what keeps us inspired to keep creating.

Metallerium: When did you first begin writing music, and how do you decide when a song is ready to be recorded and released?  

Sum of R: We actually started writing music quite early on, though it took some time to find our own voice and sound. Writing is a very organic process - sometimes a song comes together in a single burst of inspiration, other times it slowly evolves over weeks or even months. Deciding when a song is ready to be recorded and released isn’t about a strict checklist; it’s about feeling that it fully represents what we wanted to express. For Spectral in particular, it was unique because we recorded the album over the course of two years in different locations, experiencing a wide variety of studio situations.

Metallerium: Do you create music in a very planned, disciplined way, or does inspiration strike more spontaneously during composition?  

Sum of R: It’s a mix of both. Inspiration often strikes spontaneously - a riff, a melody, or a lyrical idea can appear out of nowhere and spark an entire song. But at the same time, we approach composition with a sense of discipline, revisiting and refining ideas until they feel fully realized. So while the initial spark may be sudden and instinctive, shaping it into a complete song usually requires patience, experimentation, and careful attention to detail - after all, that’s where the devil sits.

Metallerium: In this age of constant connectivity and endless digital distractions (like smartphones and social media), how do you find the focus or quiet space needed to reflect and compose your music?

Sum of R: It’s definitely a challenge in today’s world, but we’ve learned to carve out our own little pockets of focus. Sometimes that means completely disconnecting from both the digital world and everything happening around us. So we can fully immerse ourselves in the music. Other times, it’s about finding the right environment, whether that’s a quiet room, a studio, or even an unusual location that sparks creativity. Reflection and composition require patience and presence, and over the years, we’ve realized that protecting that space is just as important as the act of writing itself.

Metallerium: How would you describe the sound and atmosphere of your new album Spectral”, and what do you hope fans and new listeners will experience when they hear it?  

Sum of R: We’d describe Spectralas a sonic journey. It carries a sense of release, almost like an exorcism of accumulated tension, emotions, and sonic weight.   We wanted to create a space where listeners and ourselves could confront darkness, chaos, and intensity, and allow it to pass through us not violently, but as part of a process of transformation. Atmospherically, the album moves in contrasts: drone-laden passages and heavy textures with riffs sit alongside melodies, subtle shifts, haunting vocals, and moments of quiet reflection. What we hope for our fans and new listeners is that they will encounter unexpected moments - the strange, the beautiful, the unsettling - and remain open to where it takes them.

Metallerium: How did you come up with the album title “Spectral” and its cover art? What ideas or emotions were you trying to capture with them?  

Sum of R: The title Spectral came from the atmosphere and themes we wanted to explore on the album - the idea of presence and absence, light and shadow, and the emotional echoes that linger after intense experiences.   For the cover art, we had the privilege of collaborating with Felipe Froeder, aka Arcano XV, whose work perfectly mirrors the mood and intensity of the music. His visuals feature a multi-headed creature, symbolizing the movement between darkness and light, chaos and calm, and reflect the spectral, haunting, and transformative qualities we aimed for on the album. Together, the title and Arcano XV’s artwork create a frame for the listener, preparing them to enter the world of Spectral even before the first note plays.

Metallerium: Your music blends many genres and defies easy labels. What is the most unusual genre tag or description you have seen people use for your sound?  

Sum of R: One of the more memorable ones was “emotional exorcism metal,” which, while a bit over the top, actually captures part of what we’re trying to do: confronting intensity, tension, and emotion through sound. We don’t worry too much about labels, though. Our goal is to create a space where people can feel, reflect, and experience the music without being constrained by genres.

Metallerium: Have you ever read an interview or comment where someone mentioned a band as an influence for Sum of R that surprised you, because that band isn’t actually one of your influences?  

Sum of R: Oh, yes. Amenra. And the funniest one was when someone referred to us as “Sum Of Ra” instead of Sum Of R - we had a good laugh about that! It’s always interesting to see how people perceive music, and sometimes the associations are completely unexpected, which can be amusing and even inspiring in a strange way.

Metallerium: How have you adapted to changes in music technology over the years, from the rise of home recording and digital production to tools like AI? Are you using any of these tools in your creative process?  

Sum of R: We’ve definitely seen a lot of changes in music technology over the years, and it has influenced the way we work without changing our core approach. Home recording and digital production have made it easier to experiment and capture ideas as they happen, which has been invaluable for a band like us - especially during long album recording processes, far from the usual two-week studio setups. On top of that, we live spread out between Switzerland and Finland, so having flexible tools has been essential.  

We do use technology when it serves the music, but we’re careful not to let it dictate the creative process. The heart of the music - the emotion, the intensity, the organic interplay - always comes from the human element. Technology is a tool, not a replacement for inspiration.

Metallerium: What are your plans now that “Spectral” is out? Are you thinking of touring, writing more music, or creating any new music videos?  

Sum of R: Now that Spectralis out, our focus is on sharing it with as many people as possible. Touring is definitely on our minds for next May. Before that, we’ll be playing a show with Schammasch to celebrate their 10th anniversary of Triangle, and we’re also looking forward to performing with one of our favorite avant-garde band from Finland.  

At the same time, we’re already thinking about new music with Sum Of R and also with Ural Umbo and continuing the creative journey, experimenting with ideas that emerged during the Spectral sessions. We’re also planning a final music video from the Spectralalbum for the instrumental track “The Solution.”

Metallerium: You have released some impressive music videos ahead of the album (like “Solace”). In today’s age, where many bands rely on AI or flashy tech in videos, how did you approach creating your own videos in terms of visuals and storytelling?  

Sum of R: Thank you. My day job is in the TV industry, and I’ve worked as a director for over 15 years - so it’s natural that I still find music videos a fascinating medium. In combination with the music, I love creating parallel stories that occasionally interact with or intersect the themes of the song. At the same time, both the music and the videos should be able to stand on their own. For Spectral, there are four music videos: “Solace,” “Violate,” “Beer Cans in a Bottomless Pit,” and finally “The Solution.”  

Metallerium: What keeps you motivated to continue making music? Would you say it’s more like a calling or vocation, or do you set specific short- or mid-term goals for the band?  

Sum of R: Our drive to create doesn’t come from external goals or deadlines. Ultimately, what keeps us motivated is the creative journey itself: the thrill of exploring new ideas, experimenting with sound, and connecting with listeners on a deeper level. Every album, every song, every performance is a chance to grow, to challenge ourselves, and to share something meaningful with the world. At the very core of it all is our friendship and a shared sense of purpose.

Metallerium: Each of you surely has personal tastes in music. What are some of your favorite bands or artists right now? Are there any modern or current bands you particularly admire?  

Sum of R: Absolutely, we all have our own tastes and influences outside of Sum Of R. We’re also obsessive music collectors. Probably with as many records in our collections as there are amps in our rehearsal room. Honestly, it’s a bit of a problem… Haha! Without getting too specific, we’re inspired by artists who take risks, challenge themselves, and make music that hits you right in the emotions.

Metallerium: Is there a place in the world you haven’t visited yet but would love to play or travel to with Sum of R? Are there any regions or festivals on your bucket list?  

Sum of R: There are still so many places we haven’t visited yet! We’d love to bring Sum Of R to regions where experimental and avant-garde music has a passionate, underground following, like parts of South America, Japan, and Eastern Europe. Festivals that focus on boundary-pushing music and immersive experiences are definitely high on our bucket list.   We’re always open to invitations - so if anyone wants to book us, feel free to reach out to us at sumofr@gmail.com

Metallerium: Do visuals (like film, painting, or literature) or philosophical/spiritual ideas (like rituals, trance, or metaphysical themes) influence your creative process or the music you make?

Sum of R: Philosophical and spiritual ideas are equally important. Concepts like rituals, trance states, and metaphysical themes naturally align with the music we create, because they speak to intensity, transformation, and the human experience. These influences don’t dictate the music directly, but they provide a framework and a lens through which we explore sound, structure, and emotion. Ultimately, they help us craft experiences that are immersive, meaningful, and sometimes even transcendent.

Metallerium: Finally, congratulations on your new album! Do you have any message or words you’d like to share with your fans in Latin America and with our readers at Metallerium?  

Sum of R: Thank you so much! Your support, curiosity, and passion for music like ours truly mean the world to us. All hail the experience, the journey, and the space for reflection and emotion!

Metallerium: Thank you again for your time and for sharing these thoughts with us. We wish you all the best with Spectral and beyond. Thank you so much! We really appreciate the opportunity to share our thoughts and talk about Spectral.