Interview with Mercury from Priest

April 12, 2024

Interview with Mercury from Priest

By Mick Michaels

Cosmick View: Hello, Mercury! Welcome to The Cosmick View. Thanks for taking some time out of your day to speak with us. It's greatly appreciated.

Mercury: Hello Mick, thank you for having me!

CV: Many believe that it's not what you say but how you say it that creates the impact. Do you feel music fans tend to follow this sentiment... gravitating more towards a music style's appeal or popularity and less towards what they hear and even less to the words that accompany it?

M: Interesting question! I can only speak for myself though. I tend to want to put most pop cultural stuff I consume into some kind of context. A song can get another value if you know more about the creator(s) and so forth.. as it brings another dimension to the mix.

Priest however, comes ready-made with cyborg masks and that gives anything you write a futuristic, cyberpunk context. We want to create our own island where we and our fans can be detached from what’s popular at the moment. I believe that trying to be un pair with the top 40, or creating something with the basis to please may others, can be energy draining and create a certain amount of anxiety.. Better to just go your own way no matter what other people say or think. That’s the responsibility of a true artist.

CV: Has modern-day music become more of a visual medium and less of an auditory one, in your opinion?

M: Both yes and no – when it comes to hyper commercial music and artists, I think yes mostly. But if you go indie it comes in all shapes…most of Top 40 music seems to be made for 13-year olds though...but I’m not the right person to ask really. I don’t really listen so much to what’s going on right now on a more commercial level, instead I try to find music that can cultivate my taste…. If I would listen too much to chewing gum pop I probably would start to think it’s good, thus starting to make it myself and I don’t think anyone would want that.

CV: How does Priest continue to separate itself musically from the now over-saturated music bombardment listeners are faced with? Is there a particular writing approach the band employs?

M: Priest will always be a unique band with it’s own personality and image. We really just want to make music that appeals to us and we don’t actually care if others would like it or not…at least not in the writing process of a song or album. After it’s released you want people to like it of course, but that’s another story.

CV: Do you feel music fans have become too opinionated or even overly critical of their favorite artists, leaving artists with little to no room to spread their wings and try other things?

M: As a fan of a few bands I can agree with wanting your idols to stay the way they were because it touches a nostalgic nerve in you. In Priest we can go a bit experimental because we have a very strong visual image – and we will. But let’s say AC/DC, they can’t go too far I guess.

If something deviates too much from your main band, you can always create another project to satisfy your creative outlet without worrying if fans will hate it or not I guess.

CV: What can fans expect from the upcoming new album, "Dark Pulse? Any surprises that would distinguish itself from previous releases, taking fans to a whole new listening realm?

M: They can expect a hi-octane, dark and slightly degenerated album. Probably the most dark and gritty Priest will ever go. But it’s also packed with fun and creativity!

CV: The first single is "Play the Game." The bassline for this track is blazing; driving the song hard with a throwback throttle that still maintains its present day appeal. Tell us a little about the song.

M: Just a Game was written in our former studio in Stockholm in the middle of the night. An EBM bassline was the start, then it was a matter of building onto that. The lyrics were a bit inspired from the movies “Ready Player One” combined with “Demolition Man” which explores themes of futuristic endeavors connected to beastly lusts….

CV: Can “Dark Pulse” credit any specific idea or philosophy that may have influenced its writing and creation? Is there a message you wanted to convey to your audience?

M: Dark Pulse is an album that explores struggles in life. It’s a bit self biographic and touches subjects such as alcoholism and drug abuse, flamboyant lifestyles etc. It’s a passageway to a future which have to be your choice and no one else’s…. It detects your weak sides and let you see clearly into the next chapter of your life. What’s your next step?

CV: In addition to the new album and upcoming headlining tour, what more can fans expect to see coming from Priest in 2024 and beyond?

M: We have some more shows planned in EU/UK for the later part of the year. We also have a few collabs that’s going to be presented soon. We are also starting to gather material for our next album after “Dark Pulse.”

CV: Thanks again Mercury for taking the time to share with our readers. We wish you all the best and continued success.

M: Thank you so much Mick. Appreciate it!

Check out Priest at:

Official: www.priestnexus.com

https://linktr.ee/priestband

Merch: www.airghoul.com

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My name is Mick Michaels...I'm an artist, music fan, songwriter, producer, show host, dreamer and guitarist for the traditional Heavy Metal band Corners of Sanctuary. Writing has always been a creative outlet for me; what I couldn't say in speech, I was able to do with the written word. Writing has given me a voice and a way for me to create on a multitude of platforms including music and song, articles, independent screenplays, books and now, artist interviews. The Cosmick View is an opportunity to raise the bar and showcase artists in a positive and inspirational light. For me, it's another out-of-this-world adventure.