Today, we have the pleasure of diving into the world of Danish progressive metal with Frekvent, a band that launched their sophomore EP, “Unbroken,” in June 2023. Comprised of four passionate members, Frekvent seamlessly blends hard rock and progressive metal, creating a unique musical experience. We sit down with Niklas, Rasmus, Mikael, and Allan to explore their journey, creative process, influences, challenges, and what lies ahead for the band.
Artist Background
Tell us a bit about yourself and your musical journey. How did you get started in the world of progressive metal?
Frekvent began as a collaboration between Niklas and Rasmus, two rock and metal enthusiasts. Initially focused on hard rock, the band evolved with the addition of Mikael on bass and Allan on drums. The result was the release of their first EP, “Unfinished Symmetry.” Now complete, the quartet took on a more metallic and proggy sound for their sophomore EP, “Unbroken.”
Featured Track
Let’s dive into the featured track on the compilation. Can you share the inspiration or story behind “Words Unspoken”?
“Words Unspoken” originated from Niklas’ love for Middle Eastern-sounding music, influenced by bands like Myrath and Dream Theater. The song, a blend of energy and catchy vocal melodies, turned into Frekvent’s longest and most progressive track, offering a balance of complexity and accessibility.
Creative Process
Walk us through your creative process. How do you typically approach writing and composing music?
Frekvent’s creative process involves testing ideas in the rehearsal room, ensuring they feel as good as they sound. Niklas, the band’s singer and guitarist, shapes the songs’ concepts and structures. With Mikael and Allan on board, the songs for “Unbroken” were written in MIDI, showcasing the band’s evolution and enhanced soundscapes.
Influences
Who or what are your major influences in progressive rock/metal? How do they impact your own musical style?
Frekvent draws inspiration from bands like Tool, Wheel, Myrath, Porcupine Tree, Queens of the Stone Age, Royal Blood, and Dizzy Mizz Lizzy. They incorporate the feel of other artists into their music, aiming to connect with audiences across various genres.
The Music Industry
What challenges have you faced as an artist in the scene, and how have you overcome them?
Frekvent encountered difficulties getting gigs post-COVID, attributed to the perceived lower popularity of rock/metal in the Danish live scene. Despite these challenges, the band’s perseverance, release of “Unbroken,” and inclusion in a talent development program have gradually increased their visibility, leading to exciting upcoming opportunities.
Your Journey
Share with us some of the most memorable moments in your musical journey so far.
The release of “Unbroken” and the subsequent celebratory concert marked a significant milestone for Frekvent. Pouring energy into the release, the band felt a sense of accomplishment sharing their music with the world.
Personal Favorites
Rasmus, Niklas, Allan, and Mikael each share their personal favorites among Frekvent’s compositions, reflecting the emotional and creative depth of their music.
Rasmus: “Out of Time” from “Unfinished Symmetry” is very special to me, due to the lyrics being about mental illness in my family. It was therapeutic to co-write this song and it helped me process the experiences. My favorite song to play live is “I Know” from “Unbroken”.
Niklas: “Silhouette” from “Unbroken” is my favorite composition, but “Words Unspoken” is my favorite song to play. The energy in that song is just great.
Allan: “Silhouette” from “Unbroken” is definitely a favorite of mine. I poured a lot of heart into the drums on that one, and it has a lot of different elements, which in my humble opinion fit the changing dynamics in the song very well.
Mikael: I am very fond of “Between the Lines” from “Unbroken”. The song is both soft, hard-hitting and progressive, and I believe it highlights our sound of mixing hard rock and progressive metal perfectly, while still being easy to listen to
Future Plans
Can you give us a sneak peek into any upcoming projects or collaborations you’re working on?
Frekvent is currently working on the songs for their first full-length album, aiming to release the first single in 2025. They plan to maintain the essence of “Unbroken” while evolving into a stronger and more dynamic band.
Compilation Experience
What does it mean to you to be a part of our compilation?
We are very proud to be a part of “Progstravaganza: Harmony in Complexity.” We see it as a huge compliment and assurance that we are working in the right direction. Thank you again!
Message to Fans: Is there a message you’d like to convey to your fans who will be discovering your music through this compilation?
For those discovering Frekvent through the compilation, the band invites fans of hard rock with a touch of Tool and Porcupine Tree to delve into their 50 minutes of recorded music. With more material in the works, Frekvent encourages fans to stay tuned for what’s to come.
Quickfire Round
If you could collaborate with any artist, living or not, who would it be?
Rasmus: Porcupine Tree
Niklas: Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree or solo)
Allan: Meshuggah
Mikael: Opeth
If you had to pick one instrument (besides your primary one) to master, what would it be?
Rasmus: Piano
Niklas: Piano
Allan: Saxophone
Mikael: Drums
What’s your all-time favorite progressive rock /metal album, and why?
Rasmus: Tool – Lateralus, it completely changed my musical spectrum and still keeps me in a trance-like state of mind when I listen to it.
Niklas: This changes almost from day to day but right now it’s Porcupine Tree‘s ‘Fear of a Blank Planet‘. It’s just the perfect mix of heavy riffs and beautiful melodic passages, and it includes probably the best song ever written “Anesthetize”.
Allan: Porcupine Tree – The Incident. Gavin’s playing is always world class
Mikael: Tool – Lateralus. It was the first progressive music I heard, and I was hooked instantly. I randomly bought the CD in a thrift shop, and haven’t looked back since.
Non-Musical Influence: Are there non-musical influences that find their way into your music? (e.g., literature, art, science)
Rasmus: Physics, astronomy, sci-fi and fantasy.
Niklas: History, science and the artworks of Zdzisław Beksiński.
Allan: Nature – The state of mind that derives from spending quality time in peaceful natural surroundings, can sometimes spring a great rythmical idea
Mikael: Emotions, philosophy and psychology.
Closing Thoughts
Frekvent leaves the audience with a message to embrace diverse music tastes and explore new bands, encouraging listeners to trust their preferences and continue the musical journey.
For those looking to explore Frekvent’s music and stay updated on their journey, the band can be found on major streaming platforms, Bandcamp, Instagram, and Facebook. Don’t miss the chance to connect and discover the world of Frekvent.
