For Swiss instrumental progressive rock duo Flame Drop, creativity has always been about evolution. Formed by Roland Hegi and Felix Waldispuehl, two musicians who first collaborated in the band FORS, Flame Drop emerged from a desire to create without constraint—a shared return to musical roots and a leap into cosmic exploration.
“We played together in the Swiss progressive rock band FORS,” the duo recalls. “Then took a break after the band split. We got back together to write and record a long track, which led to an album a few months later.”
That spontaneous reunion sparked more than just a song. It uncovered a new dynamic between the two longtime collaborators. While their shared history in FORS and Felix’s solo work laid the groundwork, the chemistry within Flame Drop ignited something deeper.
“With Flame Drop, we discovered each other’s talents and found a more creative way to collaborate from the start,” they explain. “We’ve always enjoyed playing music and sharing humor, but this project is something special.”
Their second album, Beyond Cosmic Infinity, released on March 1, continues the journey that began with their debut. The title isn’t just a nod to prog-rock’s celestial leanings; it’s a reflection of the album’s expansive soundscapes and ambient textures.
“Most of the tracks have a slightly spacey feel,” they say. “We have tracks named The Cosmic Silence and The Great Beyond, so the title just felt right.”
The album, like its predecessor, is entirely instrumental—a creative choice that Flame Drop sees as both liberating and challenging. Without the anchor of vocals or lyrics, each composition becomes a narrative in its own right.
“Without lyrics and vocals, a piece of music may seem incomplete,” they admit. “But the development of a track’s composition can naturally lead to the narration of an engaging story.”
The result is music that resonates more with feeling than form—something both artists emphasize in their process. Though Felix has a background in music theory, he often eschews formal structure in favor of intuition. “I just write and decide whether I like it,” he says. Roland takes a similar approach, focusing less on compositional logic and more on evoking emotion. “The music we create focuses more on the feel than adhering strictly to theory.”
Despite being a two-piece, Flame Drop’s sonic universe is vast. Roland handles much of the production from his own studio, overseeing everything from mixing and mastering to the project’s visual direction. “He’s not only the producer but also supports the creative process from every angle,” says Felix.
Visuals are particularly important for the band, especially in a live setting. “As we are only two performers on stage, a visual companion enhances this type of music,” they explain. “It’s very important to us and for the audience.”
This balance between audio and visual, emotional and technical, is part of what makes Flame Drop’s music so immersive. Their sound fuses classic prog and fusion influences with a thoroughly modern production style, blending analog warmth with digital precision.
“We work in a hybrid environment,” they explain. “We use analog Moog sounds—like the Taurus and Minimoog—alongside great software-based synths. The same goes for guitars: classic tube amps like the Soldano SLO100, Friedman, or Diezel, mixed with modern tools like Fractal Axe III and Neural DSP.”
Mastering, too, is a hybrid affair—analog hardware from Neve, Manley, and SSL, married to cutting-edge software tools. “We appreciate diversity and focus very much on the end result,” they add.
Among the standout tracks on Beyond Cosmic Infinity, the band cites Astral Projection and The Great Beyond as defining pieces. Both exemplify their commitment to creating atmospheres that are as emotionally potent as they are technically sound.
“Sure, we can play fast or use unconventional techniques,” they say. “But feel and atmosphere are generally more important than virtuosity.”
That ethos opens the door to limitless exploration. While the band’s foundation lies in prog, they aren’t confined by genre. “The sky is the limit,” they say. “We definitely see ourselves exploring other styles and incorporating new elements in future releases.”
Though Switzerland’s prog scene is relatively small, Flame Drop believes in its potential. “There are numerous high-quality bands here,” they note. “But the market is narrow. That’s why we aim to reach progressive music lovers across Europe and the world.”
Live shows remain a part of their vision. While Flame Drop is a studio-focused project at heart, they’ve already taken their music to the stage and plan to do so more frequently. “We’ve performed a few concerts so far, and we are interested in increasing the frequency.”
As for what’s next? The journey continues.
“We’re slowly working on new material,” they confirm. “There are some ideas left from the Beyond Cosmic Infinity sessions, but new ideas are always emerging.”
Download/stream Beyond Cosmic Infinity on Bandcamp. Follow Flame Drop on Facebook.
