Hello, and welcome to Metal Southern Belles Media! Here, you’re guaranteed to find awesome interviews with awesome musicians in the Rock and Metal atmosphere. Let’s get to rockin’ and rollin’! Today, MSBM is joined by Energema vocalist, Ryan Thomson! (We also get a little insight from guitarist and main songwriter, Nico Waldo!) This Melodic Power Metal band consists of members from Scotland and Columbia, a unique combination, making a unique sound. When you hear their songs, you get an indescribable sensation of a strength so intense that you want to march straight into an ancient battle for a mythical world. Now, let’s advance forward and get into the mystic details behind Energema!

MSBM: Hey, Ryan! I hope you’re doing well today. Since we are on the subject of you, how did you become a singer? (Are you self-taught, does someone in your family sing, was there a particular vocalist that stood out to you and influenced you?)

RT: First off, thanks for giving me the opportunity to do this interview! I got started singing around 5 years ago or so, but I’ve always been into playing music and playing various instruments. I’ve been playing guitar for 17 years now, but I’ve made the change to become more of a singer. I was really inspired by the Power and Symphonic Metal singers like Fabio Lione, Daniel Heiman, Roy Khan, Yiannis Papadopolous, etc. All of the really hard, crazy high, powerful vocals is what excites me about singing the most. Sadly, no one else in my family is really a musician, so becoming a musician was mainly self-motivated.

MSBM: You’re welcome! I’m honored to be given the chance to speak with you! To have only been singing for a few short years, you’re really good! You must be a natural. So, you are a “newer” member of Energema, correct? How did you join?

RT: Yes, that’s right. I officially joined Energema on September 5th, so it’s still pretty fresh. They had an audition call for a new vocalist some time in August, but I found out about it on the last day of the deadline. So, I didn’t have time to audition, but I sent one of my covers in and they liked it so much they decided to extend the deadline for me, which I was super happy about haha. So, when I sent my audition in I got the part.

MSBM: That’s awesome! It’s like it was meant to be. By the way, Energema is an interesting word. Is there a significance to it?

NW: “Energema” is a Greek word and refers to the energy of creation or creative force. We think that our universe is very big and complex and behind it, there must be an architect…. Nothing is a product of chance.

RT: I find it very interesting. Although I personally don’t hold any religious beliefs, I fully respect it. And as musicians, we create our own magical worlds. A lot of our lyrics are influenced by stories from the Bible, Narnia, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, etc.

MSBM: Love it! So, Energema has several albums. The latest being ‘Promised Land’, that dropped in 2020. It’s from my understanding that there’s a new EP in the works. What can we expect from it?

RT: That’s right, we have 6 full length albums and 3 EPs out. We originally had another EP coming later this year titled, ‘Hunter of Immortals’, but we have extended it to be a full album; which will drop before the end of the year. The album basically tells the story of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, all of the events that unfolded and Van Helsing’s part in it all. It’s still very much Power Metal as you can expect from earlier albums. It was recorded at Meggido Records Studio and mastered by Trinity Records. We are with the label, Metalism Records, who will also publish this album.

MSBM: I find stories about characters such as Dracula and Van Helsing to be very interesting, so I’m intrigued! As a vocalist, are you a song writer as well?

RT: Yes, I am a songwriter too. Being a guitarist first, I’ve written many songs and I usually use that to compose everything, and keyboards to try out different sounds and virtual instruments. With Energema, I have only written 1 song for the new album, just due to the time I joined. But maybe they will allow me to write more music for future albums, who knows! It’s an Accapella piece about Dracula’s final moments with Mina, when he realizes how wrong he’s been and all the torment he caused her. Then he is forgiven and let into Heaven, the song is called, “Ascension”.

MSBM: Speaking of making music, what’s the studio process like for you and your band? Is it easy and “natural” to bounce ideas off of your band mates?

RT: For now, the studio process is done online for me. Nico sends me the backing tracks and lyrics with some guide melodies and I record my parts and send back them to him. Then, it gets mixed and sent off to a studio for mastering. Sounds complicated, but it’s actually pretty seamless.

MSBM: I’m glad the creative process is a smooth one for you guys! So, when the “making music” part concludes , it typically means live shows and tours! Is Energema planning any shows for the near future?

RT: Yes, once this album is out, we plan to promote it everywhere and get in touch with new labels and promoters and really push to make an impact in Europe, the UK, and the States. I heard Japan is a great market for Power Metal too.

MSBM: That’s great! I hope to catch Energema here in the States sometime! Still on the subject of shows, what are live performances like for you?

NW: I think our best shows have been sharing with legendary bands of the gen…We have been an opening act for different well-known bands like Freedom Call (Germany), Edu Falaschi ex-Angra (Brazil), and Grave Digger (Germany).

MSBM: Very cool! And what other bands would you like to play with?

RT: It would be a dream to tour with bands like Hammerfall, Rhapsody of fire, Beast in Black, Kamelot, Avantasia, etc. It is pretty hard to set up tours being a smaller band for now, but we’ve been in the process of getting in touch with as many festivals and venues as possible, labels, etc. If anyone out there reading would like to help with that we’d be very happy actually!

MSBM: You read that right, everyone! If you’ve got the hookup with any festivals, venues, and labels, let these guys know! Now, there’s something the readers must know. Where can they listen to Energema’s music?

RT: You can find our music on the major streaming platforms like Spotify, Bandcamp, Amazon music, etc. You can also find a full list of our discography on The Metal Archives website.

Follow Energema on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/energemaband?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Follow Energema on Instagram: https://instagram.com/official_energemaband?igshid=NDk5N2NlZjQ=

Subscribe to Energema on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@EnergemaPowerMetal

Check out Energema on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3jfYh8rerZnO11U7ljgYFK?si=0doDZu7xRX2iWTV9HXDyNg

Bandcamp: https://metalism.bandcamp.com

Amazon Music: https://www.amazon.com/music/player/artists/B0728DCZK9/energema

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