You can read this post in:
Português
Metal is a genre which transcends boundaries and echoes in the heart in the most unexpected countries. Shivered is a Persian doom metal band formed in 2015 by Mohammad Maki, who is currently the only member responsible for guitars, bass, programmed drums and vocals.
We were honored to interview Mohammad Maki to get to know a little more about his musical journey, the influences that shaped Shivered’s melancholic music, the difficulties in playing metal in Iran and the creative process behind his latest work, “Existential Mourning”, as well as his experience of writing and producing as a solo artist and the dream of being able to play legally in his home country one day.
To start, could you tell us about your background and what led you to make heavy music?
Mohammad Maki: I got into Rock and Metal when I was 11, and I basically became someone else when I got into it. Rock and Metal meant a lot more to me than just music, so immediately I wanted to make my own music. I begged my parents to buy me an electric guitar, and years later, I founded an Alternative Metal band called Lorn. However, that band disbanded because there was another artist with the same name, and I didn’t want to get into copyright issues later on. So, I founded Shivered in late 2015.
Which bands or artists have had the most influence on your music?
Mohammad Maki: There are a lot, but the ones who had the most influence are Katatonia, Opeth, Warning, My Dying Bride, and Swallow the Sun.
Could you share more about your songwriting process for “Existential Mourning”?
Mohammad Maki: It started around May 2023. I didn’t want to repeat myself, so I did my best to avoid the mood and feeling of the previous record and come up with something fresh and new. The huge challenge was that this time I played all the instruments, did the production, and everything else for the first time ever. So, it was a bit scary, to be honest. I probably re-recorded the vocals a thousand times, but it was worth it, I guess.
How do you find the experience of creating music solo without a regular band? While a solitary process allows for personal expression, not having someone to share it with must be challenging.
Mohammad Maki: My brother is actually the only one who hears the songs before the release date, and I only count on him to tell me if the songs suck or not. It would have helped a lot if I could form a band where each member could do their part and share their opinions, but it is what it is. Hopefully, in the near future, Shivered might not be only me.
What is your approach to producing the dark and melancholic atmosphere of “Existential Mourning”?
Mohammad Maki: My debut album, “Journey to Fade,” was more like Gothic Rock or Gothic Metal, but I wanted to change the direction to more Doom Metal or Gothic Doom Metal, and that was the idea for “Existential Mourning.” I definitely did my best to evolve Shivered’s unique original sound by experimenting with some synths and other sounds.
Was there a particular experience during the creation of “Existential Mourning” that stood out to you?
Mohammad Maki: I remember literally going insane because my cheap guitar would go out of tune, and I had to tune it every minute or so. I did not want the listener to feel that only one person made “Existential Mourning,” so I took my time and did my best with guitars, bass, drum programming, mixing and mastering, and artwork. It took a long time, and I went through lots of problems and hiccups during the production of the record, but I managed to fix them somehow.
I know Iran isn’t the most receptive country for heavy metal musicians, and many of them aren’t allowed to openly play gigs. Considering these challenges for heavy metal musicians, how is the country today for this kind of music?
Mohammad Maki: Metal music is really popular here, especially Doom Metal and Progressive Metal, but it’s prohibited by law to perform metal music legally. Of course, we can do gigs illegally, but it’s dangerous. So, I have to keep a very low profile and do not promote my music here at all. But I hope that changes so life gets easier for us.
How has Shivered been received? Your sound is beautiful and melancholic, which isn’t typical for metal fans who often prefer heavier sounds.
Mohammad Maki: I have not been mentioned by any famous mainstream media source yet, but I’m grateful for the very small fanbase Shivered has. I’m not famous by any means, but I hope maybe someday I can make a living from making music. It’s a dream, and even though it seems kind of impossible, I never say never!
As a Brazilian website, we always ask bands if they know any Brazilian bands. Are there any Brazilian bands you like or know?
Mohammad Maki: I can only name one band, unfortunately: “Sepultura.” I’m embarrassed that I don’t know a lot of Brazilian bands, but I’ll try to find and listen to them since you mentioned it. I promise.
Finally, I’d like to thank you very much for your attention. Could you leave a message for our listeners? Let’s go!
Mohammad Maki: Brazil is such a great country. I wish maybe someday I could visit and hopefully be able to play gigs there. You guys are wonderful, and thanks to you for this fantastic interview.