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The band is led by French multi-instrumentalist Raymz (ex-Fiinky Pie). His three albums, released by notable labels such as Planet K Records, Argonauta Records, and Metalloscope Music, reflect a journey of artistic maturation: from early stoner metal to a ‘more essential heavy metal,’ where devastating drums and cutting riffs dominate the soundscape. In an exclusive interview, Raymz comments on the behind-the-scenes of his solitary production in his home studio, the philosophy of keeping the project confined to the studio, and how the project has evolved significantly over time.
First off, thank you for taking the time to chat with us. To kick things off, could you tell us a bit about yourself and how Deep Space Mask came to life?
Raymz: I started music as a drummer, I played in a multitude of bands of all styles, punk, rock, funk, jazz, metal etc… I was then a bassist and singer in Fiinky Pie, traditional hard rock, we released 4 albums and did a lot of concerts. Then during COVID, I started composing again in my home studio and that’s where Deep Space Mask was born. I was quickly signed to Planet K records and a first album was released. A second album was released two years later on Argonauta Records. And now here is the third, released last May on Metalloscope Music , a great label !!!
What made you decide to continue Deep Space Mask as a solo project? I imagine being in a band can sometimes mean working with people who aren’t always on the same creative wavelength.
Raymz: I have a very precise vision of what I want for DSM, unfortunately in France very few musicians have this perspective, and as I like to record everything myself, I prefer to act like that, I am lucky to have a home studio and I play everything, so it is more comfortable, and I can take all my time.
I know it’s a bit of a cliché, but could you share some of your influences—both musical and non-musical?
Raymz: I really listen to very different styles of music, it never bothered me to go from the Beatles, Coltrane to Venom via Pink Floyd or Slayer. But of course for DSM, my biggest influences are Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Accept, Trouble, Motörhead, Pentagram and early Metallica.
How do you see the musical evolution of this project so far?
Raymz: I think I’ve made good progress since the first album, whether in songwriting, recording or mixing, the style is more assertive as well, and I think I’m continuing to move towards something more fundamentally heavy metal, perhaps even more so than on Burn in Hell. Little by little the Stoner touch is regressing for more aggressiveness.
Since you handle all the instruments yourself, what does your songwriting and recording process look like?
Raymz: It depends, most of the time I take my guitar and look for riffs in a specific tempo, I first define if the song will be fast or slow and I look… but sometimes it’s by playing the drums that the basis is found, then I adapt riffs on these drum plans. Then for the recording, I play a witness guitar with a click, and the drums are recorded first, I do not continue until the drums are perfect. then like everyone else, guitars, bass, keyboards and vocals to finish.
What’s your take on the current doom metal scene? Personally, I feel like doom—alongside black metal—has been pushing sonic boundaries lately, with bands like Primitive Man bringing harsh noise elements into the mix.
Raymz: I’ll be honest, I don’t listen to a lot of recent bands, I stay loyal to Candlemass and all the bands of this generation. It’s wrong I admit. But if bands try new things and there is an audience for it, that’s great. But personally my roots are really in traditional doom and 80s heavy.
I saw you recorded a Kiss cover for the Magick Sun, Mystic Moon compilation, alongside big names like Autumnblaze and Hebi Katana. How did that opportunity come about, and what was it like to reinterpret a classic band like Kiss in a style different from Deep Space Mask?
Raymz: “Strange Ways” was already on DSM’s second album, Argonauta just put it on this compilation. I’ve always loved 70s Kiss and this song was relatively Heavy for that era, I think it fits very well with our Heavy style, I had a lot of fun recording it, with a pretty psychedelic guitar solo, it was fun to do. I think my version isn’t that different from the original, just tuned lower and with heavier drums.
Are there any plans for live shows or collaborations with other musicians in the future?
Raymz: Absolutely not, Deep Space Mask is and will remain a solo studio project only. It’s my choice.
What’s the doom scene like in France these days? I imagine there’s more international attention on the country now, especially after the massive success of Gojira and bands like Alcest breaking through.
Raymz: It’s still just as complicated here. France has never been a Rock n’ Roll country, and even less so a Heavy Metal country. Fortunately, elsewhere in Europe and around the world there are labels and enthusiasts like you to talk about us. I hardly sell anything in France, whereas in other countries it works pretty well. It’s true that the French modern or extreme metal scene works quite well throughout the world, but in the traditional Heavy and doom style it’s more difficult.
We’re based in Brazil here at Groundcast, so we’re curious—are you familiar with any Brazilian bands?
Raymz: Oh yes of course. I’m a big fan of Sarcofago, of the early Sepultura with Max. I was also a big fan of Angra during the Holy Land era, in fact their concert for this tour in Paris at the Bataclan is one of the best concerts I’ve seen, it was fantastic.
And now it’s time to wrap things up. Thanks again for the interview! Would you like to leave a message for our readers?
Raymz: Thank you very much for this interview, it was very pleasant. I receive a lot of emails from South America, it’s incredible for a little French guy recording alone at home to have contacts from so far away, a thousand thanks to all of you. Keep following us on Facebook and our Bandcamp.
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