Feature: Ray Noir Decodes “Razorblade Romance”
What was the initial spark or idea that led to the creation of "Razorblade Romance?"
"Razorblade Romance" is a deeply personal song about growing up in the alt scene but still feeling like an outsider. As a queer person in Oslo’s metal scene, I never really saw anyone like me, there weren’t many, if any, relatable role models. That sense of isolation can be heavy, but at the same time, it fuels the need to carve out your own space and find your own community. The song is about that struggle but also about resilience, survival, and standing together as a scene.
Musically, it’s got a huge influence from early 2000s industrial metal, bands like Rammstein, Marilyn Manson, and Nine Inch Nails. I wanted it to have that gritty, cinematic energy, something that hits hard both emotionally and sonically. Having Steve Stevens on the track just elevated it even more, his guitar work gives it that extra edge, like a blade cutting through the noise.
What impact do you hope "Razorblade Romance" will have on your audience?
I hope it resonates with people who’ve ever felt like they don’t belong, especially those in the queer community who have struggled to find their place in alternative music. Growing up, I would have loved to hear a song like this from someone who had been through it, so if it can inspire even one kid to keep going and know they’re not alone, that means everything.
At the same time, it’s also just a banger. I want people to blast it at full volume, scream along, and let it be cathartic for them. Whether they connect with the lyrics or just get lost in the music, as long as it makes them feel something, I’ve done my job.
What was your favorite moment in making the music video?
The whole shoot felt like something out of a horror movie. We filmed at Abney Park Cemetery in North London, which is this incredible, overgrown, gothic graveyard, very Tim Burton, very atmospheric. But, of course, it’s technically closed at night, so we had to jump the gates to get in.
So there we were: two goths in full makeup and a hardcore DOP dude, sneaking into this eerie cemetery with just a couple of lights and cameras. The vibe was perfect, fog rolling in, crumbling gravestones, and that silent, almost haunted stillness. At one point, we thought we heard footsteps behind us, but when we turned around, there was no one there. It definitely added to the mood of the video!
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got started in music?
I grew up in Norway but moved to Paris and eventually London to fully embrace who I am. The metal and goth scenes in Oslo were a huge part of my life, but being queer in that environment wasn’t always easy. There was this unspoken expectation to fit a certain mold, and I never really did. That’s part of why I started making my own music, if the space didn’t exist for me, I was going to create it myself.
I actually started by helping out friends on tour, selling merch, and watching how things worked behind the scenes. It made me realize that I had my own stories to tell. My influences range from Korn, Marilyn Manson, and Rammstein to artists like Placebo, who always brought a sense of androgyny and vulnerability to rock music. That mix of raw power and emotional depth is what I try to bring to my own sound.
What role do you feel emotions play in your music, and how do you channel them into your performances?
Emotions are everything in my music. A lot of my songs deal with mental health struggles, past traumas, and the process of healing. Music has always been my way of processing pain and turning it into something powerful. When I perform live, I put everything into it. It's not just about playing songs, it’s about creating a moment where the audience can feel something real.
My drummer, Evan, and I make sure every show is full of energy, sweat, raw emotion, chaos, everything you’d want from a rock ‘n’ roll show. I want people to walk away from a Ray Noir gig feeling like they’ve been part of something intense and cathartic. It’s not about perfection; it’s about passion.
