Gus Defelice On the Making Of “Black Cloud”
How did you come up with the theme?
The theme of “Black Cloud” was inspired by the concept of entropy and its impact on systems, both natural and human-made. I wanted to explore the metaphor of a tyrannical ruler who believes he can conquer nature by building an iron sky. It’s a story of hubris and the inevitable collapse that follows such overreach. The imagery of a black cloud looming over a kingdom reflects the tension between control and chaos, power and inevitable decay. It also connects to broader ideas about transformation and letting go of outdated paradigms, both personal and societal.
I’ve always been drawn to albums that tell a cohesive story, where every track contributes to a larger narrative. Works like ‘Scenes from a Memory’ by Dream Theater or Opeth's ‘The Last Testament and Will’ have been particularly inspiring. These albums show how music can go beyond standalone songs to create an immersive, cinematic experience.
With ‘The Sound of Inevitability,’ my upcoming album, I aimed to craft something similar, using each track to explore universal themes through a compelling storyline.
“Black Cloud” fits into that vision as a pivotal chapter, representing the inevitable force of change and the collapse of control.
How did you approach the arrangement and composition of the music for "Black Cloud?"
The arrangement mirrors the emotional and narrative arc of the story. It starts with a foreboding, atmospheric introduction to set the tone of oppression and inevitability.
From there, the composition builds layers of tension with guitar riffs, heavy, deliberate rhythms, and shifts in dynamics to evoke the crumbling of the King's control.
The breakdowns and climaxes are structured to feel cinematic, almost like scenes from a movie, reflecting both the chaos and the bittersweet resolution as entropy takes over. I also used some different time signatures and modal shifts to enhance the feeling of unpredictability.
How does "Black Cloud" fit into your overall artistic vision and what can listeners expect from you in the future?
“Black Cloud” is part of my concept album, ‘The Sound of Inevitability,’ which explores themes of life's unavoidable forces, such as time, death, and change. Each track on the album represents one of these themes, and “Black Cloud” embodies transformation and entropy.
Moving forward, listeners can expect more concept-driven projects that challenge traditional songwriting, incorporating ambitious arrangements, cinematic elements, and a strong focus on storytelling through music. I aim to continue blending progressive metal with atmospheric and thematic depth.
Other tracks from the album, including “Luring Depths,” “Starlight,” and “Desert Dunes,” have already been released as singles – they are available on all platforms.
Can you describe your typical creative process when composing music? How do you usually start a new piece?
My creative process usually starts with a spark of inspiration—this could be a riff, a melody, or even a drum fill.
The creative process for “Black Cloud” began with the story and a tritone chord progression that immediately felt right for the theme, blending the raw emotion of anger, as if it was saying, "this is enough," with the unexpected upbeat energy of the third chord in the intro. This progression set the foundation for the track’s mood, capturing the tension and release inherent in the story.
I often sketch out a rough structure early on, creating a roadmap for the dynamics and emotional flow of the piece. Once the skeleton is in place, I dive deeper into layering textures, experimenting with rhythms, and writing parts for each instrument to fully bring the story to life musically.
There’s also a collaboration with my producer and the mixing/mastering engineers, which is crucial in refining the ideas and ensuring the piece reaches its full potential.
Every composer has a unique style. How would you describe your musical "voice" or signature style? What sets your compositions apart?
I’d describe my style as a blend of progressive metal with cinematic and atmospheric elements. I strive to create music that’s both technically intricate and emotionally resonant. What sets my compositions apart is their storytelling aspect—I aim to take listeners on a journey, combining complexity with accessibility. I draw inspiration from a wide range of influences, from bands like Gojira and Opeth to classical composers and film scores, weaving these influences into something that feels cohesive but still unique. My focus on blending heavy riffs with vivid imagery and layered textures is a hallmark of my "voice."
I started to truly find my musical voice with my earlier works, ‘Reborn’ and ‘Forward.’ Those albums marked a turning point where I began to refine my approach to storytelling through music and experiment with fusing technical elements with emotional depth. They laid the foundation for the cinematic and progressive style I continue to build on today, pushing me to explore the boundaries of what my music could convey.