Amethyst’s Rise: «Throw Down The Gauntlet» and the Power of Persistence

In this interview, Freddy, the voice behind Swiss heavy metal band Amethyst, dives into the heart of their journey, from the challenges of their 2020 formation to their explosive live shows. He reveals the personal connection they feel with their fans, sharing powerful moments from festivals like Muskelrock, where the energy was «pure magic.» Freddy also touches on social themes, sci-fi storytelling, and their tribute to the heavy rock scene of the ’70s and ’80s, all while keeping Amethyst’s sound fresh and unique in today’s metal landscape.

-Hi, first off thanks for answering to our questions. How’s everything doing in the Amethyst’s lair with the release of your new album?

Thank you very much for your questions and your interest in Amethyst and what we’re doing. We get a lot of positive feedback now and the reviews are beyond our imagination! So many people and fans out there really seem to like, what we recorded. So, yeah, I guess it`s going pretty well.

– Since forming during a challenging time in 2020, how has the journey of Amethyst shaped your personal identities as musicians and individuals? Are there specific experiences that have had a lasting impact on your approach to music?

We all did and still are doing music in other bands. So, I think we all had our personal identities shaped already before starting Amethyst. It`s not, that we`ve become different persons after getting success with the band concerning character or persona but for me it`s nice to be recognized as a member of Amethyst and people wanting to chat with you and talking about how much our music means to them. It`s the same like seeing myself talking to my favorite bands and members.
We did grow some musicianship and experience, though. I guess, everybody in the band plays his instrument a little more experienced than before and acting on stage feels more natural now, than it did when we first started the band. We still listen to our favorite bands from days long gone and also connect with newer bands, that we hail and adore. One specific impact was certainly our second gig ever at Muskelrock 2023 in the tent. This was the very first time when we had the feeling, this is getting bigger than we could have ever imagined. Amethyst peaked at their second gig ever, haha!

– What overarching themes or narratives do you explore in Throw Down The Gauntlet? How do these themes resonate with the current state of the world or your own personal experiences over the last few years?

My lyrics are a combination of self-experienced stuff but not from a strict autobiographical point-of-view. Some things are over- some are under-exaggerated stories and situations I’ve come along, and some songs are pure science fiction about killers, spaceships and so on. I guess, everybody can find themselves somewhere in my lyrics and my stories. I also get my influence while listening to older songs and I try to write in a way, like the older bands did it. But I will certainly never become a Neil Peart (RIP GOAT) in writing lyrics…
The song “Take me Away” however, deals with today’s situation in politics but also people’s behavior in general. I sometimes feel kind of sick while following news reports and watching people act. So, please take me away!

– Your sound pays homage to the late ’70s and ’80s heavy rock scene. How do you balance honoring those influences while also carving out your own unique identity as a band in today’s music landscape?

It just fits, right? There is a certain feeling the band succeeds combining these two time periods and that’s credit of every bandmember. The guitars are somewhat 70s Lizzy and 80s Maiden with a galloping, melodical bass under the sheer energetic drumming of a “Clive Burr” in the early 80s in addition with my voice that some people compare to Brian Ross or Reo Speedwagon (don`t know if they mean Kevin Cronin or Gary Richrath but thank you anyway!!!). Our influences mostly come from these musical time periods so it`s only natural to let these influences flow into the music of Amethyst. We maybe are the missing link or the transition between these eras. And of course, the production of the album is somewhat special and important for this feeling for it sounds warm and natural. We are not fans of these sterile, plastic productions you find in so many bands, nowadays.

– You’ve mentioned the electrifying energy of live shows, especially at festivals. Can you share a particularly memorable moment from a concert that encapsulates the connection you feel with your audience? How does this energy inform your songwriting and recording process?

Every gig is a great experience, and our fans know, we always give 120%! It`s a correlation of going onto the stage and immediately feeling the energy of the crowd. This energy we give back to the people in the audience, so, after a gig, everybody seems pretty satisfied. I already told you about the Muskelrock tent gig in 2023, this was pure magic happening in the tent that night but also in 2024, when we entered the main stage and the wooden venue inside was packed with maniacs. It was like being dragged back into the tent but this time 20 times bigger…. Unbelievable! Sweden really feels like coming home for us.
I also have to mention the gig at Linz when we played Steel City Sorcery festival in 2023. The venue was so heated up, sweat was running down my face shorty after the second song and people were going absolutely nuts. Incredible night! It`s also a heartwarming feeling to see fans singing along my lyrics. If you`d asked me 10 years ago if this would ever happen to me, I’d called you crazy….
The song “Rock Knights” is a special homage to these crowds, like a tribute. We wrote that song shortly before our second gig and we felt inspired by the energy of our fans. They are the “Rock Knightz Forever!”

– In what ways do you believe heavy metal and rock music can reflect or influence societal issues? How does Throw Down The Gauntlet engage with these ideas, if at all?

Hard Rock or Metal and specifically Punk always dealt with social themes or situations. You can always find yourself in the same or slightly different situations the lyrics are about in a song and if not, there`s still the music to enjoy. But Amethyst does not want to change your way of life or your behavior or what you believe in and whatever. Be open for discourse, speak for yourself (Gary Moore!) and don`t think in patterns.

– With the band’s lineup coming together in 2022, how do you navigate creative differences during the songwriting process? Can you share an example of a song that evolved significantly through collaboration?

The main ideas come from our guitarists. So, there are songs like “Serenade”, that Ramon had the idea for. He was the main songwriter behind this one, but every other member had their ideas and licks and we tried to combine them, trying out, what fits best. “Queen of a thousand buring hearts” was an idea from Yves. He had the main riff and together we wrote the song. We always talk about how the song should start, end and what fits best for a chorus or a verse. Someone has an idea, we rehearse it and afterwards figure out, if it`s good enough for Amethyst or if we have to re-do it again. There`s always room for discussion and alternate opinions within the band.

– Eldo’s engineering and mixing of the album is a significant contribution. How did his vision shape the final sound of Throw Down The Gauntlet? Were there any unexpected challenges or revelations during the recording process?

There were no major challenges while recording. Some parts took longer, some were just flowing easily. Most of the credits goes to Eldo. He recorded every instrument plus his drums and did the postproduction with mixing and mastering. So, he spent most of his free time in doing all that while the rest of band just told him, what we wanted to change in a specific part or sound. While mixing he always listened to Maiden or Lizzy to get that specific sound and feeling out of our recordings. But the raw recordings did sound great even before mix and master. We use old Marshall amps so the direct sound output was already good, clean and crisp even before Eldo used his magic fingers.

– You’ve garnered a dedicated following since your EP release. How has fan feedback influenced the direction of Throw Down The Gauntlet? Can you recall a specific interaction that stood out to you?

Most of the people that talk to us in person give us so much great and positive feedback and that`s really kind. I wrote some comments on the internet, that some people are, well, not disappointed, but they wrote, the EP just “kicked” a little more, than the album. And that`s ok!
I guess, the expectations after the EP were incredibly high and therefore, I think we did good. The reviews are great as well, some people are even writing, that it could be a contender for the “Album of the Year”! Whoah…

– Metal music can often portray a tough exterior, but vulnerability exists within the genre. How do you navigate this balance in your music, particularly in the emotional depth of tracks like “Queen Of A Thousand Burning Hearts”?

Sheer tough exterior is just a part of this musical genre and yes, there`s so much more expression to find in the music. Just like in life. And nothing less than life this music is to me and myself and the band as well, I guess. Heavy Metal / Hard Rock music gets more versatile when adding different emotions and feelings. And there`s so much to discover in the whole spectrum of metal music. If I feel like listening to a more aggressive style I just listen to some death or black metal stuff and vice versa: I love me some AOR or southern rock when feeling good and relaxed. “Queen of a Thousand Burning Hearts” is a slightly “softer” song but it still has the guitars and licks to make it a full hard rock song. Compare it to the 80s, there are thousands of softer songs that still are “too” hard for calling them soft rock.

– The title Throw Down The Gauntlet suggests a challenge or a call to action. What specific personal or collective struggles have inspired the album’s narrative? How do you hope this narrative will resonate with listeners who may be facing their own challenges?

Yeah, “Throw Down the Gauntlet” suggests a call to action. It`s on!
We challenge ourselves and the HM scene in general. The knight symbolizes an opponent, a challenger. So, you could see the cover as story in three parts: First, he stays in front of the band, throwing down the gauntlet, challenging us. Then, the music starts, the album plays from front to back, like, the fight is on. In the end on the backside of the cover, the knight lays down, dead. A flying V stabbed into his back. We won the battle, we took the challenge and succeeded.
You could see it as an inspiration to speak for yourself and never surrender. Face the challenge and give your best.

– As you look ahead, what aspirations do you have for Amethyst beyond this album? Are there specific projects, collaborations, or milestones you hope to achieve in the coming years?

We already reached so much with Amethyst, I’d never dreamt of. So, I’m just very grateful for our fans and the community and organizers that we have the chance to play in front of fantastic audiences and do, what we love to do!
At the moment, we are writing some new songs and we will play some gigs in 2025, also in Spain. So, catch us on the road and let`s see, what the future brings!

-That’s all from our side. Thanks again for answering to these questions. If you’d like to add some final words; it’s your turn.

Thank you so much for your questions. Some of them I’ve answered for the first time, so, that was something refreshing.Keep up the good work and never surrender! Also, listen to this banger: Halifax (US) – s/t (from 1981)!

See you on the “t”oad! Rock Knightz Forever!

Frëddy, Amethyst_October 2024