Beyond the Boys’ Club: Melissa Bonny of Ad Infinitum
The post Beyond the Boys’ Club: Melissa Bonny of Ad Infinitum appeared first on Consequence.
Beyond the Boys’ Club is a monthly column from journalist and radio host Anne Erickson, focusing on women in the heavy music genres, as they offer their perspectives on the music industry and discuss their personal experiences. Erickson is also a music artist herself and has a new EP and single out, “Last Love,” with Upon Wings. The latest edition of Beyond the Boys’ Club features an interview with Melissa Bonny of Ad Infinitum.
Swiss and German symphonic metal band Ad Infinitum released their debut album, Chapter I: Monarchy, in 2020. They followed that with a reimagining of the LP, Chapter I Revisited, later that year, and another new album, Chapter II: Legacy, in 2021. Now, they’re set to release another fresh set, Chapter III – Downfall, out March 31st via Napalm Records. Pre-order the set here.
Spearheaded by talented singer Melissa Bonny, the band has already racked up millions of video views for songs such as “Marching on Versailles” and “Unstoppable.” Over the past three years, Ad Infinitum have toured the world, most recently appearing with Amaranthe, Beyond the Black and Butcher Babies on their expanded European and UK run. Looking ahead, their schedule will only get busier upon the release of the new album.
For Heavy Consequence‘s latest edition of “Beyond the Boys’ Club,” Bonny spoke with us about the new album, her experience as a woman in metal music, advice for up-and-coming musicians, and much more.
Congratulations on your new album, Chapter III – Downfall. How would you say this release differs from the other ones in this series?
Thank you very much. I would say that this album is a continuity and evolution of our release Legacy. We integrated some extra sounds and production details to open up the dimension of each song, as well as some additional heaviness and darkness.
What was your initial vision with Downfall and how did that evolve as you were working on the album?
For the first time, we travelled to a cabin somewhere in Germany and isolated ourselves for a songwriting retreat. We experienced a total immersion into creativity. We decided to choose Cleopatra and ancient Egypt as inspiration for the lyrics, and therefore, we tried to add some Middle Eastern touch to it.
Did anything surprise you while creating this new album? Did any unexpected sounds or themes pop up?
Yes! The song “New Dawn.” We worked on this song for a while. We were surprised of how it evolved as, in our ears, it sticks out in a very bright, light and happy way. At some point, we were wondering if it belongs on this album. However, when we got to the final version of it, it convinced us.
Ad Infinitum have only been together a few years, but you’ve accomplished so much, including garnering more than 2.8 million video views for your songs “Marching on Versailles” and “Unstoppable.” What do you think it is about your music that has really caught on?
It would sound pretentious of me to say what I think makes us special. I can only guess that people might have found in Ad Infinitum something they haven’t found elsewhere. We tried to modernize symphonic metal, and from there, our sound evolved quite a bit. It would be an interesting question for the fans!
One of the singles you’ve already released is “Seth,” which I understand refers to the god of chaos and destruction. Can you tell me more about that song?
The legend says that Seth and his brother Osiris were rivals for several reasons. A few reasons were their position and power, but they were also rivals because of the fact that Seth’s wife Nephthys conceived a child with Osiris: Anubis. Seth planned his revenge and killed his brother who was later resurrected. The story goes on, but the song focuses on Seth’s desire for power and his jealousy and anger towards his brother.
Do you have a favorite track to perform live off the new album?
“Upside Down.” It’s the song that makes everyone party, both on the stage and in the audience!
As you were starting out, were there any women in metal music who you looked up to?
I think the one that influenced me the most is Alissa White-Gluz of Arch Enemy. She was the one who made me think, “Growling is super awesome and badass, and therefore, I want to learn this.”
When you look around, do you feel like women are currently well represented in the metal world?
I think women are well represented, and I love seeing more and more ladies playing all kind of instruments. It shows the next generations that they can do anything they like!
What are some of the positive changes you’ve seen for women in rock and metal music over time?
What I just described is the most positive change I have witnessed. At the time I started singing in a band, women in metal were mostly singers, at least the ones I knew back then. Now, ladies are killing it with all the instruments you could think of, and I love it.
Did you feel accepted into the metal community as a woman right away, or did you feel like there was any pushback?
At the very beginning of my career, I felt like I was sometimes expected to fit in a box. Or, I felt that I was entering a box I wasn’t supposed to, let’s say. For example, when my former band, Rage of Light, released an Amon Amarth cover, some of the comments I read were basically saying that a women cannot do this properly. I still experience it every now and then, but that’s such a minority that I can only laugh at it when I see it. Fortunately, I always saw these comment as the opinion of a minority. The metal community is kind and accepting.
What advice would you have for women looking to get into metal music?
Just do it. Create or join a project that resembles you — what you like to sing and listen to. Do not try to follow a path that isn’t yours. Make yourself comfortable, and enjoy the ride.
Beyond the Boys’ Club: Melissa Bonny of Ad Infinitum
Anne Erickson
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