Interview by: Henk van Nieuwenhoven
They say “there’s no such thing as a coincidence”, but sometimes you just have to believe that “destiny brings people together”. Take for example newly formed band MIDNIGHTMARES. A guitarist from Belgium searches the internet for a female vocalist and finds a classical trained singer from Mexico who is about to move to Holland, just north of Belgium. Meet Gio Smet and Mariel Gimeno from symphonic/gothic metal project MIDNIGHTMARES, who will have their debut album out on October 21st.
“In the shadowy realm where the boundaries between melody and melancholy blur, there emerges a symphonic gothic metal band of profound darkness and haunting beauty.”
Is the band name MIDNIGHTMARES a merge between MIDNIGHT and NIGHTMARES?
GIO: “Thanks for having us! Yes, it’s indeed a merge between “midnight” and “nightmares”. I believe my wife came up with the name and I liked it right away. It also sets the right vibe for our music, which is symphonic/gothic metal but with a dark atmosphere surrounding our tunes.”
“A dark, symphonic/gothic metal band, formed in the winter of 2023 by Gio Smet & Mariel Gimeno.”
You are from Mexico and Gio is Belgian. Where did you two meet?
MARIEL: “It’s actually a crazy story. Gio found me in none other than the wide world of the internet. He was looking for a female singer because he wanted to make a symphonic metal project and, in his search, he came across my videos. We talked and from the very beginning we had a great click. I loved his ideas and felt an instant musical connection. Fun and curious fact is that, by the time he had contacted me, I was already planning to move to the Netherlands, right next to Belgium. As the first works began, I was in the middle of all the paperwork to make it happen. When I finally arrived to Europe, at some point, we felt like music itself was asking to be played live. So, we went with the flow and the rest came out naturally. Now the live shows are happening and it’s a pleasure and a true honor to work with such talented artists!”
“Cloaked in the ethereal tapestry of orchestral arrangements and driven by the thunderous pulse of metal, this enigmatic ensemble weaves a sonic tapestry that transcends the boundaries of conventional music.”
In one year the band have released three singles and the debut album “Shadow People” will be out on October 21st via your own label, Gio Smet Records. Not bad for a starting band.
GIO: “Thanks! Yes, it’s been a year full of hard work. But we’ve poured so much passion into it. So everything came almost naturally. The working relationship with Mariel is amazing. We connect on a musical level and that made our work process very easy, sort of speak. Sometimes, she says something that I was already thinking of and the other way around. We started working on the first singles at the end of 2023 and the first one “Sanctuarium” was already released in January 2024. From that point, we kept working with great desire to make the songs come alive.”
“With hauntingly poetic lyrics that delve into the recesses of the human psyche, the band’s compositions are a labyrinth of emotions, ranging from the sublime to the macabre.”
On the last single from the album, “Leave Me With My Demons”, you also sing a refrain in Latin: “Non possum salvus esse / In carcere lucis / Me solum relinquatis / Cum mea daemonia.” What does it mean in English?
MARIEL: “The meaning would be: “I cannot be safe in the prison of light, leave me alone with my demons”. This song portrays a hypothetic scenario where the angels visit hell and present the demons with the choice of salvation. But they know too well the price such salvation represents, which is refusing who they are. Denying their true nature to submit themselves to Heaven’s morals. So, they decide to remain in this underworld where they’ve made their own realm, a place to be free. It is a symbolism for humanity’s eternal quest for freedom against judging eyes. How, for ages, people who have diverse mindsets and beliefs are excluded by society for not following their standards. “My demons”, as in, my loners, my weirdos, my kin. My (shadow) people. The sense of communion when you find those who are also fighting their good fight. It’s not shameful to be an outcast: it takes some guts to stand true to yourself.”
“Mariel’s mesmerizing voice becomes a conduit for the band’s poetic narratives, delivering lyrics that evoke a sense of existential introspection.”
“I talked to Mariel about writing the entire stories of all songs and combining them in a storybook that we could release alongside the actual album.”
– GIO SMET –
“I love bands that are not afraid to exude darkness and drama.”
– MARIEL GIMENO –
Opener “Sanctuarium” starts like a horror movie soundtrack, but when you start to sing, two names come to mind: Simone Simons and Tarja Turunen (and perhaps Kate Bush). Who taught you to sing like that and what type of opera voice do you have?
MARIEL: “Thank you! Those are some big names (haha), I have a soprano voice, to the Lirico Spinto side. I was home-schooled in music by my parents. My dad was a classically trained orchestra conductor, pianist and singing teacher, and my mom is a singer and composer. They both had amazing careers and gave music and singing lessons ever since I can remember. So, there was music playing at home all day, every day. Because of this, from a very early age I learned to appreciate different genres such as pop, rock, classical, opera and more, but it wasn’t until my teen years when I got interested in learning an operatic technique. Before that, I was more trained into the soft rock, folk and pop side, which I think helped me remain versatile through the classical style which is usually strict.”
“As purveyors of the macabre, Midnightmares invites listeners into a realm where the boundaries between light and shadow blur, where beauty and darkness coalesce to create a hauntingly memorable musical odyssey.”
“Wichasha Wakan” is a half pagan and half gothic metal track. Who is responsible for the music and lyrics in MIDNIGHTMARES and what inspires you to write all these dark lyrics?
GIO: “Yes, “Wichasha Wakan” is really a nice blend of some different genres. I really like the end result of that particular song. As for the music, I compose the songs and Mariel writes the lyrics. She also adds some extra keyboards to them. Her lyrics are so spot on, in my opinion. There’s a story behind each song. So, I talked to Mariel about writing the entire stories of all songs and combining them in a storybook that we could release alongside the actual album. In my opinion, that’s the best experience you can have while listening to our songs.”
“Their melodies, borne on the wings of symphonic strings and haunting choirs, create an atmosphere both foreboding and entrancing.”
Next song “Kill The Beast” is one of the highlights for me on “Shadow People”. A classic The Beauty And The Beast story. Are all the male lead vocals on “Shadow People” done by you?
GIO: “Thank you! Yes, that’s exactly what we are aiming for, to create a great dynamic between the vocal lines. Like a “Beauty And The Beast” kind of vibe. So, being a beast myself (haha), I recorded all male vocals on the album.”
“Draped in the attire of gothic aesthetics, Midnightmares exude an aura of mystique, shrouded in darkness and adorned with ornate, brooding attire.”
Another typical symphonic/gothic metal song is “Everlasting” with your beautiful voice on top of it all. What symphonic and gothic metal bands did you listen to before you joined MIDNIGHTMARES?
MARIEL: “Thank you! I really like that one, it’s kind of a somber fairytale with a lot of visual imagery: a castle under a perpetually cloudy sky, frozen gardens, the gazebo holding a haunted piano… I have a thing for tragedies and gothic romances, and the incredible atmosphere of Gio’s music was just perfect for a scenario like that. It’s amazing how his music speaks stories on its own and it just captures you. In my youth I discovered the genre with Nightwish and Within Temptation, followed by Haggard and Therion. To these days I’m still really into the old school strong and theatrical sound with exquisitely melodic orchestrations and big choirs. I love bands that are not afraid to exude darkness and drama.”
“Midnightmares conjures an immersive experience, where dimly lit atmospheres and dramatic visuals amplify the intensity of their sonic journey.”
The album will be out soon, so let’s not give away everything yet. Except that “Jim Reaper Blake” would make a hell of a good new video because of the storyline. What is it based on?
GIO: “It’s funny you mention that. Because we were thinking exactly the same thing! We just finished filming our first video for “Sanctuarium” (coming out around mid-October). And while we were filming the video, we talked about the song/tale “Jim Reaper Blake”. Once again, Mariel did such a great job writing the story behind that song. It’s based on a famous (fictional) western gunslinger, called Jim ‘Reaper’ Blake. He earned his nickname ‘Reaper’ because he is telling everyone at the saloons that he is the quickest in a duel. He even says he draws his gun quicker than Death himself. So, while he is bragging about his gunslinger skills, a tall figure comes to him and says “I heard you say, you are quicker than Death? Meet me tomorrow, let’s put that to the test”. They have the duel and Jim gets shot. The strange figure comes to him, while Jim is on the ground, and pulls of his bandana, exposing his face as he is actually the Grim Reaper himself, saying: “Don’t call yourself the Reaper, or the Grim Reaper comes for you! So, we have a great location (Irish pub) in mind to film that video clip. I can already see Mariel at the bar, in full outfit, telling the story with her enchanting vocals. It’s such a captivating story. And of course, you can read the whole story in the storybook.”
“The interplay between Gio’s distorted guitars and symphonic elements paints a vivid soundscape that lingers in the minds of their audience long after the final note has faded away.”
Not so long ago you did your very first live performance with MIDNIGHTMARES at the Gio Fest and On October 11 you’ll play at the Kid’s Rhythm ‘n’ Blues Kaffee in Antwerp. Are there plans for more live gigs?
MARIEL: “Yes! And it’s been a blast to finally perform live, we couldn’t be more excited! We have a few more gigs in Belgium before the ending of the year and also for 2025. Next ones are taking place in Radio Benelux (11/12/24), at Club Hell in Diest (11/30/24), at The Other Side in Peer (12/14/24), and as for 2025, so far we’ll be at Vortrock in Ieper (5/17). Hoping to see everyone there! And, of course, don’t forget to follow us on social media to stay updated on future shows and upcoming surprises.” ■