Born Of Osiris: ""Through Shadows" is our child, born from the ashes

With their new album "Through Shadows" set for release on July 11 via Sumerian Records, Born Of Osiris return with renewed energy and purpose. Ahead of their upcoming show at Gagarin205 in Athens on May 22, Rocking.gr caught up with the band to discuss the creative shift following lineup changes, their sonic evolution, and what fans can expect from the new era of Born Of Osiris.

"Through Shadows" is your first full-length release since Angel Or Alien in 2021. How has the band’s mindset or creative direction evolved over these past four years?

We have grown a lot as people and this has, of course, translated to growth in the creative direction.

Last year saw Joe’s departure from the band, marking a major shift for Born Of Osiris. How did his absence influence the dynamic within the group, both personally and musically?

On a personal level, things are different. He is our lifelong brother, so it is strange to not have him with us. But he is moving forward in life. He is newly married to an amazing wife and he was ready to settle down. I still see him quite often when we are home from tour. Musically, a lot of Joe’s roles have been shifted to Ronnie.

Given Joe’s role in shaping the band’s atmospheric and electronic elements, how did you approach those aspects during the writing and recording of Through Shadows? Did this change open new creative paths or present challenges?

New creative paths.

The title track is both atmospheric and aggressive, showcasing your signature blend of melody and technicality. What does "Through Shadows" represent thematically or emotionally for the band?

It represents the end of an era.

Can you walk us through the songwriting and recording process for this album? Did you have any specific direction in mind for this new step for the band?

Not necessarily. We just write what we feel in the moment.

Was there a central concept or narrative that shaped "Through Shadows" as a whole?

Ronnie writes the lyrics so I am unqualified to answer this question.

Born Of Osiris has always been at the intersection of progressive metalcore, djent, and electronic-infused metal. How do you feel Through Shadows pushes or redefines that sonic identity?

I would define Through Shadows as Egyptian supertechnical progressive djentcore that puts you into an ancient cyber trance.

The video for "Through Shadows" carries a dark, cinematic tone. How involved was the band in the visual storytelling, and what do you hope it conveys to the fans?

We wanted the video to be orange because it’s one of our favorite colors. So that was our major contribution to the visual aspect of the music video.

Are there plans to create a broader visual or narrative universe around the album - through additional videos, artwork, or even live show concepts?

Not this time.

Angel Or Alien was praised for its emotional depth and dynamic range. How do you see Through Shadows building upon or contrasting with that release?

"Angel or Alien" represented relationships falling apart in our personal lives; "Through Shadows" represents picking up the pieces and showing what it takes to repair what was lost.

Reflecting on your journey since The Discovery and Soul Sphere, how do you view your current musical chapter within the Born Of Osiris legacy?

I view each album as one of my children. I love all of them equally even though they are all quite different. My next baby child, Through Shadows, will have some incredible idiosyncrasies while simultaneously being the same blood as all my other children.

With so many years under your belt and a consistent fan base, how do you balance audience expectations with the desire to explore new territory?

We love exploring new territories. On this tour, we are exploring many new territories: Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Portugal, and of course, GREECE!

Lastly, what do you hope listeners will take away after experiencing the album in full-from first note to final fade?

We want to take them on an emotional journey. We want them to laugh; we want them to cry; we want them to jump for joy and fall with pain. We want to encompass all the emotions within the scope of humanity. How beautiful would it be if we can accomplish such a feat?

You’re coming to Greece for a highly anticipated show at Gagarin205 on May 22. What should we expect from this show?

Gagarin205 is a drop-and-go which means that our bus cannot park in front of the venue. So it will be a difficult load-in for us. This might make us exhausted, however, we will save at least 85% of our energy for the performance. It will be an incredible show.

The line-up includes Ingested, Entheos and The Voynich Code, bands with a variety of backgrounds but also a common aspect of technical proficiency that is present in the music. What made you decide on this line-up?

Well, our booking agent suggested Ingested. We picked Entheos. And our manager suggested The Voynich Code. So it was a team effort.

With "Through Shadows" on the horizon, should fans in Athens expect to hear new material live for the first time?

Absolutely. We play six songs from the new album, including one that is not yet released.

Last but not least, if you could share with us the 5 most listened to albums you had for the past month, so we can include them in our monthly playlist feature.

I only listened to one album this past month: Chaosphere by Meshuggah (on repeat)