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Hey! First of all, for those who may not be familiar with your band – what is FALLING LEAVES all about?
Falling Leaves is all about emotion. Since 2009, we’ve been crafting music that blends the heaviness of death metal with the melancholy and atmosphere of doom. Our songs dive deep into the human experience, loss, resilience, beauty, and decay, always with the aim of connecting on an emotional level with the listener. For us, it’s not just about riffs and melodies, it’s about telling stories that resonate and stay with you long after the music stops.
What can you tell us about FALLING LEAVES’ latest album, The Silence That Binds Us?
The Silence That Binds Us is a very personal record for us. It’s been over a decade since our debut, and during that time, life has thrown all kinds of challenges our way. These songs carry the weight of those years, losses, changes, and moments of hope. The album features eight tracks that are both heavy and melodic, with guest appearances from Paul Kuhr (Novembers Doom), Ariel Perchuk, and Fabio Alessandrini. Mixed by Alessandro Comerio in Italy and mastered by Dan Swanö, it’s the best representation of who we are today as a band.
When can your fans expect to hear new music after The Silence That Binds Us? Is there any info on a new album in the works?
Right now, our focus is on giving The Silence That Binds Us the life it deserves. That said, we’ve always got ideas brewing. We don’t like to rush the creative process, every song needs to feel honest and necessary. But fans can expect more music in the future, and hopefully not with another 13-year gap between albums!
Have you received enough positive feedback on your band so far?
Yes, and we’re grateful for it. Our debut album received amazing support from the doom and death metal community worldwide, and even during our years of silence, people kept reaching out asking when we’d return. That encouragement played a big role in pushing us to finish this new album.
You’ve been active for nearly 13 years – what keeps you motivated to continue making music?
It’s the need to express ourselves. Music has always been our way of processing life, its highs, lows, and everything in between. Also, hearing from people across the world that our songs have meant something to them is incredibly motivating. It reminds us that this is bigger than just us.
How easy (or difficult) is it to play metal and maintain a stable lineup in Dubai? Is it possible to make a living from album sales?
The metal scene in Dubai is small but passionate. Maintaining a stable lineup is always a challenge, especially when members come from different countries and backgrounds. As for making a living from album sales—let’s be honest, in metal, especially doom, it’s rarely about the money. It’s about the passion, and most of what we earn goes straight back into creating and promoting our music.
How did you manage to establish a solid and permanent lineup?
It took time, patience, and a shared vision. Over the years, we worked with many talented musicians, but the ones who stayed are those who share not only the musical direction but also the same level of dedication to the band. For this album, we were fortunate to collaborate with incredible session musicians who brought their own magic to the songs.
If you had to introduce a new listener to FALLING LEAVES, which song from The Silence That Binds Us would you choose and why?
I’d choose "We Are Alone". It captures the essence of Falling Leaves, heavy yet melodic, melancholic but powerful. Lyrically, it speaks about isolation and the human struggle to find meaning, which is a theme that runs through much of our music.
Was there a specific band that made you say, “That’s it – I’m starting a metal band!”?
For us, it was bands like My Dying Bride and Novembers Doom. Their ability to combine crushing heaviness with deep emotion was a huge influence. Hearing music that could be both brutal and beautiful made us realize we wanted to create something in that same spirit.
Any final words for the readers of Iron Backstage?
Thank you for taking the time to read about us. If you connect with music that’s heartfelt, heavy, and full of atmosphere, we invite you to listen to The Silence That Binds Us. We put our hearts into this album, and we hope it speaks to you the way it speaks to us. See you on the road someday!
