Interviews About Albums: 冷Laang - Xinteng (2021)

1. What can you say about this new EP/CD?

Our new album Xinteng is a musical exploration of the emotional pain and struggle associated with recovery from trauma. While our first album dealt with the emotions of fear with trauma and death itself, Xinteng is more about the depression and frustration that comes with struggling with one's own mortality and recovery. The album is melancholic but aggressive, and contrasts melody with dissonance to present this vulnerable experience to those who choose to connect with it.

2. What is the meaning of the EP/CD name?

"Xinteng" in Mandarin Chinese can mean a few different things. It most commonly can mean "heartache" or "to love/miss dearly". It's a complicated word that doesn't have an exact English translation, but to me it conveys this complex feeling of a deep emotional misery associated with loss.

3. Which one is the composer of the CD/EP?

Myself, Haitao Yang（杨海涛).

4. If you have to pick one song, which one would you pick?

It depends on the day. Right now, I would say Dongshang (Frostbite). This song is probably the most accurate representation of the emotions I wanted to present on this album. It's very direct in exploring this feeling of pain and having lost something dear to me. In this case, this is my worldview on life and my perception of my own mortality. People talk about an uplifting, inspiring feeling of loving life after near-death experiences. This is not my experience. To me, it is a newfound misery and tragedy. That is what Dongshang is about.

5. Is there a special message in this EP/CD? If there is what it is?

I suppose the whole album is a special message of sorts. It's my sharing of my experience with death, and an uncomfortable exposition of trauma. The goal with this album is for others who have experienced and lived through trauma of any sort to be able to identify with this music and have an outlet for their emotions to connect and feel heard and seen in their struggle. I hope that this will provide a positive experience for all who have suffered and are suffering, and create the moment of much-needed emotional intimacy.

6. Are there some lyrics that you´d love to share?

These are lyrics from the climax/bridge section of the album's final song Yongheng De Yu (Eternal Rain) which represents the culminating moment of rising from darkness into light, but this being a bittersweet victory as it is known that the pain and struggle will continue through life.

English Translation:

Tears fall like rain,

As I rise from my despair,

Drowning my fear in sorrow,

This rain is my salvation.

A river that runs from the void to my heart,

A poisoned rain that bleeds,

Dreams tainted by memories of the abyss,

I can feel nothing but sorrow.

Hanzi:

泪水像雨一样落下

当我从绝望中走出来时，

在悲伤中淹没我的恐惧，

这场雨是我的救赎。

一条从虚空到我心灵的河流，

一场中毒的雨水流血，

梦想被深渊的记忆所污染，

除了悲伤，我什么都感觉不到。

7. Which inspirations have been important for this album ? Like musically or friends, family, someone you'd love to thanks especially?

Musically, the greatest inspirations for this album were Harakiri for the Sky, Ancst, Bloody Tyrant, Chthonic, and White Ward. I of course want to thank all of my dear friends and family who have supported me through all of my struggles all these years, and to the fans of Laang who give me the motivation to continue making this music.

8. Something to add?

I really appreciate you taking the time to speak to me about Xinteng, thank you very much. Xinteng will be out on Talheim Records on 30 September 2021. I truly hope that everyone will find something to connect with on this album, and that together we can create this emotional intimacy. Thank you everyone who has, does, and will support us, and we hope to see you all someday on tour!