Interviews About Albums: Distant - Into Despair (2026)

In this new interview, we sat down with the Dutch Deathcore/Downtempo band Distant to ask questions about their album, "Into Despair".

1. For readers discovering DISTANT for the first time, how would you describe the band's sound and identity?

We are a band that has always focused on making the heaviest music possible. Massive breakdowns, dark atmosphere, and cinematic elements are what people know us for. With Into Despair we've kept all of that, but the stories behind the music are much more personal than before.

2. Into Despair has been described as your most personal album yet. What inspired you to move away from fictional concepts and focus on real-life experiences?

It came naturally. We didn't sit down and decide that this record had to be personal. During the writing process, these were simply the stories that felt right to tell. It was the most honest thing we could write at that moment.

3. What is the meaning behind the album title Into Despair, and how does it tie the record together?

The title represents a downward spiral that can happen when you're dealing with grief, loss, depression, or self-doubt. Every song explores a different part of those emotions, but they all lead back to that same feeling. At the same time, there is still resilience in accepting those feelings instead of hiding them.

4. Your first single, "All Will Be (N)One," explores mortality and the passage of time. What inspired the lyrics and overall atmosphere of the song?

The song is about the inevitability of death and how every person has to face it eventually. No matter who you are, time always wins. We wanted the music to feel just as overwhelming as that realization.

5. How did the collaboration with Ricky Myers of Suffocation come together, and what did he bring to the track?

We've toured with Suffocation multiple times over the last few years, and Ricky has become a good friend of ours. We had a section in the song that immediately felt like it would fit his voice perfectly, so we asked him to be part of it. He absolutely destroyed it.

6. Sonically, the song balances cinematic atmosphere with crushing heaviness. How do you approach writing music that is both emotionally powerful and sonically devastating?

We don't think those things compete with each other. Real emotions only make heavy music hit harder. If the lyrics come from genuine experiences, the aggression feels more believable, and the atmosphere becomes much more immersive.

7. Were there any songs on Into Despair that were especially difficult to write because of how personal they are?

Definitely The Shared Grief. That song deals with my suicide attempts and the sadness I brought to my family when they found out. It wasn't easy to write or record, but it also felt like a relief to finally put those emotions into music.

8. How has your songwriting evolved compared to your previous albums?

We stopped worrying about writing around trends or popular song structures. We went back to writing music that feels exciting to us. Groove and heaviness became the priority again. We want people to have their jaws on the floor while also making them want to move in the pit.

9. The band mentioned using this album as a way to process grief and pain. Was creating the record therapeutic in any way?

Absolutely. Some songs were difficult to revisit, but putting those emotions into music was also freeing. At the same time, we hope listeners who have gone through similar experiences can relate to it and realize they're not alone.

10. Fans often associate DISTANT with massive breakdowns and cinematic production. How do you continue pushing those elements forward while still evolving your sound?

We don't want to reinvent ourselves just for the sake of it. We want to become better at what people already know us for. The breakdowns are still there, the atmosphere is even darker, but the emotional weight behind the songs makes everything feel more intense than before.

11. What was the recording process like for Into Despair, and were there any new techniques or ideas explored in the studio?

The biggest difference wasn't technical; it was the mindset. We spent more time making sure every song had the right feeling instead of overthinking every little detail. Sometimes the rawest take ends up being the strongest one.

12. What do you hope listeners who may be dealing with their own struggles take away from this album?

That they're not alone. Everyone struggles with something, even if it doesn't always look like it. If these songs help someone process their own emotions or make them feel understood, then we've accomplished what we wanted.

13. With Into Despair releasing through Century Media Records, what does this chapter represent for the band?

It's another huge step forward for us. We've worked hard for years to get here, and having Century Media behind this album gives these songs the platform they deserve. We're excited to see how far this record can reach.

14. What can fans expect from the live performances once these new songs hit the stage?

Even more energy than before. The new songs were written with live shows in mind. There are plenty of moments made for headbanging, jumping, and complete chaos, but because the lyrics are so personal, performing them also carries a different emotional weight.

15. Looking ahead, what excites you most about this next era of DISTANT?

Playing these songs live and seeing how people connect with them. This record feels like the most honest version of DISTANT so far, and we're excited to share that with people all over the world.

16. Is there anything else you'd like to share with the readers of Breathing The Core Zine?

Thank you for taking the time to listen and support heavy music. We hope Into Despair gives you something to connect with, whether that's an outlet for your anger, your sadness, or just the soundtrack to the hardest breakdowns you've ever heard. We can't wait to see everyone on tour.

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