We had the wonderful opportunity to chat with Senem Semiz, vocalist for the Gothic Doom Metal band The Choir of Agony and Metal Charm, and ask her about The Choir of Agony’s sound, their recent singles, and her approach to songwriting, among other things.
Reuel
Hello Senem! I’m happy to chat with you. How have you been?
Senem Semiz
Hello! Thank you so much, I’m doing great, especially because our album is coming out on June 26th! I hope you are all doing well too.
Reuel
This is great news! I’m doing great as well. How would you describe The Choir Of Agony’s sound to our readers who haven’t had a chance to listen to your music yet?
Senem Semiz
I would describe our sound as “modern melancholy.” Listeners will find themselves losing their way within the vast, atmospheric echoes of that melancholy.
Reuel
You have recently released The Forever People II with a music video and several other singles. Will these singles be part of an album or any upcoming big release?
Senem Semiz
We actually really wanted to release them as a full album from the very beginning. However, we played a lot of concerts in our local city, and the feedback we got from our listeners was a strong desire to hear our songs as soon as possible. On top of that, each track we crafted required an immense amount of effort and time. To bring these pieces to our audience without delay, we initially released them as singles. But on June 26th, our album will finally drop under the title “The Burden of Buried Tales,” gathering these tracks together along with one final, brand-new song. The Forever People II will remain as a standalone single.
Reuel
What themes and topics do you inspire from or write about when writing songs in The Choir Of Agony?
Senem Semiz
When writing songs, I usually start with either the guitars or the piano. My inspiration often stems from a specific scent, the weather, or a sensory experience; in other words, different impressions trigger distinct sounds in my mind. I am very open emotionally and intuitively, and I love composing by reflecting this directly into my music. Doing it this way usually allows me to write the lyrics and the music simultaneously.
Reuel
In a universe where you can taste music, just like food, what food would you imagine The Choir Of Agony would taste like?
Senem Semiz
That’s a very interesting question! I thought about it, and I decided it would taste like oven-baked salmon with orange and white wine. It’s one of the dishes I cook best and absolutely love to eat. For me, creating something for The Choir of Agony holds the exact same value. Flavor-wise, I think it’s a beautifully melancholic dish.
Reuel
Reading about this made me hungry! You are also part of the melodic death metal band Metal Charm. Personally, what do you enjoy most about each band?
Senem Semiz
The thing I enjoy most about both bands is a shared element: the members. Even though we enjoy what we do and achieve successful results, we are a group of friends who move forward without ever looking down on one another. This reflects incredibly well on our creative process. What matters most to us is how we can take things one step further, without ever letting arrogance get in the way.
Reuel
Türkiye has an amazing metal scene that is growing exponentially! As the scene expands globally, do you feel Turkish extreme metal is developing its own distinct identity?
Senem Semiz
As you mentioned, the metal scene in Türkiye is heading in a great direction. I believe very prominent Turkish bands have already begun capturing a unique style that will represent Türkiye beautifully on a global scale.
Reuel
Which musicians and bands were your biggest inspirations growing up?
Senem Semiz
My biggest inspirations have always been Chopin and Thurisaz. For some reason, the common ground between these two has always made me feel safe and right at home, and they have permanently been my main sources of inspiration.
Reuel
What are your thoughts on how women are represented in music today, and what do you think can be done to promote more inclusivity and support for female musicians?
Senem Semiz
In today’s music industry, I deeply admire and always support all my fellow women who stand out through their sheer talent rather than hiding behind a persona. As a woman myself, I will continue to support them unconditionally. To boost this support, I think solidarity and mutual aid on social media, like sharing and promoting each other’s work, can definitely be increased.
Reuel
Thank you for your time, Senem! Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Senem Semiz
Thank you! As female musicians, we are individual lights within the darkness of metal, may our light never fade! To all the metalheads out there: stay metal!
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