Vicious Rain aren't just playing modern metal; they're documenting what it takes to survive in today's world. With their most recent single, “Trading Hearts,” they dive into emotional exchange, loss, and the scars that form from transactional connections. This fits perfectly with the themes of resilience and survival of their forthcoming album, “The Anatomy of Surviving.”
Vicious Rain—made up of David Häusermann (vocals/frontman), Mauro Gugerli (guitar/vocals), Tristan Meier (guitar), Loris De Notaristefano (bass), Michael Teufelberger (drums)—has already been taking Switzerland by "storm" and is starting to grow their reach internationally as well.
We caught up with David and Mauro ahead of the release to deconstruct the "anatomy" of the album and their journey so far.
MSM: You're about to release The Anatomy of Surviving. How did you want this new album to differ from your last one? Was there a risk you took on this record that you weren't ready for previously?
David: That's a good question. Of course, we want people to love this album more than the previous one—I guess that's the goal of every new record you write. But I'd say this album differs in the sense that we had a lot of fun creating it. We were much more of a perfect team on this one. We had fun writing and recording, and I think you can hear that in these new songs.
Mauro: Everything just came very organically for us. We put some pressure on ourselves, but in the end, we really had a lot of fun. I think that's just something we want to continue doing with the next one.
It's being described as your most personal work yet. Is there anything about the album you want your fans to understand from your perspective?
Mauro: I think I would like to keep that open. I’m a fan of music and lyrics where people read their own stories into it. We can write songs about one thing, but the listener might pick up the words differently and understand them in a way that fits their own life. If any song off the record does something for anyone, we’re happy.
David: Totally.
I think that's the goal of any art. You want people to connect with it. And is there a particular song or lyric that means the most to each of you personally?
David: I really like the opening lyrics from "A Spotless Mind." It deals with the concept of time, making memories, and living in the moment without trying to live in the past. It's about making every moment worth it and enjoying it.
Mauro: For me, it's hard to pick one because it feels like choosing between your children! But I would go with "Intertwined." I'm very proud of both my and David's vocal performances on that song. Every time I listen back to it, I’m like, "Oh damn, I actually like how this sounds."
You’ve shared stages with some pretty great bands like I Prevail and Crystal Lake. Is there anything you’ve picked up from playing with them that has changed how you approach your own music or performance?
David: I think the main thing is that you just get really inspired. It really sparks a flame. It’s art, not a competition, but it still makes you feel like, "Oh, I want to do that, too. I want to get to that level." Sometimes when you see a band and you’re blown away, you think, "Why didn’t we think of that?" It really fuels me to get on stage again and give it everything we've got.
Mauro: For me, it’s not even just sharing a stage with the big names. Every time I see a band live—even as a visitor—David and I have this feeling where if we see a band we love or that surprises us, we’re like, "Damn, I want to get on stage right now and do our thing." It motivates us to go back and be better. We’re almost mad about not being on stage!
Regarding collaborations, is there anything we can expect on the new album that you can share?
Mauro: We worked with a producer named Manuel from Germany again, but we also had a friend from Switzerland called Michael who worked on about three tracks. We wanted a new person on board to get a fresh perspective. It was also a practical thing—we usually drive to Germany to record, but we didn’t have the time to get everything done there, so we worked with him here in Switzerland. Those songs came out pretty good; he was a vital part of this record.
How do you approach genres and styles when writing? Do you aim for a certain sound, or is it more of a "whatever happens, happens" situation?
David: I mean, we play heavy music—that’s what we love to do. But all of us listen to all kinds of genres. I listen to a lot of Latin and reggaeton, and that consciously and subconsciously influences our writing. With this record, we were really open to new ideas and just got creative with it.
When you’re in that creation phase, do you consider the visual aspect? Are you already thinking about music videos or what the stage production might look like?
Mauro: Sometimes, yeah. There are instances in the studio where we get very hyped, and we’re telling each other, "Yeah, in this part we could do this live," or "In a music video, we could do that." If the idea comes naturally, you can feel it because everyone in the room gets excited and throws their ideas in. We have a lot of those sparks where we consider the visual stuff that comes later.
What is the music scene like in Switzerland? Do you feel like you stand out, or are there many bands like you?
David: Oh my god, I was waiting for a question like that! Switzerland is a super small country, so the scene is also super small. 10 or 15 years ago, there were a lot of bands—every other week a new band was forming—but it’s died down a little bit. It’s not as active as it used to be, but there are still very good bands coming up. We have friends we’ve played shows with for 10 years. It’s very connected; everyone knows everyone.
Mauro: That’s how David and I met, and the whole band, actually. I have a real soft spot for the Swiss scene because it helped me grow into the person I am now. It sparked the passion I’m pursuing. I have a lot of love for Swiss bands.
Any specific bands you want to shout out?
Mauro: Yeah, I’d like to shout out Save Your Last Breath. They're great. And Thorn. They’re some of my favorites from Switzerland.
Have you had any encounters with fans that have stayed with you or impacted you?
Mauro: I wouldn't say it impacted the music, but it impacted me personally. I don't want to get too deep into it, but we were at the merch booth after a show, and these two girls came up. They wanted to get a vinyl signed for a friend who was struggling mentally. They told us that she had made the decision to get help and get better because of our first record. It’s amazing and insane that music can have such a strong impact on someone for the good. That really sticks out to me.
David: Like Mauro said, some people come to the merch table with really rough stories. I’m amazed at what they’ve gone through. If the art we created helps them in any shape or form, it’s really touching. It stays with me for a while and gives this whole thing a new purpose and importance.
What is one non-musical thing about each of you that fans may not expect?
Mauro: That is a good question! I mean, I guess we’re just nerds. We’re into anime, manga, and movies. We nerd out on that stuff. We might seem cool from the outside, but we’re just nerding out all the time.
To wrap things up, is there anything else you’d like to share with the fans?
Mauro: Just thank you so much for listening. It’s super dope that the art we create reaches so many people all around the world. I really want to play for each and every one of you. Thank you for the continued support; I hope you pick up the new record.
David: Not much to add to that! If you like our music, go buy the new record. It’s sick. We’re really proud of it.
