Ad Infinitum, fronted by Swiss singer Melissa Bonny, have now released two albums during 2020. Their debut album “Chapter 1 – Monarchy” was released by Napalm Records in April. Unable to tour this year the band decided to record an acoustic version of that album, called “Chapter 1 – Revisited”, and this was released on 4th December.
I had the opportunity to chat with the delightful and talented Melissa Bonny about Ad Infinitum and their two albums via Skype on 7th December. We also talked about her involvement with Rage of Light, Evenmore, Warkings, Malefistum, Rock Meets Classic and Kamelot as well as her plans for the future etc.
The interview was featured on the Friday NI Rocks Show on 11th December. This Show is available via our MixCloud page - https://www.mixcloud.com/NIRocks/interview-with-melissa-bonny-from-ad-infinitum-on-the-friday-ni-rocks-show-11th-dec/
The interview has been transcribed and posted below.
Playlist for the Show
SCREAMING EAGLES – Screaming Eagles
FM – Synchronized
PRETTY MAIDS – Firesoul Fly
LAURA WILDE – Scarlet Woman
AD INFINITUM – Demons (Acoustic)
Interview with MELISSA BONNY Part 1 (7 min)
AD INFINITUM – Marching on Versailles (Acoustic)
Interview with MELISSA BONNY Part 2 (6 min)
AD INFINITUM – See You In Hell
Interview with MELISSA BONNY Part 3 (9 min)
AD INFINITUM – Fire and Ice (Acoustic)
WARKINGS – Sparta (feat The Queen of the Damned)
RAGE OF LIGHT – Battlefront
MALEFISTUM – Time (feat Melissa Bonny)
DIAMOND HEAD – Am I Evil?
TYGERS OF PAN TANG – Slave To Freedom
ELLEFSON – Wasted (feat Frank Hannon, Jacob Bunton & Dave McClain)
KING KING – Fire In My Soul
TYLER BRYANT & THE SHAKEDOWN – Hitchhiker
BLACKWATER CONSPIRACY – Take It On The Chin
EVERGREY – Forever Outsider
SIRENIA – Addiction No 1
PHANTOM ELITE – Diamonds And Dark
FIRELAND – Battlefield
NI ROCKS – Hi Melissa, thanks for taking some time to chat with us. Last week Ad Infinitum released an acoustic version of the debut album called “Chapter 1 – Revisited”. We’ll talk more about that album in a moment. We just played the track “Demons”, which was the latest track released. What can you tell us about that track first of all?
MELISSA – “Demons” was a track that was very popular on the original album, the electric one; so we thought this was a perfect candidate to be the second single off the album. It has kind of a Spanish vibe I think, which is pretty cool.
NI ROCKS – The Ad Infinitum debut album “Chapter 1 : Monarchy” was only released by Napalm Records back in April. When and how did the idea of recording an acoustic version first materialise?
MELISSA – As the year was evolving and as we started to realise that we would not be able to go on tour at, we decided to make something more to connect to the fans. The two tracks acoustic tracks that we had as bonus tracks for the original album were well received and we got a lot of cool comments about them. So we decided to explore that path a little more and make an entire album out of it. Nothing very ambitious – nothing like a real big release, but something cool before Christmas to offer everyone and to be able to connect with, not only with the people we would have seen on tour, but potentially everyone who would like our music.
NI ROCKS – Did you work with the same recording and production team on both albums, and if so who was that?
MELISSA – No, actually, for the first album, the electric version, we worked with Jacob Hansen for the mix and master, whereas on the acoustic album we worked with LFM Studios in Germany. The acoustic album was more of a home production. For example, I recorded all the vocals at home. It was just a little less ambitious production, and you will hear it. It sounds a little more organic I would say and less produced. It fits the acoustic atmosphere.
NI ROCKS – Ad Infinitum formed in 2018, presumably after you had left the band Evenmore, although you were - and still are - part of Rage of Light as well. Was the intention from the outset to make Ad Infinitum something different from your other projects?
MELISSA – It was not difficult as it was the first time that I was starting a project myself, with my own vision. It was about being true to myself and what I like to sing and what fits my vocals and my style. Just by doing that it was very different from anything that I’ve done before.
NI ROCKS – There are three guys in the band with you. Do you want to tell us who they are and perhaps where we might know them from?
MELISSA – Yes, sure. The first person who joined was Nik (Niklas Müller) the drummer. I met him because we’d toured several times together with Serenity and we became friends. It was just obvious to me that he was one of the guys that I wanted to have onboard. It’s quite funny, because I asked him – we were both in Germany and I asked him, I have this project and I would like to make a band out of it and I would really love to have you onboard; and he said that would be super cool. And I said what instrument do you want to play, because Nik is a guy is basically an entire band by himself! He decided to play drums and said oh by the way I know this perfect candidate for the guitarist, and he introduced Adrian (Thessenvitz). I knew Jonas (Asplind) already from touring; we were both supporting Amaranthe with Follow The Cipher and Warkings. We also became friends then and it was just obvious that I would ask him.
NI ROCKS – Do all four of you get involved in writing the tracks and is anyone else involved as well?
MELISSA – All four of us are writing the tracks together. The first album was a little different as the guys joined half way through the writing process. The first songs – the demos were written by me and then I sent them to Oliver Philipps who helped me re-write the guitars correctly because I’m not a guitar player, rewriting the drums. But for this album we are just the four of us writing together.
NI ROCKS – As you mentioned, the Covid pandemic has obviously prevented any touring in support of the album releases during the year. Are there any plans for an Ad Infinitum tour during 2021?
MELISSA – Yes, we have plans, but it is just a little difficult right now to tell you what will happen. We have these plans to tour in Europe and we were discussing some other shows here and there and some festivals. Now we are just crossing our fingers that any of this will happen. With the vaccine coming and everything being accelerated recently I feel that from summer on we will be able to finally go on tour and festivals.
NI ROCKS – Any plans to go further than Europe?
MELISSA – We’re discussing this but it is hard to tell because we’re a new band. There was a discussion about going to America but it is very expensive so we have to see if the promoters there are interested and if we can cover the costs. I would not promise this, but it is our plan.
NI ROCKS – The first single to be released from the new acoustic album was “Marching on Versailles” and we’ll play that now. What can you tell us about that track?
MELISSA – “Marching on Versailles” was actually I believe the first track that was written in collaboration with the other band members. Nik had some ideas and he sent me a demo without the vocals, just the instruments and I listened in my car and I was so into it. I was listening and directly having ideas and recording them on my phone…while I was parked (laughs). It turned out to be one of our favourite songs and it was just obvious that it would be a single.
NI ROCKS – It was announced last week that you’d be joining Kamelot on their South American tour next June. What can you tell us about that and is this the first time that you’ll have performed with Kamelot?
MELISSA – Yes, it’s the first time. I’m so looking forward to it and it’ll also be the first time that I’ve travelled to South America. It’s just an amazing experience. I’ve been listening to Kamelot for a few years now and I really love their music, so it’s just such a huge pleasure to do it.
NI ROCKS – I was very impressed – I noticed that you were doing an ad for the tour in Spanish as well. How many languages do you actually speak?
MELISSA – (Laughs) Well my mother tongue is French. I speak English, I speak a bit of German, a little bit of Spanish and starting with a little, little bit of Danish Laughs)
NI ROCKS – Very good, very impressive! Pre covid, earlier this year, you were working with Mat Sinner as part of the Rock Meets Classic tour. How did that come about?
MELISSA – I was in contact with Ralf (Scheepers), the singer of Primal Fear because we’re friends and we were talking. He is obviously playing with Mat Sinner and when they were looking for a singer he thought about me and that’s how he introduced me to Mat.
NI ROCKS – What was it like being on that tour. There were a lot of big names as part of that.
MELISSA – Well it was so great, but you know what.. (laughs)..at first I didn’t really realise, because you read the names and you read the names of the places, which are all arenas, and it was the first time for me. So, you’re like Ok I think I’ll really realise when I’m there! Then you start rehearsing and the pandemic starts and you’re thinking I’ll be happy if we can at least do one show. Then we started the tour and it was just wonderful you know – with the orchestra, with the band and with the guests. It’s just brilliant. Unfortunately, five shows in we had to cancel the rest of the tour, so it was very sad. It was like a rollercoaster of emotion.
NI ROCKS – Have you ever recorded anything with Mat? And if not, is that something you’d like to do at some point?
MELISSA – I haven’t recorded anything, but I think the show has been recorded actually. But if your question is regarding studio material, I have never recorded anything with him yet. But I would love to do it and he is a great musician and a very good friend.
NI ROCKS – You’ve released two albums this year with Ad Infinitum and another with a band called Malefistum, which I’ll talk about shortly. However, you’ve also appeared as a guest vocalist on several other albums including the Warkings album “Revenge”. How often do you get approached to do guest vocals and how do you decide which projects to get involved in?
MELISSA – I try first of all to check my schedule because in the past I’ve tended to accept too many things at the same time and be overwhelmed. So first I check what I have on my plate already and I, of course, listen to the songs and if I like them. And sometimes I immediately say yes because they are good friends of mine. I do accept some guest vocals, but I tend to do it a little bit less now because I really have a lot to do with my own band.
NI ROCKS – I think one of the most impressive things is your ability to deliver both clean and harsh vocals excellently. The two tracks you’ve released with Warkings probably focus more on the harsh side, but do you think that it’s your ability to deliver that range of vocals is the reason that you get so many requests to do guest appearances?
MELISSA – Maybe (laughs), I guess the more you are able to do the more you are able to help more people.
NI ROCKS – You appear on two tracks on the latest Warkings album – performing as the Queen of the Damned - “Sons of Odin” and “Sparta”. We’ll play one of those later in the Show. Which do you prefer and why?
MELISSA – I prefer “Sparta”. I just prefer the song – the energy of it. I just like it more.
NI ROCKS – Have you been working on any other projects recently that you’re able to tell us about?
MELISSA – Not that I can tell you about (laughs). I’ve been working on two other projects; one of which will probably be released in early 2021. And it’s something quite different, because it’s not completely metal. Actually there is a metal touch for some reason, but it’s not a metal band. It will be something different from what I’ve ever done and I’m looking forward to it.
NI ROCKS – Do you have a wish list of bands or artists that you’d like to tour or record with?
MELISSA – Actually, no, I never really think about that. I just see what comes and sometimes I like to create opportunities. If I want to record with an artist I will approach that person; but I don’t have a list.
NI ROCKS – We’ve now played two tracks from Ad Infinitum’s new acoustic album. I thought we’d maybe play something now from the first album “Chapter 1 : Monarchy” which was released earlier in the year. Can you pick a track from that first album to play and tell us a little about it?
MELISSA – I would pick “See You In Hell” because I still think it’s my favourite song on the album. I really like the atmosphere and the energy of it.
NI ROCKS – I was reading on your website that you started singing when you were very young and was in the school chair. When you finished school you were in a covers band briefly before joining Evenmore. Who were you musical influences in your teenage years and did you have a clear vision of how you wanted to develop as a singer?
MELISSA – I had no vision at all because at that point I thought it was not possible to have a career in music. In Switzerland, when you say, oh I’m a musician, people ask you what do you do beside; as a real job. I was in the same state of mind; I didn’t think that it would be a path to follow, and I just evolved with having it as a hobby. I think it was maybe three years ago that I thought I’m not really happy with my current situation – working in an office and spending all of my free time doing music and having no time at all to rest. Needing the approval of my boss to go on tour, because vacation time etc, etc. I just thought I’m working for security and being able to afford my hobbies, but on the other hand it’s preventing me from doing everything I want. At this point, I decided that I really wanted to do everything I can to be able to be a musician, and only a musician.
NI ROCKS – I’m glad you did. Who were your influences when you were younger.
MELISSA – It has changed so much. (Laughs). When I was very little it was probably singers like Britney Spears, Shakira, Ariana; but when I grew up I went through several rock singers like Avril Lavigne and I started to listed to Evanescence. These people, their career and image were showing me how I wanted to design my personality and how I was singing. Then, later on, I started to admire a lot of people in metal and I’d say that there is one woman that I really admire because she’s a great singer and that’s Floor Jansen.
NI ROCKS – You joined Evenmore in 2012 and released an EP in 2014, followed by the album “Last Ride” in 2016. How did it feel, getting to record that first album and were there any lessons that you took with you from the recording of that album into working on the Rage of Light and Ad Infinitum albums?
MELISSA – Yeah, of course. It was a very unique experience because I had never properly recorded an album before. We had the EP but we didn’t really spend the time to really think about the songs. We were jamming and the week after you jam again on the same song and you have lyrics and you’re doing this and that. Then suddenly, you’re jamming on the same song again and again, and you just record it. For the first album there was a little more work, but you’re not at the point that you can qualify yourself as a song writer. But it was still a great experience because it was the first time that we were really hearing what we were doing in the rehearsal rooms (laughs), because to be honest when you’re in the rehearsal room or on stage in a bar or small venue you barely hear what your bandmates are doing, except for guitar player who is obviously too loud, and the drummer who is obviously loud as well. We recorded everything and I was like – oh you’re doing this or this is how we sound, how cool! I’m just joking. But it is how it feels when you’re in the rehearsal room. It was the first time you were able to hear all the work that the others were doing; putting some orchestration and this and that. Paying attention to the details. After a while, when the album was finally released, you did feel the same already – I was not into listening to the album anymore and it felt old. I think this is one of the main lessons that I learnt – to take the time to create songs that you can appreciate and listen to. Create some catchy melodies, and not put too much in – to let the songs breathe.
NI ROCKS – You joined Rage of Light in 2015, released an EP and then the album, “Imploder” in 2019. Are we likely to see another release from that band sometime in the near future?
MELISSA – It’s complicated. We are working on new songs now, but we want to go back to the previous version of Rage of Light, which was more about regularly releasing new songs and videos and not an entire album. To do so we have to see each another to record videos, and at the moment I’m in Denmark and they are in Switzerland; and I haven’t seen Switzerland since January. The plan was actually to film some new videos during the winter, but I don’t know when I will be able to travel to Switzerland again, so it is hard to say when.
NI ROCKS – We’ll play a track from the “Imploder” album later in the Show as well. Do you want to pick a track and tell us something about it?
MELISSA – Yes, “Battlefront”.
NI ROCKS – Why that one?
MELISSA – (Laughs) I have very good memories of filming the video and it’s the first one that came to mind. We were filming in this very muddy area and it was very dangerous to walk around. There was actually a blooper published where we just fall in the mud and I have very funny memories about it; so it was the first one that popped into my mind.
NI ROCKS – I mentioned the band Malefistum earlier. You share vocals on the album “Enemy” with other people and it was released in May. I think you sing on 8 of the 12 tracks. The band was formed by Jens Faber from Dawn of Destiny. What can you tell us about that project?
MELISSA – I’m just a guest singer on it. He’s a friend of mine and he asked me to sing on a few songs and I did. He’s a friend of mine and I liked the project, so I decided to do it. But there’s not much I can say about it because it’s not really my project.
NI ROCKS – We’re rapidly approaching the end of 2020. It’s going to be remembered of course for Covid and the impact it had on the music industry and all of society. There have been some positives too of course. What would you own highlights of 2020 be?
MELISSA – The whole work that we’ve being doing with Ad Infinitum, because in the end we’ve done so much more than was planned. We released two albums, we released six videos, one live show and we made some very cool tour plans. In the end, it was of course a horrible year for a lot of people, but for the band itself I would say that it was so productive that it will have a great impact on the career of the band.
NI ROCKS – Looking forward to 2021 and hopefully a recovery from covid. What will your focus be for the year? What are your priorities?
MELISSA – Releasing a new album probably. We’re writing it right now and we don’t want to wait too much between the first album and second album – obviously because we haven’t been able to tour. Our focus is to stay present and stay connected to the people who like our music and offer some new content and some new videos, new pictures and connect more and more with the band. And finally to play on stage – hopefully for the first time during the summer in festivals.
NI ROCKS – That’s all the questions that I have for you. We’ll finish by playing another Ad Infinitum track, but I’ll let you pick the track and from which album – Monarcy or Revisited?
MELISSA – Let’s say “Fire and Ice” from the “Revisited” version. I loved re-recording this one and modifying the vocals and the new atmosphere that we gave it.
NI ROCKS – Thanks for taking the time to talk with us. Best of luck with the new record and best wishes for 2021.
MELISSA – Thank you very much and thank you for the invitation.
