The Aurora Unleashes New EP Dalton Minimum Out Now!

THE AURORA – “DALTON MINIMUM” EP

1. Let’s start with the basics: What inspired the title Dalton Minimum? Does it tie into the themes or tone of the EP in a deeper way?

The title is a continuation of the previous EP so it is all connected to the solar cycles, space and especially time.
In this chapter Dalton Minimum we explored more sounds and lyrics connected to that period of global cooling.
Trying to sensitize the listener and make him understand that events can repeat themselves and that trying to change things in our own small way can be of great help.

2. How would you describe the sonic direction of this new release compared to your previous work? Was this a conscious evolution or something more organic?

Let’s say that compared to previous works the sounds have gone in a totally deeper and more melodic direction. We thought of giving a more melodic and much less aggressive impact to try to enhance the messages contained in the lyrics as much as possible. There are more melodic approaches especially in “Walk With Me” where the ending leads directly to other settings, almost ethereal. A choice that in the end was positive both on an audience level and also on a personal level. So it was truly a conscious evolution that will also be transmitted in future works.

3. The EP delivers a mix of intensity and atmosphere—what was the writing and recording process like? Any particular challenges or breakthroughs?

The creative process of this EP was almost the same as the previous ones but it was definitely much more complex in its writing. Both on an instrumental and vocal level.
On an instrumental level the predominance of odd scores and much more complex riffs plays a lot. On a vocal level it was a real challenge for me Paul to sing in a certain way and to find techniques that I had never experimented with before.
I come from extreme Metalcore/Deathcore where such a “soft” approach is not expected. So experimenting in this way has definitely broadened my views in a more than positive way so much so that I will also use them for other personal projects.

4. “Dalton Minimum” references a real historical climate event. Are there lyrical or conceptual connections to climate, chaos, or global change in the music?

The lyrics are mainly environmental and reflect a lot on the problems of climate change, pollution and what human beings are destroying day after day. I, Paul, am very attached to these issues and when Riccardo told me that the EP was called Dalton Minimum I immediately took pen and paper and started writing down all my biggest worries about this world.
For those who don’t know, the Dalton Minimum is associated with a period of global cooling and reduced solar activity lasting about 40 years. So I still see it as a current issue even if the problems of today are much more disastrous than you think.

5. Can you walk us through the meaning or story behind one of your favorite tracks on the EP? What should listeners be paying attention to?

Walk With Me is definitely the most introspective and meaningful song. The message is very simple. Basically, in this world, always having someone who shares your values and ideas is a great stimulus to also look for the good in this strange and current world. But I think the listener can identify with it as they like while listening, as the song has various meanings and interpretations.

6. How has the reception been so far from fans and the press? Any reactions that surprised you?

We were honestly very surprised by how fans reacted to this new EP. In fact, already from the previous EP we had a leap in quality both in terms of sound and fan base. This is certainly due to a more refined and softer sound. Therefore also more accessible to an audience that does not follow this musical style.

7. What gear, instruments, or production techniques were central to capturing the sound on this record?

On this one Ricky will reply since he is the producer and mix engineer.
For this EPs series of The Aurora i decided to work in a more, let’s say realistic way.
Since we don’t have a drummer i programmed all the drums but since i’m not happy about the sound of cymbals i decided to play them by myself. So we have a programmed snares, kicks and toms and real cymbals. Than i went through the classic way i recorded DIs for basses and guitars and reamped both in my studio, Titans Lab Recording Studio.
For the bass i used a mix of darkglass alpha/omega for distorted tone and markbass stack for the real bass tone.
For guitars i used my ENGL powerball stack and lichtlaerm gehenna to add another line. I love how these two different sound mixed together.
In the end we have a quad track guitars line.
Than i called Paul and we simply started to exepriment with his amazing voice and that’s it.

8. The artwork for Dalton Minimum is striking—who designed it, and how does it reflect the music?
Still me, Ricky.
Since i’m graphic designer i used different tools for the graphic but i want something that follow the previous one, Maunder Minimum.
So i kept the idea of something monolitich and put the logo of The Aurora and i built around it a distopic world.
On Maunder Minimum something more destroyed, more in formation.
On this one Dalton Minimum i wanted something more modern but still distopic and in transition, so as you can see you have two different sides one blue, cold that comes from Maunder Minimum and another side more on the red that will lead us to the next chapter.
And like our music we are in motion.

9. How do you feel Dalton Minimum positions The Aurora in today’s metal/post-metal/extreme music landscape?

Certainly not in a niche panorama. We believe that our sound has nothing to envy to many bands, even more established ones. It’s not to be arrogant, also because humility is our daily bread, but we believe we have all the credentials to obtain even greater results than those obtained so far.

10. What are your touring or performance plans now that the EP is out? Will fans get to hear these songs live soon?

We are working to bring the project The Aurora live. So we hope that soon the fans will be able to see us live and live this experience even more deeply with us. It will be a very important event and we are super excited to do it.

11. For those new to The Aurora, what would you say makes this EP a good entry point into your sound?

Certainly being more melodic than the previous one is certainly its strong point. But also the messages we send with the lyrics are to be taken into consideration. I believe that the listener can immerse himself in a sort of sound tranquility with a splash of explosive charge in order to have the right balance to understand our current and future direction. We are always evolving and in time all of this will be revealed.
So our advice is to start with the first chapter Maunder Minimum than go through Dalton Minimum.

12. Finally, what’s next for the band—more music, collaborations, or something unexpected on the horizon?
We are already working on the third EP that will conclude the solar cycle.
Than they will probably all be collected in a single Album and who knows… Maybe there will be an additional track that will lead directly to subsequent works or maybe even a collaboration.
Surely the project The Aurora will still have many things to say and to do.
We have many ideas in the pipeline and hope to realize them all like a shower of meteorites that will reach your ears.

Thank you so much for this interview and the opportunity to talk about our new EP.