In the often oversaturated subgenre of female-fronted metal, there are a few standouts and many who are just there.  Still, there are a few bands who benefit from a bigger name in the metal scene, and that is where Stream of Passion begins their story.  Originally started by Arjen Lucassen as a side project, Stream of Passion has since become a full time band that centers around the vocal talents of Marcela Bovio.  With a new album out in Darker Days, Bovio took some time to talk to Metal Psalter about what makes Stream of Passion what they are today.

Peter: For those who may not know about Stream of Passion, would you mind saying a few things about the band?

Marcela Bovio: Stream of Passion is a Dutch/Mexican symphonic metal band; it started out in 2005 as a collaboration project from Arjen Lucassen and yours truly, but nowadays has a new line-up and has evolved into a full time band.

Peter: Originally, the band was formed by Arjen Lucassen in 2005.  At what point was it decided that Stream of Passion could stand on its own and how would characterize your relations with Lucassen right now?

Marcela Bovio: Arjen decided to leave the band in the beginning 2007 after a small tour we did through Europe.  We didn’t really know what would happen when we decided to go on without him.  We just thought the band had brought us so much joy that it would be a shame to call it quits, so we jumped into the deep and kind of started from scratch, found new band members, and moved on forward.

We do see Arjen now and then. We like to drop by, share our new music and hear what he’s been working on as well. He doesn’t collaborate on the writing/production of Stream of Passion at all anymore, though.

Peter: What are some of your personal influences?

Marcela Bovio: I like to listen to different kinds of music.  I like metal, progressive rock, jazz, world music, and classical.  My friends go a little nuts when my iPod is on shuffle!

Peter: In 2009, Stream of Passion was signed to Napalm Records.  How did that deal come about and how has it worked out to this point?

Marcela Bovio: We worked on a few demo songs with the new line-up back in 2008 and started looking for a label. Napalm offered us a good deal and we knew they have a good name in the symphonic-gothic metal scene, so we were sure they could bring our music to a whole new audience, since our previous album was released with InsideOut, a more progressive metal label. So far the collaboration has worked out really well!

Peter: The band’s third album Darker Days will be coming out soon.  What can you say about the album from a production standpoint?

Marcela Bovio: I think it’s our best sounding album to date. We worked very thoroughly on the arrangements of the songs, also keeping in mind how to give all instruments its own space in the mix.  We achieved a more organic sound where the guitars really take the lead on the heavy parts and the strings and piano get lots of room on the more atmospheric, soft parts.

Peter: For the last album The Flame Within, a video was shot for “In the End.”  Are there any plans to shoot a video for a song from the new album and if so, would you mind saying a few things about it?

Marcela Bovio: We have no specific plans for a video clip at the moment, although we are considering some other form of video documentary of a show or something similar.  We’ll see!

Peter: Are there any plans for shows in the near future?

Marcela Bovio: We have some dates planned in Europe and Belgium.  Hopefully, we’ll be announcing some more touring dates through Europe for later this year or early next year.

Peter: Is there anything else that you would like to add?

Marcela Bovio: A big hello and lots of good wishes to the staff and readers of Metal Psalter! I hope you enjoy our new album Darker Days and I sure hope we get a chance to visit and give a show near you in the future.

Stream of Passion's Marcela Bovio

Interviewer: Peter

June 29, 2011

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(Click on Photo to Enlarge)

Formed: 200
  Netherlands
Label: Napalm Records
Genre:  Progressive Metal/Rock

CURRENT LINE-UP:

Marcela Bovio:  Vocals
Eric Hazebroek:  Guitars
Stephan Schultz:  Guitars
Johan van Stratum:  Bass
Jeffrey Revet:  Keyboards
Martijn Peters:  Drums

DISCOGRAPHY:

Embrace the Storm (2005)
Live in the Real World CD/DVD (2006)
The Flame Within (2009)
Darker Days (2011)