Forever in Transit, the Buffalo, NY-based progressive metal project led by songwriter, keyboardist and drummer Dan Sciolino, is set to release their brand new album, A Coming to Terms, on September 13th, 2024. The album marks the band’s return with a dynamic blend of high-energy metal and atmospheric soundscapes, exploring themes of identity, self-acceptance, and personal transformation. In this interview, Sciolino dives deep into the creative process behind the album, the evolution of the band’s sound, and the powerful philosophical ideas that shaped A Coming to Terms. Join us as we explore the journey behind this new release.

“A Coming to Terms” marks your return with a full-length album after several years. How does it differ from your previous releases, like “States of Disconnection” and “Re:Connection”?

One of the biggest differences between A Coming to Terms and our previous releases is that I wanted the writing to be more focused and intentional, while still preserving the longer song forms. For example, if you listen to some of the tracks on States of Disconnection, they have these really long, tangential bridges with lots of different ideas and unexpected changes. The songs on A Coming to Terms are still long, but I feel there is a stronger, more unified purpose informing the structure! I also spent a lot of time incorporating different motifs that pop up all over the album! 

Another big difference is the lineup on A Coming to Terms. Jeremy Schroeder returns as the guitarist – he also played on States and Re:Connection, and is the only musician besides me to play on every Forever in Transit release. Our vocalist for this album is Chris Lamendola, and his voice really suits the direction I took this album, between his clean vocals and screams.  We had a lot of fun arranging the vocals on this album!  Finally, Daniel Ross joined us on bass guitar for this release, and he even played fretless bass on two songs – “What Lies Beneath” and “A Coming to Terms”! 

Can you delve into the themes of identity, self-acceptance, and personal transformation that you explore on this album? What inspired you to focus on these concepts?

Following the release of States of Disconnection, many of the lyrics I had written explored these concepts, and they seemed to match well with the new music I had been working on at the time! The follow-up to States was originally intended to be an instrumental EP with three tracks forming a suite – “Tether”, “Void”, and “Empty” which were inspired by a character from the Avatar:The Last Airbender series. That character’s arc in the show revolves around letting go of attachment to attain greater freedom and power, and that served as a jumping-off point for me to explore it as a concept for the album! I eventually decided to expand to the seven songs that are on the album, laid out more like a journey exploring these themes, starting from initial questioning ultimately to acceptance. What I love about these themes is that I think they are universal – everyone has to come to grips with them at some point in their life! Who am I? How am I defined by the things that I attach myself to, and how does that shape my trajectory as a person?” 

The album features a mix of high-energy progressive metal and ambient soundscapes. How did you approach blending these elements to create the dynamic sonic journey on “A Coming to Terms”?

What really helps in that balance is that I am both a drummer and a keyboardist, so playing with interpretations of rhythm and contrasting those different rhythmic ideas with immersive soundscapes has been a defining aspect of Forever in Transit’s sound. I think of Forever in Transit’s music as having this push-pull balance between inertia and weightlessness. The inertia comes from our more “metal” aspect, as well as the way that the songs are structured, and this gets contrasted with more open and ambient passages, which adds a layer of intimacy and emotional depth. I have always loved music – progressive and beyond – that takes me on a journey, and I strive to incorporate that into each Forever in Transit release. 

“Enter the Void” features a guest performance by Diego Tejeida and his work on keyboards. How did this collaboration come about, and what was it like working with him?

I first met Diego when he was offering tour lessons, I think on Haken’s 10-year anniversary tour in 2017. I wanted to learn how to design sounds for Roli’s Seaboard, which is essentially a keyboard with a continuous silicone surface, so you can slide between notes, play vibrato right on each key, and control sounds in a really natural and intuitive way. I used all over the Re:Connection EP as well as the intro of our new song “Let Go Your Earthly Tether”. Fast-forward to 2020 when bands could no longer tour, and Diego, like many other touring musicians in that time, offered online lessons! After taking lessons from him, I had eventually asked him whether he would contribute a guest keyboard solo on “Enter the Void”, which he agreed to! He is very easy to work with – deeply knowledgeable, but always down to earth wanting to serve the best interest of the song! 

You’ve mentioned that Diego Tejeida also mixed the album. How did his involvement influence the overall sound and atmosphere of “A Coming to Terms”?

One of the biggest areas that Diego influenced on the album was the sense of movement through each song. He is extremely detail-oriented, and the placement of all of the different elements change subtly in interesting ways. He also spent a lot of time maximizing the impact of each song, from a narrative standpoint. A great example of this is his mix for “Empty and Become Wind”. He maintained a very delicate balance of how much low end was present throughout the song, gradually incorporating more as the song unfolds, until you get to the very last section when everything reaches its peak! He also spends a lot of time working with music that is heavily layered with lots of sound design elements, so he was a perfect fit to mix the album!

Nick Borgosz recorded the album, and Andy VanDette handled the mastering. How did their expertise contribute to the final product?

If there is a word to describe Nick, it is meticulous! He recorded the drums, vocals, guitars, and some of the bass for the album, and when I record with him, I know that I am always going to capture the best takes I am capable of. He has a great ear for nuance, and will usually push and give feedback to get that extra 10% in a take! He also mixed our previous releases, States of Disconnection and Re:Connection.

Working with Andy was a great experience! He mastered many of my favorite artists, including Porcupine Tree, Devin Townsend, and VOLA, so I knew he was the perfect guy for the job! I was very satisfied with Diego’s mixes, but Andy’s masters just took the songs to another level! He is originally from the Buffalo, New York area where Forever in Transit is based. He also mastered another Buffalo based prog band called Turning Virtue, including their newest album He Held the Sun Captive, which I played keyboards on!

The album opens with “Let Go Your Earthly Tether,” which sets the stage for the overarching narrative. Can you talk about the significance of this track in relation to the album’s themes?

“Tether” introduces many of the themes of the album by posing them as questions. Our narrator is at a place where they are frustrated, unsure of who they are or the direction they should take. “Who am I in relation to everything else? Where do I end, and the world begins?” Their attachments are perceived as tethers holding them back from their goal of inner peace. They wonder what would happen if they were to let go, but are afraid of the outcome. Emotionally, to me, Tether balances rage, fear, and desperation with an uplifting sense of hope! From more of a musical standpoint, I think Tether is a good representation of what to expect from the rest of the album – contrast between atmosphere and more driving sections, and lots of layering! There are also many motifs presented in “Tether” that pop up in other songs – keep an ear out!

Each track on the album represents a chapter in the journey of self-identity. How did you structure the album to reflect this narrative arc?

The album starts at a place where the narrator is questioning where they are in life and asking fundamental questions about who they are, especially when you strip away external attachment. From there, each track unveils a different step in the journey, until we arrive at a place where the narrator is at a place where they can fully accept the person they are, as they are, realizing that integrity to self is what will allow them to reach the goal they are after. Along the way, they have to navigate the pitfalls of their own biases and attachments, fears and insecurities, and emerge on the other side a better person.

It begins with the track “Let Go Your Earthly Tether”, which explores the challenge of unraveling the different biases and attachments that make it difficult to identify yourself, and the urge to discard those ties in a desperate effort to find inner peace. “What Lies Beneath” navigates the relationship between ourselves and the self-rationalizing narrative that we spin that compromises our identity. “Streams of Thought” is about the frustrations that we encounter when we try to find meaning or inner peace – it can take countless attempts or approaches and sometimes we arrive more lost than we began. “I Cling to Threads” represents the difficulty of letting go of our wants and expectations, even if they actually are the root cause of our suffering. “Enter the Void” deals with actuality and impermanence, and the idea that once we set aside all of the things we are supposed to “do” or “be”, then we are actually free to become anyone or anything that we can imagine. “Empty and Become Wind” deals with self-actualization, building on the themes presented in earlier songs as a culmination of becoming the person you were always meant to be. “A Coming to Terms” is the final step in the journey – learning to love and accept the person that you are, and to wield your identity with honesty and integrity. 

“Empty and Become Wind” is described as the emotional climax of the album. What does this track represent in the context of the album’s story?

“Empty” is the fallout from the chaos of “Enter the Void”. It represents weathering a lot of hurt and pain, and emerging on the other side changed. Not necessarily in a good or bad way, but accepting the change, leaning into it fully, and making the most of it – turning it into a source of inner strength. The narrator is finally at a place where they can let go of things that no longer serve them. If the worst that can happen is that we lose everything, we are then free to act with limitless potential! “Empty” was the song I enjoyed working on the most!

Lyrically, you’ve explored various philosophical and spiritual perspectives on the album. Which philosophies or teachings influenced you the most during the writing process?

I had to spend a lot of time researching and studying different sources while working on the lyrics for A Coming to Terms. I’d say that lyrically, there are perspectives informed by bits and pieces of Existentialism, Taoism, Stoicism, Buddhism, psychology, cognitive science, and modern physics. I find it incredibly fascinating how each area can offer different insight or shed new light on a problem especially in the context of the main themes of the album, so I wanted to treat each source as a different lens! I am by no means an expert in any of these areas, but in general, I love learning and trying to see things from as many different perspectives as I can!  I think the biggest challenge was to create a cohesive and unique tone lyrically for the album while incorporating all of these different influences, without getting too repetitive or too derivative.

You’ve mentioned that the album is deeply personal and reflects your own experiences in self-discovery. How did you balance this personal journey with making the album relatable to listeners?

I wanted to focus much more on the emotional processing rather than specific situations, which I think helps to make the songs more generalizable. I didn’t want the album to be about “me” specifically – I always hope my music can resonate with people in a way that is relevant to their life at that moment. I especially hope that my work can help people, or at the very least, help them to find some insight in what they are going through. 

I have always considered Forever in Transit to be a vehicle to document my growth both as a musician and as a person. With each release, I want to progress in some dimension – songwriting, technical proficiency, or ability to create a more moving emotional experience! Forever in Transit’s music is intended to be an honest portrayal of where I am at a moment in time – lyrically, what moves me, what am I working through in my own life, and what I have experienced. That sentiment is where the project name came from – Forever in Transit – I am always a work in progress. 

Progressive metal is known for pushing boundaries. How do you feel “A Coming to Terms” pushes the boundaries of modern progressive metal?

I don’t know at this time whether A Coming to Terms truly pushes the boundaries of modern prog metal in terms of doing things that have never been done before – I think I wear a lot of my influences on my sleeve in that regard. However, I do feel that the album presents modern prog in a very dynamic way, and that the push-pull approach between inertia and ambience I had mentioned earlier is uniquely implemented. At the end of the day, I’ll leave it up to fans of the genre to decide if this work pushes any boundaries! 

With this album, what message or feeling do you hope listeners take away from their experience?

I hope listeners feel unburdened after listening to this album.  Music has always been an incredible source of catharsis for me, so I hope I can offer this album so others can feel that same emotional release! I also hope that the concepts I explored resonate with people, and that it can help others to view themselves through a more positive and accepting lens. 

The title track, “A Coming to Terms,” closes the album with a sense of acceptance and self-love. Can you share more about how this track encapsulates the album’s themes?

The underlying message of “A Coming to Terms” is acceptance for the person you are in spite of circumstance, your perceived flaws, or the challenges you have faced. Like a stone being worn smooth by the waves, our narrator arrives at a place of calmness and inner peace, living with integrity and newfound purpose. I decided to represent this by losing some of the metal edge from the previous tracks, leaning more into prog rock territory. The album both opens and closes with a stack of vocals singing “Let go…”, bringing the listener back to the start of the journey on “Let Go Your Earthly Tether”

As the release date approaches, how are you preparing to share “A Coming to Terms” with the world? Are there any plans for live shows or special events?

I’m already working on a follow-up album to A Coming to Terms, so that will be taking much more of a focus following this release, as well as continuing to promote A Coming to Terms. I am also working on developing Forever in Transit into a live act as well, most likely initially limited to the Western New York area! That is particularly exciting to me because until this point Forever in Transit has existed exclusively as a studio project!

Forever in Transit’s A Coming to Terms is out on September 13. The album is available on Bandcamp. Follow the band Facebook and Instagram.