Apolinara, an endless fight with inner demons

Symphonic gothic metal artist APOLINARA’s new album Shadows and Signs is a beautifully powerful offering. Raised in Ukraine and now based in the USA, APOLINARA draws inspiration from her travels and delivers a powerful message about facing the endless fight with inner demons.

“Shadows and Signs is my first full length musical baby. No wonder I feel very sentimental but fierce about it. I’m excited to share it with the world as my personal manifest of inspiration and inner fight with personal demons. Let’s Fire UP!”

Professionally trained as a singer/songwriter and piano player, APOLINARA took destiny into her own hands creating the project to write music she loves. Shadows and Signs sees APOLINARA transcend into their next chapter pushing their song writing and production further than before. Creating a fully immersive atmosphere, the new album opens with a haunting introduction comprised of delicate piano melodies and an ethereal choir. From the fast-paced, high-energy heaviness of “Wonderful” to the gentle and emotive “We Had It All”, APOLINARA’s new release explores a wide range of styles. APOLINARA segues seamlessly between an array of musical influences and instrumental arrangements. Each track brings something different to the record while remaining faithful to the symphonic, gothic roots.

Shadows and Signs is a thrilling odyssey venturing into the realms of dark emotions, balanced with the light. Highly crafted composition and production take this release to a new level bringing the themes of the album to life.

MUSICWEBZINE – Hi there, first of all, tell us something about the band
APOLINARA – Hi! Apolinara is my solo project. I’m an independent Symphonic Gothic Metal artist, singer/songwriter and piano player. On February 22, 2022 I’m releasing my first album “Shadows and Signs”. It consists of 11 tracks. All songs were written, arranged and sung by me. Also I recorded them with following session musicians – Alexander Kasiarum (drums), Vyacheslav Khabarov (lead, rhythm and bass guitars), Tatyana Krasavina (cello), Julia Polishchuk (violin) and Fabian Morales (growls). It’s important to mention a special collaboration on the acoustic version of the song “Slowly” with a unique glass harpist Brien Engel. The album is produced by Max Morton (JinJer, Ignea, Bare Infiniti, etc.)

MUSICWEBZINE – Which is the main theme of your album ?
APOLINARA – “Shadows and Signs” is my first full length album. Few years ago I was in a very dark place, I almost gave up on myself as an artist. “Shadows and Signs” is my personal manifest of the Warrior of Light. I guess I can say that the main theme of the album is quite mystical – an endless fight with inner demons.

MUSICWEBZINE – What about the cover and the title of your album ?
APOLINARA – The cover art was made by Nello Dell’Omo. I had a very clear vision what I want to see on the frontal cover – I’m looking on the dragon shaped candle through the smoke. There are 2 more artworks on the back and inside of the CD. All of them have a common mystical message – I’m lightning the Path where Music evokes Magic.

MUSICWEBZINE – Which bands has influenced your sound ?
APOLINARA – I was raised on the blend of classical music and Heavy Metal. Since teenaged times I became a fan of Therion, Moonspell and Lacrimosa. Later on I discovered Nightwish. My current followers told me there are a lot of Within Temptation, Amaranthe, Delain, Evanescence and Liv Kristin vibes in my music. I think it’s very important to ask opinion of your listeners in order to grow your audience productively.

MUSICWEBZINE – Do you think that we can still live only on music?
APOLINARA – Unfortunately, we need to eat daily. I understood your question, but I can’t answer for everyone. Of course, it’s possible.You need to answer 2 “how’s” – how do you want to live? and how can you reach these goals? I know I wouldn’t be able to live the way I want to only on my music at this point. That’s why I’m teaching music and investing a lot of time to learn more about music marketing and stuff.

MUSICWEBZINE – That’s all!! greeted our readers with a message!
APOLINARA – Thank you for having me! It was a pleasure to chat with you. To all beautiful readers – please, support independent music; stay true to yourself, follow your Path, never give up; check out my album “Shadows and Signs”, and let’s Fire Up