Artist Spotlight is a segment that we started to introduce our listeners to some deserving up and coming artists/bands that have made an impact on us for all of the right reasons.  We think they kick ass and we hope you do too! Today, we’d like to introduce you to Montreal’s symphonic melodic metal band Gone in April. 

Recognized for their unique blend of power and melody, Gone in April came to international attention in 2011, with the release of their debut album, We Are But Human, uniting musicians from Canada, Italy, Germany and USA.

Following the release, the band performed in North America and in Asia, co-headlining The Great Indian Octoberfest in Bangalore, India (Asia), a 3-day festival with an attendance of 60 000, with Children of Bodom. Gone in April also headlined the WaveTransform Festival 2014 (North America), as well as other events in the USA.

In 2016, Gone in April released their 2nd album, Threads of Existence, consisting of a new line-up from the USA and Canada and performed in both countries. With Threads of Existence, Gone in April reinforced its unique sound, weaving technical death metal riffs with classical voice and strings, folk melodies with aggressive growls and powerful drumming.

In the Fall of 2019, the band released its 3rd album, Shards of Light, and supporting music videos before joining Eluveitie and Korpiklaani on a 4-week North American Tour.

Here’s a fun little Q&A session that we got to do with Gone in April’s Julie Bélanger Roy (Violin/Viola and Vocals). 

All superheroes and villains have an origin and a band is no different, minus the secret government experiments and radioactive spiders.  What’s the origin of Gone in April?

 Julie Bélanger Roy/Gone in April: Let’s just start by saying that I don’t dislike being compared to a superhero or supervillain! Gone in April was originally founded by Felix Schumacher, a German guitarist. Yanic joined the team on drums and, since the music was very melodic, he thought my vocals would fit well in the mix. After I joined, Chicco Parisi, an Italian bassist, also joined the band. USA, Canada, Germany and Italy together. Over time, we had some line-up changes with virtuosos Steve Di Giogio taking up bass duty, and Marc-André Gingras on the guitar. Aaron Rogers joined on the growls, and Simon Gagnon joined on guitar. Everybody comes from a different musical background and brings his own influence to the music, creating a blend that is very melodious, but also technical and powerful.

What’s in a band’s name? It can be a cool story or sometimes just a random name picked. What about Gone in April?

In our first album, We Are But Human, we tell the fictional story of a crusader who keeps a journal of his journey. The last entry in the journal is on the last day of April. As we follow him on his journey, we also open a window on human condition. The name of the band is related to his story.

Some artists know exactly when they knew music was their path. For some, it was when they saw The Beatles on Ed Sullivan or heard a classic album that really moved them.  Do you remember when you were bitten by the music bug?

As a child, my dad would bring me to his violin lessons and fed me chocolate as a treat when I behaved. It did not take long before I asked for violin lessons as well (was it the chocolate? We’ll never know…) Also, my mom was a nurse and I always admired how she brought comfort to so many people. I wanted to bring something good to the world as well and music became my way of making a difference.

Is there something in your music collection that might surprise even your most die-hard fans?

My music collection is quite eclectic… I think my Jacques Brel albums might surprise a few fans haha!

If you could play any character in any movie or television show, who would you want to be?

I think I would want to be Lagertha from the series Vikings. The character has so many qualities. She is a total bad-ass warrior, she is highly intelligent, beautiful, has an iron will, but is compassionate and there for the ones she loves. I think that’s an amazing combination.

By I’m Music Magazine Owner/Editor Johnny Price