Melodic progressive metal, that’s how Eduardo ‘Edu’ Gil, front man of the band Sifting, describes his music — it’s an accurate description. Originating in 2010, the band got its start in Venezuela but moved to Los Angeles with the hopes of reaching a bigger audience and the move seems to be paying off. Sifting recently released a new single, ‘Nemesis,’ a cover of the Arch Enemy song of the same name. From the technical guitar and bass riffs to the pulsing drums the band takes the song and makes it their own. Eduardo – Vocals & Guitar, Joey – Drums, Mo – Guitars, Winston – Bass & Growls
Tell me a little bit about the founding of your band. Where are you come from and what inspired you to start making music
Eduardo ‘Edu’ Gil/Sifting: Winston: The band originated in Venezuela. Eduardo essentially came with most original members to the US in hopes of reaching a wider audience and eventually one thing led to another and our current lineup and us sharing similar ambitions, goals, and aspirations and loving the same things about music and Metal as well.
We are all inspired by the very fact that music connects us all and we have a platform to spread cool tunes while hopefully making a good impact in the world.
I know it’s difficult for bands to categorize themselves, but for people who might not know who you are, and are discovering you, how would you describe your music to them?
Edu: It’s a very melodic progressive metal with clean vocals. However, we also have a big influence on modern metal and other genres that are not metal, so our catalog is very versatile, with ballads, bangers, and epic 10-minute prog anthems.
Progressive metal is a fun and technically challenging genre, I love hearing the unique sounds all working together. What drew you to progressive metal and the genre as a whole?
Joey: The most important thing to me about Prog is that there are no rules because it is the one genre where you are allowed to mix as many different genres and make them work and it will be ok because it’s Prog. It’s sort of like Fusion, but Prog takes it up a notch. I have come to love all kinds of music so for me it makes sense to play Prog because it gives me the freedom to showcase all of my abilities and express all of my emotions in one single genre. It also keeps you on your toes because the learning never stops, the more complicated and harder the song is, the more I love it.
If you could put together three bands that you would love to tour, with, who would you want to see your band play with? And this can be past or present bands.
Winston: We have to start with Dream Theater. Were prog fans at heart. Guthrie Govan (The Aristocrats) and Tigran Hamasyan. Unorthodox bunch of musicians but a generous lineup!
Joey: I would love to see us tour with Metallica, Slipknot and Dream Theater.
Obviously COVID-19 impacted everybody, including musicians. What was it like as a band dealing with some of the lockdowns and other challenges of the pandemic? Did he give you more time to write more music?
Eduardo: The lockdown situation was very tough on our personal lives so we actually stopped creating music completely. The guitarist at that time decided parting ways with the band and the documentary and new album we were working on together had to basically restart from zero. So it was pretty much a new beginning for the band.
Sifting is based out of Los Angeles, California, but has its origins in Venezuela. Can you talk about what lead you to the United States in starting a band here, Andrew experience, and the differences between having a band playing in Venezuela versus the United States
Eduardo: Venezuela has a very rich music culture, including metal. However, I always wrote my lyrics in English since I grew up listening to Elton John, Queen, Metallica, etc, so it felt natural to me and the majority of people there listen to music in spanish, and radio station prioritize local talent in spanish of course. So we were always a little bit off over there even when we played big arenas and festivals. We definitely had a cap over there, and here I feel we have no limits, just creation.
You got to tour with Bullet for my Valentine what was that like for Sifting? Did that help spur your decision to head to the states?
It definitely helped with our decision to head over here. Playing with those guys have been some of the most rewarding and life-changing experiences of my life. After BFMV, We also understood a lot about our own genre and the direction we had to take in our songs.
You recently released a cover of Nemesis by Arch Enemy why did you pick that song? What does it mean to you as a band?
We picked that song because it’s almost like an anthem in the metal scene, the chorus is so catchy and the lyrics are so strong. “One for all, all for one, we are strong, we are one”. I think after everything we’ve been through because of the pandemic, covering this song means that we’re more united and stronger than ever.
What are you looking forward to in 2023 and 2024 as a band do you have any plans for tours or new music that fans can be on the lookout for?
We have a single with a music video coming out in a few short months. We’re also planning on releasing an album later this year! We’re really looking forward to sharing new music with you guys, and hitting the road to tour/play shows again soon after! Me personally I’m keeping my fingers crossed that we get to play a show with the Aristocrats! It’s always been a dream/goal of mine.
I just watched the video that said you’re working on a documentary as well about Sifting. Tell us a little bit about what you have in the works planned for that.
As far as the documentary goes, the other band members know more about that since I only joined the band recently. I imagine I’ll be added into it as a recent member, and will be providing my own background information as to how I came across the band/my experience going on the ‘Brovember’ tour with them as well as becoming a member in general.
Is there anything else you think that your fans or potential fans should know about you that you want to say to your existing fans and anything else that I might not have asked this is your time to include it!
Well after the previous questions I’m sure our fans know that new music is upcoming this year. Just know that we are all working very hard, and seriously pushing ourselves musically to surpass our limits and properly capture the essence of that! Aside from the new music and the documentary, there will be other announcements along the way so stay tuned, and as always thank you so much for your support! We love you!
I’m Music Magazine Photographer/Writer Michael Praats
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