MetalZone met Guillaume Bernard, guitarist of Klone, to discuss The Unseenthe group’s new album released in November 2024 via Pelagic Records. Guillaume looks back on his daily life in the countryside, the creation of this album which was initially not intended for Klone, and shares his vision for the future of the group.
“I’m in the deep bush”
MetalZone: Where are you?
Guillaume Bernard (Klone) : I am on the banks of the Clain, not far from Poitiers, in Vivonne to be precise. I live a little further from Vivonne. I am in the countryside of Vivonne, which is already the countryside of Poitiers. So it’s starting to make for a pretty deep campaign, we’ll say. I have lived there for some time and I am very happy to live there.
I was in Poitiers even before and I thought I was going to miss the city. Actually, not at all. Frankly, when I return to the city of Poitiers, it gives me a surge of stress… In two or three years, things have changed quite a bit and there are plenty [de gens] who also left the city. So I don’t know many people and I don’t have any particular ties there.
MetalZone: You’re mostly in the countryside now. Do you ever go back to town, other than touring?
Guillaume Bernard (Klone) : I occasionally go back to town, to see some friends, for when we have to rehearse [avec Klone]or to see concerts. Sometimes at Confort Moderne or in surrounding rooms, often located in industrial areas. There are more and more places like that in Poitiers: “after work” places where they make beer – but I don’t drink it – and where they schedule concerts.
Lately, I was surprised to see that there were more and more people in these places, like 300 or 400 people. Like, people I’ve never seen before in the city, or at concerts. I’ve skipped so many things in recent years, people’s consumption habits have changed. Basically, I don’t go there that often. [en ville].
“I am pleasantly surprised by the reception of The Unseen”
MetalZone: How are you experiencing the reception of Klone’s new album, The Unseenwhich was released in November 2024?
Guillaume Bernard (Klone) : Overall, I am quite satisfied and pleasantly surprised. We finished our tour before the record came out, which is a special situation. But here we are, we are going to start the dates again from the end of March, next year. In the meantime, it’s cool that people can make the record their own.
I’m happy with the fact that when we play them live, people will be waiting for them because they will have listened a lot. It’s always more pleasant to listen to a record live when you know the songs a little better. With our songs sometimes taking a long time to understand, it’s pretty cool that it happens like that.
I have a lot of perspective, since some compositions are starting to date. I wasn’t expecting anything special from it. As long as I’m happy with the result, I think it’s cool. And there, the feedback is good, especially in the press reviews. Everyone is surprised that we are returning to a more atmospheric Rock sound, but it is logical given that these compositions are older than those of Meanwhile.
“This album wasn’t even supposed to be for Klone”
MetalZone: In the credits, we see that you and Yann Ligner sign the album. Have other members contributed?
Guillaume Bernard (Klone) : Yes, there are contributions on some tracks. Our bass player did 95% of his parts by himself, which was very cool. Matthieu Metzger took care of the saxophone arrangements, and it’s 100% him.
The bases of the songs, on the other hand, date back several years. At the time, it was for a side project that was supposed to be called Here Comes The Sun. Eventually the tracks became titles for Klone. It’s funny because, when we played the models, everyone told us: “That’s cool, it could be Klone.”
“I don’t think we’ll go back to nag metal”
MetalZone: What’s the next creative step for Klone?
Guillaume Bernard (Klone) : I’m already starting to work on new things, even if the album probably won’t be released before 2026. I don’t put any barriers for myself. If we like the pieces, then we validate them.
I don’t think we’ll go back to the big metal of the beginning. There might be some heavy riffs, but my current ideas are very atmospheric.
“Becoming a father gave me a new rhythm”
MetalZone: This summer, you became a father. How does this influence your life as an artist?
Guillaume Bernard (Klone) : It changes things. At 5 p.m., I have to pick up my daughter from the nanny. It’s a pretty magical experience, even if it requires organization. I have to juggle between musical creation, Klonosphere [sa boîte de distribution]and the rest.
“At the moment, I’m (re)discovering Kate Bush and French projects”
MetalZone: What are you listening to at the moment?
Guillaume Bernard (Klone) : I immerse myself in Kate Bush, whom I rediscover, and I still listen to Radiohead. I also had a good time with Untitled With Drums, a French group which surprised me. This year I listened to Wizard Must Die, Septaria, and Could Seed. I also prepare the outings [de la Klonosphère] pour 2025.
Klone’s The Unseen is available via Pelagic Records. A tour will resume in March 2025.
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