hideclose: “I’ve always loved stories and how music can tell one”
From the shadows of Berlin emerges hideclose, the Gothic Metal and atmospheric Rock project created by Lenn Vane — a composer and storyteller who transforms music into narrative. His debut EP, Nocte Mutamur (By Night We Are Changed), presents itself as a true gothic novella in five movements, where heavy riffs, somber ambience, and literary influences intertwine to follow the journey of a protagonist on the brink of transformation.
By Sandra Pinto
More than a musical release, Nocte Mutamur is a narrative experience that explores spirituality, psychological horror, and the sacred grotesque through the eyes of the enigmatic Professor Dario Valperga, in a Victorian London steeped in mystery. In this interview, Lenn Vane reveals the creative process behind the EP, his influences, the symbols that shape each track, and how he intends to expand this visual and sonic universe.
Nocte Mutamur unfolds like a Gothic novella. What inspired you to create a narrative-driven EP?
I’ve always loved stories and how music can tell one. With Nocte Mutamur, I wanted each song to feel like a chapter, following Dario the protagonist of the story through his fears, dreams, and changes. I didn’t just want songs that sounded good on their own. I wanted them to fit together and create a journey people could really get lost in.
Can you tell us more about Professor Dario Valperga and his journey through the five tracks?
Dario is a lonely religion professor in London, 1889. Brilliant, but troubled, he struggles with depression and phobias. Haunted View shows him facing his inner demons in a dreamlike forest. Sacred Play challenges his beliefs through a mysterious ritual. The Darkness Draws Near reveals that even a “proper” life can’t escape inner shadows. In A Fatal Meeting, he witnesses a murder in a dream that turns out to be real, pushing him to the edge. The final track shows his transformation under the full moon liberating, but open-ended.
How did you decide which events or themes to explore in each track?
I focused on the moments that shaped him the most like facing fears, questioning beliefs, confronting dark truths. Each track highlights a key turning point so listeners can feel his journey and evolution.
The EP mixes horror, the grotesque, and spirituality. How do these elements connect in your storytelling?
For me, they’re all ways to explore the unknown both in the world and within ourselves. Horror and the grotesque show Dario’s fears, while spirituality adds a layer of mystery and reflection. Together, they make the story intense, emotional, and a little unsettling like facing your own shadows and demons.
Victorian London, 1889, is the setting for Nocte Mutamur. Why did you choose this period and place?
It’s rich and atmospheric, a time of strict rules and hidden darkness. London almost becomes a character itself, with fog, gas lamps, and secrets, which really enhances the Gothic and psychological tone of the EP.
How do you blend gothic metal, doom, and alternative influences while maintaining a cohesive story?
I focus on the mood first. Each genre gives me different textures, so I pick whatever fits the feeling of the moment. As long as the atmosphere stays true to the story, the styles naturally fall into place.
Can you describe your creative process when writing the music for such a cinematic concept?
I start with the music melodies, riffs, or atmospheres that feel right for Dario’s world. Then I layer lyrics, vocals, and other elements to match the emotions and events of each scene.
Are there specific musical motifs or recurring elements that represent characters or themes?
Yes, certain melodies, chords, or instruments represent Dario, his fears, or key moments. Those recurring elements keep the EP connected and give it a cinematic feel.
How do the lyrics interact with the music to enhance the narrative?
The music sets the mood dark, tense, eerie and the lyrics guide you through Dario’s thoughts and feelings. Together, they tell the full story.
The lyric video for “Haunted View” is visually haunting. How important is visual storytelling for hideclose?
Absolutely. Music sets the tone, but visuals deepen the experience. For Haunted View, the goal was to match the dark, eerie atmosphere and let people feel the story visually as well as musically.
Do you plan to release more videos or visual interpretations for the other tracks?
Yes, definitely. Each track has its own mood, and visuals help bring the story to life, making the EP even more immersive. I think the next one will be the lyric video of Sacred Play.
Your work often explores spiritual decay, obsession, and transformation. Are these personal fascinations, literary influences, or both?
Both. I’m fascinated by these themes personally, they’re part of human nature. But I’m also inspired by Gothic and psychological literature, which dive into obsession, fear, and transformation in dramatic ways.
Gothic literature clearly informs Nocte Mutamur. Which authors or works influenced you the most?
Poe and Stoker were huge for setting mood and tension. Classic Gothic novels inspired the sense of isolation and fear, and Dante’s Divine Comedy influenced some of the darker, introspective moments.
How do you balance darkness and beauty in your compositions?
Darkness and beauty go hand in hand. Heavy riffs and eerie melodies create tension, but moments of melody or emotion provide release. That contrast makes Dario’s journey feel real both terrifying and amazing.
Do you plan to continue hideclose as a narrative-driven project in future releases?
I’m not entirely sure yet. After the trilogy of EPs, I might write a new story for a full album, or I might take hideclose in a completely different direction. I want to leave it open and see where the music and the journey take me.
How do you hope listeners will experience Nocte Mutamur, as music, story, or both?
I hope they experience it as both music and story.
Are there any upcoming performances or collaborations that fans should look forward to?
I can’t reveal everything yet, but fans can expect live shows, visual content, and some surprises that expand Dario’s world. It’s going to be immersive, and I’m excited to share it.
Bandcamp here