Drew Brammell: Ever since we finished our first album in 2020 the ideas were already in my head to create an album that was a dialogue between an angel and a demon, named Hope and Suffering. I wasn't sure how I was going to do it at the time but I knew I wanted it to be an epic and have distinct musical styles from both characters. I spent years sitting on the idea and threw tons of different ideas back and forth before finding the one I liked best. However, the majority of the album actually came together after a family tragedy last year. Vannah's cousin had been diagnosed with brain cancer and the realization of her condition compared to what she had already gone through triggered the entire writing process for me. The album carries a very melancholy sound throughout due to the ongoing emotional state I was in through this difficult time. Also, the heavy-hearted nature of some of Hope's side of things can be attributed to the fact that I see our culture constantly at odds with each other. Throughout the writing process we realized this was going to be a weighty topic so we aimed to take this album very seriously.

Drew: As for the writing, this one definitely took more time because it was such a complex idea for us. We had to strike a balance between heavy metal and a rock opera, knowing that it needed to act just as much like a play as it did an album. This is when we realized we needed a narrator. The most difficult part was keeping the focus of the entire album on this one concept of bringing light to a dying world without introducing unnecessary plot points. This is why Hope starts her journey with a naive sense of confidence and then after coming face to face with her rival, Suffering, she realizes she can't undertake this task on her own. We realized we needed more characters to convey the story we wanted to tell. Thankfully we are surrounded by highly talented and willing artists and musicians that were thrilled to be a part of the experience. As for the recording, it was a fairly smooth process. I actually spent months listening to a rough version of the album with no vocals just to make sure everything fit together nicely before the real work began.

Drew: I have enjoyed the challenge of a concept album and would do it again if a story presents itself. However, since this was such a large undertaking, I am considering doing smaller projects for a while. I already have a few projects I am working on for other artists and am excited to work alongside others in this manner for now.

Drew: Initially, we designed our debut album to cover a wide range of topics using multiple genres because we wanted each song to be its own thing. Over time, however, we realized we didn't want to continue this arbitrary style, so we started writing new material with a more centralized focus. This is when we decided to release the The Forevermore EP. That album was a test demo of sorts on how we would approach our sound going forward. Not only that but my previous work on Behold the Dawn cast a shadow on how I approached the character of Suffering and the music that followed him. The rest of the music was completely inspired by some of my favorite composers like Hans Zimmer, John Williams, and James Horner.

Drew: Yes, the entire album challenges the listener to consider which voice they are listening to, like a modern day equivalent of the "demon on your left, angel on your right" trope. Both characters beckon their audience to pay attention, to hear their voice, and to listen to their words. As we mentioned, the album doesn't shy away from historically significant and culturally consequential topics that have seemed to plague humanity from the dawn of time. Both characters are essentially in a tug of war struggle to maintain influence although their motives may be different. Hope's motives are authentic and life-giving. She wants people to know the Lord and see his goodness, whereas Suffering is only in it to selfishly oppress and control humanity.

Drew: We would absolutely love to bring this experience to the stage one day but since this album was created on a tight budget, the demand would really have to be there for us to take that next step. For now we just hope our listeners can enjoy what we've created for them.

Drew: That's a great question! My all time favorite band Extol would be top of the list for me, and I'd also have to go with bands that have been highly inspiring for me, Nightwish and August Burns Red. I think that would make a great lineup for fans of heavy metal. Vannah's style is quite a bit different than mine as she steers toward British rock bands. From Vannah: it would be a dream come true for me to tour with people such as Elton John, Coldplay or The Beatles. Those are the key bands that have encouraged me to continually grow into the best singer, pianist and all around performer that I can be. It seems like my journey has been a long one, full of detours and roadblocks, but I am always discovering new ways to learn and grow as a musician and a human in general. I appreciate being able to read about the journey each of these musicians have been on because it makes me realize we are all in this together. Witnessing their stories, incredible talent and hard work gives me the motivation to never give up on my dream of being able to connect with people through music.

Drew: We can be found on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Youtube, just search Hope Beyond Suffering. I would say Facebook is our most reliable method of communication should anyone like to reach out to us.

Drew: This album could not have been possible without the love, support, and feedback we received over the last couple years from our listeners. With each new project we aim to be better than we were before, and we are excited to see what we can do with ever growing assets, talents and collaborations that come our way. We thank God for the opportunities He has given us and hope that we utilize our time and talents for His glory.