Getting to Know… Venice Revive | Interview

In the 469^th Q&A in our Getting to Know… series, we get the inside scoop from Israeli symphonic metalcore project, Venice Revive.

Describing his music, Omer Cohen, the founder and songwriter of Venice Revive, a solo project, asserts, it’s more than ‘combining old and new metalcore.’ Awesome, please, tell us more, Omer. He adds, ‘A great addition of orchestral instruments creates an amazing blend of symphonic metal and metalcore.’ The musician, from Israel, gives us the inside scoop on his symphonic metalcore project’s genesis, goals, musical influences, and current and future musical endeavors. So, without further ado, let’s jump right into Getting to Know… Venice Revive: Interview No. 469!

For those who may not be familiar with you, what would you say makes you distinct or unique? How do you rock the audience’s socks off?

My music isn’t only combining old and new metalcore, it also comes with a great addition of orchestral instruments to create an amazing blend of symphonic metal and metalcore.

Okay, let’s explore some juicy backstories. How did Venice Revive begin, and what were some of your goals or visions early?

When I listen to music, I don’t want to just enjoy the tunes, I want to feel it. I always Google the meaning behind the lyrics and try to understand the emotions the artists were trying to convey using their instruments. That’s exactly what I wanted to do. Specifically, I wanted to help people deal with things, like music helped me. The first album talks about how I dealt with the loss of my father. I wanted to help people deal with loss, too – That’s where my music comes from.

Let’s talk more about goals.  Have your goals or perspectives changed since you first started? What do your aspirations or goals look like now?

I want the whole world to listen to my music, to enjoy it. Most important of all, as mentioned above, [I want them] to be moved by it. I want people to come to my songs when they feel like they need someone who understands, and music that will help them feel better.

Everybody is influenced by somebody else. Who would you consider some of your biggest musical influences, and how are they influential?

Mostly old-school metalcore. Trivium, As I Lay Dying, Killswitch Engage, Bullet for My Valentine, Architects, Avenged Sevenfold… the list goes on and on.

Ah, the fun stuff.  What’s your craziest tour story or the wackiest thing that’s happened during a performance?  Feel free to be creative.

I wish I had something to tell, but I hope I’ll find the right people and get the chance to perform soon. For now, I’m focusing on streams.

To this point in your career, what would you describe as your favorite song you’ve recorded or performed live? What makes that song special?

“Evolution.” This song gives me goosebumps. The lyrics talk about how the human race endured and even developed through everything nature threw at it, but the real meaning behind it is my dad and how he managed to live a long, fulfilling life even though he had a serious heart condition and had to endure multiple very complicated surgeries before the age of 10. Listening to it and thinking about it… It just gives me chills.

Is there anything else awesome, cool, or left-of-center we should know about you? Secret talents or surprising tidbits?

I’m diagnosed with both ADHD and on the autistic spectrum. Maybe that’s why my brain thought of such a niche idea for a music genre, yet I believe I’m able to make my music mainstream and catchy enough to catch on.

What are you currently working on or promoting that you can share? We love secrets, but there’s no pressure.

I’m planning on releasing some covers before my second full-length album. All covers and songs that will be on the album are 90% done, so expect new things soon! I’m going in a different direction than a cover to famous pop anthems like most metalcore bands do, I chose songs that speak to me, metalcore songs, and I made them heavier and added orchestral instruments. I can’t wait for the world to hear them.

Thank you so much for sharing and taking the time to answer these questions, and best of luck moving forward.