EMQs With Sunless Paradox
EMQs With SUNLESS PARADOX
What is your name, what do you play and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?
We are Sunless Paradox, a relatively young melodic metalcore band from France. We formed the band in Reims – the land of champagne, famous for its cathedral where the greatest kings of France were crowned.
How did you come up with your band name?
We initially went with the rather random name Holy Flames… Partly inspired by my time playing a Holy Priest healer on World of Warcraft (I’m Alex, the guitarist). But the name felt a bit cliché and was already taken online. So we sat down and brainstormed ideas that would better reflect our music and identity — something meaningful, cool sounding, with a story, and crucially… available online! Our bassist is a big sci-fi fan, and after about two hours of discussion, we landed on The Sunless System Paradox. That’s actually our full name, but we shortened it to Sunless Paradox. It’s powerful, evocative, and infinite — just like the universe!
What Country / Region are you from and what is the Metal / Rock scene like there?
As mentioned earlier, we come from the Champagne-Ardenne region of France, about an hour north of Paris. The local metal scene is fairly modest. Fewer and fewer bars host live shows, though we’re seeing more small festivals and showcase gigs, which help newer bands get stage experience. We’re planning to tour Belgium, the Netherlands, and possibly even the Nordic countries (Norway in particular), to bring our sound to more metal-friendly lands. We’re already confirmed to play in Luxembourg in Spring 2026, thanks to our booker, Rem’s Booking.
What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)
Our first and latest EP was released on June 25, 2025, on all streaming platforms. It’s self-titled (Sunless Paradox) because we want to spread the band’s name before exploring new themes. A music video is scheduled for early August on our YouTube channel — it will accompany the track Casus Belli.
Who have been your greatest influences?
Without a doubt, the golden era of metalcore from 2005–2010 — with bands like Bullet For My
Valentine, Trivium, and Avenged Sevenfold leading the way. That’s how I (Alex) got started, trying to learn everything that was top-tier back then.
What first got you into music?
I (Alex) have been a musician since I was 10. I’m now 27. I started with a classical guitar education — music theory, solfège — and slowly shifted as I discovered bands like Linkin Park and Slipknot in middle school. That’s when I picked up the bass, and soon realized I wanted my first electric guitar. I got one — a cheap BC Rich Warlock. Great memory! Funny enough, 12 years later, I bought another BC Rich, this time a Flying V model in pearly white. That’s the one I now use on stage. A real gem!
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
Without hesitation, it would be Bullet For My Valentine — a childhood dream. But to be honest, there are so many amazing bands out there: As I Lay Dying, All That Remains, Parkway Drive, just to name a few who’ve truly made their mark.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
Probably one of the big-name metal festivals. In France, we have Hellfest in Clisson — the ultimate goal for any French metal band. That would be a dream come true. Of course, there are even more renowned festivals around the world, especially across Europe.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
We haven’t received any actual gifts (yet!), but one fan did ask for loads of photos and even some of our personal belongings, convinced we were going to make it big and those things would be worth something. I wish her all the best!
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
A heartfelt thank you — to our fans, loved ones, and partners who support us on this journey. Nothing would be possible without them. Their encouragement, participation, and involvement in everything we do means the world to us. The effort and sacrifices we make are worth a million thank-yous.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Tough one… Chester (Linkin Park), maybe? I think I really miss him. But honestly, there are too many to name — Oli Herbert (All That Remains) was a virtuoso, and Joey Jordison… what can I say? No words. Their art left a mark on generations of fans.
*** Beth here – This was the band’s original answer, but they wish to change it now, after the news that shook the world. RIP Ozzy 03/12/1948 – 22/07/2025.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
It’s the most beautiful art form, in our opinion, a direct outlet for emotion. You can be joyful, sad, angry, merciless… all of it goes into the notes and the silences. I can’t imagine life any other way than as an artist. That said, it’s incredibly time-consuming. Time that you can’t give back to your loved ones or family. It’s a heavy choice, but a necessary one.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
The disposable, fast-paced nature of it all. We live in a fast-food world, where what we create gets brushed aside within hours for the next trend. The industry moves ruthlessly fast and leaves behind countless amazing, talented bands who will never see the fruit of their work.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums.
Off the top of my head — Fever by Bullet For My Valentine. I (Alex) know every track by heart. A true gem!
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CDs or Downloads?
Oof, tough question in the age of everything digital. I’ve known cassettes and CDs a bit — I still have some in my car, which has a CD player! That said (and at the risk of contradicting my own anti-fast-consumption stance), I’d go with digital/legal downloads. Legal being the key word here.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
We played a show at a bar called Les 1001 Bières, just outside Reims in a commercial area — it was amazing. It was our first real connection with fans, and they even asked us to sign the setlists because the show went so well. It gave us chills to see people moshing and headbanging, it made us want to give it absolutely everything on stage!
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
I (Alex) would probably be a writer. Maybe not in English, but definitely in the language of Molière!
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
That’s a tough one. There are still so many people I want to spend more time with ; my partner, close family, dear friends, and role models.
What’s next for the band?
Next step: the release of our music video at the start of next month! Then we’ll be doing rehearsals and artist residencies at La Cartonnerie de Reims, a former industrial complex converted into regional-funded rehearsal and recording studios to help bands go pro. Big shows are coming in 2026, and we’ll be recording a second EP in the second half of the year. Busy times ahead!
What Social Media / Website links do you use to get your music out to people? Please include any links
We’re on all the major platforms:
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/sunlessparadox
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Sunless_paradox/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SunlessParadox
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/fr/artist/sunless-paradox/1822790269
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/intl-fr/artist/6AabKLRMFKhzhVLJjYzwcX?utm_medium=share&utm_source =linktree
Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/fr/artist/333786011
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sunlessparadox
…and dozens of other platforms!
There’s a long-standing food-based debate here in the UK. And we’d like your help. So… A Jaffa cake – is it a cake or a biscuit? Discuss!
I think a Jaffa Cake is a cake! But hey, that’s just my opinion. We have a similar debate in France. When it comes to pain au chocolat, do you call it “p’tit pain” or “chocolatine”? Depends on what feels right to you.
Thank you for reading, we hope to hear from you soon! Don’t hesitate to reach out with more questions, we’d be thrilled to connect.
Tom Aurélien Alex (guitare) Sullivan Alex (basse)
