For many artists, a debut release serves as an introduction. For Faust, the creative force behind London-based solo metal project MeK, it's the opening doorway into something far more ambitious. Blending modern metal, industrial textures, cinematic atmospheres and philosophical exploration, MeK is an evolving audiovisual world that challenges perceptions of reality while inviting listeners to question their understanding of existence itself.
With the release of Unawaken, Faust presents the first chapter in a long-gestating creative journey. In this interview, he discusses the origins of MeK, the concepts driving the project, the freedom of self-production and how years of musical experience have shaped a sound that is as thought-provoking as it is powerful.
Who is answering the questions?
Me, Faust, the guitarist, songwriter and producer behind MeK, which is a solo metal project based in London.
How did you get to the band name, and what does it mean to you?
The name MeK actually goes back quite a few years to an earlier band of mine called MekanizM. When that chapter ended, I continued developing my own music and ideas, and over time the name evolved into MeK.
I liked the idea of keeping that connection to where everything started, while giving it a new identity.
Today, MeK represents something much bigger than a band name. It’s become an entire audiovisual universe where music, philosophy and imagery are interconnected, exploring human perception, transformation and our relationship with the unknown.
When did you realise that you wanted to do music full time?
Music has been part of my life for as long as I can remember.
My father used to play Beethoven symphonies to me when I was a baby to get me to sleep, so I suppose the seeds were planted pretty early! As a kid, I actually wanted to become an architect, but once I discovered the guitar and started exploring rock and metal, music gradually took over.
I don’t think there was one particular moment when I decided this was what I wanted to do. It became something I simply couldn’t imagine my life without. Whether I’m writing, recording, producing or performing, music has remained a constant throughout my life.
How did the idea for your latest release come about?
Unawaken grew out of my fascination with human perception, consciousness and the way we construct our understanding of reality.
The title itself is deliberately paradoxical. It’s about that moment when you realise that what you believed was an awakened understanding of existence might actually have been another illusion. The song explores this through two opposing minds: one holding on to familiar beliefs and established perceptions, and the other questioning everything it thought it knew.
Musically, I wanted that tension to be reflected in the contrast between aggressive modern metal, industrial electronics and cinematic atmosphere, with elements of my classical and flamenco influences finding their way into the composition. It also became the natural starting point for the wider MeK audiovisual concept, introducing the philosophical themes that will continue to develop through future releases.
Can you tell us about the themes and influences that run through out?
A lot of the themes running through MeK come from my fascination with philosophy, consciousness, spiritual alchemy and the nature of human existence. I’m particularly interested in the relationship between what we perceive as reality and what might exist beyond our understanding of it.
Questions about identity, transformation, duality and the boundaries of human perception are recurring elements throughout the project. Musically, my influences are quite diverse. Modern and extreme metal form the foundation, but classical music, flamenco, Middle Eastern music, industrial electronics and cinematic soundscapes have all shaped the way I write.
I’ve always been drawn to contrasts, whether that’s brutality against melody, organic instruments alongside electronics, or ancient philosophical ideas expressed through modern music. Ultimately, I want those different elements to feel like parts of the same world rather than separate influences competing for attention.
Who produced the release, and what were they like to work with (If you produced it yourself, then what do you love the most about working that way?)
I produced Unawaken myself, as I do with all the music for MeK. One of the things I love most about working this way is having the freedom to follow an idea wherever it takes me, without having to compromise the original vision. I can spend hours experimenting with arrangements, guitar tones, electronic textures or orchestral elements until everything feels like it belongs together.
Of course, being responsible for so many aspects of the creative process can be a bit of a rabbit hole! There’s always one more detail to tweak, one more layer to explore or one more idea to try. That said, I absolutely hate mixing my own music! That’s where having people like Matt Hyde, Joel Wanasek and Scott Elliott involved makes all the difference. They bring their incredible experience and expertise to the mixing and mastering process. They’re absolute pros, and having that level of talent involved is invaluable in making the music sound the way it's supposed to. For me, it’s the ideal balance. I get complete creative freedom during the writing and production process, while trusting the right people to help bring everything to its full potential.
How would you say that the sound of the band has grown/changed over the last couple of years?
I think the biggest change has been learning how to bring all my different musical influences together without feeling the need to separate them. In the past, I might have approached a heavy riff, an electronic passage or a classical-inspired arrangement as quite distinct ideas. Over time, I’ve become much more comfortable allowing those elements to coexist naturally within the same composition.
While MeK has been developing quietly in the background, I’ve remained active in the metal scene for over 15 years, playing with different bands, including Damim for the past decade and, more recently, performing as a live bassist for Lowen. Those experiences have undoubtedly contributed to my growth as a musician, even though MeK has always been a very personal creative outlet.
I’ve also become increasingly interested in dynamics, atmosphere and the emotional journey of a song, rather than simply making everything heavier or more technically complex. What people are hearing from MeK now is really the result of years of experimentation, experience and refinement. And I certainly don't consider that process finished. If anything, I feel like I’m only just getting started!
What do you want your latest release to do for the representation of the band?
More than anything, I want Unawaken to establish what MeK is about, both musically and conceptually.
It’s the first time I’ve properly opened the doors to a project I've been developing privately for years, so it's important to me that people experience it as more than just another metal release.
The music is obviously at the heart of everything, but the visuals, philosophy and underlying narrative are equally important parts of the identity I'm building. I’m not particularly interested in fitting MeK into a specific category or chasing what's currently popular. I’d much rather people discover something that feels distinctive, sparks their curiosity and hopefully makes them want to explore further.
Ultimately, Unawaken is an introduction, not a definitive statement of everything MeK can be. There’s a much bigger picture still waiting to unfold!
What else can we expect to see from the band in 2027?
There’s definitely plenty more to come!
Unawaken is only the first chapter of a much larger musical and audiovisual journey. I already have more music ready for release, and I'm looking forward to gradually sharing it and expanding the world of MeK. Beyond that, I’d love to explore more collaborations with other creative minds, continue developing the project’s musical and philosophical identity and, most importantly, keep releasing music!
There’s a lot I’ve been quietly building over the years, and it’s exciting to finally start sharing it.
While Unawaken introduces listeners to the world of MeK, it's clear that Faust sees this release as only the beginning of a much larger narrative. Driven by a fascination with consciousness, identity and the unknown, he has created a project that refuses to be confined by genre labels or expectations, choosing instead to explore the space where music, philosophy and visual storytelling converge.
If this first glimpse is anything to go by, MeK is poised to become far more than a solo metal venture. With additional music already waiting in the wings and an expansive creative vision continuing to unfold, Faust's journey is only just beginning, and it's one that promises to reward listeners willing to venture beyond the surface.
Keep up to date with MeK’s whereabouts at the following sites.
‘Unawaken’ Official Music Video
