Interview with Nick from DOOL: “»The Shape of Fluidity» is about the search for identity in a world that is constantly changing”

DOOL returns to the stage with a new European tour to present their highly anticipated third album, The Shape of Fluidity — a record that cements their dark and immersive sound, marked by introspection, mythological symbolism, and a richer, more ambitious sonic evolution. As part of this journey, the Dutch band will make two much-awaited stops in Spain: on April 29 at Wolf in Barcelona and on April 30 at Sala Nazca in Madrid. On this occasion, we spoke with the band about their career, the new album, and their connection with the Spanish audience.

THE METAL FAMILY: For those who are not yet familiar with your work, how would you describe the essence of DOOL and your evolution from the early days until now?

Nick: Broadly speaking, I would describe DOOL as a dynamic, layered, and eclectic form of dark rock music, consisting of compositions with a head and tail — as opposed to jams or soundscapes. There are catchy hooks in our songs, but I’m also convinced that you can listen to our albums many times and still discover something new. With the first two albums, the song frameworks were mostly written by our singer and guitar player, Raven. The last album, however, has been much more of a collective endeavor. Musically, I’d say the album is also a bit “heavier” than our previous work. It’s a bit of a cliché, but I think I can speak for the whole band when I say this is also the best thing we’ve done so far.

TMF: Your sound has been described as a blend of dark rock, psychedelia, doom, and post-rock. What influences or motivations have guided you in building such a distinctive musical identity?

Nick: When we write, we never stay within the conventions of a single genre. Nor have we ever discussed what we should or shouldn’t do musically. Ideas just emerge, and intuitively we know whether something is a good idea and if it sounds like DOOL. It’s a very intuitive process, and the ideas can become quite eclectic. Of course, we all have our musical influences, and they’re very broad — especially when combined as a band. Those influences go into a melting pot, and somehow that becomes our sound. But again, it’s not a conscious process. In terms of influences, I’d say they range from ‘60s psychedelic music, to both contemporary and older pop, to Queens of the Stone Age, to black metal — and everything in between.

TMF: In 2025, you released The Shape of Fluidity. What do you want to convey with this new work, and how does it differ from your previous albums?

Nick: I think that in terms of subject matter and themes, our previous album Summerland was more ethereal — “The” Summerland being a kind of reference to an ideal version of the afterlife. The Shape of Fluidity is more grounded in the contemporary world we live in. It’s an album about finding one’s identity in a world that is ever-changing, constantly in flux, and seemingly changing faster than ever — demanding more of us than ever before. It’s also about empowerment in that context. There is also a more personal element, as it deals with our singer Raven being born intersex and coming to terms with that.

TMF: The title refers to a mythological concept related to dreams. What role do symbolism and spirituality play in your music and lyrics?

Nick: Regarding the title — I wouldn’t interpret it that way. I’d say it relates to what I just talked about: our identity in a world that is forever in flux. There’s a lot of symbolism to be found in that idea, both in the title and in the artwork, which features a fluid flag made of ice. Identity can manifest in many shapes and forms, and in that sense, we can metaphorically align it with water: identity is fluid in that, especially in the contemporary (postmodern) era, we must constantly adapt — especially given the oversaturated and demanding nature of today’s world. There’s a kind of paradox in the title: a “shape” juxtaposed with the formless nature of something fluid. The fluid symbolizes identity — ever-changing.

On one hand, this connects to Raven’s personal story, being born intersex and navigating that throughout life. On the other hand, I think it’s something many people can relate to in their own ways.

The flag on the cover — a “fluid flag” made of ice — visually captures that concept of identity. A flag typically signifies group identity and serves as a totem, whether for a nation or something else (like a rainbow flag, for example). A flag is inherently tied to identity. In that way, it’s the perfect visual representation of the fluidity of identity — especially depicted as ice, which melts, symbolizing constant change.

TMF: On April 29 and 30, you’ll be performing in Barcelona and Madrid, respectively. What can the Spanish audience expect from these shows?

Nick: We’re very excited to return to Spain — it’s been too long, and we haven’t been there as much as we would’ve liked. The audience can expect a fairly long setlist featuring a lot of songs from the new album, as well as some older ones, of course.

TMF: You’ve visited Spain on previous tours. What memories do you have from those experiences, and what makes the Spanish audience special to you?

Nick: We certainly have, but it’s been a while. The first time was in Madrid in 2018, at a festival with bands like AMENRA and GODFLESH — that was really great. I also stayed a few extra days and really enjoyed wandering around Madrid — such a great atmosphere. Another show that comes to mind was in Bilbao, a couple of years ago, while we were still touring Summerland. There was a really special energy in the room, partly due to the intimate setting. That was one of those shows where the energy on stage was amplified by the energy from the crowd. You don’t get that everywhere. So far, only great experiences — we’re really excited to finally come back to Spain.

TMF: Any message you’d like to share with your Spanish fans?

Nick: I think we’ve already covered a lot, but once again — I can’t overstate how excited we are to come back! We hope to see lots of familiar and new faces at our shows in Madrid and Barcelona.

TMF: Thank you very much for your time.

DOOL

Througth the Gates of Horn and Ivory

29/04/25 – Sala Nazca – Madrid

30/04/25 –  Sala Wolf – Barcelona

Tickets here​