Switzerland metalcore outfit Vicious Rain are set to release their sophomore album entitled The Anatomy of Surviving on March 13th. Vicious Rain’s guitarist Mauro Gugerli spoke with Metal Express Radio about the upcoming album, growth within the band, hopes for Vicious Rain’s future, and more. Check out the chat below!
Metal Express Radio: Vicious Rain are set to release their second album entitled The Anatomy of Surviving on March 13th, what can you tell fans about the upcoming release?
Gugerli: With The Anatomy of Surviving, we genuinely feel like we’ve taken a huge step forward as a band. It might sound cliché, but this truly is our best work yet. Every song feels more intentional and more refined. We pushed ourselves creatively and emotionally, and we’re incredibly proud of how it all came together. As Vicious Rain, our goal has always been to grow, not just musically, but also in how deeply we connect with people. This record captures that growth. It’s heavier in moments, more vulnerable in others, but above all, it feels authentic to who we are right now.
MER: How was the writing and recording process, being your second album?
Gugerli: The writing process felt very different this time. In the beginning, it was actually a bit slow because we were experimenting a lot. Especially with different guitar tunings and song keys to find what would suit my voice best and give the songs a stronger identity. We really took our time to explore new territory instead of just repeating what we had done before. But once we found the direction that felt right, everything started to flow naturally. The ideas kept coming, and the songs came together in a very organic way. It felt inspiring rather than forced.
We teamed up again with Manuel Renner from Überlärm Studios, who we’ve worked with before and who really understands our vision. On top of that, we had Michael Hirst from Mixed Signal Studios contribute to a few of the new songs, which brought a fresh perspective and new energy into the process.
Overall, it felt like a natural evolution for us, more confident, and more willing to take creative risks.
MER: Did the whole process seem easier as compared to your first album entitled There Is Beauty In Letting Go?
Gugerli: I’d say yes. Going into The Anatomy of Surviving, we already had that foundation. We knew how to communicate better, how to handle disagreements in a productive way, and how to bring out the best in each other. There was more trust, more confidence, and less second-guessing.
So while we still challenged ourselves artistically, the overall process felt more natural and focused. Like we truly understood our identity as Vicious Rain.
MER: How would you compare The Anatomy of Surviving to There Is Beauty In Letting Go?
Gugerli: To keep it simple: There Is Beauty In Letting Go is about hope. The Anatomy of Surviving, on the other hand, is about the journey toward hope. The first record feels like the light at the end of the tunnel. It’s about letting go, healing, and finding something positive to hold on to. The new album dives much deeper into what comes before that. It explores survival, confrontation, pain, regret, isolation. All the uncomfortable and messy emotions you have to face before you can even begin to see hope again.
If the debut was the resolution, this one is the struggle that leads you there.
MER: You’ve released four songs from The Anatomy of Surviving, do you feel those songs give the fans a good idea on what to expect from the full album?
Gugerli: The four singles we’ve released give a very honest and accurate impression of what the full record sounds and feels like. They capture the emotional weight, the intensity, and the atmosphere that define this album.
At the same time, there’s still more depth to discover. The full record takes you through different shades of vulnerability and heaviness. Some moments are darker and more confrontational, others are more reflective and fragile.
MER: What do you see as plans for yourself and Vicious Rain after the album is released?
Gugerli: Our main goal is simple: we just want to get out there and play as many shows as possible. For us, touring is where the songs truly come alive. That’s where we connect with people face to face, share the energy, and experience those raw, emotional moments together. We put so much into this record, and the next step is to bring it to stages everywhere we can.
MER: Is there anyone you hope to tour with and why?
Gugerli: We’d absolutely love to tour with While She Sleeps. They’ve been a huge inspiration for us. Their energy on stage, their connection with their fans, and the emotion they put into their music really resonate with us. Sharing a tour with them would feel like a full-circle moment, especially because their music has influenced us in so many ways while shaping our own sound as Vicious Rain.
MET: Is there anywhere you hope to play live and why?
Gugerli: We’d love to tour the United States, Australia, and Japan. Those would definitely be bucket list moments for us. Each of those places has such a strong and passionate alternative and metal scene, and we’ve seen how intense and dedicated the crowds can be.
Playing there would not only be a huge milestone for us as a band, but also a chance to connect with completely new audiences and experience different cultures through music.
MER: What are your hopes for the future of Vicious Rain?
Gugerli: We want to keep pushing ourselves creatively, writing honest songs that truly reflect where we are in life, and never become comfortable or predictable. If we can continue evolving with every release, that would already be a huge achievement.
Of course, we also hope to take this as far as possible. Touring the world, playing bigger stages, but more than anything, we just want to build something that lasts. A band that feels real, that connects with people on a deep level, and that we can look back on one day and say: we gave it absolutely everything we had.
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