Lucian Fhor of The Whispering: “We have no interest in the changing music trends. A wise sage once told me, “If you don’t feel it, nobody will”
The Whispering is a Los Angeles-based heavy metal outfit led by Lucian Fhor and accompanied by an elite lineup of seasoned musicians, including legendary drummer Dirk Verbeuren.
At the end of April, the unit unleashed The Whispering - Part 1, a four-track EP that lays the foundation for a broader ten-song journey set to be completed in the months ahead.
After quickly falling in love with the record, I reached out to The Whispering, hoping that one of its members would be keen for a little chat. I'm happy to report - Lucian kindly said yes!
Taking us through the band's inception, why he continues to study the masters like Randy Rhodes and Jimi Hendrix, and how he develops those initial sparks into full-fledged songs, please welcome Lucian Fhor of The Whispering!
Hey Lucian, it's great to have you here! Thanks so much for taking the time to chat with us!
Let's kick things off with an easy one...Who are The Whispering, and how did you all find one another?
The Whispering is the truth hiding in plain sight, the answer you already know. It is also a band of sonic witches.
Conjuring the band was as simple as determining the ideal lineup and then connecting the pieces.
I am personally honoured to be recording music and touring with some legends of metal. Along with being a part of heavy metal legacy, Dirk, Tobias and Loic are excellent people and great friends.
The Whispering - Part 1 is quickly becoming one of my favourite EPs of 2026. It's such a potent, polished, and tightly assembled body of work.
What was the vision behind the record, and how closely did the final result match what you set out to create?
So great to hear you are enjoying the EP!
When writing the music, I felt a sense of momentum building, like a river moving faster. When it was time to bring the music to the rest of the band, it felt like they all jumped in, and the river deepened. No need for instruction or explanation of the vision, they just knew what to play, and the music came to life instantly.
Now, I must apologise for fanboying a little here, but as a huge fan of Megadeth and Soilwork, I've just got to ask - what's it like working with the legendary Dirk Verbeuren?
Dirk is a drumming savant! His precision and timing seem effortless, and he knows exactly what to play and how to extenuate moments and nuance of melody. He is a master, and it has been a thrill making music with him.
He is also a strong voice and advocate for animal rights, an issue close to my heart as well.
Take us through some of your biggest musical influences.
And, just for fun, if you could pluck one song from history and add your name to it, which would it be?
My musical influences range from Black Sabbath to Bach. The soundtrack to my youth was decorated with imagery and guitar-heavy bands like Iron Maiden and The Blizzard of Ozz!
As a guitarist, I have and continue to study the masters like Randy Rhodes and Jimi Hendrix.
The second wave of black metal left an impressionable atmospheric immersion that transported me to another dimension. It would seem artistic influence can come from so many different places, and I am constantly reminded of the infinite potential of where music can go.
How do you and the band navigate the delicate balance between staying true to your artistic vision and adapting to changing trends in the music industry?
We have no interest in the changing music trends. It was very important for The Whispering to make music that we love. A wise sage once told me, “If you don’t feel it, nobody will.”
When a new song starts to form, what’s your usual approach? Can you talk us through how you develop that initial spark into a fully realised piece of music?
I always have a guitar in my hand, and often a riff or melody will appear under my fingers. The music tends to flow quite effortlessly, and the overall vibe of a composition takes shape.
Once I have a handful of ideas, I change my environment, often retreating to the forest or the desert at Joshua Tree National Park. In these moments, I like to visualize what the music makes me feel and begin to tell the story. The lyrics are often most elusive and usually take revision.
Oddly, I find I will write, then revise the lyrics, ultimately returning to the original form. This part of the craft takes time, but it's worth the battle. Life After God was a song that came very quickly, probably within an hour, though this happens rarely.
Once the vision has taken shape, I bring it to the band, and they add their magic and bring it to life. For me, this is the most exciting step, to see a scream of inspiration become a triumphant whisper.
OK, Lucian – desert island time! You’re allowed to grab 3 albums before being stranded on an island. Which do you go with and why?
I wonder if I was stranded or found my way to the island by design?
I would most likely be listening to Dark Side Of The Moon. This record is a sure portal to another window of reality.
The Ozzy Osbourne/Randy Rhodes Tribute album showcases Randy’s fire-breathing neo-classical mastery and soulful guitar playing. Ozzy is the ultimate ring-leading madman, singing the songs that activated my spirit as a youth. I’ve been captivated by this record my whole life.
For my final record, I would bring Nina Simone’s Finest Hour. This record is a compilation of her most iconic pieces of music. It’s a goldmine of inspiration. Nina is a conjurer of deep emotion, defiance, delicate dynamics, and disastrous climax. I bow to her Witchery!
Lucian, thanks again for taking the time - it's been a treat having you!
What comes next for you musically, and do you have any words of wisdom you'd like to leave us with?
I have done countless interviews over the past few weeks and have very much appreciated your candor and tone.
My partner Fawn and I depart for France later this month to meet up with Dirk and the Whispering crew at Hellfest. Really looking forward to catching up and enjoying some extra heavy music!
This weekend, I am taking a handful of riffs to the Angeles Crest Forest, hoping to tap into some elemental storytelling riddles :)
The Whispering will be on tour at the end of the summer and into the fall, and we cannot wait to play this music live for all of you!
Until then…Walk in a forest.
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