Sapphire Eclipse Unleashes Powerful Debut with "Prisoner" and Connects with Us About Their Bold Artistic Vision
- STAFF
- Jun 18
- 6 min read
By: Staff
“Prisoner” is a soul-searing, masterfully crafted anthem of resilience from the genre-defying Sapphire Eclipse.
Sapphire Eclipse just released “Prisoner,” and we were captivated by its powerful emotional message and haunting storyline. It felt unlike anything we’ve heard lately, deeply personal, yet universally resonant.
With vocals that are both ethereal and commanding, the artist behind this release doesn’t just sing, they confess, in a way that feels raw yet controlled. There’s a quiet defiance in the performance, a voice that trembles with vulnerability while standing its ground.
After hearing it, we had to know more. Who are the minds behind this? What pain, passion, and process brought this to life?
What followed was an intimate, revealing conversation. The artists opened up about the journey behind the music, what inspired it, what it cost, and why it had to be told.
Dive into our exclusive interview with the duo behind “Prisoner,” a track that doesn’t just tell a story, it bares one.
Read on to hear what they had to say:
Begin Interview:
Hello Sapphire Eclipse, we’re thrilled to have you here for this interview! We've had an amazing time exploring your music and diving into your creative journey. Now, we’re even more intrigued to get a deeper look into both your brand and your personal and professional inspirations.
Q. First off — “Sapphire Eclipse” is such an evocative name. Can you share the story behind it? What does it represent for you both as artists?
A. The name “Sapphire Eclipse” came quite naturally after Maria came up with few ideas and both with Ahmet they decided on the name. It felt like a fusion of contrast and beauty, which reflects our music and identity as a band. The sapphire symbolizes depth, clarity, and the mystery of our cultural roots, while the eclipse represents transformation, power, and a bit of darkness — all of which live in our sound. We're blending raw rock with haunting Bulgarian folklore, and this name captures that duality.
Q. “Prisoner” hits with so much emotional weight. At what point did you realize this personal story needed to become a song, and how did it feel putting those emotions into music?
A. It wasn’t planned — the lyrics came during a deeply emotional moment. It was one of those times when you feel like the only way to cope is to let it out through music. The story behind “Prisoner” is painfully personal, but we knew that if we were honest in the writing, it might resonate with others who’ve felt trapped or cast aside. Turning that pain into melody helped reclaim the experience.
Q. The lyrics are deeply vulnerable, and the performance is intense. What’s it like emotionally to record or perform something this raw? Would you say it’s more cathartic, draining, empowering — or a mix of all three?
A. It’s definitely a mix. There's a heaviness when you’re recording something that hits so close to home, but the process is also freeing. Singing it can be draining emotionally, but once it’s out in the world, it starts to feel empowering — like you’ve turned something dark into light. Performing it live is going to be a whole other level, and we’re preparing for that intensity.
Q. Can you walk us through how “Prisoner” came together creatively? Who wrote what, and how did the melody and lyrics evolve through the process?
A. It all started with Ahmet — he came up with the main guitar riff, the arrangement, and the overall production concept. That set the emotional tone and atmosphere for the whole song. Once the instrumental structure was there, Mariya connected with it immediately and wrote the lyrics, story, and vocal melody. The process was very intuitive — the emotion of the music shaped the lyrics, and the lyrics, in turn, deepened the meaning of the arrangement. It was a real collaboration, each of us bringing our strengths into something deeply personal.
Q. The guitar solo feels like a powerful centerpiece — and we read it was influenced by Slash. What led you to channel that style for this track, and how did it shape the song's overall energy?
A. Ahmet: Slash has always been a big influence for me — not just for technique, but for how emotionally expressive his solos are. The solo in “Prisoner” needed to say something that words couldn’t. I wanted it to feel like a cry of frustration and defiance, and that’s where that Slash-inspired phrasing came in. It gave the song a raw, soaring energy.
Q. “Prisoner” comes from a real and painful chapter — being thrown out by a family member. Was it difficult to decide to share that publicly, or did it feel necessary?
A. It was both difficult and necessary. There’s vulnerability in sharing that kind of story, especially publicly. But if we want to make real art, it has to come from truth. And honestly, so many people are going through things like this silently — maybe the song helps someone feel less alone.
Q. Do you often draw from personal life when writing music, or was this song a departure from your usual process?
A. We always draw from personal life — but not always this directly. “Prisoner” was raw and unfiltered. Other songs like “Samodiva” come from a more mythological, cultural place — but even then, there’s a personal lens. We write from experience, whether it’s emotional, ancestral, or spiritual.
Q. Every artist has a moment that tests them. Have there been times you questioned continuing with music? What helped you stay committed to your path?
A. Absolutely. We’ve all had moments of doubt, whether due to personal struggles, financial pressures, or burnout. But music has always pulled us back. It’s not just what we do — it’s how we make sense of the world. Also, having each other as collaborators has been key. This band gave us new purpose at exactly the right time.
Q. This is your debut EP, and “Prisoner” feels like a defining statement. How would you describe where you are right now in your artistic journey? Is this the start of a new identity for Sapphire Eclipse?
A. 100%. Sapphire Eclipse is the crystallization of years of performing separately and searching for something more. We’ve found our voice as a band — blending Bulgarian traditional sounds with rock, storytelling, and raw emotion. This is our foundation, but we’re only just beginning.
Q. What do you hope listeners feel when they hear “Prisoner”? Are there specific emotions or thoughts you want the track to leave behind?
A. We hope they feel understood — or even just heard. “Prisoner” is about abandonment, identity, and healing. It’s about realizing your worth even when others can’t see it. If it makes someone feel braver or less alone, we’ve done our job.
Q. You produced and recorded everything in your home studio — that’s no small feat. What are the biggest challenges and rewards of making music entirely on your own terms?
A. It was definitely a deep, demanding process — Ahmet played guitar and bass, produced, recorded, and mixed the entire track in his home studio. When you handle every layer yourself, it becomes almost like raising a child — you're emotionally invested in every detail. That level of involvement can be overwhelming because you want each element — from tone and timing to atmosphere — to be perfect. It takes a lot of time, patience, and discipline.
But the biggest reward is the creative freedom. We didn’t have to compromise or rush anything. Every sound, every choice is fully ours, and that’s incredibly empowering. The track feels 100% authentic because it was built by hand, from the ground up, exactly the way we imagined it.
Q. Can you share a little more about your live performances? What kind of energy do you bring to the stage, and how does a song like “Prisoner” translate in front of an audience?
A. As a band, we haven’t performed live yet — but each of us has years of experience performing across Europe, from Cyprus to Bulgaria to the UK. We’ve played everything from private events to major festivals. When we bring Sapphire Eclipse to the stage, it’s going to be explosive — emotional, dynamic, and deeply connected to the audience. We’re rehearsing with full intensity so that when the moment comes, it’s unforgettable.
Q. Looking back at when you first started making music together, how have you grown — not just as artists, but as collaborators and individuals?
A. We’ve learned to trust each other deeply. Collaboration isn’t always easy, especially when you care so much about the outcome — but over time we’ve built a language that’s both creative and respectful. We challenge each other, support each other, and push each other to be better — and that growth has changed us, not just as musicians but as people.
Q. Now that this EP is about to drop, where do you see Sapphire Eclipse heading next? Are you already experimenting with new sounds or stories?
A. Definitely. We already have three more original tracks recorded and ready. Some blend heavier rock with folklore, others lean into more melancholic/classic rock sound. We’re also exploring more visual storytelling and live instrumentation, including traditional Bulgarian instruments. This is just the start.
Sapphire Eclipse, thank you so much, we appreciate you taking the time to talk to us!
End Interview
We’re happy to have shared Sapphire Eclipse’s exciting journey with you and uncovered such inspiring insights about their creative process.
Now, click the links below to experience their incredible work firsthand!
