Necrodeath Interview
While Italy has produced many great Metal bands (Fleshgod Apocalypse, Bulldozer, Hour of Penance, and the title band Necrodeath) there Is no real Italian scene. Yet, the diamonds in the dirt are quite substantial. Necrodeath are to this day revered in the underground as one of the best Black-Thrash bands and are famous for having some of the wildest shows in the business. A band with a style and a signature sound like Necrodeath have really little need to change, yet Necrodeath constantly introduce new parts. Whether it’s more technical playing, new vocals, or in this case, a different approach to album construction, Necrodeath innovate a little bit every time while retaining their foundations. I had the fortune of speaking with GL, Pier, and Peso from the band to discuss the new album.
M- Metalist
Pier (guitars)
GL- GL (bass)
Peso (drums)
1- M- Hello guys! It’s nice to finally get some Black-Thrash into this webpage! come va a tutti?
1- GL: Hi to all metalheads on your webpage! We're fine and ready to introduce to you our new work.
2- M- so, fresh of the stove is your new album, Idiosyncrasy. This album has quite a lot of firsts in the band’s releases. First, it is the first album which is divided into parts and segments, rather than having separate titles for each song all together. How did this decision come about? is there any concept behind it?
2 – GL: Yes, Idiosyncrasy it's a concept song (divided into 7 parts-ED) created to be a trip for your mind…I suggest you listen it completely in only one breath leaving you take, otherwise you can listen different parts and skipping in 7 sections of that song. That decision to divide Idiosyncrasy was born because we want give at the listener the possibility to chose two kinds of a listening experience.
3- M- how do you feel the band has progressed since the early days? I mean, obviously you guys are still very much playing that old school, Black Thrash sound that any fan of no bullshit, no compromise fan of oldschool extreme Metal can pick up, but how do you feel you guys have progressed as a band?
3 – GL: Certainly many years have gone by since our first albums and during these years, we've changed our line up, we've grow up and probably also progressed, but all that we want when we're starting to record new stuff is to not forget our roots. All that we do is spontaneous, without compromises and created directly from the band…so probably for this reason, our old school fans like our new album.
4- M- In addition, it must be hard to progress since the early days with so many line up changes. How do you feel that the many changes since the days of Into the Macabre, and Mater of All Evil shaped the band? Especially Peso, how do you feel, having seen the band go from one line up to another completely?
4 – Pier: In my opinion line up changes can change the trademark sound of a band if the newcomers do not agree in a perfect way about the style of the band. For example I have played in the past in many Melodic bands but I’ve been listening to Necrodeath’s music even when I didn’t played in that band. So when I entered the band I knew their style and any idea I proposed in composing process was always compared with the style of the band first, than with my taste. If the newcomer really like the band style the line uo changinc can be good
5- M- Being one of the big bands in it, how do you feel the Italian Metal scene has evolved? Being one of it’s longest standing and most important bands, how do you feel about all the newbies? It seems that newer bands such as Fleshgod Apocalypse and Hour of Penance are finally breaking the mold as well alongside the already established acts like Bulldozer and Necrodeath.
Peso : we have very good bands in Italy.. but unfortunately we don’t have a great scene and any organization… There are maybe 10 clubs in Italy.. some promoters, some labels, but nothing in comparison to Germany for example, or Northern Europe…. Anyway check out and support the good Italian bands!!!
6- M-Are there any bands in particular you would like to call out from the Italian scene that you think deserve recognition? And in general, any new bands you want to give a shout out to?
6 – GL: In Italy we have many great "new" bands…I like, for example, "Slomotion Apocalipse" or "Schizo" and also "Node" and "Novembre" whom are our friends…but believe me that the Italian scene is rich with cool bands! Often when we're on tour, we play with many great bands but unfortunately they don't have the necessary support to become a "famous" band.
7- M- In relation to Italy as a whole again, how do you feel about the current politics of the country? With Metal bands being more involved as a whole in the issues of the world rather than having no political stance like most artists, I wonder, as insiders, what are your opinions on the matter?
7 – GL: In the last 10 years, the most of the Italian people are unhappy because the politicians don’t give us the opportunity to change this country’s ways ,Which are old, Ok with a rich history and beautiful places, but old in the mentality, and 10 years back in time in respects to other European countries. In the end, I think that all the Italian politicians are shit and certainly not ones to represent me.
8- M- ok so, back to the band more specifically, what inspires you guys to write? Both to the vocal section (lyrically), and the instrumental section, what really gets the Necrodeath process going?
8 – Pier: Usually there is nothing planned. We just start to play, improvising some staff or we start playng over a guitar riff or a drum pattern. Then, we naturally modify and elaborate it. Many times the composing process start by Peso’s ideas on the guitar also, and I reelaborate it. About the lyrics, Peso and Flegias are the main writers for the band. When they decide to make a concept album, they research and write together the lyrics, when it’s not a concept they usually divide up the songs.
9- M- Also, how do you guys feel about this new of Thrash bands? bands like Warbringer, Municipal Waste, Lazarus A.D, Evile and all the others trying to revive the oldschool sound. Any favorites?
9 – P: I have not a favourite band but I’m always happy talking about old school. Maybe because I “lived” a part of that period but also today I feel the old school music isn’t so old
10- M- Now, with the new album out, what are your plans? Are you going to tour Europe? Or perhaps go abroad? What are your goals? What does the future hold for Necrodeath?
10 – GL: Yes, we've already played in some places in East Europe, The tour started just last week and until the end of November, we will tour for promote the new album. About the future, we want play and spread the new song, sell our albums and have fun with the whole the crew…maybe come to your country for some shows!
11- M- Finally, any last words to the Israeli Metal crowd in the Holy Land?
11 – GL : We want to thank you and your magazine for supporting us and we hope we'll be soon booked to tour in your country for some shows! Special thanks to all the Necrodeath fans in Israel, if you want to get to know the band, you can order our new album or others on our e-store: www.necrodeath.net or write to order it at: [email protected]
12- M- much thanks to all of you! Alla salute!
Peso check our official web site www.necrodeath.net
