Time for another conversation with a band. Today
we travel to Genoa, Italy to chat with ExpiatoriA, a 6-piece doom metal band. I
recently reviewed their debut LP, Shadows,
which came out on November 4th.
Harbinger of
D.O.O.M.: Congratulations
on the new record! It seems to have been quite the journey to make it to Shadows. The obvious question is why did
it take 35 years to release your first LP?
ExpiatoriA: This is a long story full of twists. If I told you in detail, two days in a row would not be enough. In summary I can say that between the second half of the ‘90s and the first decade of the 2000s there was a forced stop due to the exit of the first historic singer Massimo Cottica (who moved to Ireland) and the consequent difficulty in finding a worthy replacement. Once back on the scene, ExpiatoriA were held back by excessive stalling and getting lost in a thousand discussions even for the most trivial decisions by some members of the band. Now that these people have been removed, ExpiatoriA has surrounded itself with proactive, open-minded musicians, on the same wavelength as to the sound direction to take, and really involved in the project. The rest came very naturally.
Harbinger of
D.O.O.M.: The
album is clearly rooted in old school doom and metal, but features only new
compositions. Was there a temptation to record old songs that had never been
released before, maybe update them a bit? Why did you decide to go entirely for
brand-new songs?
ExpiatoriA: Since the first
moment in which the band regrouped in the current lineup, the decision was made
to restore the original intent that moved the first steps of ExpiatoriA. Over
the years the sound has taken on a very thrash-oriented vein, albeit tinged with
darkness; so the decision to abjure all the old compositions and churn out new
material much more in tune with the doom and dark metal direction came quite
spontaneously (and also logically) for us.
Harbinger of
D.O.O.M.: The
band has gone through many different lineups over the years. What brought this
current lineup together? Did you know all know each other before? It feels like
a strong lineup composed of musicians taken from well-known bands joining
forces.
ExpiatoriA: We have all been
friends for a long time and the esteem for each other, as musicians, has always
been high. It was very natural to join forces to give ExpiatoriA the status
they have always deserved.
Harbinger of
D.O.O.M.: Being
part of a six-piece band can’t always be easy, it’s a lot of cooks in the
kitchen. How do you approach song writing/writing music? Does everyone have a
say in which direction to take with a particular song?
ExpiatoriA: Generally, the
main ideas for composing new songs come from the two guitarists Massimo Malachina
and Edoardo Napoli, then during the arrangement each of us has the right to
intervene in the improvement of the original raw material. Among us there are
no cravings for protagonism that no one is offended if their idea is rejected
by the majority. The lyrics are an exclusive prerogative of myself (David
Krieg, vocals).
Harbinger of
D.O.O.M.: What
are your touring plans? Do you plan
to perform shows outside of Europe?
ExpiatoriA: First of all, we
are making contacts and forging many alliances with promoters and bands from
other regions of our country to plan a series of dates around Italy. We already
have some possible requests for some European dates. We want to grow and spread
our music and our show slowly but steadily: we don't want to overdo it but we
don't want to sit on our laurels either.
Harbinger of
D.O.O.M.: Thank
you for your time! Is there anything else you’d like to say to your
listeners/future fans?
ExpiatoriA: Thanks to Harbinger of D.O.O.M. for this interview. Let me just say: join our Sabbath wherever we may be playing and enjoy our music as you descend into darkness with us.
ExpiatoriA’s Official Website
ExpiatoriA on Bandcamp
ExpiatoriA on Facebook
ExpiatoriA on Instagram
ExpiatoriA on YouTube
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