Aexylium Interview

 

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording of the new album?

Two singles have already been released, the third official videoclip will be released on October 29th, the day of the album's release.

We recently played at Feffarkhorn festival with Atlas Pain and Furor Gallico, and now we are planning the release party. We can’t wait!

2.You have a new album coming out towards the end of October, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

Compared to the previous album, 'The Fifth Season' is more focused on orchestrations and the symphonic part, which is also emphasized by the presence of the vocal ensemble. In addition, the guitar riffs are more aggressive and elaborate, increasing the metal component in the songs

3.A lot of your lyrics cover Celtic and Norse Mythology, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in these topics?

We are very fascinated by Norse Mythology, especially me and Steven (the singer). He read several books about it, and we also believe that this theme can blend well with this musical genre, that’s why we often draw inspiration from it.

4.What are some of the other lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored over the years with your music?

In addition to Norse and Celtic mythology, our lyrics also speak of other topics, even different from each other.

'Mountains', for example, talks about the majesty and beauty of the peaks, 'Immortal Blood' instead is inspired by a videogame (Skyrim – The Elder Scrolls), 'The Fifth Season' instead talks about more current topics, such as a hypothetical semi extinction of humanity due to the consequences of man’s wicked choices.

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Aexylium'?

'Aexylium' comes from the Latin word 'exilium' (exile) and in our imagination, it is an ancient and now abandoned place, where the worst criminals were locked up for life

6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?

The artwork is made by the talented artist Jan Yrlund (Darkgrove Design) who has worked with several important bands, such as Manowar and Korpiklaani. 

We asked him to draw inspiration from the lyric of 'The Fifth Season' which, as mentioned above, speaks of a hypothetical semi-extinction, and then of hope of rebirth.

7.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?

Surely when we play at festivals the show is always memorable, because people are more excited and inclined to dance. 

One of the shows that we remember with more pleasure is certainly Montelago Celtic Festival in 2018, the audience sang with us at the top of their lungs and at the end of the performance kept asking for an encore.

8.A couple of years ago you had done a cover of the 'Games Of Thrones' theme, what was the decision behind doing your own version of this song?

We were fans of the TV series and we believe that fantasy themes can often blend perfectly with our musical genre. When we play it live, the audience really appreciates it. 

We also made our own version of the main theme of 'Vikings', and it’s really appreciated on Youtube.

9.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of folk and symphonic metal?

The first album helped us to make ourselves known for the first time in Italy and abroad. Now, with 'The Fifth Season', we want to try to make our mark in this musical genre, forging our own sound. 

The reaction to the first two singles was absolutely positive, and we hope that it will be even more with the next single and all the other songs on the album.

10.Where do you see the band heading musically towards the future?

I think the sound we experienced on this album may be our definitive sound. We also had a female voice as a guest in a couple of songs, it is not to be excluded that in the future a female singer may join the band permanently.

11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

If we talk about folk metal, the bands that most influence our songwriting are probably Eluveitie, Alestorm and Falconer.

But we don’t draw inspiration only from them, in fact, I believe it is precisely the musical variety that each of us listens to lead us to be creative without imposing limits.

12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts? 

Thanks for the interview and we hope you enjoy our album!

https://youtu.be/uL0YN1JIyVc