Nazgul Rising Interview

 

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

The album was released in late March on digital platforms, collecting a good number of listening's and interest, despite being promoted only on social media. With the help of promotion agencies between reviews and interviews interest has increased, hoping to have contacts with some label interested. 

2.Recently you have released a new album, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

Surely songwriting and production that has improved.

From the 2005 Ep "Let Evil Arise" it was a home recording. After years of silence I wanted to take back some old tracks that had never been completed, but still had a good potential. In 2014, "Orietur in Tenebris Lux tua" was released. In recent years I dedicated myself to writing the new album, I felt that the path with the previous album had not yet ended. So I found the collaboration of Lord Trevius for the orchestral arrangements, but I didn’t have the participation of Borius on vocals, so the songs were all sung by me.

3.This is also your first album in 8 years, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time frame?

I played for other projects and other bands, so I had left out writing for new songs, which at the beginning were in an embryonic state and I was not satisfied. I was just waiting for the right moment to write something new and it finally came. For realization it took another 2 years.

4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the new release and also how would you describe your progress as songwriters over the years?

“Orietur in Tenebris Lux Tua” and “Cycles of Primal Chaos” are concept albums about life, death and

rebirth. A journey rites and cults; a journey between darkness and light. The inspiration came from

ancestral chronicles: the legendary founders of the first human civilizations, who were called “the

Serpent of Wisdom”, are represented in many ancient myths. The priestly lineages that presided and

guided the birth and development of civilizations, a head of mysteries and initiatic traditions, recalling the etymology of the serpent.

5.In one interview you also mentioned an interest in history, what are some of the historical events that you take interest in?

There are several, but more than anything what struck me reading the “Laments of Ur“, a text written more than 5000 years ago, attributed calamities to an evil wind blowing from the west, a deadly cloud that caused an atrocious death to all living beings, people and animals alike, that shriveled plants and poisoned the waters, unleashed by the use of “Weapons of Terror” in a conflict between opposing clans of the Anunnaki. So I took inspiration to write "Evilwind".

6.I know that the bands name comes from the writings of J.R.R Tolkien, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in his writings and also do you have any interest in other fantast authors?

The name "Nazgul Rising" is a metaphor for the evil that comes within us, the dark alter ego wants to get out and take over. Corruption, lust for power and submission in exchange for

something, has always reflected the vulnerability of man.

In addition to Tolkien, which is my favorite, I am also passionate about fantasy, sci-fi and horror literature. I can also mention H.P. Lovecraft, Clark A. Smith, E.A.Poe, Barker, G.R.R.Martin, A. Machen, Philip Dick, Asimov, Ballard, Matheson, Robert E. Howard. Did I forget any?

7.On the album cover you show the battle between Marduk and Tiamat, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in Sumerian Mythology and what are also some of the other mythologies that you have studied?

We wanted this cover, made by Nestor Avalos, because it contains the whole concept of the album. I wanted two primordial entities representing the clash of light and darkness. 

I have always found Sumerian mythology interesting, the legends are somehow connected with other civilizations including Egyptian, Greek, Roman and Norse. I am not a scholar but just passionate about history, and I am lucky to live in Rome that has a lot to offer.

8.So far the band has not done any live shows but you have mentioned you would be interested in doing a live show if you had an orchestra, what kind of orchestra do you feel would be suitable for the musical style that you play?

In that interview I said that it would be a dream to be able to play live with a real orchestra. I don’t know in reality how much you can make it happen. Already some great bands have played with orchestras, Septic Flesh, Dimmu Borgir, Cradle of Filth, but these are bands with great productions and big budgets. We still have to keep on grounded.

9.In August 'Old Metal Rites' is going to release the physical version of the new album, can you tell us a little bit more about this label?

Despite the different offers of some labels, we were looking for those that were interested in releasing our album. Besides Old Metal Rites, Misantropia Records has also offered to print CDs. We chose them because they are labels without exclusive products, and above all to expand the distribution both in America and in Europe being the Brazilian Old Metal Rites and the Finnish Misanthropy. Anyway I found a lot of willingness on both sides.

10.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of symphonic black metal>

The reactions are good, not only from symphonic black metal listeners but also from those who listen to different sub-genres of black or extreme metal. In particular, orchestral arrangement was appreciated, different from the usual baroque and gothic tracks. We focused more on recreating dark atmospheres of mythology and fantasy,  at the same time giving power and impact.

11.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

We have material to write another album, but how it will sound and the direction it will take we don’t know yet, maybe we could experiment with something new.

12.What are some of the bands or musical styles that you are currently listening to?

I listen to tons of music, mostly metal, but lately there are few bands that surprise me with something new, so I prefer old bands that make new records. I really enjoyed the last of Blut Aus Nord, they always manage to innovate and evolve.

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

We want to thank ADifferentShadeOfBlackMetalZine for this interview especially to you who read it to the end.