Well lets see IATT has signed a new deal with Horror Death Pain Gore Productions and we will be releasing our first full length entitled "Gnosis: Never Follow the Light". This release will be available digitally and in CD format June 30th.
2.You have a new album coming out in June, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
I feel that this album has a more polished sound while keeping the same relentless attack that I am the Trireme is known for. I feel that this album is very diverse with tempo changes, pace and feeling. We were able to achieve this without jeopardizing the fluidity and cohesiveness of the album. Lyrically each song is relative, the second song can not exist without the first and so on. The songs are comparable to the metamorphosis of a butterfly or in a more morbid sense the 5 stages of grief.
3.This is the first release to come out in 3 years, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time span?
Actually this is our first original release in 4 years in 2013. We re-released UnHoly which was comprised of songs that we reworked and re-recorded. Over the last couple of years we have released our first Music Video for the song "Repulsed by the Sun". We spent the summer of 2012 on a short run tour as well as another short run tour in the summer of 2013, with our brothers Consumed with Hatred. Also in 2013 we signed our first record contract with Dark Harvest Records and Released UnHoly through them. We have played a slew of regional shows and spent most of our time writing, recording and trying to balance our everyday lives.
4.Originally the band was in a metalcore direction but the newer stuff goes for more of a death and black metal sound, can you tell us a little bit more about the decision to go into this direction?
Honestly I would say that the evolution of the band could be attributed to finding the right members to carry out the vision that myself and Alec Pezzano (Guitarist) anticipated. When we started the band we wanted to play fast and aggressive, but finding the actual people who have the same intentions and ability is another story. We shuffled through 15 members before we were able to get a capable lineup and this lineup has been together 4 years. I have always enjoyed Black Metal, but it wasn't popular in South Jersey. Once I found guitarist Joe Cantamessa I vowed to him that we would be a Melodic Black Metal band. In our early days as a metalcore band we didn't fit in with the others, we encouraged old school push moshing instead of karate dancing we were a lot darker than the others. We tore up bibles, displayed inverted crosses and the lyrics were against religion. The message was always the same the only difference was the sound changing. If you look at Dissection and the last release Reinkaos, it wasn't popular amongst Elitist because it had a Black and Roll sound the message was the same if not darker. Now the whole Black and Roll sound has taken off.
5.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the newer music?
The Lyrics in "Gnosis: Never Follow the Light" explores the stages of ascension and being enlightened. The concept of dying in order to achieve ascension and becoming has a heavy influence. In this album Enlightenment pertains to the ability to identify true evil and not what society portrays as evil. My lyrics have always been based off of perception and painting a picture with my words. For example Metre Fin a' Cette when translated means End this Life, when I wrote the lyrics I wrote about a personal situation and for me the song is about ending one life and leaving a certain aspect behind.
6.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'I Am The Trireme'?
Well lets start with the meaning of the word Trireme. A Trireme is a Warship that was discovered to exist as early as 410 BC it was more popular in the 5th Century in the Mediterranean seas. The meaning behind our name has become more prevalent during our career The Trireme relates to our band and the fast paced blasting sound that we have. Like an ancient war ship crushing through the waves of the Mediterranean Sea. With a Trireme every man must hold down there portion of the ship, the next man relies on the other to travel. The Trireme stands for the beliefs and values that were consecrated upon the bands formation. We are just men that are rowing and steering the boat.
7.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
When I think about some shows that IATT has played there are three different shows that come to mind. The first would be our most recent show that we played in February with Downfall of Gaia (Germany) and Hivelords (Philadelphia) at the Kungfu Necktie in Philadelphia.
This was a great show for a few reasons, the line up was awesome you had three bands in the blackened genre that added other genres tastefully and put on an awesome show. Unique in their own rights but blending very well. Another reason would be that we were debuting a new single from our upcoming album. We promoted this show alot handing out flyers, social media promotion as well as handing out free download cards of our first single. We received a lot of praise for our new material and our live set. Lastly I would like to say that the venue was awesome it had a really down to earth vibe without being a dive bar. The sound guy and gear was top notch and they even provided the bands with a room and beer.
The Next show would be one of the dates from our Summer Tour in 2013 with Consumed with Hatred. We played this venue called The Pinch in Washington D.C. and as some of the opening bands began to play we grew a little weary because the turnout was poor, the sound system was not good and the venue didn't have a sound guy. We began to prep our gear and out of no where a crowd of people poured in. The crowd was diverse and not your typical Metal heads. As we played our set it was more apparent that a good amount were not Metal Heads but they danced and swayed to our music in their own way in between our sets there was chanting we had people pouring beer in our mouths as we performed. Honestly looking into the crowd it looked as if we were at a dance club. That was probably the most successful show on that tour.
The last show on my list of standout shows for I am the Trireme would be a show we played in 2013 in Ohio. We were invited to play a benefit festival at a rather large Amphitheatre that was located in the middle of the woods. The landscape and stage set-up was enough for the show to make the list. There was a decent crowd but the people we met were very personable and to this day we remain in touch with a handful of them. One them sacrificed their body months later Tattooing his leg with IATT's Infamous moon cross. There was good amount of people who camped out with us at the venue we were greeted with beer and shared stories throughout the night. We even graced the presence and befriended a Giant Mastiff who belonged to the owner of the Venue. This was one of the more memorable voyages in I am the Trireme's Career.
8.Do you have any touring or show plans once the new album is released?
We have intentions to do some short run tours in support of the new release we currently reaching out to booking agencies and also coordinating with our new label to line some support dates up.
9.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black and death metal?
We have received a lot of positive feedback from fans abroad, there are a few Blog Review sites , Indie Radio Stations and Metal sites from abroad that have given us good remarks as well as airplay.
9.Are any of the band members also involved with any other bands or musical projects these days?
Yes almost every member is involved in a project. Joe Cantamessa (Lead Guitarist) is involved with quite a few projects. He has a solo guitar t(Melodic Rock) project named Joe C and he also has a (Post Black Metal) Project named Remnants of Winter. Alec Pezzano (Guitarist/Orchestrals) has a collaboration project that entitled Mr Tinabello's Orphanage House (Symphonic Blackened Death).
I have a few projects myself that are in the works, Solo Project - Salix Babylonica ( Extreme Metal/Post Black Metal), Solo Project - Planes of Existence (Doom/Death Metal) Via Sin Dios (Crust Punk). Our Drummer Paul has a Progressive Rhythmic Project that is in the works.
10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
Honestly I see I am the Trireme heading to a more progressive extreme metal direction but still maintaining the the atmosphere and relentless attack that black metal is known for.
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?
As a band there are a few good bands that we are direct influences such as Dissection, Shining, Der Weg Einer Freiheit, Septic Flesh, Neo Obliviscaris and Forgotten Tomb to name a few.
12.How would you describe your views on the Paranormal and Paganism?
Well as a band we have always had an interest in the undead and paranormal. I have never experienced paranormal activity but I believe anything is possible. I will say that in my journey of exploring Anticosmic Satanism I have experienced Astral Projection and Outer body experiences. Those experiences and the negative energy that was involved enlightened me and opened my eyes to some not so pleasant things lets leave it at that.
13.What are some of your non musical interests?
Well lets see I am a father of three and family life is an important part of my life outside of music. I am also a die-hard. sports fan for Philadelphia area teams. Lastly I work in the Medical field I am an EMT for an ambulance company so Emergency medicine is one of my interest as well.
14.before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
I would like to thank you for the opportunity to promote I am the Trireme and Gnosis: Never Follow the Light will be out June 30th on Horror Pain Gore Death Productions.
www.iamthetrireme.com
Http//facebook.com/iamthetrireme
www.horrorpaingoredeath.com
Http//facebook.com/horrorpaingoredeath
Http//facebook.com/clawhammerpr
I Am The Trireme - Tamerlane (Chapter 1): http://youtu.be/CKuQVHKJbcM
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