Lathebra Interview

 

1. Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band members since the break up of the band?

After the first demo "Angels' Twilight Odes" released in 1997 and a second promo titled "Etra" and destined to label only released in 2000, all the members of the band went their separate ways for work or study and this obviously led us to distance ourselves considerably and in the end almost naturally the band ceased to exist. Some of us continued to play music in other projects and I started My Kingdom Music that now after more than 20 years is still active.

2. In the mid 90's and early 2000's you had released both a demo and an ep, musically how do they both differ from each other?

"Angels' Twilight Odes" released in 1997 is more direct, more influenced by the music of that period with its mixture of Black Metal, Doom and Dark. While "Etra" is probably more mature, with a more evident originality of the musical structures, and above all of the arrangements. Some acoustic elements started to appear and above all the use of the voice was more various giving to the songs more personality. The same element that is always present in both releases is that sense of magic and ethereal darkness that pervades the whole aspects of LATHEBRA as band and as music.

3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored on both of the releases?

The lyrics deal a lot with intimate aspects of life taken from the poetical side and with a Romantic vision of the same, in the literary sense of the word.

4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Lathebra'?

Latebra is an ancient latin word it literally represents a dark and hidden place. We have interpreted it as an intimate place of the human soul.

5. The band has been broken up for a couple of decades, what was the cause of the split?

Essentially, as I told you before, the distance between us. We all lived in different and distant cities and it was practically impossible to find a point of union and the possibility of being able to play together.

6. Did the band have any opportunities to live shows in the past, if so what where some of the best shows that the band played and also how would you describe your stage performance?

Oh yes, we played a lot during the early years of our existence. I remember with great pride a show in our city, Salerno, and another one in Naples together with the mighty UNDETAKERS and it was a blast!!!

7. What are some of the other bands or musical projects the band members joined after the split?

Francesco Galano created his own project call When The Clouds more into the Electronic and Ambient Music, Rosario Memoli, the drummer, played in Circle Of Witches and gave life to The Provincials more into Indie Rock. Bruno Villani plays now in a couple of projects (SEID, EFFESS).

8. One of the band members also done 'Vampiria Zine', is that zine still going on nowadays?

Vampiria Magazine was my own creature. It was active from 1996 till 2002 when I created My Kingdom Music, my own label.

9. Recently 'My Kingdom Music' re-issued your 1997 demo, can you tell us a little bit more about the newer version?

We received an offer to release a CD version of our demo by Sylphorium Records from Colombia.

We immediately accepted Nelson's offer but we wanted to release something different from the original version. So first of all I decided to release it with my own label too, so via My Kingdom Music, but above all we decided to give to the sound a new mastering and so we sent it to Davide Barbarulo at the 20Hz20kHz Mastering Lab. The result was great indeed, giving to the work a new life.

10. On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black, dark and doom metal ?

When the demo was released in 1997 we sold all the 1000 copies in less that 6 months, the result was great and the reaction of the media and the fans were fantastic. The demo had an incredible reception resulting in demo of the month in many magazines and fanzines of the time.

11. Would the band members ever be open to getting back together and finally releasing a full length?

During the years in some moments probably yes, but the conditions of life and our works have always prevented that from happening. I don't think it will happen in the future but I confess that it would be really great to be able to share again those moments with the rest of the band.

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

I do not know but of course we were in those years that Black Metal was having its maximum explosion with bands like Emperor, Arcturus, Cradle Of Filth, so I think those bands had in us a particular influences but also Doom Metal with early Anathema and My Dying Brid, some classical Heavy Metal above all in the guitar working and something from Dark Wave above all for what concerns the atmospheres.

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

Thanks a lot   to you and your readers. It would be great if you could listen to our music and share with us your opinion . Here is a link where you can do it: https://lathebra.bandcamp.com

Lathebra/Angels' Twilight Odes/My Kingdom Music/2023 Demo Re-Issue Review

 

  Lathebra  where  a  band  from  Italy  that  played  a  melodic  mixture  of  black, dark  and  doom  metal  and  this  is  a review  of  their  1997  demo  "Angels;  Twilight  Odes"  which  will  be  re-issued  in  march,  2023  by  my  Kingdom  Music.

  Classical  guitars  start  off  the  demo  while  spoken  word  parts  can  also  be  heard  briefly  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction.  Most  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  grim  sounding  black  metal  screams  along  with  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  also  bringing  in  elements  of  dark  and  doom  metal.

  When  guitar  soloes  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  while  the  riffs  also  add  in a   great  amount  of  melody.  Spoken  word  parts  also  return  on  later  tracks  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  having  a  very  powerful sound  to  them  as  well  as  one  song  also  introducing  clean  playing  onto  the  recording.

  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  small  amount  of  blast  beats  and  tremolo  picking  can  be  heard.  Rain  and  thunder  sounds  are  also  utilized  briefly  and  keyboards  are  added  on  the  closing  track  which  is  also  an  instrumental.  The  production  sounds  very  old  school  while  the  lyrics  cover  melancholy,  yearning  and  loneliness  themes.  

  In  my  opinion  Lathebra  where  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  mixture  of b lack,  dark  and  doom  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "My  Velvet  Dusk"  and  "Benighted  Embrace".  8  out  of  10.

  http://facebook.com/lathebra1996