First of all: my review was positive about the ideas, yet I was
not satisfied with the way it was performed. Be honest, are you now
mad at me (the famous Sicilian temper) or can you live with it?
"I've sent promo-cds to various zines, so I knew I couldn’t
receive only positive reviews. As a result the opinion of every reviewer
is strictly personal and it must be accepted however it is. I like taking
all criticism with great serenity because we grow and learn a lot of
things, especially from negative feedbacks, as we have the intention
to improve ourselves and to avoid past mistakes in future works. As
well, I will thank you for your support and the work you have done."
What are the points of criticism that appeal most to you, and
on which you certainly will put more emphasis?
"I was very surprised when I saw all these positive opinions
from the critics.The only negative point, in some cases, has been about
the production of the mini. In specific the choise of the guitar sounds
and the programming, sometimes monotonous, of the drums. With the growing
studio experience and with the help of a real drummer I hope in the
future these can become strenght points in the new Heruka music."
Just out of curiosity, and perhaps as a signal to other bands:
how many zines have given a reaction?
"The promotion of “Leggenda” began on March 2005
and until the present moment there are many ’zines that reviewed
the cd, and I’m still waiting for further new reviews. It’s
enough to see the “Reviews” section of my site. Waiting times
are often too long in this matters but the professionality of reviewers
always grants some feedbacks."
I come up with old Bathory and Limbonic Art; how does Heruka
see that? What are the bands that inspire you?
"I’m interested in underground black-metal first of
all. I like very much known or semi-known bands whose works are independent
from the ones issued by the most important artists in the black-metal
stage, that is those works which are very personal and original (as
I try to do so as well). So, I always say that I don’t get inspiration
from any groups in particular but that I try to learn something from
a lot of them, especially what I feel more suitable to myself inside."
What are the key emotions, regarding both lyrics and musically,
that you want to put into Heruka?
"I know that singing Italian lyrics is very narrow for comprension
as for the stories as for the emotions that start for the music. Saying
the thruth all my fantasy ambientations have lots of analogies with
my real life. In fact all my tales have another intrinsic meaning that
is very personal and I don’t like talking about it."
A term that intrigues me; what is underground nowadays? What
does underground mean to you?
"Very simply the word “underground” means all
the musical scene full of unknown bands or sometimes a little more known
that alone try to propose to the public their music and their message.
Of course I listen even famous bands but when I can choose I rather
for an underground band."
How hard is it these days to be original and still remain true
black metal; after all, it’s been 15 years since the BM-movement
started...
"It’s really very difficult to be original in this
musical field and it’s normal that everybody makes paragons with
other bands and sometimes resemblances really exist .The only important
thing , as I always think, is to give emotions with the music and this
I tried to do with my work."
How do the compostions you write come to life: is it a matter
of sitting down or is it all day ideas flowing through your head. Tell
us, how are the Heruka songs created in general? Is it stil that you
write the basics in a so-called unplugged version?
"Lots of my music comes to life when I take myself apart
from the rest. I love immersing inside Erice’s woods and there
using acustic instruments like guitar and flute I start writing fondations
for my music that takes its definitive form in different places."
Why does a band that focuses on the Sicilian history pick a name
of a Buddhist deity (Heruka)?
"The truth is we didn’t know the existence of a Buddhist
deity called Heruka when the project was born. Me and Valdemar picked
this name from the Sicilian medieval town “Erice” that was
called like this by ancient settlers. Erice has been the place in which
we get inspired to start writing music at the beginning in an unplugged
version. We made a search about its history and we discovered its first
name was “Iruka” (This name was given it by its first inhabitants,
the “Elimi”). We borrowed this name, transforming it into
Heruka to better adapt it to our fantasy themes. The map, painted inside
the booklet of “Leggenda”, shows western Sicily as I picture
it in my mind."
Sicily has a history of being conquered by almost every ancient
conqueror (apart from the Buddhists, as said in the review, haha); what
influence has that had on the culture, apart from the fact that Sicily
is an island?
"Sicily, because of its strategically important geographycal
location (in the middle of Mediterranean Sea) has always been subject
to many invaders (Elimi, Greeks, Arabs and so on). Nowadays it’s
possible seeing many traces of all these different cultures just walking
along streets of all towns. Sicilian people have different traditions
from the rest of Italian populations. In fact, lots of Sicilians wish
the island to be an independent state. They are sociable and warm and,
differently from what people usually think, Sicily is not just a “mafialand”.
The largest part of the inhabitants is not so aggressive and dangerously
nervous."
A point that interests me; recently the pope died, and it
was clear that the (Catholic) church has a much bigger influence than
over here in Western Europe for instance: is this sometimes an obstacle
to the band or your own person, being a black metal musician?
"As far as it regards me, fortunately, I never had problems
in expressing myself through black-metal. However i think that in general
black metal bands in Western Europe don’t have such problems even
if it’s obvious that this is a general personal perception and
not the reality."
And what typical Sicilian cultural aspects can be found back
in Heruka’s music and way of working?
"The Heruka’s sounds are not too close to typical Sicilian
sounds (like somebody did in his works instead). They are very harsher,
more instinctive and related to my personal conception of black metal."
Why did you pick out the name fantasy black metal? People
might fear that you have a sissy wannabe-gothic female vocalist…
"In my opinion people don’t expect the presence of
a female vocalist in my music only because we call us “fantasy
black metal”. A band is known when we listen to its music and not
when we don’t go beyond the eventual definition of its music."
But why did you choose for the term ‘fantasy black metal’?
After all, isn’t using a special label a way to stand out with
a different thing than just the music?
"Simply because I think this is the most appropriate term
and moreover because I would like that a priori possible listeners understand
my choice to not deal with religious themes or similar arguments (as
many black metal bands do)."
Italy has some black metal bands, but they are generally
from the North. How hard is it to play black metal on Sicily (find musicians,
gigs, etcetera)?
"Fortunately even in the south of Italy we have achieved
many improvements from this point of view, since several years (new
and good-skilled bands were born, like Nazgùl or Legion of Darkness)
and there are a lot of able people. On the other side the main problem
is the promotion. It is difficult that even a good band is enoughly
supported in this part of the world. Moreover metal concerts organization
is not very diffused here (not only for geographic location but also
for an outdated culture in this field)."
The site says you are working for a follow-up to “Leggenda”;
a full length album...
"The concept of “Leggenda” is really a prologue.
As a matter of fact, the lyrics (and so the musics as well) of future
works will match to the vicissitudes told in “Leggenda” up
to the end of my saga (I think that it will be composed of mini-cd “Leggenda”
and two full albums). The works related to the first of those two albums
are in progress."
Have you already found a label or will you do it as an own release?
"In this moment I’m negotiating promotional matters
with several labels. I hope that I will get news soon about this aspect."
What will be the main difference with the last demo?
“Doxa Epicurea” (the first demo) is a work totally
different from the mini-cd ”Leggenda”. Not only in the themes
with which I deal but also in the music. The first demo is a work standing
on its own."
I meant: what will be the main difference between the full
length CD that you are planning and this last demo “Leggenda”…
"Obviously the production of full length CD will be better
than “Leggenda, and then the composition style will be similar
but maturer."
Any tracks from the demo(s) that will come on the full length?
" The full length tracks will be completely new. Only the
first one will remind the last track of ”Leggenda”. This is
due to the chronological sequence of the stories that I narrate in my
lyrics."
Do you intend to come up with a complete line-up, including
a drummer, or do you wish to stay working the way you do now?
"I hope that, in further works, i will have a real drummer
for recording and I’m already evaluating some people. This will
bring a remarkable qualitative improvement."
For the recording is what you say: with Moha (live) on the
strings, will you also let him participate in the music or will Heruka,
regarding that aspect, always be a one man project by you?
"I think that concerning texts and music I ‘ll continue
working always alone. But I can’t be sure because I ‘m trying
working with other musicians."
Okay, those were my final questions, and I hope I have introduced
Heruka sufficiently to our readers. Anything you wish to say or the
so-called famous last words?
"I want to thank you: Vampire magazine for this interview.
I hope that this can help your readers to better know Heruka’s
project. STAY BLACK!"
-link-