Necrodeath Interview (GL & Pier)

"Arimortis" is another good work from these Italian veterans called Necrodeath, where they show that energy is not lost despite the years, and within their formula, they crush so much current music.  

Para leer la entrevista en español: Entrevista a Necrodeath 

Metallerium: Welcome to Metallerium Webzine, and thank you for your time. How are you doing?  

Necrodeath:  

GL: Thanks to you! We are preparing for our last farewell tour and are happy to return to the stage and meet our fans so we are full of energy  

Metallerium: "Arimortis" will be released on January 17th. How do you feel about this album compared to your previous works?  

Necrodeath:  

GL: “Arimortis” will be our last album, after which we will no longer produce anything and the band will cease activity at the end of 2025, so for us “Arimortis” represents our testament to future generations of musicians, hoping that it will be appreciated. This album is a synthesis of what we have done so far, It's difficult to make comparisons with previous works, but I can certainly tell you that so it sounds 100% Necrodeath and it was pleasant to record it but also painful since it marks the end of our journey.  

Metallerium: The title Arimortis is intriguing. What does it mean, and why did you choose it for this album? 

Necrodeath:  

GL: "Arimortis" is a term which from Latin translates as "the altars of death" which were erected at the end of the war, to honor the fallen. The metaphor refers to our musical career and the ups and downs we have had to face, as a battle. So now that we are closing our musical journey it seems like the most suitable title to represent us for the last album.  

Metallerium: The cover art is quite striking. Can you tell us about its concept and how it connects to the album's themes?  

Necrodeath:   Pier: The cover is meant to represent a warrior returning after a long battle. This is our way of seeing our long career, which has taken us to perform all around and for many years. It’s a photograph created with a full team, model, and equipment, far from the artificial intelligence that will soon take over the entire industry  

Metallerium: This album seems to blend thrash and black metal influences with a fresh energy. What inspired this creative direction? 

Necrodeath:  

Pier: Many years have passed since Necrodeath was formed, but their musical influences and way of writing music have remained unchanged. 'Slayer' and 'Venom' will always be the greatest inspirations, and as for the rest, the songwriting process has always stayed true to the old school. We write by playing together, and only go to the computer once the song is structured. This is our way of achieving a sound that remains powerful and gritty  

Metallerium: Songs like "Storytellers of Lies" and "Arimortis" show variety in style and mood. Was this diversity a conscious choice during the songwriting process?    

Necrodeath:   Pier: No, it all happened naturally. Of course, when we start improvising on a slower or mid-tempo riff, we tend to continue down that path, and when we start fast, we move forward without compromise, as happened with 'Storytellers of Lies’  

Metallerium: Can you tell us more about the instrumental track "Metempsychosis (Part Two)"? How does it fit within the album’s narrative? 

Necrodeath:  

Pier: The idea came about because we wanted to write an instrumental track, and to find inspiration, we started playing one of the main riffs from 'Metempsychosis.' In this way, we drew a bit from ourselves and a bit from 'At War with Satan' by Venom, creating a very long track full of atmospheric changes. On one hand, it pays homage to our early albums, and on the other, it represents our long musical adventure  

Metallerium: How has the reception been from fans and media for the singles released so far? Are there any particular reactions that stood out to you? 

Necrodeath:  

GL: So far we have released two singles "Arimortis" and "Storytellers of Lies" and we have received good feedback from the public, although I think the album should be listened to in its entirety before judging. Luckily we have always received positive reviews, I think because you can always hear our sound, so those who have loved our music so far will not be disappointed. 

Metallerium: In a time where so much music is released weekly, what do you think makes "Arimortis" stand out in today’s metal scene? 

Necrodeath:  

GL: Today everything is so fast and usable by everyone in a few seconds, so we often get distracted when actually listening. However, I believe that as far as music is concerned we should stop and listen carefully to what musicians create with so much effort. I hope that our music is also listened to with interest and not superficially, because every single song we have produced is the sum of our time, effort and passion. 

Metallerium: Necrodeath has been active for decades. What motivates you to keep creating and performing after all these years? 

Necrodeath:  

GL: Yes, the band has been active since 1985 and except for a break in the early 90s, we have never stopped. But now we are at the end of our journey and despite having covered many kilometers and played on stages of all sizes, this year we will do our last tour to meet our fans and say goodbye still at the height of our strength. Basically what has always motivated us has been the music, the energy and the harmony that exists between the four of us to carry the band forward especially in recent years  

Metallerium: Many bands from the 80s face challenges in staying relevant. How do you think Necrodeath has managed to remain impactful in the metal scene?    

Necrodeath:  

Pier: The only thing we managed was continue making albums and performing live without ever stopping, starting from the 1998 reunion. In every album and every gig, we put all our energy and passion. It’s the only sensible advice I would give to young bands today  

Metallerium: What do you think about the trend of influencers creating “worst album” lists? How do you handle criticism of your music?  

Necrodeath:  

GL: We are an old school band and honestly we don't give a shit about influencers! We accept both criticism and praise but we only give credit to a few people we deem serious. Nowadays there are too many "keyboard lions" just to get noticed, we are against all this, a theme that we also covered in "The Whore of Salem" in the album "The age of dead Christ". 

Metallerium: AI is increasingly used in music production and promotion. What are your thoughts on its role in art, and would Necrodeath ever consider using it? 

Necrodeath:  

Pier: As I mentioned before when talking about the cover, Necrodeath has always worked according to the old school, and they will exit the scene before AI becomes the driving force of music and graphics.   However, personally, I have nothing against it. After all, AI simply represents progress. When we entered the 'digital era,' I think many recording studios claimed they would always work with tapes, and when we started writing emails instead of letters, we already claimed that culture was over. If we use AI creatively, it can be a source of inspiration; if we use it only to save time and effort, it will lead to further flattening of the music scene  

Metallerium: What are the band’s plans for 2024 after the release of "Arimortis"? Can we expect any tours or special projects? 

Necrodeath:  

Pier: The plan is to perform concerts until the end of 2025. Fortunately, we are receiving many requests, both in Italy and abroad, so we are very satisfied with what will be our final year of career.  

Metallerium: What message would you like to share with your fans and Metallerium’s readers about "Arimortis" and the future of Necrodeath?  

Necrodeath:  

Pier: Thank you for this enjoyable interview. I invite everyone to listen to our latest album 'Arimortis' because it is a 2025 album composed, produced, and created in the old-school style. Also, I encourage everyone to check out the Necrodeath music videos on YouTube and follow us on Facebook and our other social media to stay updated on our concerts!