Ελληνικά
The Italian Pioneers of black metal are celebrating 30 years in the scene. Their focus always had an uncompromising and traditional character. With their appearances in Larissa (21.04) and Athens (22.04) closing in, Metal Invader spoke with the founder of the band, Wildness Perversion in an interview – manifest!
Hello there, Italian pioneers of Black/Death Metal! Tell us in some words (I know that it’s too difficult for a band like you) your history all the previous years!
Mortuary Drape was born in 1986 in Alessandria, Italy, from an idea of Wildness Perversion, the only original member, and 2 other people. During the years we changed a lot of lineups and in 2010 we finally found a stable one with MB drums, SC bass, DC and SR guitars. The style is inspired by the 80’s black/death and heavy metal, the lyrics based on exoterism and necromancy. The stage scenography gives the final touch to call it “black-occult metal”. From 1986 we recorded plenty of demos, eps, compilations, VHS videos and studio albums. We also played in a lot of gigs all around the world: Inferno death fest in Oslo or Maryland Death fest in Baltimore, just to make an example.
Some sites report that your very first recording is a demo in the year of 1986. Some others consider that your first release is the “Necromancy” or the “Live Tape ’87” of 1987. Which is the official and unofficial first release of Mortuary Drape?
The first record released is called “Necromancy” and it was released in 1987. It’s a demo with intro and 6 songs, very long demo for that time, but it was done to show our musical direction. To be honest there are many recordings, but the first official release remains “Necromancy”.
Some months ago, you released a Split with Necromass. Tell us about your cooperation with your “brothers”! Does this Split satisfy your expectations?
It was a long time that there was rumors about it and after the Necromass reunion we decided to realize it. It’s an appropriate tribute to the Italian black metal, which is still alive. We are very satisfied by the final result.
What’s next? Is this Split the herald of a full-length album during 2016? Are you working on new material and songs?
No, the split with Necromass is a step of our path, but it has nothing to do with a possible new release. At the moment we are really busy with the next gigs confirmed and those to be confirmed. I can state that in any case we are planning to write new material and work on new songs.
You are the only member, if I’m not mistaken, from your very first attack back in ’80s. Many members joined and left the band, especially guitarists and drummers. How do all these changes affect Mortuary Drape?
Well, all these changes obviously affected the band, in both good and bad ways. They affected positively the style because there were many different ideas from different members from different musical worlds. By the human aspect it was harder, because every man is a world apart and it needs time to find the right balance, especially in a band like Mortuary Drape.
Generally, your lyrical themes are about Occultism, Black Magic and Necromancy. Give us some more information about your lyrical themes.
Most of the time we talk about personal experiences in the exoteric and occult worlds. Nothing is a figment of our imagination. We keep on searching to complete our path. We are full of ideas and so come also new experiences and things to tell. We are thinking about a concept album, but at the moment it’s just an idea.
When you released “All the Witches Dance”, 22 years ago, some magazines reported some negative criticism about the cover art of the album. Generally, what you would say to all those guys that get involved only in those things without paying attention to your music?
I want to say to them “fuck you”, because somebody can consider himself a real man only when he knows what he is doing, when he follows his path, his spiritual research by following goals, never stop despite the obstacles he can encounter and if necessary, be ready to question himself too. I know why I did my choices and every lyrics, every word have their own precise meaning and I would be happy to explain them, to who judges without asking the right questions.
How important is the cover art of your releases for you? Some of them seem to be real, containing skulls, bones, candles, graves etc, such as in “Doom Return”, “All the Witches Dance”, “Secret Sudaria” and “Spiritual Independence”. Did you use any of the graphic programs to add any of these things?
Graphical effects are good for power metal bands, which want to show dragons and unreal things, we prefer to use simple things that you can provide in the real world. The only occasion we used an illustration for the cover was “Buried in Time”, but the result didn’t satisfy us. So now you can guess if the things we use are real of not.
Mortuary Drape is loyal in what it is doing. This is quite difficult, especially the last few years, where the world of music is differentiated year per year. What you have to say about this?
Coherence is, or better, should be everything to black metal bands. When you agree to a compromise that you consider wrong you underestimate yourself, your work, your dignity. The Mortuary Drape’s philosophy doesn’t agree to any spiritual, musical and commercial compromise. This is our elixir of life which keeps us still alive and followed from die-hard fans.
Does any band have to change their style because of their fans or money or anything else?
Absolutely no. The first reason to make music must be music itself and it must be appreciated for what it is. It must be sincere, then if a lot of people like it’s only a consequence. Money and music biz doesn’t offer good advices.
What is your opinion about live performances? Are they one of the most viral “menus” for a band?
Live performances are really important to bands like us, we can express better ourselves. You can look your fans in the eyes, you can captivate and be captivated at the same time. There’s everything from the spiritual sides to the musicians technique and the scenography.
Your last live was in Munich at 26/12/2015. Did you choose the specific date for a purpose or it was just by chance?
It wasn’t our purpose, it was just a coincidence.
Will there be anything special in your shows in Greece? What should the fans be expecting?
The shows in Greece will be devastating. We are looking forward to be there and we know that people is waiting for us since the last time in 2011, they can’t wait anymore.
What are your tour plans for the next months? What about summer period?
We are planning several concerts, but the only gigs confirmed to this day are the 1-2 July in Gothenburg, Sweden and the 20 Αugust Colletorto in Italy with Handful of Hate.
How difficult is it for a band to survive so many years, especially, when it comes from the Italian underground “catacomba”?
It’s really hard due to the music genre, the music market, bureaucracy, our life expectations, due to an artistic country which gives no importance to every kind of artistic expression. But we don’t mind and we keep on holding on.
Let’s continue with the last part of this interview! What is your opinion about Italian metal scene? Parallel with this, tell us your thoughts about Greek scene. Both scenes aren’t too famous in Black and Death Metal as Scandinavian is. Do you think that both of them are too competitive to other scenes?
For me, the Italian scene is not strong enough to survive, there are too many bands which arise and die in a short time without leaving any important sign. Some bands from 80’s and 90’s hold on and keep alive the Italian scene. To be honest I don’t know very well the Greek scene, I know only few bands but they are great. Both scenes are really competitive to the Scandinavian scene.
What were your worst and your best moments of your career? I know that it’s hard for you to choose one or two things, but tell us the most memorable!
It could seem strange but one of the best moments of my career was to remain alone after “Buried in Time”. I had time to think about a lot of things, to reflect and make the best choices for Mortuary Drape. Then I had the chance to meet motivated musicians, which helped me to bring back together the band and reach the important goals of these last years.
What you could say to a band that today decides to start its career in the world of music?
Nowadays it’s hard to live with music. I just can say to take it easy and do it first for themselves, because only in this way it can be found the right strength to survive and carry on.
Mortuary Drape exists the last 30 years; a whole life. What do you say to new fans and, of course, to your followers?
I want to thank every-fucking-one of you, for your support in the past, now and in the future. I promise that we will keep the black flame alive and we will never disappoint you. We are waiting for you for the next gigs ready to destroy everything!
Ok, one last question! Which are your religion beliefs? Does religion affect your daily life?
How could religion affect our daily life? As stated before, we perform a spiritual research, it has nothing to do with religion, we don’t want any bond. We just believe in what we do.
This is the end! Thank you for your time! The last words are yours!
Thank you for your interview. We hope to see you at the next gigs and we recommend you to support the underground scene. There will be super news for the 30th year of Mortuary Drape.
In Spiritual , The 13 Drape
