1.Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?
We're currently writing the songs that will compose our next album. Pretty heavy stuff like on our debut, but with more influences than before, especially considering that the line-up is not exactly the same as on that record.
2.For those that have yet to hear the album, how would you describe your musical sound?
A dark, muddy, guitar-driven tunnel. I know it doesn't exactly sound original, but that's how I feel it. We like our sound to be oppressive and hypnotic, despite some occasional epic touch (don't misunderstand the term "epic"... no room for dragons and elves here!).
3.Your lyrics cover some occult, mythology and Roman history themes, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in these topics?
Now more than on our first record, we find inspiration in real stories that have a real place in our culture. Ancient history offers a lot of interesting subjects and archetypes, without the need to dive into fantasy stuff. Ancient Italian traditions, Etruscan and Roman mythology are part of our DNA, so it came natural to us to use a few historical figures or events and basesome of our songs on them. We've done that with Caligula and the "flagellanti" ritual on our first record already, but the next album will probably feature some more stories. For instance, one of the new tracks ("Ecce Tenebrio") is based on the "officium tenebrarum", according to the tradition of Molise, a small southern Italian region. Then there would be "Under the Yoke of Jupiter", based on the first Servile War and the character of Eunus, the slave who lead that revolt. Also an Italian poet (Giosuè Carducci) is likely to be paid tribute too, since one song ("A Satana") will contain excerpts from one of his poems. We do that because we simply find it more natural to express ourselves through stories that we can actually relate to, rather than genre clichés, that would fit better only because others are using them.
4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Fangs Of the Molussus'?
Thanks for asking, because when I came up with "Fangs Of The Molossus" I was afraid the other guys in the band would not accept it... but I got lucky! You know, I'm not so much into long band names, but when I tried to figure out what our name should evoke, I couldn't help to go for this one: something massive, intimidating and with an "old" touch. What better than an ancient breed of battle dogs? And the adoption of a Latin term also was really too inviting to decline the offer!
5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
Surely opening for Mondo Generator in 2013 was a big deal for us: great audience, great venue and the first chance to play a real gig out of the comfortable circle of clubs we usually play at. I would also add the "Play It Doom II" festival we've recently taken part in: sharing the stage with established bands such as Forsaken, Atlantean Kodex, Doomraiser or Impero Delle Ombre was an honor for us.
On stage we are quite natural: focused, immersed into what we do, without any particular theatrics. It's always better to let the music do the talking, so we concentrate on that first.
6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
No real tour now, as finishing the songs and starting recording them is our priority. We all work and/or have other bands (our drummer Black Wizard is Domine's drummer too, for instance), so we must face tasks one by one. We have some scheduled gigs anyway, like the one with Belzebong in mid May.
7.On the album you had a couple of members of Necromass on a couple of tracks, do you feel their participation has been very helpful when it comes to getting your music out there heard?
I think it helped giving us some visibility for sure, for Necromass is undoubtedly a cult name in the scene, despite the style difference. But there could be no collaboration if we weren't actually friends in real life, and if their contributions weren't fitting in. Luckily, both things happened, and we were very happy of the results. In the future something similar is likely to happen again, but no name will be made unless we are totally sure it can be done.
8.The album was re-issued on vinyl by Italian Doom Metal Records, can you tell us a little bit more about this label?
Oh, Simone Pozzolo (the founder of the label) is such a great guy. He's been into doom metal for a lifetime and he's really dedicating all his energy and heart to his website first, and then his label project. I know he's working on other Italian bands material, like Abysmal Grief and Runes Order, but his next releases are top secret, even for us.
We were proud of being chosen as the first band in his roster. It's really important to work with people who know what they do and share the same deep love for your music. It's about respect in the first place, right? So, when you both respect the thing you both love, then you end up respecting each other too, because your goal is the same. I don't know how many bands can claim that, if they play as mercenaries, and record for other mercenaries. In our case, we can surely state that both Simone and us are totally volunteering!
9.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of doom metal?
Good so far. It's a niche market, so you can't expect much, in terms of big numbers. As long as some people appreciate what you do, follow you on social networks, ask for your records and come and see you live, you can say it's a success. And doom people are very dedicated to what they listen to: it's not a fad or a trend. From young dudes to die-hard metalheads who remember the good old days, to the ones who are not even into metal at all (and prefer psychedelic, spacey proto-metal music), we have our small, motley circus of followers here and there, and it's nice to know they care about what we do.
10.Are any of the band members also involved with any other musical projects or bands these days?
As I said before, Black Wizard is with Domine too, and Amp Zilla (our singer and lead guitarist) is with a few other bands, "Cronaca E Preghiera" among them.
11.When can we expect another album and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
In theory 2015 will see the new album out. Label offers may change everything, though, so it's hard to schedule a reliable deadline now. Surely by the end of this year the recorded album will be ready, then the actual release date is still uncertain.
Music wise, you can expect more variety in sound, because or next record will be longer (in length) than its predecessor, so it's our plan to differentiate the songs a bit more than we've done in the past. Same backbone, only a few more digressions like acoustic passages, faster or heavier portions, and more psychedelic intervals.
12.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?
I'd say, all for different reasons and in different measures, Hawkwind, Saint Vitus, Loop, Sabbath, Sun Dial, Trouble, Electric Wizard.
Today there are tons of interesting bands. Personally I'm into all kinds of music, so don't necessarily expect something doom metal, nor the newest sensations... The CD's I see right now, close to the computer monitor, can give you the picture: "Apokalypsis" (Chelsea Wolfe), "Red Exposure" (Chrome), "L'Arrivée de la Terne Mort Triomphante" (Gnaw Their Tongues) and "Primitive and Deadly" (Earth).
13.What are some of your non musical interests?
I like drawing (very rarely I try painting too, but I'm a disaster), doing graphic design, reading (old sci-fi novels, non-fiction, Japanese horror comics, poetry) and watching hundreds of horror movies (the ones mad until cgi spoiled everything).
14.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Support the music you love. Downloading zillions of random songs, limiting your participation to online "likes" or "views" is not real support: go to gigs, meet real dudes who are into the same stuff, buy records (only the ones you like, of course), read specialized magazines. That is "supporting the scene". Anything else is just hipster crap that means nothing and helps nobody.
Count J. Vendetta
We're currently writing the songs that will compose our next album. Pretty heavy stuff like on our debut, but with more influences than before, especially considering that the line-up is not exactly the same as on that record.
2.For those that have yet to hear the album, how would you describe your musical sound?
A dark, muddy, guitar-driven tunnel. I know it doesn't exactly sound original, but that's how I feel it. We like our sound to be oppressive and hypnotic, despite some occasional epic touch (don't misunderstand the term "epic"... no room for dragons and elves here!).
3.Your lyrics cover some occult, mythology and Roman history themes, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in these topics?
Now more than on our first record, we find inspiration in real stories that have a real place in our culture. Ancient history offers a lot of interesting subjects and archetypes, without the need to dive into fantasy stuff. Ancient Italian traditions, Etruscan and Roman mythology are part of our DNA, so it came natural to us to use a few historical figures or events and basesome of our songs on them. We've done that with Caligula and the "flagellanti" ritual on our first record already, but the next album will probably feature some more stories. For instance, one of the new tracks ("Ecce Tenebrio") is based on the "officium tenebrarum", according to the tradition of Molise, a small southern Italian region. Then there would be "Under the Yoke of Jupiter", based on the first Servile War and the character of Eunus, the slave who lead that revolt. Also an Italian poet (Giosuè Carducci) is likely to be paid tribute too, since one song ("A Satana") will contain excerpts from one of his poems. We do that because we simply find it more natural to express ourselves through stories that we can actually relate to, rather than genre clichés, that would fit better only because others are using them.
4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Fangs Of the Molussus'?
Thanks for asking, because when I came up with "Fangs Of The Molossus" I was afraid the other guys in the band would not accept it... but I got lucky! You know, I'm not so much into long band names, but when I tried to figure out what our name should evoke, I couldn't help to go for this one: something massive, intimidating and with an "old" touch. What better than an ancient breed of battle dogs? And the adoption of a Latin term also was really too inviting to decline the offer!
5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
Surely opening for Mondo Generator in 2013 was a big deal for us: great audience, great venue and the first chance to play a real gig out of the comfortable circle of clubs we usually play at. I would also add the "Play It Doom II" festival we've recently taken part in: sharing the stage with established bands such as Forsaken, Atlantean Kodex, Doomraiser or Impero Delle Ombre was an honor for us.
On stage we are quite natural: focused, immersed into what we do, without any particular theatrics. It's always better to let the music do the talking, so we concentrate on that first.
6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
No real tour now, as finishing the songs and starting recording them is our priority. We all work and/or have other bands (our drummer Black Wizard is Domine's drummer too, for instance), so we must face tasks one by one. We have some scheduled gigs anyway, like the one with Belzebong in mid May.
7.On the album you had a couple of members of Necromass on a couple of tracks, do you feel their participation has been very helpful when it comes to getting your music out there heard?
I think it helped giving us some visibility for sure, for Necromass is undoubtedly a cult name in the scene, despite the style difference. But there could be no collaboration if we weren't actually friends in real life, and if their contributions weren't fitting in. Luckily, both things happened, and we were very happy of the results. In the future something similar is likely to happen again, but no name will be made unless we are totally sure it can be done.
8.The album was re-issued on vinyl by Italian Doom Metal Records, can you tell us a little bit more about this label?
Oh, Simone Pozzolo (the founder of the label) is such a great guy. He's been into doom metal for a lifetime and he's really dedicating all his energy and heart to his website first, and then his label project. I know he's working on other Italian bands material, like Abysmal Grief and Runes Order, but his next releases are top secret, even for us.
We were proud of being chosen as the first band in his roster. It's really important to work with people who know what they do and share the same deep love for your music. It's about respect in the first place, right? So, when you both respect the thing you both love, then you end up respecting each other too, because your goal is the same. I don't know how many bands can claim that, if they play as mercenaries, and record for other mercenaries. In our case, we can surely state that both Simone and us are totally volunteering!
9.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of doom metal?
Good so far. It's a niche market, so you can't expect much, in terms of big numbers. As long as some people appreciate what you do, follow you on social networks, ask for your records and come and see you live, you can say it's a success. And doom people are very dedicated to what they listen to: it's not a fad or a trend. From young dudes to die-hard metalheads who remember the good old days, to the ones who are not even into metal at all (and prefer psychedelic, spacey proto-metal music), we have our small, motley circus of followers here and there, and it's nice to know they care about what we do.
10.Are any of the band members also involved with any other musical projects or bands these days?
As I said before, Black Wizard is with Domine too, and Amp Zilla (our singer and lead guitarist) is with a few other bands, "Cronaca E Preghiera" among them.
11.When can we expect another album and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
In theory 2015 will see the new album out. Label offers may change everything, though, so it's hard to schedule a reliable deadline now. Surely by the end of this year the recorded album will be ready, then the actual release date is still uncertain.
Music wise, you can expect more variety in sound, because or next record will be longer (in length) than its predecessor, so it's our plan to differentiate the songs a bit more than we've done in the past. Same backbone, only a few more digressions like acoustic passages, faster or heavier portions, and more psychedelic intervals.
12.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?
I'd say, all for different reasons and in different measures, Hawkwind, Saint Vitus, Loop, Sabbath, Sun Dial, Trouble, Electric Wizard.
Today there are tons of interesting bands. Personally I'm into all kinds of music, so don't necessarily expect something doom metal, nor the newest sensations... The CD's I see right now, close to the computer monitor, can give you the picture: "Apokalypsis" (Chelsea Wolfe), "Red Exposure" (Chrome), "L'Arrivée de la Terne Mort Triomphante" (Gnaw Their Tongues) and "Primitive and Deadly" (Earth).
13.What are some of your non musical interests?
I like drawing (very rarely I try painting too, but I'm a disaster), doing graphic design, reading (old sci-fi novels, non-fiction, Japanese horror comics, poetry) and watching hundreds of horror movies (the ones mad until cgi spoiled everything).
14.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Support the music you love. Downloading zillions of random songs, limiting your participation to online "likes" or "views" is not real support: go to gigs, meet real dudes who are into the same stuff, buy records (only the ones you like, of course), read specialized magazines. That is "supporting the scene". Anything else is just hipster crap that means nothing and helps nobody.
Count J. Vendetta
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