DEFORGE
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DEFORGE
IS ONE OF THOSE BANDS THAT YOU HAVE A GREAT DIFFICULTY TO CATEGORIZE. WHAT
DO THEY PLAY? SURE THEY HAVE MANY BRUTAL ELEMENTS WITH MELODIES, SO DO
THEY PLAY DEATH METAL? I REALLY DON'T KNOW... ONE THING IS FOR SURE, THEY
CREATE VERY INTERESTING MUSIC...
1.FIRST OF ALL GIVE US A SHORT BAND
BIO AND INTRODUCE YOURSELVES TO THE READERS.
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DEFORGE were born in November 1997
with the monicer ANONIMA DISASTRI by an Ettorre brothers' idea, Gaetano
(guitar) and Gianfranco (drums). Later, Domenico D’Eugenio (bass)
and Giovanni Caporaletti (lead guitar) joins the band while Gaetano is
now vocalist of the band. Soon the band records its first demo “Mankind
disaster”. After a couple of live concerts, with many positive
criticisms, and the partecipation at the National Competition “Altrisuoni
2000” (in which the final stage is got) are made. Because of various personal
problems, Gianfranco leaves the band. The new drummer is now Michele Melchiorre,
member of the thrash band SOTHIS and of MY DARK SIN. With this new line-up
five new songs are realized and the band, in may 2001, reaches the Temple
of noise studio’s by Christian Ice. The second demo “Silent terror inside”
is realized, still under the monicker Anonima Disastri. Now the genre proposed
by the band is a kind of swedish thrash-death metal, with further various
influences. After the recordings, also Michele leaves the band, and he
is replaced by Giuseppe Bracchi (ex-LOST DREAMS). In december 2001, Giovanni
leaves the band too. Massimo Di Gaetano joins the band on lead guitar,
whom new live concerts and songs are prepared with. After almost five years,in
early 2002 the band changes his monicker in DEFORGE, because the first
was no more representative. In early 2002 DEFORGE perform various
live concerts and partecipes at various compilation: "Screams from Italy
vol. VI”( Dawn of Sadness Rec.), "Wildzine compilation n°3", "Atlantida
compilation vol.16 "(Atlantida production) In september 2002 the band realizes
its third cd "Freedoom Release", still recorded at the Temple of Noise
Studio's by Christian Ice. The new five songs are more techinical and melodic
than before and it' s more difficult to individuate a main source of inspiration.
After the new recording, Domenico leaves the band and he's replaced by
Giuseppe Pirozzi. Tha band partecipes two more compiation: "Vox Mortus
Compilation vol.6" (Vox Mortus Production) and "I Fiori del Male n°1"(Il
male Production)
2.WHY DID YOU NAME THE BAND DEFORGE?
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SUGGEST WITH THIS NAME?
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GAE: Deforge, in a personal interpretation,
means the will to follow any stiff musical line. We try to use many influences
in our songs: thrash, death, prog, classical music, brutal....
3.TELL US A FEW THINGS REGARDING YOUR
3RD DEMO CD "FREEDOOM RELEASE". WHY DID YOU NAME THE ALBUM THIS WAY? TELL
US A FEW THINS ABOUT THE PRODUCTION AND THE RECORDING SESSIONS. ARE YOU
SATISFIED BY THE FINAL RESULT? WHICH ARE THE MAIN DIFFERENCES WITH YOUR
PREVIOUS 2 DEMOS?
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GAE: "Freedoom Release" is a word game
that means how the people chain up themselves during the obstinate research
of freedom. I think that the people search the freedom without knowing
what freedom really means. I'm really free if I can choose without psycho
obstacles what I want.
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The "Freedoom Release" recording sessions
were one of the most difficult experiences of my life; we had a lot of
external problems and we couldn't do our best (100%) but I think that the
final result is very good and we are satisfied. The previous demos are
very different; the first, "Mankind Disaster" was extremely influenced
by Sepultura and Slayer, the production was very bad and the final result
was not very good. The second, "Silent Terror Inside" was a good demo,
with a lot of swedish influences and a good production; it had many good
reviews but is a different work from "Freedoom Release".
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MAX: It has been an exciting experience,
but it has also been very difficult! Somehow we had a lot of fun and I
think we have given a great part of us. By my side, I tried to do my best
in everything, either in the simplest arpeggios to the most difficult solos.
4.YOUR LYRICS ARE THOUGHT PROVOKING
AND SOMEONE HAS TO READ THEM CAREFULLY IN ORDER TO TRY AND UNDERSTAND SOME
OF THE THINGS YOU WANT TO SAY. COULD YOU TELL US A FEW THINGS ABOUT THEM?
WHERE ARE THEY REFERRING TO?
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GAE: I write about myself. I'm very
critic with myself. I observe all my actions and I think about all my mistakes.
Of course those thoughts can be broadened to the majority of the
people around me. I think that if I want to hit a result, I must devote
seriously.
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MAX: Lyrics may be inspired by a lot
of different things, for example I read tons of books and poems and every
page could be a possible source of inspiration. I think “Mindless state”
could be a kind of moral katharsis, beginning in every moment in our lives
and finishing just when we are “..crossing the last, final line”. “Immortality”
has a different subject, it’s very sad for me: It’s dedicated to a friend
who died tragically in the last year, very young. I just wanted to dedicate
this song to a great friend and I hope it will celebrate him in a noble
way. Tnx Walter, God bless you.
5.WHAT INSPIRES YOU IN WRITING LYRICS
AND MUSIC? HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN AN IDEA YOU HAVE IS GOOD AND YOU ARE GOING
TO KEEP IT? WHAT PROCEDURE DO YOU FOLLOW IN GENERAL?
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GAE: We haven't a procedure; usually
one of us plays some riffs and the others try to create the structure of
the song. Sometimes the best ideas are made by improvisations; I told you
we try to follow any stiff musical line; for example one of the new songs
has funky influences...
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MAX: We usually begin with improvisations,
every idea is good to begin: a guitar riff, a groove, a drum fill, ecc...
Many times we write some materials at home, then we play them all together.
When a riff sequence or any other kind of material sounds good to every
one of us, a basis to a new song is given.
6.THE ARTWORK IS GREAT! DARK AND ATMOSPHERIC
AND IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR IT. HOW WAS THIS IMAGE
INSPIRED BY YOU, WHAT DOES IT REPRESENT AND WHICH IS THE CONNECTION WITH
THE LYRICS?
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GAE: I'm happy that you liked it. The
cover image represents three bodies suffocated and immobilized with some
tongues that get into them. The bandages represent the chains of the obsessive
research of freedom that could prevent any movement and any choice; the
tongues are the seduction of this reserch that can capture us and
when she's entered we loose the vision of reality.
7.DO YOU HAVE ANY PLANS FOR LIVE APPEARANCES?
HOW DIFFICULT IS IT FOR A YOUNG BAND TO ARRANGE LIVE SHOWS? HOW ARE THINGS
IN ITALY?
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GAE: We are trying to play a lot around,
but it's not so easy. In the north of Italy it's easier, but in the
middle (we come from the perfect middle of Italy) and in the south there
are few clubs and frequently the ownerclubs choose only local bands. For
the moment we are in contact with bands from north to south trying to play
everywhere.
8.NAME SOME OF THE BAND INFLUENCES
AND SOME OF YOUR MOST BELOVED ALBUMS. WHICH MUSICIANS HELPED YOU REALIZE
THAT YOU WANTED TO FORM A BAND OF YOUR OWN?
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GAE: We have a lot of different influences
from thrash to prog, from death to jazz. Of course the most important band
for us are Testament, Death, Atheist, Dream Theater, Opeth, SimphonyX,
Cynic, Meshuggah and so on. My best albums are "Low" from Testament, "Heartwork"
from Carcass, "Unquestionable Presence" from Atheist, "Individual Thought
Patterns" from Death. During my adolescence i liked two carismatic musicians
over alls: Lars Ulrich and Max Cavalera. Ulrich because he had to became
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MAX: We have a lot of influences, but
I think the good thing is that everyone of us has his best tastes and inspirations,
and we try to unite all of these “differences”. For example I study classical
guitar, so I adore Bach, Paganini and the contemporary music; but I also
love rock, jazz, fusion and metal bands like Atheist, Morbid Angel, Nile,
Dream theather, Burzum, Metallica ecc..
9.YOU HAVE PARTICIPATED IN 3 COMPILATION
CDS. DO THEY REALLY HELP A BAND TO BE NOTICED? AREN'T YOU AFRAID THAT YOUR
COMPOSITION MIGHT BE "LOST" AMONG ALL THOSE OTHERS?
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GAE: We try to utilize all the possibilities,
so we partecipate in all the compilations that we can because everyone
of these is a new chance for someone to listen to our songs. We had good
response for our songs then I think that our compositions aren't lost,
but I can't know all the answers then it's possible that sometimes they
are ignored.
10.IF YOUR MUSIC WERE AN EMOTION, WHAT
WOULD IT BE? IF IT WERE A PAINTING, WHAT WOULD IT SHOW?
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MAX: I think “Insanity”. The painting
would show exactly the subject of “The scream” by Edvard Munch.
11.IF YOU HAD THE CHANCE TO MEET THE
CREATURE THAT CREATED THE UNIVERSE, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO ASK HIM?
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GAE: I would ask him when I will die
because I would try to correct all my mistakes before the end.
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MAX: Maybe I would ask him what’s after
this life, just to know what I have to expect one day.
12.YOU ARE GRANTED ONE WISH. WHAT WOULD
YOU DO WITH IT?
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GAE: It's difficult to choose one...
I'll tell you a personal wish: I would wish to become a good musician like
Akerfeld from Opeth. For me he's one of best musicians of the world.
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MAX: To become a great musician.
13.IF YOU COULD TRAVEL BACK IN TIME,
WHICH HISTORICAL PERIOD WOULD YOU LIKE TO VISIT AND WHAT WOULD YOU MISS
THR MOST FROM OUR TIMES?
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GAE: I'm a Magritte lover and I would
like to breathe and to fell the innovations and the visual evolutions of
this period. I dont know what I can miss because I think that any
interference can ruin this magical atmosphere.
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MAX: I would visit every historical
era of the world, but in particular the cultural revolution of the “belle
époque”.
14.WHAT TITLE WOULD YOU LIKE THIS INTERVIEW
TO HAVE?
15.THANK YOU! HAVE I FORGOTTEN TO ASK
YOU ANYTHING AND YOU'D LIKE TO MENTION?
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GAE: Thanx a lot for the space and
time that you dedicated to us. Support always the underground. Please visit
our website www.deforgeband.com
and sign the guestbook in the madest way!!! BYEZZZ
CHRISTINE
PARASTATIDOY