THUNDERSTORM are a quartet from Italy and they're in the pure doom metal vein. Their 2000 debut (Sad Symphony) pleasantly surprised me, and I was actually thinking of interviewing the band back then. For whatever reason that didn't happen, but after I received follow-up Witchunter Tales (2002), thanks to Holland's Rock Inc., there was no more excuse : I simply had to get in touch with the band, since Witchunter Tales was once again a masterpiece of doom, in the vein of SOLITUDE AETURNUS, CANDLEMASS, ... The current THUNDERSTORM line-up consists of Sandro Mazzoleni (guitar), Omar (bass), Attilio Coldani (drums) and vocalist/guitarist Fabio 'Thunder' Bellan. It was the latter that answered all of my questions; well, there's one 'divine' intervention by Omar as well ...
Hi there Fabio. For starters, let's go way back in time. Tell us about the formation of THUNDERSTORM. Who were the instigators? What made you decide to start a (doom) band? When was that exactly?
I've been listening to doom metal since I was a child/teenager. It's a natural thing to play doom for me. My brother infected me with the doom virus! I decided to create a real doom metal band in 1998, when I was tired of playing classic power metal.
When did you first start to be interested in music in general, heavy metal in special? What is your earliest musical recollection?
The first recordings that I bought were BLACK SABBATH's Born Again and the first two records of IRON MAIDEN (Iron Maiden and Killers) in … mmm ... 1983, when I was 13 years old! Vynil format of course ...
And which bands and individuals have influenced you over the years?
BLACK SABBATH, TROUBLE, CANDLEMASS, SAINT VITUS, early IRON MAIDEN, early JUDAS PRIEST for sure, plus the epic metal of the 1980's (OMEN, MANILLA ROAD, etc.). Other bands … RUNNING WILD during their Gates Of Purgatory and Branded And Exiled era, and a lot of underground bands.
Were you in any other bands prior to starting THUNDERSTORM? Any recordings? Releases?
A lot of underground bands and old THUNDERSTORM. The moniker of those bands? I remember THE CLOSER, OVERLOUD and BLACK LIGHTNING.
A first demo (entitled Thunderstorm) was recorded in those early years. When exactly? Which songs were on that demo? What was THUNDERSTORM's style like back in those days? How many copies did you make of that first effort?
Yes. It was recorded in 1992. No songs were used in THUNDERSTORM as of now. I don't consider this promo as a 'creature' of the actual THUNDERSTORM. The style is very different, like classic heavy metal of the 1990's. I sold approximately 100 copies of this demo.
In 1994 you released another demo, Force Of Evil, which actually included 3 studio + 6 live songs. Why did you decide to add 6 live songs to the demo? As only Vision Of Death was properly released later on, I'm wondering what the other songs were like? Which style?
I decided to add the live tracks because we had played a good gig and the audio service was recording with a good quality. Oh no, Vision Of Death of old THUNDERSTORM is not the same song as on the Sad Symphony album; it is the same title but the track is different.
In between 1994 and 1998 THUNDERSTORM played quite a few gigs. Care to tell us about the bands that you supported or played with on those occasions? Which band(s) made the best impression on you? Why?
We played some gigs and a festival in my town (Bergamo) in 1998 with MOONSPELL and ANATHEMA. I liked the ANATHEMA show very much, as it was the tour for their Alternative 4 album. Their show was very, very emotional and ANATHEMA are very good guys too. MOONSPELL are okay as well, but maybe a bit 'cold' persons.
Still in 1998, after several line-up changes, the band decides to call it quits. But later that same year you hooked up with drummer Massimo Tironi. How did that come about? And what about Massimo's previous musical endeavours? Any bands, recordings, releases?
Old THUNDERSTORM split at the end of 1998. I wanted to play old, classic doom metal and the other kids wanted to continue to play classic heavy metal. I knew Massimo Tironi from hanging out in a pub and I had found out that he loved classic doom metal as well. I proposed him to play in a doom metal band together and he accepted. He was playing in a gothic band called ... mmm ... sorry, I don't remember!
The two of you subsequently started a new band : SAD SYMPHONY. Why didn't you just continue under the moniker of THUNDERSTORM?
Because SAD SYMPHONY was a doom metal band and old THUNDERSTORM a classic metal band! The chapter of THUNDERSTORM was closed for the time being, and SAD SYMPHONY was the beginning of a new era!
And why did you pick SAD SYMPHONY as a bandname? Any special meaning to it?
Oh, I don't remember exactly … Maybe I just found this moniker during a very sad day, I think ...
As SAD SYMPHONY you released a 2-song demo in the spring of 1999. Who was in the band at that time? Why only two songs?
The band needed to spread its music to an audience and thus we decided to publish a promo with just two songs. On this promo the bass was played by my friend Nicola and the keyboards … oh, I don't remember, a blond guy ... but I don't remember his name.
Shortly after releasing that 2-song promo you replaced bassist Nicola by Omar. Where did Omar originate from? Any previous bands or releases? And why did Nicola leave? Or was he kicked out of the band?
Nicola was just a session musician for the promo recording, as he normally plays rock and country-rock! Omar was playing in a MEGADETH cover band called MARY JANE. I asked him if he wanted to play with SAD SYMPHONY and he accepted with enthusiasm!
Around the same time you had attracted some label interest as well, right? Can you reveal which labels were interested in the band at that time?
Northwind Records was interested at the end of summer 1999, after listening to our promo. I don't know if any other labels were interested, as we accepted the Northwind offer. It's not easy to find a label for a first album for every genre, and especially for a doom metal band.
In September 1999 you changed the bandname back to THUNDERSTORM again. What instigated you to do this?
Like I just mentioned, Northwind was interested to produce our first album but the boss of the label didn't like the moniker SAD SYMPHONY. He proposed the name of my old band, THUNDERSTORM. Initially I was not agreeing with this change, but after a while I accepted. The moniker is not important for the song quality of a band, however I still prefer the SAD SYMPHONY moniker!
In June 2000 you finally signed a deal with Northwind Records. What kind of deal is it? For how many releases? And what made you decide to choose in favour of them? What more do they have to offer than any other label?
The deal was just for the first album. Northwind Records didn't know how to market a doom metal band!
Also in June 2000 you entered New Sin Studios, to record what was to become THUNDERSTORM's debut CD, appropriately entitled Sad Symphony. What can you tell us about that studio? And who produced and engineered the entire effort? How long did it take you guys to complete the recordings?
New Sin Studios are very popular here, in Italy. They have produced various Italian metal bands, including the likes of LABYRINTH, DOMINE, WHITE SKULL and many more good bands. The sound engineer, Luigi Stefanini, knows his work perfectly and he's a great person too. We will record the next album at this studio again, that's for sure.
Who was responsible for the songwriting and arrangements on Sad Symphony? And what about the lyrics? Who comes up with those?
The composers of THUNDERSTORM's songs are bass player Omar and I. I compose the music and vocal melodies, Omar comes up with most of the lyrics. About the lyrics : I give a little input to Omar and he develops the rest. We will never change this method of composing, as it works perfectly!
And what are the songs on Sad Symphony about, lyrically? Can you give us a short summary, song by song? Where do you get inspiration from to write such lyrics?
Omar and I write the lyrics when we're a little drunk. That way we can 'spread' our minds to write visionary lyrics! But we don't use heavy drugs; just lots of tankards of beer … eh eh eh! A short summary? Okay! 1) Ascension : the song to tell at the listeners : Attention attention, this is true doom metal, not fuckin' poser metal! 2) Dark Knight : a classic, epic doom song. The evil dark knight rides in the night … 3) Time : a personal experience. It is the fastest song of the CD, but also the most sad ... 4) The Rite : A visionary nightmare of Omar! 5) Sphere Of Mine : another nightmare of Omar ... 6) The Prophecy : the lyrics are similar to Dark Knight … the evil prophet comes to this earth!
The front cover design for Sad Symphony is courtesy of Alessandro Magnasco. What does it depict exactly? How does it fit in with the title or lyrical content as a whole? Can you tell us something more about this painter?
We chose these paintings because they're perfect for THUNDERSTORM's style. At least we think so. Look at the Sad Symphony cover and listen to the CD : they're perfect together! Alessandro Magnasco was a very good painter of the 1600-1700 era; a bit mad and eccentric.
And what about Massimo Guarini, who provided the rest of the artwork? Which parts are his, to be exact? Has he been doing any artwork for other bands as well?
Massimo Guarini was the designer of Northwind Records until last year. He did artwork for the likes of POWER SYMPHONY, HIGHLORD and STRAMONIO. The covers of these albums were not his creation, but he designed all the rest of the artwork.
Was there any special reason for the additional keyboard parts being shared by two different guys? Who did what exactly?
Yes. Valentina Iiriti played just on the last song, Faded Memory, and the rest of the keyboard parts were played by Luigi Stefanini, the sound engineer, because Valentina did not have enough free time to learn all the keyboards parts.
Sad Symphony was announced to be released as a double gatefold LP on Metal Supremacy almost a year ago already.
What's the status as far as that release is concerned? Will this still happen? When? Will there be any special treats on this release? Bonus tracks? Different artwork?
Sad Symphony was released on vinyl in March 2003! This edition contains the two tracks from the Sad Symphony promo as a bonus, and a fantastic rendition of the original artwork. The vinyl's looking very good. Metal Supremacy made a great work! Some more good news : Witchunter Tales will be released on vinyl at the beginning of the summer as well, once again through Metal Supremacy of course!
Mid November 2000 you added a second guitarist, Sandro Mazzoleni, to the line-up. What made you do this? And what about Sandro's musical past?
On stage, the band needed two guitars to recreate the wall of sound that you can listen to on our CD's. Sandro was a old friend of Omar and he was playing with him in MARY JANE, the MEGADETH cover band.
In late 2001 or early 2002 drummer Massimo Tironi left the band. What was the reason for him to do this?
Well, about Massimo Tironi ... Actually, we don't know the reason why he left the band, really! I haven't seen Massimo for two years, and maybe he doesn't even play drums anymore. I think that he abandoned to play.
Did you start to audition for a new drummer right away, or were you just waiting for the right guy to come along? And what about this guy Gabriele, who joined you guys, but who was already out of the band by early March 2002? I suppose things weren't working out?
Gabriele was a good musician but a very, very bad person. Too hard to manage him! I want to forget about this guy.
Later on in 2002 (April & May) THUNDERSTORM participated in the Doom Over Germany gigs. Where did you get to play? With which other bands? What about crowd reactions? And who was THUNDERSTORM's drummer on those occasions? How did those shows go down for you guys?
We played the Eiche club in Crailsheim in April and the Jukuz Center in Aschaffenburg in May. I have good memories of these gigs and we received good reactions from the audience! The drummer was the guy from German band WELL OF SOULS. He was just a session drummer for those gigs.
In June 2002 you started to record the follow-up to Sad Symphony. At first you intended to call that second release Glory And Sadness. What made you change your mind in the end?
First of all, it would've been too much similar to call the album the same as the last song on the CD. And Witchunter Tales, the song, is a real killer track for THUNDERSTORM! The second thing was the cover : I had found a cover for the new album, which was simply fantastic, and the name of that painting was Witches And Spells.
Who was responsible for the artwork this time around? And what does it depict exactly?
The artwork was composed by the Malleus staff (www.malleusdelic.com). Have a look at their website … they're totally crazy!!! The painting is a sabbath of witches. The original painting was by Salvator Rosa (°1615 - +1673). As you can see, it's very crazy artwork, very bizarre!
And what happened to the song Voice Of Darkness, which was initially set to be included on Witchunter Tales as well?
Voice Of Darkness was the old title of the song Star Secret! In fact, the first words of this song are 'Voice of darkess'.
I guess that you must've been rather satisfied with your debut, as you opted once again to go to New Sin Studios with producer Luigi Stefanini. How long did it take you guys to record things this time? And what do you recall from your time in the studio? Are you satisfied with the overall end result?
Oh yes, we're completely satisfied with the producer! How many days to record the album? 15-16 days. The vocal parts were recorded in just one day! Nine hours of singing, really! It was like a torture for me, argh!!
DRAKKAR's Christian Fiorani helped you out on drums on Witchunter Tales. Did you ever try to persuade him to become a fulltime member of THUNDERSTORM as well, or was that out of the question? Why?
Christian was just a session drummer for the Witchunter Tales album. And as he is the drummer of DRAKKAR, he could not play with THUNDERSTORM, even if he wanted to.
The first edition of Witchunter Tales includes a bonus track, a cover version of BLACK SABBATH's Electric Funeral. Why did you pick that particular song?
We chose BLACK SABBATH's Electric Funeral because this track is in the same style of the Witchunter Tales album. I have listened to many versions of BLACK SABBATH covers from tribute CD's by death, thrash, hardcore bands, etc., with alternate results (some good and some bad) but the best of the best is a doom metal band that plays a BLACK SABBATH cover! And why wouldn't THUNDERSTORM be able to remake a great song like Electric Funeral? We did it!
Speaking of covers, if some label offered you to release a CD full of cover versions, let's say 12 songs by 12 different bands, which bands and songs would you select?
1) BLACK SABBATH : Electric Funeral 2) TROUBLE : Pray For Death 3) CANDLEMASS : Solitude 4) JUDAS PRIEST : Beyond The Realms Of Death 5) SAINT VITUS : Living Backwards 6) OMEN : Battle Cry 7) PARADISE LOST : As I Die 8) UFO : Lights Out 9) OZZY OSBOURNE : Suicide Solution 10) MANILLA ROAD : Spiral Castle 11) CATHEDRAL : Hopkins (The Witchfinder General) 12) THIN LIZZY : Thunder And Lightning 13) PENTAGRAM : Burning Rays (bonus track).
How would you say that Witchunter Tales differs from Sad Symphony? How would you describe the progression that the band has made from one release to another? By the way, for those still unaware of what THUNDERSTORM is all about, how would you describe your music yourself?
Witchunter Tales is more dynamic than Sad Symphony. At first listening Sad Symphony and Witchunter Tales could sound similar, but the second is the natural evolution of our sound. The new album is a step forward compared to the first one, I think, and this album contains a killer song, the most beautiful THUNDERSTORM song ever : Witchunter Tales, the titletrack! It is a sort of Paranoid for THUNDERSTORM, our most representative song. I love this track! Describe THUNDERSTORM's sound? A real classic doom metal band with a wall of guitars!
By the way, why did you call it Witchunter Tales, as opposed to Witchhunter Tales? Any special reasoning behind this?
There's no special reason behind this, it's simply because Witchunter (without the extra h) looks and sounds better than with two h's!
And what can you tell us about the lyrical content of Witchunter Tales, song by song, in brief?
1. Reality : The unkind street to THUNDERSTORM's world … 2. Witchunter Tales : He tries to suffocate his rage by killing witches, but fate's the real head of him 3. Parallel Universe : The insanity is an endless galaxy where you can trip, or where you can lose yourself. Break through this world and watch in my mind, but at your own risk! 4. Edge Of Insanity/Inside Me : Now you pass through the principal threshold. You must dive into the deepness, where you can see the reality. The paranoid man recognizes his psychosis but he doesn't know what to do. 5. Unchanging Words : This song was born to curse the Pride and its children. These people love surrounding you with their falsity. They'll slowly go down like in a marsh, seeing their glories burn, and none of their friends will care about them. An epitaph will remain on their crosses as a sign of an ordinary death. In the end we are equal. 6. Star Secret : Maybe it could seem so easy but it's full of secrets. The song's protagonist is on a desolated world. He could see quietness as far as hell's walls, but he's not scared, he's peaceful. Like Dante Aligheri when he was near the swamp of anger, when he saw the Dite's City (hell's walls), but was protected by the figure of Virgil. The falling star explaining the hour : Dante and Virgil met at midday, where instead in this song it is midnight 7. Glory & Sadness : this is the top of the travel of insanity. The world around is moving fast but the subject is in a catatonic state of unconsciousness. (Description of all songs by bassplayer Omar)
How have the reactions been to Witchunter Tales so far, both from fans and press? Where does most interest in the band come from exactly? Does that surprise you?
The reactions concerning Sad Symphony have been very good. They certainly exceeded our, and our label's, expectations. All European magazines and the most important webzines evaluated Witchunter Tales with very high scores. Great! The journalists and webzine writers have accepted the band with very great enthusiasm. They're very tired of tra-la-la symphonic bands, and a band in the doom metal vein is well accepted!
And what about Northwind Records. Are you satisfied with the support and promotion that they've been devoting to the band? What could've been better?
No, we're not satisfied with the promotional work of Northwind Records. Label promotion on a scale from one to ten : 4!
Exactly what is bothering you concerning Northwind's promotion? Care to be a bit more elaborate?
Oh, nothing too much, seriously … But if Northwind would insert a bit of promotion in metal magazines, ... it would be better for everyone involved, both band and label!
Northwind was also supposed to release a limited edition boxset, including picture disc versions of both albums, plus a special surprise. When will this be released? And what about that special surprise? Can you tell us more about that extraordinary release?
Oh, this release is cancelled ... I'm too angry and I want to forget this story.
Last October you finally secured a permanent drummer, Attilio Coldani. Where did you find him? Previous bands and experiences?
Yes! After a long search we have finally found a definitive drummer : Attilio Coldani. He's a great drummer, perfect for THUNDERSTORM. I love him! He also plays drums in another Italian band called WIREDS. Their style is classic heavy metal.
And how have things been working out with him so far?
In the next months we will start to compose new songs. I have a lot of guitar riffs and vocal melodies in my head, and I want to play with Attilio and try this stuff out with drums.
Are there any other Italian bands that you would like to recommend to the readers? What style are they involved with?
Yes! DOOMSWORD (pure epic metal), WOTAN (true 1980's heavy metal), DOMINE, and a lot of underground true metal bands like BATTLE RAM (you will read this name again, it's a very good band) and many more.
What do you think of the nowadays Italian metal scene as a whole? Do you consider it to be healthy? And when compared to the 1980's and 1990's?
The metal scene in the 1980's and the first half of the 1990's was poor. I just remember STRANA OFFICINA, VANADIUM and SABOTAGE. During the second half of the 1990's the situation was better (LABYRINTH, RHAPSODY, DOMINE and many others) but too many underground bands played like a clone of a clone of a clone of popular power symphonic metal bands. And nowadays the Italian market is full of 'useless' bands : poor compositions, poor musicians, poor productions, … It's dangerous for the Italian scene! I hope for a better situation in the near future.
Is it easy to play live in and around your area? And what about the rest of Italy? Have you lined up any tours for the months to come? And what about the rest of Europe?
No, it's not easy to play in Italy for THUNDERSTORM. Music clubs just want cover bands and power symphonic groups. Sad but true! The situation is much better in the rest of Europe, especially in Germany : I love German doom metal kids!! We are still planning a short tour of Germany for this coming summer.
Indeed, you are set to perform at this year's Headbangers Open Air festival, this coming July. What do you expect from this festival?
We will offer a wall of doom-sound of course! I hope for a good audience. Better yet, I'm sure that we'll play in front of a great audience!
And what about any other confirmed dates during this German trip?
We will play at the Rocktown Open Air festival the day before Headbangers Open Air. Actually, this festival was also the location of the first ever German THUNDERSTORM gig, back in July 2000! We are still searching for other locations to play ...
What kind of THUNDERSTORM merchandise is there available as of yet? Please list prices and ordering details!
T-shirts, longsleeves, buttons and more stuff! Anyone who wants to buy something, please email me at : thunderstormlair@tin.it or take a look at www.thunderstorm-doom.com.
What are the band's plans for the rest of 2003 and beyond?
We will record the new album in July 2004, but we don't know which label will publish the third album. We'll see. For now, the objective is to play on stage, especially in Germany.
Why won't the next album be recorded any earlier than next year in July? Any special reason?
Here's some very recent news : we will be recording the new CD during winter 2003/2004, instead of July 2004, as we want to release the new album in September 2004.
Which bands and releases have you been listening to extensively lately?
The latest album of ELECTRIC WIZARD (crazy!!), the latest CATHEDRAL (not bad!) and a lot of old stuff, like the first album of OMEN … a real milestone!
Is there anything that you'd like to add? Be my guest …
Sure! Just a few words : DOOM OR BE DOOMED!!!
Website : www.thunderstorm-doom.com