Nerodia Interview

1.Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?

- We're currently planning some gigs for the next season, been a bit late with the album release and had to do some fixings here and there, but we’re always on the run!

2.Recently you have released a new album, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

- Vanity Unfair sounds so various but yet more homogeneous than the past releases. We tried to address all our main influences and mix them while keeping a certain imprint. I mean, the album contains a lot of different songs but you can always tell it’s us, and we are totally satisfied with this! Stefano Morabito in his 16th Cellar Studios had its great part in this: he reached the goal of melting our sound in the right way so to keep all the variety and colors of it in the right way. A great work, we couldn’t expect any better!

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the newer music?

- The main theme, as you can guess from the title, is vanity in all its forms and facets. It is not a concept album in the strict sense of the term but there is a thread running through the lyrics and the themes I wanted to deal with. All that is ephemeral seems to be so important now, and that worries me. Many people have lost sight of important values, getting lost in a sea of useless things; the use of social networks, for example, you can watch people who create a virtual reality of their lives, able to relate to other human beings only with a keyboard.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Nerodia'?

- Nerodia is a water snake, not poisonous, but insidious as all species of snakes. I like this concept, even that which does not seem to be lethal, it could be. Be careful...

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 we remember with pleasure the show with Rotting Christ, Destruction, Master and Aura Noir, bands that we appreciate very much, as well as very nice guys, and some of them became friends of us. I personally have spent a couple of days with Mr. Paul Speckmann and I must say it's a wonderful person. On stage we are very direct and brutal, I mean: we just plug in and run over everything like a tank: no compromise!

6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the new album?

- We're working on that with our label, we could definitely give you some news about it very soon.

7.The new album was released on 'Revalve Records', are you happy with the support that they have given you so far?

- Of course we are. Revalve Records is a great label, made up of serious people that are in the metal scene since decades, and they're doing an excellent job. We are fully satisfied about our partnership with them.

8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black and thrash metal?

- Feedbacks on the album are positive, as far as reviews are being released. Thrash metal is still alive! Despite this genre has undergone many changes over the years, the guys out there still appreciate this kind of music. Black Metal as well has lots fans around, and lots of them seem to love the way we mix these two main influences in the Nerodia sound.

9.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?

- Our drummer David is fully busy with his main band and epic pioneers Stormlord (and his 100s musical projects - he’s one of the best drummers around, everyone keeps asking for him), Marco is busy in writing the new doomish and gloomish Doomraiser stuff, and Ivan is playing around with his Ira del Baccano, a very nice instrumental project.

10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

- Musically we can’t really tell: we just released an album that is so various we could literally get any stream of it and let it go. I can say we’re really enthusiast of some rock’n’roll/punk attitude that came out from the it, though.

11.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?

- Needless to say, black and thrash metal have been a main influence for this band. Mainly central and north European 80’s and 90’s acts, as it’s so evident from our music, but we also borrowed a lot of rawness from the punk and rock’n’roll scene (did anybody say Pussywitch 666?). Seriously, I listen a lot of music, not only Heavy Metal of course, so my influences mainly range from Hard Rock and Blues, to Black Metal and Thrash Metal. I am currently listening to the old masterpieces of the Allman Brothers and Lynyrd Skynryd.

12.How would you describe your views on Satanism or Occultism?

- It 'a complex question. Currently I am not very interested in the practice of the occult sciences or, more specifically, of Satanism. I just think that they are subjects too abused and used very lightly. I think they are a vehicle to find themselves, and this is good, but too often lead to negative outlooks of the world.

13.What are some of your non musical interests?

- Everyone of us has it’s own activities and interests, besides regular daytime work. Some are guitar and photoshop freaks, some have a crush on birds of prey, I personally like to spend my time with my wife and my family. I love traveling and discovering new worlds, new cultures. A few months ago, we went to Japan and we were excited about the experiences we had. Without going so far, we also love discovering new places near our city; luckily, Italy provides a lot from this point of view.

14.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

- We'd like to thank you for the space you have given to us and greet all your readers, which we hope to meet somewhere on tour. Always listen to good music!