Ponte del Diavolo Interview

 

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

KRATOM: Hi! 2025 will be a pretty busy year for the band. We will play some of the major Europe festivals and we'll be hitting the studio soon to record our second LP 

2.So far yo have released 3 ep's and one full length, musically how do they all differ from each other?

 ABRO: The first three EPs are more raw and direct production wise. With "Fire blades from the tomb" we wanted to focus more on the arrangements and sounds and we experimented as well with including different instruments such as synths, theremin and clarinet 

3.The band also incorporates the use of 2 bass guitars, can you tell us a little bit more about going for a double bass instead of the 2 six string guitar concept based most bands go for? 

ABRO: It's a matter of sound. We love low frequencies and having 2 basses gives us a different way to approach the songs. Of course equalizing the sounds was a challenge and I think you will hear more of it in the next album. Sometimes one bass is more like a guitar and sometimes we like to go in unison to destroy everything in our range.

 4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored so far and also how would you describe your progress as songwriters over the years? 

ERBA DEL DIAVOLO: All our songs talk about the relationship that human beings have with nature, with the universe, with its most hidden part. They speak of courage in probing the invisible and of love for dissidence. I couldn't tell you how our way of composing has changed over the years, it's a natural alchemy. We seek enjoyment in writing. It is the most direct way to communicate on another level, more real and profound.

 5.I know that the band's name means 'Devil's Bridge' in Italian, how does this name fit in with the musical style that you play?

 KRATOM: The "Ponte del Diavolo" is an actual place in Italy that is connected with a folklore story connected with the Devil. I think it fits perfectly the musical style of the band since it's a bridge that connects different musical genres, but all tied to the Devil's spark. 

6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the compilation album cover?

 ABRO: The artwork is very minimal. We chose a very direct approach to convey the record title. 

7.Recently you have released all 3 of your ep's all on one album, can you tell us a little bit more about the decision behind releasing a compilation? 

KRATOM: The original EP's were printed by independent small labels and got sold out pretty quickly. We saw some of our items sold on discogs at incredibly high prices, so we thought it was a good idea to reprint all the songs with a new mix and master and give the possibility to have them all on a physical support with an affordable price. 

8.Out of all the shows the band has played so far, which one stands out the most? 

ABRO: Personally I would say our show at the 2024 edition of the Soulcrusher festival in Holland. KRATOM: agree, Soulcrusher has been wild and wonderful. 

9.Do you have any touring or show plans for 2025?

 Absolutely. As said above, 2025 will be a pretty busy year. Here are the next shows planned: ● 18/04 INFERNO METAL FESTIVAL NORWAY- Oslo (NO) ● 20/04 Roadburn Festival- Tilburg (NL) ● 24/05 Sonic Rites Events- Helsinki (FI) ● 14/06 Teifljågd Open Air - Burg Piberstein (AT) ● 20/06 Kilkim Žaibu festival- Ukmerge (LT) ● 26-27/09 Metal Gates Festival- Bucharest (RO) 

10.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black and doom metal?

 ABRO: I would say that the reaction has been very positive. The people are intrigued by our non conventional sound. 

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

ABRO: Only time will tell. 

12.In one interview you also mentioned an interest in the writings of Aliester Crowley and Esoteric topics, can you tell us a little bit more about this interest?

 KRATOM: Everyone in the band has its own take on spirituality so I can't really give a straight unique answer for everybody. We don't address any specific current explicitly in our lyrics, but if you read them carefully I think you'll find some hints 1

3.What are some of the bands or musical styles the band members are currently listening to nowadays?

 ABRO: lately I've been listening to: the kilimanjaro dark jazz ensemble, thin lizzy, the cure, the latest paysage d'hiver and spectral wound KRATOM: the latest Spectral Wound for sure is a banger. Lately I listened a lot also to With The Dead, Feral Forms and Skinny Puppy.

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

 KRATOM: thanks for your time and hope to see you on the road

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