Interview with THE DEAD FLOWERS GRAVES
!!!DOOM METAL FROM ITALY!!!
We had a conversation with 19.03 (Vocals) & 13.11 (Bass). Enjoy!
Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.
Tell us a few things about THE DEAD FLOWERS GRAVES (Members, Starting Year etc).
19.03: We have known each other for a long time. we had things in common like abandoned, haunted houses, inexplicable facts, symbolism, synchronicity, cemeteries. The meaning of our name is the respect we have for the forgotten, the romantic image that small country cemeteries give, with those small tombs marked by time, where silence and peace reign. So all began in 2017 when We decided to have the experience of playing this particular genre that has always fascinated us: we thought that this could give the possibility of coloring the various topics that could be explored through the texts we intended to write with various shades. We started as a foursome, with the first EP "Three Dried flowers in her hand" (2020). then We felt the need to evolve the sound with the introduction of keyboards and the result is the second "Spectrum"(2022).
You have recently released your EP ''Elemento''. What is the feedback from your audience as well as from the press?
19.03: The reviews are very good and we are so proud. We know we have done a good job because we have really dedicated a lot of ourselves to it. We are constantly looking to make things different and particular, we are aware that it is very difficult because today the world is mixing different styles in many realities, there is a need to break the mold. However, as far as we are concerned, we are pleased to note that on the other side there's a lot of curiosity towards us and this pushes us to create something ever more different.
Label or DIY and why?
13.11: A professional label that handles many aspects of the band such as publicity,album printing and distribution allow us to stay focused on music and concerts,two of the main aspects of our band. So the answer is label.
Is there any funny or weird story from the recordings or from your live shows that you would like to share with us?
19.03: We can tell you how strange it's playing heavy doom metal inside a deconsecrated church, how blasphemous yet spiritual it can be. This happened a couple of years ago at the Church of Crow Doom Festival in Pinerolo (Turin). It was a combination of experiences: the acoustics, the lights, the sacred and old smell, the furnishings, the atmosphere.
Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD or Digital Format and why is that?
13.11: I am an avid collector of CDs and vinyls so a digital format will hardly do for me except to fill some curiosity,or discover something that I will then buy in the formats I prefer for listening.
Your music style is Doom Metal. Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
13.11: We all in the band come from different musical experiences like death metal, hardcore, post punk and our influences are numerous, but some bands we have in common are definitely Death SS, Devil's Blood, Castle, Blood Ceremony, Type 0 negative and many others.
Which things do you think a band should sacrifice in order to succeed? Have you ever sacrificed anything in your life for a better future for your band?
13.11: It is not for me to judge what a band should or not should not sacrifice in order to achieve success. But from personal experience integrity and selling out are inviolable principles. I have sacrifice a lot for the music i always wanted to make and to express myself through one of the most important things in my life.
19.03: Unfortunately in the past I sacrificed music for something else (work, fears) but everything I did in music was absolutely in line with me.
Describe your ideal live show as a performance band. Have you already experienced that?
19.03: We have already realized the dream of playing inside a church, we decided to create our own personal show, outside the context of a public place or one commonly used for live shows. The presentation of Elemento took place in a secret place, very dear to us, last 2nd November. We wanted to create the acoustic effect of reverberation, distance, with the voice as if it came from another world. Those who have seen our show, said it seemed to be in a floating dream where the sound generated spiraling vortices. The result has been amazing.
What attributes do you think that a new Doom Metal Band should have in order to gain identity and be unique?
19.03: The personal attitude to explore oneself. It is a search for individual awareness. If you don't know who you are and what or how you want to express, consequently you don't create anything different from the rest. From an internal point of view the world has so far been competitive for the survival of the species. now it doesn't work anymore. we can no longer be superficial human beings. we must live honoring life. From there you can develop what you want, designing something different, but if you block the push you have inside to continue conforming to an old exterior, you cannot evolve. Music is a vehicle, whatever genre it is. you are the one who makes the difference. for us doom is the Different, it's going outside the box, because in reality we were born elsewhere, with other styles. So what about the attributes? Honestly, I can't give you a right answer.
Do you believe that Digital Platforms help the new Doom Metal Bands? Which, do you think, is the ideal way for a band to promote its work?
13.11: I believe that the new digital platforms can circulate music very quickly and get it to young people who enjoy these sounds. On the other hand,a discerning listener with a little more experience will always find his gratification from a good CD or vinyl.
It seems that you are inspired from occult stuff. Are you interested in / practicing some kind of magic/witchcraft?
19.03: There was a time when rites were fundamental parts of the human being, but as a union of sacred body and spirit. Then some were interpreted with fear which generated superstitions. the most esoteric thing you can do today is to know yourself. we have everything written and memorized in our cells, we are a set of numbers, symbols, planets. As a band and as people, we are drawn to the occult because we need to rediscover. Each of us is grateful for what we have. I can tell you that I love wearing crystals, holding ammonites, feeling the trees, the wind, the water. I burn white sage because it purifies, I burn palo santo because it gives peace. I feel the moon a lot. I read what the planets say. My favourite rite is Breathing at my best everyday. But what is "witchcraft" is no longer for me, personally I am a woman and as such I carry in my blood the memories of my ancestors condemned as witches and so burned alive at the stake, marginalized, demonized, humiliated, and sometimes I still hear them scream every time the world roars outside . Enough of all this. I am life. But Man is also life. The most esoteric thing we can do is to complete the universal path, integrating, merging into spirit and material.
Tell us a few things about the New Underground Metal Scene in Italy (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs etc.)
13.11: Bands in Italy of all metal genres have never been lacking especially in the underground. What is perhaps drastically declining over the years is the number of venus willing to do underground bands. Some paper fanzine are coming back and webzine are always followed by metal fans. Talking about our genre, Doom metal in all its occult and horror ramifications has always been present and now thanks to some young driving realities it is emerging from the depths.
Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?
13.11: Coming I from the extreme metal scene I know and listen to numerous bands like Inveracity, Dead Congregation, Varathron, Necromantia, Zemial, Naer Mataron, Acid Mammoth and many more..
19.03: I love Acid Mammoth! I saw them live about one year ago, and I really appreciate "Caravan", it was my soundtrack for many time in my car!
In the last 4 years, worldwide in the world, we have faced many dark, strange, and new situations in our everyday lives (covid, lockdown, etc.). Did all of this affect you positively or negatively?
19.03: Each of us suffered in our own way. It's not wars, diseases or viruses. We were the ones who didn't know where to go. It was sad to see how relationships were so easily destroyed, people left, chaos reigned. Do you like post apocalyptic films? well, we were the protagonists of it. How was it? Do you want to continue like this? Here you realize that you survived great, you decide to get back up, live, evolve. This was the lesson. And it is also true that many situations have rightly ended, new friendships and projects have been born. As a band we had more time to gather new ideas, write and compose. And from there Spectrum came out!
What are your future plans?
13.11: More live show to support our new EP Elemento,more new songs,more stories to tell, more good wine and new graveyards to explore..
Thank you very much for your time & keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
19.03: Thank you so much for this interview. Thank you for the work you do, for the possibilities you give to bands like us. We wish you the best!
By Steve the Filthy Dog.
THE DEAD FLOWERS GRAVES CONTACT:
https://www.facebook.com/thedeadflowersgraves/
https://www.instagram.com/thedeadflowersgraves/
https://thedeadflowersgraves.bandcamp.com/