What pure black metal act should sound (and look) alike, according to you? I guess, you don't reckon BANSHEE to anything either “true” or “pure”, do you?

- Black metal music in my opinion is the expression of all that human feelings we use to define "obscure", self-destructive that at last may led to madness. All these feelings may be expressed by a kind of music "Evil", gloomy, sad... In my opinion religious implications are not important, so black metal is not SATANIC or PAGAN music, but the musical expression of "black emotions".

Let's proceed this interview with rather a typical question, more likely a usual ‘FAQ’. Band's history, please.

- Our group was formed on February 1997 for the will of the guitarist Francesco and of the lead singer Luca. Later on the second guitarist Mario was called to join in and began giving contribution on the song writing of the four songs proposed in the demo tape. After numerous difficulties in finding a steady formation were called Daniele (ex GOD OF SADNESS) at the bass and, even though temporally, Rosario (playing in LATHEBRA) at the drums. A year later we finally went into the recording room to give birth to our first job: "Growing Into The Rotten Garden". It was our first studio experience. Since the first drafting of the songs are notable strong death and dark influences upon a black metal base. Groups such as DARK THRONE, EMPEROR, BURZUM, ANATHEMA, OPETH and AT THE GATES have inspired our music style, still too young. The "rotten garden" mentioned in the title of our demo represents the depressing society that is cause of frustration and anger for all of them that try to live out of its scheme. Going against the rules (even not twisted) means loosing every strength and enthusiasm, because Society is reactionary hard, static, oppressing and insane. This is not an anthems to revolution but an attempt to get our fucking voice heard in this mud that wants us all the same, submersed in this hypocrite wealthyness, narcotized by who sees us idiots, with no ideals or future. The demo tape is on sale at the price of 3 U.S.A.$, 2 U.K.£ or 4.000 Ita. l + postal payments. We have sold over 200 copies up to now receiving good critics from magazines and listeners. Now we are looking for a steady line up and contract for recording a new work, even though we know we are still too young and our stile is not "trendy", but we are convinced of our possibilities and go further. We will appreciate to receive demos to exchange, letters and flyers of any type.

I suppose the music of BANSHEE is all about contrasts and contradictions, isn't it?

- Hhhmm... Well, I think it is better to talk about a fusion of different moods sometimes in contrast. It is hard to define and to separate some feelings, their origins and their effects and this generates confusion and eventually madness. We try to reproduce in music our misunderstanding, often our submission to this chaos we can't explain.

Some kind of your “list of influences” printed in the “Growing…” booklet strangely features very different acts, from THE DOORS to BURZUM… How do you manage to combine the impact these bands have on you? I suppose, this is why BANSHEE possesses such an innovative, distinctive sound?

- DARK THRONE, BURZUM, THE DOORS and PINK FLOYD are among our strongest influences. Their music is like a language we learnt in our life and lately we use to express our ideas by a personal way. We are not looking for "innovative sound" at every cost, we play what get through our minds, fingers and instruments. This is our way to musical personality.

Have you found your nationality a help or a hindrance in trying to establish yourselves within the international black metal scene? Are there any problems of a special kind Italy's band usually endure?

- The main problem here in Italy I think is the lack of courage of many labels to promote bands that are out of trend. Actually here we are between two wave of trendy: a dying power metal wave next to a new reborn gothic wave. There is a good and very young scene that is growing (even if in a rotten garden...) among some difficulties; one among the other that I recognized (by coming in contact with some distributors) is a certain mistrust to Italian bands. There are very good groups such as ABORYM, NECRODEATH, SADIST, UNDERTAKERS, 3RD, EDGE OF MORALITY and many others that for the only reason to be Italian they are inferior to other coming from other countries. For me this is pathetic!

Let’s disengage ourselves from music for a while and discuss the phenomena known as “human factor”. How do you perceive it and what are your thoughts upon this matter?

- > (Sorry, I think I don't understand the meaning of "Human factor"...)< -

Are you able to stab your enemy in the back (both, literally and figuratively speaking)?

- I'm able to do everything if I have a scope. Stabbing someone at his back is one of my methods to manifestate my lack of respect about one person: he doesn't deserve my loyalty and I hit him when he doesn't expect it. I believe in the honest competition against that "enemies" I respect.

What do you know (and think) regarding Russia? Any metal bands coming from our lands that you've heard lately?

- Sorry, but all I know about Russia are some few new coming trough tv channels and so are very few and sometimes manipulated... How ever I know that the changings in Economy by socialism to liberal economy is really hard, and that very few things changed at the power (even this time there are only a restricted numbers of rich and powerful person to rule). I know no russian band, only because I know a few number of bands that are no famous...

Finally, perhaps you could tell me what lies in store for us when your first full-length is unleashed. Furthermore, when will it happen?

- Well, actually we have some line up problems, as we have changed several times (TOO MUCH!!!) our drummer. Rosario, that which plays on “Growing...” is far from us for study, after we get in touch with about 4 different drummers, but we changed them for different motivation by lack of professionality, no interest or time for our band. However I'm composing some new songs with the singer but they are still rude in structure. The future will see...

End this interview by writing about your thoughts upon self-confidence and why should we be conscious and aware of what we are!

- Really hard to answer to this. Self confidence is a price really hard to win because everyday there are several difficult competition not only with other human beings, but above all with your limits, your capabilities and stupidity. It will be important to have self confidence to be strongest to every external assault, but not all people can have it, for not all are capable to win the battle against himself. Self consciousness is important to know our reaction to the external world, to taste our strength and our skill to make real our thoughts.

BANSHEE contact –
Email: mbov@battipaglia.peoples.it