The statistics of COVID-19 change with every news cycle, and with growing numbers, stay-at-home isolation and a near-universal disruption to society on a global scale, it is ever more important to consider the human aspect of this coronavirus. Amid the sad surrealism of living through social distancing, quarantines and bans on gatherings of groups of any size, creative professionals — artists, musicians, promoters, club owners, techs, producers, and more — are seeing an effect like nothing witnessed in the last century, and as humanity as a whole deals with this calamity, some perspective on who, what, where, when and how we’re all getting through is a needed reminder of why we’re doing so in the first place.

Thus, Days of Rona, in some attempt to help document the state of things as they are now, both so help can be asked for and given where needed, and so that when this is over it can be remembered.

Thanks to all who participate. To read all the Days of Rona coverage, click here. — JJ Koczan

Days of Rona: Megatherium (Verona, Italy)

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How are you dealing with this crisis as a band? Have you had to rework plans at all? How is everyone’s health so far?

We have a brand new album [out now], had a few dates already planned, and we were writing some new music. Unfortunately, everything was stopped: no gigs, no rehersals. As to health we are all okay so far, and so are our families. But we miss playing live so much!

What are the quarantine/isolation rules where you are?

We live in Italy, where the conditions are hard. We are in total lockdown since the first days of March: no crowding is allowed, all events are suspended; schools, offices, restaurants, bars, pubs and all unnecessary businesses are closed. We can only leave our home for serious issues and our health system is packed full. It’s very tough; since we were one of the first European country to start this challenge, our only hope is that thing get better pretty soon.

How have you seen the virus affecting the community around you and in music?

Of course everyone is struggling in his own lives to keep on. Many have someone in intensive care at the hospital or, even worse, dead. But you know, Italian people can also be surprisingly generous. Communities come together, people help each other; someone who is skilled in something goes live on internet to teach it to other people, musicians play for free on their balcony. As Megatherium, we call each other almost twice a week to chat, drink together and plan our future. The underground music is stuck, but we’re pretty sure that when the virus is gone, all the bands — including us — are going to play louder, better and more often than ever. We can’t wait.

What is the one thing you want people to know about your situation, either as a band, or personally, or anything?

We can only hope governments around the world take this virus very seriously. Though we have a strong health system in Italy, we reached the breakpoint pretty soon. Stay home, stay safe: it’s tough, but it’s the only way to get out. Focus on yout families and friends: music will survive, anyway!

www.facebook.com/MegatheriumStonerDoom
www.megatheriumstonerdoom.bandcamp.com
www.argonautarecords.com
www.facebook.com/ArgonautaRecords

Argonauta Records‘ apparently ongoing expansion continues with the pickup of Verona-based rockers Megatherium. The four-piece issued their debut album, Superbeast, in 2016 and a corresponding live outing last year, and later in 2019, they’ll issue their second long-player with Argonauta‘s increasingly ubiquitous stamp on it. They embarked on a week of touring this past Fall and will likely have more to follow in that regard as the new album arrives, but they’re right in the process of finishing the album up, so there isn’t a set release date as yet. It’s January. There’s plenty of time to get it out before the end of the year.

Accordingly, I’ll just leave it at “more to come” and turn the proceedings over to the PR wire, which brought the signing announcement thusly:

MEGATHERIUM SIGN TO ARGONAUTA RECORDS!

New album coming in 2019!

A dark blend of the sludge and doom, crammed full of powerful yet clean vocals, scorching low-tuned guitar riffs, bone crushing bass and grooves: Becoming a witness of the MEGATHERIUM sound, feels like running over a huge wall of heavy distorted tunes that hit you like a sledgehammer, pulverising all of your senses. The four-piece doom and stoner metal band, formed in 2011 and hailing from Verona, Italy, has now signed a worldwide deal with ever-growing label ARGONAUTA RECORDS!

Following the band’s critically acclaimed Superbeast album (2016), MEGATHERIUM are currently putting together the final touches to record their sophomore release, which will see the light of day in 2019 with Argonauta Records. “Most of the bands we listen to daily belong to Argonauta’s family: we’re thrilled to be part of the most kick-ass label out there.“ the band comments. “We’re starting the recording session in a few weeks from now, stay tuned for many more news coming soon!”

MEGATHERIUM offer a wide open arena full of riffage and rhythm, vocals that stand out with a mix of sludge roar and clean, melodic stoner wail, supported by a clever use of keyboards. Light effects, smoke and samples transform a MEGATHERIUM live show into a unique and mesmerizing experience of all that is heavy, flowing from beginning to end with no pauses at all. After the band shared the stages with bands alike Ufomammut or Deadsmoke, to name just a few, 2019 will see MEGATHERIUM to unleash their brand new album on Argonauta Records.

www.facebook.com/MegatheriumStonerDoom
www.megatheriumstonerdoom.bandcamp.com
www.argonautarecords.com
www.facebook.com/ArgonautaRecords

Megatherium, “Fly High” official video