Posted in Features on November 26th, 2025 by JJ Koczan
[PLEASE NOTE: This post will remain on top of the page until the poll ends in January. New posts will appear underneath. Thanks for scrolling.]
It is time for my favorite post of the year. This one. And no, not just because half of it is copied over from last year with the rules and such — because I frickin’ love the year-end poll.
This has absolutely become my metric for what people have dug each year, and especially in the results post with all the lists, I still find stuff a decade later that people were hip to that I’m just discovering. As a resource, it’s priceless.
Thanks if you participate this year by adding a list of 20 of your favorite releases. Any social media sharing is deeply appreciated as well. The Obelisk’s Facebook page got suspended (again, for nothing), so I need all the help I can get spreading the word.
The form is here, and the rules are copied over from last year below that:
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Thanks for reading and taking part. Please share the link if you can.
The rules don’t change, except in what year it is: Anything from Jan. 2025 to whatever’s coming out between now and Dec. 31 is eligible. If something is out digitally now and physical later and you want to include it, do. Two lists are tabulated; one of the raw votes, and one in which a 1-4 ranking is worth five points, 5-8 worth four, 9-12 worth three, 13-16 worth two and 17-20 worth one.
I’m not saying it’s a throwaway, but don’t overthink it. Somebody other than me is laughing at that, I know. I keep notes all year of my top releases, and I still struggle sometimes to put a list together. Do your best, pick what feels right, and please have fun.
As always, my most heartfelt thanks to Slevin, without whom this site wouldn’t exist. Slevin puts together the poll every year, tabulates the results, and does so with the sweetest ‘you’re my friend so I don’t charge you for this and I probably should’ indulgence possible. His pick of the year seems to have been Butthole Surfers’ Electriclarryland. Fair enough.
Poll runs until Dec. 31, 2025. Barring disaster or if I decide to let it go a couple extra days, results will be out Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, along with individual lists.
Posted in Questionnaire on November 25th, 2025 by JJ Koczan
The Obelisk Questionnaire is a series of open questions intended to give the answerer an opportunity to explore these ideas and stories from their life as deeply as they choose. Answers can be short or long, and that reveals something in itself, but the most important factor is honesty.
Based on the Proust Questionnaire, the goal over time is to show a diverse range of perspectives as those who take part bring their own points of view to answering the same questions. To see all The Obelisk Questionnaire posts, click here.
Thank you for reading and thanks to all who participate.
The Obelisk Questionnaire: Caitlin Mkhasibe of P+A+G+E+S
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How do you define what you do and how did you come to do it?
For our album, No More Can Be Done, I’ve been asked by other musicians if I’m bored when playing sparsely and I’ve responded that it’s actually challenging to deliberately play slowly and maintain a decent sense of timing for the band to rely on. My body finds ways to fill in the gaps and that comes in the form of movement. I saw on KEXP, Cheryl Waters noted that Adrienne Davies of ‘Earth’ dances behind the kit. Helo (guitarist) and Frank (bassist) do watch me closely for timing visual cues. I follow everyone too, but if I mess up, it’s the most noticeable mistake out of everyone’s cavernous sound, so there’s a lot of pressure to stay present.
In my mind, a lot of my accented cymbals are back-up vocals too. What I enjoy is that I’m not trying to impress listeners with ‘chops’ or drown out anyone else in the band, and if I do play faster or fuller, it’s relevant to the intention of the song. We really worked hard towards this.
I love that I’m inevitably going to play shows predominantly in spaces full of men, and they’re going to have to exercise a kind of respectful patience and listening to me that I wouldn’t normally get in everyday life. It’s very feminist and I hope more women and girls of colour who know me as a quiet and shy person feel like they can take up space with their drums too.
The first time I played drums was at 13 in my friend’s bedroom. Her older brother’s band used her room as storage and we took turns on the kit and played basic rock beats, suggesting ideas to each other.
I want every time I play to feel as welcoming and fun. I’ve heard too many horror stories from women who’ve said, as teens, their male music teachers sexually assaulted them, were misogynists who held them back on purpose or that it felt unsafe to play live. That trauma deterred them from their instrument for a while. I really took my safe passage into drums for granted. Women, non-binary and transgender folks defy many odds by picking up an instrument.
In various settings, patriarchal men feel entitled to being hyper critical of us because of internalized self-hatred. To them, everything we do is lame by default so we’re easily disregarded or irrelevant. Perfectionism is a patriarchal prison and I think truly living is challenging the -isms or making grumpy, oppressive people irritable.
Describe your first musical memory.
My late gran singing and consoling five-year-old me on my parent’s stoep. She knew many unfamiliar British songs and hymns. I started ballet and gymnastics around that time too so there was a lot of forgettable music on tape to stiff choreography on mats, wooden floors, by barres and on stages.
I’ll give another early memory: No matter how ferociously loud the music in my headphones were, nothing drowned out my late dad’s Pan Pipe: Moods CD playing in the car on long car rides to a Zulu family wedding or funeral where people would sing there. My dad was the calmest driver ever though.
Describe your best musical memory to date.
In 2015, as an opening band for a show, we did soundcheck and the sound engineer said, “Right, so as soon as the drummer arrives, you guys can start playing,” and while still sitting behind the kit I said, “I am the drummer”, and he looked bewildered.
Seeing ‘As Is’ play live was always phenomenal (Lliezel Ellick, Garth Erasmus, Manfred Zylla, Niklas Zimmer). In 2016, we did a show together once with their drummer, Andrea Dicò, at Alexander Theatre. For that performance, Andrea said I could pick anything from his metal suitcase of Milnerton thrift market trinkets to add to my kit. I was deeply honoured. His textural approach to drumming was really something myself and our guitarist, helo, resonated with. Andrea said his goal was to find the most messed up sounding kit and play it. That reminded me of Brian Chippendale from Lightning Bolt, without the mic and pedals.
When was a time when a firmly held belief was tested?
At least by 2025, I hoped that the world would be a lot more progressive in its thinking and accountable in its responses to the environmental destruction caused by AI and the human rights violations from mining in Congo and the genocides in Sudan and Palestine. I’m surprised that anger is still not seen as a normal response to injustices of Capitalism or understanding that racism in all of its iterations stems from White Supremacy and it contorts us to uphold and coddle Whiteness. I can’t believe respectability politics still exist, even on the left.
Where do you feel artistic progression leads?
It leads to innovation, creativity and a more fulfilled society because we’re embracing ourselves. Hope is humbling.
How do you define success?
I believe award systems are biased, so I don’t rely on them as guides. I do appreciate kind feedback and ways to improve from peers. Caring, doing your best, working collaboratively, working fairly, being proud of a finished project, being inspired and having okay mental health are all good measures of success for me when considering, contextually, the overculture protects itself and takes pleasure in punishing others for being different. Some people are also scared of finding themselves in the position of being the misunderstood ‘other’, so they self-police their own joy. Success is also just being yourself and being brave in standing up for unique people or what they create. Standing by some-one’s work, even if you’re the only one who sees its value, is huge to me.
What is something you have seen that you wish you hadn’t?
I’m half Zulu, so, in one day, in the name of a patriarchal culture, I saw a goat crying for help before being slaughtered. Its guts were in a bucket. I saw the sweetest cow fighting against being slaughtered and eventually saw its body hung up while being carved out. Then I saw steaming hot, cooked tripe being dished on a plate. I absolutely despise the smell. I really don’t think I’ve lost my ‘Zulu-ness’ by being vegan for the past 10 years. : )
Describe something you haven’t created yet that you’d like to create.
I’m also a visual artist and I have reccurring dreams of doing a residency. It’s located on an achingly beautiful mountain with patches of dense forest. I walk down a wide dirt road to get to the small town. I’ve almost mentally mapped out the whole place now. It keeps getting eerie and detailed per dream visit because of its surrealism and my anxiety around institutions. Maybe this will become an art residency horror comic.
What do you believe is the most essential function of art
It’s both refuge from and a mirror to the ugly world. It’s a space for marginalized voices, a medium for catharsis, to process trauma and is an empathy builder. I do not think intellectualizing and debating people’s humanity is art. It’s unethical because that’s rooted in racism, sexism, classism and queerphobia.
Say something positive about yourself.
As different as I feel I am, I’m proud of my self-belief, and in turn, that gives me hope in other people. I wish for people to be able to do what they love and that that makes them kinder.
Something non-musical that you’re looking forward to?
I recently finished reading The High Desert by James Spooner (who also did Black Punk Now with Chris L. Terry) and Ducks by Kate Beaton. I’m looking forward to Ijeoma Oluo’s Be a Revolution and House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski.
Posted in Questionnaire on November 5th, 2025 by JJ Koczan
The Obelisk Questionnaire is a series of open questions intended to give the answerer an opportunity to explore these ideas and stories from their life as deeply as they choose. Answers can be short or long, and that reveals something in itself, but the most important factor is honesty.
Based on the Proust Questionnaire, the goal over time is to show a diverse range of perspectives as those who take part bring their own points of view to answering the same questions. To see all The Obelisk Questionnaire posts, click here.
Thank you for reading and thanks to all who participate.
The Obelisk Questionnaire: Jerry Hauppa of Liminal Spirit
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How do you define what you do and how did you come to do it?
I started the project, calling the music written for it “seance music,” given that it is meant to accompany the passage of spirits through different planes of existence. My prior musical ventures had been very busy and cluttered, and I wanted to make music that was more ritualistic under this moniker. Granted, as the project continued to release material, it did get more complex, but the heart of the structures is still tied to the initial themes the project started with.
Describe your first musical memory.
I would have to say my parents listened to oldies in the house growing up. Clearly, a far cry from where my musical sensibilities landed.
Describe your best musical memory to date.
Each time I release a record, that is my best musical memory.
When was a time when a firmly held belief was tested?
I used to believe that all artistic interpretation led to subjectivity, but I can now ascertain when something artistic is well-composed and exists to tell a concise story, which showcases objective strengths that are indisputable despite personal tastes.
Where do you feel artistic progression leads?
Art, when substantial, reveals the artist to the audience.
How do you define success?
Being able to tell a musical story as only I can makes me feel successful, regardless of how well-known or well-received the project is.
What is something you have seen that you wish you hadn’t?
No one likes to see their friends or loved ones dealing with hardship.
Describe something you haven’t created yet that you’d like to create.
A thorough musical universe where all projects and records tell a story that develops the whole.
What do you believe is the most essential function of art?
Communication of an idea. You must be telling for it to be artistically valid.
Say something positive about yourself.
I am very pleased with the records I’ve created and acknowledge I have room to grow.
Something non-musical that you’re looking forward to?
I am excited to build a future with my girlfriend, who is very supportive of my musical ventures.
Posted in Questionnaire on October 23rd, 2025 by JJ Koczan
The Obelisk Questionnaire is a series of open questions intended to give the answerer an opportunity to explore these ideas and stories from their life as deeply as they choose. Answers can be short or long, and that reveals something in itself, but the most important factor is honesty.
Based on the Proust Questionnaire, the goal over time is to show a diverse range of perspectives as those who take part bring their own points of view to answering the same questions. To see all The Obelisk Questionnaire posts, click here.
Thank you for reading and thanks to all who participate.
The Obelisk Questionnaire: Eric Aittala of Aittala
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How do you define what you do and how did you come to do it?
We are Aittala (pronounced ‘EYE-tah-la’) from Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.
We’re a three-piece all-original band that infuses elements of classic heavy metal, doom, progressive, power, thrash, and hard rock into a cohesive experience.
While we don’t care for classifications (we just call ourselves ‘metal’), we have been classified as ‘Eclectic Doom’ and have come to embrace it.
The original incarnation of Aittala was formed in 1991 while I (Eric) was stationed in the Netherlands with the US military. The band was starting to gain some traction on the Dutch metal scene, but after a couple of years, I had to leave as my military contract ended. After that, the band was inactive for 15 years (by my choice).
In 2008, after relocating to North Carolina, I decided to resurrect the band and have been active ever since, releasing seven full-length albums along with three EPs.
The latest release is the ‘Ill-Gotten Gains’ EP, coming out in November 2025.
The current line-up of AITTALA consists of Gary ‘Zeus’ Smith (joined in 2012) on drums and Dane Taylor (joined in 2025) on bass.
Describe your first musical memory.
It was around 1975. I think it was around New Year’s and we were having some guests, so the living room stereo (back in those days, you had a huge entertainment console that had the 19” color TV and stereo built into it; it was furniture) was tuned to some FM station.
It was some kind of countdown show, and I remember hearing Aerosmith’s “Dream On.”
Describe your best musical memory to date.
I was 14 and went to my first real arena concert, which was Triumph (a huge hard rock band of the late ’70s/early ’80s) and Mountain (more of a ’60s/’70s hard rock band that was opening).
I only knew a handful of Triumph songs from MTV and only knew one Mountain song but it the show was amazing; the lights, the sound, and the energy. It was better than losing my virginity!
When was a time when a firmly held belief was tested?
When I was younger, I really believed some friendships/relationships would last a lifetime, but, as we all know, other people come between those bonds and break them. And once broken, they’ll never be the same.
Where do you feel artistic progression leads?
If you’re not careful, it leads to insanity.
How do you define success?
It’s just a feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment; it doesn’t matter how much money you made (or last for that matter).
What is something you have seen that you wish you hadn’t?
Walking in on my parents fornicating; not enough bleach for my eyes…
Describe something you haven’t created yet that you’d like to create.
I’m really not sure because if I haven’t created it yet, then I don’t know what I haven’t created. It’s a bit of a paradox.
What do you believe is the most essential function of art?
Art’s essential function is to distract our brains from reality.
If you think about why you listen to music, watch a movie, or view visual art, it takes you to a different place than where you are currently.
Say something positive about yourself.
I feel like I’m a good songwriter/arranger. I let songs develop organically by letting them flow naturally until they’re complete and ready to be recorded and released.
Something non-musical that you’re looking forward to?
Not to sound grim, but I’m looking forward to seeing what’s on the other side of this existence.
Is there something beyond our life, or just complete nothingness?
Posted in Questionnaire on October 15th, 2025 by JJ Koczan
The Obelisk Questionnaire is a series of open questions intended to give the answerer an opportunity to explore these ideas and stories from their life as deeply as they choose. Answers can be short or long, and that reveals something in itself, but the most important factor is honesty.
Based on the Proust Questionnaire, the goal over time is to show a diverse range of perspectives as those who take part bring their own points of view to answering the same questions. To see all The Obelisk Questionnaire posts, click here.
Thank you for reading and thanks to all who participate.
The Obelisk Questionnaire: Clifford Dinsmore of Dusted Angel & Bl’ast
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How do you define what you do and how did you come to do it?
I would never try to define what I do. I’m more of a “go with the natural flow” kind of person. I got into music through punk rock in the late 70s and early 80s. Steve, the drummer for Dusted Angel is actually one of the very 1st people I ever jammed with. Then I met the guys that I formed M.A.D. with when I was 17 and that eventually evolved into the band BL’AST!.
Describe your first musical memory.
One of my first musical memories was my uncle Steve and my Mom taking me to see Tower Of Power and Credence Clearwater Revival at the Oakland Coliseum in 1972. Totally life changing!
Describe your best musical memory to date.
It’s hard to pick from so many great musical memories. One that stands out is seeing Black Flag, Adolescents, Minute Men and China White at the Mabuhay Gardens in SF when I was 16 . We were at all those shows back then, but that particular night was absolutely amazing.
When was a time when a firmly held belief was tested?
Going through my experiences with cancer was definitely an ultimate test of will and my belief in myself. It’s definitely not for everyone, and is an extreme exercise in self-discipline, and that discipline is the key to survival in that kind of fucked up life-altering situation.
Where do you feel artistic progression leads?
Artistic progress eventually leads to self liberation and a more personalized view of life on earth and the universe as a whole.
How do you define success?
I would define success as being in a position of personal autonomy and still being able to get by and survive. Traveling and playing music with friends and making enough to get from one place to the next.
What is something you have seen that you wish you hadn’t?
The last presidential election!!! Sheer Terror!!
Describe something you haven’t created yet that you’d like to create.
Another Dusted Angel record!!
What do you believe is the most essential function of art?
The most essential function of art, in my opinion is to emphasize the incredible aesthetic of natural vs. unnatural in the world we live in. And musically, to create the soundtrack that moves through history. Imagine a world without art and music, it would be insanely bland!
Say something positive about yourself.
I’m kind of a nice person when I’m in a good mood?
Something non-musical that you’re looking forward to?
I’m looking forward to going to Hawaii this winter with my girlfriend to hang out with family and friends. Being in the ocean over there is always so revitalizing.
Just a moment here to remember Ann Everton of Baltimore’s Darsombra, who passed away this weekend. The duo — Everton on synth, vocals, percussion visuals, etc., and Brian Daniloski on guitar, synth, the odd megaphone, and so on — were at the beginning of their Fall tour in Canada, with dates in the US Midwest/Southeast to follow, and details are scant, but there seems to have been an accident somewhere between one show and the next. Daniloski’s condition is unknown at this time, but reportedly he’s alive. His brother and former Meatjack bandmate, Jason Daniloski, posted the following on social media:
Words cannot convey how devastated we are. Ann Everton was truly one of a kind. A creative, wild, intelligent, kind soul. She will always be missed. I still can’t believe this is real. I feel so much pain for my brother. Please give him time to deal with this horrible tragedy. Please hug your loved ones and don’t let the day end without telling them how much you love them.
I won’t claim to have known Ann well, but she remains among the most gleeful weirdos I’ve ever met. Somebody who didn’t fit into society’s expectations for what she was to be, and who by all appearances, was just fine with that. She joined Darsombra around 2010, and the project flourished. Her role initially was more toward the visual aspect of their live presentation, and honestly, that was what always seemed to count the most to Everton and Daniloski — doing the thing live. As the band’s experimentalist bent pushed further and further into psychedelic drone and madcap oddballism, their outsider status held firm, and they continued to tour, and tour, and tour. Together, they became freedom in a van.
No matter what time of year it was, the safe bet was Darsombra were on the road, somewhere. They crisscrossed the United States together I don’t know how many times, and the band was always just the two of them, Everton and Daniloski. I was lucky enough to see them earlier in 2025 in the Netherlands at Roadburn Festival, and aside from being the most outright joyous moment I had over the course of my days in Tilburg, I was even more fortunate to sit down and have a real, human catchup with the two of them, to talk like people do, like friends do, about places and things in general, music and not. I feel privileged to say I knew her at all.
Both members of Darsombra — Ann and Brian — took the Obelisk Questionnaire in 2021. Thoughtful in her answers throughout (that’s my way of saying you should read it), Everton reflected on her creative journey, saying:
“In my own life as an artist, I have been cheered to see one thing hold true for the artist who keeps making art — the longer you stay at it, the better it gets, the more people are familiar with your work, enjoy it, get it, the more opportunities you get… the trick is, you’ve gotta keep doing it. In 2007, I did a short artist residency in rural Hungary, on lake Balaton. There was a Hungarian artist there that my 25-year-old self had such a crush on. So, of course, I was all ears to his very good advice, which was, “Keep making art. See where it goes. Never stop making art.” Very simple, so right — the world will give you a million-and-one reasons to stop being an artist, but if you just sort of keep doing it… I agree with his beautiful Hungarian ass! Keep making art and see where it goes!”
Brian Daniloski posted the following Sunday night:
Hello friends. I’m out of the hospital and in the care of Ann’s family who have flown up here to New York. It looks like we may be stuck here for a few days dealing with stuff. I have a working phone again and I have been getting all of your kind messages. If anyone wants to call it would be great to here from people. I don’t know what to say or do with myself. I’m devastated. My heart is so broken and I’m not sure how continue on, but I’m going to try. Ann was the sweetest person I ever knew and I always felt like the luckiest person on earth that she chose to spend her life with me. I should be back in Baltimore in the next few days and I would love to see anybody when I get back. This is such a loss for all of us. I love you all.
Darsombra didn’t need lights on stage because there was Ann. On behalf of myself, this site and anything else I might be able to put behind it, all love and condolences to Brian Daniloski, his family, Ann’s family, their many, many friends and anyone whose life she touched, which was a lot of people, including me. She will be deeply and sincerely missed.
Posted in Questionnaire on September 30th, 2025 by JJ Koczan
The Obelisk Questionnaire is a series of open questions intended to give the answerer an opportunity to explore these ideas and stories from their life as deeply as they choose. Answers can be short or long, and that reveals something in itself, but the most important factor is honesty.
Based on the Proust Questionnaire, the goal over time is to show a diverse range of perspectives as those who take part bring their own points of view to answering the same questions. To see all The Obelisk Questionnaire posts, click here.
Thank you for reading and thanks to all who participate.
The Obelisk Questionnaire: Garrett Garlington of Cosmic Reaper
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How do you define what you do and how did you come to do it?
It’s a release of energy, raw aggression transmitted through an instrument.
Outside of having fun with a group of people (what a band is really about).
This is pretty subjective, so I can only tell you what it’s like for me. People have compared being in a band to being in a marriage, but I think it’s closer to a gang. It’s a group of individuals acting with purpose and intent for a common goal, whatever that goal may be. Long surviving bands that last are on the same page with their goals, and seeing their bandmates as brothers/sisters. Going about it any other way, you’re likely to miss out on the best moments of being in a band.
Describe your first musical memory.
There was a band called Sukay, they were this high-energy folk music from the Andes of South America. At one point they were relatively known worldwide. My parents took me to see them perform, beside the river in Sacramento, CA when I was probably 6 years old. Planned or by accident, I’m not sure. That very well may have been the moment that set me on the path of chasing music my entire life. I highly recommend Sukay, not only is it a truly unique style of folk, but one album cover has them on top of a fucking mountain wearing robes and their holding instruments. Your average metal band dreams about doing stuff like that.
Describe your best musical memory to date.
We were lucky enough to perform in Joshua tree, CA as part of Heavy Psych Sounds Fest. Performing that far from home, (in the middle of a desert no less) was pretty surreal. It was also a really stacked bill with some staples of the genre. Windhand, Brant Bjork, Weedeater. It also just happened to be the first time my father had ever seen me play music of any genre.
When was a time when a firmly held belief was tested?
Basically everyday, anything we were taught about our US government has turned out to be a fabrication or propaganda stretching back at least 100 years. See the lyrics to “Hammer” and “Wasteland II.”
Where do you feel artistic progression leads?
It typically progresses with artists’ tastes, which of course change with time. Sometimes the progression comes from trying to fit into a certain mold, to achieve a certain level of success. Ultimately Progression leads to two things, simultaneously, gaining a new fan base and losing another one.
How do you define success?
Most people probably look at success as arbitrary numbers, data involving streams or monetary figures. To me, it’s always been much more about critical acclaim, and a lasting fanbase of whatever you do. Whether that makes money or not.
What is something you have seen that you wish you hadn’t?
Children rummaging for food in the trash, in this country or any other. There’s no reason any human shouldn’t have access to the most basic necessity to survive.
Describe something you haven’t created yet that you’d like to create.
I’d eventually like to get into some kind of leather working, creating physical objects that serve a purpose. Wallets, gun holsters, cool stuff of that sort. It’s really just a matter of free time, and getting started.
What do you believe is the most essential function of art?
The most essential, is self expression. The secondary is having that (expression) resonate with another.
Something non-musical that you’re looking forward to?
I’ve been trying to make a trip down to Key West, FL. I’ve never been and driving over the ocean that far seems like it would be really peaceful.
[Ed. Note 09/29: I don’t know who took the photo above. If it was you, I’m glad to give credit. Please let me know without being a dick about it.]
Posted in Questionnaire on September 24th, 2025 by JJ Koczan
The Obelisk Questionnaire is a series of open questions intended to give the answerer an opportunity to explore these ideas and stories from their life as deeply as they choose. Answers can be short or long, and that reveals something in itself, but the most important factor is honesty.
Based on the Proust Questionnaire, the goal over time is to show a diverse range of perspectives as those who take part bring their own points of view to answering the same questions. To see all The Obelisk Questionnaire posts, click here.
Thank you for reading and thanks to all who participate.
The Obelisk Questionnaire: Stefano Fiorelli of Warcoe
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How do you define what you do and how did you come to do it?
I am finally doing what I want, musically speaking. That is blending all my music influences and what I like into guitar and vocals and writing my own songs. Now I’ll tell you how I got here. I started playing the guitar as a kid, as most of us do, jumping from a band to another doing many different styles of metal, exploring other instruments as the drums or bass but always singing in the band I was in.
Some years ago I decided that it was time for me to have a defined musical identity, to fulfill all the needs I have I terms of writing music, and this is Warcoe. We started as a trio, now we are four. Mind that I am not a dictator, one that wants to decide everything, I listen to my mates when they are willing to participate in the process of composition but I want to take the responsibility if something goes wrong, so we decided that I have to have the last word.
This is very satisfying, but I think this is transitory, it is my identity now.
Plus I have a black metal side-project, so I must have multiple ones.
Describe your first musical memory.
The very first ones are Japanese cartoons soundtracks, but speaking of more mature stages of my life the first LP I bought was No Rest for the Wicked of Ozzy. But before that there were tapes lent to me by my young uncle and that was Black Sabbath’s Black Sabbath. I have the intro of that song carved in my ears, that brought to me so many emotions when I was a kid. I have so many places connected to that track in my memory, that were probably the places where I was when I listened to it from a Walkman.
Describe your best musical memory to date.
I have seen Black Sabbath (without Bill Ward) in 2014 and that was emotional. But it’s very hard to answer to this question, there are many black metal bands that I really enjoyed seeing live in many different venues, from very small ones to very big. I have enjoyed a lot Megadeth and Pantera back when they were the real deal. You might not expect this but I have seen Blur one time in the ’90s and I think that they are amazing musicians, I loved that gig.
Anyway I have musical memories not necessarily bonded to live shows, there are moments, fragments of my life that I can relate to a certain track from a certain band, or longer periods that can be linked to an album, music is so much part of me.
When was a time when a firmly held belief was tested?
Luckily I can say this does not happen often, at least in the sphere of my existence. I am quite open-minded and flexible in terms of beliefs so when I am involved in something that I have to accept I make an effort and go on. I learnt by experience to avoid putting myself in situation where my belief are tested so hard.
Where do you feel artistic progression leads?
First of all it’s not so taken for granted that one has an artistic progression. For me art is like an explosion, it just happens and then it ends leaving destruction behind, and you have to build something with the remains. In the best scenario there is a progression, when the artist evolves as human being and takes the art behind him, but I think in this case you are not simply an artist but a great one, when art actually is your life, or your life is actually art.
How do you define success?
Success is like immortality, leaving something behind, like a footprint. And a small thing is enough, it’s not necessary to write a masterpiece, but if your record will be remembered after you, that’s enough success for me.
What is something you have seen that you wish you hadn’t?
Oh a lot of things, but everything I have seen it’s part of this world and there is good in this world, but you have to take the bad part as well to be able to appreciate the good. There are many things that I don’t like but they somehow need to exist to create the other part, you have to have the night to be able to live the day. And you learn from the bad things that you do, that’s so important.
Describe something you haven’t created yet that you’d like to create.
I would like to create a classic as Carcass’ Heartwork, a perfect album. The one that everyone knows and play over and over again, the one that sets the standards. But I know that’s hard and require a lot of work, and the talent! And I have a very instinctive music writing, I don’t think I have the attention for the details that is required.
What do you believe is the most essential function of art?
That’s a very nice question, on my opinion art defines the time in which its made. Art is so important for the human being, because it tells, it reveals the intimate spirit of the man. Art is the photography of its time, and very often it’s ahead of its time. The function it has is to make life better, I really think art makes life better, that’s why is necessary. Music, photography, architecture, painting, they all are food for the soul, and not only make life itself better, but make you a better person.
“Il bello” as we call it in Italian, that may be translated in “the good looking” is what helps you to see the world with a different eye. I love when someone thinks that something that I think it’s ugly is nice, because I am able to see it with different eyes and I love when I can see the good where instead I don’t see it. Or the musical where I don’t hear it.
Avant-garde art is so important because it looks into the future in a way that even science cannot. Thus its often misunderstood.
Say something positive about yourself.
I tend to forgive. I am not the one that holds the grudge. For me everyday is a new day, a new start where things can change. That’s something that I can’t control, It’s just the way I am.
And I see a lot of people that spend hours saying bad things about other people, judging, criticizing, thinking to be better than the rest of the world, that’s something I don’t do, I don’t talk about people that are not present and if I do, I only say nice things.
Something non-musical that you’re looking forward to?
I would like to be a better dad, not because I think I am not, but because you can always try harder. When you are a parent you never know if you are doing the right thing, even if everyone thinks you are, you’ll know later. It will always be like this for all your kids’ life and you can’t stop trying to be better. As Socrates said, “I know that I don’t know.” That’s exactly what being a dad is.
You put yourself aside, change your priorities but only in the end you’ll know what you did good and what you did not.
Thank you for these questions, they made me consider about existence and what music means to me and how much it’s part of my life, and where instead it’s not.
