– Hi Tony, thanks for your time. What’s currently going on with WHITE SKULL?

Hi Tania, well we have a few more concert then we will take a summer break and then start scheduling gigs for the fall-winter.

– First off, I would like to know how could you describe the band’s sound for someone that has never listened your music, as I think you have always mixed influences from different styles as Heavy Metal, US Power Metal, Power Metal at the German’s style, etc.

We have a mix of all those you mentioned plus some more because we all like different kinds of Metal and we all bring it into the songwriting…let’s just call it the White Skull sound!.

 

– Your new album has recently been released, what are your expectations with it?

Under This Flag was released last May 14 (Italy). I would like to get some proposals for come gigs wherever Metalheads are.

 

– This new opus is entitled “Under this Flag” and first of all I would like to know why did you choose that name for your new effort, what flag does this title make reference to.

This album has a main concept: the wars occurred in the last 100 years but at the same time we also talk about out fight for heavy metal music. The flag with the skull is the symbol of our fight for our music and at the same time it represents the band and all the values and power that has been put in the band for so many years.

 

– “Under this Flag” sees the comeback of Federica. Why did she leave and what prompted her comeback? What does Federica provide to WHITE SKULL other singers can’t?

She left in 2001 due to personal reasons. She came back because she had planned to move back to Italy and had heard we were looking for a new singer. Federica is (and has always been) White Skull voice. She has such a powerful voice, amazing energy and a positive attitude.

 

– As you did with “Forever Fight”, I think your new record has a quite modern (yet heavy) sound; was this something you wanted to get?

Yes. I was really looking for a sound that would bring all the instruments and voice at the level they deserved. The production of this album has been the key for the final sound.

 

– In fact I think production helps getting that sound. If I’m not mistaken yourself produced the album, are you satisfied with the work you did? How was the production process for this new CD? I personally think production this time around helps bringing an important role to the characteristic and aggressive Federica’s vocals.

Yes. I produce this album, and yes I am really satisfied about the sound, I never change anything. One of the important thing was working around the Federica’s voice, to bringing all the characteristic, because I think that the voice is the most important thing in the sound. About the production process we work before with a good pre-production job, then when we went to the studio ready to record. I follow personally all the recording process, the sound and the intention, ok I have done my job like a producer.

 

– As I said before, you have influences from different Metal styles, in fact “Freedom’s not Free” caught my attention due to its diversity, as it has a Speed Metal vibe and a strong epic feeling as well. What’s the story behind this track?

Oh no particular story, as usual we wrote what we like. Not all the guys listen the same style of metal, there is who prefer classic metal like me and Danilo, Jo prefer thrash metal, Federica likes all hard rock band like WASP, Twisted Sister and Alice Cooper, Alex like the classic and alternative modern metal… I think that this is the reason why you can heard different influences.

 

– All this being said, how could you describe “Under this Flag” in 3 words?

Punchy, sweet and drinkable. Ok Punchy like a jab in your face, Sweet like a caress and drinkable because you can listen like to drink a can of beer.

 

– You’ve been around for almost 25 years know, a really long musical career so, what have been the best and worst moments with WHITE SKULL throughout these years?

Oh sure, there were a lot of best moment that we lived in this years, but only one really worst moment: when in july 2010 I decided to close with white skull, was my really intention I was tired and without energy to search another singer, but we are lucky, Federica decided to back in Italy and to Back in the band and here we are again…

 

– In fact I think during this time the Metal scene in Italy has changed a lot. How do you see the current Italian Metal scene? As some years ago there were a lot of Symphonic Power Metal bands, and now there seems to be a huge interest for traditional Heavy Metal bands (bands as HOLY MARTYR, WOTAN or DOOMSWORD seem to have now more recognition from a broader audience).

Every things change during the year, the Metal scene follow the way… A lot of old band now didn’t exist, otherone are alive and we continue to play in the same way. I don’t know what is the interest from the people, I know that is an hard moment, I hope in a better future for the Metal scene.

 

– Finally, what are your near-future plans?

Now the band want to play more show is possible around the world. I think we will play live show till the end of summer 2013, next we will start to write at the new album.

 

– That’s all, thank you once more for answering our questions. If you want to add some final words; feel free to do it.

I say thanx to you for your time and to all the guys who will read this interview, I hope to come with the band in your country to play same gigs. See ‘ya on he road.

 

Tania Giménez

tania@queensofsteel.com

 

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