Doomed Confessionary: Sean Pollacco (Pilgrimage)
Pilgrimage is an international doom/death metal band formed in 2018 between Malta and The Netherlands. Their sound is melodic throughout, from low & slow to aggressive passages reminiscent of earlier doom/death metal.
The band is a collaboration between Sean Pollacco (Drown The Sea, ex-Weeping Silence), Eric Hazebroek (Vetrar Draugurinn, Stream Of Passion, Ditch), Dario Pace Taliana (Weeping Silence), Zain Gauci (Halcyon) and Dino Mifsud Lepre (Victims Of Creation, Hemplifier, Reefer Fest).
Pilgrimage is gearing up to release their sophomore album, »From Amber To Sun«, which will see the light on August 29th, 2025 via Meuse Music Records. While the album is a natural evolution from the debut »Sigil Of The Pilgrim Sun«, the listeners can expect a broader spectrum of music. »From Amber To Sun« features guest appearances from Elianne Anemaat (Celestial Season) on cello and vocals from Heike Langhans (Remina, ex-Draconian).
Can you please say a few words about your band?
Greetings to all and thanks for taking an interest in Pilgrimage. This band is an international cooperation from The Netherlands and Malta, formed in 2018, playing doom death metal.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Certainly, because of the international dimension, we have had to find a way to make this work from a distance. Eric Hazebroek, who is the band’s main composer, lives in The Netherlands while the rest of the band is from Malta. So, while the Maltese complement can rehearse together, Eric prepares himself alone and joins the band for short rehearsal stints or directly at the show venue. It’s been like that since our inception and we rose to the challenge rather well, I think, to develop a good band dynamic. For the rest, in terms of song composition, arrangements and recordings, it has been rather, if surprisingly at first, smooth.
What can you be most proud of so far?
At this stage, it must be our new second album »From Amber To Sun«, due on the 29th of August 2025. We are very happy with how it turned out. Eight tracks that represent the sound we were aiming for – low and slow, with heavy and even fast-paced parts intertwined. Our collaboration with both Heike Langhams (Remina, ex-Draconian) and Elianne Anemaat (Celestial Season) was great and their contribution to the album was fitting, truly bringing forth the vision for these songs. We’re also happy to have signed with Meuse Music Records for its release, who have shown themselves to be professional and supportive. With this record and on this label, I think we can continue to move forward in the right direction with Pilgrimage.
What was your biggest regret?
Probably our biggest regret would be not promoting our debut as much as we should have. It was released in 2021, during the pandemic which, apart from the real tragedies to lives and families, put a dampener on the release. That, compounded with the cancellation or postponement of several shows and festival plans, set the project back.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
We have been lucky in that, eventually, we had a good number of shows in great venues and awesome festivals. It seems to be a shared feeling in Pilgrimage that our best concert was in Istanbul Turkey in 2023 in support of Therion. This was truly special! A very cool venue packed to the rafters with incredible metal fans and supported by very professional people at 100% Metal.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
I wouldn’t go as far as calling it surprising, but we were blessed to have several international musicians welcoming our invite for their collaboration on both our debut and second album. Daniel (Clouds) was invited as guest vocalist on one song off the debut, then Heike and Elianne contributed to the second album on vocals and cello respectively. We were also invited to open for Therion twice, which was very encouraging for a young band. When bigger names in the scene go that extra mile to help and support a new band, in several ways, it can mean a lot. It did to us.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Currently listening to a concoction of music. Never been one to listen to one style. Currently I find myself switching from old records, such as AC/DC and Megadeth, to Isole, Draconian and Opeth. Of course, as many others, I’m binging on everything Ozzy too (RIP).
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Be humble always. That is good advice for everyone. Also, we were well-advised to understand better the way digital music works and its importance in an ever-changing world.
What are your guilty pleasures?
Personally, it’s just allowing myself to chill and re-energize on some days. I have come to accept that taking a day off, maybe more than that, to get away from a fast-paced life, is a pleasure in and of itself. With time, I feel less guilty about it.
Can you say something more about the current music scene in Malta?
Malta is a small state with a lot happening. Of particular mention is Dark Malta Festival that caters for the gothic scene mostly. There is no shortage of great bands too – Forsaken, Beheaded, Abysmal Torment to name just a few. In addition, you might want to check out bands with which members of Pilgrimage are involved – Ditch, Vetrar Draugurinn, Weeping Silence, Halcyon, Victims Of Creation and Hemplifier. A shout-out goes to Darryl and Manuel for their involvement with the band in the past!
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
We will play our album release show at Darken The Moon Festival in Belgium this September. We will soon be announcing more shows starting in 2026 in Italy, Malta, Belgium and other European countries.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
We are presently focussed on this second album »From Amber To Sun« in all its aspects – from playing shows to support the release, to its promotion on digital platforms. We hope to be able to announce shows in 2026 soon.
How can people best support your band?
Simply by following the band on social media and Spotify. Listening to our music on digital platforms is a good and mostly cost-free way of support. Those fans who enjoy the physical releases can head to our Bandcamp and purchase the DigiCD directly from us or from Meuse Music Records. We have a CD+shirt combo for anyone who is interested in that too! We appreciate any form of support!
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Thank you to all metalheads following and supporting Pilgrimage, new and old! We appreciate you and hope to meet you somewhere soon! Take good care and cheers from all in the band! Many thanks also to Doomed Nation for this interview!
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well