Doomed Confessionary: Dave, Fabrizio, Nicolò, Saverio & Piero (Zolfo)
Photos by Francesco Ferri
Bari, Italy based doom/sludge metal outfit Zolfo just released their second full-length album »Descending Into Inexorable Absence« on May 24th, 2024 via Zann’s Records, Violence In The Veins and Riff Merchant Records.
Six new tracks of massive doom/sludge madness merged into blackened and post-metal contaminations that will take the listener in a 58-minutes conceptual journey inside the wandering cycle of human and sunlight conditions, never quite finding the feeling of being at home somewhere, forever fleeing from the pursuit of darkness.
Zolfo are Dave (vocals), Fabrizio (guitars), Nicolò (guitars), Saverio (bass) and Piero (drums).
Can you say a few words about your band?
We are a group of 5 long-time friends who founded the band in 2016. We play doom sludge with post-metal influences and aim to convey suffocating and hopeless atmospheres, both on record and in our live performances.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
The biggest challenge was to maintain great cohesion since the formation (we’ve never changed our lineup), while respecting the individual needs of each band member and facing every obstacle that has arisen over the years.
What can you be most proud of so far?
We are certainly proud of our latest album, which represents the evolution of our artistic journey and also the culmination of many efforts and sacrifices.
What was your biggest regret?
Our biggest regret was not being able to promote our previous album properly around Italy and Europe, as it was released shortly before the pandemic.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
We all agree that the Jettasangu Fest vol. 13 in Catania (Sicily), at Palestra Lupo, was the best concert we’ve played so far. The audience response, both in terms of attendance and participation, was incredible. Also, sharing the stage with high-quality bands and the presence of many friends made the atmosphere of that evening magnificent and unforgettable.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
We were surprised to find so many people in tune with us who share the same approach to the underground experience.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
We have a wide range of listening tastes, but among the most frequent listens lately, we can mention the latest works of Full Of Hell, Body Void, Ufomammut, and Thou.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
The most useful advice we have given and continue to give as musicians is to play as loud as possible and to give everything you have, both when rehearsing in the practice room and when performing in front of an audience, whether it’s large or small.
What are your guilty pleasures?
It’s really hard to make a list of bands, also because we are many and we are different from each other. However, we can say, without naming names, that our guilty pleasures range from some Italian trash music to 80s/90s pop songs, and even to pop punk and Japanese city pop.
Can you say something more about the music scene in Bari / Italy?
The Italian music scene is in good health, although in the South (where we are based) it’s more challenging mainly due to logistical/geographical reasons.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
At the moment, the only announced date is the OKFK Summer Fest in Bregenz, Austria, at the end of June.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Certainly, the main plan for the future is to organize the live promotion of our latest album (before another pandemic hits).
How can people best support your band?
You can support us by listening to »Descending Into Inexorable Absence« wherever you want (although we prefer directly from our LP), purchasing our merchandise from our Bandcamp or our label’s channels, and last but not least, coming to our concerts!
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Always support underground and independent realities, go to concerts, and above all, play loud. DON’T BE COWARDS!
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well