Doomed Confessionary: Andrea, Marco, Matteo & Claudio (Oblivion Vortex)
Oblivion Vortex is a newly formed heavy/doom metal band from Turin, Italy. Featuring musicians with a long experience, the lineup consists of Andrea Marchisio (Highlord, Desdemona, Warnipples) on vocals, Marco Campanati (Extinction) on guitars, Stefano Sofia (Hellbound) on bass, and Claudio Rostagno (Ivory) on drums.
»Into Oblivion« is their first, self-produced EP, which was released on June 21st, 2024. A four-track EP fully represents all the features of the band: a doom influenced heay metal with epic hints and catchy melodies. The songwriting pays homage to the ’80s and ’90s masterpieces of the genre, yet sounding fresh and original.
Can you say a few words about your band?
We are Oblivion Vortex, a heavy doom band (somebody calls us “epic doom”…) from Turin, Italy. We joined together in the present line up at the beginning of 2023, so our band has been recently founded, but it’s made up of musicians with a long and relevant experience in the heavy metal scene.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
It might sound crazy, but even if as single music fans we all enjoyed doom metal, none of us ever played it in a band! So I think the biggest challenge was to measure ourselves with writing satisfying material in a subgenre we all loved as listeners, but we never actually played as musicians.
What can you be most proud of so far?
In a word: the feedback! Starting a new band is always a big challenge, especially in, as far as I’m concerned, the only metal subgenre that never had a great commercial success, so this experience was a total leap of faith. But all the appreciations for our work, from friends, listeners, newly acquired fans and insiders, was more than flattering, and they made us understand we were and are on the right path.
What was your biggest regret?
I couldn’t say we have any regret: if we can talk about a negative feeling, it could be a little concern about the future. It’s well known that the metal scene is overcrowded with bands, both old and new, and finding our space is going to be tough; moreover, booking gigs is becoming more and more difficult lately, due to various reasons. But as I said, we (and luckily, the people who have listened to our proposal) are very confident in the quality of the music we’re writing, so I hope good things will come to those who deserve them, hahaha!
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
I wish I will get in touch with you in a year time or so and be able to answer more extensively to your question… but so far the answer is “none”. Actually, we will perform together as a band for the first time on saturday 30th november in a cool metal club in Turin, suporting the tour of the Ancillotti band. Of course, we are more than excited and impatient for that night to come!
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
More than surprise, I would say relief, in realizing that not all people have given up the live shows for Netflix, and have more than a 30-seconds attention span, hahaha!
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
I listen to about any subgenre of heavy metal, so it tends to vary almost daily. To summarize, in this latest period I’m sharing my listening time among the evergreen classics (Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Dio), some old school death stuff (Bloodbath, Autopsy, Amputate) and various shades of doom (Below, Godthrymm, On Thorns I Lay).
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
I’m unsure if anyone has ever adviced me so, but the one I give myself is: while writing my parts, alwyas put your ego aside, and do your job for the song’s sake as a whole, not as a pedestal to display my talent.
What are your guilty pleasures?
I’m really sorry not to answer this with a more titillating answer, but I (not really) secretly indulge in collecting vinyls, hahaha!
Can you say something more about current music scene in Turin?
I could summarize in: “War between the poor”. It’s very hard to find real friends in the scene, everybody is fighting unfairly to prevail, and as usual, the scarcer the results you can get, the harsher the fight! A lot of clubs have closed lately, due to economic problems and given their final blow by the pandeic years, so it’s getting harder and harder to even organize gigs, and when you do, be sure that other bands are organizing another similar event for the same night just a few kilometers away! Of course we have friends and loyal fans in the scene, but one must alwyas be careful.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
As I’ve said before, we have just one gig booked for 2024, the 30th November at Blah Blah club in Turin, Italy. It will be our official live debut as a band.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Our intentions are to play it the old way: playing live as much as possible! We are getting in touch with a lot of clubs and festivals in order to bring our music out to the people; it may sound a little old school, but we think that proving our worth on stage is much more useful and effective than a hundred posts on Facebook or Instagram. We might also release another EP or a full lenght in 2025: some labels have already shown their interest, I hope we’ll be able to reach an agreement with one of them.
Do you have any special plans for New Year’s Eve?
Do you mean, apart from alcoohol and sex? No, seriously… we haven’t planned any event for the end of the year, but if anyone reading wants to organize a Doom Year’s Eve, we’re totally in it!
How can people best support your band?
Checking us out live, buying our music (either the physical EP or downloading the mp3’s from our Bandcamp) and following us on our social media accounts, which are listed below.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Get Oblivious, doom on!
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well