Interview with INSANITY STORM

!!!BLACK METAL FROM CHILE!!!

We had a conversation with Countess Elizafer (Vocals/Guitars). Enjoy!

Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.

Tell us a few things about INSANITY STORM (Members, Starting Year etc).

Insanity Storm was born in 2023 founded for me Countess Elizafer in concepción chile as a means of expressing all my darkness and inner chaos through black metal, at first it was born as my solo project, and i would record all the instruments and vocals of the first album, but then a drummer who had a studio contacted me and offered to record for free in exchange for her being able to record the songs with me, and of course i accepted, and that's how my first LP "Caos Destrucción" came to light. after the release we dedicated ourselves to playing in various cities in chile, and we caught the attention of an argentine producer who offered to schedule some dates for us in buenos aires, this was our first international tour. After this, a Brazilian production company contacted me for a mega festival where I would share four dates with bands like Dark Funeral, Nargaroth, Sarcófago, Horna, Bessat, Acherontas, among others, who were part of a mega festival. Since we were just starting out, we thought the opportunity was impressive, but it turned out to be a complete fraud. When the day of the event arrived, the producer announced on his social media that he was going to commit suicide and canceled all the festivals, leaving the bands to their fate. Many European bands were left adrift, and the producer didn't take responsibility. After this, with a new lineup, Count Salvatore joined me on drums for the recording of my second EP, "Eternal Winter," where this time I recorded vocals, guitars, and bass. After this release, I joined the band Spektur on bass for Insanity Storm's second tour, "Eternal Winter," where we will play in Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina for a month and a half. We are currently signed to a German label, Solistitium Records, the former Behemoth label, with which we will release our next album, "Winterworn," a 15-song LP full of melodic black metal.

You have recently released your album ''Eternal Winter''. What is the feedback from your audience as well as from the press?

The public's reaction to Eternal Winter has been quite positive. Since its release, we've received very moving messages from people who have deeply identified with the album's emotional intensity. This is an album born of pain, but also of transformation. As for the sound, we are oriented towards a more melodic black metal with influences from vinterland, unlike Caos democracia which has a more raw, old school sound like For All Tid by Dimmu Borgir.

The cover artwork has a killer atmosphere! Tell us a few things about it.

The cover of Eternal Winter depicts the devastated inner world of Lilith, the female protagonist of our story. The castle symbolizes the emotional prison in which she is trapped, and Eternal Winter is a metaphor for emptiness and endless grief.

And what about the lyrics?

The lyrics of Eternal Winter are deeply connected to a story that continues on our upcoming LP, "Winterworn." In this part of the story, we focus on Lilith and her emotional journey. Each lyric is born from a real experience, but wrapped in a dark and symbolic aesthetic that allows for multiple interpretations. My goal was to transform pain into art and give a voice to those who once felt silenced, broken, and betrayed.

What do you prefer, Label or DIY and why?

Since i started insanity storm i have been alone, against an industry where contacts always win over merit, it has been a difficult road where many doors have been closed to me, but i have always remained firm, trying again and again, until now recently the label Solistitium Records contacted me which was a great opportunity to expand in Europe and Asia, so i can say that hard work is always rewarded in the end, since as i said i tried with different labels, and Solistitium suddenly contacted me and it was beautiful, since it is a label that has worked with different bands that i like. i feel that it is important to have support to expand and grow, but if at the beginning you don't have anyone, you must launch yourself anyway, everything is a matter of time, the key to success is always to persevere and fight for what you want. Despite working with Solistitium Records, I'm still in charge of managing the band, scheduling dates, finding connections, applying for applications, promoting the band, using social media, and more. The road isn't easy, but it's my whole life, so I do it with passion because it's a love of art, and seeing people connect with you and appreciate that is priceless. It's totally worth it.

Is there any funny or weird story from the recordings or from your live shows that you would like to share with us?

Recently at a festival while performing Let Me In at the end of the song I bent down to end like that but this time when I bent down I fell backwards and ended up lying on the floor, people thought it was part of the show and they thought it was great, so now I do it intentionally, it was precise since Let Me In talks about the death of Lilith and when I performed that role live I ended up lying on the floor.

Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD or Digital Format and why is that?

I value both formats greatly because each has its own reach and importance. Digital allows us to reach listeners all over the world immediately, and it's a fundamental tool today. But if I have to choose, I prefer the physical format. There's something special about holding the album in your hands, seeing the artwork, reading the lyrics, feeling the weight of the complete work. Plus, having it in physical form makes it yours. Imagine one day the internet goes down. It's something that can disappear, but the physical format in your hand is eternal.

Your music style is Black Metal. Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)

The band that introduced me to black metal was Dimmu Borgir. When I heard Stormblast, my life changed. I had found something that perfectly matched my soul and my inner chaos, in the beauty of darkness. I was later influenced by bands like Dissection, Old Man's Child, Windir, Satyricon, Vinterland, Tyrant (Japan), Lilith, Gehenna, and others. It's a genre that I love so much.

Which things do you think a band should sacrifice in order to succeed? Have you ever sacrificed anything in your life for a better future for your band?

I sacrifice my whole life, In my case, Insanity Storm is my entire life. I practically breathe for Insanity Storm. It's my priority in life above all else. In fact, I've left many things to follow my path. I've left my city, my family, relationships, friends, jobs, everything for the band because it's what keeps me alive and gives meaning to my existence. I've experienced horrible things in my life, and in black metal I found my refuge from a cruel world. And I found my means of expression. How I can channel my pain into art and in this way make another soul who feels what I felt feel identified. I feel that this is beautiful, that's why I don't care what they tell me because for me this is real, and it comes from the depths of my being. Regardless of whether I am successful one day or not, when I die, I will die happy because I did what I loved, which is making music, and I will know that I gave it my all. That's why the band has had so many changes, because it's difficult to find people who vibrate on the same wavelength as you, who see music not as an end, but as a path, even to death, a sincere love and total dedication to the cause.

Describe your ideal live show as a performance band. Have you already experienced that?

I haven't fully experienced that ideal concert yet, but every show we play is one step closer to that dream. And when the audience sings along to the songs or is moved by the lyrics, I already feel like a part of that dream is coming true. The best part is that there's still a lot to build, and I'll do it with all the fire I have inside.

What do you think about the rise of AI in music production?

The emotion, pain, anger, and passion can't be imitated or programmed. I deeply value the organic, the raw, the imperfect, the real. AI can't replace what's created with the soul.

What attributes do you think that a new Black Metal Band should have in order to gain identity and be unique?

I believe it's just about being true to themselves. I made Insanity Storm because I have something to say to the world. I have a reason and a compelling reason. So it depends on the person's purpose, since everything you are inside is reflected outside and captured in your art. I value what's real and genuine, and the souls who have suffered.

Do you believe that Digital Platforms help the new Black Metal Bands? Which, do you think, is the ideal way for a band to promote its work?

Today, thanks to digital platforms, we can share our music all over the world. They allow us to build a community of fans and show who we are, not only through our music, but also through our identity. But there's also so much content saturation that standing out requires strategy, authenticity, and consistency. For me, the ideal way is to blend the digital with the real world, using social media to tell your story, connecting with your audience, and also going out to play and leaving your soul on stage.

From your experience in the music industry, what would you tell to a new Black Metal band to avoid or what to do?

My advice is to work hard, record material, and be clear about who you are and why you do it. Learn to move, manage yourself, and believe in yourself even when no one else does. Be wary of people who promise a lot and deliver little; there are many in this industry. Avoid comparing yourself to other bands; authenticity is the most valuable thing.

Tell us a few things about the New Underground Metal Scene in Chile (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs etc.)

The Chilean underground has incredible bands with solid offerings that deserve much more recognition. What I value most is the brotherhood that exists in some spaces, the connection between bands, and the support of the loyal audiences that follow the groups. There are still more spaces and more visibility needed, but I feel like we're building something powerful from the ground up, with blood, sweat, and truth, and being part of this is an honor.

What does Black Metal means to you? And give us 10 metal albums that run in your veins.

For me, black metal is a way to channel everything that burns inside; it's art born of pain and darkness. In black metal, I found a language to express my wounds, my rage, my existential questions, but also my strength, my spirituality, and my transformation. Black metal saved me, gave me a voice, gave me a purpose, and through it, I want to pave the way for others to heal, feel, and awaken. My top 10 albums that marked my life are:
For all time by Dimmu borgir
Dimmu borgir stromblast
The Conquering of the Eternal Wisdom Lilith
Under the Dark Mystic Sky Tyrant
First Spell Gehenna
Storm of the light's Bane Dissection
Loreia Siebenburgen
The Somberlain Dissection
Born of the flickering Old man's Child
the pagan prosperity Old man's Child
Soknardalr Windir

Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?

Yes, of course. In fact, when Rotting Christ came to my country, I went to see them in the front row. I love them. Another band I really like and whose sound I love is Varathron. They have great bands. It would be an honor for me to share music or a stage with an artist from there.

What are your future plans?

My plans with Insanity Storm are to continue spreading our message and bringing our music to the world. Now that we've signed with Solistitium Records, we're working on the second part of Eternal Winter, "Winterworn," which will tell the story from the perspective of the Dark Knight, the main character of this album. This new chapter is even more intense, theatrical, and emotional. I'm also focused on strengthening the live performance, taking the show to a higher level, and continuing to build a true community with our fans. My dream is to tour Europe and play major festivals like Wacken Open Air or Hellfest, and continue transforming pain into art. It's not just about making music, it's about leaving a legacy, and this is just the beginning.

Thank you very much for your time & keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
Thank you for the space, it's an honor. With Insanity Storm, I'm building my own universe, dark but full of strength, and my greatest wish is that those who listen to our songs feel accompanied in their pain, in their loneliness, and find a sound refuge from their inner storm. I invite all those souls to listen to our music.

By Steve the Filthy Dog.

INSANITY STORM CONTACT:

https://www.facebook.com/InsanityStorm.Banda

https://www.instagram.com/insanitystorm.banda/

https://insanitystorm.bandcamp.com/

https://www.tiktok.com/@insanitystorm

https://open.spotify.com/artist/4mUD8TPB262CFHxJBg7iQI