Interview with OBSIDIAN CHURCH
!!!EPIC DOOM METAL FROM ITALY!!!
Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.
Tell us a few things about OBSIDIAN CHURCH (Members, Starting Year etc).
First of all, thank you for having us! Obsidian Church was born in early 2024 in Palermo\Italy, from a shared vision and the pure need to play the music that united us We are a five-piece band (Vocals, two Guitars, Bass, and - me! - Drums) We all came from different musical backgrounds, but Always old school metal! That common ground became the foundation of this band. But the Idea of making Epic Doom Metal happened purely by accident! We didn't know what we wanted to play, we had some riffs in mind and we started to compose stuff!
You have recently released your album ''Stonebound''. What is the feedback from your audience as well as from the press?
The feedback has been positive, to be honest. "Stonebound" is a very important record for us, so seeing people connect with its atmosphere is incredibly rewarding. The press has praised the crushing riffs and the epic melodies, but what matters most to us is the reaction from the fans. When people tell us that the album transports them to another era/age or makes them feel the weight of the music, we know we achieved our goal.
The cover artwork has a killer atmosphere! Tell us a few things about it.
Thank you! For the artwork of Stonebound, we decided to use a classical masterpiece that perfectly embodies the immense weight and sorrow of our music. The cover features the painting "The last sigh of Christ" (1840) by the French artist Julien Michel Gué. When we were looking for the right visual representation for the album, we stumbled upon this piece and were immediately captivated by its apocalyptic aura. The painting has this incredibly dark, tumultuous sky and a sense of absolute, divine tragedy. It depicts a moment of ultimate suffering, where the spirit departs and the physical body is left bound to the earth—which ties perfectly into the concept of Stonebound. The dramatic lighting, the darkened sun, and the desolate, rocky landscape capture that crushing, majestic gloom we try to play through our riffs. It sets the exact mood we wanted before the listener even presses play.
And what about the lyrics?
The lyrics deal with themes of ancient myths, esoterism, human struggles, and inner demons. The lyrics need to be as monumental as the riffs. Stonebound, is about being imprisoned by your own burdens and the physical world, yearning for an ascension or a release that seems out of reach.
Are you in searching for a record label? What do you prefer, Label or DIY and why?
Absolutely! We would love to be part of a record label! A good label that understands Epic Doom Metal and respects our artistic vision would be ideal to help us distribute the album worldwide and reach a broader audience.
Is there any funny or weird story from the recordings or from your live shows that you would like to share with us?
Well, considering our band name is Obsidian Church, the most surreal experience we’ve had so far was actually getting booked to play a live show inside a real, consecrated ancient Church, here in Palermo! The atmosphere was already unbelievable! Stone walls, vaulted ceilings, and a natural reverb that made our amplifiers sound HUGE. At the end, we perceived an extraordinary friendly and open environment with the organization, which managed to bring together different generations and languages into a truly unique and engaging experience.
Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD or Digital Format and why is that?
Vinyl, Doom Metal is meant to be experienced on vinyl. There is a specific ritual to it: taking the record out of the sleeve, admiring the large artwork, dropping the needle, and listening to the warm, analog crackle before the heavy guitars kick in. CDs and tapes are great physical formats too, and we respect them. Digital is a necessary tool for promotion in the modern age and we love the possibility of endless playback!
Your music style is Epic Doom Metal. Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
Our roots dig deep into the classic pioneers of the genre. Black Sabbath is the genesis of it all, of course. For the "epic" side of our sound, Candlemass is a massive influence, alongside Solitude Aeturnus, Pentagram and Saint Vitus.
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?
Being in an active underground metal band means sacrificing time, money, and sleep. You spend countless hours in a sweaty rehearsal room instead of going out or relaxing. You spend your hard-earned money on gear, studio time. We have all made personal sacrifices—skipping holidays, missing family events, and putting relationships to the test to make Stonebound a reality. But when you stand on stage and play those riffs, you realize it’s worth every drop of sweat.
Describe your ideal live show as a performance band. Have you already experienced that?
A truly effective live show should embody a strong sense of unity and a genuine willingness to listen. It should create an environment where artists and audience connect on a deeper level, fostering mutual respect, openness, and shared emotional experience. Beyond the performance itself, it should encourage dialogue, and a feeling of belonging, making every participant feel heard, valued, and part of something meaningful.
What do you think about the rise of AI in music production?
It’s a controversial topic, but honestly, it has no place for us, in anything. Doom is entirely about human feeling, suffering, passion, and soul. AI can analyze algorithms and generate a song, but it can never replicate the genuine agony in a vocalist's wail or the organic "push and pull" of a rhythm section playing slightly behind the beat to make a riff sound heavier. Metal is a human expression. Keep the machines out of the equation ;)
What attributes do you think that a new Doom Metal Band should have in order to gain identity and be unique?
To be special! A band needs to inject their own cultural background or personal darkness into the music. Focus on the songwriting, not just the guitar tone. A truly memorable Epic Doom band needs great melodies, strong vocal hooks, and riffs that tell a story even without words.
Do you believe that Digital Platforms help the new Doom Metal Bands? Which, do you think, is the ideal way for a band to promote its work?
They are a double-edged sword. On one hand, digital platforms allow an independent band from Italy to be heard by a doom metal fan in South America in seconds, which is incredible. On the other hand, the market is incredibly oversaturated, and music is treated as disposable background noise. The ideal way to promote is a hybrid: use digital platforms for reach, but focus heavily on playing great live shows, selling physical merch, and engaging directly with the underground metal community, webzines, and fanzines.
From your experience in the music industry, what would you tell to a new Doom Metal band to avoid or what to do?
Do: Rehearse until your fingers bleed (forearms included for drummers!), focus on writing actual songs! and have an Idea how the music should sound. Talk to each other, comunication is key!
Avoid: Don't rush into the studio before you have an established idea on how the music should sound (talking from an Audio Engineer - as I am - to musicians in this case)
Tell us a few things about the New Underground Metal Scene in Italy (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs etc.)
There are dedicated promoters, webzines doing god's work to keep the scene alive, and fans who will drive for hours to attend a gig!
What does Metal means to you? And give us 10 metal albums that run in your veins.
1. Candlemass - (first 4 albums!)
2. Death - Human
3. Judas Priest - Sad Wings of Destiny
4. Bathory - Hammerheart
5. Summoning - Stronghold
6. Black Sabbath – Black Sabbath
7. Trouble – Psalm 9
8. Therion - Vovin
9. Tristania - Beyond the Veil
10. Theatre of Tragedy - Velvet Darkness They Fear
Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?
Rotting Christ and Septicflesh (I love KRIMH!), Greece has a fantastic traditional & Extreme metal scene!
What are your future plans?
Right now, our main focus is bringing Stonebound to the stage as much as possible. We are hoping to play some festivals and at the same time, the creative process never really stops; we are already jamming on some new riffs for the next release.
Thank you very much for your time & keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
Thank you to FILTHY DOGS OF METAL for this interview and for supporting the underground. To anyone reading this: support live music, buy physical records, and check out our new album Stonebound. Stay heavy, stay doomed, and we’ll see you around!
By Steve the Filthy Dog.
OBSIDIAN CHURCH CONTACT:
https://www.facebook.com/people/Obsidian-Church/61582629531218/
https://www.instagram.com/obsidian_church/
https://obsidianchurch.bandcamp.com/album/stonebound