Interview with SIGILO
Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.
Tell us a few things about SIGILO (Members, Starting Year etc).
Sigilo emerged very spontaneously in mid-2024. José (drummer) and I, Juan Camilo Rodríguez (guitarist and vocalist), started talking at a punk festival we were going to, and the more we talked, the more we realized we had very similar musical tastes, a love for analog formats like cassettes and vinyl, and a desire to make extreme, dark noise. It just so happened that one of us was a guitarist and the other a drummer, so we arranged to meet one day in a rehearsal room to make noise and see what would come of it. We liked how those first compositions sounded and kept going until we had a song structure and gave the project a name; that's how Sigilo was born.
You have recently released your demo ''Maléfico''. What is the feedback from your audience as well as from the press?
When we released the demo, our acquaintances and friends were very interested, and it was very well received. Many people knew we were playing, but we weren't doing many live shows and didn't have anything officially recorded—until now. I suppose that generated some anticipation among the public, and when the Maléfico demo finally came out and they heard it, they really liked it, and the reception was excellent. We really weren't expecting it; it was fantastic. Two accounts that distribute underground metal and punk music have featured us on their channels, and now this interview for the webzine, which we're extremely happy about.
The cover artwork has a killer atmosphere! Tell us a few things about it.
The demo artwork was created by our friend Alejandro, an illustrator from Barranquilla, Colombia. The design and layout were handled by Sigilo's guitarist. The aim was to convey an atmosphere of darkness and mysticism, which is also reflected in the demo's songs. That's why you'll find elements of dark magic, esotericism, and alchemy. A sigil is a powerful symbol created to fulfill a desire, connecting the conscious and unconscious worlds. Entities can also be invoked through it. We wanted to reflect all of this in the artwork and layout, and we feel it turned out well.
And what about the lyrics?
The lyrics, like the demo's artwork, reflect themes such as darkness, evil, witchcraft, dark magic, Satanism, human suffering, introspection, and mysticism. Many of these compositions were written on dark and solitary nights, when the human mind dwells more intensely than usual, and it is precisely this need to express inner thoughts that drove us to write these lyrics and explore these themes.
Are you in searching for a record label? What do you prefer, Label or DIY and why?
We're not really looking for a label because there are two independent labels here that helped us record and release the demo, and I think that's fine for now. We believe that staying within the independent and DIY scene is what we want and believe in, and what we support. These labels help many projects get off the ground, both locally and nationally, and that's what's important.
Is there any funny or weird story from the recordings or from your live shows that you would like to share with us?
A very curious and now amusing fact is that the recordings for this demo began at the end of 2024, and it wasn't until 2026 that it could be finished. There were many details and problems with everyone involved that delayed everything, but it's done now, and that's what matters. Another funny anecdote, this one from a live performance, is that at an event we had in a town, we had consumed too much alcohol and marijuana, and when it came time for the drummer to play a d-beat rhythm, he played it in reverse, and that's how we played the whole song. We laughed a lot afterward, lol.
Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD or Digital Format and why is that?
We believe that while it is true that digital formats capture sound quality better and are an effective way to distribute music these days, analog formats like vinyl records and tapes capture the essence of music and transmit it better, especially with the sounds of underground bands, which is why we continue to opt for them.
Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
We have many influences from bands and artists that we listen to all the time and that we consciously or unconsciously apply when composing our sound and lyrics; some of them to mention are:
1. Hellhammer
2. Bathory
3. Repulsion
4. Darkthrone
5. Venom
6. Possessed
7. Disclose
8. Death
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?
We wouldn't know if the term would be "sacrifice," but rather "investment," and that would mean a lot of practice time and, in our case, money, since we always had to go to rehearsal spaces to practice and refine our ideas as a band. It also meant sacrificing time with our partners. But if anything, we believe it's about sacrificing egos and pride, not imposing anything on others, and also sacrificing the desire for recognition. Everything should be done with the goal of doing things out of passion and love, in this case, for music.
Describe your ideal live show as a performance band. Have you already experienced that?
Our ideal of a perfect gig isn't anything fancy, just being with friends, good energy from the crowd, and bands with whom we can share a great atmosphere—that's more than enough for us. Sigilo's first few live shows were almost always like that, in self-organized venues and with audiences mostly made up of bands and friends.
What do you think about the rise of AI in music production?
A complete bullshit.
What attributes do you think that a new Metal Band should have in order to gain identity and be unique?
Perhaps having a solid idea of what you want to convey, and executing it in a focused and very natural way, is how you achieve originality in the sound and lyrics that flow naturally, and little by little the rest comes on its own. Also, be receptive to feedback from people who know about the subject, as this will help the project improve. Maintain humility in this regard, never forgetting the human element and the connection with others. And of course, lots and lots of practice.
Do you believe that Digital Platforms help the new Metal Bands? Which, do you think, is the ideal way for a band to promote its work?
Of course, digital platforms help distribute music and information effectively and quickly, and that's something no one can deny nowadays and that we all use, and we think it's great that it's like that, but we shouldn't forget the essence of things either, and in these cases, continuing to maintain physical distribution channels is also important, because it's part of this too, as a philosophy and as a way of DIY.
From your experience in the music industry, what would you tell to a new Metal band to avoid or what to do?
I think they shouldn't have such high expectations, like becoming famous or anything like that. It's good to have goals and all, but not the stupid pursuit of fame or recognition just to inflate their egos. They should focus on practicing, having good relationships with the project members, and doing things with focus and passion. The rest will fall into place.
What does Metal means to you? And give us 10 metal albums that run in your veins.
Metal is a belief and a philosophy of life; it has influenced and continues to influence every aspect of our lives, both what we do and what we don't. It's also a way to stand strong in the face of life's adversities and problems, and the cruelty of the world. Metal has given us the strength to endure and persevere.10 albums that run through our veins with unbridled passion are:
1. Sabbath Bloody Sabbath
2. Bonded by Blood
3. Earth A.D
4. Bathory
5. Satanic Rites
6. Aces of Spades
7. Deathcrush
8. Seven Churches
9. Kill 'Em All
10. Scream Bloody Gore
Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?
Sure, we love bands like Rotting Christ, Varathron, Omega, Necromantia, Cult of Eibon and so many more! We think there’s a strong black metal scene in Greece.
What are your future plans?
Making more songs and further shape our own style, probably record an EP and see how everything goes!
Thank you very much for your time & keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
First of all, a huge thank you to our friends and everyone who has supported us throughout these years, with our projects and their friendship. Second, thank you to FILTHY DOGS OF METAL for listening to our music and contacting us to share it on their distribution page; we are honored by this. And finally, a message to anyone who wants to create or has musical projects of this kind: enjoy the process, get together with your friends, have some beers, maybe some substances, and share your tastes and compose music—that's what's truly important. The good things will come naturally afterward. We believe in music, we live for it, and we die for it. Cheers!
By Steve the Filthy Dog.
SIGILO CONTACT:
https://sigilo666.bandcamp.com/album/demo-mal-fico