Interview with VEIL LIFTER
Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.
Tell us a few things about VEIL LIFTER (Members, Starting Year etc).
Hi, everyone in FDOM Webzine and thank you for your interest, A.C. (NecroDD) here. Veil Lifter started in 2023 as a duo with me on bass and G.C. (from Necroprofanator) on guitar and vox. After the recordings of the first EP G.C. left and the project turned into a one man band for now.
You have recently released your EP ''Night Grotesqueries''. What is the feedback from your audience as well as from the press?
We are just days away since the release and the response from friends/interested people and even press was outstanding. Lots of orders sent from us and from the label to Italy and Europe.
The cover artwork has a great atmosphere! Tell us a few things about it.
The three undead brides of Count Dracula! I was totally haunted by those eyes and the mysterious nature of their character inside the Stoker's novel too. You will find references in the lyrics also.
And what about the lyrics?
VL stands for everything regards the darkest of Metal. In total adoration of the cliches of the genre we deal with obscurity, Death, horror, esotericism all mixed with a narrative/storytelling oriented lyricism inspired by King Diamond first.
What do you prefer, Label or DIY and why?
Well, a label is always felt like a standard of quality for a (Metal) release. The fact of the matter is that not every label can do a proper work, expecially in Metal. In two words, I think every professional label needs a DIY attitude inside of'em in order to better capture the real needs of the bands as well as the customers since we know metalheads are often great loyal buyers.
Is there any funny or weird story from the recordings or from your live shows that you would like to share with us?
Nothing too cool honestly, I can say just that we are weird cultists indeed!
Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD or Digital Format and why is that?
Vinyl will always be the best format for a record whatsoever! Great artwork and sleeves, the grooves and the pin on the turntable... poetry. I am huge collector of CDs and tapes too. Digital format is banned around here!
Your music style is Black Metal. Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
We tried to canalize influences from different Black Metal bands, all with the fascination for the occult in common by the way. Denial of God from Denmark is a huge influence as well as the might Mortuary Drape or the Greek BM scene from 90's and the Italian Dark Sound too.
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?
Success in extreme Metal is something difficult to explain. Imho you have to stay true and loyal to your identity and to your followers if you have even a small group of headbangers around you.
Describe your ideal live show as a performance band. Have you already experienced that?
Not yet but we hit the stage before with other bands. The best scenario for a Metal band on live stage is to be 100% ready to wreaking havoc and so you have to stay in rehearsal room a lot. Regarding VL, a good amount of cemetery stuff is mandatory.
What do you think about the rise of AI in music production?
It can be a help in some cases but art has to be humanly real, with mistakes and errors too. This is the only way to pull out the real feeling inside of you and to craft a piece of art as it should.
What attributes do you think that a new Black Metal Band should have in order to gain identity and be unique?
Passion and dedication.
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?
Nowadays platforms are inevitable. I will always care about physical formats but, expecially for new bands, platforms are often the entrance door to the scene so...
From your experience in the music industry, what would you tell to a new Black Metal band to avoid or what to do?
I can only say that the idea of making money with Metal is something unnecessary. If you are into this you put everything else comes after.
Tell us a few things about the New Underground Metal Scene in Italy (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs etc.)
We have a lot of bands, zines and clubs. I live in centre Italy, in Campobasso, Molise and even if we are the second smallest region of the State we have and always had bands, labels, clubs. More generally I think Italy has a strong list of bands from North to South.
What does Metal means to you? And give us 10 metal albums that run in your veins.
Metal means almost everything for me. It's a lifestyle, a way to be an anthagonist of society and ready-made life and Metal is the perfect soundtrack for all of this.
1) Iron Maiden - The Number of the Beast
2) Manilla Road - Crystal Logic
3) Death SS - Heavy Demons
4) Manowar - Sign of the Hammer
5) Sodom - In The Sign of Evil EP
6) Sarcofago - INRI
7) Morbid Angel - Altars of Madness
8) Slayer - Show No Mercy
9) Venom - Black Metal
10) Running Wild - Gates to Purgatory
Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?
I am totally obsessed by the old GODS from Greece. Early Rotting Christ, Varathron, Necromantia, Thou Art Lord, Zemial, Agatus, Kawir, Disharmony, Nergal, Zephyrous as well as Macabre Omen, or the more recent Ithaqua are absolutelly KILLER and recurring listens on my turntable.
What are your future plans?
Working on the sequel of Night Grotesqueries and maybe arrange a line up for live incurions.
Thank you very much for your time & keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
Once again, thank you for this interview and keep follow the underground. Metal 'til Death
A.C.
By Steve the Filthy Dog.
VEIL LIFTER CONTACT:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577738855083
https://www.instagram.com/veillifter.tenebris/
https://veillifter.bandcamp.com/album/night-grotesqueries