Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.
As our biography says, this was initially a solo project which became an active band in 2011 as Falco joined as drummer. We had our friend Cochise as bass player for the first recordings but now we are going on as L.D. vocal/guitars (and bass for recordings) and Falco on drum.

How would you describe your style? Which bands influenced your music? 
We just call it Retrogarde metal, 'cause metal itself has changed a lot after the '90. Many people ask for something different now, more modern, be it technical, experimental or anything else than just classic or old fashioned. So many labels are spreading this avantgarde music that seems to sell more...
We don't want to follow any band in particular, only the roots of what was meant to be extreme. Not just based on fast drum patterns and loud volume. 
See Coven and their 'Witchcraft' at the end of '60, or Black Widows so extreme, to dedicate an album to Astaroth already in the '70. So, in the '80 HellHammer were able to melt metal with something really sinister musically, lirically and esthetically. Then, here in Italy Death SS brought the 'horror' into metal, while Mortuary Drape were ever focused on occultism, mediumships and necromancy (I mean specifically and not just a blablabla). 
But we're not going to follow any of these great bands, just playing on these concepts.

Why should a metalhead buy your demos/albums?
I often see not-so-special old recordings now sold by people for a lot, as the more something is old, the more it has weight. So, maybe a day our recordings could make you rich too. If not, you shall have done something to hurt jesus&god in any case. Or just take it to have still something really played and not programmed... or again natural as a cannibal who eats a man for lunch.

What have you released so far and how were your releases received by the public/media? 
The first 3 tracks ever composed were just named 'Demo 2008', shared on the hi-fi to few friends but never distributed. The first official demo tape 'Cross the bones' resulted better of what expected, as we just needed something to see where we were going. People who listened to that tape did find it raw but not confusional (even if recorded at the reharsal room) and even not so usual as proposal. Someone asked for a cd copy but it was not our intention to spread it out in more copies, to more people; just a tape version for 100 maniacs.
The full lenght 'THE DEATH - schieràti con la morte' is the result of hours passed searching for THAT sound, even before to start recording. To study the microphones to use, their position on drum and amplifiers, even drum's tuning... we wanted it powerful and raw but with a more professional sound. And so, the single 'Lustful Skin' was released to present what we were going to mix. This single was released on cd but into a particular 7" sleeve with an inverted cross keychain included; this was much appreciated mainly by same people who were already following us. Other waited for the release of the full lenght before asking to buy our material; Fistbang records (who supported us since our demo tape) did an hell of job, so you can find it presented in many 'zines or sold in many catalogues now. In addition, we just prepared a personal limited box that we mainly sell during live shows, along with our t-shirts or pins. In conclusion, it seems that there is still someone interested in a more primitive metal proposed by an underground band.

Do you play live as well? How's your live activity so far?
As I was saying we started playing live recently; we didn't know what kind of response we would have get from the public by playing live with an only one guitar and no bass... but it was better than expected at all. We just went on stage to play fierce and it seems that we did it.

What should labels/zines/promoters know about your band? Why should they be interested in it?
I see that nowadays you HAVE to get a musical-genre label, to have your 'public': National Socialistic black metal, black thrash, black'n'roll, pagan black, folk black, or even more funny names... there are 'zines and labels or distributors focused on these name specifically. If you don't get one, you loose public. But if someone is not in this mood, maybe could be interested in us.

What plans do you have for the near future as a band?
We didn't plan to have a full lenght released and so well distributed right in the 2014 (even if it was initially ready for 2013). We were just considering the way to record another demo tape, when people and distributors began asking for us. We mainly play becouse we like to do it, everything else is secondary. But to have people who support you, a serious label, more followers, well.. makes all more easy as you just have to do 'your work' (to play), to focus on it and all the rest comes by itself. We just hope things shall keep going on as they are doing now.

Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?
We are updating our official website www.oltretomba.tk which contains even our email contacts, to ask for still available stuff or just to find some links for various previews.

August 2014