Kharàce Interview

 

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the solo project?

Sure. Kharàce is my own one man operation. Like the other bands from our little scene, it's rooted into the so-called "raw" black metal. By the way, I tried to include elements from other genres, from ambient to post-rock. I think it works quite well. The album has no particular concept, but it collects several references to my hometown, which is the island of Pantelleria, where we speak a particular Sicilian dialect.

2.Earlier this year you had released a new album, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recordign?

Yeah, as I told you we can consider this album as raw black metal. Anyway, there are many other influences, including ambient, post-rock, doom metal and other kinds of 'atmospheric' elements. Infact I like to create some contrast between the raw nature of black metal and "dreamy", atmospheric landscapes originating from other music genres. This can also be considered an experimentation and a footstep from Gelkhammar, which is the band where I play drums: Gelkhammar is more feral and savage, Kharàce is a dreamy expression of it.

3.Your lyrics cover the hidden and lesser known landmarks of 'Pantelleria', can you tell us a little bit more about this topic?

Pantelleria is the island I come from. It's very windy and it's one of the southernmost points of the entire European continent: infact the island is located between Sicily and Tunisia (which is only 60-70 km far from here!). Kharàce is just a way to convey a certain atmosphere linked to my land's geography: imagine I'm bringing you with me to my hometown through Kharàce's music.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Kharàce'?

Kharàce's debut full length is named "Dakhalè": both moniker and album title are written in Pantelleria's own dialect (meaning 'exit' and 'entrance' respectively), which is deeply influenced by Arabic language (the island has been an Arabian settlement from 700 AD to 1123). "Kharàce" also refers to a cape in the northeastern section of the island, while "Dakhalè" is the name of a 'dammuso' (an Arabic-style building which is peculiar to Pantelleria). Let's say I wanted to give a strong local identity to this project.

5.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?

It depicts a door from a building and it's linked to the bandname and album title: as I told you they mean 'exit' and 'enter' respectively. I think it conveys a certain dose of mystery and enigma.

6.With this project you record everything by yourself but also have experience working with a full line up, how would you compare the two?

Recording everything by myself is quicker and easier, because I can control everything. Doing the same with a full lineup is slightly harder, even because our vocalist lives in Florence so we work separately. Not a big deal, though, we just need more time to finalize a record. I enjoy both dimensions, I'd say that a one man project is somewhat more 'personal', a full band has a different feeling but it's cool giving your own contribute within a collective work.

7.The new album was released on 'Cossyra Tapes', can you tell us a little bit more about this label?

It's basically a sub-label of Xenoglossy Productions, which also distributes digitally our stuff and send us some copies. Cossyra Tapes was specifically born for releasing cassettes from the raw black metal scene of Pantelleria. Infact the vinyl re-press was officially released with a Xenoglossy Production's catalogue number. By the way, the vinyl can be pre-ordered now at this address: https://xenoglossyproductions.bandcamp.com/album/dakhal

8.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black metal?

It received somewhat attention earlier this year! Particularly, Dakhalè has received many votes/reviews on Rate-Your-Music, which is a popular site for rating albums/EPs. Didn't expact this. By the way, this is a very underground project so I think we'll never release more than 100 copies of a recording.

9.What is going on with 'Gelkhammar', these days?

Everything's fine. We're currently working on something new: a split album is on its way and will be probably released in the first half of 2022.

10.Where do you see yourself heading into as a musician during the future?

I don't know how to answer this! I have no particular goals, I just think I'll make this kind of music till I want.

11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

One of the main influences for Kharàce are without any doubt Carved Cross and Black Cilice. I like Carved Cross's riffs/loops, they're very repetitive in a good way and truly atmospheric. Black Cilice has melodic and putrescent riffs that are perfect for this kind of music. Outside black metal, I listen to many genres, from pop music to harsh noise: there's quality in every style. In this period I'm listening a lot to Thecodontion's "Supercontinent". It's the main band of Xenoglossy guys G.D. and G.E.F. and is extremely powerful and original both lyrically and musically. Outside of metal, I love the new album by Fotocrime, "Heart of Crime".

12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts? 

Thank you all for this space, please check out Kharàce and Gelkhammar's recordings on Xenoglossy Productions' bandcamp and netlabel Ancestral Rites owned by Warrior, the guy who helped us with mixing and mastering (also Gelkhammar's vocalist).

https://xenoglossyproductions.bandcamp.com/album/dakhal