1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
1 - Hailing from Rome, the band formed even before their debut demo in 2017 ("Oltre le Nevi," which they later re-recorded for this album) with the idea of being a side project for Dyrnwyn. All the members of AITA are or were in Dyrnwyn. The band's core members are: Alessandro Mancini (guitars, orchestrations, and arrangements), Mauro Ricotta (guitars), Ivan Cenerini (bass and vocals), and Michelangelo Iacovella (keyboards and backing vocals). But that's not all! For this album, we teamed up with a bunch of talented friends and artists, including Francesco Incantalupo, the drummer for Vinterblot.
2.Recently you have released your first full length, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording?
2 - From the very beginning, our goal has been to translate the most melancholic and reflective aspects of black metal into atmospheric music. While we don't shy away from the heavier, faster parts, our songs give ample space to acoustic moments, slow and enveloping riffs, and expansive symphonic orchestrations. Our earliest inspirations include Saor, Agalloch, Summoning, Caladan Brood, and many others.
3.The band has been around since 2016 but you waited until 2024 to release the first album, can you tell us a little bit more about the long wait?
3 - Unfortunately, a combination of personal issues and the global pandemic significantly delayed the production of this album. However, we persevered, and we're incredibly proud to finally share this music with the world. It feels like a small miracle.
4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored so far with the music?
4 - Our music seeks to explore the deeper, personal side of black metal, drawing inspiration from the natural world and the human spirit. Our lyrics delve into ancient Etruscan mythology (Artume, Tages) and explore themes of spirituality, nature, and a more profound kind of romanticism. This 'romanticism' is not about sentimentalism but rather about capturing the feeling of sehnsucht, a longing for something beyond ourselves.
5.I know that the band name comes from Etruscan Mythology', can you tell us a little bit more about the research you have put into this topic over the years?
5 - Aside from the usual online research, we've been lucky enough to check out Rome's city libraries and, best of all, visit the actual places where the Etruscans lived and buried their dead (north of Rome and in southern Tuscany).
6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?
6 - The artwork and logo, created by the talented Elisa Urbinati, serve a dual purpose: on one hand, they symbolically represent the Etruscan underworld deity Aita, from whom the band takes its name, depicted with the characteristic wolf's head. On the other hand, they immerse the listener in the themes explored in the songs, evoking the landscapes of the Italian Apennines during autumn and winter through a color palette rich in natural suggestions.
7.Has the band done any live shows or open to the idea?
7 - We started this band as a studio project, not thinking about live shows. So, we've never played live, but we're open to the idea. If the perfect gig comes along, we'll definitely think about it.
8.The physical version of the album is going to be released through 'Earth And Sky Productions', how did you get in contact with this label?
8 - Thanks to our bassist and singer, Ivan Cenerini, we were introduced to "Earth and Sky Productions" a couple of years ago. They'll be releasing our album physically in December 2024, and we're really grateful for their support.
9.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of atmospheric black metal?
9 - We're really happy with how well our album has been received. We've gotten awesome reviews and tons of positive feedback from other musicians and fans. It's really rewarding knowing all the hard work and sacrifices paid off. A big shoutout to the YouTube channel "Atmospheric Black Metal Albums" for giving us a digital preview of our album "I".
10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
10 - We're already in the thick of things with our next project, crafting new riffs and lyrics that we'll be working on all through 2025. We're taking our time with this one, as we always pour our hearts and souls into our music, so don't expect a new album right around the corner. But rest assured, we'll be back with new music soon!
11.What are some of the bands or musical styles the band embers are currently listening to nowadays?
11 - We've drawn inspiration from a vast array of bands, such as Saor, Agalloch, Caladan Brood, Eldamar, Lustre, Summoning, Gallowbraid, Negura Bunget, Elderwind, and Wolves in the Throne Room. These bands have significantly shaped our sound.
12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
12 - Thanks a ton for giving us a shoutout in your webzine! We can't wait to share our next album with you. Cheers to the whole team and all the readers! Ciao!
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