Italian SHRIEKING DEMONS has just released an EP entitled “Diabolical Regurgitations”, available on CD and cassette-tape formats via Caligari Records. Consists of Gabri (Vocals), Giorgio (Guitars), David (Drums) and the newly added Mariya (Bass), this Palermo/Silicy-based band is a name to be reckoned based on the capabilities as well as the quality they have. Here is a short interview with Gabri and Giorgio. – Interviewed by Atandistorted, 10 August 2021
What a stunning debut. “Diabolical Regurgitations” EP will definitely feed the needs of Autopsy and Abscess fans. What encouraged Shrieking Demons to deliver this ancient-path of Death Metal?
Gabri: Thanks for the nice words about our EP. Well, I would say that both Autopsy and Abscess surely encouraged us, as well as Dream Death, Decomposed, Delirium, Celtic Frost/Hellhammer, Cianide, Divine Eve, early Paradise Lost, early Death… too many to name, but mostly ‘80s/‘90s Death/Doom/Thrash Metal bands that spawned so many gems in those decades that are still today a big source of inspiration for many bands. And, apart from that, our will to tell our own story, create our own path, trying to make our distinctive sound in the huge sub-world of today’s underground. Or maybe just the fact that we are all music junkies, addicted to making noise and vomit macabre stories, so we just can’t stay silent eheh.
What do you think Shrieking Demons actually has more surprises & specials in the tracks from the EP?
Giorgio: Well I wouldn’t know as we’ve only have that one out so far! You’ll have to wait for the full album to see which is better. I personally love EPs, it’s a great format as you can throw in stuff you might not necessarily put elsewhere. I guess some die hards will keep going back to our EP and ignore the rest of our future discography, just like they always do, ahaha!
The band is a name that suddenly pops up and continues to erupt without warning! How was Shrieking Demons established and who are its members?
Gabri: We took the Shrieking Demons name from a line of the Autopsy song “Hole in the Head”. Anyway, we all know each others since many years: me and David both played together in our previous band Gravesite as well as Undead Creep, a band where Giorgio played and composed music too (before I entered in the line-up). Giorgio and David also played together many years in Haemophagus and Assumption (and other bands too, for example I’ve just witnessed the first gig of their excellent Doom Metal project Bottomless), and we crossed our paths many times since we have often shared the stage with my other bands too (Cancer Spreading and Terror Firmer). In addition to that, Giorgio had also played with Mariya as a live fill in for her doom death band Lightpath.
So, it was not a big deal to start this project altogether, let’s say it was just a matter of time before it was meant to happen… we have similar musical tastes and we probably have a similar approach to music as well as excitement and passion that we put in what we do.
Nowadays, we have added Mariya (Death On/Off) on bass duties to the line-up, and we will add also a second guitarist (that will be annunciated soon) because otherwise would be impossible to reproduce our sound on stage. We are interested in playing live, so this has been a very natural choice, but it could be possible that new members will contribute on our next recording too… let’s wait and see.
What made you decide to sign with Florida-based Caligari Records for releasing/distributing “Diabolical Regurgitations”?
Giorgio: We love a big share of what they put out, really. It’s a solid, hard working label with crystal clear deals and a killer attitude. Caligari’s H has been enthusiastic about us right from the start and we couldn’t hope for a better situation for our debut.
The cover artwork is fuckin’ old school. Who drew it? It is definitely closely related to your lyrics & message. What has been written (in your lyrics)?
Gabri: Cover artwork, as well as our logo, has been made by Spanish artist Raul Fuentes/Mortuus Art. We love his style, and we already used his art for our (me & David) previous band Gravesite, so we already knew how talented he was and easy to collaborate with.
Actually, cover artwork it’s not strictly connected to our lyrics, since he made it before all lyrics were completed… let’s just say it fits our style and visions. Our lyrics deal with different topics but the common theme it’s (of course) death, darkness, macabre and horrifying visions, human suffering and misery… Death Metal & Doom Metal topics ahah, nothing so out of ordinary.
First song “Water Drop Torture” talks about an ancient form of psychological torture which was very cruel, “Hidden Cathedral Of Diseases” talks about a vision which I had about this otherworldly place where Lovecraftian-like creatures gather and make humans suffer in every possible way, “Unspeakable Rites” is about bizarre occult rites and horrible secrets passed on men since the dawn of time, and “Whispering Corridors” is another vision I had about a particular form of hell, where humans are doomed to wander in this sort of endless hallways, listening to this horrible voices of the other which are already lost there too. But the more they go on the more they start to become insane, so some just cry in agony, some other become at one with this terrible world and start to whisper ghastly words to the new ones… and the circle goes on and on.
Thanks! End up this short interview by mentioning plans for the next recordings/releases, and how do you look forward to the future of Shrieking Demons?
Giorgio: We already have almost enough material for our first full-length album, so we’ll try to get together and practice it until death each time we can. As for the future, we see dark clouds are gathering beyond the crimson horizon and the bell’s chimes are growing louder, so we guess death metal shall strike again very soon… Thank you for the opportunity! Take care and keep vomiting!
