For decades, Max Marzocca played in Natron, one of the most popular Italian Death Metal bands. His current group THE OSSUARY can rather be characterised as a Heavy Doom Rock outfit. In the following interview, the drummer explains why he is actually not a big fan of such genre classifications, why it is not enough for him to write music about death, lucifer, and drugs, and what we need to know about the current album „Southern Funeral“.
How do you guys in THE OSSUARY feel now that your new album “Southern Funeral” has been released?
We feel good, it’s great to have this second album out in a rather short time, and now that I see it in the shape of a beautiful gatefold vinyl version I feel really satisfied, it just turned out the way that we wanted! This album is a necessary step to something else that we’re currently working on, and of course there is something we would change afterwards but it’s not a big drama. All my feelings are definitely positive about it.
Like the debut album, your new long-player has been released by Supreme Chaos Records. In your opinion, why is it the perfect label for THE OSSUARY?
We have freedom to do what we like. Robby, the label boss, cares about the band because he really likes what we play and has put a lot of effort in us so far He also helped us with tour booking and gigs here and there. A good supportive label is all we need, we’re definitely happy so far with SCR!
What does the album title “Southern Funeral” refer to?
”Southern Funeral” has the same meaning as the debut album title, it refers to our music and where we come from. Like in “Post Mortem Blues” there’s the word “blues” that you can link to “Southern”, and the word “funeral” to “post mortem”. It means that death and doom is what we talk about and blues is the background of our music and culture. We’re a band from the south and there’s a lot of sadness that we talk about.
What have you done differently in your approach to the new album, compared to your debut album “Post Mortem Blues”?
Nothing really, at least intentionally! I guess we tried to work on a better sound and production and we added some keyboards here and there, that’s it … at least from our point of view!
In how far would you say you progressed as musicians since the release of your first album?
I believe we progressed just a little bit as musicians and we’re better songwriters now. That’s probably how people perceive the difference between the first album and this new one!
What is the lyrical focus of your new album? Is there maybe a common theme that runs like a golden thread through the entire album?
Not really! It is not a concept album but we have a few topics we always talk about like death, doom, pestilence, and sorrow. Time by time I’m also into some stories inspired by our pagan and occult tradition. I like to use them as metaphors to write something personal. When I have to talk about witchcraft or satanic topics then I’d like to do it my way, getting inspiration from what I know, and I feel really close to my culture and education. It’s just because there’s too much bands out there talking about weed, Lucifer, doom, and wizards. It’s getting so boring, that’s why I try to focus on my things…
Can you elaborate on where you draw inspiration for the lyrics from?
I am attracted to the dark side of things when it comes to lyrics so – like I said before – I take inspiration from the local history and folklore which is really interesting. There’s a lot of references to the Italian culture, which is a mix of pagan and religious tradition. Italy has a lot to offer in regard to this, especially in the south, where so many different cultures, empires, epidemics, wars, and civilizations have left their mark. Even witchcraft has a long history here.
How important are the lyrics to you compared to the music?
Music always comes first, but it’s better when you have good lyrics that fit your music properly. I think with this band everything matches, artwork and lyrics definitely fit the mood of the music.
How do you manage to keep the listeners excited and entertained throughout the entire album?
Our music has a lot of variations of mood and tempo! I would feel very bored if I played only slow patterns all the time. That’s what actually happens to me when I listen to traditional doom or stoner bands. The first two songs are alright, then I start to yawn and lose focus on it …
How does the songwriting proceed in THE OSSUARY?
We work „on layers“! First, me and guitarist Domenico write all music, that’s the „first layer“! It’s basically me layin‘ down primitive ideas, riffs, and vocal lines, and then working on it with Domenico. Or the other way around: Domenico has some cool riffs, so I work on some lyrics and vocal lines to sing on it. Once the song structure and lyrics are ready we add the „second layer“ asking Stefano to sing on it and Dario to add his bass lines. That’s when everyone contributes to the music. Things can change until we come up with something good enough. This is how it works for us. It’s good to have just a few members with clear ideas at the beginning of songwriting.
Three of four members of THE OSSUARY are also active in the death metal band Natron. Is there a difference in the songwriting approach when you compare the different styles and genres of Natron and THE OSSUARY?
With Natron it was more about being fast and brutal, even if we tried to write something personal. With this band it’s different, we don’t have limitations, we don’t necessarily have to stick to the genre parameters because basically we don’t play a genre of music. It’s a mix, we can write a slow song and then a fast song with double bass drum parts, we can use keyboards or write a simple atmospheric song with a more than one minute long solo, and then have a proggy part at some point in the same song just because we feel like doing it. It’s like opening Pandora’s box with a vast range of variables because it’s not about being a doom or a heavy rock band, it’s about writing good stuff!
Which bands and artists would you name if you were asked about your musical role models for THE OSSUARY? Which musicians inspire you?
Our blueprint is all the 70’s heavy rock groups. Bands like Black Sabbath, Cactus, Captain Beyond, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Rainbow, Grand Funk Railroad, Ten Years After, Uriah Heep are on top of course, but not only. We like a lot of 60’s bands like The Beatles, Cream, Blue Cheer, Iron Butterfly, or Prog bands like Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull, ELP, King Crimson, bands like early AC/DC Judas Priest, Maiden, Motörhead, Thin Lizzy or Saint Vitus, Pentagram, Angel Witch, Witchfinder General, etc…There are tons of bands that we like that it’s very hard to say which one is the role model for us. I’d rather say that it’s probably a mix of all those bands.
What do you think is the most significant aspect of your music that makes it something special?
We are talking about writing good riffs and music. I don’t know if it’s special for other people, I hope it is, of course, but what is really important to me is that I feel comfortable with it! I don’t do this just for the sake of following a trend or anything, I really like when I go on stage and play with THE OSSUARY, it’s something that had slowly been disappearing after many years with my previous band.
What are your future plans for THE OSSUARY?
We’ll see if it’s possible to come back on tour through Europe next year or so. To shot a video and write new stuff is also in our plans!
Thank you for your answers! Please let us conclude the interview with a short brainstorming. What comes to your mind when reading the following terms?
Your current favorite album: I’ve been listening to a lot of old Judas Priest stuff lately …
Funeral Doom: Ahab, they’re my favourite!
European: Union: Absence of countries borders, good for touring!
Pineapple Pizza: Blasphemy!
The Ossuary in 10 years: Still playin‘ and smoking weed!
Once again thanks for your time! The last words are yours – is there anything left you want to tell our readers?
Listen to “Southern Funeral” and come to our shows, stay heavy and doomy!
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11. September 2019 Markus Frey
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