Interview with SELVANS

01. Hi Selvans! Ten years of SELVANS, a project founded right after the previous DRAUGR one… What are your best souvenirs of your beginnings with your own project founded in 2014?

Hi, the best thing is having managed to complete the trilogy of albums, evolving the sound and concept behind my music. 

I am proud of this.

02. SELVANS, “the Italian Horrorist” you are and into italian folk-horror tales, what do you like the most in it?

They are part of my heritage, and the Italian folk-horror underground is still unknown compared to the English one, for example.... My country being so multifaceted, its rural horrors reflect this attitude. 

03. What are the Folk Metal and Metal bands that influenced SELVANS music and sound?

None, except Nokturnal Mortum in the beginning. 'The Voice of Steel' is definitely the best folk metal album ever written.

04. Oh, I disagree... January 31st will be released the last SELVANS album you entitled “Saturnalia”. What is your idea for that event title on that last album?

It follows the first two “Lupercalia” and “Faunalia...” These are names of ancient Roman festivities.

05. Can you describe us lyrics and music for all the songs inside the new album?

Well, the introduction, “Necromilie” is inspired by Luigi Musolino's world of books. He is a friend of mine and a well-known Italian horror writer. In this track I introduce my band and orchestra/chorus who join together for a solemn opening march. The second track is “Il Mio Maleficio V'incalzerà!” (My curse will chase you!) This track is about Corvo Morto (Dead Raven), a character also written by Luigi Musolino and a child of our collaboration for the EP “Dark Italian Art” released in 2021 by Avantgarde Music, which contains a novel titled “Verrà Corvo Morto!” (Corvo Morto will come!) This track is a kind of “origin story” of the character. It is a fast-paced track with many heavy metal and prog-rock influences. “Madre dei Tormenti” (Mother of Torments) is inspired by the novel ‘'La Pietra Lunare” (The Moonstone) by Tommaso Landolfi and is a ballad for voice and orchestra. 'Pantàfica' is about the ghost of sleep paralysis who in the peasant tradition of central and southern Italy is identified as the 'Pantàfica,' a horrible little woman who sits on your chest during the night. It is heavy-prog metal. “Il Capro Infuocato” (The Flaming Goat) speaks of suggestions experienced during a ritual in the woods. It is black metal with some Skid Row / Savatage influences, a prog middle part in the vein of Come to the Sabbath (by Black Widow) and sung in clean, dramatic vocals. “Fonte dei Diavoli” (Source of the Devils) is the final suite. The power of the orchestra and chorus give sound to the image of a valley into which many devils burst in the form of water after a ritual.

06. The end for SELVANS will be after some shows in 2025, was it planned for a long time, like 11 years per project (11 yrs for Draugr, and now with Selvans)?

Ahah no, the end of this project has already happened in December 2024. 

This year there will be some posthumous releases and shows in support of “Saturnalia.” It was planned to happen in conjunction with the third album, but not with a specific number of years. In my first idea this album was supposed to be released in 2019.

07. What is the main message you want to deliver with SELVANS for the people to remember?

I am not Bono Vox. I put Italian folk-horror novels to music. 

08. In May 2025 will be The Dark Medieval Fest here in France and SELVANS will play there. Have you already a setlist and some gifts planned for the people in front of the stage?

I have a good relationship with the French audience. I will bring the best of the trilogy of albums and some surprises.

09. Do you have more gigs planned in the world?

You will find the updated list at https://www.selvans-official.com/en/live/

10. What were your best and worst times in live, and studio, with SELVANS project?

The death of my brother Jonny was the worst start for this project. Then I have to say that the guys and I have experienced ten years of fun and satisfaction, and it would be really hard for me to choose a “best moment” live or in the studio. 

11. Do you have another project in bloom, soon?

No.