Necrotombs – Shadow People

By starrymag | January 3, 2024

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) I try to keep the sound of Necrotombs as much as possible the same as that of 80s and 90s Death Metal. I’m constantly looking for a new sound for each album, but which remains faithful to the Death of those years.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) Many of my sound and compositional influences are inspired by 80s and 90s Death Metal such as Cannibal Corpse, Malevolent Creation, Morbid Angel, Deicide, etc.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new album Shadow People.

 

A) Compared to the other albums made with Necrotombs, Shadow People stands out for its difference in sound, more Black Metal than the other albums made so far. I chose this type of style and sound to create a more horror atmosphere, given the topic addressed in the album, song after song.

 

Q) You’ve noted the album breaks new ground. In what ways?

 

A) Yes, with this album new horizons are opened on a compositional level for Necrotombs. Even if my tendency is to stay faithful to old school Death Metal. But I think that for this album, the chosen style is suitable. I don’t deny that I might make a Black Metal album again in the future.

 

Q) Xerberus, you played all instruments on this album. Why was that so important to you?

 

A) It’s important for me to stay alone because Necrotombs is something I created eight years ago now. I was tired of spending my time in bands I didn’t accomplish anything with. Unfortunately, when you are part of a band there are more people and this often leads to having to clash over differences of opinion. Sometimes you clash to decide where to invest the money for the band, or you find yourself arguing over small things and often. As time passes, these events lead the members to get tired and choose to leave the musical group. I was simply tired of being involved in bands where nothing was accomplished. So, I chose the lonely path. I decide the riffs and how to write the songs, I decide where to spend my money and I decide everything needed to make Necrotombs grow and evolve in the best way. It’s true that I can’t play live, but I’ve produced a lot in eight years alone. I’m always in the studio recording new songs and when I release an album, I already have half of the next one ready. In short, I believe that on my own I can produce better and without slowing down.

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

 

A) Mainly, I start from the music and riffs I created. I add the lyrics later and follow the emotions that the song transmits to me.

 

Q) The album was recorded and finalized in your own studio. Typically, how much of hand do you have in the production of your music?

 

A) I produce and record the songs in my personal recording studio. Then, once the songs are completed and all the instruments are recorded, I pass all the audio tracks to another recording studio called “Black Pill Recording Studio” whose owner is Matteo Ventura, a friend of mine for a long time and with whom I have often shared some live concerts together. In Matteo’s studio I perform the final part of the albums, adjusting volumes, recording the voices and drums if necessary. Then, the work is finished.

Q) Which track off the album holds a special significance for you or maybe even challenged you the most creatively?

 

A) I think the most significant song on this album is “Darkness Walks.” I think it’s direct and fast in the right way. Being the first song on the CD it gives a good boost. Honestly, “Melankosk drøm” also attracts me a lot with its nostalgic arpeggio accompanied in the background by the cold Norwegian wind.

 

Q) What do you hope lingers with listeners who explore Shadow People as a whole -whether as an emotion or message?

 

A) I sincerely hope that everyone who listens to the album likes it, especially those like me who are passionate about the paranormal, shadow people and poltergeists. I hope that the listeners will be left with the same energy that it left in me the first time I listened to it.

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

 

A) I don’t have any particular favorite places. Everything I put out under the Necrotombs brand starts from my head, no matter where I am.

 

Q) What would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) I have already collaborated in the past with other artists on some songs, but not belonging to Necrotombs. I have other active collaborations at the moment, but I can’t spoil anything at the moment. Maybe in the future I could think about a collaboration to release Necrotombs live on some stage. But in the meantime it remains a study project.

 

Q) What artist/musician are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?

 

A) At the moment I don’t listen to any band in particular. My constant listening is aimed at early Cannibal Corpse albums, early Deicide, Pestilence, Suffocation, etc. I often listen to underground Metal in search of still unknown bands, like Necrotombs on the other hand. In the underground there are many realities that promise well.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) To everyone who listens and supports me and Necrotombs, I want to say a huge thank you. I often receive emails of compliments and appreciation from all over the world. There are people who ask me for an autograph to send them by post, people who ask me for a photo with a dedication, etc. These are great satisfactions for me. I didn’t found Necrotombs in search of monetary satisfaction, but I created it out of pure passion for Death Metal and music.

I still don’t know how to thank everyone because there are so many of you.

 

 

All Questions Answered By Xerberus