1) To kick things off, tell our audience a bit about the origin story of “scythe of mephisto” Band.?
Officially, scythe of mephisto started in the last days of summer of 2024. The band was originally founded by our ex-drummer Federico Fiini, but I was the frontman since the beginning (Qayin). During the summer, we wrote down a few riffs completed during the rehearsals, where our first song Bloodstained Sacrifice was born. During these times, we were writing songs above songs, we were full of ideas and we glued everything together in a few months. We debuted in Barrios Live in Milan with vultür, our friend’s blood offer and ecastor in January 2024, but we wanted more, we wanted things done seriously and had higher plans. Scythe of Mephisto is now officially a duo, there will be some updates soon about the new formation.
2) Who took the lead on the lyrics for the song “moonlight over babylon” and what was the spark that brought that track to life?
Qayin (vocalist/guitarist) is the main mind over the lyrics, he talks about his vision over the world, his personal beliefs. Moonlight over Babylon is the second song we wrote. As an occultist, it was that period of life where I was blinded by the beauty of darkness, descovering it into the deepest and primordial roots. Moonlight over Babylon talks about how occultism and the seductive magnifency of darkness and what’s hidden was a thing that I was feeling like belonging to me.
3. If you had to describe the “scythe of mephisto” sound to someone who hasn’t heard you yet, what would you say?
Scythe of Mephisto is cold, piercing, a hug from a cold wind that feels the way you are feeling, a mother that knows who you are, it’s a chant of desperate love and dedication. Our music is energy, hate, destruction, but even a gothic and malinchonic view of what went wrong during the path of life.
4.How has the songwriting evolved for the EP “Till Life do Us part”? What does that process look like for you lately?
To be honest, it was pretty simple, we were just meeting up and composing together during the rehearsals. The process for us was the last of the problems, we are totally dedicated to what we are doing, meeting and composing is like our only satisfaction, so it was great.
5.What are some of the recurring themes or messages you find yourself exploring in your lyrics?
My lyrics are what forged me to be who I am now, it’s the reflection of how darkness has enchanted me and changed my perspective of life.
6.The cover art for “Till Life do Us part” is striking, who was the creative mind behind that vision?
The mind behind the album cover is Qayin. Inspired by the books of the Mexican cult of death, it represents the beginning of the real path of life, on what’s eternal, not material and that lasts forever. It expresses perfectly the romanticism that dwells in death, everything around it it’s dying, but it’s still stunning and beautiful.
7.Do you find your energy translates better in an intimate club venue or a massive festival setting? Also, which show stands out as your all-time favorite?
This is a theme which is very tight for us and on which we want to be clear and on which we are very intransigent. Our music is for those who have understood that this is not a game, it’s not just dressing up in leather and wearing band t-shirts , when people will understand this, you will see all the posers disappearing from the scene, but it will never be. Big festivals are good, but the energy and the satisfaction of a small crowd that loves your music and that understands it, people that you don’t find usually in big festivals, we don’t want to see any kind of degeneration such as inflatable beach kid toys flying around, hardcore moshes or even people dancing. Our music is a message, and we want people taking it seriously, big festivals are usually frequented for most of the part by these kind of people, the energy of an underground festival for cultist is much better, we are far away from material concepts such as money, we prefer thousands of times spreading our music for a very few selected people than being paid.
8.Who is the “inspirational” artists that actually made you want to pick up an instrument and play?
(Qayin) My biggest inspiration since i was a little kid, is Jon Nödtveidt from the mighty dissection. I was just wondering around on YouTube and i clicked on the somberlain live in 1997 at Wacken Open Air, I saw how sinister Jon was, and how evil he was in his simplicity, he didn’t need any type of aesthetic concept such as corpse paint or spikes, just him and the evilness that emanated, another big influence for me was Wolf Hoffman from Accept, I grew up with my father who is a big fan of Accept and made me listen to it, last but not least, Selim Lemouchi from The Devil’s Blood. Me and Lorenzo (Miasma Reaper) kinda agree on both, Lorenzo started with Jimi Hendrix but we both have the same inspirations.
9.If you could sit down and collaborate with any artist or band right now, who would be at the top of your list?
We would love to collaborate with bands that agree with our philosophy and cult. Outlaw and Dödsrit are two names that we really respect, it would be a very huge accomplishment playing with them. We love their music and we even hope one day to become like them.
10.What’s the current pulse of the metal your scene from your perspective?
Here in Italy, the scene is a complete disaster. We’re tired of seeing posers everywhere, festivals who provide inflatable toys to throw at concerts or seeing people mosh under the stage. We have nothing against those who start listening to the genre and who start with the most superficial music, everyone of us started from there, but seeing grown adults doing this, it’s a shame. Furthermore, we think that now everything no longer has a value, a band shirt is no longer a symbol or a banner of one’s culture, but a design printed on a piece of cotton that anyone can buy. The scene must be unsafe again, not against newbies that are new to this world, but who think this is a game or a safe place to spread your degeneration.
11.Are there any endorsements or gear brands you’re currently working with that you’d like to shout out?
Not really, we are pretty arranged and simple.
12.What does the tour calendar look like? Any big shows or festivals we should be marking down?
We have some interesting dates. The nearest one will be the 10th of April that will be our release party, with Amalekim, our great friends and Valdrin at Centrale Rock Pub, Erba, and the 9th of may with Koldbrann and Dodsfall at Northern Darkness Festival, also in Centrale arock Pub, two big occasion where we will spread death and chaos!
13.Where’s the best place for fans to keep up with you and dive into your community online?
Our fans will be updated about us when everything is released, we will find a bandcamp page, but since then, our best portal is our Instagram and Facebook page.
Fear the scythe.
SCYTHE OF MEPHISTO links:
Facebook
Instagram
