Interview with Thunderstorm

A huge welcome back with the new amazing album Witchunter Tales, how has the response been so far to the album from media and the Thunderstorm fanbase?

The response about the new album is very very good, specially in Germany. On "Rock Hard", the bigger German magazine we're third on the "soundcheck" (the judge of ten writers).That's a great thing for a doom-metal band under a small label! About Italy....the response from the magazines is greatest, but the "listeners"......you know, in Italy is very very hard for a doom-metal band, italian people follows the trends, not the music...

The first album Sad Symphony came out 2000, and got a lot of good press and support. Were you suprised in any way over the reaction that you recieved ?

Yes, We're very surprised for the reaction about "Sad Symphony" and it sells good again,'cause the new album, "Witchunter Tales", is a sort of...mmm..."locomotive" for the first one. Why? oh, It's simple...Doom-metal is not a trendy-style, a good record of this genre can sells for lot and lot of years!

Since Sad Symphony what have you been up to til the release of Witchunter Tales, what gigs have you played, what lineup changes have you made and the writing process for this one ,fill us in what have Thunderstorm been up to since 2000 ?

We had played some gigs in Italy and in Germany, but the biggest concerts was in Germany of course.. Oh, We had some problems with the line-up on previous times. Massimo Tironi,the drummer, had leave the band without a precise reason on December 2001 and for "Witchunter Tales" album we had used a session drummer (drummer of italian heavy-metal band "Drakkar") After a long resource finally we have found a definitive drummer now: Attilio Coldani. He’s a great drummer, perfect for Thunderstorm! Oh, I forget an important thing! After "Sad SYmphony" the band was taked a second guitarist: Sandro Mazzoleni.

Sad Symphony is to me one of the blueprint albums over the Doom Metal scene over the past two decades, also the new one. Talking about the progression from the first to this one, was it any differences in the creation of Witchunter Tales in the performance and the production standpoint?

The Differences? Maybe Witchunter tales has more influences than Sad Symphony album , (you can hear also a "kyuss-stoner" influence!) and the last one is much "Black Sabbath "style, but there's no important differences from first to last album. About the creations...the last album was composed with small times, 'cause the problem of line up (drummer) before the recording.

Compare to the other Northwind Records bands, in what position and situation are you know since your debut went so well in the press and your following have been better. Are the label pushing a lot more to Witchunter Tales compare to the first one?

I hope the label pushing more and more to Witchunter Tales! With Sad Symphony the label had make a not bad work, but with new album I hope in a better promotion, specially in Germany.

Talking about the title Witchunter Tales, what is the main message in that title ?

I like very much the figure of the "Witchunter"...I imagine him like a mystic, misterious man dressed with a giant cross and a very long sword like weapon. We used "Witchunter Tales" as the title-album because this song is the most "representative" of the band and this title sounds very good for a title-album! No, I'ts not a concept-record, but the "Witchunter" will appear in future on next songs of Thunderstorm...He's too much charismatic!

The arrangements on this album is more progressive in my mind compare to the first album, you have put more effort into it and even more emotions, how pleased are you with the arrangements of the album compare to the first one ?

It's the natural evolution of our sound. If a band want to survive, in every album will be a sort of positive "evolution", a progress. But it's not easy to make it, this is the reason why Thunderstorm don't publish an album every year!

As bonus there is a cover of The Sabs Electric Funeral, a pretty good cover I would say you have made it a bit Thunderstormish. How pleased are you with the version ?

Oh, we're very very satisfied of our version of Electric Funeral! We choose this song because it's a track with the same style of "Witchunter Tales" album. I've listened many and many versions of Black Sabbath covers from CD's tributes of deah,trash,hardcore bands etc. etc, with alternate results (some good and some bad) but the best of the best is a doom-metal band who play a Black Sabbath cover! And why Thunderstorm can't remake a great song like Electric Funeral? Yeah, we did it!
Again like the first album, the album cover is a great representation for the album this time you used a painting called Witches and Spells by Salvator Rosa, were did you find the painting and do you agree that the cover have a pretty good impact over the representation of the album?

We had chosen this painting cause it's perfect for Thunderstorm style, We think. Look at "Withunter Tales" cover and listen to the CD: They're perfect to stay together! I've found the picture of this painting in an art-book of italian artists of 1600 era.

Looking at the lyrical concept for Witchunter Tales, again like the first album it has a dark and moody direction. What is the main message in the lyrical standpoint on this one ?

Doom-metal is not just a music genre for me, It's a style-life.I see the world very "dark" with my eyes....the world is doomed! Life is just a big dream, death is the only certainty....yes, it's sadly but it's the true.I'm trying to prepare my soul to the "big-trip" in a unknown world, where no one got back!

Back to the album cover, you also used Malleus for the graphical concept. How pleased are you with the graphical direction ?

Yes, Malleus had make a good work. Yes, the cover and all artwork are not draws of Malleus of course,but the "division" of the painting (cover and retro-cover), the look of the booklet etc. etc. are very very good!

Back to the recordings of Witchunter Tales, in my mind the soundpicture is a bit bigger and wideout this time compare to Sad Symphony, talking more of the direction did you have everything planned before you went into studio, the songstructure the melodies the moods etc or did those come during the recording process ?

The creation process is the same for all Thunderstorm songs: I try to find a good vocal melody with a good riff of guitar, after I try these riff/vocals with the band: If it's all OK I continue to writing the song until the end, but if it sounds not good....we cut off and all process resumes from the beginning!

You used Luigi Stefanini like the first album as coproducer, engineer and keyboardist how much input does he have over the sound and how pleased are you with his part of Witchunter Tales ?

Luigi Stefanini is not just a good engineer but also a good musician! He plays very good the guitar, bass, keyboard and...sax!(!?!?) During the recording of "Witchunter Tales" (and Sad Symphony too) he gave us some ideas and we could accept or not.

Again is the vocal arrangements totally amazing, it blows a few cells out of my head. A great mix of high notes, lower, strong emotions and variations. Technically and visually very very good. How pleased are you with the vocal work on this one compare to Sad Symphony and did you use any new ideas that you didnt use for the first album ?

Before all, thank for compliments! Oh yes, my voice is better on Witchunter Tales album and on the next songs will be better! No, I don't "reclycle" any vocal parts, every album I find a new vocal melodies.

Talking about your following plans after the release of Witchunter Tales, you will play in Germany at the Doom Shall Rise Fest coming up in February. A huge gig for you I guess,have you lined up any special suprises for your appearance and what is your thoughts about the Doom Shall Rise Fest. ?

Oh, Doom shall Rise is a fantastic event! Finally, a REAL doom-metal festival, I can't believe! Will be a giant doom-party, I'm sure! Thunderstorm will plays ALL songs of "Witchunter Tales" album , plus some tracks from the first one (Time, Dark Knight and Sad Symphony) and of course We will play "Electric Funeral" too.

Beside Doom Shall Rise Fest, whatelse is happening for Thunderstorm. Have you set any dates for a European Tour yet or what, are you going to release a vinyl version of Witchunter Tales, are you planning to release any Eps to support the album. Fill us in on your plans ?

Next spring and holiday we will play some lead gigs and some festivals in Germany, that's sure.About new releases....Oh, very soon will be ready the vinyl version of "Sad Symphony" from "Metal Supremacy records" and will be available the version of "Witchunter Tales" too in next future. Recently I've talk with Northwind records about the possibility to release a box with the two albums on picture disc plus a 12" with two new tracks.....It's not a bad idea, you know?

Any last words ?

Yes, just one phrase: DOOM OR BE DOOMED!

By Gabriel Lilliehook

Order Witchunter Tales atwww.northwindrecords.com mail info@northwindrecords.com

Thunderstorm contact www.thunderstorm-doom.com

Thunderstorm will appear at the Doom Shall Rise fest info www.doomshallrise.de.vu