At the beginning of 90’s an underground “scene” was formed in the southern parts of Italy and particularly in Sicily. This scene that consists of several bands, is called the “Mediterranean Scene” and it was created thanks to its mastermind’s Agghiastru (a.k.a. Astru) efforts. Except for the beginning of this scene, the creation of the label Inch Productions (that releases everything of these bands) and the Castiu Studios, where all recordings take place, Agghiastru is also a member of many of these bands. So we asked him some questions about this very interesting, yet quite unknown scene.

- Ave Agghiastru. I am pretty sure this is your first interview in a Greek webzine. Since very few things are known about this “Mediterranean Scene” it would be nice if you tell us some things about the early years. What was the metal scene in your area back then?

In the South part of Italy everything arrives late rather than in the North, so at the beginning of 90’s we knew only metal music from America, produced by Slayer, Morbid Angel, Deicide...and English metal, like Venom and even Black Sabbath. For this reason our musical influences came from these countries, but we wanted to be original in our way to play metal and, in this direction it was naturally to see around us. So, we started to sing in Sicilian dialect and to talk about history events of our extraordinary Mediterranean island. Only later we got knowledge of the young Norwegian scene, which expressed itself with our same features. Only then we listened Enslaved, Immortal and Emperor. Our music is quite unknown because we choose to don’t publicize ourselves.

- What made you begin the “Mediterranean Scene”? Were there many bands with the same ideas before the scene, or was it the foundation of the scene that inspired the musicians to form the bands?

Everything started with INCHIUVATU. This project had a good balance between folk, metal and experimentation. The rest of projects arose from INCHIUVATU, but with different territorial shades. For example, LAMENTU absorbed African tribal influences, while ASTIMI Mesopotamian ones. Everything, however, goes around the powerful Mediterranean Sea.

- What is the main ideology behind “Mediterranean Scene”? Are there any other messages besides music?

No, music for us is entertainment. For sure we consider our way to make music very exclusive and misanthropic; for this reason we had no need to get our music well known. Our music has to enjoy ourselves, and it’s all!

- What was your part and role in the beginning? What were your goals and ambitions?

No ambitions! Ambitions are opposed to misanthropic being. We play for ourselves. We wanted to produce a kind of music, which satisfied our Ego and give concerts for fun and that’s all! Everything else, such as cd-covers, reviews, interviews, are things that belong to the system and we don’ t want to make a part of it. This is the first interview for a Greek webzine but only because you asked us. We don’t want to show ourselves.

- How many bands are in the “Mediterranean Scene”? Which of them would you recommend as the most characteristic and active? Were they all from the beginning?

All the bands are active. But today we prefer realizing EP instead of complete albums. It’s simpler because there is a maximum of 6 songs and in this way we can publish our project quickly and all our realizations are perfect and really painstaking. The bands more active include: first of all INCHIUVATU, MALEFICU SANTIFICATU with their raw black metal, Rosario Badalamenti’s 3 and also ULTIMA MISSA with a 70’s dark sound.

- You are also behind some of these bands. Agghiastru, Inchiuvatu, La Caruta di li Dei, Astimi, Visina and Ultima Missa, if I am correct. Can you tell us some words about these bands and about your role in each of them? Which bands have influenced you and what made you have so many different bands? What are their main characteristics and what different ways of expression do you find in each of them?

I think that every musician looks for his personal dimension. All this bands are like little plugs of a big mosaic, and today I see it realized in my solo project called AGGHIASTRU. I play all instruments; I gather a few friends and we try to grasp our moods. If we need to express dark feelings and rough sounds we realize something for ULTIMA MISSA. Instead, if we need to play dirty and with violence, in that case we realize something for MALEFICU SANTIFICATU. So, this is the way that music is born in my land.

- There are also many bands without you in their line-up. Lamentu, Maleficu Santificatu, 3, Addraunara, Inquietu. A few words about them?

As a matter of fact I’ m involved in each band. As I told you, the main theme is always the Mediterranean Sea and our being Sicilian. Then music changes from the LA CADUTA DE LI DEI’s epic to the VISINA’s electro dark. Everything depends on our needs and moods.

- Which of these bands are active now? Are there any bands that you are sure they won’t release anything new?

Every band can be active. I don’t known how I will feel tomorrow. The point is, in which way these bands will be active. For now we realize only EP and in this period we are neglecting ASTIMI’ s death and also LAMENTU’s tribal death, but probably next year we will work again for these projects. For now the new compilation is ready with all new songs and I’m really proud of it.

- Is there place for new bands in the “Mediterranean Scene”?

NO!

- Which of your bands are giving live shows? What should a fan expect from you in a gig?

INCHIUVATU is the main band, which makes live shows. I also give live like soloist and we have done concerts with LAMENTU and ASTIMI. On the stage we like to involve the public who grew up with us... in fact I like to speak with my fans and tell them the deep meaning of each song. So, I don’t like those bands who arrive on the stage and, without saying any words, they play 20 songs and go away!!!

- Since you are also the composer of most of your works, how do you get your inspiration? Do you compose for each band in different periods of time, or do you get ideas at the same time and then decide on which band they would be more suitable?

Composition depends on our moods. When we are ready... like a kind of summons... we go in our Studio and in one night, after a long jam session, it can give birth to a new EP. So, I like it in this way. But for more complex projects we need more time, of course, for arrangement.

- Most of your bands have very different styles. How easy is it for you to draw the limits between each band? Do you consider some of them as your main bands, or are they all of same importance?

According with your mood, you don’t listen always black or death... Sometimes you like listen even dark music, dance music, rock, folk or epic. For me is the same! With the difference that when I need of something different I express it through one of my bands. It’ s so simple! For me every band has the same importance. We don’t care about recording and market rules; in fact we do what we want.

- Could you give us some information about the lyrics of your bands?

Prevailingly we use Sicilian and Italian languages. We don’t sing in English because every band use this language and also because English language hasn’t the correct and perfect sound for our music. First of all our lyrics talk about human condition, life’s sense and purpose, religions but we also speak about common things such as love, hate, loneliness and others common feelings. Some lyrics also deal with Greek-Roman mythology or about some old Sicilian events.

- Looking back at all these years how do you feel about the “Mediterranean Scene”? Is the spark still burning, or have things turned our differently from your initial plans?

Growing up the age changes your points of view. However I’ m proud about everything went on and how everything is developing. At the appointment with the history I was and I am, in some way, and I left my modest contribution. I don’ t care about the rest.

- Even though you are many years in the scene, your bands are still quite underground and unknown. Was it intentional, or is it due to bad distribution (since it's not easy to get your releases, except directly from your label)?

As I told you at the beginning, in our opinion, if a musician plays a kind of music and talks about his personal hate against the world, it should be a contradiction to place himself to the world’ s disposal, publicizing himself on newspaper, web-magazine, etc. We had never tried to have a recession of our bands neither an interview. In our opinion the things that become market, product or business, have nothing in common with our music. We have never licked nobody’ s ass and what we earned is due to our real fans. We have done the minimum to advertise our bands because the system is rotten and of the Mafia. Success is controlled by advertisement rules. If my Mediterranean Scene is quite unknown it’s your problem... not mine!

- Is there anything “bigger” that you’d like to achieve? Do you feel accomplished as a musician; Are there any other music plans that you haven’t managed yet to achieve?

I feel tranquil and satisfied.

- Can you tell us some words about the label Inch Productions and the Castiu Studios? Is it only dedicated to your bands, or is it open to other bands outside the “Mediterranean Scene”?

There isn’t too much to say: INCH Production produces only my projects, while Castiu Studios is my personal recording-studio.

- What is your opinion about the Italian scene in general? I think there are many great bands there, even though underestimated. Do you listen to other bands? If yes, any recommendations?

I don’ t listen a lot of metal, especially Italian metal. I prefer 90’ s music. I can only tell you that music have to amaze me, in fact I don’ t like those bands which imitate other bands.

- What are your future plans? Any upcoming releases, or planned gigs?

After the double CD of Miseria, now I’m completing the new INCHIUVATU’s EP entitled ECCE HOMO. This is a part of a trilogy even made up of Ecce Homo (which will come out this year) and I.N.R.I. (that will come out next year). Even 3 and MALEFICU SANTIFICATU have new songs and soon we will work for LA CADUTA DE LI DEI’s and ULTIMA MISSA’s new EPs. Moreover my AGGHIASTRU’s third rock folk album is almost ready. As can you see, we always work, in fact in 15 years we realized 50 CDs, including EPs and Albums.

- I wish you all the best with your bands! Last words are yours.

I’d like to send my greetings to Greek guys, wishing that the sense of this interview will be clear. I chose to play metal music in my personal way, creating a whole musical Scene without giving up my personality. Do the same!!! Choose your music, set yourself free from media dictatorship!!!

A special thanks to you and for your good work, because you are making known musicians who play seriously and another thanks to Claudia Rivoli for her support during the realization of this interview.