Interview With CAMPO NERO SS, That Black Metal Band From Vatican City

Yesterday, The Gauntlet posted news about Campo Nero SS, the first NSBM band from Vatican City. Today, we have interviewed the sole member of the band, Legionarivs.

Can you give readers a brief introduction to yourself and the band. (who you are, what you do, how long been doing it, etc)

My project was born in 2010, with myself & Catoblepas (keyboards, synthesizers). I am the mastermind of the project, I write lyrics and music, playing bass, guitars and doing vocals. Last month we made our debut demo, "Semper Fidelis", which is a raw punkish black metal, very minimal (I'd like to refer to it as "regressive nazist black metal"), with pro-nazi lyrical themes. I think that black metal is a "evil" music, so nazism & aryanism are perfect lyrical themes for this.

What is the meaning behind Campo Nero SS?

I chose this name when I was in a town near Latina, called "Campo di Carne" (Field of Flesh in English). Here, during World War II, there were battles between Germans and Americans, and there were many victims. So I modified the name, to convey a more black and extremist attitude (as "SS" suggests).
By the way, I want to say that I'm not nazist or pro-nazi: nazism and aryanism are just lyrical themes. They represent the human plague and evilness. I want to play the more extreme music ever, so I need extreme lyrics. Satan fears no one, now, it sounds stupid and anachronistical. Nazism is scaring and, at the same time, fascinating: it conveys my idea of "human plague" at its top.

How is the metal scene in Vatican City?

Well, for obvious reason in Vatican City there aren't too many metal bands. Anyway, I know a guy playing in young rock/metal bands billed from Rome (Italy); there is also one "unblack" metal called "Jesus Saves", but I haven't heard anything from them in years.

Does having the Catholic Church and all things holy nearby influence the lyrics of the band?

No, definitely not. In Vatican City, we aren't just the Pope, the priests and religious people, there are also "normal", laical persons, like me for example. People can't understand that lyrical themes don't reflect - necessarly - the writer's thoughts. It's like a story, or a movie. I tell my story, hailing to Nazism, Hitler, Aryanism and so on because this is fucking evil.

Anytime a band is pro-nazi or NSBM, it limits the number of fans that are willing to pick up the music and press outlets that will cover you, but at the same time comes with a built in audience. Have you experienced this in promoting your music?

I started play NSBM in 2005, I was 17. In the beginning it was difficult, but I think my approach is different from many "NS" people. I'm in contact with many NS bands worldwide...some of them aren't right oriented!!! It's funny, but I think there isn't incoherence; it's just a lyrical choice. The very problem is that people who make NSBM, often, are very ignorant: there are bands that say just "Heil Hitler", "Sieg Heil", "Jews must die!" and so on. NSBM is much more than this, I'm fascinated with nazifascist history, I read Julius Evola, the Mein Kampf...it's a concentrate of evil, and this is very black metal.
By the way, I make music for myself, not for the "audience". To be hated is my pleasure. By the way, if someone likes my shit, I'm happy!

You recently released Semper Fidelis, how long did the writing and recording take?

I wrote it very quickly, maybe three days or four days. Then Catoblepas added the synthesizers and NazIago played and programmed the drums. It was recorded entirely at home.

Are there plans for a future album or full length?

Yes, I'm preparing an EP: it will be formed by four tracks, one instrumental. Campo Nero SS has became a one man band so I'll play everything, but there will be a special guest from Modena (Italy). Lyrics will be in italian, as in "Semper fidelis".

What drawbacks have you encountered to being the lone member in a band?

In my opinion there aren't drawbacks, if you can play all the instruments. I decide everything all by myself, this is certainly not a drawback!

Was the band meant to be a solo group or are there not many other musicians in the area?

Yes, there aren't a lot of musicians here...but hey, it's not a problem, I will continue by myself. If I need, I have a lot of friends-musicians in Italy, so...

Where can the curious get ahold of your music?

Catoblepas uploaded "Odio" ("Hatred" in english) on the youtube. In the next days we'll upload the other two songs, maybe I'll set the album on mediafire. By the way, I promise that all Semper fidelis's tracks will be available, free for all. Unfortunately the demo is sold out (there were just 14 handnumbered copies).

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Tags:  Campo Nero SS, interviews   

Jason Fisher    August 24, 2012