Interview with Lord Vampyr (Alessandro Nunziati - Lord Vampyr, ex Theatres des Vampires)
With a cult following across the world, Lord Vampyr has become somewhat of a legend himself, but if he could be any other legendary vampire who would it be? "If you talk about characters, maybe Dracula for all his story and legend. And about a mythical figure I think "Lamia" as you know, ahaha." And far apart from these legends and old tales, neglecting the true meaning and depth behind the myth, vampires have recently become a big part of popular culture, but Lord Vampyr is not a fan of this. He said, "I hate all of those movies and teen books. I cannot stand to see that all this has become a fashion, in the most negative sense of the term."
Under his self titled band, Lord Vampyr has produced some excellent albums, though none of them match the level of inspiration, composition and production of his latest offering, possibly due to a number of setbacks which he explained: "Maybe because we went through many difficulties changes of line-up, and I had paralysis of the vocal chord." This time things were done differently, "Many songs were created and destroyed up to achieve the right balance as a band, and in the composition." When asked which his favourite song from the album is, he responded saying "Mmm, maybe Gothika Vampyrika Heretika, 'cause there are more components that I like. Gothic, black and vampiric... the real new Lord Vampyr sound." Will there be a new video to accompany the new sound? "We are thinking about it... but I don't know for the moment." Fortunately, plans for a tour are much more certain: "We are working on an Italian tour and maybe a Latin America tour, but we hope to play in more countries 'cause I think our CD is really great!!"
So, we've heard about where Lord Vampyr is today, but where did it all start? "Like all children, I met a guitar player in high school, we looked for a drummer and a bassist and we started to play death metal." On his musical journey his biggest inspiration has been King Diamond, he said: "Oh, after all these years I hope to be an inspiration for myself. But as always King Diamond over all, then Moonspell, Paradise Lost and some black metal bands."
Looking back into the past again, a big part of Lord Vampyr's career was his time in the band Theatres des Vampires. Since his departure, the band has undergone many changes, which he finds difficult to listen to: "I've heard a few things, it's not easy to listen to a creature that changes your skin. What I felt, I did not like."
Any musical career can be an enduring journey, and like most musicians Lord Vampyr has had many ups and downs too. "There were large spikes, especially after "Suicide Vampire" and as for Lord Vampyr, even when we were reborn with "Carpathian Tragedies", but I think it will reach it's highest peak with the new album. I do not regret anything I've done, but maybe some songs on Vampyria have been a misstep, and perhaps even the extreme electronic systems in Horror Masterpiece." As well as ups and downs, bands very strange experiences can also be part of the package, but has Lord Vampyr had any? "Not one in particular, but surely the extreme passion of some people, wild fans I see that have all the demo tapes and CD's I've made over the years, or one of my mexican fans that made me a personalised t-shirt of Lord Vampyr."
If he could replace the soundtrack to any film with his own music it would be "The Omen". He said, "It's one of my favourite movies, I think it's perfect for our type of music." And if he could choose any band to be in it would be: "Mercyful Fate, but King Diamond is King Diamond!..." Adding, "Ah maybe Metallica for the money ahahah."
And to close: "Thanks to you for the interview and the support. I hope to meet all our fans in the world, listen our album cause that is the best album of Lord Vampyr… can be sure about that.
Keep the thirst
alive!!!"