Interview by FORLORN SOUL

Your biography clearly shows you’ve always been very unlucky concerning relations with record-labels. My Kingdom Music is the fourth label you’re working with, after leaving Cacophonous, Supernal, and lately Ars Metalli, because of their long delay in releasing “Mournument”. Do you hold any hope in a lasting and advantageous cooperation with My Kingdom Music, after all the past disappointments?
Yeah why not! Unlike all the other labels My Kingdom Music doesn’t make any balloon filled promises, and exactly do as they tell me. So far My Kingdom Music has done a real professional job, and fullfill all aspects of the agreement we have. And I will do so from my side. You know...with Cacophonous records things went wrong as it came to the payments of the royalties, however, in their benefit I must say that since we’ve departed, they started to pay me correctly. I guess it was moreover a difference in musical aspects. The worst experience I had was with Supernal Music, they never paid me my royalties, but moreover they ripped me off with 250 MCD’s from the mini-cd I’d done with Guttural Records, and even worse... after we departed which happened as I threatened with a legal suit; they started to drag me down the gutter with false and personal stuff in the media, even until this very day. I find that really unprofessional, whilst they still make money with my 3th cd. Things with Ars Metalli went wrong as they went bankrupt. They did a good job, but simply went bankrupt. Christoph was a nice guy to work with, but kept me on the line for months, until he could no longer hide that he was bankrupt. My Kingdom Music recently offered me a deal for two more full-length cd’s. And as it looks now, I probably will sign it, as I’m really satisfied with their work. They work very professional for such a small label, I have loads of respect for that. On the other half, I’m good friend with Francesco, the owner of the label. At the moment a long term coorporation with My Kingdom Music is more realistic than anything else. I’m satisfied, and Francesco as well!

As just said, “Mournument” had been postponed for over two years after its recording. Do you feel it still representative of your present state of mind, both musically and lirically, or are you already one step ahead? Did you write any new songs during the past 2 years?
“Mournument” still sounds fresh in my ears. Eventhough it’s 2 years old. I think that I was way ahead 2 years ago, as I wouldn’t change a thing on this album after such a long time. The album is very representative for the band as it is today. The lyrics are still close to me as well. Meanwhile I have written 4 new songs, one of them is called “Deep ancestral primordial pain”, and I think that it is a step forward again. Very obscure and dark, and slow again!

In the deluxe 20 pages booklet of the album, every song/lyric is associated with a picture. Do you often happen to join, in your mind, an emotion with a colour or a shade? What is the most powerful artistic expression –according to you- to represent a state of being : music, writing, painting, cinema? Do you agree with me that sometimes a single image can tell much more than a thousand words?
I think that a movie cannot be counted as being real art, but that is my opinion. The thing with filming art is that everything is sort of chewed for you and being throwen on a plate. A movie leaves not much option for imagination. Music is for me emotional art, it plays with your feelings, and wakes up emotions in you, which you perhaps never would have brought up, it sets you to think. Writings are more powerful, as it also encourages you to imagine pictures in your mind. But perhaps like you, I think a painting is the most powerful art thereis. It can inspire you in lots of things, idealism, emotions, a certain view at things, the way of thinking etc. It’s hard to speak for others, and to make any statement at all about art. But for me art is a sort of religion, it inspires me a lot, and gives me the opportunity to work on my ideals, and beliefs. Paintings from painters such as William Blake are really telling more than many books. Even the religious carvings from Gustave Doré are marvellous.

Your musical tastes are extremely wide and are synonymous of a strong open-mindedness. In particular, I noticed you named also some EBM bands such as Apoptygma Berzerk, VNV Nation and so on, performing a kind of music I don’t consider “obscure” at all, but rather happy and “commercial” (here in Italy Ebm is a trend!). Since you always seem to prefere depressive and thoughtful music, how can you explain your favourable opinion on this genre?
Yes, Apoptygma Berzerk and VNV Nation might not exactly sound depressive, but I like their lyrics quite a lot, and the way they perform their music. I like their hallucinating view on some perspectives quite a lot. And many of their songs have a sudden sadness in them, whilst others are really dance-floor-like. Unlike Italy...EBM is still very underground in Holland, whilst in Germany it is an established kind of music for many years.

And what about Spice Girls?!? I guess you were joking...
Of course I was joking, one musn’t see things toooo serious. I like to be cynical from time to time. People tend to be way to serious in this scene. Ain’t good for your health ha ha....

Among your favourite bands you mentioned also the Swedish band Silencer. Unfortunately they disbanded but I considered their music amazing and really depressive. Also, the vocals were the most extreme ever!! Let me know your thought about this great yet not very known band...
Silencer...this is a story apart, since I helped that band out to find a drummer for their album, I feel quite close to them. In July this year I met up with their guitarist, who also composed whole the album, a nice and intelligent guy! “Death-pierce me” is for me the best Black Metal album which ever has been written. In my opinion there will be no more such album, or band which can top this. The Silencer album stroke me with such a great impact, I listen to it very often. It has such an intense emotion, and also sounds very insane, but in a “healthy” way, if you ask me. Since the album is limited to 1000 copies I feel really sorry for the scene, for not being able to buy it anymore. Forget all you’ve heard sofar, Silencer really rule!!!!!!!!!

What are for you the most depressive bands ever?
SILENCER/SILENCER/SILENCER/SILENCER/SILENCER/SILENCER/SILENCER/SILENCER

One strange thing you said in your past interviews was that you feel better after hearing or playing depressive music. I can understand that getting to know you’re not the “only one” and that some other people experience your same feelings can be a cheering thought sometimes, but what if a “normal” person, who has never experienced anything like that, would happen to hear Deinonychus? What would be the reaction of one of these teenagers always in search of plastic emotions, used to the Mtv-dance-britpop culture, after buying one of your albums?
I think that the music which Deinonychus makes is a kind of music which only can be accepted to those who clearly are in need for something different and in-depth. My music isn’t really entertaining in such a way, that one can dance to it or so. It moreover is phylosophical kind of music, a sort which whom listens to, to think about life, and consider to find some elements in it, which whom can identify to. I can tell this from all the responses I got over the years, where people always questioning me about the meaning of the lyrics, or tell me how much of valuable the lyrics and music in a whole is for them. That I give them something where they can identify themselves with. It is mainly people who have a sort of sophistication and life-phylosophy, which “normal”-people never would think about, as they are way too shallow, and are just busy with following trends. Those who are afraid to have an own identity just to fall apart from the rest of the crowd. I think those teenagers listening only to MTV stuff, would experience a culture-shock by listening to my music, and would define the word “insanity” in a complete new manner ha ha. It’s not that I hate such people who are only in need for one thing, but there’s just more than only “plastic” in this life, and in this world. And if you ask me...... beyond all!

You evidently consider music as a catharsis, like the ancient Greek. You also stated that, though being Deinonychus a part of you, this band doesn’t represent your actual personality, but is instead a way for you to purge of the “sick” feelings you have inside. So why don’t you have another musical band representing your “sunny” side? Do you feel the need to “get rid” of your “dark side”, keeping instead only the “sane one” ?
Everyone has a negative side in oneself. It’s just what are you going to do with it? I prefer to spill my guts in my music, and please myself and others with that, instead of carry this burden with me. By doing this I don’t have to make happy music at all, as I’m happy the way I am! And what is sane????? You probaly know yourself, that if one thinks in many different ways, and have a brighter look on things, even in a more morbid way, one might be called insane. Insane to me is, to eat up all your anger and frustration for many years, walking into a restaurant and kill innocent people, by afterwards blaming whole the world for your action, just not yourself. Insane is to get brainwashed by some radical idiots, and parking a plain into the WTC.

Looking through the profiles of the band’s members on your website I noticed you gave also space to the Zodiacal signs ... Do you believe in astrology and in the influence planets can have on our actions and state of mind? Do you hold any interest in occult sciences, past forgotten civilizations and mysterious phenomena or do you always prefer to focus on more down-to-earth occupations?
Yes, I do believe in astrology, but I’m not so occupied with it anymore, though it interests me a lot, as well as Egyptian mythology, Greek mythology etc.. I used to read books about satanism, and the occult as well, but found myself more pleased with phylosophers like Nietzsche. Nowadays I don’t read that much anymore, and focus more on the reality of today. I’ve been thaught a lot in the past, but nothing beats reality......

You’re a Scorpio, just like me. Do you recognize yourself in the characteristics of this sign? Obstinacy, aggressiveness, passionateness, touchiness etc. etc...
Yes indeed!!!!!!!!!!!! There’s no inbetween with me, either I’m very passionate or cold. I can be very caring, but also very agressive (a good thing I write music to get rid of it ha ha, besides I practice sports). I think the Scorpio is a vey unique sign. Though sometimes a Scorpio can be very stubborn.

The perfect conditions for listening to your album are, as written in the booklet : full loudness, 4:00 A.M. while taking a bath and consuming a bottle of red wine. And a sharp item by side... So do you wish people to cut themselves or even committing suicide after hearing your album??! This means you aren’t so convincted of the fact people will feel better after hearing depressive music, haha... What if one of your fans would really take off his own life by ispiration of your cd, what would be your reaction?
This all is cynical humour!

How do you consider the role of an individual in today’s society? Is there a way, in your opinion, to keep one’s own personality and mental indipendence while being compelled to live in a flock of sheep everyday, sheep that want you to become like them? Is it wiser to isolate yourself, to tolerate them or even to try and change their minds?
To be an individual in this society is hard, but is not out of the question. You just have to find a compromising way to be so. Because one still must earn money and work for it, and one needs people to achieve ones goals, or simply to communicate with etc. You have to give in on certain aspects, but this doesn’t necessarely affects your individualism. To isolate oneself isn’t wise at all, nor ignore ones neighbours. Changing other peoples minds is useless, and I think that’s not an issue at all. No....try to live your ideals within this society the best you can, and pretend to be one of those sheeps, by being yourself. It makes life much easier.

What are the steps for you to reach a wider awareness and knowledge of life?
Life experience/ reading/ learn from others/ being tolerant/ destiny etc. Respect to life, and other cultures, because one can learn more from it, than one might think!

In your website, you wrote you’re “musically influenced” by : 11/09/2001. Can you explain why did this event strike you so much, and what are your thought on this whole terroristic mayhem?
The 11th of September 2001 was just pure insanity. People being hassled for this terror under the banner of religion being told they become martyrs after they die etc. It’s all bullshit. It’s all about politics. I can understand these terrorists, as they fight against the American ideal of being the world-Police, as they feel oppressed. But nevertheless I find these terroristic acts not a solution at all, it just makes things worse. Even worse is that always innocent people are at stake here.

Your concept (expecially in the first Deinonychus albums) was mainly focused on a Romantic view of the world. Are you still fascinated by this period now, and what are the elements of it you find close to your personality?
Yes, I’m still fascinated with it, but I’ve grown away from it. I like to focus more on in-depth thematics with more spiritualism, insanity, religious aspects and such. Things which still touch me are trust, loyalty and compassion, but I think that you as a Scorpio know what I’m talking about.

What are we to expect from the next Deinonychus opus? “Mournument” is a further step towards the Olympus of Extreme Doom Metal music, in spite of your past Gothic and Black Metal influences.... Will you keep on following this path?
The next album will be a continuation of the last album, but more obscure. There were many bands that coarsed onto a more mainstream direction, we won’t compromise to that, but continue to be underground.

I read you like Italian food, he he... What do you know about my country besides food, have you ever been in Italy? Any interesting bands you’re in contact with or have heard recently?
Ah of course Italy’s history, the Roman empire etc. Bands I like are thee almighty Bulldozer (RIP), Void Of Silence etc. But I don’t have contact with bands from Italy, only a couple friends over there. Shame on me...... I really should travel to Italy sometimes, because I’ve never been there. I’ve seen England, Scandinavia, Germany, Switzerland, Spain etc. But haven’t yet got the chance to go to Italy. Perhaps this changes sooner than I think.

Thanks for the interview. Your final thoughts and comments....
Thank you for the interview, which was more than a pleasure to answer, wish you all the best with Solitude Aeternus, and all your other efforts. I wish to thank all Italian people for their support as well!!!! Bless you all.........