Following my review of LECTERN's recent album "Precept Of Delator", I caught up with their front-man Fabio Bava for a quick chat about the origins of the band, and what it's like being in a Satanic death metal band in Italy...here's what he had to say...
So, Lectern formed way back in 1999, fully intending to play brutal, Satanic death metal...coming from Rome, was there maybe a sense of irony or even rebellion in that? Given the cities deep roots in Catholicism?
Fabio "We look at religion as an enemy, Gavin! It's not a joke! If someone is Italian, he must not be a Christian
by force! It's not a platitude! We don't wanna be choked by religion anymore!".
You've stated that, the Tampa Bay area scene, with the likes of Deicide and Obituary were a huge influence on the band, but what was the scene like in Italy at that time? Was there much of an underground death metal following?
Fabio "The scene was full of bands, but there are more right now, than even before. The interest into the death metal
American scene was something I had only for myself, I don't care if other bands move towards Florida, Tampa, Sweden or
Gothenburg, or towards the English side. It's more easy to be a musician nowadays,
but I don't think you are a performer only for a bunch of Facebook likes in front a screen, isn't it?".
When you initially formed, you've mentioned you went through several members and line-up changes, plus record labels weren't overly keen on working with you, was there ever any pressure to change? How did you and Lectern cope with the difficulties in front of you?
Fabio "Stubbornness was the only ally! Labels were something which really took care about musicians' interests, but not in
every case. What have we now? Online labels or something like that!".
It hasn't been all doom and gloom mind you, as Lectern have over time released five albums, the most recent being 2016's "Precept Of Delator". For people new to Lectern; how would you describe the new album? Its message or, concept?
Fabio "The songs are not binded one to the other, in term of a concept as we mean it. Songs born quickly, we had not so
many troubles for the arrangements, as maybe to the last choice of the sound we wanna gave to the mastering. You have
to test a song with different samples".
Are you happy with how far you've come thus far or are there things looking back, you wished you'd done differently?
Fabio "No because everything I choose to do, brought me and the band where we are now! I cannot change dickheads minds, ya know!?".
What's the live music scene like in Italy right now? How have things improved over the past twenty years? With social media for example allowing for a lot more promotional freedom and helping heavy, underground music spread further afield?
Fabio "Italian bands are full of talent! Hideous Divinity, Antropofagus, Deceptionist, Ade, Devangelic, Corpsefucking Art,
Dr. Gore, Blasphemer, Natron, Airlines Of Terror, Natron are monstrous and it is not enough!
Social side is synthetic, so it's real in part! You cannot stay onstage socially! I mean, there are things you have to
do in flesh and bones, a band cannot exist on Internet alone, I don't know if you can understand what I mean! ".
What's next for Lectern? What are you main goals and targets going forward?
Fabio "We have to accomplish all our live duties for this year, as to put to an end the rest of the promotion. My theory is:
the more you shoot in the heap, the more you have possibilities to hit someone, definitely!".
The album "Precept Of Delator" is out now.
So, Lectern formed way back in 1999, fully intending to play brutal, Satanic death metal...coming from Rome, was there maybe a sense of irony or even rebellion in that? Given the cities deep roots in Catholicism?
Fabio "We look at religion as an enemy, Gavin! It's not a joke! If someone is Italian, he must not be a Christian
by force! It's not a platitude! We don't wanna be choked by religion anymore!".
You've stated that, the Tampa Bay area scene, with the likes of Deicide and Obituary were a huge influence on the band, but what was the scene like in Italy at that time? Was there much of an underground death metal following?
Fabio "The scene was full of bands, but there are more right now, than even before. The interest into the death metal
American scene was something I had only for myself, I don't care if other bands move towards Florida, Tampa, Sweden or
Gothenburg, or towards the English side. It's more easy to be a musician nowadays,
but I don't think you are a performer only for a bunch of Facebook likes in front a screen, isn't it?".
When you initially formed, you've mentioned you went through several members and line-up changes, plus record labels weren't overly keen on working with you, was there ever any pressure to change? How did you and Lectern cope with the difficulties in front of you?
Fabio "Stubbornness was the only ally! Labels were something which really took care about musicians' interests, but not in
every case. What have we now? Online labels or something like that!".
It hasn't been all doom and gloom mind you, as Lectern have over time released five albums, the most recent being 2016's "Precept Of Delator". For people new to Lectern; how would you describe the new album? Its message or, concept?
Fabio "The songs are not binded one to the other, in term of a concept as we mean it. Songs born quickly, we had not so
many troubles for the arrangements, as maybe to the last choice of the sound we wanna gave to the mastering. You have
to test a song with different samples".
Are you happy with how far you've come thus far or are there things looking back, you wished you'd done differently?
Fabio "No because everything I choose to do, brought me and the band where we are now! I cannot change dickheads minds, ya know!?".
What's the live music scene like in Italy right now? How have things improved over the past twenty years? With social media for example allowing for a lot more promotional freedom and helping heavy, underground music spread further afield?
Fabio "Italian bands are full of talent! Hideous Divinity, Antropofagus, Deceptionist, Ade, Devangelic, Corpsefucking Art,
Dr. Gore, Blasphemer, Natron, Airlines Of Terror, Natron are monstrous and it is not enough!
Social side is synthetic, so it's real in part! You cannot stay onstage socially! I mean, there are things you have to
do in flesh and bones, a band cannot exist on Internet alone, I don't know if you can understand what I mean! ".
What's next for Lectern? What are you main goals and targets going forward?
Fabio "We have to accomplish all our live duties for this year, as to put to an end the rest of the promotion. My theory is:
the more you shoot in the heap, the more you have possibilities to hit someone, definitely!".
The album "Precept Of Delator" is out now.
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