What would you say to a dose of melodic power metal with gothic elements? That exact combination is the musical signature of Risen Crow, an Italian band that steps forward to propose its own distinct style and present a release, “Requiem for a Damned Love” that truly has a lot to offer. Myth of Rock felt it was essential to sit down with the band and dive deep into the seductive world of Risen Crow. Move forward fearlessly to discover what was said and where the conversation led!
by Dimitris Zacharopoulos
How did the idea of forming Risen Crow first come about back in 2020?
Risen Crow was born in Rome in 2020, founded by Claudio Vattone (vocals), Antonella Della Monica (vocals), and Giuseppe Longo (guitar), united by a shared passion for power metal and the idea of experimenting with two distinct vocal styles, powerful and melodic, to convey complex emotions through music. From the very first rehearsals, there was a natural connection between us, both artistically and personally. Later, Flavio Cicchetti (bass), Filippo Martini (drums), Francesco Menale (guitar), and Alessandro Benabei (keyboards) joined, completing the lineup and strengthening the band’s synergy.
What was it that made you realize you had such strong artistic chemistry together?
Our artistic chemistry became apparent from the very first rehearsals, when we realized that our musical ideas and vocal interpretations complemented each other naturally. The contrast between the two vocal styles, immediately showed how effective it was to work together to convey complex emotions. The collaboration with the other band members further strengthened this bond, allowing us to find creative solutions spontaneously and harmoniously. Over time, mutual trust and listening have made the creative process fluid and inspiring, confirming that there was a genuine synergy among us.
Did you have a clear vision of your sound from the beginning, or did it evolve naturally over time?
Our sound developed naturally. At the beginning, we had a basic idea, mainly focused on blending the two vocal styles and our love for power metal, but there wasn’t a fully defined vision. Over time, through rehearsals and songwriting, we experimented and refined our style, incorporating gothic and dark atmospheres that make our music unique. Completing the band lineup also helped shape our sound, thanks to the different musical backgrounds of each member.
How do you feel now that your debut album is out?
The release of “Requiem for a Damned Love” has been a very exciting moment for all of us. It represents the culmination of years of work, rehearsals, and experimentation, and it has given us the opportunity to share our music and stories with the audience. At the same time, it’s also a starting point: the album motivates us to keep writing, improving, and further developing our musical identity. We are happy to finally see people’s reactions and to connect with those who listen to our music.
The band started as a trio — how did the addition of the other members change your dynamics and musical direction?
Risen Crow was born after a previous band we were part of came to an end. The three of us founders — Claudio, Antonella, and Giuseppe — were already very close and decided to stay together to create a new project. Later, we found the other members. Their addition completed the band and expanded our creative possibilities, allowing us to develop a fuller and more complex sound while maintaining the close connection and identity of the founding trio.
Why did you choose the name Risen Crow, and what does it symbolize for you?
We chose the name Risen Crow because it holds several important meanings for us. The crow is an animal that in ancient times was considered a messenger with the afterlife, symbolizing mystery and emotional depth. “Risen” represents rebirth, a concept that was essential for us: it signifies a new beginning, the desire to rise again and create something new. Together, the name reflects both the identity of the project and the strength and determination that drove us to form the band and develop our sound.
Your music blends power metal and gothic dark atmospheres — how do you balance these two distinct styles?
For us, balancing power metal and gothic dark atmospheres comes naturally from the creative process. We aim to maintain the power and melody typical of power metal, while the darker, gothic touches mainly come from the vocals and keyboards. The ideas merge because each of us contributes to the arrangements with our own emotional involvement. This allows us to create moments of intense energy alternating with darker, introspective passages, resulting in a coherent, exciting, and harmonious sound.
What are the main musical or lyrical influences that shaped Risen Crow’s identity?
Our main musical influences come from power metal and gothic metal, with a focus on dark and melodic atmospheres. Bands like Nightwish, Within Temptation, and Lacuna Coil have played an important role in shaping our sound, especially in the use of harmonic vocal lines and orchestral or atmospheric arrangements. Lyrically, we are inspired by deep emotional themes and stories exploring passion, pain, and introspection, without shying away from the complexity of human feelings. Cinema has also influenced our approach, particularly directors like Tim Burton, for their use of atmosphere, color, and emotional tone, which we aim to translate into our music and the visuals associated with the band.
How important is melody and emotion in your songwriting compared to technical precision?
For us, melody, emotion, and technical precision are all fundamental and closely connected elements in the creative process. Technique allows us to shape our ideas clearly and effectively, while melody and emotion ensure that the music conveys authentic and engaging feelings. We always strive to balance these aspects, making sure that technical precision supports and enhances the emotional impact of the songs without ever sacrificing their natural expressiveness.
Can you describe how a typical Risen Crow song comes to life? Who usually starts the process?
The creative process at Risen Crow often starts with an initial idea from one of us, such as a vocal line, a guitar riff, or a melodic draft. Often, Claudio starts with a vocal line and Giuseppe develops a melodic sketch, then each of us adds our own contribution. Even during the pandemic, when we couldn’t meet in the rehearsal room, this approach allowed ideas to evolve collaboratively.
Each member enriches the song with their own input: vocals and keyboards contribute especially to the gothic and dark atmospheres, while guitars, bass, and drums reinforce the structure and power metal energy. In this way, a single initial idea grows into a complete song, coherent and full of nuances, as a result of the synergy and collaboration of the entire band.
What was the biggest challenge during the recording of “Requiem For a Damned Love”?
The biggest challenge during the recording of “Requiem For a Damned Love” was shaping the concept and figuring out how to tell it effectively through our vocals. Being a narrative album, it was essential for Claudio and Antonella to convey the emotions and tension of the characters while maintaining the story’s coherence and the atmosphere of the songs. Coordinating the musical and vocal parts so that the concept came through clearly was the real test for the project.
Describe the production process of the album. Who did the mixing and the mastering?
The production of “Requiem For a Damned Love” was a very careful and collaborative experience. We worked with Francesco from Underworld Studio, well known in the Roman metal scene, and Kate, the studio owners. Even before working with them, we were impressed by the quality and attention to detail in their previous productions, and we already knew it would be the right choice.
Throughout the process, we felt supported and comfortable: Francesco and Kate helped us enhance the impact of the vocal parts and integrate different ideas, providing a professional and fresh perspective that allowed us to smooth out minor flaws and add special touches. This significantly elevated the final result while preserving the energy, emotion, and atmosphere of the album.
How did your collaboration with Rockshots Records come about? Are you satisfied with Rockshots Records and their work?
Among the different options available, Rockshots Records felt like the right fit from the very beginning, and looking back, we believe we made the right choice. We are very satisfied with the work they have done so far: they have supported us throughout every stage of the project with professionalism and care, always respecting our artistic vision.
We know Rockshots has a large roster, so it’s natural for their attention to be spread across many artists, but we have always felt heard and supported. Whenever we needed to share ideas or ask for feedback, they were available and responsive. Of course, as an emerging band, we always hope for more visibility, but we believe our relationship with the label is solid and has the potential to grow even stronger.
The album title “Requiem For a Damned Love” is quite evocative. What story or concept lies behind it?
“Requiem For a Damned Love” is a full-fledged concept album. From the very beginning, we wanted to tell an intense and tormented story, far from a typical romantic love, exploring instead the more obsessive and destructive sides of love. Each track represents a fragment of this emotional descent, and together they form a coherent narrative where love, death, and madness are tightly intertwined.
The album tells a passionate and all-consuming love story that becomes a curse—a requiem not just for a lost person, but for a love that crossed the line between passion and destruction. The title came almost naturally, as if it was already written into the story we wanted to tell. It’s an invitation to listen to the pain and beauty that sometimes come together.
Many of your songs seem to explore emotional and dark themes — what inspires your lyrics?
Our lyrics are inspired by the most intense and complex human emotions, particularly the darker sides of love and passion. The concept of “Requiem For a Damned Love” tells a tormented story: a woman, consumed by madness, kills her beloved, who returns from the afterlife to understand what really happened and to help his beloved find some peace in the despair caused by her madness. We tell stories of desire, obsession, regret, and redemption, always aiming to convey authentic and engaging emotions, so that listeners can relate and feel the music on an emotional level as well.
What can fans expect from a Risen Crow live performance?
Fans can expect an intense and engaging experience at a Risen Crow live performance, where energy, melody, and dark atmospheres merge with the emotional storytelling of the songs. We aim to convey the same intensity as the album, bringing the story to life on stage through vocals, instruments, and the interaction between band members. Each show is an opportunity to share emotions, involve the audience, and make them feel part of the story we are telling, creating an immersive and memorable experience.
Do you have plans for touring outside Italy or playing at major European festivals?
At the moment, we are working on our future schedule and already have a live show confirmed in December. With our booking agency in place, we are exploring various possibilities to organize a tour in support of the album, both in Italy and abroad. We have some ideas for the 2026 and for playing at European festivals, but nothing is confirmed yet. We would love to bring our music to a wider audience and share the intensity and emotions of our songs live.
What do you hope listeners take away after hearing “Requiem For a Damned Love”?
We hope that listeners do not just hear the music, but also feel its emotional depth, empathizing with the characters and situations, leaving a lasting impression.
Looking ahead, where do you see Risen Crow’s sound and journey going next?
Looking ahead, we want to continue developing our sound, maintaining the balance between power metal, gothic, and dark atmospheres, while also exploring new nuances and arrangements to enrich our music. We are already working on new ideas and composing new songs, aiming to evolve both musically and narratively. Additionally, we aim to expand our live presence, bringing our music to a wider audience both in Italy and abroad.
Send a message to our readers, please!
Our message is simple: always follow your passion, don’t be afraid to be yourself, and believe in the value of your journey, whatever it may be. Music, like life, has its ups and downs, but with dedication and heart, you can go far.
