Interviews: Aexylium

We have had the opportunity to interview the  Symphonic Folk Metal band Aexylium from Italy. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?

The name was decided altogether by matching all the different ideas. Matteo, the drummer finally came up with the idea of Exylium and the bass player Gabriele proposed to add an Æ as a tribute to the Nordic culture as our music wants to express. In our imagination, Aexylium is a mysterious place where criminals and murderers were locked up and exiled.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

All the members have in common a metal background, and we wanted to add a folkloric heart to our music in order to celebrate culture and history together with our music.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

The band was formed byte friends Matteo (drums) and Roberto (rhythm guitar – not a member anymore) claimed by the atmosphere of the Celtic festivals and the Folk world in general, later on the band welcomed Fabio and Steven as they played together in a thrash metal band, Gabriele which performed in many bands as Bass player. And in 2015 Stefano joined as a Keyboard player. Besides the first four, all the other band members did not know each other before.

4. Each band member favourite band?

Fabio – Dream Theater, Eluveitie, Megadeth

Stefano – Blind Guardian, Tool, Opeth

Matteo – Iron Maiden, Megadeth, In Flames

Leandro – Mago de Oz, Jethro Tull, Deep Purple

Gabriele – Arch Enemy, Sonic Youth, Motorpsycho

Andrea – Between the Buried and Me, Protest the Hero, Haken

Steven – Wardruna, Heilung, Dream Theater

Federico – Queen, Pink Floyd, Toto

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

It’s hard to define who in particular inspires us in our songwriting. Certainly, bands like Eluveitie and Alestorm, which are part of our musical genre, influence us but almost always the songs are born from very personal ideas and inspirations.

6. Where was your last gig?

Our last gig was in Veneto, at the Feffarkhorn festival. It has been a great moment for all of us! The location and the organization were amazing. Now we are having the official “The Fifth Season Release Party” next Sunday, in Vedano Olona, near Varese.

7. Where would you like to act?

It would be amazing someday to be able to play in one of the major European metal festivals. It’s hard to say which one, there are a lot!

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

It would be great to be able to feature with Eluveitie's Chrigel Glanzmann or Alestorm's Christopher Bowes.

9. Whom not?

I can't say a name, in particular, we don't hate any artist in particular 

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

I think having some anxiety and worry before a concert is completely normal. Maybe for those who do it for work and have to go on stage almost every day, this is normal, but for other people, I think it is part of the routine. The worst moment is before the start of the live, then as soon as you start playing everything passes. Drinking a good beer before getting on can help! 

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

As I said before, the bands that inspire us most at the moment are Eluveitie, Alestorm and even Falconer. However, I believe that for songwriting all the musical and cultural background is inspirational.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

Once a girl asked us if we could help her search for a piercing she had lost in a meadow.

13. What do you think of your fans?

Fans are what a band has most important, they are fundamental. It's always nice to have a few words with a fan at the end of the concert, often even their criticisms can be very constructive.

14. What do you think of our site?

I think it is very clear and well structured

15. Something to add?

Thanks for the interview and a greeting to all ‘Breathing The Core’ readers!