Interviews About Albums: Mary Was A Machine - Damnatio Memoriae (2025)

In this new interview, we sat down with the Italian Alternative Metal band, Mary Was A Machine, to ask questions about their album "Damnatio Memoriae". 

1. Can you tell me something about the punk/alternative scene of your country?

The Italian punk and alternative scene is very fragmented but extremely passionate. There are many underground realities, small venues and DIY collectives that keep everything alive, even if it’s often hard to reach a wider audience. At the same time, there’s a strong influence from international bands, which pushes local artists to constantly evolve and mix genres. You really have to work hard to stand out, but when you find the right audience, the connection is very genuine.

2. The debut album is finally out. What has changed between this album and your first idea about music, and in general, to be a part of a band?

A lot has changed. At the beginning, everything was more instinctive and naive: you just wanted to play loudly and write songs without thinking too much. With Damnatio Memoriae we became much more aware, both musically and personally. Being in a band now means compromise, vision, and responsibility toward the project. We learned how important it is to work as a team and to think not only about single songs, but about identity, coherence, and long-term growth.

3. Are you aware that there exists a theory that says the new one is the best, or maybe a tombstone in your career?

Yes, we are definitely aware of that theory. A debut album is often seen as a “make it or break it” moment, but we tried not to let that pressure influence us too much. For us, Damnatio Memoriae is not a final statement, but a starting point. It represents who we are right now, not a limit. We see it as the foundation on which to build something even stronger in the future.

4. Tell us something about the general concept of this album. When you started to work on it, which is for you the best track and where you take inspiration for your new songs...

Damnatio Memoriae is a concept album about emotions, guilt, growth, and liberation. It tells the story of an inner journey toward self-awareness and acceptance. We started working on it in 2023, and everything was written within a relatively short and focused period of time, which helped maintain coherence. Choosing a “best” track is hard, but Confession and Fare Thee Well probably represent the core of the concept. Inspiration comes from personal experiences, emotional states, visual art, religion-related imagery, and, of course, music we grew up with and still love.

5. What is the main thing you’ve learn, the thing that helped you grow in your music?

We learned the value of restraint and intention. Not everything has to be extreme or complex to be effective. Sometimes simplicity, if well thought out, can be much more powerful. We also learned how important it is to trust each other’s ideas and to let songs evolve naturally instead of forcing them into a predefined shape.

6. What is the best advice you could give to your younger self beginning music, or someone else beginning in music?

Don’t rush things and don’t chase trends too hard. Focus on building your identity and enjoy the process, even the frustrating parts. Play as much as possible, accept criticism, and don’t be afraid to change your mind or your direction. Most importantly, do it because you need it, not because you want approval.

7. Is it the reason why you are making music?

Catharsis is an important part of it, but it’s not the only reason. We make music because we feel the need to communicate, to create a connection with others, and to build something that goes beyond ourselves. Music is also about identity, expression, and community. Catharsis might be the starting point, but the real goal is to transform that release into something people can relate to and feel as their own.

8. Which is the best memory about the writing process of this album?

Probably the moment when everything started to make sense as a whole. Hearing the songs in sequence for the first time and realizing that they were telling a coherent story was incredibly powerful. The recording session itself is something we’ll always remember: an intense week in Como completely focused on music and friendship. There were a lot of fun moments, from late-night talks in the hotel to random jokes and laughs that helped us release the pressure and stay connected as a band. At the same time, it wasn’t all easy. There were critical moments too, like when we had technical issues with the guitar setup and had to stop everything to fix it, or when we almost lost part of the album project and thought for a moment that weeks of work were gone. Those moments were stressful, but they forced us to stay calm, work together, and find solutions. Looking back, that mix of excitement, fear, exhaustion, and fun is exactly what made the writing and recording process so meaningful. It wasn’t just about making a record; it was about growing together and learning how to face problems as a band.