Interviews: Red Code

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Alternative Metal/Progressive Metal band Red Code 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? Did you plan it or did it come out just like that?

Honestly? It was completely random. Literally the "least terrible" option out of a long list of bad ideas we were throwing around! During an interview on national radio (Radio RAI), the interviewer came up with an amazing metaphor about the ability to decode the new trends in music, like a sonar that turns on whenever something cool is about to happen. But no, that's not how it came up. We chose to always be honest with our fans and friends, so, yeah, the name is easy to remember and grabbed attention immediately. Then we made it our signature by running all our visuals and videos through bold red filters!

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

We didn't choose the genre. The genre chose us! We tried to do something else, but we can’t help but being ourselves. In fact, we can say “we are” the music we play. It took us a lot of time to come up with the alt-prog definition, and still we are not 100% sure about it. How would you define the music we play? Anyway, it’s a photorealistic sonic portrait of who we are, what we love, and the blend of all our influences and passions.

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

It depends on who you ask! Lenina already knew the musicians who were part of the initial lineup, close friends who played together in other projects long before this band came to life. Daniel (guitar) didn’t know anyone before. Marco (drums) and Gabriele (bass) knew each other from a previous project, covering Dream Theater and other prog-metal bands and also composing their own songs… like a journey of Alice Beyond the Mirror.

4. Each band member's favourite band?

Lenina: It might sound cliché, but I don't have just one favorite band—I listen to the full spectrum of metal, right down to the most extreme subgenres! The list could go on forever, but top spots definitely go to Gojira, Jinjer, Lamb of God, and Children of Bodom, along with Lacuna Coil, Alcest, Slayer, and Pantera. Lately, I’ve also been getting really into atmospheric black metal!

Daniel (guitar): Dream theater, Symphony x, gojira, rush… mainly progressive rock or metal…

Marco (drums): …and Megadeth

Daniel (guitar): Of course Megadeth!

Marco (drums): But I also love Aurora’s Music (laughing)

Gabriele (bass): I’m the silly one, but I’m living the dream. I liked all the bands we played with, before even dreaming of playing with them. I mean, I’m in love with Break Me Down, Underwaves, Lacuna Coil, CowboyZ, Logical Terror, Tystnaden, Darkpools, Mal di Luna, Siksided and all the old Exilia songs from the 90s.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Inner discomfort. And I think that’s something a lot of people can relate to. Anything that causes us anxiety, frustration, or discomfort, whether personal or collective, gets channeled directly into our music. It’s our ultimate emotional outlet and catharsis. Inspiration often came from personal experiences, episodes we directly lived, or something we’ve seen or read.

6. Where was your last gig?

In Croatia, at an incredible festival, with our friends CowboyZ and thousands of bikers and an amazing stage: Staari Rokeri in Umag! What a gig!

7. Where would you like to act/perform?

Lenina: ambition makes you want to say huge festival stages packed with thousands of people, but my personal answer is simpler: any stage, big or intimate, where the audience is genuinely listening with interest and passion. 

Gabriele: At the very beginning, we were asked to play at a poultry farm. Seriously. The owner liked our music, and I really loved the idea of the chickens running around. The authorities didn’t like it as much as me. But any place where there is public is fine for me!

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Lenina: Anyone who shares our vibe! Working with true professionals is always a privilege and an incredible learning experience. But if I had to pick my ultimate dream collaborations, it would be the two bands that influenced my vocals and songwriting the most: Lacuna Coil and Guano Apes.

Gabriele (bass): We have been so lucky to share the stage with most of the people we dreamt to play with. If I can continue to dream, I would say Jinjer, In Flames, Halo Effect.

9. Whom not?

Tricky question! Nobody specific, but we’d pass on collaborating with anyone who acts entitled or lacks respect for the other bands sharing the same stage. Respect and humility are non-negotiable for us.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

Lenina: Absolutely! I’ve always been naturally shy and reserved, so early on, pre-show anxiety hit me hard—and my personality didn't help! Over time, I watched seasoned pros closely, picked up on what they did, and used those tricks to my advantage. 

My tips for beginners? Everyone has to find their own path to feeling free and comfortable on stage. Play as many gigs as possible—even tiny local ones. Watch amateur video footage of your performances to spot areas for improvement, and embrace constructive criticism instead of taking it personally. That’s how you build real confidence for the next show!

Gabriele (bass): damn no! I love to play in front of people. That’s the reason why I play

Marco (drums): A little bit of “fear” can be stimulating, a trigger to face our own limits… I think every musician loves the shiver before and on stage. Learning to face it can help also to raise more confidence in other aspects of life. This happened to me

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Lacuna Coil, Jinjer, System Of A Down, Gojira, Dream Theater, Guano Apes… and Megadeth!

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

During a concert in a Balkan club, a big guy asked us to sing "Bandiera Rossa" (an old Italian partisan song)...

13. What do you think of your fans?

We absolutely love them. With some of them we became real friends, and we go to concerts together. But real supporters, even if from distant places, are pure gold. Beyond supporting us with merch or coming to shows, the energy they give is incredible.

14. What do you think of our site?

It’s awesome! It’s pure gold if you’re looking for new music. We love what you guys are doing. At the same time, it triggered a doubt: in our genre, are we, musicians and industry insiders, the only ones listening to new trends? Or at least the majority? Has the weight of the curatorial choice been left on our shoulders? 

15. Something to add?

Just a huge thank you for having us and for supporting independent music!

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