I) Hail ! Can you briefly introduce the label please ? 

Hail! The label is officially born in the end of 2003, but the project had been being in my mind for a long time. Now with the collaboration of my mate, I have finally succeeded in making to become it reality. It's a very strong union and we hope that can give us good satisfactions. This interview represents the first step, and for me further to be a honor is also a small victory. 

II) Well, it seems that EAR is rather black-metal oriented. Why did you choose to focus on that style ? 

Absolutely. EAR is a devoted label to the bm and his various "tones". I listen to bm since the first years '90, and if later more than 10 years I am still faithful to this philosophy, this means that this is my way, there’s a something of depth that unites me to these sounds. Other possibility doesn't exist. 

III) What are the criteria that a band has to fulfil so as to be signed on EAR? Do you favour originality to old-school spirit ? 

Simple, quality and professionalism. We don't want to waste time and we don't want to make to waste time to the others. For us this activity require a great commitment, therefore we don't have interest to support bands that don't put from their part dedication and will. The bm is not a pastime, it's not a game for bored people, therefore we are interested to collaborate only with the people that have the same attention that we give to this movement. I have a preference for sounds that recall me the old and everlasting first years '90, rotten sounds full of brutality and dark feelings. The originality can be a "double cut weapon", however if used in the correct way can be that "quid" in more, the additional value that makes of an album, a unique piece. But i probably prefer a personal sound more than an original sound. 

IV) Among all the demos you have got since the birth of your label, have you been surprised by some killer bands? And how many Darkthrone clones have you got in your mail box? 1000? 5000? 10000 ? 

We have received a lot of material in these months. We have been surprised from some interesting demos, as for instance Niroth, a british band owned of a great talent; Turulver, an Hungarian band owned of great technical abilities, that every fan of early Enslaved should to listen. The french Glorior Belli that unfortunately have signed another deal just some weeks ago, then I would quote your Wolok that propose indeed sick music. I have to say that it is almost inevitable that a lot of bands can have influences of this everlasting Norwegian band. We privilege the bands that have an own identity, but if there is quality and feeling, I believe that the un-originality is not a problem for any people.

V) The label is composed of two persons: you and a mate, is that right? But how do you proceed to agree on signing a band? Who is more influent to decide? Are your tastes the same or a little bit different ? 

Yes, I know Max from a lot of years and the passion/devotion for the bm has brought us to begin this new work. We live in the different city and this thing complicates a little bit the job, but we send for mail the demo material and we speak every day of it, to appraise if a band can belong to the EAR rooster or not. I'm sure that the fact to be in two can be a lot of helpful, even if we don't always have the same opinions. Our tastes are similar but for some things very different, in the sense that we love both the bm, but we have different opinions on the different "tones" of it. I adore the raw sounds, while Max prefer the fast bands… but it's not a rule, a band, an album provoke different emotions in every listener and this is the beautiful one of the music. No rule, only emotions. If you ask me who is more influential in the decisions you put me in difficulty… I can say that Ear is composed from two people and both are essential. 

VI) EAR is an Italian label. So I guess that Italian bands are luckier to be signed, aren’t they ? 

Obviously the Italian bands should be privileged, in the sense that could be a lot of more collaboration being geographically near. In Italy they exist some really interesting underground bands, even if, in my opinion, our scene has to growm still a lot for being able to impose himself on the international attention. We have important and historical bands that have been existing for many years and that they feel respect and consents inside the scene, that release huge quality albums but that they don't succeed in making the breakthrough. To answer to your question: yes, should be privileged. The point is that in these months we have contacted a lot of bands both foreigners how Italian… we have received answered by the whole world (both positive and negative) and also from very important and wellknow bm bands, the sad thing is that the most greater part of the Italian demobands have not even replyed to our e-mails. In the foreign countries there’s a lot of more humilities and therefore we are satisfied to work with foreign bands. 

VII) By the way, what do you think of the Italian underground scene? I have discovered some really great surprises (I think of NAZGUL for instance, they kick asses). Can you tell us which bands are worth being listened to ? 

I make you a list of the most promising act in Italy in this moment: Beatrik, Black Flame, Enthroning Silence, Forgotten Tomb, Tenebrae In Perpetuum, Tod and many other underground bands that if only they answered to our mails, they could have the possibility to spread his message to a greater number of people. Perhaps it’s only a matter of professionalism, of determination… but for me it's simply an incomprehensible thing. 

VIII) Now the inevitable question: can you inform us about the bands you have already signed for the moment? Are there bands you are still hesitating about ?

Well, the first release will be the press in vinyl of the first great Blodulv album, with renewed artwork and handnumbered to a several limited edition. Blodulv is one of the bands that more has impressed me in these last years. But our collaboration won't finish with this Lp, there will be other interesting stuffs with this great Swedish band. Then we have signed a deal with the mighty Black Flame, an Italian band active in the underground from some years and author of various self-produced stuffs and of a cult 7" out in 2002 for Sombre Records. They deserve your support. A very important band in Italy, a sound that mix the old style bm with different other extreme sounds with a great personality. They will publish the Lp version for the only the Usa through the Jersey Devil and we will release the full-lenght cd album toward the autumn of this year, with 2 songs more than the Lp version and maybe a particular edition for first copies. 

Then as already said we should to work with Turulver for an important and interesting collaboration. The eastern bm bands are always very prolific and talented, gifted of a particular feeling. I believe that you will hear to speak a lot of this band ! 

We are also treating for new sign and for the press in Lp version of some (past and recent) masterpieces, and well soon you will know names and titles ! 

IX) Do you earn your living with the label or do you have other professional activities ? 

It would be a big beautiful thing. We hope that one day this activity can become a full time job, but at the moment we also have both other activities. I am a sound technician, therefore my passion for the music has been spending my time from the morning to the night. I have to admit that the label is taking every day more a certain importance and this thing it gives me hope for the future. 

X) Is there a question that I would have forgotten to ask you ? 

I expected me for a question of the french scene! I do me the question and I answer you. At the moment your scene is the richest of talents together with the German scene. Quality and quantity… beginning from the glorious and everlasting "Legion noire" thin to reach the last and monumental Deathspell Omega release. 

XI) Well, it’s time to conclude now. I wish you all the best for the forthcoming months. Long live EAR ! 

I thank you for the possibility that you have given me, it's very important for us. it's also for people as you that the movement keeps on living. I hope besides that the collaboration with you can continue for a long time.

We invite all the readers to check our website at www.eerieartrecords.com

Respect and honor, support the bm underground, it's a lot more than a simple musical kind.

Contact :
http://www.eerieartrecords.com