Interview with progressive death metal band from Italy - SADIST.
Answered Tommy Talamanca (guitars), thank you!
Recenze/review - SADIST - Something to Pierce (2025):
Ave SADIST! I've been preparing for this interview for a really long time. But you know, every time you release a new album, I prefer to listen to it rather than write the words. Anyway, I'm in the Czech mountains right now, I'm on vacation and have a little extra time. I'm sipping on a wine from Liguria, Vermentino "Etichetta Nera" Colli di Luni DOC 2023, which I got. I am not a fan of this drink, but I have to say it is good. Plus I'm listening to your new album "Something to Pierce" from this year. It's a massacre, I must admit. Perfectly crafted music, death metal that got into my veins. How did the record come about and how did the new members in the band influence the recording process?
Tommy: Glad you liked the new album. We can consider SOMETHING TO PIERCE like the perfect successor to FIRESCORCHED, although the new album, like every new Sadist album, has its own strong identity. In this sense, the key was Davide and Giorgio, the new rhythm section, who had two years of live activity in which they were able to settle into the band, bringing their personality and energy.
I have to admit that I didn't get into your music until sometime in 1997. I remember bringing the CD home at the time and being terribly surprised at the cover art you had. You know, a friend recommended you to me. I sat down, turned on the hi-fi tower and then you cut me to pieces. A lot of time has passed, you've changed a lot of musicians, the only ones left from the original line-up are Tommy Talamanca (guitar) and Trevor Nadir on the mic. Why do you think that is? From what I've seen, your band has changed musicians really often. Please take us through the history of SADIST and don't forget what caused you to go on hiatus between 2001 and 2005.
Tommy: there are bands whose identity is not affected by a change of line-up, and this happens because the history of these bands is stronger than the personal ego of the individual musicians. Of course, changing the line-up always causes great stress, but sometimes, as in any social group that no longer works, it is the only logical solution. Sadist had a stable line up for many years, but when Andy, the original bass player from the first album, decided to leave the band in 2018, the balance with Alessio, the drummer, also broke down. With Firescorched we relied on two musicians with strong personalities like Thesseling and Goulon, but we knew they would most likely be session players. Then we met these two young guys, Davide and Giorgio, who had that fire, that passion that, unfortunately, older musicians often lose.
Sometimes the problem with a lot of old bands is that they don't evolve anymore. They stay in the same place and play the same thing over and over again. But it's also true that the fans demand it. But SADIST are different. To me, every album of yours is a little bit different, different. Where do you always get so many ideas? How do you compose new material? Does anyone have the main say? I'm interested in the actual creation of a new song, the concept.
Tommy: I guess the most obvious characteristic of Sadist is that it is a “chameleon” band, and probably those who have been following the band for a long time always expect a bit of a surprise effect with each new album, even though it is important for us to always keep the Sadist trademark strong. For the last three or four albums, the songwriting was in my and Trevor's hands, and this process has also worked with the new album, although we have left absolute freedom to the new members with regard to the arrangement work on bass and drums.
Sound is very important in any music. You guys have been true to yourselves for the last few years. Tommy Talamanca is responsible for the sound. Personally, I love the fact that you have your own sound, your own expression, your own face. Isn't that hard? Do you have someone to give you their opinion? Who's in opposition? Or do you trust Tommy completely?
Tommy: We try not to sound like any other band out there, and above all we don't want to follow any particular trend, even in terms of the artistic production of the albums. It is not that we are against working with external producers, but unfortunately, when this happened, in the first albums, we were never really satisfied with the final result.
I'm old school and I always need a physical vehicle. I love looking at booklets and I have to say that Andreas Christanetoff's cover immediately caught my eye. The motif evokes the apocalypse in me, that's the first thing that came to mind. How did you and Andreas get together and why him? Can you tell us what exactly the image is supposed to express and how it relates to the music?
Tommy: Rock music has a very important visual component, and with the new cover we were looking for that "wow" effect that hit immediately at first glance, and at the same time we wanted to detach ourselves from the covers of recent albums, based entirely on computer graphics, and we looked for an artist. We saw some of Andreas' work, and we liked his style immediately. Talking about the cover, we wanted an evocative image that was a metaphor for the lyrics of the album, but still kept some mystery.
What about the lyrics? Where do you get the inspiration for them? I've already managed to translate some of them and I like that they have depth. It's not just an addition to the music, as it often is. Who's signed them?
Tommy: Since the Crust era, Trevor is the mastermind behind lyrical concepts and Sadist lyrics. The new album is centered on death, seen through various types of physical and psychological experiences, and focuses mainly on the transition between the two dimensions: life and death. The common thread is this breath, the "Respirium", understood as the last vital act before the end!
Let's go back in history. SADIST are one of the first death metal bands in Italy. What gave you the idea to play death metal? Why this style? I got into it gradually, originally I was only crushing thrash metal. What was your path?
Tommy: As we began to compose music, we didn't think about a specific genre, but simply began to write in a natural manner, incorporating our personal tastes and background into the band's sound. When the first album was released in 1993, there were no labels like "prog death" or anything else, but only these very particular bands, like Cynic or Pestilence, who combined various styles to create a different and unique sound. My musical tastes include thrash metal, classical music, and progressive rock from the 70s, and I have incorporated all of these elements into my compositions. Being the main composer in the band, I obviously influenced the sound of the band in a radical way.
How and when did you start playing an instrument? Did you have any role models? What was the first gig you went to? What was your first gig?
Tommy: While I began studying classical guitar and music theory at 10, my musical direction changed when I fell in love with heavy metal and electric guitar during my adolescence. On the contrary, I think that Trevor has always been a lover of extreme metal since he was very young. I played electric guitar in the 80’s, so my references were obviously Van Halen and Malmsteen, and I think that one of my first concerts was Malmsteen in Milan, I don’t remember exactly what year.
What was it like in Italy in the 90s regarding music? What about the clubs, the scene? In our country, socialism had just fallen and the whole world had opened up. It was very wild and I'm quite glad I survived. What was it like for you?
Tommy: Speaking of music, we can very simply talk about before and after Internet. Before the internet people lived! They went to clubs, met in the streets, and making music was much easier. Marketing was not the most important thing, the only thing that mattered was to play well and write interesting music!
And how would you compare the underground then with now? We have new technologies, the internet has come into play, streaming, downloading music, but also maybe other ways of recording music. How have all these things influenced you and how do you perceive them?
Tommy: It is very easy to talk only about the negative aspects of the internet, but there are also positive aspects, linked to globalization. The world changes, even if we don’t want to, and the smartest thing we can do is try to float!
I like when bands are strong live as well. Unfortunately, I missed you guys last year in Volyně, but as far as I remember I've seen you before. How did you like it here in the Czech Republic? If I'm not mistaken, you also played at Brutal Assault?
Tommy: We played many times in your country, including 2 or 3 times at the beautiful Brutal Assault, and the welcome was always very warm. Overall, Sadist has a strong fan base in Eastern Europe. We also had a great time last time at ETEF, we prefer this type of festival, not too big, but where the contact with the public is stronger.
How do you experience and perceive concerts as a musician? Do you enjoy them? Do you also enjoy them as a visitor? For example, I was very sad during the Covid when it was all closed. Death metal is music that has to be played on stages. That's where its power shines through the most. What do concerts mean to you?
Tommy: Being on stage is the best place to be for a rock musician, as it is the true reason why music is made. Every stage has its own charm, we love playing in big festivals, but even more we love a more intimate dimension. Personally, I love going to concerts, as well as to the theatre in general, and I try to go as often as possible. The experience of art lived by the real is unique, and can not be replaced by any technology.
You put out great records, you play shows. Moreover, you are in great shape, you are not afraid to continue to develop your talent, you are looking for new ways. Is there anything else you want to achieve? Do you have a dream, a vision of where you want SADIST to go in the future?
Tommy: As long as we have something interesting to say as a band, we will keep playing. Sadist is a small job that gives us a lot of satisfaction, but it requires a lot of work and energy. Our goal is to play good concerts and make good records, nothing special.
I'd be interested to know what death metal and music in general means to you. Is it a hobby, a relaxation or a lifestyle? Feel free to get philosophical with this question. Why do you enjoy playing this particular style?
Tommy: As previously stated, I don't think of music as a genre. I am primarily a musician and a music worker, and Sadist allows me to express the Rock Side of my musical personality. I love Rock, Metal, but I also love producing artists of different genres in the studio. In Italy it’s almost impossible to live on music just playing death metal, but Trevor and I were lucky enough, or maybe even good enough, to be able to make our passion, music, a 360 degree work.
What are SADIST planning in the next few months? Do you have any message for fans, labels, promoters? If you have something on your mind, here is the space...
Tommy: There will be some festivals in the summer and then in the fall we’ll be touring Europe with a couple of very cool bands. In the meantime we are preparing some surprises that will see the light towards the end of this year, and then, 2026, is the thirtieth anniversary of Tribe, and we are thinking about something special.
Thank you so much for the interview. I've finished my wine and now I'll have a beer with your permission. "Something to Pierce" is playing over and over again and I have to say it's really great music! Thanks a lot for it! I wish the band continued success and I look forward to more records from you. May your personal lives prosper as well! SADIST RULES!
Tommy: Thanks a lot for Your support! See you soon in Czech Republic!
about SADIST on DEADLY STORM ZINE:
Recenze/review - SADIST - Something to Pierce (2025):
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