SLAVE STEEL in an interview

Automatic translation. Improvements are constantly being worked on.

“On the other hand, it is the unknown that gives us freedom.”

Facts:
– Slave Steel was founded in Rome in 2008.
– The band is interested in science, philosophy, art and good food.

The London-based metal band Slave Steel answer our questions in a profound and at the same time very nice interview. We talk to the native Italians about life in the British capital, unknown freedom and much more.

Orkus: Slave Steel is a band from London, but you are originally from Italy. When did you decide to go to England and how did it come about?
Daniele Manganaro: We moved to England in 2014 after graduating and having a great experience in LA at the Musician’s Institute, which made us hungry and curious for more, to learn and see more!
Riccardi Priori: We’ve always loved London and Pil was already living here, so it felt right to join him. We recorded our first album “Entanglement” and jumped on the first flight!

Life in London
O: What are the chances of establishing yourself as a new band in a music metropolis like London these days?
DM: London really is a music metropolis. The competition is enormous, but so is the cooperation between bands, organizers and the press. There are so many options and the underground scene is hot and inviting. With hard work, mutual respect and a lot of patience, anything can happen!

Unknown freedom?
O: Your current album “In Fieri” has a very profound front cover. What topics did you deal with?
Pil Nazar: We could summarize it in one sentence: We cannot ignore the consequences of our actions.
DM: Whoever or whatever exists around us deserves our high regard. But a person who only perceives his own shadow as the only reality known to him is a prisoner of himself. On the other hand, it is the unknown that gives us freedom.

Open Doors
O: Musically, the album is for the most part a strong forward motion. Songs like “Sorry About Death” or “In Fieri” also leave room for atmosphere. What comes first in your songwriting, the music or the content concept?
DM: It really does go hand in hand. It’s more of a layering process, adding details while keeping the big picture in mind. Sometimes we start with a specific section, be it a verse, a riff or even just a topic of discussion. Sometimes we even have a whole song. But we always let our communication skills guide the process. And no matter how well formed an idea is, we like to keep as many doors open as possible.

About the Atom?
O: The video for “Wake up the Atom” reflects the lyrics to the song and your overall concept very well. Do you make sure that everything fits together?
DM: Writing and recording the video for “Wake up the Atom” was a real challenge and we couldn’t have enjoyed it more! We spent a lot of time talking about the concept behind it as we put together the music, titles, lyrics and graphics. At the same time, we visited the location, wrote down the storyboard and arranged the logistics.
PN: It’s our biggest production to date and has taken us so many baby steps, but it also feels like it all happened at once.

In the making
O: Finally, what does the album title “In Fieri” mean?
PN: It’s a Latin expression that means “in progress”, “becoming”. It is a title that well represents a dual but intertwined meaning: the ongoing and much-needed evolution both as individual humans and as a world collectivity. You could say that it is a dynamic, optimistic view of the present and the future.

Sam Oeder

Line-up:
Pil Nazar – vocals
Daniele Manganaro – guitar
Marco Agosta – bass
Riccardi Priori – drums

Watch the clip for “2 Hours” here: