Interview by Jeger
Black Metal is the only Genre I know of that boasts music with such a high degree of cultural influence/significance – a way through music to bestow upon the taker a vision of different times, of a different world – one unblemished by the blight of modernity. Times when life held more meaning, days went by slower and history was in the making. Real formative history, not just a timeline marking our technological progress. In the Marche region of Italy, History is beholden to pedigree, the family Institution of rule and the local lore is steeped in both Witchery and Lycanthropy. A natural breeding ground for true Black Metal and Hesperus of the Italian Black Metal project, Hesperia, has proven to be sagely in both conceptual and compositional enterprises.
To truly appreciate Hesperia, one must also appreciate literature, cinema, and music, as all three have inspired Hesperian recordings. Complete immersion is the idea, to be helpless against the experience. Weightlessly adrift one moment and weighed down by sheer drama the next: ghastly narrations, scintillating atmospheric elements and the feeling that you’re right there in the heart of the beast. A bold new chapter in the tale of Hesperia – the country that history did remember and eventually altered into the Italy we know today. But its foundation is legendary, its characters are rich and the outcome? One outcome to be considered is Hesperia’s latest LP, “Picenum (True Marchigian Black Metal Renaissance)”, set for an August 28 release via Hammerheart Records. During my latest interview for This is Black Metal. Hesperus of Hesperia discusses his early influences, the History and lore surrounding his homeland, the current state of BM, and the new album in depth.
This Is Black Metal: Hails Hesperus! And welcome to This is Black Metal. Most people aren’t aware of the fact that Hesperia was birthed back in 1997, which makes it a pioneering Italian Black Metal establishment. What was your vision for Hesperia back then and what are your values as a Black Metal entity today?
Hesperus: Hails to TIBM! Before 1997, I was part of Sulphuria – an Italian Black Metal band that used Italian lyrics. I left to found Hesperia with the goal of creating a project that combined Italian (and/or Latin) sung Black Metal with culturally Italic themes. Back then, it was fundamental for me to create something that sounded like nothing else; both in terms of style and composition. Although I obviously had influences, the goal was to erase every trace of them. What came out of that process was my first album: a very challenging record, completely out of touch with the era in which it was created and quite tough to listen to.
TIBM: Inspiration had to come from somewhere, though it’s a bit difficult to pin it down with your music, as it stands in such unique form. Who/what were your main influences regarding forming Hesperia?
Hesperus: At the time (1997), Hesperia was born inspired by “Blood Fire Death” era Bathory onward as a concept of cultural identity obviously tailored to my own roots, especially regarding my early albums dedicated to the Aeneid and ancient Rome. Another core influence was Satyricon’s “Dark Medieval Times”, specifically for its ability to fling open temporal gates to distant eras.
Over time, various other influences were integrated into the sound. Not only musical, but also drawn from theatre, cinema and beyond. Additionally, for every album, inspiration stems directly from the specific subject I immerse myself in and the locations I write about. I personally visit and spend time in these places, absorbing their atmosphere first-hand to channel it into the music.
Hesperia
TIBM: The Marche Region of Italy is steeped in colorful history, particularly regarding the Da Varano name – a Dynasty that ruled the City of Camerino along with its surrounding lands and was responsible for rebuilding the city following its sacking by Manfred of Sicily. What is it about their legacy that inspires you the most?
Hesperus: What fascinates me most about the Da Varano dynasty is how deeply native they were to this land. Unlike other noble houses like the Malatesta or Montefeltro, they were not outside rulers, but a lineage born and rooted in the very heart of the Picenum and Camerino hinterland.
They embodied the pure resilience of these people; rebuilding their homeland stone by stone and establishing a mountain realm fortified by castles between the Apennines and the Adriatic Sea. To me, they perfectly represent the fierce, rugged and isolated spirit of the Picenum region; an energy and a genius loci that I strive to channel directly into my music.
TIBM: In 1375, the Cursed League – a group formed by the Da Varanos and other Lords of the region rebelled against the Catholic Church due to heavy taxation, among other reasons. The Catholic religion is very prominent to this day within the Marche Region. This obviously wouldn’t sit well with many Black Metal Artists, but you don’t seem to possess the same level of disdain for the religion as some of your counterparts. How do you feel about the weight of Catholicism in Marche or just religion in general?
Hesperus: To be honest, I’m not really interested in discussing religion in the modern sense of the word. For a long time, on my albums dealing with the pre-Roman and Roman eras, I focused on the “religion of the Romans”, which we can consider the truly native Italic spirituality along with various nuances of pre-Roman belief systems. Moving into the Middle Ages, on my last two albums, I highlighted specific friction points instead: our own Cecco d’Ascoli, who was investigated by the Inquisition and burned at the stake as a heretic and of course the Da Varano family, who at one point rebelled against the Church alongside what was labeled the “Cursed League” (which the Church defined as something anti-Christian; referring to them as “rebellious serpents”). I don’t feel it’s necessary to add anything more explicit in the lyrics beyond these events, which really speak for themselves. The cold truth of history makes its point clearly without the need for stadium-style anti-Christian chants (though this is certainly not a matter of fearing potential censorship).
There are ways to critique what the Church did during the Middle Ages that I consider far more mature than mere blasphemy for its own sake. Black Metal can be a much more cultured and subtle vehicle for critique, rather than just a contest of shouting profanities. The Pagan Black Metal scene itself, from which Hesperia originates, has taught us a lot in this regard. Regarding the last part of your question: overall, the influence of the Catholic religion is quite evident across all of Italy, not just in the Marche region. Central Italy in particular was historically even more deeply affected, as it was under the direct rule of the Papal States. On one hand, I see this history as something that provides remarkable dark inspiration for viscerally somber themes (just think of the Medieval Inquisition, which even inspired the name of an overseas band, as well as countless Black Metal bands that built tracks around the brutality of that concept). On the other hand, I completely understand that Black Metal is often viewed as something to be avoided or censored by society, precisely because of its destructive nihilism toward bland moralism.
However, I have noticed that things are shifting a bit nowadays here. Consider that I was recently interviewed by a mainstream local newspaper, despite playing Black Metal. We have to take into account a natural generational turnover: the young Black Metal fan of yesterday might very well be today’s local administrator, journalist or professional. However, as I mentioned earlier, my own way of feeling aligns with a Third Way – a path that predates both Christianity and anti-Christianity by many centuries. It is the path of our native Tradition, rooted in the heritage of our ancestors.
TIBM: You’re set to release your brand new LP, “Picenum (True Marchigian Black Metal Renaissance)” on August 28 via Hammerheart. This is a comprehensive LP to say the least. How would you describe the writing/recording process?
Hesperus: I usually start from themes that I’ve not only studied, but truly experienced. I visit the actual places, absorb their atmosphere and try to relive those legends or historical events, allowing myself to go on a sort of dreamlike, shamanic journey. After that, I write the music. The process relies heavily on improvising with various instruments, which gradually weave together and (once refined) become a complete track.
On my recent albums, this process of improvising across different instruments has allowed me to approach composition not as a solo artist, but rather as a full band where each member contributes their own distinct layer. Finally, I write the lyrics based on the very themes that inspired the music in the first place.
TIBM: Do you ever feel like Hesperia would benefit from a full line-up, or is creative control paramount?
Hesperus: Hesperia is an ideal conceptual project deeply rooted in personal research. A permanent full line-up would risk diluting the vision or force unwanted stylistic compromises. I don’t view Hesperia as a typical Metal or Rock band, but rather as a vehicle to create a Gesamtkunstwerk, a total work of art, which is the ultimate goal. After all, in other art forms like painting, literature or sculpture, you rarely see masterworks created by multiple hands.
Even classical composers were the sole authors of their work, even if those pieces were later performed by entire orchestras. That said, there was a time in the past when I worked with session drummers. Back then, I wanted to turn Hesperia into a duo in the vein of Satyricon or Darkthrone, where the drummer would be a full-fledged member. Due to various circumstances, that never came to pass and over time I realized that the path I’m on right now was the correct one all along.
TIBM: There appears to be a lot more to “Picenum” aside from the Da Varanos and the Cursed League. What are some of the other concepts that you’ve explored through the making of the LP? I understand that Lycanthropy is a fascination of yours.
Hesperus: Certainly. Picenum is a concept album about the Marche region, structured into three distinct parts. The first part focuses on history and dark local legends tied directly to locations near me. Beyond the Da Varano family, it explores places like the Fortress of Pitino with its deconsecrated church and cemetery, as well as the Necromancer’s Roccaccia.
The second part dives into Marchigian folklore and its darker figures, specifically La Sdrega (the Marchigian Witch), Lu Lupu Mannà (the Marchigian Werewolf), and an interlude dedicated to the Mazzamurelli, which are traditional spirits of our region. Finally, the third part acts as a direct continuation of my previous album, focusing entirely on the myths and legends surrounding the Sibillini Mountains.
TIBM: We’re entering into a new age that stands to threaten the dignity of Black Metal as we know it: AI, censorship and so-called fascism that is apparently permeating the Scene. As an Artist who holds history and heritage in the highest regard, what is your stance on contemporary Black Metal as it stands today?
Hesperus: I believe Black Metal possesses its own intrinsic way of existing and expressing itself, entirely independent of external trends or temporary phenomena. Over time, it has shown the capacity to evolve into new sub-currents and blend with outside influences, while simultaneously remaining firmly grounded in its most traditional foundation (the rawest and most authentic core of the genre). Because of this inherent strength, I don’t view any of these factors as a genuine threat or issue.
TIBM: In retrospect, what’s the most valuable experience you’ve had as a Black Metal Artist?
Hesperus: Over time, Black Metal has proven uniquely suited to merging with the most visceral cultural elements, even drawing on local dialects and regional traditions. This has granted me powerful tools to elevate my own territory and the local memories that have accompanied me since childhood, giving me the opportunity to bring them to life in the way that feels most resonant and true to my artistic vision.
TIBM: Do you have a message for the Horde?
Hesperus: Hesperia is a project about Italic culture, exploring its proudest and darkest sides. This approach is built on true, authentic, and real events, much like watching a film based on a true story rather than a fantasy movie. If you are seeking something with this level of depth, Hesperia might just open the gates of time and space for you. Thanks for your time! Thanks to you for the interview! Stay Hesperian!
TIBM: Thanks for your time!