The Italian post metal scene has long celebrated the distinctive sounds of RISE ABOVE DEAD. After a period of reflective hiatus, the group is set to return with not just a redefined sound but also an entirely new line-up that promises to elevate their sonic experience.
Joining this new chapter for the band are Danny Calleri, known from Total Recall and Ex L’Oceano Sopra, taking the helm as the new drummer; and Andrea Galliverti, previously a part of ThreestepstotheOcean and Last Minute to Jaffna, grooving in as the bass player. Both bring a fresh and dynamic touch to the band’s renowned sound, ensuring fans old and new will be in for a treat.
But as new members come in, it’s essential to pay homage to those who laid the groundwork. The band sends out heartfelt gratitude to the previous rhythm section—Luca and Diego. Their dedication and contributions to RISE ABOVE DEAD‘s music journey have been monumental. While the future beckons the band with new opportunities, their legacy remains an integral part of the story.
But, what’s a comeback without a live performance? RISE ABOVE DEAD is all set to showcase their new line-up and sound on November 5th at the esteemed Slaughter Club. The event, titled “WFR NIGHT,” promises to be a musical extravaganza, with RISE ABOVE DEAD sharing the stage with the likes of Nero di Marte, Juggernaut, Benthos, and Void Prophet.
And there’s more—the band is currently in the process of creating new songs, teasing fans with a new sound direction that they plan to introduce in their forthcoming productions. They have their sights set on starting pre-production by next spring.
For those eager to experience their sound evolution, their Bandcamp remains a hub for their previous masterpieces: Rise Above Dead on Bandcamp.
In 2020, the band released an evocative album, “Ulro.” This masterwork is not just an exploration of sound but a profound journey into the complexities of human experience.
Diving into the thematic depths of the album, “Ulro” is a concept creation inspired by William Blake’s intricate mythology and visions.
The album maps the realm of Ulro, a kingdom crafted and governed by one of the four Zoas birthed from the division of the immaculate primordial man, Albion. At its helm is Urizen, emblematic of reason in its stark confrontation with faith. However, this figure of logic is trapped, unable to comprehend creativity, self-expression, or open-mindedness—remaining chained to his own limitations, consumed by envy.
The world of Ulro is a bleak one, devoid of values and ethics. It’s a land saturated with pain, bound by constraints, where feelings of inadequacy and the relentless anxiety of societal acceptance permeate. It’s a realm where the interests of the dominant overshadow all else, a terrain of the “living dead,” where false idols are worshiped and abstractions are confused for primary needs.
And yet, in this haunting representation, the band captures a sentiment all too familiar, as Ulro becomes an allegory for our world, where every day is a battle for self-expression and the preservation of free thought.
Back in 2015, we had the pleasure of sitting down with the band and discussing their new release. At that time, they had just released “Heavy Gravity“, an album that showcased their evolution from their previous works “Stellar Filth” and “Human Disintegration“.