BAND OF THE WEEK-Infernal Opera

Introducing...INFERNAL OPERA!!

Propelling from their performances in Southern California during NAMM Weekend (At The House Of Metal in Santa Ana) with Uli Roth and Heretic, Pennsylvania's INFERNAL OPERA has unleashed their long awaited, and highly anticipated Debut CD, Emissary Of Steel. 

The band creates musical scores that include a mixture of lyrics which run a gamut of deep and intellectually stimulating, to frightening and fantastic. With full-bodied rhythms, these epic tracks are as captivating as they are distinct. The band's style is clearly 'American', yet with a 'European' power edge, welded through and through with respect to the traditional elements of Judas Priest and Mercyful Fate, the early Thrash roots of Slayer and Kreator as well as the classic doom and darkness of Black Sabbath. Their arrangements demonstrate a platform of diversity and perceptiveness. INFERNAL OPERA actualizes their ability to sculpt songs that listeners will 'feel' while experiencing the odyssey of each piece. Four instrumentalists provide support and backing vocals, acting as dark and powerful support for the eclectic Lead Vocals. They combine to crate an 'Other-Worldly' relationship which manifests alluring melodies, bellowing cries, and shredding screams that release the intensity, dwelling deep within each INFERNAL OPERA Track. 

Since May of 2011 this Metal Machine has swiftly been moving forward, gaining momentum both artistically and in popularity, staying true to their uncompromising vision and tireless work ethic.

Quotes about the Album:

“ I like it! … I’m a sucker for the female vocals and the male reminds me of Howie from Heretic/Metal Church…. Good, classic METAL. Sounds like I reached into my old CD collection.”

~ Bill Metoyer (A&R Director, Metal Blade Records. Producer: WASP, Slayer, Fates Warning, Cirith Ungol, Lizzy Borden, Armored Saint, Death Angel, COC, Sacred Reich, DRI, The Mentors, Morbid Angel, and countless others….)

“It rocks! Very cool Power Metal with very well placed blasts of Thrash and Speed! Like the band name suggests, an aggressive operatic vocal style! I enjoyed it immensely!”

~ Tom Lorenzo (Blood Feast)

INFERNAL OPERA is:

Volpe Vetrano: Lead Vocals

Michael Alberque: Drums, Vocals

Derek Harris: Bass, Backing Vocals

Aaron Celsus: Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals

Randy Gonce: Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals

Question 1: What three things would you tell someone that has never been to an Infernal Opera show to entice/convince them to come to one of your shows?

I’d say the visual performance. Although it’s difficult (with time/room constraints, and house lighting tech) to actualize anything that even resembles our ‘full stage show’, we have been able to implement a ‘down scaled’ version. Going to a show is about SEEING the performance. After all, that’s what it is: A performance. I’ve always been attracted to bands that do more than the standard running around and head-banging. Don’t get me wrong, that’s also very important. But it goes beyond just the energy (of which we have PLENTY of). It’s a theatrical performance. Live performances are visual. Especially now, with local scenes and their shows struggling to survive, and bands trying so diligently to earn support, when people come out and spend their time/money we want to leave them with that little-bit extra. Give the guests a reason to do more than just press ‘play’ on the computer, etc. Hell, people only have so much time/money to spend supporting. They deserve more than just getting to watch people playing music. Give them a SHOW. They should have a shot at being part of something memorable, or at least something a bit different than they can get at every other show happening on a particular night.

We have a genuine love for what we do, appreciation for all who attend, and respect the bands/clubs/promoters involved. That comes across when we perform. It’s more than just being ‘in the zone’, during our performance. It’s a mindset. All those people involved are our life’s blood. We are there because THEY are there. Without ‘them’ there would be no ‘us’ and of course, no ‘we’. It’s not as symbiotic as some would think. We are one. Some just realize it, and behave as such.  It’s about getting together to participate in something joyous together. What happens on stage is no more meaningful than what goes on everywhere else in the club. Is this a ‘hobby’ for us? Not by a long shot. 2 members live in Delaware, 1 in Philly, Allentown, and NY State. If this were a hobby we’d all remain close to home. Is it ‘work’? Sure it is, but it’s like LOVING our ‘job’.  That comes across when we play live, and go to see shows. If we are feeling gratitude, those who attend will feel that we’re feeling it. That’s the kind of ‘energy’ we produce. “Without you, we’re nothing.” We’ll always remember that.

I still don’t like reducing it to this and am often criticized for doing so, but still. It happens to be the truth. We in the local music community are our own economic system. Whether we admit it or not, we ALL eat from the same table. Coming to see Infernal Opera is supporting a band whose members not only eat from the plate, but also add to it. We pay into our economic system with time and money. We do far more than all that ‘rah-rah, metal family’ BS, clicking ‘like’ and leaving superficial comments. We PHYSICALLY support the scene, clubs, promotions, and bands that do the same. We go to shows, pay the cover, buy merch, etc. We do it consistently, and have since this our journey started. We don’t ‘talk’ a good a game, only to hang in a clique or make excuses as to why we are absent. We ‘pay it back and forward’. Life happens, but unless it intervenes, we always reciprocate, and most definitely keep our word.  How can we, or anyone expect to reap the benefits (eat from the table) of a local scene, while not adding to it for OTHERS to reap? Many have a ‘take-take-take’ attitude. We support the scenes and all involved so that we too, have a scene in which to exist. Supporting those who do not do the same is supporting the PROBLEM and not the solution. So yes, this is a reason to support us. We return the support. That’s what ‘Families’ do.

Question 2: What are three future goals of Infernal Opera?

As strange as this may sound, our goals haven’t changed all that much. Basically it’s repeating the same processes, just in a larger area. Sure, it’s almost impossible to drive 7 hours to a new market in support of a show (and all involved), but we successfully navigate that conundrum (as you can see from our current gig schedule).

We’ll simply continue relationship building. That’s really how to achieve success these days. Yes, for every 1 solid relationship we develop, we’ll likely waste time and effort on 9, but that’s how it goes. We concentrate on the process not the result. The results are a byproduct of the process. As long as we stay true, honorable, and consistent all will work out for the best.

Some short term ‘tangible’ goals: solidifying our 2013 gig schedule, reciprocating (supporting shows and gig swapping), implementing additional portions of our stage show, and prepping material for our 2nd release. We already have 3 tracks ‘scratched’. With 3 more ready to go and 2 ‘in progress’, I’d imagine we’ll begin recording late 2013.

You can find out more about Infernal Opera through the following websites:

www.infernalopera.com

www.facebook.com/infernalopera

www.reverbnation.com/infernalopera

www.youtube.com/infernalopera

www.twitter.com/infernalopera

www.myspace.com/infernalopera

www.metal-archives.com/bands/Infernal_Opera/3540359175

www.youtube.com/infernalopera

*Sidenote: They are currently in the final stages of their new video that should be done by Sunday. I will be posting the link for the video on here as soon as it is completed!