Madness Of Sorrow Rises from the Fallen Ashes

Muriel Saracino got his start with music releasing a debut album with his previous material called Filth Teens. From these ashes became his all new project from Italy called Madness Of Sorrow. This then lead to them releasing their first album "Signs" for FREE online. The frontman behind it all spoke to me about his current project and what and who this Madness Of Sorrow is.

1. So why did you want to go and call the band Madness Of Sorrow?

Muriel: I thought the name was cool in my opinion and it represents exactly who I am and the mood of the music that we want to create.

2. You have an album called "Signs" is this your debut album?

Muriel: Yes this is our first album that Madness Of Sorrow has released but it is NOT my first album ever only because I’d written a debut album back in 2007 called “Filthy Teens”.

3. Your lyrical writing consists of horror movies; gothic fairytales that type of genre why go in this direction?

Muriel: We liked surrounding our material in the horror world whether it’d be movies, fairytales, etc. For me it’s a good way of inspiration when writing the lyrics to these songs.

4. So since you choose to go this route, tell me what is your favorite horror movie and fairytale and why?

Muriel: Bram Stoker's Dracula, Rec 1&2, the stories of E.A. Poe and Lovecraft.

5. If you could create your own horror movie or fairy tale in just 5 words what would it be?

Muriel: I don't want to write fairytales ah ah ah...for the films I say “bloody, violent, dark, and cursed” with a simple screenplay.

6. What inspired the album title? Is it a concept album?

Muriel: I like to call it a “semi concept” album because 4-5 songs have similar contents like the title track and “Radio Death”, “Clowns of the Earth”, and “The Armageddon Song”. The concept itself is based on the Maya prophecies and personal stories. “Signs” to me is a good title because it’s short, simple, and describes exactly what this album is. There are signs out there that we continue to ignore I think maybe one day we’ll pay the consequences.

7. How would you describe the overall sound of the new album?

Muriel: The sound is the right mix of classic heavy metal, dark rock and orchestral instruments used to give to the songs the right dramatic purpose.

8. Did the band have any definitive goals they were shooting for before the recording process began for this album?

Muriel: Yes I wanted to increase my ability in composing and recording the songs. I think I’ve reached that goal. The guys have made good arrangements and we’re all satisfied with the results.

9. When did you start writing for this album?

Muriel: I started writing in January 2009 then came out last October.

10. Can you go into one or two tracks on the new album? If so, can you give us the track title and brief description of how the track sounds and how it came about?

Muriel:  “Miss Suicide” is the first single that I wrote for “Signs” it represented a new light in my inspiration because at the end of 2008, I felt empty. It began from a guitar riff then added keyboards and lyrics of course.

Obviously when Simon, Ross and David heard the demo, they proposed their ideas and the song came out in the way it is now. Another song is "Armageddon Song". The other guys in the band loved it immediately and it remains like the first version that I showed to them.

11. What are your expectations for the CD?

Muriel: We want to invite people to know us throught our music that it's not only dark rock or gothic metal, because we listen tons of different music and you can hear it in the songs.

12. Tell me about your record label W1tch R3cords, you’re the manager of this label and the band is of course signed with them so how did this whole thing come about?

Muriel: W1tch R3cords is a digital metal label that distributes albums all over the world through iTunes, Amazon, and other stores. I founded it two years ago because I wanted to give opportunities to underground Italian metal bands.

Obviously I wanted to release Madness of Sorrow’s music this way because we’re free from labels that can't guarantee anything to musicians.

13. What is the music scene like in Milano?

Muriel: Tragic, like in the rest of Italy ah ah. Madness Of Sorrow, Laura Pausini, Eros Ramazzotti and the rest of underground bands fight for little praise. But bands like Lacuna Coil are more famous to the foreign countries instead of Italy.

14. Any there any bands from Milano that you would recommend?

Muriel: Yeah, Madness of Sorrow...ah ah ah…. No, I’d have to say Scream Baby Scream, is a very good band.

15. Do you have any upcoming tour plans?

Muriel: No, we've opened for Cadaveria but there aren't any more opportunities here, and we have no money to organize a tour. Maybe someday soon something will happen.

16. Anything else you'd like to say or add?

Muriel: A BIG thanks to you and thanks to Barbara that helped me with English (I hope in a right way ah ah) I want to invite your audience to visit our website to listen to our album "Signs", buy merch and join us on Facebook! Greetings from Italy! Horns Up!!!!