Symphonic death metal elementals GODVIA has been around for quite sometime, releasing several pieces of works, including an upcoming album out real soon. The band gives us the talk about this newer music coming out and what else is in-store for them.
1. Please tell us about of the history of the band and its members.
Godiva is a quintet band that was formed in Famalicão, Portugal in 1999. They released their first recording, a promotional CD called "Tales to be Untold," in 2000. This was followed by the EP "Traces of Irony" in 2002 and "Spiral" in 2007.
After a period of 11 years without performing, Godiva returned to the stage with a new lineup and sound. They made their comeback with a memorable concert at Vagos Metal Fest, accompanied by an orchestra of approximately 50 musicians. They also played a sold-out show at the Hard Rock Café Porto, showcasing their new sound to their fans.
2. What’s the origin of the band’s name?
Several years ago, the project now known as Godiva originally had the name Lilith. The team decided to switch to a name inspired by a strong female figure from history or mythology. Some members of the group at the time were drawn to the story of Lady Godiva and the values it represented, and so the name was changed to Godiva. The rest is history.
3. Where is your band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?
Godiva is from Porto, a city in Portugal that has a small but diverse metal music scene. This scene was largely cultivated in DIY rehearsal spaces like Stop, an old abandoned shopping center that was home to a tight-knit community of over 400 musicians. Bands like Gaerea, WEB, Holocausto Canibal, and Equaleft are just a few examples of the groups that rehearsed at this melting pot of musical talent. Unfortunately, there is a threat of this important place being demolished, which could be devastating for the local music community. Let's hope that this threat doesn't come to fruition, at least not soon.
4. Would you would describe your style?
Godiva has a rich history spanning over two decades. Throughout this time, the band's sound has constantly evolved, thanks to the diverse musical tastes of its members. In its current form, the band has incorporated elements of symphonic and death metal, while also maintaining a critical approach to social and psychological issues in their lyrics. Despite the changes in lineup, the band has always aimed to carve out a unique identity and create meaningful music that resonates with listeners.
5. What have you release so far and what can someone expect from your works?
In 2000, our very first recording, a promo-CD titled "Tales to Be Untold," was released. Two years later, in 2002, we released the EP "Traces of Irony," which was recorded at Rec’n’Roll Studios and produced by Rui Danim and Luís Barros (Tarântula). This EP was a significant milestone for our band in the music scene. Five years later, in 2007, we released our album "Spiral," which received excellent reviews both nationally and internationally. This album was recorded at Ultrasound Studios and produced by Daniel Cardoso (Anathema), and it played a major role in the band's consolidation in the Portuguese metal scene, just like our previous EP had done.
6. Do you have any new music in the works?
Our upcoming album, Hubris, to be released this February, marks the return of our band. The theme of the album is centered on exposing the truth and hypocrisy of our current era. The lyrics present an allegory of modern society, depicting the rise of new gods and truths through various forms of media, and what it means to be an individual in these chaotic times. We intentionally wrote the message in a straightforward structure, prioritizing the power of the message rather than using poetic or academic language.
7. How about playing shows and touring, do you have something planned out?
We are eager to share our music with as many people as possible and are planning to tour Europe and other locations. We are still working out the details and trying to understand the current state of the music industry, but if anyone would like us to come and perform in their town, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We would be happy to make it happen.
8. What plans do you have for the future as a band?
After 20 years of being a band, we just want to keep on doing great songs and share our music to anyone that wants to join us in our journey. We do not have a fixed timeline defined, the pandemic proved that it’s not worth it, we plan to continue to evolve and change alongside the industry.
We do not want to be too constrained by the past, or anything, really. We like the freedom to evolve freely, and we cherish all the members taste and contributions, so we expect everything to change in a sort of creative melting pot, which is natural.
Let’s see what the future holds for us…
9. Where do we can listen your band and where we can buy your stuff?
You can finds us, in the standard social media, our website. https://www.godivaofficial.com/. You can get our merch on band camp at https://godivaofficial.bandcamp.com/merch.
10. What is it you’d like a listener to remember the most when hearing your music for the first time?
When a listener hears Godiva's music for the first time, we would like them to remember the unique and dynamic sound of the band. We want our music to stand out and be memorable, as it showcases our passion for creating innovative and exciting music. We hope that listeners will be drawn in by our new lineup and the freshness of our sound and will want to continue exploring our music and following our journey as a band.
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