Simone Mularoni – Metal Express Radio

VOLKER WALSEMAN (POVERTY’S NO CRIME): “Without The Lockdown, It Would Probably Have Taken Us Longer To Finish The Album”

April 7, 2021 George Dionne

Secrets Revealed German ProgRock act Poverty’s No Crime is celebrating their 30th Anniversary. It was 1991 when the band formed, and it wasn’t long before labels took notice. In 1995 Poverty’s No Crime signed to Inside Out Music for the release of their debut album Symbiosis. From there PNC went on to release 6 studio albums under the Inside Out label before moving to Metaville Records for their 2016 release Spiral of Fear. A Secret to Hide [review] is the latest release by Poverty’s No Crime. I had the chance to speak with guitarist/vocalist Volker Walseman about the new album. Metal Express Radio: If I knew absolutely nothing about Poverty’s No Crime, how would you describe the band’s music to me? Volker Walseman: That is always difficult to answer from one’s own perspective. We all love the music of Iron Maiden, Rush, Dream Theater and Fates Warning. If you mix all that with your individual influences, the Poverty’s No Crime sound comes out. We are melodic, but also heavy and never overly progressive. MER: Your latest album A Secret to Hide is set to be released on May 14, 2021 through Metalville Records. Was this album born out of being locked down from the pandemic or was it delayed to this point because of it? VW: Neither. We actually write new songs all the time. But after the tour with Psychotic Waltz, we tasted blood again. We looked through the existing material and wrote new songs. In the time before Corona we also rehearsed. Of course, that was no longer possible. Without the lockdown, it would probably have taken us longer to finish the album. So it turned out that we all had more time for music. MER: Can you tell us a little bit about each song? “Supernatural” – The …READ MORE

DGM – Tragic Separation

October 27, 2020 Bryce Van Patten

Italian Prog Masters Return Italian Progressive Metal masters DGM have released their long awaited 10th studio album, Tragic Separation and the good news is it’s been well worth the wait. They got the formula right as the band ticks all the boxes of the Progressive Metal genre, but adds more of their own personal identity. DGM is an incredible group of musicians featuring Marco Basile on vocals, Simone Mularoni on all guitars, Andrea Arcangeli on the bass, Emanuele Casali on keyboards and Fabio Costantino on drums. About the Album Right from the start, the album erupts into manic but organized chaos, then crescendos to an epic climax only to change to a ripping cool riff that wouldn’t be out of place on any top Prog Metal album. Tragic Separation shows excellent song construction, strong vocal harmonies expertly layered to great effect. DGM shines here with every musician of soloist caliber, but working in concert to create something very special. The band is progressive, but at the same time knows when to play a straight beat to the ultimate benefit of the song, and the listener. Favorite Tracks Without attempting to sound cliché, every song on the album is a stand out track. From “Flesh and Blood” to “Curtain”, every track has something great to offer the listener. The band knows how to combine foot stomping beats with catchy hooks, peppered with amazing flourishes that remind of the early work of Vai and Sheehan. A resemblance to early Dream Theater in the way the band delivers a mix of heavy riffs with powerful melodies makes this album a real winner. Final Notes Production wise, everything is in it’s proper place as everyone is present in the mix as the vocals shine on top. Tragic Separation hits you in the face on …READ MORE

SIMONE MULARONI (DGM): “It Would Be Hard For Me To Give Away My Music To Someone Else Outside The Band”

October 25, 2020 George Dionne

Italian Progressive Metal with a Story to Tell Tragic Separation [review] is the 10th studio album by the band DGM. Although DGM has seen its share of line up changes since its inception in 1994, the Progressive Metal collective is still stronger than ever. Metal Express Radio spoke with guitarist Simone Mularoni of DGM about their new concept album, their relationship with Frontiers Records, and whether Simon prefers producing to songwriting. Metal Express Radio: If I knew absolutely nothing about DGM, how would you describe the band’s music to me? Simone Mularoni: I think it’s a mixture of heavy Hard Rock and Progressive Metal. A sort of “Journey meets Symphony X” kind of thing… it’s not easy to describe it since we have a lot of different elements and influences, but mainly we like to combine heavy riffs with super melodic vocals. MER: Your latest album Tragic Separation was released on October 9, 2020 through Frontiers Music. DGM describe this album as a concept piece about the choices we make on life’s path. Can you expand upon that? SM: Yeah. All the lyrics were written by Fabio, our drummer. It’s not a “classic” concept like it was for example Operation Mindcrime or Tyranny by Shadow Gallery, but more an interpretation of the journey of life and all the philosophical aspects of it. MER: Without giving away too much about the concept, can you discuss where each song takes us in the story… SM: “Flesh and blood” and “Surrender” represent birth, the beginning. “Fate” and “Hope” speak of the need to detach oneself from one’s roots to seek answers, as if it were ineluctable. “Tragic Separation”, title and fulcrum of the record, the cusp of the path, speaks of the ascertainment of the detachment that leads to the drama of separation. …READ MORE