Metal Shock Finland (World Assault )

SOULS OF DIOTIMA, is a female fronted Power symphonic-progressive Metal band from Sardinia (Italy)… these Guys are maybe still unknown to big metal scenes and wide stages, but they’re heading forward with full speed and with their serious attitude and pure passion for the music! Some days ago I had a chat with Renato Pinna, the guy behind the band’s bass and growl vocals…

Hi Renato, welcome to Metal Shock! Souls of Diotima was formed in 2004 Sardinia (Italy). Please, present me your band members, and tell me what was the initial kick to form the band?

-Hi Tarja! Hi Guys! The band was founded by myself and my brother Giorgio. Our aim was to raise a serious band that had the desire and preparation to achieve major breakthroughs, with great dedication and sacrifices. After several lineup changes, we have achieved the stability in 2007-2008 with Claudia Barsi (Vocal), Marco Fozzi (Guitars), Salvatore Moretta (Guitars), Andrea Pinna (Keyboards), Renato Pinna (Bass, Growl Vocals) and Giorgio Pinna (Drums).

And what about the band’s name, where you took the input for Souls of Diotima?

-The name was given by Giorgio, and as a lover and a student of philosophy he wanted to give a name that reflects his knowledge and his philosophical culture, and so was born the name “Souls of Diotima” which recalls the priestess of the Symposium of Platone.

What bands have influenced you the most?

-Each of us has different influences, who’s more prone to progressive metal, some to power metal, Symphonic metal, trash, etc. ..I think this is a feature of our strength, that is, not only focusing on one genre, but ranging all over, and creating e new metal style, so we’re not the usual gothic metal with female vocals. Among various influences, the main are Angra, Dream Theater, Epica, Stratovarius, Symphony x, Nightwish.

Tell me about your experiences at “Sanremo Rock Festival” which has been among the first festivals you’ve participated.

-In those years, (2005), the festival was a big contest between bands from all over Italy, I think it was the first time that we performed on a big stage out of Sardinia.

And if talking now about all other festivals and contests… which one, to your opinion, has been the most significant for your carreer?

-We have played in various places in Italy but also outside of it. Our latest show was on 19th of April, as an opening act, for Obituary, on their one-off Italian date, in Bologna, and then, June 25 we will open for Hatebreed, on their one and only show in Italy. We’ve a plan to play in various festivals and concerts throughout Europe, so keep an eye on our Facebook  or Myspace . We always try to aim for major events to enhance our visibility, as to open the concerts for major bands.

In 2007 Claudia Barsi joined the band, as female vocalist. How it changed, if any, your genre?

-Yes, with the entry of Claudia, we were born again, there was a huge leap in quality, and we moved much more closer to a metal genre than before, in fact, we like to say that the real Souls of Diotima was born in 2007.

Tell me about your songwriting process, music-and-lyric-wise…

-Usually our songs come out from my twisted mind, but also Salvatore and Andrea are contributing, one of us carries a song in the studio or some riffs which are then arranged with the whole band, the lyrics are all written by Giorgio.

I’ve been to Sardinia once, it’s a very beautiful island with lots of nature and awesome landscapes… how metal fits in there? and what about the venues?

-In Sardinia there are many good metal bands, but there is the problem of living on an island, being so much isolated from the rest of the world. Recently, many organizations are born to promote metal events, for example, this summer, there will be great events with important bands, as Sepultura, Hatebreed, Labyrinth and Extrema. Another problem are the venues, there are not many of them, and most importantly, the venue managers are not at all professional in their work.

At the beginning of 2008 you released your self-produced debut album, “Souls Machine”, and this year came out your second full-lenght “Maitri”, tell me about these two albums and their differences.

-“Souls Machine” was a job done with the head of some boys who had the desire to show that they can do well as newcomers, but it was done just for fun, and with the absolute lack of professionalism and therefore the album does not represent us at our best. “Maitri” is our first real creature, it is an album born and created with the heart but also with much sweat and toil, in “Maitri” can be feel our whole soul and all our desire to do great things in our work!

So, last year you signed with Casket Copro Record and Alkemist Fanatix Europe. How it changed your life?

-Yeah, the contract with Casket Copro Records allowed us to promote and advertise “Maitri” in the best way around the world, significantly increasing media exposure and visibility.  Our album is available and buyable worldwide, thanks to Copro Records. Alkemist helps us a lot on promotion and works for our most important concerts. We are very satisfied for the work they are doing.

Still remaining in 2010, you were contacted by Rock TV to play live in one episode of “Sala Prove”. Tell me about this experience…

-It was a new experience for us, because it was the first time we were in the front of a camera in an important television studio. It was great fun, a cool experience 🙂

The year 2010 saw you also playing in London, as your debut performance outside of Italy. How was it?

– To be the first time we played outside of Italy was a very nice experience. We saw a seriousness and professionalism that you do not see here in Italy. Even though  the influx of people was not so huge, the Britsh welcomed us well. London is so fucking cool!

And yet, on October 2010 your single “Killing My Enemies” was chosen for a compilation, produced in Los Angeles. How you’re feeling about it?

-Knowing the fact, that a compilation, which has one of our single in it, can be found on the best streets of Los Angeles, it feels really cool! …but apart from that, it was an opportunity to increase our visibility and to promote our music to as many people as possible!

Last december you played with DGM… how was it to share the stage with them?

First of all, I am a big fan of DGM, they are talented guys with whom we have created a relationship that goes beyond the professional level. I think they are one of the best Italian metal bands, and to share the stage with them was very nice and funny! It was really a great show!

So, we can consider 2010 as your real break through, or what do you think? 🙂

-Yes absolutely! 2010 was a year of great surprises and initiatives, we have reached important objectives and we managed to finish the recordings on Maitri, in the best possible way. It was definitely a year of a great breakthrough.

And what next? what are your plans for this year?

-We are already working on a next album, that will be full of surprises, we’ve got a big news! 🙂 This year we are planning and setting many dates to promote “Maitri”… Indeed, this will be a year of great activities! 🙂

And to conclude, now the word is yours… what are your greetings to our readers?

-First of all, I take this opportunity to thank all our fans who follow us and who have bought the album! I say “hello” to all the readers of Metal Shock, and we hope to play someday even for you in Finland! Nähdään pian guys XD \m/

Thanks Renato, for this interview. May the good winds follow your way… Stay Metal \m/

-Thank you so much for interviewing us! hope to meet again soon and…STAY METAL! FOREVER \m/

Interview by Tarja Virmakari – Photos by dAddA

Souls of Diotima – Killing My Enemies (OFFICIAL VIDEOCLIP)