1)When did Valkiria first start out, Who formed the band?

I started playing Black metal in a band in my own town called Obscure Devotion, after few months I quit that band 'cause of a different sound attitude, so in september 1996 I created Valkiria's project. I didn't choose to be a one man band, I just realized, at that time, I would never found some good musician with the same music feelings. In October 1997 I produced the first demo tape titled "The narrow bed" with the help of Walter Basile who programmed the drum (through an Amiga 500), during the recording Cabal (Obscure Devotion) joined us to record the backing vocals. In one day (over 12  continuous hours)  we recorded all the 4 songs in a studio located in Pompei. At the end of recording, I was very satisfied with what I created, even if The narrow bed didn't get much success.

2)How many demos/promos releases have Valkiria released?

After "The narrow bed" was out, I kept busy composing riffs on riffs, so I had many songs ready to be recorded, but I tended to procrastinate the recordings of the new work 'cause I was waiting for the right chance…so I just recorded all songs on an old tape recorder. It took me eight years to take the time to listen to it again, that way I created "Thur kuarankharn sthorn" in 2004. Something happened in my mind, 'cause in the follow three years, I recorded three new albums. In 2005 Epika with Quirino at the keyboards, in 2006 Blood on blood,  Mancan was the new singer, and in 2007 "Of dreams and pain" with Mancan and Cabal again with us at the vocals.

3)Who are the members of Valkiria and what do they do in the band?

In this moment the band is: Valkiria instruments and voice, Mancan voice, Omar Stevan drums.

4)Any members involved in previous bands?

Mancan is the leader founder of Ecnephias and Omar play drums with Azathoth.

5)Any side projects on the go?

From 2000 to 2003 I exclusive play in a dark-gothic project called 41Chains, under this monicker I recorded three albums: "Deads everywhere" 2001, "Deathlove" 2002, "To shrink into oneself" 2003. WE have a my space http://www.myspace.com/41chains

6)Where are Valkiria based?

I live in Vicenza in the north east of Italy, Omar live in a small town not far from here, and Mancan live in Potenza my hometown, in Lucania south Italy.

7) Who writes the music and, what influences this?

Our style has changed during our career, so it easy to perceive the difference between the first cd and the most recent one,  every album is always a step forward.

I'm the one who writes the music and the lyrics, I get many influences especially from bands like early Katatonia, Anathema, Paradise Lost, October Tide. I've tried over these years to personalize the sound, I think that Valkiria even not being so original, has become well known by most of our fans, since our style is recognizable among any other metal bands.

8)Who writes the lyrics, what influences this?

In my lyrics I talk about different things, so in Thur kuarankharn sthorn and Epika, I talked about Mharvelle that's a fantastic world created by my fantasy. In "blood on blood" and "Of dreams and pain", I talked about life, sorrow and death…

9) Is there any other influences that Valkiria have?

Every album I wrote was influenced by different elements, first of all my life experience, even if I try to escape from reality when I write my songs… I usually feel when I'm inspired to write some good material, so I immediately put my guitar jack into my Pc, once I've obtained the first lead riff, I build around it the rest of the song. I've recorded many tracks this way, but most of the times I have a hard time choosing what to keep and what to put aside.

10)What style or styles of music would Valkiria best describe their music?

Most people say Valkiria is a gothic metal band. I think any musician wouldn't like to be described by a simple adjective which would appear to be reductive, but it's not a problem to me.

It seems like everybody needs a definition for any kind of band, anyway, I see my music as something like… Dark Atmospheric Metal.

11)Name 3 bands Valkiria would be honoured to tour or play live with?

First of all Katatonia :  'cause as I've already said they are a great inspiration to me,

Ac/dc:   'cause they are no doubt my favourite band ever, and why not Iron Maiden cause I think they are the most important metal band.

12)What is the proudest moment in your careers so far?

So far we didn't live memorable events. We just play to live in a better way than the other people who don't have this ability. I feel I'm lucky for this and if you consider my life style, because I refuse every special moment, either negative or positive! This could be the reason why, I never searched for the proudest moment, that  moment which could break the balance.

13) What would be the best thing that could happen to Valkiria right now?

A famous producer could use one of our songs in any kind of movie, it would be awesome…obviously according to  what I've just said, I'm supposed to refuse the offer … ahah.

14)Do Valkiria get much external help, if so in what way? 

We have no labels, no manager, no such things, we only promote our band in the internet, and at the moment it seems to work!

15)Any plans in the pipeline, such as new recordings and or playing live for example?
We're working on a new album, most probably  it will be named:  Upon this earth;  as far as the composing part is concerned, we are almost done. Pretty soon Omar will get into the studio to record the drums on the 10 tracks that I will choose among those we already have.  It  will be out on  September 2008.  This album is on a more mature level compared to the previous ones, even though is not too far from those as far as the sound is concerned. Last but not least there will be a real  drummer not the computer as we used to have.   

16)Is there anything Valkiria would like to say to there fans?
Keep up to support us!