The Italian death metal duo Encelado are in this week’s Meet The Band spotlight. They just released their debut EP Pillars Of Creation. Guitarist/bassist Demien introduces us to his band.
Chad Bowar: Give us a brief history of Encelado.
Demien: Me and Simone (vocalist) discussed several times about making some music together. However, since I was busy with my former and main band Pulvis Et Umbra before the Covid era then I focused on post production and working on other releases, I started writing some demo materials in 2024. Once I got enough material to record an EP, me and Simone started to focus on the structure of the song and his vocal line. Finally, between December 2024 and February 2025, all vocals were recorded and the EP was mixed. In the meantime I was already in touch with Scott at ClawHammer PR who showed interest in promoting our project.
Describe the songwriting process for Pillars Of Creation.
The songwriting was totally different from my thrash/death background played in other bands. This time I studied a different approach of death metal school (for example, the main riff of “Dark Nebulas” is taken from an Arabian scale, a solution already used by All Shall Perish in their album The Price Of Existence. Title track “Pillars Of Creation” pays tribute to Dying Fetus. Basically all guitars, bass and samples are home recorded. The contribution of two different drummers who are both into the extreme metal stuff was also helpful, especially to work on the final structure of each song. It’s not a concept EP, I’m just a fan of cosmos/space exploration. Once the music was recorded, I wrote the lyrics plus shared with Simone my ideas of the vocal line and he did the rest of the job.
What will be your strongest memory of the recording of the album?
Knowing that something recorded for “make music between friends” reached an unexpected audience.
What was the biggest challenge in its creation?
First of all approach a different songwriting especially in terms of guitars (no solos/arpeggios, different setup, etc.) and of course keep in mind to set a deadline, especially when you’re working with other people.
How would you characterize its style/sound?
Nothing new in terms of extreme metal (I would lie in saying the contrary). However, if you’re fan of bands like Aborted, All Shall Perish, Cannibal Corpse, etc. and you’d love to to give us a listen, feedback could be important and constructive for us.
What lyrical topics do you cover?
Space exploration, death, artificial intelligence, inner thoughts.
What are your goals and expectations for the album?
Finding a PR company and YouTube channels who want to promote us were already two big goals that must not be taken for granted. Time will tell if Encelado will deserve more or not.
Do you have plans to play live?
No. I quit touring experience just before Covid and I don’t miss it.
How did you get started in music?
I was 10/11 years old and my sister Cri came back home from a school vacation in the UK with a tape from Metallica (The Black Album). I made up a ESP Explorer with paper and performed in playback while my father was having dinner. He said, “maybe we should get you a real one,” and that’s how it began.
Who were your early influences and inspirations?
’80s hard rock/heavy metal and of course Bay Area thrash. Being more specific: Metallica, Judas Priest, Wasp, Motley Crue, Racer X, Deep Purple, Yngwie Malmsteen, Helloween, In Flames, Children Of Bodom,
What was the first metal concert you attended?
It was surely a local band in a pub we used to attend once I got my driving license in 2000. I would say could be one of these three acts: Endless Pain, Hand Of Doom, Embryo.
What are some of your non-musical interests and hobbies?
I like to travel a lot, read books, chill and also do some fitness. Occasionally wine and beer tasting also.
What is currently in your musical heavy rotation?
I have a playlist with mix of metal and not-metal stuff, but my primary heavy rotation includes Darkane, We Butter The Bread With Butter, Dark Tranquillity, Dimmu Borgir, Born Of Osiris, Animals As Leaders, Opeth, Old Man’s Child, Walls Of Jericho, Unearth, Killswitch Engage, In Flames, White Lion, Architects, Gorgoroth, Dark Funeral, Cattle Decapitation, Scar Simmetry, Metallica, Periphery, Tesseract, etc.
Anything else you’d like to mention or promote?
You can order our EP “Pillars Of Creation” here. Get in touch on Instagram. Thanks to Heavy Music HQ for the interview and additional thanks to Clawhammer PR.
(interview published May 3, 2025)
