Usually in the life cycle of any band, it often takes the third album to truly shed any early influences like a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly that flies on their own original path. Such is the case for Italian thrash trio Xenos A.D. through their latest records Reqviem For the Oppressor. Incorporating a lot of late 80s/ early 90s influences from Annihilator, Megadeth and Metal Church to Kreator, Testament, and Voivod, these songs possess a different level of sophistication plus attack that could garner them stronger support. We reached out to vocalist/bassist Ignazio Nicastro to catch up on the recent name change, the development of more acoustic parts to the normal electric proceedings, the topics of war/violence on people that the band explores, favorite shows, underrated thrash bands, heavy music views, world concerns, and future plans.
Dead Rhetoric: Although the band previously was known under the Xenos moniker, a couple of years ago you modified the name to Xenos A.D.. Were there any specific circumstances that took place behind the change – and do you feel like you had to regain momentum, or has it not really affected your fanbase?
Ignazio Nicastro: We decided to add A.D. for reasons related to the uniqueness of the name. The Xenos moniker was used a lot even outside the Metal environment so, in agreement with our label, we decided to change it slightly. In the end we didn’t change much so for our supporters it didn’t represent anything important, on the contrary, many people prefer XENOS A.D. to Xenos.
Dead Rhetoric: The third album Reqviem For The Oppressor represents probably the strongest overall package and presentation on record for the group. What were the songwriting and recording sessions like for this set of material – and where did you want to make things different than the previous two albums?
Nicastro: The compositional process was more or less the same adopted for the two previous albums, I compose the backbone of each single song and then I send everything to the guys. However, I must admit that composing Reqviem For The Oppressor I looked back several times and both Filthgrinder and The Dawn of Ares played a fundamental role in getting to the final result. This third chapter contains elements present in the two previous albums and enhances them to an higher degree whether we are talking about technique or raw thrash violence.
Dead Rhetoric: There seems to be a greater incorporation of acoustic guitar parts from Giuseppe Taormina added to the normal electric proceedings. What was the thought process and decision making like as to where to incorporate those parts – do you believe they add more dynamic flair and musical depth to those tracks?
Nicastro: I have always been a fan of acoustic parts, they give the song a more intimate and reassuring dimension that goes very well with the violence of thrash metal. Think of Annihilator or Testament, both bands have always made extensive use of acoustic guitars and have been able to add an extra dimension to their music. We carefully chose the parts on which to insert the acoustic guitar in order to emphasize certain passages and therefore create a greater contrast with the violence of the song.
Dead Rhetoric: Lyrically aspects of war and its horrors seem to be the focus of Reqviem For the Oppressor. What topics did you want to discuss this go around – and what fuels your inspiration in these topics? A mix of your own thoughts/experiences as well as sources from books, television series, films, documentaries – or other sources?
Nicastro: Reqviem For The Oppressor is not a concept album but, in general, the themes that characterize the lyrics are linked to each other. I took care of writing the lyrics and, as usual, I drew inspiration from what surrounds me and what characterizes the world I live in. To write the lyrics I choose a main topic and then develop it from different points of view in order to be able to touch on different themes while keeping a basic topic. For this new chapter I focused on the violence that over the centuries has oppressed people, whether it be of a religious, political or ethnic nature. The oppressor that the “requiem” is about must be understood as something abstract yet capable of negatively influencing the lives of millions of people. Obviously, a special space, as has always been in the band’s tradition, has been given to the oppressor war. There are several historical references such as the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, the explosion of the nuclear reactor in Chernobyl or religious terrorist attacks.
Dead Rhetoric: Tell us about the cover art from Ivan Stan – how did the concept develop, did you work hand in hand with the artist and where do you see the importance of cover art in the modern scene compared to its importance during the 70s, 80s, or 90s?
Nicastro: I love the album cover, I think it’s probably the most beautiful one we’ve used so far. If you look at it and listen to the album at the same time, you’ll feel like you’re inside it. Giving a face to the oppressor wasn’t easy, but I think the artist fully succeeded in his intent. In my opinion, covers have always had a fundamental role, just like music and lyrics. Today, as in the past, it’s necessary to be consistent when you propose something to the public, being able to present something homogeneous and monolithic is very important.
Dead Rhetoric: How would you describe the outlook and live performance philosophy for Xenos A.D.? What do you want the audience to takeaway from your output on stage, and what have been some of the more memorable or special performances to date for the group?
Nicastro: Playing thrash metal requires technique, skill and competence, but above all ATTITUDE. You need to have an attitude to be on stage and firmly believe in what you do. Xenos A.D. have only one goal when they’re on stage: annihilate the audience. I remember with great pleasure our shows at Into the Grave, Wacken and Agglutination, but also the last show in Greece at Horns Up Fest was really great, as well as really great was being able to headline the first edition of the Metal Morphosis Fest here in Italy.
Dead Rhetoric: What are your thoughts on the support the band receives locally in Italy next to the greater European or global scenes? Are there specific areas or countries that seem to gravitate towards what you are doing as a band?
Nicastro: In Italy we have a good following, people know us and appreciate our music but lately we are receiving a lot of support abroad too. Obviously we still have a lot of work to do to create a foreign fan base but the data is encouraging. Germany, Greece, France, Austria are countries where we have a really good following.
Dead Rhetoric: What made you a fan/follower of thrash metal in general? Who are some of your favorite bands in the genre – and who would be an underrated band or two that you believe more people need to take a deeper dive into as far as their discography?
Nicastro: There are tons of awesome bands too underrated. Think of Coroner, Voivod, Toxik, Believer, Morbid Saint, Atrophy, Sacrifice, Exumer, Accuser, Protector, Assassin…Instead of supporting worthy bands people still think they have to fight to the death between Metallica and Megadeth. That’s ridiculous and unfair.
Dead Rhetoric: What would you consider some of the biggest challenges currently facing the members of Xenos A.D. at this point in your career?
Nicastro: For a band like us every day is a challenge. Releasing an album, getting on stage, managing to have a place in a terribly overcrowded scene, are all challenges that we face day after day.
Dead Rhetoric: How do you view the current heavy music landscape? What aspects do you enjoy most – and what areas (if any) do you believe need to be worked on the most for the greater good of the musicians involved?
Nicastro: There are some really good bands but unfortunately most of them sound insignificant and just copy what has been done in the past without making an effort to create something personal. Having personality is essential since everything has been composed, written and played by now. You have to have your own trademark.
Dead Rhetoric: What are some hobbies, interests, and passions that the members of Xenos A.D. like to engage and participate in when you have the free time and energy to do so outside of your musical endeavors?
Nicastro: I have a full time job so all my free time is dedicated to music and my family. I go to the gym and love to walk in the woods in total solitude.
Dead Rhetoric: What are some of your worries or concerns that the world is going through today? If you had unlimited power, energy, resources, and finances to tackle one or two of these issues, what do you believe needs to be started on first for the greater good of the common person?
Nicastro: The world is heading towards the abyss faster and faster, everything will go to hell very soon and we are only accelerating the process. If I had the chance I would send all the current politicians into exile, they are the ruin of this planet.
Dead Rhetoric: How do you see the next year or so working for Xenos A.D. as far as shows, festivals, touring, or other promotional activities? What sort of goals or bucket list items would you like to achieve?
Nicastro: We still have several shows to confirm for 2025 then it will be time to release something new, probably an unreleased song. I hope people really appreciate Reqviem for the Oppressor and realize that they have listened to one of the best thrash metal bands of the last few years.