(this interview was done in september 2000)

This is the italic black metal band for excellence, it need no presentation, I think… this interview was done in one of the last months of 2000, I don’t remember exactly when… you’ll notice that me and Nicola are speaking here about a re-issue of their demo etc. and other things but that stuff is not released yet and not only:  rumours says that the band have had troubles  with their label for the licence to press the “Hierarchy 1999” Cd in Usa?!?

Vanish: Apart from the fact that 3/4 of the line-up has changed from "Qliphotic Supremacy" I've noticed some other changes in the last Cd compared with the old material by Handful Of Hate: the style is a more chaotic one and riffs are much more simples, beside that your look differs a lot from the one you used in precedence and from song-titles seems you've a different attitude… would you call this "evolution" or simple "change"? However, if this is an evolution, what are the points of contact between the new and the old Handful Of Hate? If instead is a change, weren't quite Handful Of Hate that some time ago exclaimed resonant "we are a coherent band" (from an interview appeared on Grind Zone, for example)?

Nicola: Pure evolution only. All the line-up is changed and I'm the only surviving since the recording sessions of "Qliphotic Supremacy". First of all, new people mean a fresh contribution so I've selected these people just to extremize the H.O.H.'s music and second our look is totally the same (Honestly I don't seem, looking at you in a particular way…-Ed). Maybe "Qliphotic Supremacy" was more ceremonial and thoughtful, the new one represents the solution, the pratic act . Occultism became reality and inspiration is taken by the third chapter of Libel Al Vel Legis. Now (with the experience) we play more violent and direct, this is an evolution and an improvement (Hmm…for me the "Goetia Summa" demo is your best release at all… -Ed) through a new line-up.

Vanish: For the speed of the songs that compose "Hierarchy 1999" and some picture inside the booklet reminding war matters, the first time I've listened to your second Cd I've had the vague impression that you wanted to copy what Marduk have done with their last album: do you like my stamenent or you feel offended, since you (at least in the interviews) have always shown a certain kind of repulsion in regards of trends and so in regards of the lack of personality in general?

Nicola: I don't agree because I see a lot of difference between "Panzer Division…" and "Hierarchy 1999". I like Marduk and I consider them the greatest black band ever, they "teached" me to be violent and powerfull too in particular looking at "Heaven Shall Burn" (their best album) but we have a very different style in assault!

Vanish: For which motive you'll stop to be part of Handful Of Hate? For which motive you'll stop completely to play music?

Nicola: Maybe when I'll find something better to realize myself.

Vanish: I turn this question to every my interlocutor and now I'd like to have an answer from you: what is your (personal?) definition for the word "art"? Do you consider yourself an artist? In what circumstances the music is not art for you?

Nicola: It's a very large term and I can say my only point of view so I consider art; all concerning a noble expression reflected into history. Yes I consider myself like an artist: an artist devoted to the extremism.

Vanish: What point do you want to reach with your music and/or Handful Of Hate? Where do you want to arrive?

Nicola: I want to be respected and to bring-up something of ifamous against this fucked world. I'm the denied voice of a refused but still brething anti-human nature.

Vanish: What are the bands that have influenced you directly in the composition on the songs featured on "Hierarchy 1999"? Would you tell me what are your 5 favourite bands or albums?

Nicola: So many bands have ispired us, in particular death an grind ones? It's useless to mention 5 albums because there're more than 5 that I'd like to thank…

Vanish: Do you have any material for the next Cd? Do it will follow the same compositive iter? What about future plans?

Nicola: Yes, we've some new songs more violent than the previous ones. For future we'll play live as more as we possible but we'll search for a new deal too.

Vanish: …About future plans: in your web site I've read that Northern Darkness Rec. will release your demo on Mcd version with the addition of some bonus tracks including a cover from Bolt Thrower; why to make a cover from a band of pure death metal and don't make instead an usual cover of the usual bands like Venom, Celtic Frost, Bathory… Mayhem?

Nicola: Exactly. Why play the usual cover…? We sink our roots in the death/grind tradition  that we respect and support, so it has been spontaneous for us to choose a death band rather than a classic usual by now upon the mouth of all (especially of those that since a little time ago not even knew the bands you mentioned and have done a choice for trend more than spontaneity). Anyway if the thing will be concretized, it will be released a full-Cd including the demo + 2 new songs and the above-mentioned cover that we'll play live.

Vanish: Since some time ago amongst the italian black metal bands there was the distinction between the "elite" ones and others that (according to anyone) didn't can define theirselves as "black metal", and Handful Of Hate were proclaimed as the leader band of the first ones (maybe for have always shown a different ideologic approach in regard of others?): what do you think about this thing? Would you name (all) the bands that for you are the elite black metal bands here in Italy?

Nicola: I hope the thing still persists. I think, more than make the usual list of names (creating the usual boring dissensions) (HATE is the last of the three words that fills the monicker of your band -Ed) is useful to say that the italian elite black metal tightens day after day. Who resides inside of it knows the meaning of coherence and underground.

Vanish: Give a short comment to the following albums:

Nicola: I premise that my judgement moves from a pure underground spirit on the basis of what has been meaningful for me and not for others:

Mayhem "De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas"

A good album, nothing more. Firstly of this many things have been said yet.

Darkthrone "A Blaze In The Northern Sky" + "Soulside Journey"

I've preference for "Soulside Journey". Excellent death album, above all well played in comparison to the following albums (In a italian 'zine, more or less 2 years ago you said that the only norwegian band you appreciate for the musical aspect was Cadaver…now you say that you like Darkthrone and Mayhem? -Ed).

Burzum "Hvis Lyset Tar Oss"

All that he has done in my opinion have been useless. No influence, indifference only (Your statement is the opposite of mine, sorry! -Ed).

Death "Leprosy"

A basic and significant band. However to "Leprosy" I prefere "Scream Bloody Gore".

Morbid Angel "Altars Of Madness"

Since always amongst my spiritual fathers. "Altar Of Madness" for me is a milestone and probably the greatest album ever.

Mercyful Fate "Don't Break The Oath"

Another godly band as well as the project King Diamond. Anyway my favourite is "Them" (…And the comment 'bout the album where is? -Ed)

Venom "Black Metal

Even if they've always been in my secondary listenings I give them a certain importance (even if they hasn't meant nothing in my formation).

Celtic Frost "Morbid Tales"

A great band in every album released (Except for "Cold Lake", don't you think? -Ed).

Dead Can Dance "Within The Realm Of A Dying Sun"

I hope to have the privilege to die without having ever listened nothing by them (I really don't understand this fucking answer. I give no comments for "Within The Realm…": just listen to it and then you'll understand the difference between the very dark way to compose music and the usual way to play ordinary music. Dead Can Dance were supreme! -Ed).

Rotting Christ "Thy Mighty Contract"

Great album, on contrary of the shit they're doing nowadays. Why don't they change monicker (Maybe for moneys Nicola, for the dirty great moneys! A monicker like this still attract the attention of pseudo-satanist fools now converted to the gothic/melodic metal crap -Ed)?

Opera IX "The Call Of The Wood"

A group of friends (Sure, but what about the Cd? -Ed).

Handful Of Hate "Qliphotic Supremacy"

I leave to you the judgement (This wasn't the answer that I expected and wanted -Ed).

Vanish: Ok, maybe the question can sound out-of-place here, but for me it's an interesting topic: do you believe in reincarnation matters? Do you have any personal point of view concerning this argument?

Nicola: No! I'm not interested in…

Vanish: Admitted that at least one there is… which is the most recurrent definition you give to your own persona?

Nicola: A tyrant/king.

Vanish: What thought have you had listening for the first time the name of my 'zine? What visions can remind a phrase like "My Heart Bleeds For You"?

Nicola: Anything in particular I'm sorry. Maybe something of romantic?

Vanish: I've finished my questions…

Nicola: Thank you.

Handful Of Hate will release a lmt. edition 7" titled "Death From Above" through Downfall Rec. before the end of 2000 and it will be available from both Downfall and Nicola's address for $6,66.

Handful Of Hate

c/o Nicola Bianchi

P. O. Box 7

55054 Massarosa (Lucca)

Italy

e-mail:handfulofhate@hotmail.com