Introduction: Due to time constraints as regular individuals running Witching Buzz and focusing primarily on writing reviews, we are limited to publishing only one (occasionally two) review(s) per day. However, we strongly believe in providing greater exposure to deserving bands and musicians who have put in immense effort. As a result, we have launched a new section called “Witching Riffs: Behind the Sound.” In this section, we have crafted a series of intriguing questions that we pose to every band or musician who wishes to share more about their unique projects. While the questions remain the same for each participant, the diversity among bands ensures that the answers will be fascinating and diverse. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy this captivating journey as we delve into the minds and stories of these talented artists.
Origod / Italy
What attracted you to immersive and hypnotic sounds? How do you intend to capture listeners’ attention with this genre?
We like to work constantly on the continuous search for a balance in the definition of sounds, which for us is one of the basic foundations especially in the preparation of our performances: the constant goal is to always be able to have an enveloping sound that overwhelms both the audience and ourselves on stage in the same way, like a flow of energy that poured out on the listener in return overwhelms us in the same way. At the recording stage, the sound must similarly be a wave that at first overwhelms the listener but then can keep him or her immersed in capturing all the nuances arising from the different timbres of all the instruments and the various vocal registers that Vincenzo/the singer uses in the songs. So we try to capture the listener not so much for belonging to a genre, a factor that in our case is not easy to define in the face of the different musical influences of all 5 band members, but thanks to a way of playing that presents recurring but particular characteristics such as the use in the rhythms of a ‘constant alternation of scales and chords that persists in all the songs making them dragging and dynamic regardless of whether they are cadenced or fast with the aim of experiencing a breathless listening that leaves the listener breathless.
Can you tell us the story behind your band’s name? How does it reflect the essence of your music?
We’re Italian and we sing in English so we forged a name that carried these two characteristics: the name ORIGOD, in fact, is composed of the Latin word “ORIGO” which means “ORIGIN” and the English word “GOD” or “DIO” in Italian. The gods in the various myths have particular and different genesis, as well as the essence of the music that always originates from different cues and for different initiatives, and this is partly the essence of our wanting to make music together, that is, in the band there is no specific member who manages the creation of the songs, our pieces have always originated from different cues from all the band members.
What are some unconventional or unexpected influences that have shaped your unique mix?
More than unconventional or unexpected influences, our mix stems from the different musical tastes of all 5 band members, so there are elements stemming from multiple genres and not just the under ground, our mix is created by creating a balance between these differences that are blended into a performing style that then acts as a common thread between the various tracks.
How do you approach the creation of expansive and atmospheric soundscapes? What techniques or methods do you use to achieve that distinctive vibe?
Once we have created a “canvas” through listening we try to insert effects and determine the space to create those atmospheric passages that then act as a prelude to the more dynamic part of the various tracks.
Are there specific themes or emotions that you try to convey through your music? How does alternative music help you effectively express those concepts?
The themes of our songs arise precisely from the emotions that inspire us in the creation of the riffs, basically the atmospheres are violent, energetic and angry, Vincenzo, who takes care of the lyrics, by way of referral chooses the theme, usually of an existential type that deals with topics about the current condition of human beings towards today’s society
Share an extraordinary moment or episode from your journey as a band that exemplifies the spirit of your music.
One particular episode is related to the creation of one of the tracks on the last record, we had closed the record’s setlist with a number of 7 tracks as opposed to the 8 tracks that were later permanently included, but 2 weeks before the start of recording we realized that we did not reach the necessary minute length and there was a risk that the record would be considered an EP, so we retrieved a very old riff (year 2009) and each of us worked it out on our own: we rehearsed it only once FOR defining the drum part, and later, when recording, we on the spot outlined the parts of the other instruments and vocals, however, everything happened naturally, instinctively, so it was a piece that we recorded separately without ever having played it all together . The result: was that it became the first single we decided to release with a video, as we found that it perfectly embodied the union of the band’s different personalities!
How do you envision your music progressing or evolving in the future? Are there any new elements or experimental approaches that you would like to incorporate?
The current lineup was revamped in 2021 with members from the beginning making creative contributions in songwriting. Already this has resulted in an evolution, which we now hope is a foundation on which to grow: previously we received criticism for the strong stylistic changes between the first and second records, for the third one we first identified the elements of the first two albums on which to build a connection with subsequent works, with the goal of remaining recognizable in sound and style regardless of the dynamism of the pieces, and I would say that several on several reviews on our last record have been grasped these points, so we will evolve according to the currents as well but without distorting these characteristics of ours, which is why we may in the future experiment with different approaches but as long as we maintain this consistency of ours.
Is there a particular song in your discography that perfectly encapsulates the essence of your music? Please explain its creation and meaning.
One of the songs on the last record that best encapsulates the essence of our concept of creating music is “Blessed or Cursed,” in that the riffs originated from proposals by all members, which then dovetailed with each other in an almost natural way without forcing, it was a song born instinctively, made in really a few rehearsals, shaped by the band out of the blue with very few corrections even at the recording stage and also encapsulates at the same time all the different musical influences of the band members in a harmonious way. Even the title, apart from the lyrics, in a way in its contrast is a reminder of the harder and more relaxed atmospheres that constantly alternate in the song.
Are there any emerging or lesser-known artists in your genre of music that you feel are inspiring or deserving of more recognition? Feel free to share their names and what you appreciate about their work.
The genre with which to identify ourselves has always been a dilemma, stoner, post metal, post metal core, this is because we have always composed with the principle of being free and having no constraints, let’s say that recently also to be able to have more freedom of expression without being then juxtaposed to different genres we feel to define ourselves as an alternative metal band. So we appreciate not so much those who play purely the same genre as us but all the bands that fall under ground genres that unfortunately struggle to find spaces and recognition in Italy, the Italian scene presents several bands that are already standing out or that have a certain historicity we make some names referring to bands that we have recently listened to or with whom we have recently shared the stage or that have aroused our interest traveling on you tube: e.g. in our region Cripple Bastards, Tons, If I Die Today, Cibo, Ponte del DIavolo that we appreciate especially for their performance during live shows but also very young bands that we hope will gain more attention such as Klaus’s Branch from Pesaro, very young guys who had the courage to propose themselves with a hardcore in perfect 90’s style, the Turin-based Dune Aurora who have an interesting sound with grunge and stoner veins , the Tuscan Nihil who have the characteristic of being very recent but in each performance they deliberately modify the songs (both the musical part and the lyrics! ) making almost a jam session every time they take the stage or new realities such as Raining Nails who have within them members of other historical bands that have already established themselves even abroad (Highlord, Sound Storm, Eternal Silence) but who are never satiated with making new music and have launched into a new project starting from scratch.
What do you hope listeners feel or hear when they immerse themselves in your compositions? Is there a specific mood or feeling that you want to evoke?
What we hope is that the listener is pervaded by that same charge that we infuse in every context in which we play our pieces, we want to drag them with us on stage or on the record, when we play we feel free, overflowing with energy that we discharge on every chord, hit or note that we hope can be shared in the same way with the listener.
Turbo Regime:
– Fuzz or distortion? Distortion
– Analog or digital effects? Analog
– Sabbath or Zeppelin? Both!
– Heavy riff or mind-bending solo? Heavy riff
– Vintage gear or modern equipment? Vintage equipment
https://www.facebook.com/origodband
Label: Argonauta Records
PR: Grand Sounds Promotion
