Vesseles has been one of the most exciting and intriguing bands I’ve been fortunate to stumble upon this year. Vesseles’ mastermind Valira Pietrangelo dives deep into the personal journey that birthed the debut EP, I Am a Demon. From battling self-hatred to embracing authenticity, Vesseles not only beautifully navigates the intricate balance between heavy and orchestral, but the complexities of identity dysphoria with haunting melodies and introspective lyrics. Join us as we look into the soul of Vesseles, where music becomes a vessel for self-discovery and empowerment.
ATN: The concept behind Vesseles is deeply personal, revolving around themes of identity transformation and self-hatred. Could you elaborate on how these themes influenced the creation of your debut EP, I Am a Demon?
VALIRA: Those themes are what created this project to begin with so it only made sense to make the first release the “tone setter”. I struggle with identity dysphoria and it often pulls me into some pretty dark places. Those dark places are the primary inspiration as well as the concept of transforming into my true self.
ATN: You mentioned that the EP progresses through various stages of identity transformation, from self-hatred to release, ritual, and finally the disconnect between soul and body. How did you approach capturing these complex emotions in I Am a Demon?
VALIRA: It all starts with the instrumentation and it took a lot of trial and error trying to find what my dysphoria sounded like. The lyrics were the last driving force in writing that brought everything together. After that, the rest just fell into place.
ATN: In your debut single, “Suffocating Flesh” dives into the experience of feeling trapped in your body and struggling with self-hatred. Can you walk us through the inspiration behind this track and how it set the tone for the rest of the EP?
VALIRA: The instrumentation was written before I knew what the song would be about. The intensity of the song matched those feelings and led to that lyrical direction. It felt right for the first song on the EP since it sets the tone and hits hard right away.
ATN: The instrumental track “Wretched” provides a stark contrast to the intensity of “Suffocating Flesh.” What led you to include this piece on I Am a Demon, and what emotions or atmospheres were you aiming to evoke with it?
VALIRA: I knew I wanted to write a piano track. I just didn’t know what it would be about or how it would sound. When I started writing this track, I realized what direction I wanted. It has moments of beauty and sadness. I wanted “Wretched” to mean both the moments when I feel that way about myself and when others see me that way given my external appearance. There’s an overall melancholy feeling to the track.
ATN: You mentioned that music has always been significant to you, but Vesseles represents a new level of emotional response to your own music. Can you describe what makes this project particularly impactful for you?
VALIRA: I created this project as an outlet for my identity. It’s been a huge coping mechanism and has honestly helped me process and grow in ways I wouldn’t have without it.
ATN: With I Am a Demon steeped in layers of symphonic black metal, how do you balance the orchestral elements with the raw intensity of black metal, and what effect does this blend have on the overall atmosphere of the music or your creativity?
VALIRA: I will always blame my love of Evanescence for this. I’ve been writing with orchestral elements in my music since the beginning so it actually is more challenging for me not to. With this project in particular, I use the orchestral instruments as atmosphere builders. I also love the sadness of piano sections. I think it’s a fun duality playing with nasty guitars, fast drums and eerie orchestrations.
ATN: What was the hardest song on I Am a Demon to write or complete?
VALIRA: Probably “Wretched”. Since I had never written a full piano song and actually finished it, this was a new challenge, especially since I wrote it all in guitar pro and never touched a piano until recording. It just took longer to write and challenged myself more than the others.
ATN: As a solo project, how does Vesseles differ from your previous experiences in bands like Legion Of Grandeur, Among The Torrent, and Arcane Existence?
VALIRA: Well Legion of Grandeur and Arcane Existence both started as solo projects. I tend to write a lot on my own and then find people after I have something to show. Among the Torrent I joined as an already existing project but it helped me find my way in the local metal scene. Vesseles is different because I plan to continue writing all material alone and only bring in vocals and drums when their parts are ready. I’m only doing this because I want this project to remain an outlet for my identity.
ATN: Could you share some insight into your creative process when crafting the sound and atmosphere of Vesseles? How do you approach incorporating elements of decay and dissonance into your music?
VALIRA: I went through a lot of trial and error, as stated prior, to find the sound I was imagining. That being said, each release has a similar process of trying to find the sound of that release. The only difference is there’s an established start. I knew I wanted black metal, piano and orchestral elements but I also wanted to approach things with simpler writing. The decay and dissonance come from the eerie chords used and how the piano lines will slowly change with each repeat (especially in piano breaks). There’s something about that idea that really resonated with me and I love experimenting with what that sounds like.
ATN: The name Vesseles seems to carry a symbolic meaning related to identity and pushing boundaries. What inspired this name, and how does it reflect the themes explored in your music?
VALIRA: I really liked using the word “Vessel” in some way for this project. Vessel and Vessels are already way overused so I couldn’t use them. I try to pick something that isn’t already in use but fairly simple. “Vesseles” was born from the idea of taking Vessel and making it sound more Latin with “es” at the end. I tend to slip some Latin into my songs purely because of how it sounds (ie “Vesseles Rituale”) so it only felt right and fitting for the project. It also blends with myself not being from here.
ATN: I Am a Demon explores themes of identity dysphoria, what has been the biggest or hardest lesson you’ve learned by understanding your own dysphoria?
VALIRA: Coping and accepting it has been the hardest thing. I went through this a lot in therapy and it’s something I’m constantly working on accepting. The other big thing is that identity dysphoria isn’t really well documented or ever really talked about. That was a pretty big blow to see basically nothing on it anywhere. I’m hoping through this project I can change that.
ATN: How different is your life now that you understand your dysphoria, know your identity, and are living as your authentic self?
VALIRA: It’s had some really great highs and things that have challenged me in ways I finally am ready to handle. I fortunately have the confidence in myself to face the adversity that I have been getting from those who don’t understand or accept who I am. It’s okay that they don’t and I’ve come to a point where I can confidently move on and take on my next challenge. I had to move out of my parent’s, lose some friends, lose some opportunities, but also gain new friends, new opportunities, and be surprised by the support I have received from the most unsuspecting people.
ATN: What do you hope listeners take away from I Am A Demon when they experience it for the first time, and what are your aspirations for the future of Vesseles?
VALIRA: I don’t expect much from a first listen beyond “that was sick”. What I’m hoping for those who really get into will carry away is the actual message behind it all. I want this to help those who struggle with their identity.
There’s already plans for another release sooner rather than later. I’m antsy to keep this project moving and continue to explore what my identity means to me. I also hope that future releases can further push the message behind the project.
SAME 3 QUESTIONS WE ALWAYS ASK
ATN: Artist / band that you feel is the most underrated and why?
VALIRA: Goodness, that’s quite the question. I’d have to say Winterhorde. I adore massive epic songs and this band delivers exactly that. Dripping with lore, they take you on a journey with each album blending in rich orchestrations and driving instruments. I honestly don’t know why they’re not bigger.
ATN: Artist / band that you would like to collaborate with and why?
VALIRA: Amy Lee will always be my dream collaboration. Her and Evanescence have been my main inspiration since day one and the reason I ever started writing. I adore her hauntingly beautiful vocals and epic orchestration/piano writing. To have such a powerhouse blended with black metal would be insane. I really just want to hear her vocals over some more extreme metal.
ATN: Artist / band that you would like to tour with and why?
VALIRA: Well, it’s a big dream but Dimmu Borgir just because they’re my go to for symphonic black metal inspiration and they always put on a great show. I’m not aiming for this realistically but I can certainly dream.
