今天采访到的是来自意大利的Progressive Metal乐队Jester Majesty，Alessandro Gargivolo在16岁就组建了自己的第一支乐队Alchemist，随后Alessandro Gargivolo想组建一支属于自己的乐队，2024年Jester Majesty成立了，在成立不久之后发行了两首单曲和一张EP专辑“Plains of Heaven”，厚重的吉他旋律、干净的人声演唱以及偶尔出现的合成器、键盘和风琴，加入了强烈的氛围。整张EP只有短短的10分钟，但它提供了一系列有趣的音乐构思，这些构思在各种形式的音乐进程中曲折迂回，随着旋律逐渐变得沉重并不断探索新的领域。在这张EP中的创作手法提供了大量充满活力的想法，这些想法混合在一起，形成了丰富而复杂的歌曲结构，其中包括优美的旋律、新古典主义的吉他独奏，以及的键盘独奏，所有这些都为这张EP增添了美妙的韵味。尽管旅程看似很短，但乐队成功地在三首歌曲中以不同的方式表达了音乐，而整体表现则始终保持着紧凑。新专辑发行之际乐队的创始人Alessandro Gargivolo与杂志取得联系进行了一次专访！
（V: 代表笔者 A: 代表Alessandro Gargivolo）
Today's interview is with Jester Majesty, a Progressive Metal band from Italy. Alessandro Gargivolo started his first band Alchemist at the age of 16, then wanted to start his own band, and in 2024, Jester Majesty was formed. Jester Majesty was formed and shortly after released two singles and an EP called “Plains of Heaven”, with heavy guitar riffs, clean vocals and occasional synthesizers, keyboards and organ, adding a strong atmosphere. The EP is only 10 minutes long, but it offers an interesting array of musical ideas that twist and turn through various forms of musical progressions, getting progressively heavier and exploring new territories with the melodies. The songwriting approach on this EP offers a plethora of vibrant ideas that mix together to form rich and complex song structures that include beautiful melodies, neo-classical guitar solos, and keyboard solos, all of which add to the wonderful flavor of this EP. Despite the seemingly short journey, the band manages to express the music in different ways across the three songs, while the overall performance remains consistently tight. On the occasion of the release of the new album the founder of the band, Alessandro Gargivolo, got in touch with the magazine for an exclusive interview!
(V: for the author A: for Alessandro Gargivolo)
采访对象：Alessandro Gargivolo（Jester Majesty乐队创始人）
采访时间：2024.12.18
V: 你好Alessandro很高兴认识你，非常感谢你参加这次采访，我想这是你第一次接受中国的杂志的采访吧？首先向所有歌迷朋友们问好，Jester Majesty是一个非常年轻的乐队，成立于2024年，你是怎么想到组建这个乐队的？
Hello Alessandro it's nice to meet you and thank you very much for participating in this interview, I guess this is your first interview with a Chinese magazine? First of all hello to all the Chinese fans, Jester Majesty is a very young band formed in 2024, how did you come up with the idea to form this band?
A: 你好!向你和火山杂志的粉丝致以诚挚的问候。没错这是我第一次为中文杂志做采访，Jester Majesty源于我对金属的热情，我16岁时成立的主要乐队Alchemist的次要项目。在这个新项目中，我觉得有必要充分表达我在成长过程中积累的所有影响，从Classical, Heavy, Thrash甚至Death Metal。但最重要的是传达一个听起来尽可能创新的个人愿景，迎合新观众或那些怀旧的80年代和90年代。我是主要作曲家，但我与其他音乐家合作，包括来自Apocalypse非常有前途的Erymanthon Seth。
Ciao! A huge greeting to you and to the Volcano Magazine fans. Exactly, this is the first time I am speaking for a Chinese magazine. Jester Majesty is born from my passion for metal and serves as a secondary project to my main band, Alchemist, which I founded at 16. With this new project, I feel the need to fully express all the influences I’ve accumulated during my formative years, ranging from classical, heavy, thrash and even death metal. But above all, to convey a personal vision that sounds as innovative as possible, catering to a new audience or to those nostalgic for the 80s and 90s. I’m the main composer but I collaborate with other musicians, including the promising Erymanthon Seth from Apocalypse.
V: 乐队只有你一个人，我认为这让写歌变得更容易，因为你可以用你想要的方式写所有的歌，你能描述一下你的写作过程吗？
The band is just you, I think that makes it easier when it comes to songwriting because you can do all the songs the way you want to, can you describe your writing process?
A: 写作的过程开始于我哼唱的Riff和旋律，即使是在我外出或上大学的时候。歌词对我来说非常重要，但我总是把它们放在最后，因为巨大的能量必须从节奏和旋律的对比中显现出来。这就是金属乐迷们想要的，而且这样做是对的。出于这个原因我把很多的重点放在安排鼓的第一张专辑，我程序他们在桌子上。现在我请不起鼓手，我甚至不能请和我一起玩Alchemist的鼓手，否则风格就太混了。我说的是Michele Moglia他是个很棒的鼓手，很有天赋。同时是Alchemist的制作人。只是这样因为我的即兴写作风格也将在即将到来的Alchemist专辑中引人注目。没错，乐队里只有我一个人。但是有那么一刻，我不介意把这段经历带到未来的舞台上。然而赢得他人的信任并非易事，因为在我所居住的城市，我是少数几个对这类游戏有着坚定愿景和清晰认识的年轻人之一。你知道，你不能总是凭空提出模糊的建议，混合的沙拉或者脱离上下文的倡议，这种行为在许多音乐家中很常见。
The writing process starts with the riffs and melodies that I hum to myself, even when I’m out or at university. Lyrics are very important to me, but I always leave them for last because the great energy must emerge from the rhytmic and melodic contrasts. That’s what the metal fans want, and it’s only right that it’s this way. For this reason, I’m placing a lot of emphasis on the arrangement and drum grooves for the first album, which I program them on the desk. Right now, I can’t afford a session musician for the drums, and I can’t even ask the drummer who plays with me in Alchemist otherwise, the styles would blend too much. I’m talking about Michele Moglia a really good-one drummer, a very talented guy. Also, the producer behind Alchemist. Only this, because my riff-writing style will also be noticeable in the upcoming Alchemist album. So yes, the band is just me. But, for a moment, I wouldn’t mind taking this experience to the stage in the future. However, earning trust from others has never been easy, because in the city where I live, I’m one of the few young guys with a solid vision and clarity about playing this genre. You know, you can’t always come out of nowhere with vague proposals, mixed salads, or out-of-context initiatives. This kind of behaviour is common among many musicians.
V: 你的作品在录音效果方面非常出色，你在哪个录音室录制了这张专辑？你的专辑是哪位制作人制作的？新EP专辑在录制过程中进展顺利吗？
Your work is outstanding in terms of recording results, what studio did you record the album in? Which producer produced your album? Is the new EP album going well in the recording process?
A: 非常感谢你的溢美之词。对于这张简短的EP，我决定与一个完全不熟悉这种类型的人合作。我说的是Nikola Zanev，他主要创作更为极端的风格，如Brutal Death，Metalcore和Progressive Death。与这样一个有前途的年轻制作人合作是非常棒的，因为他目前正在攻读声音工程学位，我相信他会有一个光明的未来。把制作委托给局外人是一个突然但非常有效的决定。吉他和低音录音是在我的家庭工作室用现代设备完成的，音频接口DI，然后我们就开始了。鼓另一方面，完全重新编程使用各种真实的样本。然而电吉他在Sofia的制作人工作室被重新调整。为了这个特别的迷你作品，我使用了一个罕见的Ferrari Red Cort Super Strat，它是我几年前买的，产自80年代末。它的特点是一个神秘的原始桥皮卡，增加了它独特的性格。我也玩了一个清音EKO E-85，于1979年在雷卡纳蒂完全由手工制作。它的声音是令人难以置信的-水晶和黑暗-增强了它的非常低的B调，完美的小丑陛下。至于麦克风我用了两个高质量的复制品：诺伊曼U87和传说中的舒尔57，都是由T.bone制作的。关于新专辑我目前的重点是作曲，细化每种乐器的频谱并与Jens Bogren的顶级鼓VST广泛合作，一切进展顺利！
Thank you so much for these kind words. For this short EP, I decided to work with someone entirely unfamiliar with this genre. I’m talking about Nikola Zanev, he primarly produces much more extreme style, such as Brutal Death, Metalcore and Progressive Death. Collaborating with such a promising young producer was sensational, as he’s currently earning his degree in sound engineering, and I’m sure he has a bright future ahead of him. Entrusting the production to an outsider was a sudden but highly effective decision. Guitars and bass recordings were done in my home studio using modern equipment, audio interface, DI and off we go. Drums, on the other hand, were entirely reprogrammed using various real samples. However, electric guitars were re-amped in the producer’s studio in Sofia. For this special mini-work, I used a rare Ferrari Red Cort Super Strat from the late '80s, which I bought a couple of years ago. It features a mysterious original bridge pickup that adds to its unique character. I also played an acoustic EKO E-85, entirely handcrafted in 1979 in Recanati. Its sound is incredible—both crystalline and dark—enhanced by its very low tuning in B, perfect for Jester Majesty. For microphones, I used two high-quality replicas: the Neumann U87 and the legendary Shure 57, both crafted by T.bone. Regarding the new album, my current focus is on composition, refining the frequency spectrum of each instrument, and extensive work with Jens Bogren’s top-tier drum VST. Everything is progressing smoothly!
V: 爱，死亡，社会，抽象是你的音乐主题，你为什么选择这样的音乐主题？你希望在这样的音乐主题中听到什么？你也写了歌词部分，是什么启发了这些歌词？
Love, Death, Society, Abstract this about your musical themes, why did you choose such musical themes? What would you like to hear expressed in such a musical theme? You also wrote the lyrics section, what inspired these lyrics?
A: 我对这些主题很感兴趣，因为它们既简单又真实并且可以由任何听众来解释。我真的不喜欢谈论小说或与我没有共鸣的话题或者我永远无法找到自己的情况。这张EP是一个迷你概念，反映了与死亡的斗争，生命和死亡的循环和人类心灵的幻想。最重要的灵感来自于目睹亲人的死亡以及一个孩子在成长的关键时期失去母亲的参照点所经历的戏剧性和痛苦。这是一种上升的高潮，一种持续的高潮。这三首歌是相互关联的，“死亡的本能”（Thanatos）直接取自弗洛伊德心理学，Thanatos象征着一种自我毁灭或回归无生命状态的冲动。坠落和地心引力的意象（“像一个孩子坠落”，“像一个苹果撞到地上”）象征着不可避免的死亡和我们地球存在所施加的限制。我不得不说这是对牛顿发现万有引力的参考，但它也更简单。“Memoryless Property”作为一个过渡插曲，它的名字来源于一个统计学概念，即某些随机变量，如指数分布，对过去的事件缺乏记忆。这反映了生命的无常和不可预测性，强调每一刻都是独立存在的，不受过去的影响。最后一首主打歌“天堂的平原”代表了一种解放的呐喊，一种从尘世苦难的重压中解脱出来的呐喊。“Plains of Heaven”的选择唤起了一种广阔的开放和宁静的感觉，象征着一个痛苦不再将灵魂锚定在地面上的地方。
I am very drawn to these themes because they are as simple as they are real and open to interpretation by any listener. I don’t really enjoy talking about fiction or topics that don’t resonate with me or situations I could never find myself in. This EP is a mini-concept that reflects the struggle against mortality, the cycle of life and death and the illusions of the human mind. The most important inspiration came from witnessing the death of a loved one family person and the resulting drama and suffering that a child experiences when losing his maternal reference (figure) point during a crucial period of growth. It’s a kind of ascending climax, a continous crescendo. The three tracks are interconnected, “Thanatos” (Instinct of Death), draws directly from Freudian psychology, where Thanatos symbolizes a drive toward self-destruction or a return to an inanimate state. The imagery of falling and gravity (“like a child falling down”, “like an apple hitting the ground”) symbolizes the unavoidable pull of mortality and the limits imposed by our earthly existence. I have to say that this is a reference to Newton’s discovery of gravity, but it’s also something much simpler. “Memoryless Property” serves as a transitional interlude, drawing its name from a statistical concept where certain random variables, like the exponential distribution, lack memory of past events. This reflects the impermanence and unpredictability of life, emphasizing that each moment exists independently and unaffected by the past. The final title track “Plains of Heaven” represents a liberating cry, a release from the weight of earthly suffering. The choise of “plains” evokes a sense of vast openness and serenity, symbolizing a place where pain no longer anchors the soul to the ground.
V: 你的Logo简单而复杂，是谁为你设计的这个,Logo，你的专辑封面是我今年见过的最漂亮的作品之一，是谁为你设计的这个封面？
Your logo is beautifully simple and complex, who designed this logo for you and your album artwork is some of the most beautiful artwork I've seen this year, who designed this artwork for you?
A: 非常感谢你的精彩演讲。这个Logo是由一位才华横溢的印度尼西亚艺术家设计的，他专门设计极端的标志。对于这一部他做到了原创。封面是英国画家John Martin的作品“Plains of Heaven”（1851年）封面也是一种音乐灵感，其身临其境的自然美完美地平衡了现代生产。
Thank you very much for these wonderful words. The logo was designed by a talented indonesian artist who specializes in creating extreme logos. For this one, he managed to be very original. As for the cover art, it features a painting by the English artist John Martin, also titled Plains of Heaven (1851). The cover serves as a musical inspiration as well, and its immersive natural beauty perfectly balances the modern production.
V: 你们所有的作品都只发行了数字版本，你们有没有计划在未来发行CD版本，到目前为止你们有没有和任何唱片公司联系？
All of your titles have only been released digitally, do you have any plans to release a CD version in the future and have you been in contact with any labels so far?
A: 我真的很想把这张EP加在CD上以及未来的专辑。我联系了几家唱片公司，甚至是地下唱片公司，但他们中的许多人都不感兴趣。因此我愿意签订合作合同，让音乐作品以Jester Majesty的名义发行。如今想要签订有意义的合同并不容易，尤其是当你还不为人知的时候。人们常常把注意力放在表面上，而不是音乐背后的真正含义。
I would really love to get this EP printed on CDs, as well as the future album. I’ve reached out to several labels, even underground ones, but many of them were not interested. Therefore, I’d be open for a collaborative contract for having the musical works realesed under the name Jester Majesty. It’s not easy nowadays to secure meaningful contracts, especially when you’re unknown. Too often, the focus is placed on appearances rather than the real meaning behind the music.
V: 首先祝贺你的最新EP“Plains of Heaven”，这是今年刚刚发布的，特点是沉重的吉他即兴演奏，干净的人声和偶尔的合成器，键盘和风琴，但有强烈的氛围。整张EP只有10分17秒，但它提供了一系列有趣的音乐理念，在各种形式的音乐进程中迂回曲折，随着旋律的建立和探索新的领域，音乐思想变得越来越重。这张EP的歌曲创作方法提供了大量充满活力的想法，丰富而复杂的歌曲结构，包括半开玩笑的旋律和新古典主义的吉他独奏，所有这些都为EP增添了美妙的味道。你对你的工作有什么想法吗？
Firstly, congratulations on your latest EP ‘Plains of Heaven’, which was just released this year and features heavy guitar riffs, clean vocals and occasional synths, keyboards and organ, but with a strong dose of ambience. The entire EP clocks in at just 10 minutes and 17 seconds, but it offers an interesting array of musical ideas that twist and turn and meander through various forms of musical progression, getting progressively heavier as the melodies build up and explore new territory. The songwriting approach on this EP offers a plethora of vibrant ideas, with rich and complex song structures that include tongue-in-cheek melodies, and neo-classical guitar solos, all of which add to the wonderful flavour of the EP. Do you have any thoughts on your work?
A: 我对这次的发行感到非常兴奋。虽然这只是10分17秒的Progressive Heavy / Thrash，但很容易理解Jester Majesty的理念和风格。我不是那种做得太过的人，作为一个不知名的人，你不能指望每个人都把注意力放在更长的作品上。因此我认为这张短EP无论从声音、情感基调还是制作上，都有自己的功能形式和独创性。
I’m very excited about this debut. Even though it’s only 10:17 of Progressive Heavy/Thrash, it’s easy to grasp the idea and style of Jester Majesty. I’m not the kind of person who overdoes it, as coming from nowhere, you can’t expect that everyone gives their attention to longer works. Therefore, I think this short EP has its own functional form and originality, both in terms of sound, emotional tones and production.
V: 随着2024年即将结束，在即将到来的2025年，你有哪些新的工作要做？比如写歌、录新歌或者发行首张正式专辑，你能透露一些信息给大家吗？
As 2024 comes to a close, what new work do you have ahead of you in the upcoming year of 2025? Like writing, recording some new songs or releasing the first official album, can you reveal some information to everyone?
A: 当然，你是第一个知道的，我还没有在我的社交页面上分享任何关于这件事的信息。珍惜它们吧！第一张专辑的创作过程已经开始，它将呈现一个主要是数学的概念，标题为“The Equation Behind Existence”，它将反映我的分析和情感视角，无论是在节奏和意义方面。由于我即将结束我的大学数学学习，我将很兴奋地分享一些关于这一迷人学科的知识。我的意图是创造一种声音概念，就像“Mathrash”一样，将音乐的学科与偶尔的哥特式影响和新古典主义元素交织在一起。风格将主要是渐进式激流，但引入一些Death Metal元素。我为这张专辑选择的封面艺术是一幅被称为弗拉马里昂雕刻的匿名画。插图中的场景是对理解存在的科学或神秘探索的隐喻。这个版本后来被一位俄罗斯艺术评论家重新出版。
Sure, you are the first to know, I haven't shared any information about this on my social pages yet. Keep them precious! The process of writing the first album has begun, which will present a concept that is primarily mathematical, titled “The Equation Behind Existence” and it will reflect my analytical and emotional perspective, both in terms of rhythm and meaning. Since I am concluding my university studies in mathematics, I will be excited to share a bit about this fascinating discipline. My intention is to create a sonic concept, like a “Mathrash”, that intertwines the discipline of music with occasional gothic influences and neoclassical elements. The style will primarily be Progressive Thrash, but with the introduction of some Death Metal elements. The cover art I’ve chosen for this album is an anonymous painting known as Flammarion Engraving. The scene in the illustration serves as a metaphor for the scientific or mystical quest for understanding existence. This version was later republished by a Russian art critic.
V: Jester Majesty是一个非常优秀和有前途的乐队，我很期待你的新作品，我会一直支持和关注你，我也希望通过这次采访让更多的中国粉丝关注、支持你，最后你对中国粉丝有什么想说的吗？
Jester Majesty is a very good and promising band, I'm looking forward to your new work, I will always support and follow you, I also hope that through this interview to let more Chinese fans to pay attention to, support you, in the end you have something to say to Chinese fans?
A: 非常感谢，能和大家分享这几句话是我的荣幸。我对中国金属界最深切的祝愿，就是希望它能充分拥抱这种伟大的激情，这样它就能继续茁壮成长。我非常钦佩你们的文化，希望有一天能访问你们的国家，甚至可能在那里现场表演。我还应该提到，中国菜是我最喜欢的，我真的很喜欢和我的女朋友在中国餐馆吃饭，在我的城市有很多这样的餐馆。我也很高兴认识了一些很棒的邻居和你们国家的人。我一直很欣赏你们的文化，也觉得你们的观点很有前瞻性。给你们大家一个大大的拥抱，永远的金属。
Thank you so much, it has been a true pleasure to share these few words. My deepest wish for the Chinese metal scene is for it to fully embrace this great passion, so it can continue to thrive. I have a deep admiration for your culture and would love to visit your country one day, and perhaps even perform live there. I should also mention that Chinese cuisine is my favorite one, I truly enjoy dining at Chinese restaurants with my girlfriend. There are many such restaurants in my city. I’ve also had the pleasure of getting to know some wonderful neighbors and individuals of your nationality. I’ve always admired your culture and found your perspective to be very forward-thinking. A big hug to all of you. Metal forever.
Jester Majesty乐队主要作品：
Jester Majesty - Plains of Heaven（2024）
Jester Majesty - The Equation Behind Existence（2025）
Jester Majesty乐队官方Bandcamp网站：https://jestermajesty.bandcamp.com/music
Jester Majesty乐队官方Facebook网站：https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563217256871&mibextid=LQQJ4d
Jester Majesty乐队官方Instagram网站：https://www.instagram.com/jestermajesty/?igsh=MXNud3l0NndvN3RxZw%3D%3D
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