Hellgeist — Destination: Wacken

Italian modern thrash metal outfit Hellgeist sat down with Metal Madness Weekly to talk about their journey, their new single 'Bloodstain', and their clear-eyed mission: hit the stage at Wacken Open Air as soon as possible.

1. Can you introduce Hellgeist to our readers and tell us how the band was formed?

Ale: Hellgeist was born in 2011 when, having accumulated a vast collection of riffs, I felt the need to transform them into a solid Thrash Metal project. I started by scouting the Cuneo underground scene, recruiting a rhythm section with a solid grasp of technical proficiency. The missing piece was the vocals; after seeing Juma (Luca Serra) perform live, I knew he was the perfect fit. I sent him my demos, the synergy was immediate, and Hellgeist was born.

In 2025, after a few years of hiatus, Juma and I decided to take the leap and elevate the project. We brought in Elia Dutto on drums and Peyo on bass, both well-known musicians within the Italian metal scene. This lineup change was a strategic move aimed at drastically raising our technical and production standards, with a clear objective of achieving high-profile results and aiming for major international stages.

2. What inspired your new single 'Bloodstain', and what story does it tell?

Juma: The lyrics for Bloodstain were inspired by the lies we are constantly fed — by the state, by governments, by the church, and by politicians who do nothing but enrich themselves at our expense. They are condemning us, effectively sentencing us to death with their hollow laws and judges who protect criminality while punishing those who are actually right. We are no longer protected by anyone; we are living in a daily 'war between the poor' that will soon explode into a civil war, because people have simply run out of patience.

Bloodstain is the stain on the pristine, the drop of blood on the 'happy' rainbow. It represents the fact that people no longer believe the lies. They keep trying to make us believe that everything is fine, that everything is beautiful, when it is the exact opposite — and that bloodstain is the truth, the problem they refuse to show.

But Bloodstain also speaks to what we all keep inside: that suppressed part of ourselves we hide for fear of judgment. I believe the time has come to unleash that inner feeling, to reveal our true essence, and to finally confront the lies and injustices perpetrated by those who command every single moment of our lives.

3. How would you describe Hellgeist's musical style to someone hearing you for the first time?

Peyo: I would say that our style, from 2025 onwards, can be defined as uncompromising Modern Thrash Metal. With the consolidation of our new lineup, we have evolved our sound toward a perfect balance between the ferocious attitude of our Thrash roots and a surgical sonic precision that looks to the future.

If I had to describe it to someone listening to us for the first time, I would talk about a sound that is brutal yet extremely defined: tight, serrated riffs during the verses that open up into Melodic Death Metal-style choruses. These influences, along with touches borrowed from American Death Metal and current metalcore, simply stem from our personal taste and the music we love to listen to. We don't want to be a band anchored to the past; our goal is to blend this heritage with a powerful, crystal-clear production, designed specifically for major international stages.

4. Who are your biggest musical influences, and how have they shaped your sound?

Ale: The band's sound has definitely evolved. In the beginning, we were heavily influenced by Pantera — perhaps a bit too much so. Later, we sought our own path; for instance, with our self-titled album Hellgeist, we chose to record live in the studio because we wanted to capture exactly who we were and how we played at that time — raw and unfiltered.

After a period of transition, we finally got back on track with our current, exceptional lineup. This shift allowed us to integrate the influences we mentioned earlier, blending death metal elements with a distinct Nordic vibe. We see Peace of Mind as the true starting point of this new chapter. This is just the beginning: for us, the band is a creative laboratory, and we want to do much more and stand out as much as possible.

5. What does your songwriting process usually look like?

Ale: Our songwriting process always starts with the riffs I record while improvising. They play over and over in my head for months, gradually evolving from simple ideas into a solid structure capable of supporting a vocal line. At that point, it's up to Juma to write the lyrics and craft the vocal melody. Once the song's embryonic form begins to take shape, the four of us get to work: everyone contributes artistically to the writing, arrangement, and production.

This collaborative approach — which we extend to the recording phase — is crucial for us. It allows us to achieve two vital goals: to constantly keep releasing new music at a tight pace and, above all, to maintain full creative control. We release exactly what we love, without any outside influence or 'external control,' whether the world likes it or not. It is our vision, pure and uncompromising.

6. What has been the biggest challenge for Hellgeist so far, and what has been your proudest achievement?

Peyo: The biggest challenge has been finding a working method that balances the genuine joy of being together with the high-level efficiency needed to aim for ambitious goals. Hellgeist is, first and foremost, a group of friends who love spending time together, both in the studio and beyond; reconciling that deep bond with the ambition of reaching major international stages was a complex task.

Perhaps that is our greatest achievement: finding this perfect balance. And, of course, I must mention our incredibly loyal fanbase. Their daily support is the fuel that reminds us every single day why we do what we do and who we are creating this music for.

7. What are your plans for the rest of 2026? Can fans expect more singles, an EP, or a full album?

Peyo: Our plan is as simple as it is hyper-demanding. Our workflow is a continuous machine: the moment we finalize the master of one track, Ale has almost finished writing the next one. This keeps us in a state of constant creation, production, and marketing. It's an intense process, but it's incredibly exhilarating.

As for the rest of 2026, fans can definitely expect a couple more singles that will likely culminate in an EP at the beginning of 2027. We've decided to keep our live shows limited this year to give absolute priority to writing and producing new material, but we are already planning a much more significant and intense live schedule for 2027. After all, our goal is crystal clear: we want to hit the stage at Wacken Open Air as soon as possible, and we are working every single day to earn that spot. And there's more: we have a special 'gift' in the works for our fans, which we hope to release around August or September. I won't say anything more so as not to spoil the surprise, but keep your eyes peeled!

8. Finally, do you have a message for your fans and for people who are just discovering Hellgeist?

Peyo: To our fans: thank you for your loyalty. Knowing you're there is what drives us to push ourselves to the limit every single day.

To those just discovering Hellgeist: our goal is simple and direct. We are a creative machine focused exclusively on producing top-tier quality music, and we are determined to do it at the fastest pace possible. We aren't interested in industry slowness or compromise; our laboratory is always open, and our only goal is to flood you with tracks that hit hard. If you want to follow us on this ride, our community is where we share everything we do, with no filters. Buckle up, because we have no intention of slowing down. See you in the pit.

— Interview by Tomi Perrakoski

Editor-in-Chief | Metal Madness Weekly