[Interview] Exclusive interview with Alessandro Gargivolo from Jester Majesty

Dear readers, in this article we have the pleasure of offering you an interview with an Italian band that plays Progressive Metal contaminated by Thrash. We welcome Alessandro Gargivolo from Jester Majesty.

Hello, how are you?

Hi Jacopo, very fine thanks. A huge greetings to all the Progressive Rock Journal fans. Hoping youā€™re well.

How did the Jester Majesty project come about and what is the meaning of the band’s name?

Jester Majesty was born from the desire to play refined yet highly personal progressive heavy/thrash metal, driven purely by passion. I am Alessandro G., the original composer and author, focusing primarily on guitars, bass, and vocals. The name is a key reference to the classic dynamic found within society, specifically the dialectic between absolute power (Majesty) and those in an apparently subordinate position (Jester), who nonetheless possess the ability to influence and reveal truths, even in a subversive manner.

You offer Progressive Metal sounds with Thrash contaminations, where does your passion for these sounds come from?

This passion comes from my dedication to and research into this musical genre. In my opinion, the best in Metal has come precisely from here. This genre cannot always be associated with Dream Theater, a highly respected band that I nonetheless admire greatly, but I think that there are many very interesting names that came before their commercial success, such as Nevermore, Psychotic Waltz, and Fates Warning. And how many Thrash bands were both technical and progressive at the same time? Coroner, Depressive Age, Watchtower, Mekong Delta, Anacrusis, Voivod, Sieges Even, Cyclone Temple, Artillery, all of these are influences for me. I love these bands.

The new EP ā€œPlains Of Heavenā€ was released on October 31, 2024, how would you describe this work?

I am very satisfied with this work, in fact, I didnā€™t expect such a positive response. My intention is to renew this genre with the aim of creating a memorable sound. There is certainly room for improvement and musical refinement in the future, both in terms of structure and composition. Therefore, this short EP serves as a glimpse into what lies behind JM. I conceived it as ā€œMathrash,ā€ as my approach is quite mathematical, and it will continue to be so in future works.

3 tracks in the form of a concept, what theme does this EP deal with?

This EP is a three-track concept exploring the themes of mortality, the cycle of life and death, and the illusions of the human mind. Thanatos delves into the instinct of death, reflecting on the inevitability of our earthly limits. Memoryless Property serves as a transitional interlude, inspired by the mathematical concept of impermanence and detachment. Finally, Plains of Heaven concludes with a liberating cry, symbolizing ascension and release from the weight of sorrow, finding peace in a vast, serene paradise.

Besides a sophisticated storytelling also the music is intended, how does the creative process take place?

The writing process starts with riffs and melodies. While lyrics are very important to me, I always leave them for last, as I prefer to focus heavily on riffs, grooves and dynamics. For the upcoming full-length album, Iā€™m dedicating significant attention to drum structures, which I program on the computer, and especially to all the melodic interplay. For me, melody is fundamental in Metal. Songs need to speak on all emotional levels, great riffs arenā€™t enough, the lyrics also need to be engaging and original. Many Italian bands that sing in English seem to miss this, at least from what Iā€™ve noticed while listening to recent local releases.

Your sound is energetic and lends itself well to live performances, do you have plans for this in the near future?

Thank you. Yes, it would be amazing to take this new experience to the stage, at least in my city for those who know me. Iā€™ve always worked with a certain approach since I was a teenager: found a band, find people to play with, start writing music, take riffs and song ideas to rehearsals, and then the problems begin: someone doesnā€™t like this, someone else wants more pop-metal grooves, or insists on blast beats over melodic thrash metal. Itā€™s never been easy managing a band with people who donā€™t fully share the same passion for Metal or the focus on a single style. That was the case for a long time with Alchemist, the main Thrash Metal band I formed at 16. With Jester Majesty, it will be the exact opposite. After the album, it will be much easier to choose musicians to take this experience live, without any silly compromises!

After this good EP, are you planning any other record releases such as a full-length?

Absolutely. Iā€™m currently working on the first album under the name Jester Majesty, scheduled for release in 2025. It would be amazing to release it through a record label and have it printed on CDs, weā€™ll see how it goes. The concept will focus heavily on themes related to mathematics and my personal approach to life. Since itā€™s a deeply personal project and I have the privilege of being the main songwriter, itā€™s veryrewarding to communicate personal aspects with the public. But above all, melody comes first. For me, the riff is the most important thing. Iā€™ll also be collaborating with the virtuoso Erymanthon Seth on lead guitars from Apocalypse and Feralia.

Music is constantly evolving, how do you see the music scene in Italy and more generally in the world in the Progressive and Metal genre?

This is a very interesting question and a difficult one to answer as being a 22 year old guy outside the music industry. What I think is that metal itā€™s losing sight of the true values for which it was originally conceived. Iā€™m not a fan of the ā€œcircus actsā€ or the subgenres in metal born as alternative trends to sell more. Progressive, in my opinion, has retained a relatively original form compared to many other subgenres. However, itā€™s noticeable that many modern bands are boring. For example, those who use only headless guitars with the same plastic, overly minimal sounds, set with a gain of 3, which tend to spill over into djent. There are people playing progressive metal who donā€™t know A Social Graceā€¦ Itā€™s
essential to listen to many bands and understand the history of the genre. Without knowing the past, you cannot expect to idealize a future.

What advice would you give to young artists approaching music with sounds like yours?

The advice I would like to give to younger guys is to pour their heart and mind into the guitar. Listen to and study a wide range of bands, because a passion for the genre is undoubtedly the most important thing. Itā€™s far better to dedicate hours to practicing the guitar than to hang out in parks wasting time for smoking shit. How can you expect to become a great guitarist if you donā€™t practice every day? Most importantly, avoid playing with people who donā€™t align with you musically or personally, and steer clear of bitter, frustrated old musicians from your hometown. Surround yourself with collaborators who inspire you and share your vision.

Do you have any other activities or artistic passions outside of music?

Yes, I have other passions too. But Iā€™m a pretty calm and focused person, donā€™t expect to find me at rap concerts or raves. Thatā€™s not my thing. Iā€™m an avid collector of CDs and vinyl, particularly the musical works that fascinate me the most. Iā€™d love to become a licensed vinyl dealer for music fairs in Italy. I also really enjoy food and love exploring different ethnic cuisines. Of course, guitars are a big passion of mine as well, learning about the different models, their history, and following many YouTube channels dedicated to restorations. Another major passion of mine is mathematics.

I thank the band for the interview and wish them all the best for the continuation of their artistic career.

Lineup:
Alessandro Gargivolo / Vocals, Rythmic & Lead Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar
ā€œErymanthon Sethā€ / Lead Guitar (Track 3)
Luca Margini / Synthesizers, Keyboards, Organ
Jester ā€œThe Festerā€ / Drums

Jester Majesty |Bandcamp|Facebook Page|Instagram|YouTube Channel|

Author: Jacopo Vigezzi

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