1.Hello please introduce yourself to the readers?
Mario Lovio - Guitar
Steven Rondina - Vocals/Bass
Nick Mafi - Drums
Eddie Spade - Guitar
2.When did you first discover metal music and who were the first bands and artists you listened to?Who are some of the current bands that you have been listening to?
I think I was about 12 years old when I went to my first concert: KISS. I know they’re not really considered metal, but that show left such an impression on me. Killer songs, pyro, and loud guitars! After seeing that concert, I started listening to bands that had great guitar playing. Which eventually led me to discover 80’s metal. Bands like Motley Crue, Dokken, Megadeth, Iron Maiden. etc. these days, I still primarily listen to bands from the 80’s. As far as current music, I’ve been listening to Hans Zimmer, Rammstein, Slash ft. The Conspirators, and Holy Grail. To name a few. " - Eddie
"I was 13 when I was first introduced to Iron Maiden by a friend in High School. From there I discovered Megadeth, the rest of the "Big Four" and bands like Judas Priest and Dragonforce. I've always been drawn to bands that have 2 guitar players who harmonize and trade guitar solos. " - Mario
3.When did you first meet the other members of the band and was it long before you started the band?How did you come up with the name Malison for the band and does it have a special meaning?
"I met both our former drummer and former guitarist at SDSU in September of 2013. They introduced me to Steven and the 4 of us rehearsed through the end of the year. We decided to start the band in January of 2014. The line-up has changed a bit since then. We brought Nick in on drums in 2016 and for the next 4 years we were technically a 3-piece but always had someone fill-in on second guitar for live shows. We met Eddie Spade in the Spring of 2020 and hit the studio the very next month. 'Malison' means 'curse'. I kind of just stumbled upon it as I was looking through a thesaurus. -Mario
4.What is the current line-up of the band?Who would you say are the bands biggest influences and how do you feel the band's music has changed over the years?
Mario Lovio - Guitar
Steven Rondina - Vocals/Bass
Nick Mafi - Drums
Eddie Spade - Guitar
"Our biggest influences are: Megadeth, Iron Maiden, Warbringer, Slayer, Between the Buried and Me, Dragonforce, Judas Priest. Some of the bands Eddie named as well.
5.Death's Embrace is the band's newest full length how long did it take the band to write the music for the new release?How long does it usually take the band to complete one song?
"Writing really started around the time we were finished with the last record in 2018. Mario came to us with the song “Reborn” in 2019. The bulk of the writing was completed after we had finished with our mini tour that November. We spent about 5 months after the tour really focusing on song writing and finishing the album. As for the songs, it really depends on each song. Ideas are always being crafted in Malison, and some of these songs have had months of ideas and riffs poured into them. Once the groundwork is laid, songs usually come together in a timely fashion. “Oblivion” was probably the song that took the longest to write overall, that one took a couple months!" - Nick
6.Where did the band draw inspiration for the lyrics on the new release and what are some subjects written about on the release?Which usually comes first the music or the lyrics?
"The music always comes first. When writing a new song I'll get about 80% of the guitar parts done before I show it to the rest of the guys. Their input and ideas help with the remaining 20%. Similarly, the lyrics are mostly written by Steven, who will approach us with a rough draft of what he's come up with. Then we'll provide input and make modifications where we see fit." - Mario "The lyrics usually come while thinking of a theme for the song. Unless the guys have a theme for a track, I always try to go by what I feel with the song but also try not to box in the lyrics so they can be interpreted however the listener hears it." - Steven
7.Besides the upcoming Death's Embrace release does the band have any other releases or merchandise currently availible?If yes what is availible and where can the readers purchase it?
"Yes, you can listen to and purchase our self-titled 2018 debut on malison.bandcamp.com" - Mario
8.Malison recently made a video for the song Reborn how long did it take to make this video?Are you all satisfied with how it turned out?
"Planning for the video came about in late December of 2019. We knew that we wanted to approach this music video in a straightforward fashion and capture the energy that we bring to our live performances! Once we had the location and crew secured, it took a full day of shooting with a week's worth of edits until the final product came to be. I personally am very proud of what we made together, and we are all happy with the video." - Nick
9.If you have the opportunity to make any more music video's which songs would you like to see made into a video?
"I would love to make a video for the song “Lifehunt”. We actually have a couple ideas in the chamber for that song if we do. As that song was being made, we were coming up with tons of visual concepts and storylines. In turn, we ended up finding our lyrical themes for that song through our brainstorming of potential music video ideas!" - Nick
10.Has Malison had the opportunity to play very many live shows over the years?If yes what have been some of the bands most memorable shows so far? Who are some bands that you have shared the stage with?
"We were playing regularly here in Southern California before Covid. The most memorable shows have been when we've opened for some of our favorite bands, such as: Enforcer, Warbringer, Holy Grail, Exmortus, etc. We've also played with national touring acts like Darkest Hour, Huntress, Unleash The Archers, etc" - Mario
11.When bands are able to play live shows once again are their any plans to do a tour in support of the new release?
"Definitely, we're ready and eager to get out on the road again and play our new songs! Hopefully we'll be able to share some tour details very soon. " - Mario
12.Besides working in Malison do any of the members currently work with any other bands or solo projects? If yes please tell the readers a little about them?
"Yes, besides playing in Malison, I also have my own solo project on the side. I actually just released my first EP ‘High Time For Vengeance’ last week. I set out to make the overall sound be cinematic. I’m a big fan of orchestral film score music, and instrumental shred guitar, so I combined the two genres and came up with a sound that I really dig. Glad to say its had a positive reception so far! It’s available wherever music is sold/streamed." - Eddie
13.When you need to take a break from working on new music or band business what do you enjoy doing in your free time?
"Here’s the most metal answer of all time: I enjoy reading. I’m into all types of books, ranging from biographies, horror, business and financial independence. I also enjoy watching movies, having the occasional drink(s), and I make time to go to the gym every day .. excluding weekends. I don’t necessarily enjoy it, but it’s necessary." - Eddie "It's hard for me to find time where I'm either not at work or doing some related to the band. When I do, I'll usually just play PC games" - Mario
14.Thank you for taking the time to fill this interview out do you have any final comments for the readers
Thank you as well, and a huge thank you to the readers. You can pre-order our second album, "Death's Embrace" at: malison.bandcamp.com Band Contacts https://malison.bandcamp.com/ https://www.facebook.com/malisonband https://twitter.com/teammalison https://www.instagram.com/malison_official/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfDDIdf-NSXp1KOVzAoi_iQ
