Interview with Degenerhate; Lead Guitarist Gianluca Lucarini Discusses New Album and Metal Scene in Italy

As a group, Rome, Italy’s Degenerhate have been bringing it hard ever since 2002. The band recently released their latest album Chronicles of the Apocalypse which was mastered by the highly respected Scott Hull, who has worked with the likes of Brutal Truth, Phobia, and Agoraphobic Nosebleed. We chatted recently with Degenerhate’s lead guitarist, Gianluca Lucarini, to get a little more insight into the new album, the writing process, Italy’s metal scene, and the story behind the band’s name.

For those not familiar with your band, can you tell us a little bit about yourselves?
Lucarini: Hello everyone, we are Degenerhate from Rome, Italy and I am Gianluca, founder and lead guitarist of the band. I formed the band in 2002, but we are in the extreme music scene since 1989 with our ex-bands.

Your new disc Chronicles of the Apocalypse has just been released. Now that it is complete how do you feel about it, and what has been the response so far?
Lucarini: We are completely satisfied about the release, and we are receiving great reviews all around the world for Chronicles of the Apocalypse, that we are really happy with! Also, the album has been mastered by Scott Hull (Brutal Truth, Phobia, Agoraphobic Nosebleed) and he did a great work for us.

What is your writing process like?
Lucarini: I write all the lyrics and all the music in the band, and, first I play a guitar riff and after I put on it the lyrics. After the song is completed, it is arranged together with the other band members.

What’s the story behind the name of the band?
Lucarini: Degenerhate, is the crossing between two words Degenerate and Hate, and I chose this name because it sounded good for a grindcore band. I was inspired by the Carcass’s song “Heartwork,” when it says: “A canvas to paint, to degenerate….”

What is the heavy metal scene like over there in Italy?
Lucarini: Here in Italy, we have a cool and growing scene, especially in Rome, our city, there are a lot of good bands. Moreover, some Italian bands like Lacuna Coil, Cripple Bastards, Fleshgod Apocalypse, are worldwide famous. I think that the main problem is that there is little cooperation between the bands, and this is not good.

Check out the song “Behind The Black Horizon” here.

Do you have any touring plans in support of the new recording?
Lucarini: We will make a Russian tour as headliner this summer, plus we will play some gigs here in Italy and a few in Europe. Stay connected with our Facebook page for all the fresh news.

If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only take 3 CDs with you for eternity, assuming there was a solar powered CD player, what would they be?
Lucarini: Terrorizer’s World Downfall, all of The Smiths’ albums, and all of Carcass’ albums.

What has been the most memorable moment of your career so far?
Lucarini: Probably when we released the mini CD The End Has Just Begun and Dan Lilker from Brutal Truth, through his MySpace profile gave us a congratulations!