Level Up: Calligram Bassist Smittens Discusses the Wide, Wonderful World of Gaming

As a band, Calligram is an exercise in using darkness to their advantage. The group released their sophomore album, Position | Momentum, last summer via Prosthetic Records. The record is thematically focused on human consciousness and death, ideal topics for a black metal act. But it’s not all as negative as it may sound. The band, like many others, views music as something that can be used to soothe. Position | Momentum can be considered a celebration of pain, death, and chaos. Joy can be found in unusual places, which is the implication of this latest offering.

Like on their debut, The Eye Is The First Circle, the vocals on Position | Momentum are delivered in lead singer Matteo Rizzardo’s native Italian. But that should not impede understanding where the group is coming from with this new record. That pain, chaos, and struggle can be felt through each anguished scream. In preparing to write this album, Rizzardo set out to understand, embrace, and reclaim the darker parts of himself. These songs document his feelings while he looked back at difficult times. This self-reflection created a sense of clarity and acceptance in him. And within that, there was also a sense of joy. You may think of the process as a purging of some kind.

As a source of inspiration, video games can be surprisingly useful. Bassist Smittens joins us today for an edition of Level Up, where he discusses his introduction to gaming, his favourite games, genres, and more. Also, check out our Geared Up interview, where we dive into the band members’ rigs.

What video game introduced you to the world of gaming?

Smittens: “My sister had a Commodore 64, so a few from there. Ghostbusters, Batman, loads of stuff I definitely can’t remember, then I got really into arcade games from about age six (Simpsons, Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles).”

What are your favourite types of games to play?

“If I’m by myself, I love a good story-led adventure game – from any of the classic Lucas Arts games to Disco Elysium. I also play a lot of sport stuff; anything football (the real one), NHL, boxing, golf, and I love a good driving game. Also, you can’t beat just fucking people up.”

How do you feel about more games featuring VR options?

“I think people should go outside and enjoy life a bit more. VR is rubbish and makes you feel sick.”

Calligram “Position | Momentum” album artwork

Have video games ever inspired you musically?

“I want our music to sound like the soundtrack to Manhunt. If anyone reads this and wants a chaotic metal band to soundtrack their computer game, then hit me up!”

If you were given an unlimited budget to create a video game based on your band, what would it look like?

“Manhunt meets Resident Evil 7 with an adventure game story-led element (how bloody scary would that be? Cor blimey). I watched Terrifier 2 on the weekend. I was bricking it because the trailers made it look well scary, but then when you watch it it is just some rubbish ’80s slasher horror throwback. Really, I wouldn’t mind making something based around what I thought that film was in my head. I think if we actually made it based on the band it’d just be some blokes sat in a pub sticking bangers on a jukebox, watching football, and playing pool badly.”

How would you introduce someone to gaming who has never played a video game before?

“We’d do a co-op on Overcooked straight off the bat and see if they have a total meltdown or Resident Evil 1 and get to the dog through the window bit ASAP.”

Which video game have you logged the most hours on?

“Modern Warfare 2. I lived in a house where all of us were on the dole playing it all day and got pretty good. I think for going back to a game its probably Monkey Island 1 or 3, I’ve recompleted those loads of times.”

What is the most beautiful game you’ve ever played?

“I don’t really care about graphics, but I thought Ghost of Tsushima looked pretty bangin’. I remember the first time I really saw cell shading with that XIII first-person shooter game and thought that was pretty cool.”

Do you prefer playing solo, versus, cooperative, or competitive?

“I mostly play games with my housemate, so either co-op or us passing the controller. Online, it’s always fun giving people shit on the headset.”

What is the scariest game you’ve ever played?

“Resident Evil 7, I refused to play it if I was in the flat on my todd. It was an utter nightmare. Could hardly play it because I was too busy bricking it.”

What is the hardest game you’ve ever played?

“Leisure Suit Larry.”

What is the best game you’ve ever played?

“Recently, it has been Disco Elysium. That main bloke felt very similar to me in lifestyle choices and looks.”

What game do you think you’re the best at?

“I’m too old to be good at any games anymore. Every now and again, I can throw back the years on Modern Warfare.”