Emerging as a solo project in 2019, Black Reuss is the brainchild of artist who blends Doom and Gothic Metal with deeply introspective themes. With four albums forming a conceptual journey through the flow of life—Metamorphosis, Journey, Arrival, and the forthcoming Death—Black Reuss invites listeners to explore universal emotions through heavy, atmospheric soundscapes. In this interview, we dive into the creative mind behind Black Reuss, the evolution of the project, and the profound stories embedded in each release.
Serial Metalbums: Black Reuss is a project that blends Doom and Gothic Metal with a deeply atmospheric and introspective touch. For those who might not yet be familiar with your work, could you introduce the concept of Black Reuss and the creative mind behind it?
Maurizio Dottores: After being in bands for several years and having a musical break. I decided to start a solo project in 2019. In the initial phase I built my own recording studio and experimented a lot. I was looking for the sound I had in my head and set up my studio so that I could work at any time. That's how Black Reuss came about. I write, produce, sing and play all the instruments myself, except for the drums. I also sing and write all the lyrics.
Serial Metalbums: Your music is often described as a journey through heavy and emotional soundscapes. How would you personally define the sound of Black Reuss? What are the main themes, influences, or philosophies that drive your creative vision?
Maurizio Dottores: I'm often asked that and I don't particularly like it when I have to describe myself. I think everyone who hears it should make up their own mind what the sound is like. Thematically, it's about the first four albums. Metamorphosis, Journey, Arrival and Death are about the flow of life, which is described in four chapters. The first three have already been released and I'm currently working on the fourth. What drives me is simply the music. For me, it's a universal language with which you can reach everyone in the world. It's also about transforming certain moods into music. I think that's great.
Serial Metalbums: Since 2021, you’ve released four albums—Metamorphosis, Journey, Poems by R. W. Brunhart, Pt. 1, and Arrival. Each release seems to represent a unique chapter in a larger narrative. Could you elaborate on the overarching concept or story that connects these albums?
Maurizio Dottores: As I said, there are four chapters.... By the way... the Poems album stands for itself and is a side project of Black Reuss. In the others I describe the flow of life in four chapters. Metamorphosis is about transformation. It's the time when you realize that you must change something in your life to move on and, above all, to live with the values you have. Journey is about the journey in which you realize all this and have setbacks again and again. Arrival is not about having arrived and that everything is okay. The demons are still there, but you have learnt to deal with them. Death is about death... It’s about different ways of seeing death.
The Poems by R.W. Brunhart album was a side project in which I musically realised a few poems by my father-in-law that really touched me.
Serial Metalbums: Your latest album, Arrival, came out in 2023. What does this album represent in the context of Black Reuss? What was the creative and recording process like for this release, and how do you feel it builds upon the foundation of your previous work?
Maurizio Dottores: Arrival is not about having arrived and that everything is okay. The demons are still there, but you have learnt how to deal with them. It's kind of the phase in which you can live your values. The creative process varies, but I usually have a melody, a guitar riff or a certain mood in my head and then I start with that. I work very intuitively and let myself be carried from one idea to the next.
Serial Metalbums: In 2022, you released Poems by R. W. Brunhart, Pt. 1. How did the idea for this project come about? What role do the lyrics and the poetic elements play in shaping the identity of Black Reuss? Are there plans for a continuation with Part 2?
Maurizio Dottores: My father-in-law wrote texts and poems for most of his life. When he retired, he worked on a book and published some of the texts and poems. When I read it, some of them really touched me and as he is also a Black Reuss fan and listens to my music regularly, I thought I would make him a present of 5 songs with his poems. Whether there will be a second one is written in the stars.
Serial Metalbums: With four albums released in such a short span, your musical journey has been incredibly dynamic. How do you feel Black Reuss has evolved since Metamorphosis in 2021? Have your creative goals or inspirations shifted over time?
Maurizio Dottores: I don't calculate my music. It reflects what's inside me. My musical horizon has always been very broad, which is probably the reason for the relatively wide span in my music. The goal hasn't changed and probably never will. I just do exactly what I bring out of myself and exactly the way I want to, without compromise. The compromises I must make are more of a technical nature. My ability is what comes across in music. In other words, if I make progress musically and technically, then something can change.
Serial Metalbums: What’s next for Black Reuss? Are you working on new material or perhaps planning live performances? Can fans expect a continuation of the narrative established in your albums or new experimental directions?
Maurizio Dottores: I'm currently working on the fourth album Death. Which is also the last in the series. After that, this concept is over. It doesn't go any further. I will then come up with something new. There are currently various scenarios. I would like to realize Black Reuss live, but there are certain hurdles that must be overcome. Death will still be released in 2025, but I can't say exactly what will happen after that.