Formed in 2025 between Italy and Germany, Noctivagum is a black metal project rooted in esoteric thought and ritualistic atmosphere. With the release of their first EP De Arcanis et Ritibus Sulphuris in early 2026, the band unveils an initiatory journey shaped by alchemical symbolism, hermetic concepts, and a deep reverence for the genre’s underground spirit. In this interview, Noctivagum speak about the origins of the project, their influences, the meaning behind their debut EP, and their vision of black metal beyond trends and boundaries.
Asmoth: Noctivagum was formed in 2025 by members from Italy and Germany. How did the band come together, and how did this international collaboration shape the project?
D.: So, I'm Italian but I've been living in Germany since 2019. For various reasons I had to stop playing for 5 years (real torture for a drummer), but luckily in February 2025 I met my friend and guitarist Lightning through mutual friends. After a couple of rehearsals together, having immediately found a good connection both on a human and musical level, we decided to stop playing the usual covers and started thinking about our own project.
Subsequently, thanks to previous acquaintances in the Italian underground scene (having been a founding member and drummer in the folk/black metal band Korrigans, active from 2010 to 2015, as well as drummer in my side project Hagalaz with Torc, also guitarist in Korrigans), I asked Wolf (producer at Wolf's Lair Abyss Studios, as well as guitarist of the historic Neapolitan black metal band Gort) to take part in the project behind the microphone.
At the moment, we are also happy to announce the entry into the band of Einherjar (Gort / Nigra Mors), on second guitar and bass, who is already making a notable contribution to the writing of the next songs.
Asmoth: Your first EP, De Arcanis et Ritibus Sulphuris, was released in early 2026. What was your main vision for this release, both musically and conceptually?
D.: I conceived this EP, especially the lyrics, as an initiatory journey, a musical representation of certain alchemical-philosophical concepts, references to classical demonology, Egyptian occultism, Hermeticism, and more. I wanted to bring together some concepts drawn from various grimoires and esoteric books dear to me.
Essentially, everyone can draw from the Matrix that most captures their attention, but it should be considered that everything refers to a single concept, which is that of existence as an initiatory journey of the Spirit through various stages. Hence the marking of beginning and end with the opening of the door and the tolling of the bell.
Asmoth: Which black metal bands and movements influenced Noctivagum the most, and are there any non–black metal influences that shaped your sound?
D.: As for musical influences, having listened to black metal for 20 years, my inspiration comes from several hundred bands. Mine are definitely bands like Taake, Sargeist, Horna, Malum, Spite Extreme Wing, Rotting Christ, Dissection, Agalloch, Nechochwen, Woods of Ypres and hundreds of others — there are really too many.
Bands that aren't black metal, but that definitely influenced us (and here I'm also speaking especially for my guitarist Lightning), are Iron Maiden, Death, Black Sabbath and others. Einherjar also comes from old school death and black metal, as well as our singer Wolf.
Asmoth: How do you manage songwriting, communication, and cohesion while being based in different countries?
D.: Since Lightning, guitarist, and I live in the same city in Germany, there are no songwriting issues. We communicate in English or German, so languages aren't a problem. We wrote the EP together, riff by riff, blast beat by blast beat, in just over seven months, and sent it all to Wolf (Wolf's Lair Abyss Studio), our singer, in Italy, for mixing and mastering.
Einherjar recently joined the band as bassist and second guitarist, and even though he's also in Italy, the internet has made it easy to write and share riffs and ideas in real time.
Asmoth: How do you view the current black metal scene today, and where do you feel Noctivagum fits within — or outside of — it?
D.: Personally, I've always given a fat fuck about fitting into any label or category, in music but especially in life in general. For me, black metal can easily exist solely on record, not necessarily played live (like Noctivagum, for example). For now, this project will remain studio-only.
For the future, who knows — maybe some specific dates at specific festivals, but it's complicated since the lineup is in two countries. I believe that black metal isn't a trend, it's not a genre for everyone, and that everyone should find what fascinates them most without bothering anyone else.
Asmoth: Do you feel a particular connection to the Italian or German black metal scenes, or do you see Noctivagum as a project without national boundaries?
D.: I think Noctivagum is an entity by itself. But we surely have connections with other Italian black metal bands, being Italy my country of origin and having played there for years before moving. I know more musicians and contacts there than in Germany. In general, I don't think music can be imprisoned in the vile material boundaries of men.
Asmoth: Is De Arcanis et Ritibus Sulphuris an introduction to a larger vision, and can we expect a full-length album or new material soon?
D.: This EP is only the start. Having joined forces with Einherjar, a long-time musician himself, the level is rising considerably. At the moment we have almost completed two songs that will go on a split album with two other bands (but we won't reveal any other details for now), and we have also started working on our full length. Stay tuned.
