Formed in 2025 in Sardinia, Italy, Tombal is a new old-school Swedish death metal-inspired band driven by a passion for the HM-2 sound and the classic '90s death metal scene. Following the release of their debut EP Grave of the Damned, Luigi and Luca discuss the band's origins, musical influences, lyrical themes, and their ambitious plans for a first full-length album and live performances.
Asmoth: Tombal is a very young band, having been formed in 2025. What inspired you to start this project, and how did the idea for the band come together?
Luigi: Hi! TOMBAL was born in 2025 from an idea I had carried with me for years: to form an old-school Swedish death metal band. I've always been a huge fan of the entire '90s swedeath scene and of death metal in general, the real kind that crawls from beneath the ground, and I'm also deeply obsessed with the HM-2 sound. So I immediately contacted Luca, a young and incredibly talented drummer who is like a brother to me, and my longtime friend Massimiliano on bass, to bring TOMBAL to life. I chose the name because I believe it perfectly represents both the music we play and who we are as a band. As soon as I mentioned it to Luca, we both knew it was the right choice.
Asmoth: Despite being a new band, Grave of the Damned already showcases a strong identity. How did the songwriting and recording process unfold for this debut EP?
Luca: First of all, Luigi took care of writing and recording the guitar parts, as well as the vocals, while Massimiliano recorded the bass. I was responsible for the drum parts. Whether a song started from a guitar riff or a drum idea, we constantly exchanged ideas to find those melodies and that powerful and strong impact we wanted every track to have. Everything came together naturally, always following our own instinctive approach to songwriting and our sound.
Asmoth: Your music clearly draws inspiration from old-school death metal. Which bands and albums have had the biggest impact on your sound and musical vision?
Luigi: Without a doubt, bands like Dismember, Grave, Interment and Entombed have been huge influences on us. We also love Lik, I honestly enjoy every one of their albums, and I think they have an incredible sound. That said, when we write music, we always try to play only what comes naturally, without forcing anything. Beyond the Swedish scene, we're also big fans of early '90s American death metal, with the early Morbid Angel albums being a major inspiration.
Asmoth: The atmosphere and song titles on Grave of the Damned revolve around themes of death, decay, and horror. What lyrical and conceptual themes are most important to Tombal?
Luca: Even though it's not actually a concept album, there is a common thread that connects every song through the themes of death, decay and rot, which naturally felt like the most appropriate themes and the ones that best fit our band's name. Together with our music and sound, they also help create the macabre cemetery atmosphere we wanted to represent from the very beginning.
Asmoth: Sardinia's metal scene is often less visible internationally than those of other Italian regions. How would you describe the local extreme metal scene, and what role does Tombal play within it?
Luigi: The Sardinian scene is full of great bands. I could mention many names because they're all very talented. Tombal has only just come out, but starting this winter we'll make our live debut in Sardinia, so the Sardinian audience will finally be able to see us on stage. We really can't wait!
Asmoth: As a newly formed band, what were the biggest challenges you faced while establishing Tombal and releasing your first EP?
Luca: To be honest, everything went really smoothly, from writing the songs to recording them. We had clear ideas right from the beginning, and of course they became even more defined over time. Because of that we didn't find challenges and we moved forward quickly and with determination from day one. This allowed us to complete everything with great precision and speed. We never stop.
Asmoth: Many bands use their debut EP as a stepping stone toward a full-length album. Have you already begun working on new material, and can fans expect a full-length release in the near future?
Luigi: Absolutely, this EP is only the beginning. It was released on June 12, and already in July we're entering the studio to record our first full-length. We have everything ready: the songs, the artwork and many exciting surprises as well. We're in a very creative period, moving very fast and full of passion for what we do. We've signed a great deal with Blood Harvest Records for the full-length, and we have a lot in store for you. In 2027 we'll be busy with tours, festival appearances and many other important things.
