1782: Read the exclusive Interview with the Italian band

1782 gave an interview to Eleni Leonida, due to their upcoming appearance in Athens 7th-8th of March at Heavy Psych Sounds Fest.

1. Can you share the story behind the formation of 1782 and what inspired you to
start this project in December 2018?

1782 was born in December 2018, but the idea had been in our minds for a long time. Gabriele and I had always wanted to start a doom band because it’s a genre we both deeply connect with. We had been playing together in other projects, but we felt the need to create something that truly reflected our passion for heavy, dark, and slow sounds. When the time was right, we finally decided to bring 1782 to life.

2. The name 1782 references the year of Anna Göldi’s execution, the last witchcraft trial in Europe. What led you to choose this name, and how does her story influence your music and themes?

The story of Anna Göldi fascinated us. The whole theme of witch trials is not only intriguing and mysterious but also incredibly tragic. So many women were murdered because of ignorance.

The year 1782 marked the last witch trial in Europe, symbolizing the end of these senseless executions.

We thought it was meaningful to choose this name to keep that memory alive. Our first single, “She Was A Witch,” is dedicated to Anna Göldi’s story a mix of legend and reality which felt like the perfect way to establish the identity of the band from the very beginning.

3. Which artists or bands have significantly influenced your sound and style within the doom metal genre?

Gabriele and I come from different doom backgrounds. He’s more into the old-school side, influenced by bands like Pentagram, Black Sabbath, and Candlemass. On the other hand, I come from the stoner doom scene, inspired by Electric Wizard, Sleep, and Monolord. By merging these two approaches, we shaped the sound of 1782. Then, when Francesco joined on bass, the band’s style evolved even further. But if there’s one band that influences us all, it’s definitely Black Sabbath!

4. Can you walk us through your songwriting and recording process? How do you develop your distinctive heavy and occult sound?

It’s a pretty natural process. We get together in the studio, throw out every riff that comes to mind, and start working on them. Sometimes, we just jam, and when a riff stands out, we keep it and build around it. Lyrics come later if I already have something written, I work with that; otherwise, I write new ones. Once the songs are ready, we hit the studio, recording each instrument separately. We also make some arrangements or changes during the sessions. Then comes mixing and mastering, which is basically us yelling at each other until we’re all happy with the final result! Hahaha

5. Since your debut album in 2019, how do you feel your music has evolved, particularly with releases like “From The Graveyard” in 2021?

Our first album feels more raw and direct maybe because it was just Gabriele and me recording it, and we were eager to release the songs. With “From The Graveyard,” we paid more attention to sound and composition. Francesco’s addition to the band played a big role in that he brought something extra to our songwriting and overall sound. The evolution is natural, and we’re always looking to push things further.

6. In 2020, you collaborated with Acid Mammoth on “Doom Sessions Vol.2”. How did this collaboration come about, and what was the experience like working with
them?

It was an amazing experience! The split album turned out great, and we ended up doing two European tours together. Acid Mammoth are not only a fantastic band but also incredible people, we’ve become like brothers. Every time we meet at a festival and play together, it feels like a family reunion!

7. You’re scheduled to perform in Greece on March 7th at the Heavy Psych Sound
Festival. What can fans expect from your live show, and how do you feel about
playing for the Greek audience?

1782: This will be our first time playing in Greece!

The Greek audience has an amazing reputation, it seems like they go absolutely crazy at shows. We’ll definitely give it everything we’ve got to make sure they feel every single riff shaking their bones!

8. Reflecting on your 1782 past tours, are there any memorable moments or challenges
you’ve faced that have significantly impacted the band?

Playing with bigger bands has always been a huge motivation for us, especially in the early days. We always try to give 100% on stage, no matter the situation. One of the craziest moments was probably in Slovenia, when a fan jumped on stage to offer Gabriele a beer. As he was approaching, he almost got hit by a flying cymbal, anyone who has seen us live knows exactly who’s sitting behind the drums! Hahaha!

9. Are there any upcoming projects or releases that fans should look forward to in 2025 and beyond?

We’re planning to lock ourselves in the studio and work on new material. We don’t want to rush things, we have some ideas that we really like, and we want to make sure the next album is something special. So yeah, new music is definitely coming, but we’ll take our time to make it right!

10. What message would you like to convey to your fans in Greece and worldwide as you continue your musical journey?

RIIIIFFS! RIIIIFFS! RIIIIFFS! See you all on the road, stay heavy and keep the doom alive!

Thank you so much 1782, see you at HPS Fest Athens!