Interview with Nick of GENUS ORDINIS DEI: «While «Glare of Deliverance» felt like closing a chapter, «The Beginning» represents a rebirth»

From Italy, GENUS ORDINIS DEI has carved out a unique identity within modern symphonic death metal. With an ambitious approach, both musically and visually, the band has steadily risen through the ranks thanks to releases like Glare of Deliverance (2020), a concept album accompanied by a striking video series, and their most recent work, The Beginning (2023), where they solidify their sound with flawless production and a powerful narrative.

Now, with the release of their first live album, Eternal Live, GENUS ORDINIS DEI proves that their stage presence is every bit as compelling as their studio work. In this interview, we talk with the band about their evolution, the creative process behind their latest releases, their visual storytelling, special collaborations, and what the future holds.

THE METAL FAMILY: GENUS ORDINIS DEI has spent over a decade building a strong path within the symphonic death metal scene. How do you feel the band has evolved from your early days to the present?

GENUS ORDINIS DEI: It has been quite the journey. When we started out, we were focused mainly on creating music that combined the power of death metal with a touch of melody and drama. Over the years, we’ve matured not only musically but as people. We learned how to balance technicality with emotion, brutality with atmosphere. Our evolution has been natural, shaped by our experiences on the road, in the studio, and in life. Today, our sound is more refined, more cinematic, and more intentional.

TMF: Your two most recent releases, Glare of Deliverance and The Beginning, marked a turning point for GENUS ORDINIS DEI, establishing you as a benchmark within the genre. What differences would you highlight between the two albums, both in terms of composition and concept?

GOD: Glare of Deliverance was a massive conceptual and visual challenge. It was dark, theatrical, and built around a single story arc, almost like a metal opera. The Beginning, on the other hand, was more about opening new doors. It’s still conceptual, but more introspective. The compositions are more focused on groove and emotion, with a clearer production and a more personal lyrical approach. While Glare of Deliverance felt like closing a chapter, The Beginning represents a rebirth.

TMF: Composition plays a key role in your music, especially in the way you blend aggression with symphonic elements. What does your songwriting process look like? Do you start with the music, the narrative, or do they evolve together?

GOD: It usually starts with a story or a theme. We’re very narrative-driven. Once we have the core concept, the music follows. We write riffs and orchestration at the same time, making sure everything serves the emotion we want to convey. Then the lyrics are built around the instrumental, sometimes evolving in parallel. It’s a very immersive process, almost like scoring a movie.

TMF: One of the band’s trademarks is the strong audiovisual component. Your videos, especially those from Glare of Deliverance, are truly cinematic works. How important is the visual aspect within the GENUS ORDINIS DEI universe?

GOD: It’s absolutely essential. We always say we don’t just write music, we tell stories. Visuals help bring those stories to life. In a world saturated with content, we believe it’s crucial to create an immersive and multidimensional experience. The audience should not only hear us but see and feel the world we build.

TMF: What kind of feedback have you received from your audience regarding these elaborate and conceptual videos? Do you think they’ve helped you connect with your fans in a different way?

GOD: The feedback has been incredible. People have told us they felt like they were watching a movie rather than a music video series. Many fans dove deeper into the lyrics and symbolism, and that kind of engagement is exactly what we aim for. It definitely created a stronger emotional connection with our audience.

TMF: Focusing on Glare of Deliverance, was it challenging to produce and shoot all those videos? What obstacles did you face during the process?

GOD: It was a huge challenge. We shot 10 episodes in less than two weeks with limited resources. Weather issues, location changes, and intense physical demands made it almost unbearable at times. But the passion drove us through. Looking back, we’re proud we never compromised on the vision.

TMF: Your latest release is Eternal Live, a live album that captures the intensity of your performances. What was that tour like? What memories stand out from those shows?

GOD: That tour was special. The energy was unreal. We had the chance to finally bring to life everything we had built before. Seeing the fans scream the lyrics back at us, feeling that raw power from the crowd—it reminded us why we do this. One special moment was the duet with Ambre Vourvahis on stage; it gave us all chills.

TMF: We know the live recording took place in Switzerland. Which city was it exactly? Did you record any other performances besides this one?

GOD: The recording was done at Z7 in Pratteln, and it was one of those nights where everything clicked: the sound, the audience, the vibe. While we have footage from other shows as well, Pratteln captured the essence of that tour perfectly, so we chose it for the live release.

TMF: Eternal Live features a guest appearance by Ambre Vourvahis, vocalist of XANDRIA. How did this collaboration come about, and what was it like sharing the stage with her? Did you feel a strong artistic connection?

GOD: We met Ambre before the European tour and clicked right away. She’s not only an outstanding vocalist, but also a passionate and humble artist. Collaborating on Eternal Cycle and Salem felt natural, and her presence brought new depth and emotion to the performance. There was definitely a strong artistic chemistry.

TMF: Have you considered adding any members to the band to reinforce your live sound, particularly for the choral or symphonic sections?

GOD: We’ve thought about it. For now, we use backing tracks to reproduce the orchestrations and choirs live, but we’re not ruling out the idea of expanding the lineup or involving session musicians in the future.

TMF: Is The Beginning cycle still ongoing, or are you already working on new material? What can you share with us about that?

GOD: We’re already deep into the next chapter. While The Beginning opened a new era, we see it as a stepping stone. We’re currently working on a very ambitious new project—possibly our most personal and intense yet. Thematically, it will push boundaries, and musically, it will be a bold evolution of our sound.

TMF: Finally, what are GENUS ORDINIS DEI’s short- and long-term plans? Are there tours, new releases, or collaborations on the horizon?

GOD: In the short term, we plan to play selected live shows and festival appearances. Long-term, we are working on a new opera and we’re looking for partners to help us enter new territories like North America. We’re open to collaborations and eager to keep evolving.

TMF: We’ll leave this space for you to speak directly to your fans—share a message or say whatever you like. The mic is yours!

GOD: To all our fans across the world: thank you for walking this path with us. Every scream, every fist in the air, every message you send—we feel it all. Keep believing. Keep fighting. We’ll see you on the road soon.

TMF: Thank you very much for your time, and best of luck with all your upcoming plans.