Embrace The Unexpected with Tystnaden

Fans of bands such as Evanescence and Lacuna Coil are destined to be absolutely captivated by the glorious auditory tapestries found within Tystnaden from Italy!  This female fronted modern metal collective commenced on their sonic journey at the dawn of the new millennium.  And now with their third masterwork entitled The Black Swan on the horizon, Tystnaden is ready to enrapture the senses of an entire world!  Highwire Daze recently caught up with rhythm guitarist and lead composer Cesare Codispoti to find out more about this absolutely dynamic band ready to break out in a vibrantly epic way!

Introduce yourself, tell me what you do in Tystnaden, and how long the band has been together.
CC: Hi Ken, thank you for this opportunity! I’m Cesare, the rhythm guitarist and lead composer of Tystnaden. I’ve been with the band since the beginning, which was in 1999. Our journey has been great and long one, filled with many changes and evolutions, both in our sound and in our lineup, but our passion for music has always been the driving force behind what we do. Our career milestones include a first demo (Tystnaden – 2000), an EP (Fragments – 2003), three full-length albums released worldwide (Sham of Perfection – 2006 , In Our Eye – 2008, Anima – 2012). Finally, on the 13th of September, our fourth comeback album “The Black Swan” will be released. If readers are interested in knowing our story, they can visit and follow our website and social channels to read our bios and find contents and music. Our sound is described as a fascinating blend of instinctive energy and elegant atmosphere, evolved from dark, immediate tones to a more mature expressiveness over time, combining a strong melodic sensibility with gritty, catchy riffs.

Where is Tystnaden based out of and what is the local music scene like there?
CC: Tystnaden is based in Udine, in Friuli Venezia Giulia region, North East of Italy. The local music scene here is quite diverse, with a strong presence of both metal and rock bands. There’s a good sense of community among musicians, but, like in many places, it can be challenging to get noticed beyond the local circuit. However, we’ve always found a way to connect with audiences, both locally and internationally, with our work!

Is there any overall story or concept behind The Black Swan album title?
CC: The title “The Black Swan” was inspired by Nassim Nicholas Taleb’s essay on the concept of rare, unpredictable events that have a massive impact. The album reflects on these moments in life, those unforeseen changes that force you to adapt and grow, whether you’re ready for them or not. It’s a concept that resonates with us, especially given the challenges we’ve faced as a band and individually.

Select two songs from The Black Swan and what inspired the lyrics.
CC: Two songs that stand out from “The Black Swan” are “Broken” and “Forsaken“, the two singles we have released in June and July with two videos. Both delve into deep and emotional themes that resonate with the overall concept of The Black Swan.

“Forsaken” is a powerful commentary on the devastation of war, focusing on how human glory and achievements can be so easily destroyed by anger and conflict. It’s about feeling abandoned by the very forces that should protect us.

“Broken“, on the other hand, is more personal and introspective. It reflects on the pain and disillusionment that can come from broken relationships and the lies we tell ourselves and others. The song speaks to the idea of being worn down by time and deceit, but also the struggle to hold on to the beauty and love that once was. It’s a melancholic yet powerful exploration of emotional vulnerability and the scars left behind.

These are the youtube links for these songs:
Forsaken video: https://youtu.be/Eb6_9MSImlY?si=DnlXsAoGmSg73B8X
Broken lyric video: https://youtu.be/oWZXwNN3y2E?si=qEXb_q8oTQBgkfgp

Who did the cover art for The Black Swan and how much influence did you have on it?
CC: The cover art for “The Black Swan” was done by the talented artist Beatrice Demori. We had a lot of input in the design process, as we wanted the artwork to reflect the themes of unpredictability and transformation that run throughout the album. Beatrice did an incredible job capturing the essence of what we were aiming for, both by finding the right representation of the black swan within ourselves, and by managing to capture these emotions through the extraordinary colors of the cover.

Who produced The Black Swan and what was it like working with them?
CC: Fabio D’Amore (well-known producer and bass player of the Austrian power metal band Serenity) produced The Black Swan, and working with him was a fantastic experience. He was more than just a producer; he became a sixth member of the band. Fabio brought a fresh perspective to our music, helping us to refine our sound while maintaining our identity. His guidance was crucial in shaping the final product. We were also lucky to work with the great sound engineer Francesco Marzona, who mixed and mastered the album alongside Fabio.

What was it like opening for Temperance and did you get to meet or hang out with them at all?
CC: Opening for Temperance was a great experience. They’re a band we respect a lot, and it was amazing to share the stage with them. We are friends of their male vocalist Michele Guaitoli, so we could joke around, have fun together, and exchange suggestions during soundcheck. It’s really nice to be able to share the stages with professional and kind people like them!

If Tystnaden could open for any band either now or from the past, who would it be and why?
CC: If Tystnaden could open for any band, it would probably be Lacuna Coil or Evanescence. We are big admirers of both bands’ careers and their ability to blend heavy and melodic elements so seamlessly. Playing with them would be an incredible opportunity to reach new audiences and learn from some of the best in the genre.

Has Tystnaden ever played here in the States and if so, what was the experience like?
CC: Unfortunately, we have never played in the States, but it’s something we definitely hope to do in the future. American fans often write to us, eager to see us live, and we’d love to experience the American metal scene in person.

Looking back on your first album Sham Of Perfection from 2006, what do you think of them now in retrospect?
CC: Looking back at “Sham of Perfection“… the album holds a special place in our hearts. It was our first work with a major record company, Hamburg’s LMP, it was fresh and innovative for the time, and made us known to a wide audience. Now it’s clear how much we’ve grown since that, we’ve definitely evolved as musicians and as a band. Our sound has matured, and we’ve become more confident in our identity and the music we want to create.

Are you currently involved with any other bands or projects outside of Tystnaden?
CC: At the moment, I’m fully focused on Tystnaden. The band is my main project, and with the release of “The Black Swan” we’ve been putting all our energy into promoting the album and connecting with our fans.

What’s up next for Tystnaden?
CC: We eagerly await the official release of the album (September 13th), the first reviews and the public’s response. We have planned a release party on August 23rd near Udine where our audience will be able to pre-buy the new album and the new merchandise. And following that, on September 21st we will play in Innsbruck at the P.M.K. venue. In the meantime we are planning a series of live shows to promote the album.

Any final words of wisdom?
CC: Embrace the unexpected and not be afraid to take risks. Life is full of surprises, some good and some bad, but each one presents an opportunity to grow and learn. Keep an open mind and heart, and you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve. Thank you again, I give you our links, follow us!

(Interview by Ken Morton)

Band: TYSTNADEN
Laura De Luca (CC) – voices
Giulia Coletti (GC) – lead guitars
Cesare Codispoti (CC) – guitars
Stefano Galioto (SG) – bass
Alberto Iezzi (AI) – drums

WEBSITE: https://www.tystnaden.com/home.html
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/TystnadenBand
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/tystnaden_band/
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@tystnadenbandofficial