Hi, a special salute to all Metal-Heart readers from Tony, the new Sigma vocalist!!

First, can you make a brief history about the band's beginning? Which was your motivation to create the band?

The band was formed by ex-Love Machine members, a hard rock band. They decided to evolve their stile in a modern power metal, so they changed name and recorded their first album, with Val Shieldon on vocals. The motivation to create the band is our desire to explain the music we have inside, as it is now, respecting our actual taste.

What are your members' history in music like? Did you play for other bands before Sigma?

All Sigma's members are ex Love Machine's members from 12 years, except Pasko, that played with Ombre Rosse, and me. I played with other bands, some hard rock, some prog, some classic heavy. I remember Dollmen, a hard rock cover band, and Emerald a prog-metal band closer to Symphony X and Dream Theater stile. During these years all members have had some collaborations, with other artists; for example Pasko have recently played live with Warlord, during the last tour.

Val is no longer with you. So why did he leave or had to leave the band? How is the new singer working out for you? What would you say are the differences between him and Val?

Hard question for me, because I'm the actual Sigma's singer. I think I'm not the right person that have to answer to this questions, but I'll try it. Val spontaneously left the band by different points of view about songs interpretation. In my opinion, the new singer is working out well, of course, ah ah ah! I'm joking. I feel the band is satisfied about the work I've done; I involved myself to match, as more as possible, the interpretation the band wanted on the new songs. I like very much Val's voice, and his work on the first self titled album. I think that I have a different voice, and a different way to use it; but we have good voices both; just different, but good.

Three years after the release of the debut album, how would you judge it? Are you still pleased with it?

Yes! Sigma is a very good album, I like it very much. I haven't sung on it, so I can judge it as a fan. Is a powerful album, with good melodies, heavy riffs, good singer. Is not a standard power metal, so I like it. In particular, End Of Time, Guardians, King Of The Nightmares, Follow The Sign.

Can you tell about what happened between the release of the debut album in 2000 and this new album? How long did it take to plan and record the new CD?

Hmmm! Yes, three years is a long time, but the band faced some troubles, and I think that this long time has been needed to arrive where we are. Line up changes, to lose record deal... are sources of late and anxiety for the band. We have faced the normal show business problems, but now we are "re-birth" to bring our music to all our fans, and to let the people know our music. After all these years I'm sure that "Win Or Lose" is the best album we are able to produce. A powerful and melodic power rich in passion.

What do you think are the main differences between the latest CD and the previous one? What elements do you think have been improved?

"Win Or Lose" shows many improved elements from the previous "Sigma". Melodies, arrangements, vocal harmonies, emotions, passion and heavy power. This is surely a more mature album for Sigma, a growth in Sigma's stile.

The lyrics for the album are based on a book written by Manzoni. What lead you to write the lyrics around this book?

Manzoni's "I Promessi Sposi" ("The Betrothed" in English), is a fundamental novel of the Italian 1800 Literature. This book is studied in all the Italian schools for its intensity, and its form. It is the most representative in the italic classical culture. We chose this book, to make an original artwork about our culture, that have much to communicate. I remember an Italian prog metal band that have tried a similar project, Black Jester. They made a very good artwork about another classic Italian literature opera: Dante's "La Divina Commedia" (The Divine Comedy). I like very much this album.

Could you give a little insight into the story to those who have yet to read the book (or your lyrics)?

Yes! The story is placed in the north Italy in 1600 during the Spanish domination. The plot is simple: A lord want to have sex with a girl (Lucia); but this girl is going to marry the boy (Renzo) she loves. The lord intervention separate the lovers in two different travels full of events and characters. They have to face some troubles to realize their love dream. In particular in the lyrics you can find, a priest, a mother, a friar, a nun, a brave, the lord, Lucia, Renzo, a master of thieves and hit men, hunger, "Black Death" and so on.

When will the new recording see the light? Have you been contacted by any labels interested in releasing it yet?

Yes, but if I would tell you, after I will have to kill you! ah ah ah! Yes, I'm completely mad!!! But don't worry! I'm a good guy! Seriously! I don't know when "Win Or Lose" will see the light, but as soon as possible, I hope. Now we are evaluating the deals proposed from the interested labels, paying attention to japan market, in fact I have made a japan version of the title track, where I sing in Japanese, it is a personal homage I've strongly wanted to dedicate to our japan fans. I love very much japan heavy metal, I'm a Loudness' fan.

What kind of memories do you have on your gigs during the year 2001? And, in general, what was your most memorable concert, so far?

I'm sorry but I don't have anything to remember, because I wasn't the Sigma vocalist yet. But I know that Sigma give their best energy on stage. Andrew told me that the tour with Labyrinth, and the opening at the Gods Of Metal, was great. These were experiences where Sigma learnt many things, with enthusiastic fans feedback, and with good and powerful energy, Very exciting gig, with fan that sung our songs. Wow! As a fan, I can tell you that my favourite concert was Symphony X during Twilight In Olympus tour.

Which are your three favourite albums in Heavy Metal history and why?

Very hard question for me, I have more than three favourite albums. For me every album that opens my mind in music, is fundamental. For example "Live-Loud-Alive" the best Loudness' live, or Symphony X's "The Divine Wings Of Tragedy", or ARK's "Burn The Sun" are needed in my CD collection, but Pestilence's "Spheres", Atheist's "Elements", or Dark Tranquillity's "The Gallery" are needed too.

Thanks for doing this interview and write down everything I forgot, contact address or final words...

Thank you for this interview, I salute every fan, and I invite all fans to visit our site www.sigmaonline.co.uk to listen to the songs' preview, and to send us what you think about it, and your support. Thank you from Tony. Bye. Seeyane.

---