Emerging out of central Italy, Adeline Gray arrive as a fresh voice in the alternative and groove metal landscape, blending atmosphere, aggression and introspection into something that feels both familiar and distinctly their own.
Their debut EP Portrait of Our Descent is exactly what the title promises — a journey into the depths of human struggle, where anger, melancholy and reflection collide, but never without a sense of hope pushing through the cracks. Drawing from influences like Deftones, Pantera and Norma Jean, the band balance meditative passages with explosive bursts of groove and chaos, creating a sound that feels raw, dynamic and deeply human.
We caught up with the band to talk about the creation of Portrait of Our Descent, their influences, the importance of authenticity in their sound, and what lies ahead.
Debut EP – Portrait of Our Descent
Portrait of Our Descent is framed as a journey into the human abyss and a climb back out. What personal experiences or inspirations shaped this concept, and how does each track contribute to that arc of struggle and rebirth?
Our goal was to merge personal experiences with artistic expression as naturally as possible; therefore, both elements are deeply present in this album. Often, emotions that seem exclusively personal are far more universal or relatable than one might expect. There is usually only fear and hesitation in expressing them openly, so we wanted to share our struggles in a way that could reach others and perhaps help them navigate through their own.
In life, people often find themselves struggling with personal matters, and there are moments when negative feelings prevail—where rage builds up until you see nothing but darkness. There are moments of contemplation and self understanding, and finally, moments of clarity where hardships are left behind. It is the realization that while the path has not been easy, there is still a way to overcome it all. It is time to start walking toward the light.
Ultimately, every track represents, in its own way, a shard of these feelings that anyone might experience.
Singles like “Cold Void,” “Mind,” and “Smoldering Depths” move between meditative, atmospheric moments and sudden bursts of groove and anger. How did you approach balancing Deftones style melancholy, Pantera groove, and Norma Jean chaos without losing cohesion?
We spend a lot of time on songwriting; it is not always a simple or spontaneous process and it involves a lot of trial and error. Sometimes, while playing a track, we feel an inherent need to release the tension and lean into that melancholic atmosphere, while other times we feel the urge to break everything apart with raw aggression and groove.
Whether it is a calculated decision to maintain the structure or a purely instinctive shift, it is all about how we feel the song progressing. We do not set out to tick boxes like “more Pantera” or “more Deftones” just for the sake of it; we always try to avoid any stylistic forcing. Our priority is to let the song breathe and find its own balance naturally.
As a completely self released digital debut, how did you handle production and mixing to capture those quiet to loud dynamic shifts without the backing of a label or major budget?
To start with, we dedicated a significant amount of time to pre production. When you do not have the backing of a label or a major budget, meticulous planning becomes your greatest asset. We carefully sculpted every riff and transition through a home recording process before ever stepping into the studio for final tracking. This allowed us to ensure consistency across the songs and refine the dynamics of every instrument, making sure the shifts from quiet, atmospheric parts to explosive outbursts felt organic rather than just a simple jump in volume.
By the time of the final tracking in the studio, we knew exactly what we wanted from those sessions and sounds.
The choice of recording studio was also a deliberate one, driven by our vision and musical taste rather than economic convenience. At the beginning of our journey, we spent a lot of time understanding our roots and the path we wanted to take together. As a result, we became very focused on the kind of production and sound that truly belonged to us as a group. Given our influences, we were certain we wanted a direct, natural sound that represented us authentically.
We prioritized naturalness, avoiding samples, digital amps, and reamping. Instead, we opted for tube amplifiers and acoustic drums recorded in room to achieve a more human tone.
To achieve this, we turned to Riccardo Pasini at Studio 73 in Ravenna. He became something of a fifth member for us; with his professional approach, he immediately understood our vision and guided us through this journey.
“Beyond the Room” opens the EP in a very deliberate way. What makes it the right introduction to Adeline Gray, and how does the closing track bring the listener back to that core message?
Beyond the Room was the very first step of our journey. It was the first song we wrote together, and it made us realize that, as a group, we actually had something to say. We chose it as the opener because it is a balanced track and serves as a great introduction to the EP.
On the other hand, the final track “Smoldering Depths,” though heavy and at times jarring, ends with an evolution.
It closes with two simple but powerful words: “I can.”
Those words are meant to instill that message of hope — you can start over, even when it seems impossible.
Across the EP there is a strong emotional push and pull between despair and resilience. Was it important that every song still carried a sense of hope?
Absolutely. We conceived most of the tracks as a dark room where a small slit of light always remains. The abyss we speak of is not a destination, but the exact point from which the ascent begins.
Band Members, Origins & Influences
For readers discovering Adeline Gray for the first time, can you introduce the band lineup and briefly outline each member’s musical background?
Adeline Gray consists of Marco Longhi on vocals, Andrea Pistarelli on guitars, Davide Borgogelli on bass, and Alberto Mussoni on drums. We all come from different but complementary musical backgrounds, with some of us having been active for years in the local alternative and metal scenes.
This diversity is what allows us to blend aggression with melody. Marco and Alberto are deeply influenced by alternative, metalcore and hardcore acts, while Andrea’s influences range from 70s and 80s progressive rock to groove and death metal. Davide, instead, combines a classic heavy-thrash foundation with the complexity of Tool and the groove-heavy energy of crossover and nu-metal.
Some of us are long-time friends, so it felt logical to merge our past experiences to create something that feels authentic to us today. Each member’s individual journey directly contributes to the collective sound you hear in ‘Portrait of Our Descent’.
On an individual level, what are each member’s key influences, not just in metal, but any artists or genres that shape how you write, play, or approach atmosphere?
Beyond the metal and alternative icons we have already mentioned, Pantera, Deftones and Norma Jean, each of us draws from very different musical worlds, and those individual tastes are probably what shape our atmosphere.
Alberto’s influences are quite broad, spanning from the classic seventies rock of Led Zeppelin to nineties metal and nu metal, and even stretching into nineties hardcore and rap and hip hop. Andrea, on the other hand, finds his roots in heavy grooves of Lamb of God, Sepultura and Nevermore, reaching out to more technical and extreme acts like Death, Opeth, Strapping Young Lad, Gojira and Meshuggah. He balances that intensity with seventies and eighties progressive rock bands like Queen, Pink Floyd and King Crimson, Paco de Lucia’s flamenco guitars and electronic pioneers like Tangerine Dream and Kraftwerk.
Marco’s musical DNA was forged during the nu metal wave of the early nineties, later evolving into a more layered sound exploration closer to alternative music. Since his very first listens, he was struck by singers who could seamlessly alternate between screams and melodic hooks. His vocal and artistic identity has definitely been shaped by singers like Chino Moreno, Mike Patton and in recent years Vessel from Sleep Token.
Davide, on the other hand, finds his roots in the pillars of hard rock and heavy metal, with a deep admiration for the seventies and eighties scenes. His approach to the bass was fundamentally shaped by legends like Cliff Burton and Steve Harris. However, his sound is not just a tribute to the past. It has been heavily filtered through the experimentation of bands like Primus and Tool, and the explosive energy of crossover and nu metal. More recently, he has been drawing inspiration from the modern atmospheres of Gojira and Sleep Token.
Are there particular roles within the band when it comes to songwriting, for example who brings the initial riffs, who shapes arrangements, and who steers the emotional direction of a track?
We have always tried to collaborate as much as possible on every aspect. When this project started, we decided to lock ourselves in the rehearsal room and do things the old school way to figure out which path was right for us. This allowed for an immediate and direct exchange regarding our tastes and the ideas that were slowly taking shape.
It was a long process, but a fundamental one for laying the groundwork of our journey. There are no fixed roles in the band. We approach our songs as a unit, but every member is more proficient on their instrument and gets the final call on that specific part. The initial sparks are mostly guitar or bass riffs born right there in the rehearsal room or at home, and from there we begin to discuss and develop everything else. Rather than having fixed roles, we let the collective energy of the band shape the arrangements and the emotional direction of each track.
Was there a moment when everyone’s different backgrounds clicked and you realised this was the sound Adeline Gray needed to pursue?
There was not a single definitive moment where we realised this was the Adeline Gray sound. It was more of a gradual process that involved a lot of trial and error. However, as each track took shape, it felt like a small confirmation that our sound was forming and that we actually had something to say.
It was a slow and natural evolution, built on discussion, communication between members, and a few non negotiable pillars, our core influences and those signature sounds that none of us were willing to give up.
We would not say it was easy, because it was not, but we never forced our choices or looked for empty compromises between our different musical tastes. We let the sound emerge by staying true to what each of us brought to the table.
Scene, Identity & Sound
Italian metal is often associated with power or progressive styles. How has coming from central Italy shaped your identity, and do you feel like you are filling a gap with this darker, groove driven approach?
It is true that Italian metal is often associated with power, symphonic or progressive styles, and this mostly stems from the bands that became prominent internationally and the wider musical landscape. However, there has always been a vibrant alternative and more aggressive underground here in central Italy.
Coming from this area has shaped our identity in some way. We live in beautiful places, yet there is sometimes a certain sense of isolation that pushes you to look inward.
We did not set out to fill a gap. We simply started playing the music we liked. Our darker, groove driven approach is a natural response from within us, and perhaps it is our way of connecting with a global scene that shares these same emotions. Rather than following a specific local tradition, we wanted to create something that felt honest to our personal experience.
When writing Portrait of Our Descent, were there specific riffs, tones, or moments from Deftones, Pantera, or Norma Jean that acted as creative sparks for particular songs?
Not specifically. The bands you mentioned are definitely part of our musical DNA, along with many others, so their influence naturally surfaces when we write. It is more about an overall sound aesthetic and energy rather than a direct reference to a single riff or tone.
Those sounds have shaped us over the years, so they inevitably bleed into our songwriting in a way that feels spontaneous and authentic.
Lyrically, the EP leans heavily into introspection, melancholy, and inner conflict. Do you draw from poetry, literature, or personal experiences when writing, and how do you consciously weave hope into restless anger?
Art and literature can certainly be sources of inspiration, but we always strive to channel any influence back into raw emotion. Whether they are experiences we have lived first hand or feelings we have observed in others, emotions are the core of our musical fabric.
We look for the resonance behind those emotions. This is how hope weaves itself into the restless anger, by acknowledging the pain or the conflict as a real, felt emotion, you inevitably find that point of transition, that slit of light, where the energy of the anger is needed to find the path for the climb back up.
Live Plans & The Road Ahead
How important is the live side of Adeline Gray for you, and are there plans to take Portrait of Our Descent onto Italian stages in the near future? How do you translate the EP’s dynamics into a live setting?
The live dimension is essential for us. It is the moment where we directly share our music in a real and tangible way. Translating the EP dynamics into a live setting is a challenge we tackle with the same approach we used in the studio, just the four of us and our instruments to preserve that human and instinctive impact.
While some adjustments are necessary to bring the songs to life on stage, we mostly wrote them with live performance in mind, avoiding excessive layering to ensure the core energy remains raw and authentic.
Our debut show is set for February 28th 2026 at Spazio Webo in Pesaro, Italy, and we are currently booking more dates.
As a brand new band, what has been the biggest challenge so far, finding your audience, standing out online, or building momentum locally, and how are you tackling that?
As a brand new band, the biggest challenge has been standing out in the vast sea of online content and building momentum that feels authentic rather than purely numerical. Today, it is easy to release music, but much harder to make someone stop and really listen.
We are tackling this by focusing on the quality and honesty of our craft. We prefer gradual growth with a real fanbase, people who genuinely connect with what we are doing.
The self release and singles first strategy has clearly worked in getting attention. What is the next step, physical formats, a label partnership, or new material?
Right now, our focus is getting Portrait of Our Descent into as many ears as possible. We are open to working with labels that share our vision and can help expand our reach.
We would also love to release the EP on vinyl, as we feel the artwork and organic sound suit that format perfectly. At the same time, we are already working on new material.
Looking ahead, do you see Adeline Gray pushing further into heaviness, atmosphere, or experimentation on future releases?
We are already discussing the next steps, but we are still in the early stages. There will be refinements, but the goal is to build on what we have created and push the contrasts even further.
We want heavier heavy parts, more immersive atmosphere, and new elements that expand our sound while staying true to our identity.
Final one for fun, if Adeline Gray could land a dream support slot, split release, or festival appearance, what would it be?
If we dream big, supporting Deftones would be incredible. A split with Gojira would also be amazing. That said, we are focused on taking things step by step and continuing to improve.
Outro
Thank you again to Adeline Gray for taking the time to share the story behind Portrait of Our Descent. There is something genuinely compelling about a band willing to embrace both darkness and vulnerability while still leaving space for hope.
With a strong foundation and a clear identity, Adeline Gray feel like a band just getting started, and one well worth watching.
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578511246380
https://www.instagram.com/adelinegray.band/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4RP2iD2ElroBUpaW1I8Xb9
https://music.apple.com/it/artist/adeline-gray/1848205827
https://youtube.com/@adelinegray_band?si=JCwKh0Jb_PkvRXyw
