Metal-Roos spoke to Emanuel, guitarist from Thy Legion, about their last album, Malta’s metal scene and more!
Metal-Roos: Thy Legion was formed in Malta back in 2004 and has evolved considerably over the years. Looking back, how do you feel the band has changed from its early black metal days to the sound you have today?
Emanuel Portelli: Thy Legion started as an oldschool black metal band. Over the years, there were various phases of the band, where we ventured into more of a death metal sound, until eventually finding our way back into black metal, but more refined, and with different lyrical themes.
Metal-Roos: Your latest full-length, Grand Cosmic Funeral, was released in 2024. What can you tell us about the concept behind the album, and what makes this record different from your previous releases?
Emanuel Portelli: Where our previous efforts focused on aggressiveness and being more straight forward, this time we focused on a more elaborate, dark and atmospheric offering.
Metal-Roos: The album features a very dark and aggressive blend of blackened death metal. When you begin writing new material, what usually comes first, the riffs, the drums, the atmosphere, or the lyrical concept?
Emanuel Portelli: Riffs and drums build up the song atmosphere, with lyrics tying everything together. Writing the songs is always a group effort. If something sounds good, it will be included in the song.
Metal-Roos: Thy Legion has been an important part of Malta’s extreme metal underground for more than two decades. How would you describe the Maltese metal scene today compared with when you first started the band?
Emanuel Portelli: When the band initially started, there was already a small but substantial scene. Over the years, the scene only got more densely populated with bands that are eager of making a name for themselves, both locally and internationally.
Metal-Roos: You have shared stages with major international acts and have also played shows outside Malta. Which live performance or festival has been the most memorable for Thy Legion, and why?
Emanuel Portelli: Every opportunity has been special in its own way. From the connections built, people and fans we met along the way, we appreciate every gig and festival we get to perform.
Metal-Roos: Your lyrics explore dark and confrontational themes. What subjects or ideas inspire you when writing lyrics, and has your approach to songwriting changed as the band has matured?
Emanuel Portelli: The album explores themes like death as a deity, spiritual journeys, and individual perspectives. Each song reflects something personal, often based on what the lyricist was experiencing at the time. This approach gives each lyric its own meaning, representing unique aspects of his journey and insights.
Metal-Roos: With the current lineup featuring two vocalists and two guitarists, how do the different members contribute their own personalities and ideas to Thy Legion’s sound?
Emanuel Portelli: Everyone in the band brings something to the table. Whether it’s riffing, drumming, building song structure, presenting a lyrical theme, it all brings fuel to the madness.
Metal-Roos: After more than 20 years as a band, what do you think has been the biggest challenge in keeping Thy Legion alive and relevant while remaining true to your musical identity?
Emanuel Portelli: We started the band when we were still in our teens. No stress, no drama. As both us and the band grew older, life itself made it harder to stay the course, but everyone wanted the same thing for the band so that made it easier to find a way to make it work. As for keeping relevancy, we stayed true to what we wanted out of our music, and didn’t bother chasing trends.
Metal-Roos: Extreme metal has changed dramatically with streaming, social media and digital promotion. Do you think these changes have helped underground bands like Thy Legion reach a wider audience, or has something been lost compared with the old-school underground?
Emanuel Portelli: It’s a double edged sword – while it does help to make music more accessible, the point of entry is practically free, so it’s become a lot harder to stand out amidst the vast sea of music that gets released every day.
Metal-Roos: Finally, what can fans expect from Thy Legion next? Are there any new recordings, shows, collaborations or other plans that you can reveal to us?
Emanuel Portelli: Yes, but also no. We’re currently working on finalising a new album tentatively for 2027, with a number of shows already planned for both 2027 and even some for 2028. Feel free to keep up with our socials to see what’s coming up next!