ExpiatoriA

ExpiatoriA are a heavy metal band from Genoa, Italy, active since 1987. Renowned for their well-crafted and scenically- effective gigs where theater meets music, their latest release, “A History In Three Acts”, celebrates nearly 40 years of dark, epic heavy metal.
FFO Candlemass, Mercyful Fate, King Diamond, Crypt Sermon.

ExpiatoriA is Angelex (vocals), Massimo Malachina (guitar), Roberto Lucanato (guitar), GB Malachina (bass), and Enrico Meloni (drums).

The five tracks featured on the album, all rearranged by the current line-up, draw from the various phases of the band's career. The journey begins with “Underground Forever”, the very first song ever recorded by ExpiatoriA in 1987, and concludes with an unreleased song, “The Incredible Worm Man”, the lead single from the band's forthcoming album and one of the highlights of their live performances, clearly showcasing the influences that have always defined the Genoese outfit: King Diamond and Mercyful Fate.
Both tracks are further enhanced by the performance of Massimo Cottica, ExpiatoriA's original vocalist and a legendary figure in the Italian underground heavy metal scene.

Founded in Genoa, Italy, in 1987, ExpiatoriA have spent nearly four decades crafting a distinctive blend of heavy metal, doom and dark progressive influences, enriched by a strong theatrical dimension. Inspired by acts such as Mercyful Fate, King Diamond, Candlemass and Crypt Sermon, the band has built a reputation for immersive live performances where storytelling, stagecraft and heavy music converge.

The band's early years produced cult underground releases such as “Tribute To Death” and “Symphonies Of Decomposed Human Flesh”, culminating in an appearance on Dracma Records' 1992 compilation “Nightpieces” with the track “Suffering Days”.

After disbanding in 1998, ExpiatoriA returned in 2010 with the EP “Return To Golgotha”, then the band parted ways another time.
ExpiatoriA came back a third time with “Crimson Evil Eyes”, released in 2018, before eventually recording their first full-length album.

Released in 2022 through Black Widow Records and Diamonds Prod., “Shadows” marked a turning point in the band's history. Praised for its dark atmosphere, theatrical approach and blend of epic doom, classic heavy metal and progressive influences, the album established ExpiatoriA as one of the most intriguing names in the contemporary Italian underground metal scene.

Since then, the band has performed extensively throughout Northern Italy, appearing at major events such as Metal Valley Festival alongside Voivod, Rock Inn Somma and Church Of Crow Doom Fest, while sharing the stage with artists including Claudio Simonetti's Goblin, Shape Of Despair, Dawn Of Winter, Ponte Del Diavolo and many others.

In 2024, ExpiatoriA released “Shadows - Live”, where they played their debut album in full with new arrangements and a new line-up, followed in March 2026 by “Voci Notturne”, a split album with occult prog veterans Il Segno del Comando released by Black Widow Records.

The band celebrates its legacy in July 2026 with “A History In Three Acts”, a special release featuring newly recorded versions of songs spanning every official chapter of ExpiatoriA's career, alongside the brand-new track “The Incredible Worm Man”, which anticipates their forthcoming studio album. The participation of original vocalist Massimo Cottica on these two tracks further strengthens the connection between ExpiatoriA's past, present and future.

"If you love dark metal, “Shadows” is an album you shouldn’t miss!"
- Gianni Della Cioppa (Classix Metal, Classic)

ExpiatoriA:
Angelex (vocals)
Massimo Malachina (guitar)
Roberto Lucanato (guitar)
GB Malachina (bass)
Enrico Meloni (drums).

Music and Social Media: https://linktr.ee/expiatoria
Email: [email protected]