Hailing from Sicily, Ghost Enclave is a dark music trio making their debut with Toten Danse. We sat down with drummer Dario Casabona to give our readers a closer look at their music and vision.

Thanks for taking the time to speak with us, Dario. For those who may be discovering you for the first time, please introduce yourselves and describe your individual roles within the world of Ghost Enclave.

Hi, and thanks for having us for this interview. I'm Dario, and I play the drums in Ghost Enclave. Davide is our vocalist, and Giacomo handles both bass and all guitar work on Toten Danse. Beyond our official roles, we're all involved in the songwriting process, contributing to both the music and the lyrics. There's a strong synergy between us that goes beyond just our individual instruments, which really defines the sound of the band.

Your debut album Toten Danse feels like a fully realized statement; a work where sound, mood, and identity move in unison. Did that sense of cohesion come from deliberate intention, or did the Ghost Enclave sound take shape more instinctively?

All three of us come from very different musical backgrounds, and that's also reflected in the sound of this band. We didn't have a precise formula going into Toten Danse; we were searching for an atmosphere, a certain feeling, and that's what you hear on the album. We had some images in mind that we wanted to translate into music, but it all came together very organically. There was no meticulously planned approach, it just happened spontaneously, and that's what gives the album its sense of cohesion and authenticity.

Toten Danse found its home on Swiss Dark Nights. How did your connection with Valerio and the label begin, and what drew you to working together?

We were already familiar with Swiss Dark Nights, and it was one of the first labels we reached out to when we were looking to release Toten Danse. We've always respected the label's approach and the artists they support. When Valerio showed interest in working with us, it felt like a perfect match. The whole process has been a pleasure, and we really appreciate how passionate and professional Valerio is. It's been a great experience collaborating with them, and we're proud to have our debut album released under their banner.

When it comes to influence, what artists, atmospheres, or films form the common ground between you? And conversely, what personal or less obvious influences does each of you bring that might linger beneath the surface?

As I mentioned earlier, the three of us come from very different musical backgrounds, and this principle extends beyond just music to include literature, cinema, and art in general. Our common ground isn't so much about shared artistic influences as it is about a mutual desire to evoke a particular atmosphere, something that feels "misty" or elusive, yet deeply ingrained within each of us. This feeling is what we aim to express through our music. Each of us brings personal influences to the table, perhaps not always apparent at first glance, but it's this shared atmospheric goal that unites us and gives the music its unique depth.

You directed the video for "The Lighting," which beautifully mirrors the song's brooding pulse. Was that your first experience behind the camera, or do you have a background in film or visual work?

This isn't my first time behind the camera. I've worked on a few short films and music videos before. However, this one was particularly special to me, not only because of the song's mood, but also because it marked the first music video for Ghost Enclave. We really wanted to capture something that felt dreamlike, yet visually minimal. The challenge was to create a visual atmosphere that mirrored the song's brooding pulse while maintaining a sense of space and simplicity. It was all about finding the right balance between dreaminess and starkness.

I haven't come across any announcements for Ghost Enclave performances. Is there a vision for bringing this material to the stage, or is Ghost Enclave meant to remain bound to the studio in a world of its own?

When we started composing the album, our main focus was solely on the music and its production. Giacomo Iannaci, who produced the album at his studio, is not only a very talented multi-instrumentalist but also an excellent sound engineer and producer. As the songs began to take shape, we felt a growing desire to bring them to the stage. While we've always been immersed in the creative process in the studio, we're now really excited about performing live. We're already starting to plan possible dates for 2026, and we can't wait to share the music with our audience in a live setting.

And finally, a more abstract question: do you see Ghost Enclave's music as a diary, a dream, or a mirror... or perhaps as something else entirely?

I like all of those options–diary, dream, mirror. In fact, I'd say they all apply. But when I think about our music, I always picture a frosted glass. You can see the shapes of what's behind it, but nothing is fully defined; you only get vague outlines, never a clear picture. Our goal is to create pieces where nothing is laid out too plainly; there's always something a bit hidden, something mysterious. I'd describe this approach as being a bit more 'erotic', something elusive, a bit of a mystery that invites curiosity rather than offering all the answers.

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