Here’s the full story behind Demonized:
This song has had a long, winding journey since it was first composed in 2012—a time when I had no instruments and everything was programmed in FL Studio. Back then, I was finding my footing as a songwriter in my first progressive metal band, diving into composition for the first time. Demonized was one of those early pieces that marked my initial steps as a songwriter.
In 2016, a friend, Gino Maiuri, helped me record drums at my place in Montevideo, Uruguay. We recorded using Gino’s portable setup, but in a twist of bad luck, I lost all that data when my backpack was stolen while traveling in Europe. Starting from scratch in 2018, I decided to revisit Demonized once again, and in 2022, I was finally able to re-record the drums thanks to funding from a government grant in Germany. That recording session covered not only Demonized but fourteen other songs that will be released soon, creating a bridge between the original spirit of the track and its evolved form.
As the song matured, it became a canvas for collaboration. Mario Yetattore, a great friend and musician who lived with me in Uruguay, added keyboards. Later, Agustin Pardo joined in, recording flute parts in only three takes at his home studio, a brilliant and effortless contribution that brought an ethereal touch to Demonized (actually the most heard comment is that the flute is amazing!). Marcello Palermo followed with a wild synth solo, a dynamic addition that further enriched the texture and excitement. The final touches came from João Pascoal, who recorded a memorable bass line in the intro in 2020, and Flavio De Giusti, who crafted a lead guitar part in early 2024 that brought up the melody that i couldn´t even imagine since 2012.
The lyrics emerged during a tough period in 2017, a time when I felt trapped in a monotonous, stifling routine. The days felt like an endless loop of waking up to an alarm, heart pounding, facing a day that seemed far removed from the life I wanted—one filled with music, travel, passion, and adventure. Writing Demonized became my outlet, a way of expressing the frustration of that period and my desire to break free.
Through years, setbacks, collaborations, and rewrites, Demonized has transformed from a raw, early piece into something that feels complete and true to my journey. This release is the culmination of those years, and I hope it resonates with listeners who have also faced moments where they felt bound by life’s pressures, searching for a way to reclaim their dreams.