‘To The Max’: “We Are Here To Save Rock ’n’ Roll”

Some bands are born out of ambition. Others out of careful planning. ‘To The Max’, the rock trio from Verona, Italy, came together for a much simpler reason. They were bored.

With their second album “To The Max” set to be released on March 13 through ‘Go Down Records‘, the Verona trio is stepping into a new chapter that feels bigger, louder and far more confident than their lockdown beginnings. The ten-track, forty-minute record expands their blend of hard rock, funk grooves and punk attitude while keeping the raw spirit that has been driving the band since day one. Ahead of the album’s release, All Metal caught up with Ale and Mattia to talk about how ‘To The Max’ came together, the chaotic mix of influences behind their sound, and why sometimes the best ideas still come from simply jamming in a rehearsal room.

The global lockdown of 2020 forced musicians everywhere into silence, and for many bands that silence became permanent. For Ale, Mattia and their bandmate Nico, however, that strange moment became the spark for something new. Each of them had already spent years playing in other projects that no longer felt right. Instead of forcing themselves to continue down a path that had lost its excitement, they decided to start again and build something that truly represented them.

Ale remembers that moment very clearly. “We both came from other bands, but we were not so happy with them. We had been playing for years and at some point you start feeling that something is missing, like you are doing it more out of habit than passion. During the lockdown everything stopped and we had a lot of time to think. So I told Mattia, we have to do something that we actually like. No pressure, no expectations, just the music we want to play.”

Before ‘To The Max’, their musical backgrounds were scattered across the heavier side of the spectrum. Thrash metal, black metal, tribute bands and even sleazy rock had all been part of the journey. Yet the sound they eventually gravitated toward was something looser and more groove driven. The band began exploring a mixture of hard rock, funk, punk attitude and Scandinavian style action rock. Artists such as ‘Danko Jones’, ‘Ghost’ and especially ‘The Hellacopters’ became key reference points in shaping their direction.

For Ale, discovering the Swedish rock scene had a lasting impact on the way he approached music. “When you are young you listen to bands like Anthrax or Sepultura and that is the world you live in. It is heavy, aggressive, very metal. But then one time I listened to Hellacopters and it completely changed my perspective. I thought, this is my life. The energy, the attitude, the way the songs move, it felt more like what I wanted to do. From that moment I started listening to more Scandinavian rock and that became a big influence for what we do now.”

One of the first things that catches people’s attention about ‘To The Max’ is the band’s unusual setup. Ale plays the drums while also handling lead vocals, something that requires an unusual level of coordination and stamina on stage. The decision was not part of a grand plan but rather the result of necessity.

Ale laughs when explaining how it happened. “At the beginning we didn’t know who was going to sing. We were just writing songs and jamming together. I love bands like Kiss where everyone can sing, that idea always fascinated me. But when we started thinking about a singer I realized we didn’t really have anyone in mind. So I just said, okay, maybe I can try it. I didn’t know if it was going to work, but we tried and suddenly it felt natural. Now I play drums and sing at the same time and eventually we want all three of us to share the vocals.”

That collaborative spirit carries directly into the songwriting process. Instead of one member bringing fully formed songs, most ideas develop organically during rehearsal sessions where the band experiments with different arrangements and structures until something clicks.

Mattia describes the process as chaotic but exciting. “Usually someone comes with a small idea, maybe just a riff or a rhythm. Then we start playing around with it and trying different directions. Sometimes we completely change the groove or the tempo. We try the same song in different ways until we feel that something works. It’s a lot of trial and error. Sometimes someone says try this crazy idea and we do it and suddenly the song becomes something totally different.”

That sense of spontaneity is especially noticeable in one of the album’s most groove oriented tracks, “Come On!”. The song was not planned as a stylistic experiment but emerged naturally during a rehearsal.

Ale recalls how quickly the track came together. “Nick was tuning his guitar and I just started playing a groove on the drums while we were waiting. It was nothing serious, just something funky to pass the time. Then I told Mattia, try something on the bass. He started playing and suddenly the whole thing started moving. Within a few minutes we realized that we had the skeleton of a song. It was one of those moments where everything happens naturally and you don’t even realize it.”

Another highlight of the album is the single “Who”, a punchy, punk driven track that also reflects the band’s identity as a three piece. While some people have suggested adding another member, the trio has always felt comfortable with the chemistry they have.

The music video for the song even plays with that idea in a humorous way. “The concept of the video is about auditions for a fourth member,” they explain. “But it’s really just a joke. We never seriously thought about bringing another person into the band. The dynamic between the three of us works really well. When you add more people it changes everything, and right now we like the balance we have.”

Although the band itself is relatively young, they have already built a reputation for their energetic live shows. Touring across Europe has been an essential part of their development, with performances in cities like Madrid, Vienna and Budapest helping them connect with new audiences.

One particular show in Budapest left a strong impression on the band. “After we finished playing this guy suddenly jumped on stage,” Ale remembers. “For a second we thought something strange was happening, but then he just hugged us and said you are the best band. He was asking for one more song and he was so enthusiastic that it was impossible not to laugh. It felt like meeting an uncle you didn’t know you had.”

Experiences like that reinforce the band’s belief that their music truly comes alive on stage. With their new self titled album “To The Max” scheduled for release on March 30 through Go Down Records, the band is already preparing an extensive run of shows across Europe, including concerts in Germany, France and several festivals organized by the label.

Their partnership with Go Down Records also came about in a very natural way. The band had attempted to contact the label before without much success, but things finally aligned after sharing the stage with ‘Ananda Mida’. The guitarist of that band also happens to run Go Down Records, and seeing ‘To The Max’ perform live made a strong impression.

The band remembers the moment with a smile. “After the show we went to talk to him and said hello, we have another record. We didn’t know if anything would come from it, but we wanted him to hear the music. Later he listened to the album and liked it, and that’s how everything started. Sometimes things happen when you least expect them.”

For a band that started almost accidentally during a global lockdown, ‘To The Max’ have developed a surprisingly clear identity. Their songs jump between styles, blending rock, funk and punk energy, yet listeners still recognize the band’s signature sound.

Mattia believes that variety is one of their strengths. “People often tell us that our music has many different flavors, but at the same time they can still tell that it’s a To The Max song. That’s something we are very proud of, because it means the personality of the band is strong enough to connect everything together.”

And if someone unfamiliar with the band is wondering why they should listen to the new album, the answer arrives with both humor and confidence.

“Because we are here to save rock and roll.”

Whether or not rock music truly needs saving is open for debate. What is harder to argue with is the passion driving bands like ‘To The Max’. In an era where genres, trends and algorithms often dictate the direction of music, their philosophy remains refreshingly simple. Play what you love, play it loud, and let the rest figure itself out later.