Hello, everyone. Today we have the immense pleasure of chatting for a while with Marco Pastorino of Fallen Sanctuary about their upcoming album, set for release on September 18, 2026.
Rockmania: Thanks, Marco, for taking the time to talk with me. How are you?
Marco Pastorino: My pleasure. I’m fine and very excited about our new release.
Rockmania: Where did your friendship with Georg come from, and how did this project come together?
Marco Pastorino: Georg and I met for the first time around 2017. I was helping at a festival in Italy, and Serenity were there. One year later we got in touch again because Temperance did some tours supporting Serenity. During those tours we had time to build a friendship and, from then on, we started to write music together.
Rockmania: What are your most obvious influences when creating music for Fallen Sanctuary? Because there are countless references to be heard.
Marco Pastorino: Wow, so many. First of all, Georg and I are huge fans of early two-thousands power metal, from Sonata to Strato and Edguy, but also smaller bands like Dyonisus and Silent Force. When we started to write music for Fallen Sanctuary, we did it to have a great time together and to have the chance to play this kind of power metal, which we never had the chance to play before.
Rockmania: In 2022, you made your mark on the world with «Terranova,» and I have to say I loved that album with its fast-paced opening track. Did it get the response you were hoping for in terms of acceptance from the metal audience?
Marco Pastorino: Actually, the reaction to the first album was totally unexpected. We knew the album was great, but nowadays, especially for a non-touring band like us, it’s difficult to reach people and build a real fanbase. The feedback was fantastic from the beginning, especially because of the singles «Terranova» and «Broken Dreams,» but also the other tracks. Wow, people really love the debut album.
Rockmania: In 2026, you’re releasing a new self-produced album backed by a pretty powerful crowdfunding campaign. Why did you make that decision?
Marco Pastorino: Basically, at the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025, AFM Records told us they were stepping back from the music world. Unfortunately they are not working anymore, so after that we received many offers to sign with other labels, but we decided to do everything on our own. Obviously there’s more work to do, but at the end of the day you are what you’re doing.
Rockmania: You’ve offered different options, such as a CD with a signed card, two vinyl editions in different colors, instruments, and even tickets to exclusive acoustic shows. Did you get the response you were hoping for from your fans?
Marco Pastorino: Actually, more than our expectations. Even for the first album we offered something special like private shows. We played private shows all around Europe back in 2022, so we decided to do it again. We added other special things here and there. For example, we were not supposed to release a vinyl edition, but a few days after the start of the campaign we received so many messages that we were forced to do it.
Rockmania: Getting a little into the album, which I’ve had the pleasure of listening to and reviewing, while still maintaining your distinct identity, you’ve evolved toward more elaborate and varied songs, yet you’ve preserved that clear power metal essence. Do you agree?
Marco Pastorino: I think so. Probably this album, as I said in other interviews, is even more power metal than the debut album, but we didn’t decide anything in advance. We have some fast tracks, a few strong mid-tempos, but still our priority is to give strong melodies and big choruses in our music.
Rockmania: Those of us who’ve been following you for a while know that Georg and you are in the same band, since you play together in Serenity. When it comes to writing songs, how do you decide which tracks go on Fallen Sanctuary and which go on Serenity?
Marco Pastorino: Actually, it’s easier than you think because for Fallen you have, from the first second, this kind of positive vibe, this mood, sometimes a party mood, and fast power metal melodies. With Serenity it gets more theatrical, sometimes gothic, sometimes more guitar-riff oriented, and definitely with more orchestrations.
Rockmania: The current lineup, especially with Dario Capacci on drums, drummer for Trick or Treat, seems spectacular to me. Will this be the band’s permanent lineup for future albums and live shows?
Marco Pastorino: We have no real plans for future full-band shows so far. Georg and I are going to play some acoustic shows to support the album, and then let’s see where the future brings us. Dario is such a fantastic drummer.
Rockmania: How do you feel the new songs are being received by fans and music lovers? Is it what you expected?
Marco Pastorino: We already had the chance to let them listen to some tracks, and the result was fantastic. Especially when we did this kind of listening session, it was extremely beautiful to see their reactions after a few seconds.
Rockmania: Do you have plans to tour with the new album? Is there a chance we might see you in Spain, even if it’s just at a summer festival?
Marco Pastorino: So far, besides the few acoustic shows we have between Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Austria, we have just a few other things next year, still acoustic. To play more shows and even full-band shows, we will have to see the feedback from the fans for the album.
Rockmania: What are your expectations for the release and how people will react when they hear the full album?
Marco Pastorino: Can’t wait to see and read their comments. We’re going to release one song per month on digital platforms to give a sort of priority to people all around the world that already bought and will buy the physical album.
Rockmania: This question is for you, but it also applies to Georg. With the multitude of bands you’re in, Temperance, Serenity, Fallen Sanctuary, and one I’m not sure I’m allowed to mention, which starts with W and ends with S, Virtual Symmetry, where do you find the time to write music and keep so many bands going at once?
Marco Pastorino: I think you can always find time to do the things you love in your life, if you really want to. I feel so grateful that I have the chance to write, release, and play my songs all around the world.
Rockmania: And since you’re so prolific when it comes to writing, do you already have any ideas floating around for a future Fallen Sanctuary album?
Marco Pastorino: Actually, I am so focused on this upcoming release that I’m not even thinking about the next Fallen album, but as a songwriter I never really stop writing music. So probably I already have something.
Rockmania: When it comes to choosing promotional singles, how do you pick them?
Marco Pastorino: It’s always difficult to do it. Georg and I joke about the fact that sometimes we love our songs so much that we would love to release ten singles and ten videos, but actually that’s also one of the reasons why we decided to release one song per month and not the entire album at one time, to give some attention to every track.
Rockmania: Regarding the artwork, how do you communicate with Gustavo Sazes, and how do you explain to him what you want to achieve? Because the designs are sublime.
Marco Pastorino: I did many albums with Gustavo, and he’s always been great and able to do a fantastic job. One more time, when I got in touch with him for the new album, we talked about the direction, topics, and mood we wanted to work with. Gustavo is such a cool guy and a fantastic artist. He was able to create the perfect sequel to Terranova.
Rockmania: Will we get any more singles before the release date?
Marco Pastorino: Yes. The title track, and then month by month there will be a new track on digital platforms.
Rockmania: Can you reveal any secrets about the band? Any plans following the release of the new album?
Marco Pastorino: We will keep promoting the new album, and there will be a few acoustic shows. A special one in Austria on December 19, and then, at the moment, two other shows at the end of May 2027.
Rockmania: And that wraps up our chat with Marco about the new release. Marco, it’s been a pleasure talking with you. Do you have a message for our readers and the band’s fans in Spain?
Marco Pastorino: Thanks for your time and for your support. I have a special connection with Spain, because you have supported us since the beginning of our careers. Can’t wait to come back there!
Well, that wraps up the interview. It’s been a huge pleasure chatting with Marco Pastorino, and if you want to know more about the album before its release, I recommend reading our review on the website.