Harvester of Sofia continuеs with the series of interviews with the chapterheads of different local chapters all over the world and some crazy Metallca fans.  Our next guest is the Chapterhead of Zonametallica - the Italian chapter that hosted Harvester of Sofia members during the Summer of 2009, when Metallica hit Milan and Roma.

HOS: What is your name (nickname), where are you from and position it your local chapter?

Mario (ZM): Mario Salvatori, nickname Mariosky Inc. I am the founder of Zonametallica (06-06-2006, what a coincidence) and I am administrating the forum, theLocal Chapter (membership, shipping packages, Metclub, parties and internal competitions), also the web site www.zonametallica.com,. I think it is pretty much job, right?:)

HOS: When was the first time you have heard Metallica and which song?

Mario (ZM): First time I ever heard Metallica was in 1990 and the song was “Hit the Lights”. A friend gave a tape with the Kill `em All Album, I stopped it at the Pulling Teeth, because I was afraid that some unnatural power will enter to my room…I afraid to listen those music, they were so Satanic, I was only 14!!!

HOS: Your favorite album or song? And explain why?

Mario (ZM): I do not have a favorite album, I love all of them in different way. Each one of them brings some feeling that everyone understands in its own way. But for me, each one of the albums is valuable as the Metallica music is vibrating with my soul since 19 years, in my best times but also in the heaviest moments. I would say that because of Metallica I run through a lot of black days…”The Unforgiven” is the song that I prefer to the others, it is related with my love to a woman…

HOS: When and where you have seen Metallica Live? Which one is your personal favorite? And how many concerts you want to see in the future?

Mario (ZM): My first show was in Modena (Italy)on 14.09.1991 from the Monsters of Rock tour, but I have vague memories, I was young and I was far away from the stage. I escaped from home and together with a friend gone to see them, when I come back home I took a thrash that I remember better than the show. However I do not have a favorite gig … the adrenaline is one and the same, the willingness to see Metallica in Italy does not change since 1991…If I should be honest, this year show in Milano on June 22 sent me to the heaven…(you, form harvester of Sofia were also there!). Especially when Lars took our Local Chapter banner and showed it at the crowd…at that moment I was really satisfied as never before in my life. In the future I will see where Metallica will play and probably I will go to see them, but it is 100% sure, that if they came to Italy we will be at the rail! But it is more complicated for European shows, I would like first to check the tour dates…I should take in consideration my job also…this is the situation.

HOS: Where are the craziest Metallica fans you’ve ever met?

Mario (ZM): Where the craziest Metallica fans are? All over the Wolrd!!! I think that during the live shows this is us, the Italians…We are capable to stay at the entrance in 3 o’ clock in the morning before the show. I am always frustrating with all that crush here in Italy, while in other parts of Europe people are calm and gently during the waiting…We should take in that mentality…While here it is crazy…we are taking a risk each time to crush or bones, as people says – we are “calienti”.

HOS: Would you take the offer to work for Metallica if they ask you to?

Mario(ZM: Of course!!! Even without money!!! It will be wonderful and unforgettable…I wish I could go at a tour with them for several months and after that to write a book for the experience.

HOS: When did you join the MetClub and when was born the idea for the local chapter?

Mario (ZM): Together with a friend I joined in 1994 and we were part form the club until 2002, but he has removed and I lost contact with the Metclub but not with Metallica. My best friends (those who really know me) now are saying “You finally did it, for years our head swell.” In 2006, we founded the club and I can say I’m content with the progress (with Sepu, Ivan, Dark & Luiza). My team!
Without them we wouldn’t have what we have right now. These things need people who possess passion and tenacity. It is not easy to combine family life and all things related to the local chapter to go hand in hand, and now after three years I see that long time has been incorporated into this project, but I don’t regret … I have no idea how long it will last, but I can say I gave 100 percent of myself until now and will continue until there is Zonametallica. You know, it’s easy to do local chapter, but it is difficult to create a stable group and to keep alive and real the interest in this group. Cases are needed, not words! For 2010 we have already done (new cards, T-shirts). We work from September to do that, but this is exactly the way if we want to start the new year, as we should!

HOS: What is the main purpose of your chapter?

Mario (ZM): The main purpose of Zonametallica is to gather as many fans of Metallica; to be the main source for everything related with Metallica. But to become that, you must first create two crucial things: gravity and trust between members. I insist on that constantly. You need to put you on the place of the youth people and ask to you “What I want from a fan club of Metallica?” The answer is what you have to do.

HOS: What cares you devote for it’s development and popularization? And what about the website and the members of the chapter?

Mario (ZM): We are now at the end of 2009, passed year and a half since we are an official chapter. We have 130 registered members Zonametallica, of which 30 are members of The Metclub. Very good result, having in mind that we are in the first year. Unfortunately Italy is far behind in terms of metal. England and Germany are light years ahead of us. I am sure that if ZM was in one of these countries with all the work we’ve done, we would have many more followers. But unfortunately this is the situation. In 2010, we will work to improve it. We started working on the new site, which promises to be much more thorough and dynamic than the current. As I said earlier, we have the new membership cards for next year and a special section for members to live performances, rare stuff, etc. Our site is visited daily by a 200-250 people, but during the release of Death Magnetic we were up to 1000, as it should be have in mind that many of the subscriptions in Zonametallica not visit the site because for them the forum had become principal place of meeting. But this doesn’t mean abandoning the site and that’s why I think to improve it.

HOS: Do you know something about Bulgaria? Do you want to say something special to the members of Harvester Of Sofia?

Mario (ZM): Unfortunately we still don’t know anything of a dates in Europe and it’s not known whether there will be a date in Bulgaria or Italy …
To the guys of HOS I want to say: Thank you for the wonderful company during the concerts in Milan and Rome, you were very cool and polite with us. We are looking forward the next date in Bulgaria to organize a visit of the Bulgarian land. I also want to wish to your chapter to grow even more because you have a zeal to achieve much more … You deserve it!

More interviews with fans and all kind of metal heads related to Metallica you can read in our new section Fan interviews …