Interview with Rene ‘Hades’ Farrugia carried out by Keith Muscat
For over twenty years, Rene Hades Farrugia, has strived to reshape the Maltese metal and alternative scene by events created through Hades Events. Not everything seems to be running smoothly in the underworld, so we took it upon us to pay the ferryman and make our journey to Hades and see what’s bubbling in the cauldron.
This month you announced that Halloween Massacre – The Unholy Final Chapter, taking place at The Garage on November 2nd, 2024 will bring down the curtain on Hades Events involvement with the local metal scene after an endurance sprint of twenty years. Do you care to share your thoughts on what led to you taking this decision?
Yes, this is the last Halloween Massacre event and also the last metal event as Hades Events. It was a hard decision to take, but it was time for me to step aside. Everyone crying for support and not to clash, but then sometimes they are the ones not to do so and maybe I’m reaching a certain age where prioritizing has become important to me. Re Halloween while The Halloween Massacre will come to an end (We accomplished the mission to see Halloween now well established in Malta), another new project will start next year in the same period of the year – Malta Pagana.
Apart from Hades Events you are also winding down Hades Management. Your disillusion with the local metal scene seems to have festered long enough to make you distance yourself. What has gone wrong in Malta and is it too late to turn back the tide?
Unfortunately, how things are going locally, passion is fading out. Hopefully new blood will come in.
Without going into the merit of the artist you are bringing to Malta for events such as Dark Malta Festival, you have managed to surprise us by bringing over huge names to play at The Garage, such as Covenant (2018), Combichrist (2019), Master class by Diego & Richard from Lacuna Coil (2021), Nanowar of Steel (2022), Pestilence (2022) and others that are eluding my memory. How difficult is it to gain the trust of such artists and entice them to come and perform in a small club on an island in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea?
In the beginning it was not easy, to win their trust. But of course, having a long history in events and making sure that all the requirements of the artists are met is very important. Malta can be interesting for foreign alternative artists since this could be a new location where they never performed and the weather helps. But most important is for the promoter to make sure that all the artist riders are met and he/she can assure a great show. Unfortunately, in the past it occurred that this didn’t happen, and this made all Maltese promoters look bad.
Last weekend of September 2024, The Garage hosted and other successful edition of the Malta Death Fest, an event you are co-organizing with David Cachia. Will your involvement as an organizer of this event continue?
No, this was my last involvement with the Malta Death Fest too. It was a great way to end, since the festival was a great success and would like to thank David for this opportunity.
Rumor mill has been spinning that The Garage, an enterprise you run along with Darren Borg, will be closing its doors after struggling against the impossible to make a home for local metal scene. What is the situation?
Just Rumors. But of course, it’s the people attendances who keep the venue open.
Hades Events is not only about metal. Dark Malta Festival 2025 (25/26/27 April) will host one of the strongest line ups to date. Do you care to spice up our appetite?
Yes, as you all know the lineup has been nearly all announced and more to come. Keep yourselves updated on all our social media channels.
Another venture you started in 2023 is Dungeon Events. Is Malta ready to explore its kinky side? Did the flow of expatriates working in Malta bring with them a fresh alternative mentality?
Yes, Dungeon Events is a new concept for Malta. Well 20 years ago it was not ready for Halloween and 7 years ago no one thought that Malta will have it’s own Gothic International Festival. We started Dungeon with the idea of getting the Kink community together. We also organized Malta’s First Fetish Pool Party which was a great success and that will also be repeated next year. Also, in November we will have international acts and more. I believe also that Maltese people are becoming more open minded. Of course, the influence of the expatriates helps too.
Not being one to stand still, you have unveiled a new venture for 2025, Malta Pagana. What is this all about? What are we to expect?
Well as the name says this will be Malta’s Frist Pagan Festival. At the moment I cannot disclose much information. But dates and first info are to be revealed soon.
Your calling as a DJ has taken you to some of the best clubs around Europe. Any events planned for the near future?
Yes, will be djing in London in November and Bristol in December. Also, for 2025 already have some International gigs booked.
Any final comments?
Support the scene. Crocodile tears will be useless when all of this is gone.
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