INTERVIEW: MURDAH SRVC drops new single “THANATOS”

Since forming back in 2017, Italian project MURDAH SRVC, pronounced “murder service,” have been exploring the fringes of the electronic music map. They’re a full-scale audio-visual concept, stitching together manga-inspired visuals, sci-fi television aesthetics and an overarching apocalyptic storyline into their music, resulting in an experience that feels immersive and cinematic, dark but colourful and based in electronic textures instilled with human emotion.

Fronted by vocalist CHE alongside Calti on synths and Silvio on drums, MURDAH SRVC pull from a broad tapestry of influences. Massive Attack’s atmospheric output, SOHN’s underground pop stylings and the chart-ready appeal of artists like The Weeknd and Frank Ocean all echo through their sound. Their live performances, staged across Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, Italy and Japan, bring their fiercely original vision to life, pairing sound and story into something theatrical and transportive.

Making their official entrance in 2017, they unveiled their original sonic world with the debut single “Icarus,” which they’ve since followed up with multiple impressive tracks while linking up with other artists such as Calti, Simone Liotta, David Arona and TonYnoT to remix their songs. Now they bring us their latest release with their new single titled “THANATOS,” a song that simultaneously nods back to the golden era of late 90s and early 2000s house music while capturing the band’s cutting edge sound.

Produced at John Lui’s studio at the foot of Mount Etna, a location as symbolic and elemental as the music itself, the track blends soulful vocals with a groove-focused dance energy. Shades of Modjo’s “Lady (Hear Me Tonight)” and Spiller’s “Groovejet (If This Ain’t Love)” run as influences alognside MURDAH SRVC’s own storytelling and atmosphere, creating something both nostalgic and thoroughly exciting. Penned by CHE, the song recounts the tale of Dr Fairman, a scientist haunted by grief and guilt. After the death of his wife, he erases her twin sister’s memory of the tragedy so that he can marry her but the relationship is tainted by the scientist’s inability to let go of his late wife, a guilt that intrudes even into his dreams.

CHE initially wrote the track as a ballad before John Lui transformed it into a dance number, heightening the contrast between the melancholy of the lyrics and the joyous energy of the beat. Opened by the soft buzz of pulsing synth, the lead vocals enter to spin soulful melodies above as the steady punch of kick injects a slick forward motion. Building to a bright dance pop soundscape, the bouncy synth arrangement, crisp percussion and catchy vocal performance collide to form an energising jam that’s infectious and truly absorbing from start to finish.

Mixed and mastered with precision by Riccardo Samperi at TRP Records and Pierpaolo Latina at Lexy Studio, “THANATOS” is a thrilling entry into MURDAH SRVC’s impressive catalogue. It’s also a dedication to the dance and house music that defined the turn of the millennium while showcasing the range of MURDAH SRVC’s engaging musical offering.

We caught up with MURDAH SRVC to find out more about their musical journey so far, their new single “THANATOS” and what they’ve got lined up for the future. Check out our interview with MURDAH SRVC below.

Hey MURDAH SRVC, how’s things?

Hey there it’s CHE here, I’m very excited as I just came back from my second UK tour and released my latest single Thanatos less than a month ago.

What’s your earliest memory of making music?

I’d say probably in 3^rd or 4^th grade my teacher gave me the main singing role in the school play. It really boosted my self confidence into singing and right after I started taking songs and changing the lyrics to make fun of my sister’s friends. That was songwriting somehow!

Which artists do you draw most inspiration from?

I’ve been extremely blessed performing in Bristol last month and that’s the city where Massive Attack and Portishead come from and they’re definitely a major influence to my work. Then SOHN, Frank Ocean, The Weeknd but also Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway. I love mixing old school soul melodies with dark modern sounds.

How else do you find inspiration for your music?

Once again Bristol is the city of Banksy, I’m a huge fan of his work and I love street art generally speaking. Artists such as Obey, Keith Haring, Basquiat. And, as you might imagine, I’ve been reading manga my whole life so Katsuhiro Otomo (I used Akira’s edits for the latest release), Hirohiko Araki (Jojo’s bizzarre adventure), Yoshiyuki Sadamoto (Neon Genesis Evangelion), Tetsuo Hara (First of the North Star), Inio Asano (Solanin, Goodnight Pun Pun), Taiyo Matsumoto (Ping Pong), Junji Ito (Uzumaki)

What’s been your highlight for the year so far?

I performed two major Comicons in Italy (Napoli Comicon and Etna Comics in Catania) and 6 dates UK tour including London Anime & Gaming Con. I released two new songs and will released a third one. My best year so far!

What do you love about the Italian music scene?

Italy has amazing musicians. Giorgio Moroder, Franco Battiato, Gino Paoli and many more. Among the contemporary bands I enjoy AnyOther, Club Rivera, Shamisen Orchestra, Pinhdar, Arya

What would you say is the perfect setting for listeners to enjoy your sound?

I’d say live shows is always the best. Over the years I believe I’ve building a solid show from the beginning til the end and the audience response is proof.

How has your own style and sound evolved since you started out?

I started out making straight R&B just with producers in the studio. Then I switched completely to live instruments only to eventually have a darker sound as a result of mixing live instruments with electronic production and backing tracks. I am extremely proud of what I’ve been making and I can’t wait to take it to the next level.

Who would be your dream artist to collaborate with?

I’d love to work with SOHN and Massive Attack

How did you find making your new single “THANATOS”?

It started off as a ballad, then I brought a demo to John Lui who turned it into something completely different. Late 90s early 2000s house was something very unsettling to me but I believed in his vision and I’m thankful I did because it broadened my horizon. Now when I perform this song live everybody loves it!

What message did you want to get across with this release?

Thanatos covers a portion of the story of MURDAH SRVC manga that is very tricky. It is the very core meaning of the whole operation. Dr Fairman loses the love of his life in a car accident and ends up marrying her twin sister. Then he tries to replace her memory to pretend he’s still with his loved one. Losing memory is like killing someone, that’s where MURDAH SRVC name comes from and the idea is, as human beings, our mission is to leave a legacy behind. You get to choose how.

What artist have you been listening to most recently?

I’ve been listening to SKT, a young British-Italian rapper, alt-J, Arctic Monkeys, I went to see Gorillaz live in London and to Forwards Fest in Bristol featuring Ezra Collective, Jorja Smith, Olivia Dean, Squid, Orbital, Mount Kimbie. I love listening to different stuff and being influenced by it.

What’s the main thing you want people to get out of listening to your music?

Rather than just music, through visuals, manga and live shows I want people to have an immersive experience. I talk about uncomfortable feelings in my songs and in the comic book as well, so I want people to question themselves and dig deeper to get to know oneself better.

What’s been your favourite live performance so far?

Well last London Anime & Gaming Con was absolutely crazy! I really felt the energy of the audience and went the extra mile to give that love back! Another place I love performing is The Chapel at Angel Microbrewery in Nottingham. Last time with my friends Noisemakers Guild and Ainakanna we had a blast!

Who would be 3 artists to headline your dream festival? And where would it be?

The Weeknd, Massive Attack, Frank Ocean and it would be Hyde Park, London

Do you have any advice for a new artist wanting to follow your footsteps?

Please don’t! Jokes on the side, find what you love the most and share it with the people. You’ll find a like minded audience to talk to eventually

Finally, what do you have lined up for the rest of the year?

After releasing “Placebo Singer” in Feb and now “Thanatos” there is one more song in line before the end of 2025.

I won’t be performing live for a while as I want to focus on writing new material. I believe it’s time for a MURDAH SRVC album + comic book and I hope to release it before the end of 2026.

Listen to THANATOS below