Our latest Valkyrie is Ada, born in Sicily, raised on prog, and forever carrying the ghost of Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, and a fallen brother who lit her path into the abyss. But don’t mistake her for some casual weekend headbanger; this is a Valkyrie forged in sweat-drenched gig halls, Necrodeath chaos on her birthday, and a voice that roared to life the moment Leather Leone carved her destiny in sound.

She conjurs doom, death, black, or heavy, and loves standing shoulder-to-shoulder in the pit with the bands themselves. She’s a photographer, a model, a doctor of nature, drummer/bass player and more.

Check out what Ada had to say.

Can you introduce yourself to the Citadel, who are you, where do you hail from, and how did the metal beast first sink its claws into your life?

I’m Ada, from Sicily, though I’ve always felt like I live everywhere. Music first came to me through my dad, who raised me on progressive rock, especially Italian bands like PFM.

Later, my friend Cristian, better known as Blacksteel, truly opened the doors, he introduced me to Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath. He left us far too young, at 25, but his passion still follows me. I discovered metal a little late, around 19, but once I did, it became home.

What was the first band or track that made you stop dead and think: “This is it. This is MY music!”?

It wasn’t the typical Maiden or Sabbath moment for me. The real turning point was hearing Leather Leone from Chastain, with For Those Who Dare. That voice, so fierce, unapologetic, and commanding, made me stop in my tracks. It wasn’t just music; it was power. That’s when I knew this was my world.

Which subgenres set your soul on fire, and what kind of raw power or emotion do they summon in you?

To me, it’s doom, death, black, and heavy metal that speak the loudest. But it isn’t just about the genre, it’s about the soul behind the music. The energy, the intention, the spirit of the person creating it. That’s what I connect to. Metal for me is more than riffs or growls, it’s the essence of the artist poured into sound, and that’s what makes it powerful.

Take us back, what was your very first gig, and what chaos or memories burned themselves into your skull that night?

My first gig ever was Necrodeath, and I actually organized it myself with my old crew, Long Live Rock, the start of what would later become Poisoned Rock. It was on my birthday, November 21st, 2009.

The place was packed, the air thick with sweat and excitement, amps screaming, and me running around making sure everything didn’t explode, literally and figuratively. That night wasn’t just a gig; it was the spark that ignited everything. The rest is history.

Out of every show you’ve witnessed, which one stands tall as the absolute pinnacle, the one you’ll never shake from your veins?

The show I’ll never forget was last June in Milano, seeing Municipal Waste, Death Angel, and Bewitcher. The performances themselves were insane, every riff and beat hitting like fire, but what really made it unforgettable was the people.

Meeting these artists, connecting with them, being treated like family… it made me feel honored in a way I can’t put into words. I left that night buzzing with gratitude, pride, and pure metal joy. It wasn’t just a show; it was a moment that reminded me why I live for this scene.

If the stage was yours to command and you could summon a five-band dream lineup, who would march onto your festival battlefield?

If I could build my dream festival lineup, it would be Bewitcher, Blackbraid, Possessed, Motörhead… and then Leather Leone headlining, though honestly? How am I supposed to pick just one?! Every time I interview someone, I fall in love with metal all over again. Why choose when you can have it all? Bring the chaos, bring the fire, and let me lose my voice in the madness.

What’s your ultimate metal anthem, the track that fuels you when you need to feel invincible?

When I need a burst of power, it’s Leather Leone all the way, either We Are the Chosen or Off Your Head. That voice, that intensity… one riff and I feel unstoppable. It’s the kind of track that makes you stand taller, roar louder, and remember that nothing can touch you.

Leather or denim, spikes or patches, band shirt armour or wild statement chaos, what’s your battle gear when you enter the pit?

I’m all about leather, spikes, and band shirts, throw in some statement pieces and I’m basically walking heavy metal. Think 70s vibes: wild hair, chains, ripped edges, attitude… everything has to scream who I am before I even open my mouth.

I don’t just dress to look cool, I dress to perform. Every patch, every ripped edge, every spike is part of the show. Safe? Please, never heard of her. Dressing like this? It’s like wearing your own personal war cry.

Do you crave the monstrous roar of massive festivals, or the sweat-soaked intimacy of underground gigs where you’re shoulder-to-shoulder with the band?

This is impossible to choose… really. Massive festivals are insane, the energy everywhere, the crowd moving as one. But small, sweaty underground gigs? That’s pure intimacy, shoulder to shoulder with the band, feeling every riff in your chest. I honestly can’t pick, I want both, the chaos and the closeness, the madness and the magic. Metal is metal, and I’ll take it any way it comes.

Which women of metal (or beyond) do you look up to as true warriors, and why do they burn so bright for you?

I look up to women like Leather Leone and Lorraine Lewis, they’re absolute warriors, voices you can’t ignore. Then there’s Kiki Rockwell, Bati Batt, Jess Woodland, and Ikula… sure, not all strictly metal, but who cares? It’s about the fire, the attitude, the soul in their music. They’re fearless, unapologetic, and make me want to roar just like them. If you’re expecting me to care about labels… sweetie, that’s not me.

When you’re not living, breathing, and bleeding metal, what other rituals, passions, or guilty pleasures keep your fire lit?

Outside of metal, I’m a bit all over the place, photographer, model, naturopathic doctor, lover of nature, and I play bass and drums whenever I can. Honestly, if it moves me, I dive in. I like exploring, creating, losing myself in things that challenge me or make me feel alive. Guilty pleasures? Maybe getting lost in a forest with music blasting, or letting myself completely zone out behind a camera, my instruments, or in front of the lens. Life’s too short to stay still.

If you had to carve your role in the metal scene into three words only, what would be etched on your banner?

Supportive. Curious. Connected. I do interviews to lift others up, share their energy, and help the scene grow, not for me, but because I love being part of it.

All Hails, Ada!