Mental Horror
Wywiad przeprowadził Wouter Roemers
With Krisiun and Rebaelliun paving the way and setting the standard for modern day brutal death metal in Brazil in the mid to late nineties, the continent has since spawned a legion's worth of bands that aspire the same goals. Mental Horror, who have been around since the early days of the new millennium, recently released their third album "Blemished Redemption" in their home country Brazil. With an imminent release for Latin - and North America with negotiations underway for a European release, Masterful Magazine caught up with drummer Sandro Moreira - who most of our readers will surely know from his breathtaking work with the great but rather short-lived Rebaelliun - to talk about their latest record, their touring plans and the Brazilian metal scene.
Hi. Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions. How is everything in the Mental Horror camp? Any noteworthy developments people should be aware of?
Things are going good. Our latest album "Blemished Redemption" is selling a good amount over here in Brazil. We are close to deal a good distribution over Latin America, North America and in a couple of weeks the cd is out in Europe. Our goal is undoubtedly to play live and we are working to get on a European tour, perhaps this year. It's a question of how successful this album will be.
Since the last album, drummer Robles Dresch has left the band. Sandro, you have taken his place behind the kit and with "Blemished Redemption" you have really proven your worth. How has your presence helped forward the profile of Mental Horror, internationally speaking – considering most people will know you from the great but short-lived Rebaelliun?
My experience with Rebaelliun gave me a lot of knowledge in music and my drumming skills just developed after the band split. When Adriano came to me and invited me to join Mental Horror I realized that I could explore all my potential. Indeed, they realized it too.
You are yet another Brazilian band which plays brutal death metal. The death metal scene is very huge nowadays and sometimes it's hard to be noticed. Do you think that Mental Horror will be noticed with this new album?
We have no doubt about that! On the first rehearsal we noticed the potential in what we were playing at that time. Today, the band is so much better than never before. We have a long way to conquer, for sure. The start was already done.
Your new album comes to us by way of Mutilation/Animate Records, whereas your previous album was released through Displeased Records. How did the new record deal came about?
The previous albums were licensed to Displeased Records through Encore Records; that was our label that time. Mutilation Records just heard about the new line-up and got interest in us and Animate Records was when we were playing in Europe last year. We sent them some songs, we kept in touch, talked about it and was it was a done deal.
How has the label been accommodating the band's needs?
It's going well.
How have the reactions to "Blemished Redemption" been thus far? We, here at a Masterful Magazine, gave it a praising review due to its improved song writing and its technical prowess.
Thanks for your words, it has been very much appreciated. All our effort we put on it, we are receiving it back.
I consider "Blemished Redemption" as another firm step you take into elevating intensity and superb musicianship. How do you perceive the evolution of Mental Horror, musically?
Nowadays, you can see metal musicians in the highest level of technique. Never had so many great musicians into the scene, you can hear great records from new bands every day. When I say new, I mean kids of seventeen years old, sometimes less than it making a really brutal music. This is the result from those who never give up to be a true metal warrior. And this, my friend is something I will never change. Death metal is what we like and this is what we do the best. Our music today is the reflection of what we listen, study and apply over these years.
"Blemished Redemption" seems to be tad slower and epic in parts in comparison to your first two records. I can't shake the impression that the (mid 90s) Morbid Angel, Immolation and Nile influences really flourish on this record. Would you agree?
Yes, we really mix influences from the 90's.We grew up listing bands from this time. On "Blemished Redemption" we put this 90's things like something as a homage for the bands we like.
I really love the wicked shredding leads on the album, something which I missed a bit on your earlier releases. What contributed to the leads getting a more prominent place in your tracks?
The album was produced by us and Sebastian Carsin, an Uruguayan guy that has a really good taste for music. Besides, he is a great guitar player too and with the songs more sharp and clear the leads could remain more in evidence.
In comparison to your second album, 2004's "Abyss Of Hypocrisy", this new record sounds incredibly full, structured and massive on the level of production. Did you go to another studio for this album or is it just an improvement of the gear you're recording with?
This album was recorded at Hurricane Studios located in our hometown. We chose this studio for a couple of reasons. The owner is a very good friend of us and he does miracles with shit equipment, for real. Also, we had a new line-up, new label, etc. I mean, we had to record in a place we never recorded before.
Where was the album recorded, and are you satisfied with the sound? How long were you in the studio?
Hurricane Studios. When we decided to record the album, we planned the record. So, between the pre-production, recording and mastering… It took ten months. The result could not be better, we are entirely satisfied.
The vocal interaction between Adriano Martini and bassist Cézar China Meirelles seems to have expanded in scale as well. It's a great feature, too many death metal today lack in interesting vocal lines and interaction. Was this something you wanted to do for a long time?
Actually, it's something that came naturally. We did not think about that and luckily this is one of the highlights on the record.
What must a song contain in order for you to find it interesting to play?
Good drumming and great rhythm patterns and a good meaning. Enough to hear and make you say "what the fuck, let's play it right now".
Are there any tracks left from "Blemished Redemption" sessions? How many songs did you prepare in your rehearsal room before going to the recording studio?
All the songs on the cd are new songs. We made ten songs in around one year. So, all the new songs we had at that time were recorded.
Over the last decade Brazil has carved its place in the international metal scene thanks to its utterly relentless and fast death metal bands. Although, Brazil has the ninth biggest economy in the world; bureaucracy, corruption, poverty and illiteracy still are its biggest problems. Do you think these social problems result in bands playing incredibly fierce and technical death metal?
I speak for myself here, if you figure it out you will survive just playing heavy metal, drinking beers and hump some chicks. Hey, or you are rich or you are really dumb. Here, my friend, is Brazil. If you are waiting for some help from somebody, you will die waiting. I mean, these things you quote are just the peak from the iceberg. Everyday I see something bad on the streets or on TV, newspapers, etc... Somehow, this gives me strength to keep on drumming and doing what I like. Making fucking brutal death metal. Unfortunately, music doesn't make enough money to survive, so I have to work, as the others from the band. This I think fills myself with hate and anger to don't lose my mind. Decency and serenity I change it to something that any of those fucking politicians or whoever can never change, my will.
Brazil has the largest Roman Catholic population in the world, 74% are Roman Catholic (about 139 million). A lot of Brazilian death metal acts are strong and vocal in their condemnation of religion. Is religion one of the ills of modern society, where people lack to ability to believe in themselves and need a deity to fill that void?
Every day Catholicism grows more over here. I don't care. This bunch of lambs don't affect me. If they wanna believe in something that I don't, fuck it! It's like this, they stay in their corner and I in another and that's it. Our songs care about the wickedness that mankind makes for themselves.
How do you find the scene in your country?
I had the opportunity to play several times in your land, Europe and to compare with. I can say, we are far from it, but it's not as bad as it sounds.
Any death metal bands in Brazil that we should be aware of - that might make it big in years to come?
I bet my coins on the band The Ordher. It's a fusion between ex-members from Rebaelliun and Nephasth. and the band called Subtera.
Alright, that pretty much covers it. Thanks a lot your time. Last words are yours…
We would like to say thanks for the space dedicated to Mental Horror. Thanks to Wouter and Masterful Magazine crew. Check out our page at myspace, myspace.com/mentalhorror .
Booking: mentalhorror@mentalhorror.com
Site: www.mentalhorror.com
