NERVOCHAOS (Eng.)
– Hello, thanks for answering to our questions. How is everything doing right now with NERVOCHAOS?
(Edu) Everything’s fine with us! Thanks for the interview! We just finished our 2012 tour, where we played 69 shows around Latin America and Europe. All in support of our newest release, ‘To The Death’.
– First off, could you please make some history of the band (the meaning behind the band’s name and so on)?
(Edu) Yes, we’ve started in 96 with the idea of creating an aggressive and chaotic music. So far we have released 5 studio albums, 1 live album, 3 demo-tapes and several participations in compilations and tributes. We’ve shared the stage with acts such as Venom, Carcass, Cannibal Corpse, The Exploited, Agnostic Front, Kreator, Biohazard, Possessed, Mayhem, Dismember, Krisiun, Deeds of Flesh, Disgorge (US), Monstrosity, Napalm Death, Ragnarok (NOR), ABSU, Immolation, Incantation, Acheron, Vital Remains, Vader, and many more to list. Our idea for a band name was to have a strong and different name, that would be easy to be understood in English or Portuguese, for example. So, we combined words and came with that name, which also represents very well the band’s musical concept/orientation and the city/environment that we live in.
– You will soon release your fifth album, entitled «To the Death». What are your expectations on it?
(Edu) The album came out in Brazil thru Cogumelo. Now, it’s coming out thru Grey Haze and we’re really looking forward for this release. It’s a great opportunity for us to work with labels like those and we feel honored. We’re a hard working band that believes a true band is a live band. We love touring and we’ll keep promoting hard the new release in 2013.
– Regularity is something that has always stand out off NERVOCHAOS, both in songwriting terms as in their sound. «To the Death» is a fresh opus still having the band’s stamp on it. Due to this I would like to know if we are in front of the ultimate album by the band or if such thing (and/or perfection) does not exist?
(Edu) I think it’s our strongest work up to date. Our previous album was extremely well accepted but we feel this one will overcome it. Our tasks are to always try to evolve as a band, search for our own sound/trademark and always try to beat our previous release. So, for our upcoming album, we’ll work even harder!
– In fact in each album released by the band we can hear certain evolution, always keeping your identity but, at the same time, adding different elements, making a pleasure listening to any of your records. But, for all those who maybe haven’t heard the album yet; what could you say are the main differences or news between «To the Death» and your previous releases?
(Edu) That’s the idea, to evolve each release as a band and improve our musicianship and song writing, but sticking true to our original concept/idea. So each album is different for the previous one, but more like an natural evolution, in seek for our own sounding. With the line-up changes, naturally new influences came to the plate but we still sound like NERVOCHAOS. Our 1st CD is more Thrash Metal with some Grind Core and Crossover elements added to it. The 2nd CD is straight forward traditional darkened Death Metal. Our 3rd release still traditional Death Metal but with some Black/Thrash Metal elements added to it. The 4th album is Death/Thrash Metal. And our newest release, is the more mature CD we did so far and it’s a mix/combination of all elements we’ve used in our past albums.
– The departure of your previous singer, Daniel Blasphemoon, could have been a big deal for the band, but you have managed to overcome this adversity, and Guiller has been just superb on the album. On your opinion, what has Guiller brought (on vocals) Daniel didn’t?
(Edu) Daniel was a great front man, great vocalist and dedicated 6 years to the band duties. In his last days in the band he wasn’t focused or motivated to continue with the band, lacking on the band duties, so we had to part ways. Guiller used to sing in the previous bands he played, so we decided to give it a try with him instead of bringing someone new to the team. I think it’s working perfectly, he fits the job, likes it and he’s totally focused and dedicated to the band, so long live!
– This time you have had some of your most diverse lyrics ever, without dealing just with satanic themes. What topics or experiences have inspired you this time around?
(Edu) Yes, that’s correct. We still dealing with Satanic and Occult themes/subjects in our lyrics, but as you said, we tried to be more diverse in the new release. So we added up themes about war, gore and the harsh reality we see/live in our daily lives. We also believe that it turned things more interesting for us and for our fans.
– This time you have had some guest artists such as Jão (RATOS DE PORÃO), Carlos Zhema (VULCANO), Antõnio Araújo (KORZUS), Ralph Santolla (DEICIDE, etc.) and Cherry (HELLSAKURA) so, would you mind to tell us how did everything arise, why did you choose them and what have they all brought with their cooperation?
(Edu) We had a list of friends/guitarist that we wanted to invite to the new album. We invited them all and ended up with those five. So, we choose the track for each one and send it to them. They created the solo, recorded it and send it back to us. From there, we sent it to get mixed and mastered. All of them did a killer job and we loved all the solos. We wanted to give something special for our fans and having some guests on the new album is surely one of the surprises we have on the newest CD.
– The production of the album is just as great as the musical content, I would even dare say this is your best-sounding album ever but, could you please tell us how did the production process go? If I’m not mistaken the own band took production duties so, is this something positive or does it just mean more pressure? As I guess this can be a double-edged sword.
(Edu) Thanks. For the first time we decided to travel out of our city and record our album total focused on the recording process. So, we went to Rio de Janeiro, at Flames Studio and did it during 10 days. It was an awesome experience and we will repeat stuff like that for the next recordings will do. We recorded with Igor and Victor, sent the tapes to Alex Azzalli in Italy, where it got mixed and mastered. We all think it sounds great, different than our past releases and that’s exactly what we’re always searching for.
– On the other hand, veteran Joe Petagno crafted the cover artwork but, what did you want to express with it? How has been working with Joe been and how did you do it? Did you give him free hands in that field?
(Edu) We gave him total free hand to create whatever he felt like it according to our lyrics and the album title. He’s an awesome person, extremely professional that’s into extreme music and METAL. Plus he’s a fucking legend, did (and still does) some outstanding artwork. For us it was a dream come true to have one of our album with his artwork.
– All this about «To the Death» being said; how could you describe it in just 3 words?
(Edu) Sincere. Aggressive. Metal!
– As I said earlier, you have always remained true to yourself still keeping things interesting and fresh. In fact you have been through some line-up changes so, is it difficult to deal with it or, on the contrary, does this bring the band fresh air? And, could we say your current line-up is a steady one?
(Edu) Unfortunately we’ve been thru several line-up changes. Playing in an underground extreme music band is not for everybody, same goes for being on the road, on tour. So that being said, once you start lacking with the band duties it’s time for a change, for the band’s sake/health. I think we have our strongest line-up so far and we’re very steady for a couple of years now. On the other hand, it’s true that every new member brings some fresh air, but line-up changes are hard for the band and I hope this line-up lasts forever.
– We could also say your a live band, as you have always played pretty extensive tours. Due to this I would like to know what is your best and worst memory on the road and with which bands you would like to play someday.
(Edu) We loved all the tours we did and most of the bands we shared the stage with. All tours and shows are extremely important for us, so they’re all special on it’s way. I think the worsts memories are from the shows we got ripped off. There are several bands we would love to share the stage with again and also other we never did, such as Slayer, Testament, The Accused, Centurian, Mercyful Fate and many more.
– I guess into the Brazilian Metal scene SEPULTURA have always been the leaders, anyway Brazil has always had a really strong Metal scene with several fantastic extreme Metal bands (from SARCOFAGO to KRISIUN or even TORTURE SQUAD for instance) but, what are your all-time favorites ones? And which ones could you suggest?
(Edu) It’s hard to say, there are several killer Brazilian bands that we love! I could say bands like Sepultura (old), Sarcofago, Korzus, Krisiun, Ratos de Porao, Dorsal Atlantica, Chakal, Sextrash, Holocausto, Headhunter DC, Vulcano, Leviathan, Lacerated and Carbonized, Hammurabi, Drowned, Torture Squad, Distraught, Khrophus, Ayin, Infested Blood, Decomposed God, Havok, Zoltar, Baixo Calão, Warpath, Disgrace and Terror, Unearthly, Anarkhon, Ancestral Malediction, Ophiolatry, Paura, Apokalyptic Raids, Grave Desecrator, Subtera, Matanza, Hellsakura, Carro Bomba, Acao Direta, Queiron, Andralls, Calibre 12, Baranga, and many more to list.
– As 2012 is about to end; could you please tell us what are your 3 favorites albums of the year as well as the least favorite one?
(Edu) Favorites are: Marduk ‘Serpent Sermon’; Incantation ‘Vanquish in Vengeance’; Ragnarok ‘Malediction’. Least favorite is Biohazard ‘Reborn in Defiance’.
– And finally, what are your near-future plans?
(Edu) We want to tour extensively in 2013 promoting ‘To The Death’. Also we’ll have 12″ vinyl format release of the album and our 1st DVD. Plus we want to re-release our debut album ‘Pay Back Time’ which is long out of catalogue.
– That has been everything from my side, thanks once more for your time. If you now want to add some final words; feel free to do it.
(Edu) Thanks a lot for such an interesting interview and for the support! Visit www.nervochaos.com.br
