SEPULTURA (Eng.)
– Hello, thanks for answering to our questions. What’s SEPULTURA currently up to?
Hello! Thanks for having me!
We’ve been touring for our new album «Kairos» that just came out. We’re doing festivals and club dates here in Europe and we have the whole year pretty much full.
– Your new album was released just a few days ago, what are your expectations?
Always the best ones! It was released already and it’s getting a great response so far.
– I noticed in your new tracks some nuances to the early SEPULTURA, what are your thoughts on this? Was that just how things flew or was it something intended?
Yes, this record is about Sepultura’s history. Not only the band itself but also about all we’ve gone through to get here, it’s about this moment right here, right now. Saying that it was natural to bring some of that old school Thrash and at the same time mix with our own present sound.
– There have been several changes in the SEPULTURA camp lately; new album, new record label, etc. Did you want with the album’s title, “Kairos”, reflect part of that?
Sure! It’s all part of it. Kairos means «the right moment», or when something special happens. This is our story and this is what we’re living right now. Kairos reflects everything.
– Is this some kind of new era, not musically, for SEPULTURA?
Yes, definitely. The band is very confident and strong now, I mean, it always was but now we’re really happy with this new record and it’s great to be part of Nuclear Blast. It’s such a respectful label and they are really in to do this with us.
– As I mentioned, you are now working with a new record label to you, Nuclear Blast, one of the biggest Metal labels. How’s everything going with them so far? And what prompted that move and how did you hook up with NB?
As I said before is really great to be part of NB now. They’ve approached us last year in Europe and everything worked perfect.
– «Kairos» has been produced by Roy Z (known for his work with JUDAS and Bruce Dickinson among others). I personally think the final result is quite pleasant but, how do you balance the experience of working with him? Would you repeat?
Sure! Roy is a great producer and a great person too. He pushed us to get the best out of it. I think he really understood the idea
we had and he was able to translate that to the record. We wanted to get that live vibe to it and, even though we haven’t recorded it live, we were always all there playing. It was a great experience.
– For this record you have recorded a cover for MINISITRY’s «Just one Fix». How did you come up with this idea? Did you have in mind any other songs to cover?
Both covers we decided right there at the studio. The only thing we knew was that we wanted to do 2 covers so we started brain storming about it, just thinking about what could work or not. It didn’t take that long though, after a few minutes we were trying the first chords on Just One Fix.
– The album’s artwork is quite modern actually. What can you tell us about it?
That was Eric Sayers’s vision on what the Kairos concept is according to what we talked. He’s a very talented artist and I think he really understood the whole concept. Here goes this statement he made about it,
«I started by researching Kairos for images and meaning. Kairos is about time, the actions we take, and the positive or negative repercussions that follow. I knew the image would have wings. I also knew I would somehow need to represent time, but in a way that is timeless. Speaking with Andreas, he had an idea for a gel skull. I was uncertain how I would make that happen, but I did and it is unique. Actions and their repercussions are represented by the arms, transitioning from the strong healthy arm on top and the decrepit hand below. The background is made from a couple of photos I took on a recent trip to Morocco. They give the composition a mystical quality. It was an honor for me to work with Sepultura, I am a long-time fan of this legendary band». Eric.
– Also about it’s meaning, as I think each person can have it’s own visions about it, it’s quite inspiring and I can see a link between it and the album’s name…
Definitely. He not only understood the concept but he also did a good research about it.
– After all these years into the music industry, is there anything left you would like to get?
Well, this is a transition moment for the industry. Everybody is trying different things to deal with the downloads and stuff. There’s a lot of good and bad things about it. I’d like to get it right, for musicians and for whoever is buying the music.
– You were the last one joining the band; has everything been as you expected during these 5 years?
It’s great to be part of this, it’s an honor to me to be able to be playing in a band that I was a fan when I was 13. Sometime I wish we could have more time with our families though.
– And did put some pressure on you the fact of replacing Igor Cavalera?
In the beginning yes, now after 5 years and with hundreds of shows done I don’t think about it anymore. I respect and admire him for all he created with the band, he’s definitely a great player.
– And finally, what are your near-future plans? Some tour maybe?
Touring, touring and touring!! The whole year is already taken! Besides that, I’been involved with doing sound tracks for movies and I’m producing two projects now. Life is busy!
– That has been all, thank you once more for your time. Feel free to add some final words if you feel like doing it.
Thank you for your support!
If you need anything else just let me know!
Cheers,
Jean
