Interview with Brazilian death metal band COLDBLOOD.
translated by Markéta, thank you!
AVE
COLDBLOOD! Your new album "Indescribable physiognomy of the Devil"
has been published since June. How do you feel about your album now? What do
fans think? How about music critics?
Markus Couttinho: The
album was released in Brazil on 13 May and in Europe and the United States on
26 June. Until now the reviews in the specialized media have been very
positive. We realized that the old fans still embrace us and I also noticed a
new legion appreciating the album and following us. It is obvious that this
fills us with pride and satisfaction, but we also know that we can't
accommodate with this and we have to continue producing and trying to overcome
every album.
This
album is the third long play album in the history of your band. That is not a lot considering you have been
playing since 1992. Why is that? Was there problem with money or time?
Markus Couttinho: In
the past, we were inexperienced with business and had other priorities,
parental pressure… but in 2005, we returned definitively. We launched our third
demo "Reincarnating a New Black Church" and then we signed a contract
with the Mexican label Onslaught Rec. for the release of our first album
"Under the Blade I Die" from 2007 and since then we haven't stopped.
We changed the formation a few times until we reached what we are today. We are
more experienced and focused and from 2009 until now, we have already released
two albums, an EP, two Splits, a compilation album and did three South American
tours. We recorded our first official video in 2015... We are working hard to
make up for the lost time.
The
lyrics are unimportant in death metal sometimes. You sing about darkness, death
and Satanism. What are the new lyrics about and who is the author? Do you try
to send some message by our lyrics?
Diego Mercadante: The
lyrical content can mean a universe for the listener or simply say nothing. I
try to put some key words in my lyrics and I believe this can bring spiritual
clarity to some people or some kind of comfort to those who are languishing
next to this old world. In a simple way, the message in this record is that
through dark esotericism, we will find death as our greatest gift and when that
day comes, we shall offend the demiurge to the last breath.
What
I like and what fascinates me about the album “Indescribable Physiognomy of the
Devil” is that there is a connection between darkness and blasphemy. This album
is full of absolute cursing. No compromises. I can feel that you believe in
what you play. How about your relationship with Christianity? Does religion
influences life in Brazil?
Diego Mercadante: I
was raised by a Christian protestant family. I had no choice in my childhood
and when I started to see the world with my own eyes, everything became
pathetic though It was not a simple process. It was a rehabilitation process to
take all those lies from my veins, it's brainwashing. However, it's never too
late in life to turn against the demiurge and offer all we have to whom who
truly guide us. In Brazil things are strange and crazy. I can't even think
about this, the only thing here that we are proud is the National Metal and the
amazing bands we have.
How
does COLBLOOD compose new songs? How does the whole making process work? Who is
the author of your music?
Markus Couttinho: The
creation process starts with Diego Mercadante. He creates all the structures of
the songs while I take care of the arrangements. Then, we start to rehearse the
new songs with the band until it gets to the perfect point for recording.
The
sound of this album is great. It is dark, cold and sharp at the same time. What
studio did you choose to record this album? Did you (as a band) talk about the
final sound and mastering?
Markus Couttinho: The
album was recorded at Estúdio AM located in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
We
worked with the producer Fernando Campos in the process of recording and
editing. The mixing and mastering were done in the Underworld Studio in Germany
and was done by Chris "Mersus" Maning, who also is the drummer of
Destroyer 666. We were very satisfied with the final result and the songs had
the atmosphere that we wanted.
The
new album was published by Russian Satanath Records. Why did you choose this
label and were you happy with the result?
Markus Couttinho: We
had already worked with Metallic Media in the album "Chronology of Satanic
Events" of 2013, and it was through them that knew Satanath rec. from
Russia. They offered us a proposal for the release of the new album through a
partnership between them, we thought it was viable and so it happened.
Have
you ever had a problem with the Church? Have they ever forbidden some concert?
Have you ever had a problem with your album cover etc.?
Diego Mercadante: We
have never had problems with concerts related to religion. We have already put
fire in the bible on top of the stage a couple of times and the audience
treated us like kings! There is no censorship here about what we do and preach.
Occasionally some Christians disturb us on social media. However, through the internet,
everybody is bold; I personally would not be so bold.
The
bands history starts at 1992. How the idea of playing death metal was born? Who
was your idol? Please tell us everything! How was it to play death metal in the
90ths in Brazil?
Markus Couttinho: We
were young people between 17, 18 and while fans were influenced by bands such
as Venom, Possessed, Mercyful Fate, Black Sabbath, Celtic Frost and Bathory,....
The idea of forming the band came after discovering bands like Death, Deicide,
Morbid Angel, Massacre, Bolt Thrower, Paradise Lost (Old), Benediction... The
Death Metal practised by these bands encouraged us directly to form ColdBlood.
As a
band you have stopped playing a few time. Why exactly? Was there not enough
time or drive for it?
Markus Couttinho: I
never stopped playing, even with the breaks that ColdBlood has had, I have
always been involved in some project....I've been in bands such as Nocturnal
Worshipper, Unearthly, Hellkommander, Psychoneurosis, Castifas, Diabolic Force,
Syren, Metano, Sodomizer, Darkaro. Currently I am playing with the bands Grave
Desecrator, Mysteriis, Into the Cave and Orda Hunok Caravatsarat.
In
the Czech Republic, there is a low attendance in concerts. I want to know what
your experiences from Brazil are. Do fans support your band? Do they buy CDs,
merchandise, etc.?
Markus Couttinho:
Yes, not only the Brazilian fans but also fans from South America, who write to
us supporting us and buying our stuff. CDs, shirts, Tapes, Splits... whatever
we have.
Are
there any albums that have caught your attention in a past few months?
Markus Couttinho: I
have not been following much what has emerged in the last few months, because I
have been doing reinterpretations in old albums such as: (Morbid Angel -
Blessed Are the Sick), (Mercyful Fate - A Corpse Without a Soul), (Destruction
- Infernal Overkill), (Running Wild - Gates to Purgatory), (Ozzy Osbourne -
Diary of a Madman), (Slayer - Hell Awaits)...among others. However, in Brazil I
can recommend the new releases of Disgrace and Terrorr, Ocultan, Grave
Desecrator, Whipstriker, Rebaelliun, Torture Squad...
Do
you know and listen some Czech bands?
Markus Couttinho:
Some... Cult of Fire, Maniac Butcher, Avenger, and a band, or better a duo that
has called my attention, the Death Karma, I recently heard the album The
History of Death & Burial Rituals Part I and I found it magnificent.
What
are COLDBLOOD´s plans for next few months?
Markus Couttinho: We
are preparing a new video for a track from the new album and in the midst of this,
we are in a negotiation to do a tour in Mexico to promote the new album.
Thank
you so much for the interview. I wish you a lot of sold music, full concerts,
crazy fans and I am looking forward to seeing you!
Markus Couttinho:
Thanks for the interview and a big hello to our fans and supporters. Listen to
our new album; we will see you on the road.
Line
up:
Diego
Mercadante – Vox and Guitar
Markus
Couttinho – Drums
http://www.facebook.com/pages/COLDBLOOD-Death-Metal/102196796517034
https://www.youtube.com/user/Coldblood666DM
http://satanath.com/
https://satanath.bandcamp.com/album/sat154-coldblood-indescribable-physiognomy-of-the-devil-2016
