Hellblast: We are a Brazilian black metal band, we started at December 2014 with two members, Hellblast (guitars and vocals) and The Black (Drums). With this line up, we recorded a rehearsal demo titled “The Legacy of Death” (2015) and a Full Length called “Crossing Into Darkness” (2016). Both had a great reception by black metal fans and, currently, we are composing a new album.
2.So far you have released a demo and one full length, musically how do they both differ from each other?
Hellblast: “The Legacy of Death is a rehearsal record in the beginning of the band. Raw and harsh, it counts on just one guitar, vocals and drums, so it has none studio resources and has some natural rehearsal errors. In “Crossing into Darkness” record was done on Krypta Bestial Studio and every instrument was separately record. I recorded the voices, guitars, bass and The Black recorded the drums. In that album we were with the songs done and well-rehearsed, the recording lasted 13 hours. The mix and mastering were done by Mallus Peior Pessimus that has a great experience producing black metal bands. The goal has been reached! For those who’ve not known the song, you can check it out in our digital medias.
3.Can you tell us a little bit more about the lyrical topics and subjects you have explored with your music so far?
Hellblast: The themes, until the first album, are suicide, death, depression, blasphemy, darkness and misanthropy. Currently, I’m approaching occultism themes in the newest compositions.
4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Repúdio'?
Hellblast: The name “Repúdio” cames by an Anti-Demiugic manifest that was written by my wife in a sheet of paper where she had written the lyric of our song “Martírio Cristão”, that said “Deus é digno de repúdio e cuspidas na face” (God is worthy of repudiation and spit on the face). Repúdio has a vast sense and represents the rebellion to the created laws. It’s the wrath and aversion to the whole illusion of this world.
5.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the album cover?
Hellblast: the artwork and the whole layout is a masterpiece of the great Ewan Donnovan. I explained him the concept of the album and he represents it vey well. It’s a somber cover art and represents nicely the traverse to the darkness, the elements and the colors were well chosen by the artist. In 2016, this art work was considered one of the best of the year by the critics.
6.Originally the band started out as a duo, what was the decision behind expanding into a full line up?
Hellblast: We have done some shows as a duo, but after the album was recorded, the shows sounded different that I did in the studio. In December 2017 I invited some friends that love and had the experience to play black metal songs. Invited Black Warrior (Yersinia Pestes, Demonic War Front) to the bass guitar and Necrodaemon (Diabolichaos) to the guitar. We’ve done some shows with that formation and we had positive critics about the presentations. On year afterward, Necrodaemon leaves the band. Bçack Warrior leaves the bass and goes to the guitar, and then we invited Baaltzemoth to the bass guitar.
7.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?
Hellblast: The best shows were in Ribeirão Preto/SP - BRA and São Carlos/SP – BRA. Our performances are full of feelings, the receptivity of the public always was positive and sometimes they sing our songs together and they are in the event just to watch us. It is very grateful.
8.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
Hellblast: Currently, we have some confirmed dates. February 9th in our city Varginha/MG – BRA, July 20th in Passos/MG – BRA and more six dates to be confirmed.
9.The album was released through both 'Terror Music', DFL Productions', and ‘Impaled Records” do you feel both of these labels have been very helpful when it comes to getting your music out there heard?
Hellblast: Yeah, they have done an excellent work of distribution and enabled the release, because we hadn’t resources to launch it. We have just to thank them.
10.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black metal?
Hellblast: Our stuffs were distributed in physic format only in Brazil, we were opened to proposals to release on the outside of the country, although we make available in digital medias as Deezer, YouTube, Spotify. There always have messages on the Facebook page and also my personal profile, congratulating our songs or commenting on the YouTube.
11.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
Hellblast: Currently, we are composing our second album and I can tell you it is more aggressive without loss of the roots. I’m approaching occultism themes and I believe that in the future we will try more of the left hand path in our lyrics and visual. The future shows will have the whole spiritual context involved. We are searching for musical and spiritual evolution, certainly Repúdio will be the extension of it!
12.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
Hellblast: Mainly, my influences came by Brazilian black metal bands and the 90’s way to play. My influences is Ocultan, Cruor Cultum, Agouro, Vobiscum Inferni, Patria, Mgla, Acherontas. I always take care to compose by my way, with no copy, because they are just inspirations. Currently I’m listening to some Brazilian black metal bands like Aka Funeral, U.N.C.U.L.T., YALDABAOTH, Lápide, Amort, Black Invocation. Foreigners band I’m listening Cryfemal, Watain, Belphegor, Dark Funeral, Mgla.
13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Hellblast: At first, i’d like to thank to Occult Black Metal Zine for the ceded space, thank to all that support us. I’ll let below some links for those who don’t know our song. Thank you so much!
https://www.facebook.com/r3pud10h0rd3
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cos52EspOE&t=1655s
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/album/6Cvwl6XGV0jAJV1HS2ujfA?si=xoVzJBezTQeTw6lDuCAatQ
Deezer
http://www.deezer.com/it/album/48735532
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