. Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?
MANTUS - Well, first of all we just released our fifth opus called "Nihil Est Monastica" through the great french label Drakkar Productions. We also recently filmed a video clip that will be created by the outstanding swedish producer Håkan Sjödin, who previously worked for the latest official video of MARDUK "Souls for Belial". We re-started the rehearsals and we're looking for good shows, probably for the second semester of 2013. At last but not least, we're already recording some exclusive songs for a future split CD with the killer italian Black Metal band XEPER, planned to be out around June or July by Drakkar again.
2. How would you describe the musical sound of the new album and how it differs from previous releases?
MANTUS - I should say this new album has a bit more fresh compositions as also a little better production. We just forget about any walls and try to make a good mix from distinct influences and elements. I'm a big fan of progressive, ambient and experimental music, so I thought‚ why not trying to use this on PATRIA songs in a more discreet way? Anyway, of course it's barely used in a general context. We don't want to change our music, but we like to experience different sounds and ways to do our music, always preserving that necro and lowfi feeling traditionally. "Nihil Est Monastica" is probably the very best album we did so far in my opinion. A mix of everything we have made in the previous releases, still with something extra. Maybe even straighter than all the others.
3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the new release?
MANTUS - Our inspirations for the lyrics in this album came from the forces of nature, darkness, occultism themes, ancient mythology and specially that anti-religion vein.
4. The new album has a Sarcofago cover, what was the decision behind the cover and how do you feel yours differs from the other versions that have been then?
MANTUS - We're constantly doing kind of "homages" for bands who we really care about and Sarcofago is definitely one of them. We already made a cover in our second album for an unknown and old brazilian band called Songe d'Enfer, which we fucking love, and in our last album "Liturgia Haeresis" we worked in a cover version for the song "Black Winter Day" from the great Amorphis. This time we thought maybe something extremist would fit better, so we couldn't choose another one but Sarcofago. We didn't play the song as original and I never heard a version with this approach we got, so it's kind cool at last.
5. Has the band played out live or is this a studio project only?
MANTUS - We started as a studio project only, but since 2010 we decided to become a full band with rehearsals and all that shit. Anyway, for the albums we're still keeping it as a duo, to make everything faster and as we want. So, it's more correct to say we're a duo but we have a live line-up ready for shows. Well, we just played in 2 live gigs so far, but both were an amazing experience. We don't like to play everywhere and all the time, but as I said before, we're looking for professional promoters interested to make our ritual alive. Firstly in Brazil, but later in South America and even Europe. Let's see what happens!
6. I have noticed that the band is from Brazil, how does that add to the aggression of your music, since people out there have more problems with Catholics and Christians than Americans or Europeans?
MANTUS - I agree brazilians generally have a particular way to make METAL somehow, so maybe it's in our veins and it will be present in PATRIA music. But honestly my main influence come from the "european" metal, specially from the norwegian black metal. Regarding the religion thing, I really don't think so. Brazil is a fucking giant and multicultural country, so even being in the most part christians/catholics, there's no reason to happen that kind of "dictature" here, you know. I think it probably can be a much bigger pain in the ass for Europeans and Americans. At least we never had to face problems like this.
7. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your new album by fans of black metal?
MANTUS - The feedback is being really awesome! I still didn't hear anything negative about the album, which's rare (lol). So, it means all people is enjoying and understand it. We're always concerned to do what will truly pleasure our own ears as real Black Metal fans, you know. So, maybe this good acceptation is a result from this goal. We're also receiving great reviews from small to major media channels and it's a very good thing too.
8. What is going on with the other musical projects these days?
MANTUS - At the moment I'm a bit stopped with my all other musical activities to focus on PATRIA new album and promotion. But I'll start to work on a new album for my other band MYSTERIIS soon and our vocalist Triumphsword is already working on a second album for his other band THORNS OF EVIL. Both to be released in 2013, but nothing really concrete yet.
9. What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?
MANTUS - It's difficult to say cause it depends of many things in the future‚ What I'll be listening, my mind and personal feelings and many other details that will surely affect the way of composing. But if you're asking me about a first view basic plan, the idea would be to make a music even darker, heavier and straighter, mixing the traditional Black Metal way with some twisted weird melodies and some progressive drums, always trying to capture our own identity, developing our personality without loss the focus.
10. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
MANTUS - Norwegian scene is the Top one for me. It was brilliant in the early days with so many references in bands, who practically created a style to make music, visual and act. To say a few‚ Burzum, old Darkthrone, Ulver, Satyricon, Borknagar, Mayhem, Immortal, Emperor, Hades, Enslaved etc. And there's also some current Black Metal bands doing a great job there today. Well, I listen all kind of music‚ I must say that I'm a reeeeally eclectic person‚ In this last month I have listened things like the new and epic ANATHEMA "Heathen Systems", "Deathlike" from the outstanding ANCIENT VVISDOM, ENSLAVED "Riitiir", AUDREY HORNE "Youngblood" and some not so new stuff like SEPTIC FLESH "The Great Mass", the last TROLL album "Neo-Satanic Supremacy", BORKNAGAR "Urd" and also some random stuff like SLAYER "South of Heaven", IRON MAIDEN "Piece of Mind", ALICE IN CHAINS, ULVER and A-HA‚ specially the first releases, among many many others. I work in a computer, so it's what I have added on iTunes and I'm constantly listening it :)
11. Outside of music what are some of your interests?
MANTUS - Music is already part of my life. I work indirectly with music, so it's difficult don't be surrounded by this atmosphere all the time. But I'm very interested in ART in a general context‚ Cinema is something that catches me A LOT. I spend a big part of my hours watching movies, reading about etc.
12. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?
MANTUS - First of all mega thanks for the space and support! We really hope the true worshippers of darkness can enjoy our new album as much we do. See you around!!! Cheers from the South American misty mountains.
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