Brazilian thrash metalers Sepultura are back in full force having just released The Mediator Between The Head And Hands Must Be The Heart, their 13th studio album after forming in 1984.
With controversial lineup changes, like the departure of ex-vocalist Max Cavalera who now fronts Soulfly and side-project the Cavalera Conspiracy, Sepultura continue to dominate the realm of heavy metal.
Upon the release of their new album, Sepultura were set to travel North America on the Tsunami Of Metal tour – until their access into the country was revoked. Guitarist Andreas Kisser, residing in São Paulo, is strongly disappointed with the turn of events.
“The working visa is such a beaurocratic way of doing things. We have our tourist visas but it’s not enough to do a tour.” The most logical action was to reschedule the tour. “Hopefully we can play America soon. In 2014 we’ll be there,” Kisser announces.
In positive news, Sepultura have received a huge response to the new album. “It’s amazing. The album came out just a few days ago and it seems to be already making a really strong impact and I’m very happy with the result, the sound, the artwork, and everything,” the guitarist says with confidence.
“We’ve already played some of the new songs here in Brazil and it feels great so we just can’t wait to start this world tour.”
The 45-year-old sheds some light surrounding themes on The Mediator Between The Head And Hands Must Be The Heart, the follow-up to Kairos. “The name was taken from the movie ‘Metropolis’ from the 1920s in Germany, the first ever sci-fi movie in history.”
Kisser emphasises that the album is not acting as a soundtrack for the movie but merely reflecting on the omen set by the directors for post-modern society. “It is about a totally robotised society. We talk about religion, politics, and natural phenomena in a song called ‘Tsunami’ as well as other inner feelings that people can relate to anywhere in the world,” he explains.
“The human ability of questioning and protesting information is in our heads and actioning is happening in our hands without the heart.”
“Today we are losing our ability to use our heart. The human ability of questioning and protesting information is in our heads and actioning is happening in our hands without the heart.”
Kisser is passionate about the political themes on the record. “With the current image projected in the media, it just seems dangerous to speak up with ideas. You always have to be politically correct and be careful not to offend certain people of society.”
Perhaps governing bodies need to tone things down a notch and listen to some thrash metal.
Kisser wrote a lot of the new album with help from Eloy Casagrande, Sepultura’s most recent recruit on drums. “Basically everything came from the chemistry and relationship between the guitar and drums. After that came Derrick [Green, vocalist] with the vocal lines and Paulo [Xisto Pinto, Jr] with the bass lines.”
Roy Z, the band’s producer, delivered suggestions and different ideas on arrangements as well. “It’s a collective effort in different phases and we basically talk a lot about different books, movies, and documentaries which inspire our writing.”
Sepultura went into the studio in June this year to record the album. “We spent around five to six weeks recording and then another two to three weeks mixing.” This feels like a relatively fast process for Kisser. “It was only in February when we started really writing and developing ideas but because they were really flowing, it went by quickly and was a very easy and enjoyable process.”
With two ends of the spectrum to recording – a raw unedited garage sound and a perfectly mixed error-free sound – Kisser is content with a healthy medium.
“You have to keep the unknown element there like the improvisation or unplanned sounds, and even mistakes. But of course you have some plans of what you want to do and then you mix it to the right levels.”
Kisser is impressed with the contribution of Casagrande who only joined the band in 2011 after Kairos was released. “It was great man. He is only 22 years old and did such an amazing job as it was his first time writing with us, and he definitely brought some new possibilities to our music.”
“Despite being that young, he is very experienced and can play like no other on drums. He is really bringing this band to a new level. And he loves Sepultura, he has been a fan for many years.” This is an odd reality considering the band is almost a decade older than its current drummer.
“2014 is the year which we celebrate 30 years as a band. It’s a very special year for us and I think we all have risen to celebrate the occasion.”
“2014 is the year which we celebrate 30 years as a band. It’s a very special year for us and I think we all have risen to celebrate the occasion.”
The heavy metalers are doing as much as they can in preparation for their commemorative year, which includes abundant promoting for the new record. “We have made a video clip for the song ‘The Vatican’ as well, which is going to be released in a few days,” Kisser plugs.
With a world tour ahead of Sepultura, they are bound to finally return to Australia after an extended absence. “It has been 10 years since we’ve been to Australia. We have plans to come down soon with a great album and a great lineup.”
“We’re going to Europe in February and March and doing some European festivals throughout the year as well, so hopefully in the second semester of the year we’ll be able to go to Asia and Oceania,” the Brazilian testifies.
It seems like the band’s triumphant return to Australia will be worth the wait. “Well 2014 is 30 years of Sepultura, so we’re going everywhere. I’m sure it will spill over into 2015 with so many places to go.”
The Mediator Between The Head And Hands Must Be The Heart is out now through Nuclear Blast
