1.Hails please introduce yourselves to the readers?
Answer: Hail warriors! I’m Deoarsprofanum, one of the guitarrists behind “Obscure Relic”. I’m been participating on Brazilian metal scene since late 90’s with different extreme metal bands. First, I would like to thanks everybody and Patrick for the contact and give us the opportunity to tell you a little part of my history and what I’ve been doing for the Obscure Relic’s trajectory.
2.When did you first discover black metal and who were the first bands that you heard?Who are some of the current bands that have caught your attention?
What I can say? I’ve particularly discovered the heavy and thrash metal in early 90’s like every young kid that approached some darkened colleagues during school time. I became very interested that time on bands like Slayer and Sepultura. Their music certainly attracted me and drowned my life in metal. In late 90’s, I found myself with some friends that fanatic by extreme metal such as death metal and, specially, black metal. Indeed, the same friends that invite to enjoy my first death/black metal band called War of Feelings. That time, I learned about a lot of bands. I’ve listened all those black metal monsters of the late 80’s and early 90’s such as Mayhem, Dark Funeral, Marduk, Darkthrone, Satyricon, Immortal, Emperor, Dissection, etc (and I still listen and follow them). For starting my life into local underground metal scene, here in my state, Rio de Janeiro, I discovery a whole hall of powerful black metal bands from own our territory that made some influence in worldwide scene such as Sarcófago, Vulcano, Songe d’Enfer, Mystifier, Amen Corner, Mysteriis, Unearthly, Apokalyptic Raids, Murder Rape, Intelectual Momment, etc (there was a lot of stuff…much more stuff… but those are ones that I remember from that time). The brazilian metal scene was/still very rich. I have played in different bands across these years (Almighty Emperor, Gutted Souls, Impacto Profano) and interacted with a lot of people. So, I got the opportunity to know different materials. Nowadays, the number of bands and projects in world black metal scene grew a lot, in a way, that’s really hard to catch up all of them. But, always, I’m trying to listen some new material. On these days, like I said before, I’m still listening the old school demons that I’m very fan. So… What have got my attention on black metal these days? I’ve been listening Watain, last materials of Urgehal, Azaghal, Mgla, Necrohell, etc…. Regarding the local scene, recently, I’ve also been listening all my friends stuff that it’s being released, that are not only black metal, like Velho, Feretral, Rawthrone, Pombajira, Lua de Plutão, Lápide, Cold Night, Poem’s Death, Impacto Profano (all these bands from my neighborhood), Patria, Affront, Podridão, The Troops of Doom (those I remember in last two weeks) and many others (in the last few months).
3.I believe Obscure Relic was started in 2019 when did you and the other members decide to start this band?And how did you choose Obscure Relic as the name of the band?
That’s correct! “Obscure Relic” started in last November (2019). Because of work and some personal issues I moved on to other city around few years ago. I’ve got myself very occupied because those issues, so… I took a long break for playing any music. I always wished to return, always. It is my blood. So, I manage some time to re-analyze all things and deicide to come back. When I move back to my hometown Duque de Caxias, I decided to pay a visit this group of brothers (my bandmates) to listen some music, drink beers and talked a little of what happening in the local scene. I became so excited to play again, specially, black metal music, my passion. The drummer Splatter (a very active drummer in the Brazilian extreme metal scene) just invited me to develop a black metal project totally different from what he was accustomed to play of his other bands and projects. Knowing that I have experience in extreme music with my previous bands, he thought that could be a good idea and opportunity to develop a very fast and brutal black metal like those from the second wave old-school black metal. And from this little talk, it was born “Obscure Relic”. The first rehearsal happened one week later. We invited the other members. They also are very close friends. Finally, the name “Obscure Relic” was created for our vocalist Caronte and Splatter. The idea underlying the name means that our obscure art along our dark magic is like an ancient relic unearthed from the deep darkness rescuing all that essence from the early 90’s black metal and satanic atmosphere. It represents the reborn of the era sure not related to the fashionable black metal style of these days.
4.What is the current line up of the band?Who would you say are the bands biggest influences and for the readers who have never heard Obscure Relic's musicial style how would you best describe it?
The current line-up is: Caronte (vocals), me and Død (guitars), Hellmaniac (bass) and T. Splatter (drums). Sometimes, the guitarist Død also records some basic keyboards lines in few moments. Regarding the influences, I believe that the main influences for our music style involve a full mixture of all those old stuff I mentioned before. I may say that you can observe influences of Dark Funeral, Marduk, Mayhem and maybe Emperor. But, … with our personal touch, our personal reading.
5.First Black Communionn is the bands debut EP. which is being released through HelldProd. when did you and the band first come in contact with this label?
The drummer Splatter has a lot of contacts with different labels because his others bands and projects. We’ve just paid the recordings by ourselves. When the material was ready, we just send track samples for a lot of friends and label contacts. Blaspher from “Helldprod Records” got interested in released it and he made us a proposal. It was very quick the whole process. Helldprod released “First Black Communion” on CD jewel case and cassete versions on Europe with worldwide distribuition. Here in Brazil, there is digipack version of EP from result interaction between the Brazilian labels “Cianeto Discos” and “Kingdom of Darkness Productions”. The deadlines have been accomplished, the propagation is happening and we have been very satisfied with the results so far.
6.How long did it take the band to write the music for the debut EP.?Does the whole band take part in the writing process or does one member usually write everything?
For the final version of the songs, it took two months to complete the whole process of development. The complete line-up was set up in the first week of December to begin the rehearsals with everybody. In the first week of February, right before the breakout of COVID-19 pandemia, we recorded all tracks. It took 6 hours including mixing and mastering. We believe that we’re very focused on that process.For the EP, I was responsible for initial construction of all riffs while Splatter help me with the arrangements. Of the course, the final version of the songs was a result of everybody’s effort. Nowadays, for the pre-production of our upcoming full-length, me and Død are being very cohesive team on our riff constructing process. I am being very happy for the preliminary results. Soon, you guys will see something about it.
7.Who usually handles writing the lyrics for the band and what are some subjects written about on the new release? Which usually comes first the music or the lyrics?
The lyrics are always handled by Caronte. He is a very good artist in many ways (great writer and cartoonist). His writing skills are outstanding. He is always publishing several texts in different formats (underground zines, drawing, poetry), being all of that regarding obscurity, darkness, occultism, internal and metal issues, horror, a lot of stuff. The lyrics theme underlying the “First Black Communion” involves some of these ingredients, specially: obscurity, darkness, rituals, satanism, invocation, hate, hell, etc. These themes appear clearly on our lyrics. Usually, during the composing process, the music comes first than the lyrics. I always composing something and recording those ideas. I’m always testing ideias, recording, constructing and editing. So, I’m very active on this process. However, Caronte always create the text after listen the atmosphere of the pre-produced material. Indeed, it has been working well. In the end, all of us are well immersed and compromised in the construction of the final version of songs.
8.Has the band had the opportunity to play any live shows yet or do you prefer working in the studio?What have been some of the bands most memorable shows so far?
We love to do both things. We love to be on the studio producing new materials and also to play live. We had two dates early this year. However, the breakout of COVID-19 changed everything. The shows were post-poned like happened with everybody. Here in Brazil, I believe that things will take a little bit longer to get to normal. We are anxious to developed a good show and interact with the public.
9.What does Black Metal mean to you all?
The answer to that question is simple and direct. Black metal is higher than just darkened music. It is a life style! It is art and it is consciousness! It is hate and rebellion! It is freedom!
10.Obscure Relic comes out of Brazil's black metal scene what are your thoughts of the black metal scene in Brazil over the years?
The Brazil’s black metal scene grew a lot in past years. We have great names in the past 80’s that still active, while, a little amount just spilt-up. Now, there are new bands rising every single day. In the past, the bands should spend a lot of money to develop a good material according your wishes. Nowadays, the technology available, sometimes at house studios, allows doing the same stuff without spending higher costs. The producers worldwide should check out the Brazilian black metal bands. We have very good interesting material here. Regarding shows, the number of events raised across the years but the massive public just does not go in there. This only hampers the interest of great professional producers. We have good people working to improve this scenario. However, we still need to improve more. I hope that this problem with COVID-19 quarentine, that oblige everybody to stay home without coming out, could rise the interest to this public appear in good underground show even in small clubs or festivals. The local producers also should be more professional on this. Besides these old problems, it is possible to observe some improvement across the years. I believe that some investments in infrastructure, equipment and professional treatment with the bands could accelerate this process.
11.Who are your all-time favorite bands coming out of Brazil and are their any new bands you feel the readers should check out soon?
In particular opinion, all-time favorite bands coming out of Brazil are Sarcófago and Sepultura. Those guys were the pioneers and influenced a whole generation. Regarding new bands, like I mentioned earlier, we have a lot of them. Very good ones. I particularly recommend to reader to check out the following some bands: Velho, Feretral, Rawthrone, Pombajira, Lua de Plutão, Lápide, ColdNight, Poem’s Death, Impacto Profano, Castifas, Patria, Affront, Podridão, The Troops of Doom, Mysteriis, Mystifier, Amen Corner, etc.
12.Besides bands bands are their any honest and reliable labels that you could recomend to the readers?
I particularly recommend those involved in the realease of our EP “First Black Communion”: Helldprod Records (POR), Cianeto Discos (BRA) and Kingdom of Darkness Productions (BRA). In addition, in Brazil, we have other serious labels such as Blizzard Records, Mutilations Records, Satanic Sounds, Metal Island, etc.
13.Besides working in Obscure Relic do you or any of the members currently work with any other bands or solo projects?
That’s an interesting question. I and my bandmates also work in different extreme metal bands and projects. I also play in Feretral (black/death band with influences of Von and Beherit style) and Bloody Lifeless Castle (raw old-school black metal strongly influenced by Darkthrone and Azaghal style). These two were recently produced during COVID-19 quarentine. Their sounds are available on Youtube and/or Spotify plataforms. Død is also guitarist in Cold Night (raw black black metal influenced by Nargaroth style) and Lápide (raw black metal influenced by Darkthrone and Mayhem styles). Caronte also plays guitar and sings in two different bands. The first one is the band called Velho (old-school black metal influenced Bathory, Celtic Frost and Darkthrone styles). Velho is one very active band in the Brazilian extreme metal scene by releasing metarials and playing on several shows across the country. Another Caronte’s band is the Lua de Plutão (heavy/doom band with strong influence of Black Sabbath style). Hellmaniac plays bass in Cold Night and he also plays many instruments in Rawthrone (raw black metal band strongly influence by early Darkthrone and suicidal black metal style). And Splatter plays drums in all bands mentioned above as well as Poem’s Death (traditional death metal), Power From Hell (old-school black metal), Pombajira (heavy/doom metal), Kvlto (black metal) and many others partnerships.
14.Thank you for taking the time to fill this interview out do you have any final comments for the readers?
Again, I would like to thank you Patrick for the opportunity to tell the readers about the Obscure Relic’s path. To the readers, I just say: Stay strong! Stay Metal! Support the worldwide black metal scene! Hail Lucifer! Hail the Rebellion! Stay tuned for the next news. For that, you also can check our Bandcamp and Facebook pages as well as the Instagram profile. The full length album is coming! See you soon!
Band Contacts
https://obscurerelic.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/obscure.relic.horde/
Label Contacts
https://helldprod.com/shop/index.php
https://helldprod.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/helldprod/
