1.Hello Melkor how are things going for you this week? Please introduce yourself to the readers?
Hello! This week has been intense, as always, working on music, mixing, and refining ideas. For those who don’t know me, I am Melkor, the driving force behind multiple extreme metal projects, handling everything from composition to production. Vehemence Abyss was one of those projects, exploring dark, aggressive, and chaotic sonic landscapes. My music is always rooted in raw intensity and deep, thought-provoking themes.
2.When did you first become interested in writing and playing music?Are you self taught taught or did you take some lessons when first beginning?Who are some musicans that you really like and admire?
I became interested in heavy music when I was around 10 years old, and from that moment, I knew I wanted to play an instrument. At 16, I got my first electric guitar, and that’s when my real journey began. Everything I’ve learned was self-taught, through countless hours of practice, trial and error, and also by playing with other musicians who helped me grow along the way.
Everything changed when a childhood friend of mine, the excellent guitarist Pedro D-Void, taught me how to record on a computer. That opened up a whole new world for me, allowing me to explore composition and production in ways I hadn’t imagined before.
When it comes to inspiration, the most influential musician for me is Chuck Schuldiner, his vision, innovation, and approach to extreme metal were truly unique. Within black metal, Jon Andreas Nödtveidt stands out as the most inspiring figure to me. Both shaped my perspective on music and composition in their own ways.
3.What are the instruments you currently play?Are their any instruments that you would like to learn to play one day?
I am a guitarist, bassist, and vocalist, but I also play a bit of keyboards and drums. While I can handle these instruments for my recordings, I wouldn’t say I’m highly skilled on keyboards or drums, they are definitely my weak points.
I wouldn’t mind learning how to play the Portuguese guitar one day, as it has a unique and beautiful sound. However, what I would really like is to improve my drumming and keyboard skills, as they would add more depth and versatility to my compositions.
4.What gave you the idea to start the band Vehemence Abyss? Are you satisfied with how things have progressed with the band over the years?
Vehemence Abyss is a very recent project, only a few months old. Both albums were created at the end of 2024, and I am extremely satisfied with the results, both in terms of sound and composition.
The idea behind Vehemence Abyss was to create an old-school, extremely fast project that would challenge me in terms of speed and composition. I wanted to push my limits and capture that raw, relentless energy that defines the most intense forms of extreme metal.
5.Who would you say are the bands biggest influences?For the readers who have nevere heard the band how would you best describe the bands musicial style and sound?
Before recording any project, I deliberately avoid listening to music of the same style to ensure that I’m not influenced by anything external. Instead, I always find myself drawing from my past memories, back when I first discovered extreme metal and was deeply immersed in the sounds of bands like Satyricon, Emperor, Dissection, and Dimmu Borgir. Those early experiences shaped my approach to composition, even if I don’t consciously try to replicate them.
As for the sound of Vehemence Abyss, I would describe it as an all-out sonic assault-ultra-fast, chaotic, and aggressive, but still maintaining structure and dynamics. It’s pure intensity, pushing the limits of speed and brutality while staying true to an old-school spirit.
6.Echoes Of The Macabre:True Crime Legends is the second full length how long did it take you to write the music for the new release? How long does it usually take to complete one song?
I usually manage to create two songs per day, including drums, guitars, and keyboards. To be more precise, it takes me about a week to compose and record all the instrumental parts for an album. After that, I spend another week recording the vocals. So, in total, it takes around two weeks to fully complete an album from start to finish.
7.On the new release you enlisted the help of Jeroen on drums when did you first meet Jeroen? is Vehemence Abyss the only band you have worked together in or do you play in other bands together?
I first met Jeroen when he reached out to me on Bandcamp after discovering some of my other projects there. He was interested in collaborating, and from that moment, he began working with me on Vehemence Abyss and a few other projects I’ve worked on. Our collaboration has been based on his availability outside of his work life, so we’ve worked together on various occasions, even though he’s not always able to dedicate a lot of time.
8.Jeroen when did you first become interested in playing the drums?Are you self taught or did you take lessons when first starting out?
Jeroen: My interest in drumming started when I moved up to the 5th grade. I had music lessons at school, and what really caught my attention was percussion. When I turned 14, my parents gave me a drum kit, and that’s when I started taking drum lessons. Unfortunately, due to time constraints, I’ve never been able to be in a full-time band. Instead, I collaborate with friends and, more recently, with Melkor on his projects. Because of my limited time, I now do everything on my electronic drum kit, which is much more practical for playing and recording without making too much noise.
9.Do you currently play in any other bands or solo projects?
Jeroen: At the moment, I don’t play in any other bands or solo projects. My time is quite limited due to my work, which requires me to be away from home for long periods and with very varied hours. Because of this, it's impossible for me to commit to being part of a full-time band. I mainly focus on collaborating with Melkor and contributing to his various projects when I can.
10.For the lyrics you enlisted Catia{Caos} to write the lyrics when did you two first meet?
I’ve known Catia for quite a few years now, and I always knew she was a talented writer. It was also well known that she’s a huge fan of black metal and has a deep interest in horror, crimes, and those kinds of dark subjects. Given her passion and talent, it was an obvious choice to invite her to collaborate on the lyrics. The Catherine who worked on the first album is also extremely busy, and she can only help me occasionally with certain projects.
11.Catia where did you get inspiration for the lyrics on Echoes Of The Macabre:True Crime Legends?
Catia: I've always studied several things, I've always loved creating. Serial killers have always been a passion to try to understand the other side of the human being. The lyrics are an inspiration from the reality about the world we live in. Everything around me inspires chaos in me, which seems horrible to some makes me want to know more and write. This album, this Black metal project is a dream come true, because we talk about real facts, real inspirations and try to go beyond the imaginable.
12.Is Vehemence Abyss the only band you write lyrics for or do you work with some other bands? If you work with other bands please tell the readers a little about them?
Catia: In 2013 I wrote the ep of the national project Tod Huetet Uebe, "Morte e Caos".
But I've been writing poetry since I was 8 or 10 years old and from there I evolved and when I fell in love with metal I went up what I wanted to do.
I'm always available to any and all bands, just contact me, because I don't know how to live without music or without creating.
I collaborate as a critic in a North American webzine, as a poet in a national webzine and as a freelancer I promote art,metal music, I love to photograph but I need more and more, cause stop is to die.Let's spread art and chaos. And I know is just step by step more will come. Art is Life for me.
13.Melkor have you started working on new music for the next Vehemence Abyss ? Do you know how many songs you might have on the next release?
I haven’t started working on a third album yet. The second one was completed not long after the first, and right now, I feel it’s important to give people time to absorb those works before I start thinking about the next one. When I compose an album, I never know how many songs I’ll end up with, and I don’t have anything planned out in advance. I usually improvise some riffs, and as soon as one stands out to me, I record it. I don’t like to make plans for the process, it all happens naturally.
14.Have you thought about working with Jeroen and Catia on future recordings?
Without a doubt, I will be working with both Jeroen and Catia on the next album. They’re both incredibly talented and bring a unique energy to the project. Jeroen’s drumming is a crucial element in shaping the sound, and Catia’s lyrics bring a perfect touch of darkness that aligns with the themes I want to explore. Their contributions are invaluable, and I can’t imagine working on a Vehemence Abyss album without them. I’m really looking forward to continuing our collaboration.
15..Melkor i believe you work with some other solo projects and bands please tell us about some of your other projects that you are currently working with? Yes, I have several other projects that I’m currently working on. Apart from Vehemence Abyss, I’m involved in Mala Mors, a project focused on dark themes related to mental health, where I handle everything from guitars, bass, vocals, lyrics, to production and mixing. I’m also working on Erzsébet Nadasdy, a black metal project inspired by the dark legends of Countess Bathory, and Ressonância Psicodélica, which explores stoner, doom, and death metal with a psychedelic twist. Additionally, I have Necroflagelo, a black/thrash/death metal band, and Subtonal Abysmal Ceremony, a project that focuses on occult rituals with no guitars, just distorted bass.
But honestly, the best way to check them all out is to visit my Bandcamp. If I try to talk about every project here, this interview will get way too long and boring. So, feel free to explore everything there!
16.Melkor you live in Portugal which has a very strong metal scene.What is your opinion of the scene in Portugal over the years?
Yes, Portugal has a rich and diverse metal scene, and I’m proud to be part of it. Over the years, I’ve seen it grow and evolve. The passion and dedication of the Portuguese metalheads are undeniable, and there’s always something happening, whether it's small local shows or bigger festivals. I think what makes the scene here so special is the sense of community, everyone supports each other, and there’s a real love for the music. The talent in Portugal is incredible, and there’s no shortage of bands pushing boundaries and experimenting with different styles. That being said, it’s not always easy for smaller or underground acts to gain recognition, especially with the challenges of the modern music industry, but I believe the scene will continue to thrive as long as the passion remains.
17.Who are your all-time favorite bands coming out of Portugal?Are their any new bands that you could recomend to the readers?
Some of my all-time favorite Portuguese bands include Moonspell, Bizarra Locomotiva, Sinistro, Gaerea, Ramp, and Sacred Sin. These bands have made a lasting impact on the scene and are part of what makes Portuguese metal so unique. There are so many great bands in Portugal, and if I were to list them all, it would be an incredibly long list. However, these bands are definitely some of the most influential and stand out for their talent and contributions to the genre.
18.When not working on new music what do you like to do in your free time?
When I’m not focused on music, I like to spend my free time researching certain topics that interest me, especially around dark themes, true crime, and anything related to the occult or history. I also enjoy spending quality time with my family and my pets, as they’re a big part of my life. I’m not much into reading, walking, or gaming, but I find peace in these quieter moments with the people and animals I care about.
17.Thank you for taking the time to fill this interview out do you have any final comments for the readers?
Thank you so much, Patrick, for this opportunity to share a bit about my music and process with the readers. It’s always a pleasure to talk about what I do and connect with people who share the same passion for music. I’d also like to thank everyone who’s supported my projects so far, your feedback and encouragement mean the world to me. Stay tuned for more music, and don’t forget to keep exploring the darker sides of metal. Cheers to everyone out there! Vehemence Abyss https://studios13.bandcamp.com/music https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569666942447&rdid=SSRJvGodsBY9NSF1&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1FGuLcpKYb%2F#
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