Despot (Brazil) 14/03/2011

B.A.V.: Sure! Despot "officially" started in 2008, and it's a Brazilian Black Metal one-man-band. I've been recording tracks for quite a while for what would become Despot, but it wasn't until 2008 that I decided to create the band.

B.A.V.: I played in Unholy Massacre and Necrocult from 1998 to 2000. The experience was OK I guess, but the premise of both bands was very limited in scope. If you consider one's life as a continuous progression, then you can probably say that the experience was somewhat relevant to Despot. However, after I quit the two bands, I dedicated myself to studying music and playing the guitar and I think that was a lot more relevant to how my songwriting evolved than my old bands. I've also jammed with many Metal and non-Metal bands and these have been very interesting experiences.

B.A.V.: I'd say you're about right. I won't pretend to be some sort of über true banger here and deny the fact that I've been listening to (mostly) the same (mostly all) Norwegian bands ever since I got into Black Metal. I do like to get in touch with underground bands new and old alike - don't get me wrong - but the Black Metal that really speaks to me is the Norwegian Black Metal from the 90's.

B.A.V.: I usually write lyrics that fit the songs somehow and since I write some rather harsh music, the lyrics tend to follow suit. I normally write very pessimistic lyrics that deal with my general disappointment with humanity. Not that I want it to be fixed; it's not a political thing about trying to fix the world. I want the laymen and their offspring to go get fucked. It's more about how the world could be fixed by nuclear warfare, rather than by peaceful manifestations.

B.A.V.: Yes and no. I don't care much about the lyrical content of the bands I listen to, as long as they're not religious, political or downright stupid. However, for my own songs, I find the lyrics to be one of the most important aspects, even if most people won't bother reading them. It gives the music a lot of character. And Despot is a very personal thing.

B.A.V.: I've been playing the guitar for about 16 years now, so I'd say I'm a guitarist. I can play the bass as well, but I'm very limited with that instrument. The drums are all programmed and I do spend a lot of time trying to make them sound good and writing drum scores that match the guitar riffs or the bass (depending on the effect I'm trying to create). It's a really hard and demanding work, but in the end, I think it still sounds better than if I had to hire a session drummer that couldn't play half of the stuff I've written (I haven't found one who can play the stuff, was willing to record stuff for me and was available for hiring).

B.A.V.: To be honest, I have no idea how the scene is faring nowadays. I do occasionally talk to some bands that I find interesting, but that's really rare. Most Brazilian Black Metal bands tend to think either we need another Venom/Motörhead/Blasphemy/Sarcofago clone, that you don't need any song-writing/instrumental skill at all to play Black Metal, and/or that I'm going to overlook those things and become a supporter of theirs because they're poor and uneducated -thus somehow justifying the half-assed music they play. They're wrong.

B.A.V.: Yes there is a handful. However, I don't care much about what the people do outside of the bands they play in - be it burning churches, stabbing people, or fucking each other in the ass. I think a band has a strong, admirable attitude if they are dedicated to honing their skills and continuously improving their music. I can appreciate that even if the music doesn't quite click with me.

B.A.V.: I've been listening to the same stuff for a long time, with the occasional new band here and there. Right now, I'd say the shit I've been listening to the most is Ulver's "Bergtatt" and "Nattens Madrigal", Candlemass' "Nightfall", Celtic Frost's "Into the Pandemonium" and Forefather's "Steadfast".

B.A.V.: People think that Brazil is a religious country but it actually isn't. Most people here are Catholics - a number that is steadily decreasing - but they don't really practice the religion. The poor are being each time more attracted to Baptist and Protestant religions and they do tend to be a bit more dedicated to their beliefs. More than the Catholics, at least - but that isn't saying much. I'm an atheist and I'm also very liberal in my beliefs, both personally and politically, so the ultra-conservative views of the Abrahamic religions really do clash with mine. I'm not one to try and convince others of my beliefs though, and I mostly keep them to myself.

B.A.V.: It's hard, indeed, for a bunch of reasons that I'll try to enumerate: 1 - The candidate must have the skills required to play the songs with as little slop as possible. Despot's music isn't particularly complex or technically demanding, so there's absolutely no excuse for turning it into a slopfest; 2 - The candidate must be into the music Despot plays and respect its material; 3 - The candidate mustn't be an obnoxious pseudo-conservative right wing headbanger, otherwise he/she will be seriously offended. 4 - The candidate must be professional. I'll pay what's due of course, but he/she must do their part, and that includes being always on schedule, practicing, not being drunk or stoned or high or whatever during practice sessions and live concerts. There are other things I would consider before hiring session musicians, of course, but those are the ones I have at the top of my mind. Since I haven't met headbangers in town that are mature enough or that would be interested in teaming up with Despot for a couple of shows, the possibility of seeing Despot live is rather slim.

B.A.V.: Thanks for that! The songs you listened to are probably going to be featured on a split album - most likely a 10" disc. But as soon as they're 100% ready for distribution, I'll upload them to the website and I'll also add in a website-exclusive bonus track that won't be featured anywhere else. Besides that, I'm also working on an album right now. It's still sort of early in the process but it's already shaping up very well. Once all the engineering details are set, the composition and recording processes tend to flow really fast, so you should expect to find it on the website some time this year. The distribution will be done online, through my website, since labels don't seem to be interested at all in releasing and distributing my stuff.

B.A.V.: Despot has 2 new members now: my wife and an old friend of mine, both of which will help with the arrangements and engineering bits. They're both awesome people to work with and have had similar experiences in the past, so things should work pretty smooth with us. I'd like to add that the work you've been doing with your website is commendable and you have gotten yourself a special place in Hell for that. Keep it classy, and keep it METAL!