KRISIUN – 100% extreme fuckin’ Metal

In preparation for the Halloween release of "The Great Execution" Peter Loftus spoke to Krisiun drummer Max Kolesne to get the lowdown on the Brazilian bruisers and their eight studio album.

What news from the Krisiun camp?

Right now we are doing some shows here in Brazil, preparing for the release of the new album and the world tour it’s coming up next year.

Tell us about the new album. Are you happy with the way it turned out?

We are absolutely happy with it! The production came out great and the song-writing was a great step ahead for the band. We changed things a lot, came up with new ideas, but at same time without losing the intensity and brutality – this album is 100% extreme fuckin’ Metal!

How does the writing and recording process work in the band? Is the process made easier (or more difficult!) by the fact that you are brothers?

We worked really hard on the writing process of this album, and everything was created by the three of us. Usually Moyses will come up with some riffs or song ideas and then we all start to work on the structure putting the riffs, drums and then vocals together and build up the song, and then Alex writes lyrics that will fit to the track. Before entering the studio we practice the songs a lot, almost every day, to make sure it’s gonna be tight, and we won’t take long to record it.  

The fact we are brothers helps a lot I guess. We are each other’s best friends, we been playing together for so many years, and now we just wanna have a great time playing together, to have fun and do the best we can.

Do you all have day jobs or is music your full time occupation?

We don’t have time for day jobs – we are busy most of the time. When we are not touring outside the country we have shows here in Brazil almost every week. Brazil is pretty big and the underground scene here is fuckin strong!

Who would you count as your top three musical influences and why?

Sepultura, Slayer and Morbid Angel. Sepultura was the band from Brazil that broke all the barriers, when they released classics like "Schizophrenia" and "Beneath the Remains" they totally inspired us musically and professionally. Slayer influences can clearly be heard in our music, on the riffs, vocals and drums patterns. It’s impossible to play fast and brutal music and not be inspired by "Reign in Blood".  Morbid Angel its one of most cult death metal bands ever. They play straight-forward fast and brutal Death-Metal, albums like "Altars of Madness" and "Covenant" are definitely some of the most inspirational Death Metal albums in history.

What are you listening to at the moment?

Some of the newer stuff I’ve been listening are the new albums from Vader, Claustrofobia, Immolation and Destruction.

What non-musical things inspire you to make music?

I love to watch the MMA fights. Those guys are brutal, they train really hard and they live like barbarians or gladiators. That shit totally inspires me to not be lazy and train hard and practice more and more to play faster and more brutal. Also the brutal reality of the world, all the wars and bloodshed we see everywhere, it definitely inspires us to write brutal stuff.

Has the fact that you come from Brazil had any impact on your career?

Well, I’d say that being from Brazil you definitely have to work really hard to get your name out there and to keep a solid career. But also being a Brazilian band has had a strong influence on our music. Even though we are inspired by bands from different countries, our music never sounded like the others. When we listen to Krisiun we can tell it’s Krisiun right away and we’re always gonna have this raw old school approach.

How is the Brazilian extreme metal scene these days? Are there any acts that you think our readers should check out?

The scene here is really great. We have a strong following here and every show we do is always packed. There bands of all styles from melodic Heavy Metal to brutal Death Metal. There are lots of talented musicians too. Some of the Brazilian bands people should check out are Claustrofobia, Torture Squad, Funeratus, Ophyolatry, Facada, Device and Korzus.

What has been your favourite gig of the past year (as either artist or punter)?

Some of the best shows I saw last year were Accept, Destruction, Vader and Morbid Angel.

What has been the high point of your career as a musician to date?

Being part of Krisiun for all those years. I’m very proud of that.

What are your plans for touring the new album?

We have this European tour coming up in January 2012 with Malevolent Creation and Vital Remains, and it’s gonna be a hell of a tour. We will have more tours confirmed soon in the United States and South America. We cant wait to be on the road and play the songs from "The Great Execution"!

What next for Krisiun?

Lots of touring man, and there will be a new video clip coming up soon! Thanks a lot to everyone for the great support! Hail Satan!

http://www.krisiun.com.br/