SEPULTURA Guitarist Checks In From The Studio

Brazilian/American thrashers SEPULTURA have reunited with producer Ross Robinson (KORN, LIMP BIZKIT, SLIPKNOT) to record the band's next album, tentatively due in October via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD is currently being tracked at Robinson's studio in Venice, California and is being co-produced by Steve Evetts, who previously worked with SEPULTURA on the "Nation" (2001),"Revolusongs" (2002) and "Roorback" (2003) albums, in addition to having collaborated with Ross on a number of other projects in the past.

In the latest entry in the ongoing studio diary on the web site of the Brazilian newspaper Diario de Pernambuco, SEPULTURA guitarist Andreas Kisser writes: "We are flowing with the recording now. Things are going great and we are capturing an amazing performance from [drummer] Eloy [Casagrande].

"Ross is a master on motivating a musician in the studio; he can find the right words and the right manner to say things.

"The songs grow so much.

"Every time we prepare to record a song, we, the band, and Ross spend about 30 to 40 minutes talking about the theme of the lyrics, why we wrote what we wrote. They are incredible conversations and doing this we know ourselves better we know and each other better, we build a stronger band, a real unity. When we are ready to record, all the ideas are fresh in our heads, with full meaning and strength, a process that making not only a great album but is making this band stronger.

"We have six songs recorded. [The process] is going in a rate of two songs a day and Ross is also giving important suggestions on some arrangements and directions. He is so sensitive and very close to nature, philosophical but real, very real.

"We are all together in a very small room playing our hearts out, Ross is jumping and screaming, making us explode on the room. All is sweaty and full of energy that you almost can grab it; [it's] amazing. Every time that Ross has an idea, he stops everything to try out the changes. 95% of his input we use; it's a team effort for the better of the song.

"We have 12 songs to record and 2 bonus tracks, as I mentioned before. Originally, we had 13 songs, but once we were here, we decided to cut one and focus on the 12.

"I would like to share too some of the working titles for the songs we have.

"When we write the music, most of the time we don't have a name for it so we create some nicknames to help us identify the songs. It can come from the style of the songs or anything else that will make us remind the riffs we are working on. For instance, the style of the music can help, like 'Puxada' ('Pulling') that reminds the style of riffing I'm playing on the guitar or 'Porrada' ('Punch'),which is the fastest song on the album. Other nicknames are: 'Strangiatto', 'Xisto Riff', 'Fu Riff', 'Levada Eloy', 'Balada', 'Tsunami' and 'The Vatican', which is the actual name for the song, but started as a nickname 'cause we wrote the song the very day and time the Argentinian cardinal Francis was chosen as the new Pope in Rome. It's one of the most evil lyrics I ever wrote.

"As we decide the names of the songs, I will let you all know here so you all have a feel how these things works.

"[Bassist] Paulo [Xisto Pinto Jr.] is cooking for us. He's a very good cook and Eloy's mom can be sure that he's eating properly and healthy, all good with the kid, but today a friend of Ross will prepare a barbecue for us. It will be cool to give a break to Paulo from the kitchen.

"At the living room, there's a pinball machine from the '70s working perfectly. [It] is our favorite pastime. Of course, the house stays right at the beach and is always cool to walk around and enjoy the vibe from Venice Beach, a nice way to recharge the energy for the recording.

"It will be a week tomorrow and things are going strong!"

SEPULTURA's upcoming CD will mark the first time the band will have recorded an album outside Brazil since "Against".

The reunion between SEPULTURA and Robinson was first suggested by Monte Conner, the former Roadrunner Records A&R chief who is now the head of Nuclear Blast Entertainment, a U.S. partnership with Nuclear Blast owner Markus Staiger.

Robinson produced SEPULTURA's classic "Roots" album in 1995. Released in February 1996 by Roadrunner, it was the band's last studio album to feature founding member and vocalist Max Cavalera.

"Roots" sold more than 2 million copies worldwide and was certified gold in the United States by the Recording Industry Association Of America (RIAA) for sales in excess of 500,000 units.

SEPULTURA has spent most of the past two years on tour in support of its 12th studio album, and Nuclear Blast Records debut, "Kairos", which hit stores in July 2011.

Pictured below: SEPULTURA with producer Ross Robinson