Interview for DEATHTHRASHER MAGAZINE by ARMANDO MUTILATOR : 

Hey Man !!!!!!
I sent you the answers some weeks ago... Excuse me !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here is the interview !!!!!!!!!!!!
Soon as you receive it... let me know about !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
your friend in Brazil !!!
Zhema

Here is the Interview :

DT: When and why the band was formed?.
Zhema : VULCANO was founded in 1981 by me and a friend of mine called CARLI COOPER. In those times we played together in a band called ASTAROTH.
When VULCANO was formed I played guitar.
In that time we played a Raw Heavy Metal and we have many problems to find a good vocalist. Just in 1984 we found ANGEL, our current vocalist, so our songs could be written in a more brutal way, because his voice allowed to do that.
We created VULCANO because we had "Heavy Metal" on our veins !!!!!!!!

DT: Why the name of VULCANO?.
Zhema : You wants same to know ?
It's very rare the opportunities that I have to explain that.
Some time ago we're researching the Square Alchemic's meaning of SATOR, or Magic Square of Mars. We were led by curiosity because in another study about the Sect of PITAGORAS we became enchanted with the meaning and the importance of Natural Numbers in the Universe regency.

We worked with the numbers in this way:
First we associated the year of my birth 1958 (1+9+5+8= 23) 2x3 = 6) with the one's of CARLI COOPER 1960 (1+9+6+0 =16) 1x6 = 6), both in the same month 10 (1+0=1). The product was alike to 36 (6x1x6x1). The secret Value of 666, the number of the beast! (From now on I advise people that have interest to study the Magic Square of 6, also well-known like Sun Magic Square). (The Square of Six is available to natural numbers in a matrix of 6 columns and 6 lines, where the sum total is exactly 666 and the result of ciphers sum that composes the columns and the lines, when summed is 666. The sum of the diagonal is always 111 (111x6=666) Subtract the square contained inside the magic Square, or be the Sun Magic Square heart, the sum of their diagonal is 37 (man's Number), as well as the numbers sum that compose the four square edges. Also 37). So, the 6, was Our Number!!!!

We did more research and found that the Number 6 by the Alchemist is seen as the Perfect Number, because: It can be factored into 3 numbers, 1,2 and 3 that have a product and addition equal to Six. Given that 1 was always associated to the Great Unit.
The 2 to the matters related to the Dual principle, tied to life and death, and the 3 to the the Trinity, the big result of Creation, That is why the Six is Perfect!!!
We went deeper in the theme and we found the Sun Magic Square, or the Magic Square of Six, or yet "The Square 6x6".

If we were to dissect the meaning of this magic square we should write a treaty. So, I suggest that anyone interested in it to search the theme, reminding of the following warning:
"Minor Arcanos, they are the ones that can be revealed to the Profanes, already Major Arcanos, the ones that belong to the Tradition, that explain how to accomplish the supernatural - can only be revealed for themselves, to the Elects".

Through research, we arrived to the Band name when we transposed the meaning of this allegory to our solar system, given the Magic Square belongs to Sun. In the Solar System the first planet is Mercury (1), then we have Venus (2), Earth (3), Mars (4), Jupiter (5), Saturn (6), Uranus (7), Neptune (8) and Pluto (9). The orbits of these Planets obey rigorously a mathematical relation among them, except from Fifth to the Sixth. There is an Asteroids belt, that scientists admit have been a Planet that exploded billions of years ago and some authors give the name VULCANO to it.
We should occupy that space that was reserved to us !!!!!!
Live VULCANO !!!!!!

DT: In the 80's, the Brazilian Death Black Metal scene, was the most brutal and biggest underground scene in the world?. Tell us about this moment.
Zhema : The military dictatorship didn't allow import records from foreign countries. So it was very hard to get some records by VENOM, SLAYER, EXODUS, etc., So there was millions of cassette and demo tapes here in brazil. Only some years after, the big-time record companies released albums of those bands. Only in the underground scene, was it possible to get some cassette tapes of some interesting bands.
Even so VULCANO managed to record its debut single 7' and became well-known in Brazil all.
Two years after, VULCANO recorded its first full-length album. It was recorded alive and from then everything changed here in Brazil !
Soon after, emerged the albums of SEPULTURA and DORSAL ATLANTICA. We were the bands that was touring by Brazil carrying together others bands like SARCÓFAGO, MUTILATOR, CHAKAL, HOLOCAUSTO, etc.
At that time, there already were many Brazilian Metal bands, but they don't appeared on radio stations. The lyrics was very simple, by the other side, the musics was very raw and brutal.

DT: How old are you ZHEMA?.
Zhema : 45 years old.

DT: Do you remember bands like PANIC?.
Zhema : Yeah !! I remember those guys. They was from Rio Grande do Sul and released an album by WOODSTOCK DISCOS here in São Paulo. Unfortunately, I don't have that album.
I saw a gig of PANIC, but I don't remember where !
( if someone have this album I do trade)

DT: Your 10 faves Brazilian Metal albums from ever?.
Zhema :
1) Bloody Vengeance - VULCANO
2) Toxic Diffusion - PSYCHIC POSSESSOR
3) ULTIMATUM - DORSAL ATLÂNTICA
4) I.N.R.I - SARCÓFAGO
5) Última Noite - CENTÚRIAS
6) SP- Metal 1 - CENTÚRIAS, VÍRUS, AVENGER E SALÁRIO MÍNIMO
7) Imortal Force - MUTILATOR
8) Abominable Anno Domini - CHAKAL
9) Patrulha do Espaço 1980 - PATRULLHA DO ESPAÇO
10) Made in Brazil 1974 - MADE IN BRAZIL

DT: Are you into soccer? what do you think about the amazing Brazilian team from 1982? with ZICO, SOCRATES, FALCAO, JUNIOR, TONINHO CEREZO, EDER, etc, etc...
Zhema : Sorry !!!!!! I don't know anything about soccer !!!!!!!!

DT: Do you like Hardcore and Punk bands?.
Zhema : No, I don't like

DT: Your influences?.
Zhema : In the begining, my influences comes from Heavy Metal bands of 70's mainly BLACK SABBATH and LED ZEPPELIN, but was MOTORHEAD inspired me to create VULCANO.
Nowadays I have my owns influences, after all are so many years into Metal that you create your own style. 

DT: When the 7" EP "OM PUSHNE NAMAH" was released? and when the EP is published?.
Zhema : That single was recorded in 1983 at TOP TAPE STUDIO in São Paulo. It was produced in 8 hours. We start to record it at 14 p.m. and finished at 22 p.m. In those times no studio allowed Heavy Metal bands entrance, It was not usual! It was very hard to get it, and much expensive too.
Its four songs are composed around 1974 when I belonged to ASTAROTH. That's the reason they sounds much different of others songs of VULCANO.

DT: Do you like GIGER's Art?.
Zhema : Yeah ! He creates great ideas and transforms them in great illustrations !!!!!!!!!

DT: Why your 7"EP "OM PUSHNE NAMAH" was released in portuguese? and when you decided change to english?.
Zhema : Like I said you, In that time we plaied a raw heavy metal and we have many problems to find a good vocalist. Just in 1984 we found Angel, so our songs could be written in english

DT: Do you like American Pit Bulls?.
Zhema : I did understand !!!!

DT: "OM PUSHNE NAMAH" was a landmark in the history of Brazilian underground music, tell me about great sucess !!!.
Zhema : When we record Single, only the big Brazilian bands could to do that, under big record companies like RCA VICTOR, EMI, for example. Then VULCANO broke all the rules and showed that there was the scene underground here in Brazil.

DT: Why GENNE, PAULO MAGRÃO, MARCELO and JOSÉ PILONI left the band?.
Zhema : After we have released the Single in 1983. It was when J. PILONI brought his brother, also drummer, and SOTO JUNIOR guitarist. So our music became more fast and brutal and it was necessary to change the line up.

DT: ROMARIO or RONALDO?.
Zhema : None of them, I don't have interest a lot by soccer. Sorry !

DT: Where was recorded your LP "LIVE!" (1985). Tell us about your first contact with COGUMELO.
Zhema : The LIVE! album was recorded alive in Americana city. It was an independent production.
In that time COGUMELO RECORDS didn't exist as a recording company, ROCK BRIGADE RECORDS didn't exist too. The COGUMELO was a record store and ROCK BRIGADE was a fanzine.
In the beginning of 90´s I licenced the LIVE and BLOODY VENGEANCE albums to COGUMELO RECS!

DT: What do you think about bands like KORN and DEFTONES, CINDERELLA and POISON?.
Zhema : Shit! A really don't like them!!

DT: Who designed the LIVE! album cover?.
Zhema : A friend of mine called AMÉRICO RODRIGUES MARTINS.

DT: BON SCOTT or BRIAN JOHNSON?.
Zhema : Hey man !!! it's very difficult to decide!!!!!!!!
But I preffer BON SCOTT.

DT: What do you think about ELIPHAS LEVY, ALEISTER CROWLEY and ANTON SZANDOR LA VEY?
Zhema : I have very respect for ELIPHAS LEVY and he is cited by the Order which I belong, as a memorable alchemist and his works are of extreme importance and must be known by all the one that remains in Senda.
Considering Gnose reached for A+C in To Mega Therion, I stay fascinated more with the period where he reformulated O.T.O.
I'm sympathetic of O.T.O
ALEISTER CROWLEY the Gran Magician of the twentieth century of the Era Vulgar (Liber Al vel Legis).

DT: What can you tell me about "LIVE!" on CD version?.
Zhema : In a way, The LIVE album on version CD allowed for VULCANO don't stayed forgotten during this last years

DT: The best SARCOFAGO's gem?.
Zhema : I.N.R.I

DT: Do you know JOAO DE FARIA FILHO?.
Zhema : Are you refering about João Eduardo Faria Filho !?

DT: Do you prefer HOLOCAUSTO or CHAKAL?.
Zhema : CHAKAL, because I never agreed about HOLOCAUSTO's political, fascitic Image, but they sounds very good.

DT: Do you like VENOM?.
Zhema : I Love VENOM !!!!!!!!

DT: ZHEMA, tell us about "BLOODY VENGEANCE" (1986), was the most important Latin American Black Metal album of the decade?.
Zhema : BLOODY VEGEANCE was our first experience on record studio with that new line up. Our previous album was recorded alive.
A lot of arrangements were produced inside the studio, for example, the track "VOICES FROM HELL".
I remind that the song "BLOODY VENGEANCE" was recorded with lights turned off and there was only a candle in the room corner illuminating the environment.
When B.V was put in the stores, we had already sold all the first pressing.
I think B.V was an important album!
It was a divisor of waters here in Brazil Metal scene something like before B.V, after B.V !!!!!!

DT: Are you into cocaine?.
Zhema : No! I'm totally out !!!!!!

DT: Do you like the old Heavy Metal?.
Zhema : Very Much !!!!!!

DT: You're fave beer?
Zhema : All of them !!!!!!!!!!
but I prefer the beers type Pilsen !
The Brazilian beers are very good, voce already tried !?!

DT: Tell me about "BLOODY VENGEANCE" CD format.
Zhema : BLOODY VEGEANCE was rebellion against the System (laws, moral, ethics and any kind of religion), So its cover on CD format lost much that brutal appeal.

DT: Do you like Swedish Death Metal !!!!????.
Zhema : Yeah !!!!! I like, mostly of the DIMENSION ZERO and its album "SILENT NIGHT FEVER", Besides the BATHORY (certainly) and SATANIC SLAUGHTER.

DT: What do you think about Black Metal bands from Norway?.
Zhema : I think Norge is the cradle of "Black Metal" that we know nowadays.
There are countless very well-known bands like MAYHEM, BURZUM, DARKTHRONE, GORGOROTH, DIMMU BORGIR, but also there are excellent less well-known bands like FURZE, for example!

DT: Are you the only original VULCANO's member?.
Zhema : Not, in the current line-up exist more two original members.
Zhema (on bass), Angel (vocal) and Arthur (drums)
Soto Junior (guitar) died in 2001

DT: Do you like the new SEPULTURA? Are you contact with MAX?.
Zhema : Not, I don't like of New SEPULTURA neither SOFLY. There's a long time that I lost contact with them !!

DT: Why LAUDIR PILONI left the band? ... and how do you contacted with ARTHUR CLAUDIO?.
Zhema : LAUDIR PILONI left VULCANO because he was very tired to tour and he need to get a good job. Nowadays he is married and lives in Japan about 6 years. He was here in Brazil in May, so he recorded the drums of two songs "GUERREIROS DE SATÃ" e "TOTAL DESTRUIÇÃO". I puted them in our new album!
in 1987, ARTHUR CLAUDIO played in a band called ANGEL, and he does part of VULCANO until today !

DT: "ANTROPOPHAGY" (1987), you play the guitar on this gem, why the guitar players SOTO Jr. & FLAVIO left the band?.
Zhema : SOTO JUNIOR left VULCANO by the same reason that LAUDIR PILONI, but he returned after two albums and recorded RATRACE.
FLÁVIO left the band to form PSYCHIC POSSESSOR and after of this was going to touch Hard Core music. Today he has a great project on Hard Core scene, visits him in www.suburbio.net

DT: Why the name of "WHO ARE THE TRUE?" (1988) ??? Who are the false? the posers?.
Zhema : In 1988 the Metal scene here in Brazil was imbued with posers and wimps.
There were many false metalishers, bad labels, false press.
All of them was walking to the Metal fancy, grunge, "FAITH NO MORE" (erghh!!). So I thought it'd be better to do "WHO ARE THE TRUE" (Notice that the sentence in English this wrong purposed) and stop with VULCANO. That album was totally ironic, it only has two serious songs in him: WITCHES' SABBATH ( THE BEGINNING) and "HERCOLUBUS" (THE END).

DT: Do you like ARCH ENEMY?.
Zhema : Yeah! I don'l like female vocals in Thrash/Death Metal bands, but the vocalist ANGELA GOSSOW on album "ANTHEMS OF REBELLION" it is killer !!!!!!!!!!

DT: What can you talk me about "RATRACE" (1990) album, why changed the original VULCANO's logo on this album?.
Zhema : VULCANO stopped in 1989, a year before RATRACE'S released.
Although I have produced this album, I didn't write it. It was written at the request of METALCORE, an English Company. They gave me enough money to write, record and send that material to England. RATRACE was never released in South America. See that even the logotype of the band is different!
Let me be explicit: I produced all of VULCANO's albums, except RATRACE and WHO ARE THE TRUE. As I said, this album was produced under request of METALCORE RECORDS. Then, here in Brazil, we just wrote the album in an agreement with JONH AUSTIN (an English producer); we sent everything to England and never we knew anything about this album: I only have one copy of it because a mine friend bought in France and sent it to me. VULCANO never received a single cent of copyright for that album.

DT: Tell me about "COLETANEA" (2000).
Zhema : I don't have much to talk about it. It was an idea of COGUMELO RECS tribute to the bands under its sign. I just chose the music that did part of this collection - BLOODY VENGEANCE, because this song was the main reason which I produced that historical album with the same name.

DT: Tell me about your new album.
Zhema : VULCANO has a new album called "TALES FROM THE BLACK BOOK" it contents 13 tracks of pure Death Metal old school in the same line of "BLOODY VENGEANCE".
I think it's a tribute to the 80's because it's totally old school. It is under the sign of RENEGADOS RECORDS.
The main lyrics of all VULCANO's albums comes from a book was written by CARLI COOPER and revised by me around 1978 entitled "METAL NEGRO". It contains a trilogy and some texts more and It had never been published.. That's the reason for its name.

DT: Your future plans?.
Zhema : I'm thinking to tour through South America to promote that new album, and I would like very much to start by Peru, because I heard great thinks about Peruvian Metal Scene, And if possible also to do some shows in Europe.

DT: Your last growl for the DEATHTHRASHER readers?.
Zhema : Thanx for opportunity to this interview, I must say you that VULCANO has a new album and try to listen it and give us your opinion. We don't yet have an official web site, but you can see some photos in the address www.vulcano.hpg.com.br.
I hope to tour in Peru as soon as possible
Cheerrrzzzz!!!!!!!
And Metal rules !!!!!!!!!!!