SEPULTURA Guitarist Discusses Upcoming Solo CD

Matthew Hoffman of Hardrock Haven recently conducted an interview with SEPULTURA guitarist Andreas Kisser. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow:

Hardrock Haven: Andreas I read that you were a roadie for SEPULTURA before joining the band. Is that true?

Andreas: Well, there was a killer underground metal scene in Brazil back in the mid-'80s, and I played in a band in Sao Paolo. We played covers from band like IRON MAIDEN, JUDAS PRIEST, KISS, QUEEN and DEEP PURPLE. One night at a gig I helped SEPULTURA set up, and that's how I met the band. When they needed a guitarist, I got the job.

Hardrock Haven: As an avid guitar fan, I am amazed at the different ways people learned and developed as guitarists. How were you able to go from underground to mainstream and writing and playing such amazing riffs and rhythms? How were you trained?

Andreas: I had acoustic guitar lessons when I was younger. But I think living in Brazil really helped me as well. This country is so huge from the North to the South there are more musical influences then in any country on earth. There are so many different styles to explore that helped me keep the guitar fresh with the entire amazingly inspiring guitar playing around. It helped me incorporate a lot of fresh new layers to my music.

Hardrock Haven: How have the tour dates been so far? And how is the album ["Dante XXI"] being received among your fans and friends.

Andreas: I think it has been unanimously well received. I have heard nothing but good things. I think the fans are starting to understand the actual theme of it as a 'Divine Comedy' too. You know we had to change a lot when Max left the band. We had to fill the gap of the guitar that was gone. But it was possible because Max really only played four with four strings and in concert he was more about being the charismatic stage presence and band leader, not a serious guitarist. So we used Paulo to help us fill that on bass guitar, and also with the percussion. On this album we kept to the basics but also used cellos and some horns.

Hardrock Haven: OK, now tell me all about this amazing new solo project you are working on.

Andreas: Well, it's gonna be a double CD, with one acoustic styled record and one electric one, probably 10 songs on each. I am using some of the material from SEPULTURA that we never used for the electric stuff. As for the vocals, I will be doing some of them and also I am going to bring in some of my friends from other bands to sing as well. There will be some in Portugese and some in English as well. I got a chance when this was offered to me from a small Dutch label and they really are giving me the freedom I need to explore different styles and techniques.

Hardrock Haven: Any killer speed metal virtuoso kind of tracks on there?

Andreas: No, there will not be any masturbation solos on this album. I want to try and run away with clichés as much as possible. I am a guitarist that loves moods and soundtrack kind of music tracks. I also am going to try and play as many of the instruments on the album as well. I'm planning on playing bass guitar, drums and other percussion and all guitars.

Read the entire interview at www.hardrockhaven.net.