SEPULTURA's KISSER: 'We're Working On' Securing A Spot On This Year's OZZFEST

SEPULTURA guitarist Andreas Kisser spoke to Scoop of 99-7 The Blitz in Columbus, OH on Thursday (Jan. 26) as part of the promotional blitz (pun intended) for the group's upcoming album, "Dante XXI". A couple of excerpts from the chat follow:

On the new album, "Dante XXI":

Andreas: "The album is done. It's coming out now in March. It was all inspired by 'The Divine Comedy' by [Italian author] Dante Alighieri. It was like doing a soundtrack for a movie — that was the whole idea. Because we did some soundtracks for movies in Brazil, like different styles and different people working together and stuff, and we tried to do the same with this album. So everything is related to the story — all the lyrics, music, artwork, etc. And we're very happy with the final result. We can't wait to release it."

On working with ASESINO on their new album:

Andreas: "It's great. Right now I'm here in Los Angeles doing some recording with Dino [Cazares, ASESINO guitarist, also ex-FEAR FACTORY/BRUJERIA] and Tony [Campos, ASESINO bassist/vocalist, also in STATIC-X] and Emilio [Marquez, ASESINO drummer, also in SADISTIC INTENT], and it's been great. It's the second album from ASESINO — really vicious, great. Fast riffs and crazy vocals and everything. Dino called me to do some extra guitar — some leads and, you know, to put a little bit of my style on the band, and it's been working great. I'm really glad I'm here. I did some work together with Dino also on the Roadrunner album for the 25th anniversary of the label. It was great also. It's great to work with Dino — he's a riff-master. It's awesome."

On North American touring plans:

Andreas: "Hopefully by the end of July or beginning of August. We're trying to put together a killer package and tour America. It's been a long time that we haven't toured here — almost three years — so it's about time we come back. We're preparing a tour with this new album, and hopefully by the end of July we'll be here."

On the possibility of playing this year's Ozzfest:

Andreas: "We're working on that, you know. It would be great if we had a spot there. Let's see what happens. We also have some stuff going on in Europe — some festivals in Europe. So let's see. It would be great to be on it, no doubt."

Listen to the entire four-minute interview at this location.

As first reported by BLABBERMOUTH.NET on Jan. 13, SEPULTURA will embark on their European tour with IN FLAMES without drummer/founding member Igor Cavalera, who is taking a break from the group's touring activities to spend time with his second wife and their new son, who was born earlier in the month. Former SOULFLY drummer Roy Mayorga, who played with Igor's brother Max for several years in the late '90s and again in 2001-2003, has been enlisted to do the European tour, with the possibility that he will stick around for further touring activities beyond the spring.

SEPULTURA's European tour will not be the first time that the band have performed without Igor Cavalera. Back in April 2005, SEPULTURA completed a short tour of Mexico with the help of roadie Guilherme Martin (ex-VIPER, TOYSHOP) after Cavalera was unable to make the dates.

SEPULTURA's new album, "Dante XXI" (view cover here),is scheduled for release in North America on March 14 via SPV. An MP3 of the album track "Convicted In Life" can be downloaded at this location.