KORZUS

ANTONIO ARAÚJO

I have interviewed Korzus from São Paulo, Brazil. They were one of the first extreme metal bands both in Brazil and in the world when they formed back in 1983. They recorded their first demo the following year and the band released their first studio album in 1987 titled Sonho Maniaco. But a tragedy struck the Korzus-camp when drummer Zema Paes committed suicide in 1988. Korzus decided to keep going and released an EP in 1989 titled Pay For Your Lies. In 1991 Korzus released Mass Illusion which was their breakthrough and huge success for the band.

By this time Korzus had established themselves as one of Brazil's most popular metal bands together with Sepultura, Sarcofago and Ratos De Porão. Sepultura helped to pave the way for the Brazilian metal scene and Korzus were often compared to Sepultura because of their common nationality and their similar sound. Korzus is still going strong and they haven't taken a break since they first started back in 1983. They have released four more albums since the success with Mass Illusion. KZS in 1995, Ties of Blood 2004, Discipline of Hate in 2010 and Legion in 2014. I have interviewed Korzus guitarist Antonio Araújo.

We can begin with a small presentation of Korzus...

Korzus is a Thrash Metal group from Brazil, formed in 1983 and active non stop until this present day. Today our home is AFM Records (Germany) and we have just released our seventh studio album entitled "Legion".

You guys have been around since thrash metal was invented. How was those early days around 1984 when you recorded your first demo?

I wasn't in the band back then, but the guys always tell me a lot about it. They say it felt like the stone age. Especially here in Brazil. A marshall amp was something very rare to see. Only rich people could afford one. Gear and information in general was very scarse. They where true metal pioneers!

KORZUS: Rodrigo Oliveira, Dick Siebert, Marcello Pompeu, Heros Trench & Antonio Araújo

Your first studio album was released in 1987 titled Sonho Maniaco, what do you think of it in retrospect? Why did it take so many years to record your first album?

It took the band a while to write and record the first full lenght for several reasons. Back than in Brazil it was really hard and expensive to make a record. It's an important album in the bands career.

Your drummer Zema Paes took committed suicide in 1988. Did you ever considering giving up the band when he died?

It was really hard to deal with Zema's death. He was a great friend to everyone in the band. And until nowadays, we no longer play songs from Sonho Maniaco. It brings back some bad memories. But I think they never actually thought about giving up on the band.

What's your relation to Sepultura. I guess you have been compared a lot to them over the years? What did you think of their early international success?

We are good friends with Sepultura and we have a lot of respect for what they represent worldwide! Surely the success they had was due to the hard work and persistance they had back in the day. And of course, talent.

Your second album Mass Illusion from 1991 was a great album, What do you think of it in retrospect and how important do you think that album was for Korzus status?

It's a big album for us. Back in the day, it sold more than 50.000 copies in Brazil alone. And that was a big deal for the band! Many shows and a tour in Europe followed. We still play many songs from that album.

Mass Illusion - 1991

You have always been very true to your sound and never strayed far from the path you created in the mid eighties. Do you think it's important to be true to your roots?

I think it's important to stay true to what you want to! We make Thrash Metal because that's what we are good at, and that's what we love doing. Not just to replicate the past but to make it better every time.

Araújo, Siebert, Trench, Pompeu & Oliveira

What do you think of the thrash revival that has been going on for a couple of years now? Have you noticed the increased interest in your music lately?

It is awesome to see all those kids wearing patches and dressing like it's the eighties. New bands playing good old thrash metal. That's is amazing... We have noticed a growth in interest in our style of music and that can only be a good thing.

In the beginning you were signed to the Devil Discos label and lately you've been signed up AFM Records. What has been the difference between those labels?

Very different... Devil Discos was a local label, Pioneers in metal in our country. AFM is a worldwide label with distribution all over the world.

Your latest album Legion was released a few months ago. Are you satisfied with it and how has it been received by your fans?

Legion is a very special album and I like it more for each day that passes. The fans are crazy about it and we are having the first live experiences with our new songs. It has been awesome. It always feels great to write and play new stuff! It's a record made for our legion! Legion of headbangers!

What bands are you influenced by?

Well... I can talk for the whole band when I say Black Sabbath, Slayer, Anthrax, Exodus. Those guys paved the way for a all the following bands.

What's your plans for the near future?

Now are are planning tours for 2015 and will keep working on Legion! No stop for Korzus this year!

What's the highlight of your career?

I believe playing in Rock in Rio in 2011 with guests such as Schmier (Destruction), East Bay Ray (Dead Kennedys), Mike Clark (Suicidal Tendencies) and Joao Gordo (Ratos de Porão). That was a big deal!

Have you got any funny story to tell, if anything weird has happened while touring or so?

Our bass player Dick Siebert has a huge white beard and that makes him look older than he actually is. So, when we toured Europe with Ektomorf in 2011, people would often ask after the shows, "dude... how old is your bass player??" And we decided not to answer those questions. We told everyone that it was a secret and it will remain a secret!

Any last words for our readers?

Thanks a lot to you guys at Ruuth's Inn! And to all friends and fans everywhere! You guys are our legion! You guys make us want to go on for another 30 years!!!

Cheers!

By/Ruthless

(05-01-2015)