1. Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording and release of the new album?
The album was mostly recorded in 2021 and then we took our time until we have the final mix and released in December of 2022, so, since the finish of the recording session we keep rehearsing and started writing some new material, now, since the release of the album, we have been promoting it and getting in touch with people around the world, also we keep rehearsing in order to start playing live shows this year and making some plans for the future (music videos, new songs, merchandising, finding a record label or some distribution, etc).
2. In December you had released a new album, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording?
Across The Styx is the result of mixing our musical tastes and our abilities as musicians. We listen to almost all the metal genres and also like bands like Pink Floyd and Deep purple. However, we never planned to play a certain genre or style, we just started jamming and writing, then what came up was some kind of melodic death metal with some stuff from other genres.
3. The band has been around since 2012 but waited until 2022 to release an album, can you tell us a little bit more about the long wait?
Across The Styx is the result of many years of on and off activity as a band and time we also used to grow as musicians. At some point we were in different countries. In 2017 we started rehearsing seriously again, looked at all the songs we had and made some changes, and then some new material was written. The long wait is also due to the time we spent producing, making arrangements, recording and mixing the album due to busy schedules and money factors too. However, right now with the response the album has had and the inertia we have, for sure the next material won't take that long.
4. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored so far with the music?
The main topic for our lyrics in this first record is human existence and its meaning, but we also write about violence, the pursuit of glory, war, deceit and the hypocrisy of religions.
5. Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?
The concept behind the cover is to show the river Styx that separates the world of the living from the dead. It is known as the river of hate because the beings submerged in it are constantly attacking each other and also everyone who falls into it. For us is a metaphor about people's leaders, who manage to manipulate the masses to hate, attack, and kill one to another while they are pursuing personal goals. So when these leaders die, they will lose their disguises and face all the hate they spread, maybe falling into the Styx.
6. Currently there are only 2 members in the band, are you open to expanding the line up or do you prefer to remain a duo?
At this point it is difficult to get bandmates since We've been just a two piece band for a long time. If we manage to stay true to the sound of the album live, We don't think it will be necessary to search for a third member. We have considered the possibility of integrating a bass player but maybe just for live shows.
7. Originally the band was from Brazil but have re-located to Colombia, can you tell us a little bit more about the mover?
We did our postgraduate studies at the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil. We both have a Masters degree in Electrical Engineering. We studied and also worked for some years designing integrated circuits (chips) for Brazilian companies. After a while Sergio moved to Buenos Aires Argentina with his girlfriend (at the time) and Jorge continued in Brazil until 2016 were both met again in Bogotá Colombia and resumed the band.
8. Currently the band is unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?
Yes of course, we are interested in a record deal and recently we have submitted our material to some companies. At the moment we have received a proposal for a label that is being created in Finland.
9. On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of melodic black and death metal?
We are amazed by the amount of feedback from people around the world, we have seen the comments on the YouTube channels of people who have shared our album and we are quite surprised with the response. Since the first of December that we released the album on platforms, people noticed it and have contacted us. We did not expect such a response since we do not have the support and promotion of a record label, and because, you know, we are proud of our album but you don't know if others are going to like it, especially if you are an emerging band.
10. What is going on with 'In Veins' these days?
Once we released Across The Styx with Self-Deceiver in December, Sergio went to the studio and recorded the drums for what will be the second EP from In Veins due in the first half of 2023. We hope to put out an EP with 3 or 4 songs and reactivate the band and restart playing live. We have some other songs written but it's been a bit difficult for the 4 of us to work together and polish them due to job schedules.
11. Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
At the moment, the couple of songs we have been working on have a Black Metal vibe, but we don't plan what direction to take for a record as a whole, each song will drive us. We just want to do what sounds great to us and not to what others expect.
12. What are some of the bands or musical styles the band members are currently listening to nowadays?
Recently we have been listening to a lot of Melodic Death metal and Black metal, bands like Insomnium, Be’lakor, Gaerea, Behemoth, The Halo Effect, Mgła, Mistur, Windir, Vreid, Enslaved, Emperor, Groza and Borknagar among many others.
13. Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
First of all thanks to ADIFFERENTSHADEOFBLACKMETALZINE for the interview and the interest in Self-Deceiver. Second of all thanks to the readers of this article and the people who have listened to Across The Styx. Finally, we hope to start playing live soon and put some new material out, stay tuned and cheers from Colombia!
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