Greetings, Zethyaz! First of all, let me tell you that SABAOTH was and still is among my favorite bands that ever emerged from South America; and the CD that you have begotten lately, namely “Windjourney”, yet once again assured me that I’m right praising your band. Ok, enough. When I talk to the band which released anything recently, I usually start the interview with discussing their latest CD (tape, or whatever). Therefore, let us talk a bit ‘bout “Windjourney”. Besides all the musical advantages, it possesses magnificent sound and producership, hence I hope that you wouldn’t mind telling me few words regarding studio you have recorded your latest album at. Also, how would you explain those huge musical differences… You see, if we’d take, for instance, “Sabaoth” and “Windjourney”, and compare them to each other, the difference will be really huge…

- HI KAI, first of all, thanks for your words and concepts about the band. I think SABAOTH is not a typical South American and Paraguayan band, because we focus our music in our personal convictions about art and feelings and our expectations maybe are different of the rest of South American bands. "Windjourney" is a very excited experience for The N. and me because we were in a difficult lapse of the band, and the result was a very honest album, with a lot of personality and emotions. Yes, exist a huge difference between both albums, the debut and "Windjourney", but is totally natural because we have in our mind and our heart very different things now. I feel that we are very free for made music now, more than in the past. The studio where we've record the album is the best studio of Paraguay, it's a new one and I think the work made is very good. The most important thing is that both albums are great in my concept, they are an example that in South America bands can do great things!!!

There’s a fact regarding your latest CD that truly made me perplexed…  I mean, the promo sheet states that “Windjourney” is a melt of gothic and pop-oriented melodies, yet with that black metal vibe” – I beg your pardon, but I consider such promotional slogans to be a shame for any black metal act!

- Sorry, the direction of the promotion is not ours. ICARUS makes the ideas of all promotions!

Why did it take so long to release a second CD? You know, three years isn’t that short period… By the way, strangely it seems that most South American bands have the same problem. Do you have any explanations?

- Yes, when you are signed for a Southamerican label the things are very hard because everything is difficult around here. The productions are very expensive, so the labels take a very long time to release albums! We are prepare for a new album right now but we have to await until the next year I think! The economical situacion is terrible in our countries, all of us have another priorities!

If I’m not mistaken, “Just Like Drops In The Rain” is dedicated “to those killed on the streets of Asuncion, March 1999”. Since I know nothing of that event, could you please enlighten me a bit?

- Of course, in march of 1999 the Vice president of our contries was homicided in the street of Asuncion, my city, so people go out and make manifestations and the violence possessed my country. A lot of young people was killed by the guns of the government! I have a great respect for the people that die for their beliefs!

Why did Norrack change his handle to The N.? Any special reasons for that?

- I think he's very ocurrent, i don't know why he change his name! Personal reasons!

You had two works in the shape of demo behind you (“Dentro Del Culto” and “Southern Twilight” ) before SABAOTH was signed to Stormsouls… I suppose, almost no one knows anything concerning these tapes, therefore let’s discuss your earliest recordings for a while…

- The first demo was very violent and recorded in only 4 chanels. It was a nice moment for us, energy, emotions, adrenaline and everything was new for us.  The second demo "Southern Twilight" is a great piece for me, is very strange, totally different of all our other works. Long songs, depressive, melodic, I don't know the reason because we  don't make songs like these anymore. "Southern Twilight" is the great step of SABAOTH, I'm proud of that demo!!!

Aren’t you going to re-release either “Dentro Del Culto” or “Southern Twilight” (or both) in the shape of CD?

- I don't know, it depends of Icarus production!!!

May we learn any info you consider to be of importance in regards to both, Stormsouls and Icarus Productions? Furthermore, I wonder if you’ve received any offers from Europe or US-based labels?

- In the past we receive some offers of European labels, for now we don't have any! It will be incredible to release an album in Europe!!! Of course it's the dream of all South American bands.

You have took part in a festival at Buenos Aires, “as second band just before SARCOFAGO” (as your bio says). What about that event? Anything you’d like to recall now?

- The festival was excelent for us! We play very well both nights and the people support us! In the 99 we made a minitour for Argentina, includes Formosa, Posadas and another two nights in Buenos Aires, now as the head band of the date!

As far as I know, you have one more project of yours, named EYESIGHT, with one CD behind it... It's some kind of serene and tranquil form of art performed with acoustics, right?

- EYESIGHT is one of most important things that I have made in my life, because, musical and lyricaly is totaly sellfish and personal. It's a mix between melodies and images, landscapes and atmosphere, totally oniric, abstract and malancolic. It was an scape for me!!! Today with EYESIGHT, I write songs for Theatre pieces! So still very interesting!

What is your local scene alike? Any impressive gigs? Do you have any
troubles with police during the live shows?

- Our scene is pretty small, few gigs, few places where play, so we make what we can and when we can! But we play once in october for 400 p. in Asuncion. A great show!!!

Zethyaz, Zetineph, Lord Norrack (don’t be surprised, I’m talking about both current and former members)... Looks like you follow good old BM tradition of taking aliases, right? I totally appreciate this, BUT only if individuals who do it (this time - you) can explain: a) what do your pseudonyms mean; b) what is the reason for using them; c) why did you choose exactly these "characters" (demons, mythological creatures, etc.) to represent you in the world of black metal d) what do these aliases mean to you personally; e) why don't you want to use your real names given to you after birth, instead of f.e.x. Zethyaz f) is this serious (I mean, do you consider yourself to be an earthly personification of those, whose “names” you've taken). Got my question?

- They are only pseudonyms, they don't represent any kind of demon, or something esoteric or mythologic. They are only fantasy names!!! I don't like to be known!

What is the perfect lineup for a perfect BM band, in your view?

- I don't know, we need a camera orchestra very urgent!!!
 
Have you ever thought ‘bout the metaphorical symbolism behind such terms as “sunset” and “dawn”? What do they represent to you?
 
- The sunset - dawn is the end of thoughts, of hope, is the beggining of darkness, is a broken dream, is a metaphore of nostalgia and adversity! Maybe, is the life!!!

What do the following words mean to you:

Heathendom: Myth
Thule: Myth
Epics: Imagination!
Life: An endless path, full of confusion and hope!
Fantasy: the gate of the daily scape!
Solar gleams: Beauty
The fifth element: the unknown!
Cradle Of Filth: a good band!
Graveland: nothing!
Princess Diana: An icon of the hypocrisy of the society!
Mother Teresa: a warrior
Vae Solis webmagazine: culture

What’s the life alike in Paraguay? If someone offers you to change the country of residement and move to Europe, would you agree?

- It's a very difficult question to answer. The education and the posibilities in my country are not the best, and everyone needs a third superior education and a good work! So I think Europe and USA had great cultures and it will be imposible not agree! Is the reality! Cruel! Maybe if SABAOTH was an European band, today we could be a very known band in the world!

South American States are well known worldwide “thanks” to various acts of terrorism and alike stuff. What is view on these happenings and the reaction they gain around the Globe?

- Latin America is exploited by nations of the first world, so the Revolution is totally natural! Our dignity is hurt about 200 years ago! The opresion is terrible, and the people resist as they can! Only the strong can survive nowdays!

What do you know (and think) regarding Russia? Any metal bands coming from our lands that you’ve heard lately?

- About Russia, I'm a fan of history, so i love everything about nations like Russia and the ex USSR! But is difficult for us understand the kind of life that you have because our situation is very different! Sorry I don't know any band of Russia! I'm very interesting in travel to Moscow, i think one of the most exotic and beautifull cities for the world!!!

I’m glad that you’ve found enough time to answer this interview. Here’s some place for you to say or wish us anything you’d like…

- Thanks for this interview! Support SABAOTH! We are an honest and emotional band that want to spread our art around the world!

Support us!!!
Thanks Kai!

SABAOTH contact -
Email: zethyaz@yahoo.com