Hanna Tsepesh: Olá Miguel! Thanks so much for accepting this interview and Welcome again to THE GATES OF METAL! First of all: how are you?
Miguel: Thanks Hanna, we´ve been promoting our new EP since last September , so at the moment we are happy as ever .
Hanna Tsepesh: for those who do not know the band, could tell us a little how it all started?
Miguel: Equaleft started 7 years ago and at the first 4 years we had a lot of line-up changes which slowed us down a lot. But since 2008 with the recording and release of our demo “As the irony prevails…” we haven´t stop playing live and also released last September the new Ep “…the truth Vnravels” .
Nowdays only I and Maglor(guitar) are the only the original members and since November we have a new member as a bass player Filipe Afonso who also is Gates of Hell Guitar.
Hanna Tsepesh: What inspired you the most to create the lyrics and what process the band use to create the riffs to comply with the lyrics?
Miguel: I´m the one who writes the lyrics because it´s much easier to me to sing what I write , more natural .
What inspires me is everything that surrounds me, people, the streets, the city ; there´s no better inspiration than this world that we live in!
We always create the songs together, lyrics are done at the same time as the music so it flows better
Hanna Tsepesh: What are your favorite bands? You have any musician that you admire the most?
Miguel: I´ve grown up listening to Pantera, Fear factory, Carcass, Slay
er , they were the bands who made me listen to metal and to have a band. But I am Music addicted so I listen to a lot of stuff from Cynic, Meshuggah, Mastodon, Dillinger Escape Plan,Entombed, The Gathering, The Haunted and a lot of different genres inside metal.The Musician I Admire Maybe Dimmebag(Pantera) for his great guitar work and his passion for the music .
Hanna Tsepesh: You have another band or some future project?
Miguel: I rather concentrate 100% in Equaleft. Out of Equaleft I´ve recorded as guest a song with our friends Gates of Hell and one as well with Suffochate for their EPs.
And because people know how much I love the stage and gigs, some of the bands that we are friends with once in a while invites me to do one song as guest vocal live , bands like Web, Ransack, Revolution Within, Gates of Hell, Hacksaw, Anonymous Souls,Coldfear, Suffochate (I thank them all)
Hanna Tsepesh: I would like to know if you had or have any guttural technique lessons? I have to congratulate on this EP because I listened to a voice well much more improved then the Demo!
Miguel: I never had or have any lessons, I just listen to a lot of stuff and practice as much as I can .
And drink plenty of water during practice and live, it´s the voice best friend .
Hanna Tsepesh: What was the highest and lowest point of your career as a musician?
Miguel: The lowest point was probably the first years of the band because we could never get the same Line-up straight , so for me it was hard but with our perseverance we´ve managed to rise from those complicated and crappy days.
The highest point it has been the last two years, played plenty of gigs with loads of different and great bands and hoping to carry on like this as much as we can
Anyway our EP Released Show, was a moment to remember, a night of great fun, music, together with our friends, families and other bands all united in one . Such a night will not be forgotten so easily
Hanna Tsepesh: Let’s talk about the new “ ...The truth Vnravels” EP. It’s only me or your new work e darker than the Demo? Also the lyrics transmits me a lot of this...I have to say that I liked a lot this EP and will I listen to a new Equaleft on the future( A lot of different from the Demo)! Can you tell to our readers what they can expect from this EP?
Miguel: We see it as a more positive work rather than darker but I understand what you mean .
Musically speaking we are more aggressive than we were back in the demo despite that we have some more melody parts on this EP but I agree with you in some way
The lyrics are also more direct, optimistic and a little more corrosive , the intention is that the listener will unravel the meaning of the lyrics .
In the future will probably will be an “upgrade” from what we´ve been doing until now, we enjoy doing different things and we love challenges ,so let´s await for the next new Equaleft´s songs, will be chaotic than ever .
Hanna Tsepesh: The EP cover is amazing!!! I really love all the details! It was the same guy who work with your demo cover? For you, what artwork transmit to you? For example for me when the first time I look at this EP, transmit a lot for energy because all the colors...and also an EP that speaks about the human.
Miguel: Yes, it was Helder Costa the one who did the artwork for “As the irony prevails…” demo .
We are big fans of his work so he was our first choice again.
This time we gave him the lyrics, a few ideas and total freedom to create what he felt it would fit in our concept .
In the end we were very pleased with the final artwork, simple and complex at the same time ,with the color white dominating so it would make people curious and think of the concept as well as read the lyrics , that´s our goal music and artwork combined in one
Unravel what´s in our music.
Hanna Tsepesh: at recording studio, you guys faced with difficulties? If yes, tell which was and how as the whole process?
Miguel: When we went to studio, we knew what we wanted, everyone was ready for it , did some pre-recording before so it would be faster but the problem was that we didn´t have a lot of time to record it. We had 3 guests in the studio and decided our bass player was leaving the band then, so Veggy(guitar) had to recorded it.
It wasn´t easy but that´s how we all learn and will try to do better in the future.
Hanna Tsepesh: How has the response been to the EP by the fans and media? Miguel: It has been great, we are getting to new people of different genres of music and a lot more coming to our gigs .The radios are playing some of our songs, and some singing the lyrics with us live so it´s starting to spread .
Hanna Tsepesh: If one of our readers wants to buy your EP, what they can do?
Miguel: They can send their address to our mail, myspace or facebook and then we will post it
It´s 6€ for a digipack
Hanna Tsepesh: what is your favorite music in this EP and why?
Miguel: It´s hard because they have all different vibes and sounds but I really got to love “Suffer no More” it´s very ecletic ,with a great message of strength and very powerful music live
Hanna Tsepesh: What is your opinion about the metal in our country (Portugal)?
Miguel: It´s growing more and more as I expected, more bands playing live, very good and young musicians and internet helping everyone to expand worldwide their music and for me it´s great.
Hanna Tsepesh: What is your big advice for a young musician?
Miguel: Play what they like and not just because of trends ,be themselves and enjoy as much as they can. Support your local scene and support other bands, along with others you will become more strong.
Hanna Tsepesh: Maybe is a little bit soon for this question but: you guys are thinking to release any album soon? Exist any plan for that?
Miguel: We´re already working on new stuff, so we are hoping at the end of 2011 or beginning of 2012 to record our new album .
Hanna Tsepesh: Do you want to send any message for the people who going to read this interview?
Miguel: I hope to see you all at our gigs and having fun as well, headbanging, screaming, stage diving etc .
Hanna Tsepesh: Thanks o much for your answers and time. I wish the entire band a big success and a kick ass 2011! Hope to see you guys very soon on stage…
Miguel:
It´s us Equaleft who thanks you for the interview and all people like you helps promoting the bands!
Cheers
“My friend let´s prepare for the battle…” ( Equaleft “Denial”)
Hanna Tsepesh: You are very welcome and thank you again! all the best...
By: Hanna Tsepesh
To listen to some EQUALEFT music’s and for future information’s go at:
www.myspace.com/equaleft
Equaleft@hotmail.com
