Interview with CAMOS
OBSCURE BLACKENED HEAVY METAL FROM BRAZIL!!!
Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.
Tell us a few things about CAMOS (Members, Starting Year etc).
Sucoth Benoth: Camos was created in 2001 by Sucoth Benoth (Amen Corner). The idea was to make music a little different from what I had been doing in amen corner, for example, using keyboards and making the music more focused on heavy black metal, with heavy metal influences. The band has changed its line-up over the years and today it is formed by:
Sucoth Benoth - Vocals
Caos - Guitars
Ulysses - Bass
Cj dubiella - Drums
You have recently released your album ''Hide From The Light''. What is the feedback from your audience as well as from the press?
Caos: It's been great. Above our expectations. We were afraid of mixing two such distinct genres... Black Metal and Heavy/Hard. We know that there is still a certain intolerance and radicalism. But we went ahead... We took a risk and the result was an excellent metal album.
How did your cooperation with Murder Records occur? What do you prefer, Label or DIY and why?
Sucoth Benoth: It initially happened through conversations on Instagram and then the conversations with Danihell Slaughter moved towards a possible release on CD and cassette. We are very honored with the partnership. I always prefer to release with a record label, because the record label has a lot of contacts and the distribution is much wider than doing it independently.
Is there any funny or weird story from the recordings or from your live shows that you would like to share with us?
Sucoth Benoth: During a show in a city near Curitiba in the mid-2000s, we were playing and I could hear the bass sound but I couldn't see Ulysses anywhere on the stage and the sound was coming out great. Then suddenly I looked behind the drummer and he was sitting down playing perfectly but he had drunk a lot and couldn't stand up... Hahahahah.
Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD or Digital Format and why is that?
Sucoth Benoth: I personally prefer the following order: Vinyl, Cassette and then CD. I really like listening to music in an analogue format rather than digitally. Platforms are very important these days. They expand music quickly and efficiently.
Your music style is Blackened Heavy Metal. Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
Caos: As a guitarist and composer, I am deeply rooted in the 80s, in my opinion the most creative and exciting era in music in general. Shred guitar was my focus for a long time. So I can say that Yngwie Malmsteen is my main influence in many aspects. But the list is long. As a band, Judas Priest, King Diamond, Ozzy (solo) are certainly present in our music.
Which things do you think a band should sacrifice in order to succeed? Have you ever sacrificed anything in your life for a better future for your band?
Sucoth Benoth: I've sacrificed a lot for the band. I've even stopped working more and earning more money so as not to harm the band. In this case, I'm referring to Amen Corner. I've stopped traveling and visiting relatives for the band. Since Camos didn't have many shows and everything was more for fun, there wasn't much to sacrifice. I think success comes through hard work, promotion, traveling and playing, having a record company that supports the band. The members must be united and have the same purpose, humility and desire to grow. There must be unity among the band, everyone fighting together without egocentrism. Everyone is important in the band and each one plays a fundamental role.
Describe your ideal live show as a performance band. Have you already experienced that?
Caos: Energy... Lots of energy. It doesn't matter if you're playing for 10 or 1,000. Being on stage... It's your moment. And that's what the audience wants from you... Absolute surrender in that moment.
What attributes do you think that a new Metal Band should have in order to gain identity and be unique?
Sucoth Benoth: Try to do what you like without fear of what people will say. Negative criticism is also important. Don't try to copy other bands, try to be original. But if you can't, fuck it, make the music sound from inside your heart.
Do you believe that Digital Platforms help the new Metal Bands? Which, do you think, is the ideal way for a band to promote its work?
Caos: Of course there is a sense of nostalgia... We grew up in a time when we would listen to the same tape or record for months and months until something new came out. We would gather at a friend's house to listen to that long-awaited release. But that is over... It no longer exists. Reality is different and we need to learn to use it. Today I know that our music is on the other side of the world and gets there quickly... It is gratifying as a musician to know this. Technology is present... Use it to your advantage.
Do you see any differences between the Brazilian Metal Market & the EU Metal Market (Labels, Bands, Fans etc)?
Sucoth Benoth: There is not much difference, the only major difference is the price of the dollar for us here in Brazil, which makes exchange very difficult. Buying material from Europe, for example, is also very expensive because here in our country everything goes through customs and is taxed at absurd amounts. If it weren't for that, I believe that Brazil would be the largest consumer of imported products. Our market within metal is very strong. But the damn politics fucks everything up.
Tell us a few things about the New Underground Metal Scene in Brazil (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs etc.)
Sucoth Benoth: In full growth and expansion. Many good bands of all styles within metal, many zines, webzines and specialized magazines, labels, radio programs, etc...
Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?
Sucoth Benoth: Some good bands coming to Greece. Varathron, Rotting Christ, Yoth Iria, Nightfall, Necromantia, etc.
In the last 4 years, worldwide in the world, we have faced many dark, strange, and new situations in our everyday lives (covid, lockdown, etc.). Did all of this affect you positively or negatively?
Sucoth Benoth: We live in a very different time. Diseases, viruses, many wars, COVID-19 killed many people, we lost friends, we live in a dark time, people in Metal are very politicized, they fight among themselves, there are many pans in Metal. In the past, we were against politicians, regardless of party, we were discriminated against even within our families, and we fought hard for freedom, Metal was our weapon. Now you have to choose a political side, you must have good manners, this is forbidden, that is forbidden. Everything is prejudice, anything you do is labeled a Fascist or a Nazi or a Communist.
What are your future plans?
Caos: Camos is a partnership between two bands. Sucoth Benoth comes from Amen Corner. Me, Ulysses and CJ have another band called Thou Shall Not with 2 albums released. So we have a lot of work for 2025...With these 3 bands.
Thank you very much for your time & keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
Caos: On Spotify you can find our first album Kaim666 released in 2009 by Cogumelo Records. We are eternally grateful to our brother Danihell Slaughter and Murder Records for their trust and partnership... Thank you for the opportunity.
By Steve the Filthy Dog.
CAMOS CONTACT:
https://www.instagram.com/camosband
MURDER RECORDS:
https://www.murder-records.eu/
https://www.instagram.com/murder666records/