Louvado Abismo emerged from diverse artistic backgrounds to craft a fresh blend of heavy post-punk and industrial music. Learn how their eclectic influences shaped their debut album.
1.Louvado
Abismo is a new formation but includes members from diverse artistic
backgrounds. How did the band come together, and what inspired you to create
this project?
Pedro
Almeida: I had seven structures on drums composed and asked Hugo Conim if
he could do the guitars, since we have known each other for a long time and he
has that punk side, in addition to being a Rock’n’roll guitarist, that I really
love. After that, Hugo invited Helder Luis, and he came up with some cinematic
ideas and added a lot of grooves to complete the drum work and the rhythm
section. After we composed the songs, I invited Patricia Andrade, and she
agreed to work on an experimental voice session for one song but ended up
recording vocals for the entire album. The inspiration came from an idea to
create something musically fresh for us and try other things that we are not
used to doing in our other bands.
Hugo
Conim: Yes, we wanted to do something different and original, and I think
we achieved that, and that’s a very difficult thing to do nowadays.
2.Your
debut album is described as a blend of heavy post-punk and industrial with a
modern twist. Can you elaborate on your musical influences and how you
incorporated them into this album?
Hélder
Luís: As far as I’m concerned, Swans' ability to create a sense of
overwhelming power and emotional depth has been incredibly inspiring, and so
has the raw, industrial assault of Godflesh as a cornerstone of the bass sound.
Other influences come to the surface, even if unconsciously. To bring a modern
twist to these classic influences, we incorporated contemporary production
techniques. Ricardo Tawksuh’s work in mixing and mastering was fundamental in
consolidating our vision, blending analog and synth guitar sounds. For
instance, we used digital effects such as reverb and delays to add depth and
texture.
Pedro
Almeida: We listen to a lot of different music. Personally, I am a record
collector, so you can imagine all styles of music in my collection. To get
inspired for this album, I had a few records that I was listening at the time,
like Christian Death’s Only Theatre of Pain, Siouxsie and the
Banshees’ The Scream, Voivod’s Angel Rat and The
Outer Limits era, and Godflesh’s Streetcleaner.
Patrícia
Andrade: Like Pedro said, we are very eclectic. For this album, I was
listening to Kate Bush’s The Sensual World. More than her voice being an
inspiration, it was the feeling of the album.
Hugo Conim: For
this album, I was listening to Celtic Frost Into The Pandemonium and
Swans’ The Seer, in addition to the music of lot of underground new
bands.
3.The
eponymous track “Louvado Abismo” has just been released with a video. Can you
tell us about the concept behind the song and the video?
Helder
Luis: The character in the video is overcome by an unwanted mental state
or one over which they have no control, gesturing in the water and evoking a
feeling of chaos and despair. The repetition of the phrase 'Que o mar revolva a
tua saliva antes de poder mergulhar' and the use of movements that may be
associated with some kind of ritual depict this struggle. This need for
lucidity or inner peace is represented by turning to the sea as a purifying
element. It can also be interpreted as a journey of self-discovery and
transformation through immersion in the turbulent waters of the mind.
4.Patrícia,
your background as a theater actress must bring a unique element to your
performances. How does your theatrical experience influence your approach to
music and live shows?
Patricia
Andrade: Music has always inspired my work as an actress, directly or
indirectly. I cannot separate music and theatre; they are connected.
5.The
lyrics of "Louvado Abismo" explore deep psychological themes and use
the sea as a metaphor. Can you delve into the lyrical themes and the symbolism
behind them?
Pedro Almeida: The lyrics came
together in the studio during our first voice recording session. We had the
cover photo, which I took in the late ‘90s or early 2000s, of a friend who had
been through some rough times. Patricia and I started discussing these states
of mind, disturbed moods, and disfigured ideas that people with mental health
problems experience. As an actress, Patricia knows how to embody the character
in her voice, allowing listeners to deeply feel our songs. Therefore, we
decided to make this the concept of the album.
6.Your
sound is described as a melting pot of different genres and eras. How did you
achieve this eclectic mix, and what was the creative process like for the
album?
Pedro
Almeida: The Album was created by different personalities and individuals,
which makes it different, as we all came out from different artistic
backgrounds but we have something in common: we like to think outside the box.
We had complete freedom to create everything over the structures that I have
created, so each one of us recorded in their own studio, my drums were recorded
in 2 different studios: Rock´n´Raw Studios and Erre Estudios. The voice and all
the arrangements were recorded in Erre studios. Towkuhsh Razamod help a lot when we were recording
the voice and some of the drums arrangements; he understood what we were
creating and doing on each of the songs. Of course, the mixing and mastering
helped a lot for the the álbum to grow as well.
Hugo Conim: This
creative mix was due to the crazy mix of influences we all have, and it makes
LOUVADO ABISMO a unique band.
7.
Patrícia’s vocals are central to your music, sung in Portuguese with theatrical
intensity. How do you think singing in Portuguese affects the reception of your
music internationally?
Pedro
Almeida: Patricia sang in Portuguese because we felt it that way,
especially her, as she started creating the lyrics in Portuguese. From the
beginning, we developed the band with a Portuguese name, Louvado Abismo. Even
those who don't understand Portuguese can feel it because her voice is very
expressive and can be felt like an instrument.
8. The
album has been described as a conceptual work that plunges listeners into a
black hole. Can you talk about the concept behind the album and how it’s
reflected in the music and lyrics?
Helder
Luis: Each song on the album explores different aspects of struggling with
mental health, from feelings of hopelessness and despair to moments of clarity
and triumph. The music itself is dark and intense, with heavy guitar riffs and
haunting vocals that mirror the emotional turmoil of the lyrics.
Overall, the album takes listeners on a journey through the darkness of the
mind, ultimately offering a glimpse of light at the end of the tunnel—or not…
For decompensated minds, sanity may be merely an illusion.
9. With
the release of "Louvado Abismo" on multiple formats (vinyl, digital,
CD), how important is the physical format to you, and what do you think it adds
to the overall experience of the album?
Pedro
Almeida: Materialized and album for me always need to be available in
physical format — CD and Vinyl — so people can touch it, play it on their vinyl
or CD player, read the lyrics, appreciate the art and photography, and
experience the kind of immersion that is often lost in digital formats.
Hugo Conim: As
a music listener and collector, for me, the physical format — with the music,
covers and lyrics — is the real rock ‘n’ roll experience.
10.
You’ve released a video for “Corrida Lenta” previously. Can you tell us about
the story behind this track and how it fits into the album's overall narrative?
Pedro
Almeida: “Corrida Lenta” was the first track of the album where Hugo Conim
recorded the guitars, and its ‘80s aesthetic is notable. It’s the song that
defined the guitar sound we aimed for. The lyrics explore hallucinogenic
visions and reflect inner restlessness after a euphoric journey, transcending
time. The song blends a Swans-like vibe with David Lynch atmospheres. The
tribal drums in the chorus and at the song’s end draw inspiration from ancient
Portuguese traditions.
We also
invited Towkuhsh Razamod to contribute a dissonant piano arrangement at the
song’s conclusion, adding further depth. Since I directed the video, Patricia
and I discussed ideas for our first video. We agreed on a simple concept:
filming Patricia singing behind a glass brick to convey a distorted mental
state. Shadows dancing and singing were added to enhance this concept.
Hugo Conim: For
me this is an important song, as it was the first time I recorded guitars for
Louvado Abismo, and it shaped all the guitar line for the rest of the album.
11.What
are your plans for promoting the album post-release? Can fans expect any tours,
music videos, or special events in support of "Louvado Abismo"?
Pedro
Almeida: We have the video for “Mundo” lined up for release on June 27th and
we are planning some shows by the end of September and October to promote the
album. We are open for shows; just contact us if you want us in your city.
Louvado Abismo (@louvado_abismo) • Photos et vidéos Instagram
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