Armegedom started this band when I started my fanzine 1984. They come from Brazil and they have been so nice and answered a lot of questions from me in the end of nevember-2015

Please tell me a little bit history of the group?

-Armagedom band started in 1984 , previously the band’s name was RadEsquerda but with the departure of former bassist ( Zero ), we decided to change the band name to Armagedom. The band was formed with Javier – vocal, Ricardo - Drums , Barriga - Guitar and Eduardo - Bass . We started with no equipment ( really nothing!) and without knowing a musical note , super punk!!! Redson (from Colera band) helped us a lot in the beginning when we started rehearsing and learning to play in his studio using the Colera’s equipment. After few months we managed to buy some equipment like drums, amps, guitar, bass. From that moment we started to rehearse in my parents’ house backyard room. Our lyrics style was already set from the beginning, the vision of misery, suffering, hopelessness and misfortunes that were around us.

At the beginning the sound was very hardcore noise, this was the era of songs like the Mortos de Fome, Super Projetos , Divida Externa, Dinheiro e Poder, Gritos de Dor and Torturam os Pobres.

In 85 we decided to go to a studio to record our first material. We raised some money and went to the Eldorado Studio and recorded the first Armagedom tracks. This tape was used to do the LP 1984 – Principio da Agonia which was launched in 2005 by the label Drunk & Dissoberly Records Finland . Actually the sound was pretty chaotic at that time. This album was also released on tape in 2012 by the label Purgatorius Records form Luiz Umberto.

With this recorded material in hands we were told that the Ataque Frontal records was preparing a compilation album and we got involved. Thus we include Mortos de Fome and Super Projetos songs in the Ataque Sonoro comp LP , our first participation on a record. The curious thing is that I actually want to include the sound of Gritos de Dor instead of Super Projetos but ended up getting the same Super Projetos .

At that time we didn’t do much gigs, did not have much space for playing, everything was very restricted. We played at the Aateque Sonoro release gig in SP and RJ, played at a festival in Santa Catarina and some shows in the periphery. One of the most important show we did at the time was in Lira Paulistana. This show was recorded and became the B side of the LP Principio da Agonia.

After Ataque Sonoro comp participation, Nunes (Rainbow Records) heard our  tape recorded in studio Eldorado and wanted to release an LP with that material. But we were already in another period where we were making sounds like Sofrer Demais, Sobreviver, Asilo na Existência, Mutilações and managed to convince Nunes to pay us the studio to record a more current sound. This time we recorded in the studio VICE VERSA in 16 hours. It was pretty crazy for sure! I had some ideas for logos , drawings and sleeve, I told these ideas to my cousin Beto who was an excellent designer. This way, we launched our first LP Silencio Funebre!!.

In 1987 , we decided to change the roles in the band, I went to the guitar ,Barriga moved to Bass, Eduardo for the vocal and only Ricarco continued on Drums. We did this because Eduardo had a more powerful voice and I was playing guitar better, so the band could improve the sound. At that time many bands had huge influences from metal and we too. In 1988, Barriga left the band for personal reasons and we invited Beto to join us playing bass. During this period we recorded another demo tape into four channels. This demo was used to be our side on the split LP with the Força Macabra (Tumulo vago aos próximos que irão morrer por omissão LP) which was released by label Six Weeks - US on 1999.

1989-1992 was an interesting period where we played in houses like Espaço Retro, Dinamo, Der Temple and other places in our home town São Paulo  In 1993, we had to stop because of personal reasons until 1998.

In 1997 the guys of Força Macabra contacted me and we began a series of projects together with the release of the split  LP. I talked to Ricardo and Eduardo in 1998 and we came back to activity with Armagedom band. In 1999 Claudinei joined the band playing bass so we got a complete band again!!!! When we returned back (1999) there was a new house called Hangar 110 in São Paulo and the scene was really hot in Brazil, many places and many gigs happening.

With this new lineup, we again went to the studio and released the CD "Das Cinzas ao Inferno" marking the return of the band . We played in various cities and locations, Sao Paulo , ABC , Porto Alegre , Curitiba , Campinas , SJ do Rio Preto , Goiania , Sorocaba and several others.

In 2005 we did our first european tour passing by Germany, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Finland. In 2008 we did the LP/CD Sem Esperanças and also did another eurotour, passing by Germany, Italy, Rep Check, Finland, Poland In 2009, Eduardo also left for personal reasons and in 2010 odrigo Artorius “Thrash” joined us on vocals. Thrash played with us for almost three years and we released the LP “Dez Mil Anos de Terror”. In 2012, Thrash decided to leave the band because of personal problems. Also in 2012, Ricardo left the band and we had to look for a new drummer and also a new singer. Spaghetti (former Ratos de Porão) joined us on drums in 2012 and Renato came to the band in the beginning of 2013. With this lineup we did another eurotour on 2013 and also did the EP Ganância Irracional, Extinção Inevitável. Spaghetti left the band in 2014, and now the lineup is Renato - vocal, Javier - guitar, Claudinei - bass and Pedro- drums. In 2014 we went to Finland to play in Puntala fest as part of band’s 30 years celebration, this gig was recorded and soon will be part of a DVD. Now the band is recording new songs that we expect to release next year.

Please tell me a little about every member in the group right now, age, family, work, interests and something bad about everyone? Earlier bands?

-Javier (guitar) is the only original member of Armagedom, started the band in 1983/84, 50 years old, married with three children (one is a 9 month baby!!), of course Javier is very interested on music, guitar, punk, crust, metal punk  and related stuff. Armagedom was the first Javier’s band although the band started with the name Ultima Chance changing to Armagedom one year later. Javier is kinda demanding sometimes in the band!!

Claudinei (bass player) joined the band in 1999 when we decided to put Armagedom back to the scene. Claudinei is 47 years old, no children, interested on music, likes a lot of metal style bands, had a recording studio too, before Armagedom, Claudinei was part of a band called Osso Seco. He is kind of systematic guy!!!!

Renato, the singer joined the band in 2013 when the previous singer Rodrigo Artorius decide to leave. Renato is 32 years old, no children, interested on music, distinct styles including punk, hc, crust, grind, black/death metal, etc… Renato has the recording audio Caffeine where many bands use to record, Renato played and play in some other bands too like Vincebuz, Social Chaos, Krone and some other projects like RG Noise Cityt. Renato sometimes get crazy!!

Pedro is the drummer, he joined the band this year 2015 when Spaghetti left the band. Pedro is 31 years old, no children, interested on punk hc and related styles. Pedro also plays in Kaos 64, Agrotoxico, Anti Climax. He works with web, graphic design and works in a drums factory that makes total sense!!! Pedro is hyperactive as every drummer should be!!! eheheh

I can hear much different influences in your music but mostly hardcore and grindcore and some metal? Favorites from the past?

-It’s hard to say but we started the band in the 80s with strong influences from Discharge, Disorder, GBH, Terveet Kadet, Riistetyt, Eu’s Arse, Anti Cimex, Onslaught, English Dogs… Of course along the time we knew other bands and of course they influenced our sound too. Nowadays I believe we have influences from distinct new or old styles… we just go there and start to do some new songs!!!

Armagedom are you satisfied with the name?  How did it came up? Which is the best bandname you know?

-I was very satisfied with the name but you can find other bands using the same name… of course I would prefer to be the only one to use this name!! 😊

I believe this name reflects the main band’s proposal that is to pass this message about poverty, misery, disgraces and all those suffering that we see everyday. The best band name… I don’t know, maybe Discharge was one of most meaning names I ever saw!!

What´s the best thing with playing live?

-For me it’s about playing, that is the sensation about doing music within a group that I think is the best thing!! No matter if it is for a large group or a rehearsing session, the feeling is great!!

And where is best to play? And the worst place?

-The best place to play if when you have a crowd that is willing to see /hear your band and you can really interact with them. The worst place is when nobody cares about what you are doing.

How is to play this sort of music in Brazil right now? Which types of bands do you have concerts together with?

-We play in small and large venues, depending on the city and the local scene. We play with hardcore, crust, metal bands the most part of time.

How would you describe your music in three words?

-Crust metal punk!!!

What does punk mean to you, is it only a word or is it a lifestyle? 

-For me, punk before anything else is a way of thinking and reflecting about life and society. Although nowadays the word punk is associated to fashion and mainstream business, punk for me is the way you see the world and reflects about it.

How do you see on downloading, mp3 and that stuff?

-That is part of life, things change and will change, no matter what. Everything has good and bad sides. The good side about mp3 is that music is available to much more people, so if you are into spreading your ideas for sure that helps. The bad side is the people seems to be less interested on getting material from bands, going to gigs and helping the bands.

How is it to live in Brazil now? Politically?

-Brazil is in middle of a crisis that will demand sometime to be solved, so it means inflation, less jobs and many problem to the population. Besides that, there is a trend to people be more conservative what is really bad. I also see some extreme right wing movement getting more space in politics what is not good at all.

Is there any good bands from Brazil now?  Is the punkscene big? How is it in your hometown? Brazil have a good tradition of good hardcorebands back in the future…any favourites among them?

-The punk scene in Brazil is big, many bands from many cities. São Paulo city where I live is where you can find a large number of bands and also a important punk scene in Brazil. I like some crust/grind bands a lot like Social Chaos, Nuclear Frost, Fear of Future, Helvetin Viemarit, Disturbia Clods…

What do you know about Sweden?

-Sweden is a very important punk scene in the world, many important bands came from Sweden like Anti-Cimex, Asta Kask, Rövsvett, Dischange, Diskonto, Rajoitus, Disfear, etc… also good metal and rock bands. We played in Stockholm during our first euro tour in 2005 and that was great to be there!!!

Of course there are also companies from Sweden that are around the world and also in Brazil.

Your lyrics, who does them and what influences you?

-Javier did all lyrics in the beginning of Armagedom, the lirycs are about lack of hope, suffer, misery and disgraces at all. Nowadays Renato is doing the lyrics but Claudinei and Eduardo (that left the band) also did lyrics. The influences are the world where we live with all these disgraces and misery!!!

Is there any subject that you never will write anything about??

-About love probably never!!! eheheh and about stupid stuff too!!! 😊

Politic and music, does it goes hand in hand?  Which is your most political song?

-Yes, politic is the fuel for good punk lyrics always!!! We have many political songs since the beginning, maybe our song from 1985 Asilo na Existencia express the impact of politics into people life but there are many others…

Best political band/artist?

-CRASS is the reference!!!

Do you think that music(lyrics and so on) can change anyones life, I mean people who listens to music?

-For sure, as it changed my life!!!! that is the power of punk, I believe! It really can change the way of thinking if you pay attention to the messages.

Your cover on your CD looks really nice, is it important to have a record cover which shows people which type of music you play? Your favorite recordcover?  Who does your covers?  And do you have any good recordstore in your hometown?

-The covers reflect the messages, that is a important part of albums. The covers are done by distinct people, designers… I like the Never Again LP cover from Discharge, it is one of best, it’s meaningful!!!

We have many good recordd shops in my city, there is one shopping mall called Galeria do Rock with many good record shops inside and around.

Is it important to get out physical records of your stuff? Why or why not?

-It’s important to us, we love vinyl and many people too!!! We can share songs and videos in the net but we will always look to release vinyl albums too.

Please tell me a funny thing which have happened during your career and under some gig?

-Well, one funny thing is when we went to record our first tape in 1984, the drummer forgot the sticks in his home (how could he???) and we had to go back to get the sticks in the middle of night in the middle of recordings… crazy We had a very crazy gig in Finland in 2005 in a birthday party. The people there was really creasy with naked crazy guys running around during the gig… crazy!!!

How does your audience look like? Which people do you miss on your concerts? Which is the biggest band you ever have played together with?

-The audience is 100% formed of punk and metal guys. Biggest band we played together… not sure, maybe Ratos de Porão. I

Please rank your five favoriterecords, five favoriteconcerts and five most important things in life?

1 - English Dogs - To the end of earth

2 - Discharge - Hear Nothing, see nothing, say nothing

3 - Onslaught - Power from Hell

4 - Slayer - Reign in Blood

5 - Riistetyt - Skitsofrenia

Concerts, many concerts I love, can’t classify them

The most important things in life is to be honest with your own values and ideas, do your best and always be learning something!!!

Is it boring with interviews? Is it much interviews??

-I like to answer to interviews and we get a good quantity, not too much, not too few.

If you could choose five bands from the past and the history and nowadays and both dead and living bands to have a concert together with your band. Which five have you been chosen?

-For sure I would love to play with English Dogs metal, Discharge, Disorder, Anti Cimex, Disclose!!!

Is music a good way to get out frustration and become a nicer person outside the music??

-For sure, it is a very good way to express yourself, helps a lot to open your mind if you really pay attention to what you are doing, like have some conscious about your messages. But music can also be just another way to get money, girls and some attention, if this is the case I am not sure if someone will be a better person… much of them will became just another asshole.

Which is the most odd question you ever have got in an interview?

-This question!! eheheh

Which is the question you want to have but you never get. Please ask it and answer it?

-Why are you still playing after 30 years without getting money from this band? I do that because I love it so much and will never stop doing that!!!

Futureplans for the band?

-With the new lineup we are doing new songs and will release LPs/EPs soon, s…