ARIMAN
HEAVY METAL
FROM
PARAGUAY
Band Questions
answer by
Victor Ocampos
Please introduce yourself and the band members briefly?
Hello, my name is Victor Ocampos, I am from Minga Guazú, Paraguay, I am
founder member and play guitar. The other band members are: Gustavo
Mereles, he is also founder member and the screaming machine of the
band, vocalist. Then we have Gustavo Ojeda, who plays Bass, and is
perhaps the most talented of us. Then we have Gabriel Galeano, the
youngest, who plays Drums and finally is Dario Aquino, the newcomer, who
plays Guitar.
What does the band name mean and how do you get it?
Well, it is a long story...in a dark, cold and rainy night, we were walking in
the muddy ground through the forest hahaha. No, we took the name from
the old Persian mythology where the good was represented by Ormuz
(Ahura Mazda) and the the evil by Ariman (Angra Mainyu), we have read it
somewhere in Thus spoke Zarathustra, and also it appeared first in a long
list of world gods that we made as potential names for the band. Something
interesting is that in Paraguay we have an Alcoholic drink similar to Whisky
called „Caña“, but it is better known for its brand „Aristocrata“, so we used to
drink it a lot, then, people thought the name Ariman was from ARI
(Aristocrata) and MAN (Superman)
Where and how was the band founded?
The band was founded in Minga Guazu, a peripheral city of Ciudad Del
Este, in Paraguay, Gustavo and I were playing in a band called „Mantra“,
covers from Iron Maiden, and Black Sabbath, then happened that fight with
the other band members because we have not enough time to rehearse,
they were always complaining about it. We (Gustavo and I) were the only
members who has a job. Then after the fight, I convince Gustavo to build a
new band and so we got on the pursuit of new musicians. The band first gig
was on December22th in Ciudad Del Este.
Have you played in other bands before?
Gustavo (Vocals) and I played in a band called Mantra, just a few gigs. The
current guitarist Dario Aquino played in a band called Arcano XV.
Was it hard to find suitable band members who fit musically and humanely
with the band?
Yes it was. A band relationship is more difficult than a marriage, so you try
to find people who enjoy playing, who knows the underground environment
and with team work spirit. Now a day, If we search someone, we would like
some who understands the band members` priorities.
What does the band name mean?
A Persian mythology god who tries to destroy all that his brother Ormuz
build.
What are the lyrics about and who of you is writing them ?
Horror stories, as in Pacto de Muerte or Doctrina Bestial, (both songs tale
the same story) there, a person who is dying receive a visit from an entity,
and this entity makes a bid to him. Salvation in exchange of souls. Therefore
the dying guy keep on living but, leading a Christian church. Then, Cazador
de Almas or Castigo del Mas Allá, have the same trend. Ariman, is based on
a prayer, modified of course. Then we have Sangre Blanca, it is about
Leukemia, of Time to Rest, also about a final disease. However, Sombras
del Condor is about the effects of paraguayan dictatorial rule. Noche en
Tinieblas is an epic song, about a lost battle in the Paraguayan War. In the
brand new album there is Evil Machine, it is about Military Service, I am the
Man is about man’s ego. And so on.
Which bands inspired you and how would you describe your music to
someone who has never heard a sound from you?
Well, in the beginning, we tried to imitate bands like, Black Sabbath, Judas
Priest, Iron Maiden, Helloween, and then, as we were searching for our own
sound, I guess we added more flavours from Accept, King Diamond,
Manowar, Metal Church. It is hard to us to describe ourselves, but we tried
to sound heavy, aggressive and musical, but conscious of our technical
limitations.
Why should people listen to our music?
Because our music is sincere, we play what we love, and we try to play what
we would like to listen if we were in front of the stage.
Pacto de muerte your debut album was released in 2011. How long did the
production last and who supported you?
Uff...It was a problem child, from the conception jaja. We recorded in a
brand new studio in Ciudad Del Este, but I guess inexperience in both side
(studio and band) made it difficult. We had energy problems, cuts in the
energy supply made the studio lose the work already made, then we have
problems with time, because the we recorded just one night per week, and
some weeks the technician did not appear, other the band members
cancelled its time reservation...it was a nightmare. It was taking some 3
years since the beginning of the project. The relationship in the band was
deteriorating. Then I took a loan from the bank and forced it to born. We
made it by ourselves. No producer, no financer. I went to the Cd
manufacturer, we took pictures, we drew the booklet, etc.
How satisfied are you with the album today?
I hate the final product. The songs are good, but they sound very amateur.
Too much for my taste.
In 2017, you released your second album Under The Blame. why did you
release that in english language and not in spanish like your debut album?
Because we thought in Spanish we have a limited exposure, just to
Paraguayan fans. In Argentina is hard to enter, because the Metal world
there is very nationalistic. Then we contacted with a Brazilian person who
suggested making it in English. Then we said...let’s try, we have all to lose
anyway jaja.
Who helped you to work under the blame?
I am grateful to Bernardo Saavedra (Vinyl) because he suggested us to
Ader, from Dies Irae records of Brazil. And to Dies Irae Records for editing
and releasing it in Brazil.
Are you already working on new songs and when can we expect a new
album?
Yes we are. Since de departure of Daniel (former guitarist) and the arrival of
Dario, we are working on new songs. We should enter studios in December
2018 to record two songs.
What was your first concert as a fan? And what memory do you have of it?
My first concert as a fan was in a local show in Ciudad Del Este in 1996 in a
show of rock band Khrizya from Asunción, and then shows with Paraguayan
bands Ashborne, Reciclaje, Sindrome, Funeral, and so on. They were very
enjoyable; because I just wanted mosh jaja. However, in those days, there
were not Internet, so, in concerts you make friends, and enriched your metal
knowledge, from the bands playing or from the new friends you made.
Is it difficult to organize a concert in Paraguay?
Yes it is. At least in Ciudad Del Este, where you cannot find venues to do it.
In addition, you have a small attendance, so you are always losing money
jaja. But. I guess it is a result from poor organizations in the past. Too much
violence among the attendance, bare knuckle fights, etc. Then the
attendance went down. Now it is hard, but there are a couple of bars, that
allow heavy metal live acts.
Would you like to play live in North America or in Europe?
That is a dream jaja. Of course, we would like to play in those places. I
guess it is the „kid’s dream“ jaja.
What were your live highlights and with which bands did you play?
We play some „nights to remember“ jaja. In front o 1000 people in Asunción,
or more than 2000 in Ciudad del Este. (Those are great attendance). We
share stage with some monsters like Paul Dianno (Eng) in Brazil, Bywar
(Bra) and Nervochaos (Bra) in Brazil, Logos (Arg) in Agentina, Patan (Arg)
in Paraguay, Omen (USA) and Manilla Road (USA) in Paraguay.
Have already resulted in friendship ?
I believe that that is our big mistake, we use to travel, play, get drunk and
come back. We use not to keep a conversation with them, even not with the
organizers. I guess we have a poor public relationship, but not because we
are bad people, but, because we are not good in Marketing ourselves jaja.
Who would you like to play live with and why?
Accept or King Diamond, we admire their art, their constancy and power.
King Diamond is very special, we love his music, it has the condiment we
want for our songs jaja...good lyrics, the terror atmosphere, screams jaja. In
addition, Accept has the power and the directness of a punch in your face.
With what do you earn your money except with the music?
We have jobs.
I work in a firm focused in electric services, and as a lecturer in a University.
Gustavo (Vocal) works in a Cigar industry.
Gustavo (Bass) is a carpenter, and work in a furniture firm.
Gabriel (Drums) is a sluggard jajaja...no, he is working I guess, I do not
know where jaja
Dario (Guitar) works in a Private security services firm.
How important are social media for you as a band?
It is very important, I guess it is the only way we use now to promote the
band. As I said, we are not good in Marketing.
What would you (her) want to achieve with the band?
Immortality. Jaja. I guess we have achieved a lot, because in the beginning
it was just to have fun, then we get recognition in our town, then nationwide,
and now we know we have a very loyal fan base that make us proud of. We
would like to reach somewher beyond our nation’s frontier, South America,
perhaps Europe or Japan. However, to achieve that we still have to work
hard.
What do you think about the Paraguay metal scene in general?
It is growing fast. In Asunción there are international shows and that keep
fans tuned. You find metal bands being born everywhere in the country. The
scene is always connected with the economy, in Ciudad del Este it is more
stagnated, but in Asunción there are 3 or 4 Metal gigs in the same night. I
do not know that is good, but you have more options. Of course, there are
negative points, but I guess competition and envy is part of a growing
scene.
Maybe you can recommend some bands from your area?
I recomend some bands from Ciudad Del Este:
Mastermind: Thrash Metal, very good one and sounds very profesional
Khymor: Thrash Metal, very technical
Asghard: Hard Rock
Verthebral: It is our former guitarrist’s band. They play Death Metal, and
their album was released in Russia
Pestilencia: Crossover, Hardcore punk. (I have played 2 gigs with them in
the past)
PERSONAL QUESTIONS !
© 2019 by Haschi`s Metal Corner