Interviews: The Mask Of Tyrant

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Thrash Metal/Heavy Metal band, The Mask Of Tyrant from Brazil. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1.Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?

The band's name came after a deep reflection on how totalitarian dictators emerge, at first as saviors of patria and in the end, become ruthless oppressors. Bringing context to the present times, we can note that the mask of tyrant is everywhere, oppressing people by what they are or want to be, making it seem normal the sense of having a leveling in people's individualities.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

It's the genre we love. We love Heavy Metal in general, but Thrash Metal has always been our passion. We grew up listening to national bands like Sepultura, Sarcofago, Overdose, Ratos de Porão and other large metal bands of our country and also the classy ones from outside, as Megadeth, Slayer, Kreator, Exodus. this has greatly influenced us to lead us down this path.

3. Did you know each other before the band formed?

Yes. We've been part of previous projects where three of us had already played together, it was called Jingle Hells, where I Evandro "Paranoyd" was the Guitarist, Wesley Silva on Drums and Bernardo Clemente on Bass. After a while, I met Fred Assis (Vocals) on another project, called Rock Bitches, who did Covers of Rock/Metal classics. The only member we didn't know yet was guitarist Erick "Heeks", who until then was a musician who was starting his career.

4. Favorite bands of each member?

Wesley Silva: Paradise Lost, Angelus Apatrida, Angra, Sepultura, Cannibal Corpe, Suffocation, Ratos de Porão, Claustrofobia, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Megadeth, Motorhead, Nirvana, In Flames, Alice in Chains, Death, Grave Digger, Saxon, Ramones, Boreallis, Whiterfall, System of a Down, Gamma Ray, Disturbed, Lost Society, Lamb of God, Primal Fear, W.A.S.P, Evile, Soreption, Nevermore, Annihilator, Anthrax, Sarcofago, Obituary, Symphony X, Soilwork...

Evandro "Paranoyd": Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Volbeat, Megadeth, Metallica, Sepultura, Anthrax, Exodus, Testament, Kreator, Annihilator; W.A.S.P, Skid Row, Santa Cruz, Hammerfall, Children of Bodom, Havok, Evile, Angelus Apatrida, Lost Society...

Bernardo Clemente: The Ramones, The Sex Pistols, The Dead Kennedys, The Misfits, Social Distortion, Blink-182, Green Day, The Offspring, Carbona, Flanders 72, Zumbis do Espaço, Flicts, Inocentes, Blind Pigs, Gritando HC, Garotos Podres, D.F.C., Os Pedrero, Mukeka di Rato, Dead Fish, Merda, Pão Com Pâncreas, Devotos, Street Bulldog, Garage Fuzz

Fred Assis: Megadeth, Motorhead, UFO, Sepultura, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Accept.

Erick "Heeks": Venom, Control Denied, Paradise Lost, Type O Negative, Vomepotro, Hypocrisy...

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Wesley Silva: Movies, series, social themes and historical facts of Brazil and the world. Fred Assis: I seek a lot of inspiration in basically the same topics quoted by Wesley Silva, but for me, depends a lot on the personal and spiritual moment I find myself in. Evandro "Paranoyd": I have peaks of creativity after reading stories of any kind, or watching some movie or series that has some meaning, everything can become music, depends a lot on the moment, my physical and psychological state also influences a lot.

6. Where was your last gig?

Unfortunately, we haven't had the opportunity to make a big show yet. We play a few times at local shows, in small venues. When the band was actually ready to start this process, with the line-up ready and the Demos completed, the COVID-19 pandemic came, which in a way was good for us as it gave us a lot of time to calmly craft our first album, "Prison of Despair".

7. Where would you like to act?

We would like to play at Wacken Open Air, it must be really cool to play at that festival. Any of these metal-oriented festivals should provide amazing things for an artist of the genre. In our country there is Rock in Rio, but we know that it is not a festival aimed at our audience, but it would be amazing to play in it.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Currently, we would very much like to perform with Gojira, a band that we admire a lot, so at first, we would be honored to share the stage with the guys

9. Whom not?

We have no restrictions on performing with anyone. We just want to play our music to the world. If other artists are on the same road, let us go together.

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

I think everyone somehow feels stage fright one day, it decreases with time, but whenever you come face to face with the audience you will feel some chills, this is normal. What we do, and it's a tip, especially for author bands, is to forget about labels. Your project doesn't need to look like anything or anyone, go up there and pass on your message, with your way of singing/playing, forget about that conversation of: "band that does this" or "it has to be done like this at the time", the music is yours and you express your art however you want.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

We noticed that we have a lot of Megadeth influences in our sounds, many say that and it really is a band that all members like, another, as mentioned above, is Gojira. Besides these, the new wave of Thrash Metal also inspires us a lot with bands like Evile, Havok and Angelus Apatrida.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

They asked for Fred Assis' underwear, to what extent it was true, we don't know, but the girl was committed to getting it.

13. What do you think of your fans?

Are the best! We have few fans, but each of them is intensely passionate about the band, which makes us happier to continue this insane journey of music;

14. What do you think of our site?

Sensational. Incredible work done by you at Breathing The core and we are happy to be a part of it in some way. You keep alive the essence of Rock/Metal, showing the reality of bands that often wouldn't have this space anywhere.

15. Something to add?

Just thank you for the opportunity to introduce us and talk a little about our work. We are very honored to be able to speak with you, who do this amazing work. We will always be available if you need.