Interview with VOIDSTAR NOCTURNAL - FILTHY DOGS OF METAL

11 May

Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.

Tell us a few things about VOIDSTAR NOCTURNAL (Members, Starting Year etc).
Erick: This project started officially on 2023. The band is composed by Fabian Salas on Guitars and synths, Kevin Moran on bass and effects and me Erick Mejia Arguedas on drums and synths.

You are going to release your debut album ''Nexus Teleport Fracture''. Tell us a few things about this project.
Erick: The songs have been built from 2022 to 2024, because we were previously working these songs under the name of our previous band Corpse Garden. We ended navigating so far on musical direction and feel that we decided to change name so it represent better the actual form of our project. I personally feel this is the spiritual successor of it.

And what about the lyrics?
Erick: The album is conceptual and each song talks cosmos, sci fi, philosophical and occult themes. The lyrics for this album comprehends influences from sources like The Epic of Gilgamesh, Kant, Jacobo Grinberg, Thomas Campbell to name a few.

How did your cooperation with Godz Ov War Productions occur? What do you prefer, Label or DIY and why?
Erick: The alliance with Godz ov War began long time ago, with the edit of other projects we have worked like Corpse Garden or Culto Negro. Always honored to work with. Regarding DIY, we prefer DIY depending on the project we need to release, if it is a more serious we may look for a label so we make sure distribution and printing is more professional. We have worked demos or DIY with other projects but more demo alike release we think DIY is important even if you are releasing full length material.

Is there any funny or weird story from the recordings or from your live shows that you would like to share with us?
Erick: We have recorded all the music for the album in two days, we did only two takes per song and we recorded all together in the same room. Like taking a picture of the band sound. Nothing less nothing more. I guess the story here is that we rehearse like maniacs for years and it fortunately paid off.

Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
Erick: As a band we have influence of many genres like Jazz, Progressive 70s Rock, Kraut Rock, Progressive Metal, Industrial, Death Metal, Black Metal, Post Rock or simply Electronic. To name a few, King Crimson is a huge influence for us, also Frontline Assembly, Gorguts, Dead Can Dance, Swans, Nocturnus, Voivod and the list goes on Sonic Youth, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Ministry and many others...

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?
Kevin: I think it's important to understand that being in a band takes a lot of time and commitment. Sometimes, you'll be forced to invest more time in the logistics behind the band composing, creating an image, organizing things, and all that. Honestly, time is probably the biggest resource you're going to invest, sometimes even putting other aspects of your life aside to focus on the band's progress. So yeah, you definitely need to have that in mind if you really want to succeed.

Describe your ideal live show as a performance band. Have you already experienced that?
Kevin: For us, the ideal one would be performing for people who truly enjoy our music and what we try to communicate throughout our expression and lyrics.

What do you think about the rise of AI in music production?
Kevin: AI is taking over everything... there are people who have just lost the sense of creating. Music without soul is just noise. We think AI can be used as a complement, a tool to support creativity, but never as the composer... no way.

Based on your experience, what advice would you give to a new metal band? What should they avoid or focus on?
Kevin: Definitely enjoy what you're doing... enjoy the whole process of creating music. We think that's the best part. Spending hours trying to get that perfect tone or pushing a riff as far as possible is priceless. If you truly love what you do, you'll never feel like you're wasting time.

Do you see any differences between the metal scene in Costa Rica and Europe (labels, bands, fans, etc.)?
Kevin: Well, there's definitely a huge difference in terms of music culture. We think the level of support is much higher in Europe. Here in Costa Rica, we have a tiny scene, but a real one. Unfortunately, most of the time people here prefer to consume foreign music instead of supporting local bands, and that's something we as a scene definitely need to change.

Tell us a few things about the New Underground Metal Scene in Costa Rica (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs etc.)
Fabian: The underground metal scene in Costa Rica has always been small, but very resilient and constantly striving to release strong material with increasingly solid production. It is not an easy scene: there are few spaces, limited resources, and everything moves mainly through passion, friendship, and self-management. But that is exactly what gives it a very real identity. There are bands playing death metal, black metal, speed metal, thrash, doom, grind, and also more experimental approaches. Some bands from here include Corpse Garden, Advent of Bedlam, Insepulto, Culto Negro, Necrólisis, Crypt Monarch, Astriferous, Mortual among others. There are also producers, labels, and collectives that keep the scene alive through shows, physical releases, and local support, such as Violence Records. In terms of venues, San José remains the main place. Small bars and alternative venues have been important in keeping the scene alive. We don't have a large industry, but we do have a community that persists, creates, and survives and has been active non stop since the 90s.

What does metal mean to you? And 10 albums that run through your veins
Fabian: For me, metal is a form of identity, resistance, and transformation. It is not just heavy music; it is a way of processing darkness, anger, spirituality, imagination, and also the beauty that exists within chaos.

Morbid Angel – Altars of Madness
Death – Human
Immolation – Unholy Cult
Crimson Glory – Transcendence
Godflesh – Streetcleaner
Voivod – Nothingface
Celtic Frost – To Mega Therion
Disembowelment – Transcendence Into the Peripheral
Deathspell Omega – Fas – Ite, Maledicti, in Ignem Aeternum
Judas Priest – Defenders of the Faith

Do you know anything about the Hellenic metal scene?
Fabian: Yes, of course, especially within black metal, death metal, and beyond. Bands like Rotting Christ, Ravencult, Necromantia, Septicflesh, Thou Art Lord, Burial Hordes, Hail Spirit Noir, and Zemial have been and still are very important in shaping a dark, ritualistic, melodic sound with a very distinctive and native atmosphere. I really like that the Greek scene does not sound like the Norwegian, Swedish, or American styles. It has its own spirit: more mystical, more ancient, with a strong pagan and Mediterranean feeling.

What are your future plans?
Fabian: Our main plan is to keep pushing Nexus Teleport Fracture as much as possible, reaching more listeners, media, labels, festivals, and people connected to extreme and experimental metal. We also want to keep composing new material. Voidstar Nocturnal is not a band that wants to repeat itself; we are interested in exploring more layers of sound, more atmospheres, more darkness, more electronic elements, and an even deeper vision of the band's concept. The idea is to grow naturally, without losing the essence. To keep creating honest, intense music with its own identity.

Thank you very much for your time & keep up the good work! The closure is yours.

Fabian: Thank you very much for the space, your time, and your support. For an underground band from Costa Rica, these kinds of opportunities mean a lot. Voidstar Nocturnal is only beginning to open the fracture. What comes next will be deeper and more expansive.

By Steve the Filthy Dog.