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Hello Vladimir please introduce yourself to
the readers. How old were you when you discovered Metal music? What was the
first album you purchased?
Hello! My name is Vladimir Korg, and I am a singer. I was a vocalist of some
important Heavy Metal bands from Brazil and I have been involved in the
Brazilian Metal scene for years. I was the vocalist for CHAKAL and THE MIST
and today I am in a Project called THE UNABOMBER FILES alongside Alan
Wallace and Andre Marcio from EMINENCE and Paulo Xisto from
SEPULTURA. I believe the first Heavy music record I bought was Suzy 4
because of the song 48 Crash. A friend from school showed it to me. I
believe that heavy music entered my life when I saw a concert here in my
hometown in 1976. It was a show by a Brazilian Rock Singer named Rita Lee.
When did you meet the other members of the
band and did everything come together quickly with regards to creating your
own compositions? Who chose the name of the band name?
Initially, the band’s name was MAYHEM. We decided to change everything and I
proposed that name (The Mist). It didn’t have the word “hammer” at the end
and that in itself already represented an improvement. We already knew each
other and had already shared the stage. Me with CHAKAL and them with MAYHEM.
When I left CHAKAL they invited me to join the band since Gentil, the
previous vocalist, had left.
The Mist released their debut
"Phantasmagoria" back in 1989. How long did it take you all to write the
music for this release? Did the band members all contribute to the writing
and arrangement of the songs?
It was quick. I already had something written but it didn’t really have a
direction. The arrangements started to take shape and we took some things
from MAYHEM. Things always worked well. They would make the arrangements and
I would write the lyrics and vocal arrangements. Sometimes, I would ask the
guys to write some music to a certain theme or mood. This process happened
more on The Hangman Tree.
Did you write all of the lyrics Vladimir on
the debut? Looking back which song lyrics do you like the best and which
were the most fun to sing live? Who were your biggest influences vocally
back then (I am guessing Mille from Kreator might be one of them)?
Yes, I wrote it all. It was fun playing “Like a Bad Song” and “Flying
Saucers in the Sky.” We also would play Pet
Cemetery by the Ramones and that relaxed us a bit. My vocalist influences are
many but the main ones are Snake from Voivod, and Chuck from Death. But many
vocalists have influenced me and Mille is for sure on that list.
The Mist signed to the now legendary (in the
UG scene) Cogumelo Records? How did you did your relationship with the label
begin and did they handle studio details and everything for
"Phantasmagoria"?
Cogumelo have been my partners in the projects and with THE MIST it was no
different. We were really at ease in the studio. We discovered THE MIST’s
music inside the studio. From there, we saw the potential of what we had to
do next.
This year Greyhaze Records will re-release
"Phantasmagoria". How did you come in contact with this label and was it
easy to choose them for this re-release? You must be pleased the label is
releasing the album on all formats with cassette, vinyl and CD?
In truth, it was Cogumelo who made the contact with Greyhaze. I believe
Greyhaze will do a fine job.
Vladimir are there any plans for the band to
reform to do some shows in support of the re-release of "Phantasmagoria"? Do
you get many requests to revive The Mist?
THE MIST’S fans really want that to happen and I am always asked about that
possibility. But I believe it is not viable at this moment.
Since you were around during a golden era in
Brazil for extreme metal in the mid to late '80s
can you tell us what that scene was like in this early days? Who were some
of your favorite Brazilian bands from back then? Some memorable live shows
you witnessed?
I
like most of them. Many others I don’t listen to anymore. I try to keep up
and the majority of bands are trying to do what was done 30 years ago. I
also believe the naïveté was lost just as that primal desire was lost. A
great show that I saw was Sepultura and Overdose here in Belo Horizonte. It
was really moving because they were just beginning and it was a great night.
It was literally “Bestial Devastation.” I still really like Sepultura and
Holocausto.
Did you read a lot of fanzines back in the
'80s and early '90s? Can you list a few old
 faves?
Did you or any of The Mist band members do a fanzine? Did you get involved
in tape trading much back in those days?
Yes, I would read many. I can’t really remember the names, but I really
liked the American Fanzine VIOLENT NOISE. I didn’t have any experience as a
fanzine writer but I was in charge of a radio program called Metal Massacre.
My involvement with recordings and business was done as a helping hand to
Cogumelo Records. I worked with them and even after a long time, they would
still reach out to me and I act as a consultant of sorts.
As many readers probably know after these
many years and decades you are still with Cogumelo Records with your long time band
Chakal? Can you talk about Chakal news and also what is behind such a long
and strong relationship with Cogumelo?
I’m not singing for CHAKAL anymore. They are involved in another project,
which is the reissue of the album “The Man is His Own Jackal.” I still talk
with Cogumelo Records. I believe that trust and even an old friendship and
mutual admiration preserve
this friendship.
The past Brazilian scene is often honoured
with The Mist re-release and other great re-releases. But you are still very
much part of the scene today. So please let the readers know of some current
bands you can recommend from your countries great scene?
I
really like the girls in NERVOSA, the boys from VIOLATOR and the band
NERVOCHAOS. RATOS DE PORAO continue to be in great shape and their latest
album is very intense. My friends from EMINENCE are also fighting for their
space. We still have great bands!
Vladimir we want to thank you for doing this
interview in Canadian Assault. We wish you the best and thank you for the
years of great music. Cheers!
I
am the one who should thank you for the respect and attention. Long life to
you and to all readers of Canadian Assault! Cheers!
https://greyhazerecords.bandcamp.com/album/phantasmagoria
http://store.greyhazerecords.com/index.phproute=product/product&product_id=463
 
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