Omago

OMAGO interview

As people know, I´m from the fanzine scene and always digging in the underground to support bands that I like. When I got the request for an Omago review and I checked them out, I was in immediately. I was asked to release an English version too because those South Americans from the Death Metal horde Omago don´t understand any German, haha! And on the other hand, I had to do this interview in English anyway because I don´t speak Spanish or Portuguese, haha! So people go out and discover Omago, a timeless old skull Death Metal band hailing from Chile and Brazil. Here we go!

-HELL-ö Eduardo! How are you? Please tell us about the beginnings of Omago first! You guys come from Chile and Brazil. So how did you get in contact with the other guys?

I´m good. Hope you too, Daniel. Considering all the madness and irreparable loss many people suffered in this fucked-up pandemic. Still moving forward. In 2018, due to individual and musical differences my former band Forahneo broke up. It was a period that I had to take care of some personal issues, and that gave me time to write a lot of material. Since the new music that came out didn’t sounded like Forahneo, I decided it was time to create a new project that became Omago. I’m Chilean, but have lived most of my life in Brazil, in the same city Victor Hugo and Demetrius live. So, we basically come from the same Scene, even though they’re much younger than me. Victor Hugo started to produce bands I’m involved with, eleven years ago, Omago is the third one we work together. Met Demetrius watching destroy the drums live with Thyresis, Metacrose and Dissidium.   

-You all played in many other bands before. Did you all know each others´ bands when you met?

Eduardo - Yes, we did. I’ve seen Victor Hugo and Demetrius play live a couple of times in their various projects. At some point we also rehearsed in the same studio. Small town, we’re always bumping into each other.  

-How do you rehearse, by the way? Do you rehearse at all? Or do you just send music data via mail to the others?

Since I started the band at the same time the pandemic hit hard, it was all done at distance. I write the music, send it to Victor Hugo, as a great producer, he gives me the proper feedback, we put together the Demos, then each one records their thing. We haven’t rehearsed yet and I really miss it. Can’t wait to get that going again.  

-What´s the meaning of the band name Omago at all?

It is my nickname since I was eleven hahaha. It means Skinny, evil thin man. Been trying to use it for a while, but it had to be my exclusive musical vision. So, this was the perfect timing.

-Which bands are your main influences for the band?

I believe it´s a big mix of genres. Old School Death Metal is the main influence; but there´s a lot of Grindcore and Hardcore. Also very influenced by those mid-eighties Death Thrash bands like: Celtic Frost, Master, Sacrifice, Devastation (IL), Sepultura, Mutilator, Slaughter (CAN)…   

-What are your lyrics about? Is there a certain message behind them?

Not really a message, mainly my views on how low can humanity can go. Stuff that pisses off most of us on a daily basis; Politics, religion, corruption, violence, greed, idolatry, manipulation, egotism… I think the pandemic revealed an uglier and even more selfish façade of mankind.

-Shortly after the foundation of the band you directly released the EP “Human Targets” in digital format. How did it work so fast? Was it originally planned for one of your ex-bands originally?

No, it wasn’t. After Forahneo broke up, during 2019, I locked myself up and went hard on writing and recording mode. As a result, later that year we ended recording 25 songs. When I decided to launch the new band, I knew people would want to hear the new stuff right away. So, the EP was a cool way to introduce Omago, and give me time to properly finish the Full-Length.     

-None of the tracks is included on the new album “Decrepitus” only one year later. Why not? You could have re-released it on the album as bonus, for example. Or are you not satisfied with the EP anymore?

The EP is cool. But those are re-recorded versions of songs from previous bands I had. I wanted the album only to have unreleased music. Even though “Worst Blind” was written in 1992, when I was in Behaviour, it had never been recorded or released. The “Human Targets” EP will probably be released on CD and Tape with an EP I’m planning for late 2021.  

-How much time did it take to write and record the songs for the album?

The writing was pretty fast. But we did a cool pre-production, demoed all the songs, heard them back and forth, before the actual recording. So, considering the writing, pre-production, recording and finally Mix and Master… I could say all that took like one year. 

-Where did you record, and who was the producer?

“Decrepitus” was produced by Victor Hugo Targino, who has worked with Soturnus, Necrohunter, Necrosis, Diabolvs… amongst many others. Drums, Guitars and Bass were recorded in recorded in João Pessoa/Brazil; vocals were recorded in Santiago/Chile. The album was Mixed and Mastered by the legendary Dan Swanö (Asphyx, Incantation, Terrorizer, Skeletal Remains).

-I like the artwork a lot! Who did it? And how did you get in contact with the artist?

Cool that you mentioned it. The artwork was done by the Brazilian maestro Marcelo Vasco, who has done covers for absolute legends like: Slayer, Kreator, Dark Funeral, Testament, Dee Snider… One of the best out there. We’ve known each other for years, he did the Forahneo album cover and both Omago. 

-The album is released on CD and on tape. Are there also plans for a vinyl version?

That would be awesome. It´s a format that people are digging again. Till now, a Brazilian label has contacted me to do the CD release, and a Chilean label for the Tape version. If a cool and serious label wants to do a vinyl edition, it would be totally great.

-How important is it for you to keep the old tape cult format alive?

Totally. Back in the day that was almost our only option. Vinyl was expensive, you could only afford a few. Recording Cassettes meant gathering with your friends for hours, sharing that unique experience. I’ve been a CD collector for decades, but always dig checking out old and new releases on Tape and Vinyl. I’m a total Record Store freak. The important thing is that the music is available on all formats. People have different taste, some prefer CDs, other cassettes, vinyl and even MP3. 

-You self-released the album without a label in the back, as far as I know. Didn´t you find a good label to release it? Or didn´t you care about that?

I prefer doing things my way. The publishing wrights of my music is something that I have decided to keep. Then, I can work licensing deals with cool independent labels that want to put out a specific format.

-Do you also play live? Or are Omago only a studio project?

We most definitely will play live. As soon as we can get together and shows start to happen again in our region. I’ve been lucky enough to have played some sick shows with Forahneo, shared the stage with Napalm Death, Carcass, Suicidal Tendencies, Assassin, Anthrax… I absolutely want to do the same with Omago.

-If people are interested in your stuff, how are they able to get it?

Besides the versions of the album on CD and Cassette, we´ll have some really cool shirts. Keep an eye on our Bandcamp, Instagram and Facebook pages, those will be available soon. 

-What are your future plans with Omago?

Until the end of the year, I’m planning on releasing an EP of covers that’s already recorded. It’s only Brazilian bands from my local scene, artist that I have a musical and personal connection with; Necrópolis, Medicine Death, Nephastus, Krueger, Stomachal Corrosion… I’m sure everyone will dig this. Also hope the be able to play live soon. Compared to what’s going on, it’s the least important thing, but I hope shows return in the near future.   

-Okay, Eduardo! The last words are yours!

Thank you very much Daniel and the whole team. Keep up the great work. Also big thanks to all those who took their time to check this out. Hope you all dig “Decrepitus”, be sure we´re just getting started. DEATH ‘TIL DEATH.

- Daniel Müller -