At this moment, nothing is more fitting than celebrating Roadie Crew's 15th anniversary by honoring our bands.”
Wikimetal: The latest edition of Roadie Crew , a special issue about Brazilian Metal, celebrates the magazine's 15th anniversary. Tell us a little about the magazine's long history. How did it come about?
Claudio Vicentin: Roadie Crew started when I was a roadie for Angra in 1992. Obviously, the magazine's name comes from that work with the band. I've always loved writing about music and being involved in the world of Heavy Metal. That's how I teamed up with Airton Diniz and we created the first fanzines, also with the participation of Anselmo Teles and Rodney Christófaro, who now hosts the Maloik program. I ended up living in the United States for a while in 1995, and in 1997, after my return, we created Editora Roadie Crew, already with Ricardo Batalha involved.
Wikimetal: And what can you say about the Brazilian Metal scene during these 15 years? What was the scene like back then and how does it compare to today?
Ricardo Batalha: It was a big family, today it's a different world. Since you only mentioned the magazine's fifteen years on newsstands, we were able to closely observe the development of bands that became internationally recognized, such as Krisiun and Angra, for example. I just find it regrettable that only four or five internationally represent the vast amount of good things we have here. In that time, we witnessed the emergence of record labels, websites, concert venues, as well as the 'boom' of various trends and the swelling of bands in the scene. Even so, we shouldn't forget that the pioneers paved the way for everything we see today. It's a shame that only a portion of fans and musicians think about this and recognize their effort. No matter the level of excellence in technique and professionalism, those who give me the most pleasure to see and hear are those who still keep in mind that they are there for the fun and entertainment of the public. I've seen all the phases of Brazilian Metal up close and I know how to analyze well who plays with a smile on their face because they are truly enjoying what they do, not caring if it's for ten or a thousand people. As for the problems, they are almost the same ones known to everyone: lack of venues to play, lack of support, lack of audience at shows…
Wikimetal: How do you see the current state of Brazilian Metal, and how can the magazine help or influence this aspect?
Claudio Vicentin: The current state of Brazilian Metal is the same as it was 30 years ago, 20 years ago, and 10 years ago. Many good bands! But it's not easy to make it and maintain a career. Even in countries with excellent infrastructure, first-world countries where there's a government that supports you in doing what you enjoy, whether it's playing Heavy Metal or being a police officer, everyone struggles for space. Imagine how many great musicians and how many, for example, football players have fallen by the wayside for one reason or another? Roadie Crew has always supported Brazilian Metal, doing what it can. We've always fought to showcase bands abroad, we've always taken band material to Europe when we cover festivals and meet friends from foreign record labels, we've also funded trips for some bands to play at Wacken through Metal Battle. At this moment, nothing is more fitting than celebrating Roadie Crew's 15th anniversary by honoring our bands, our market where the magazine operates.
Wikimetal: Out of the 15 years, which other editions would you cite as historic for Roadie Crew?
Claudio Vicentin: I'll mention some editions that aren't so historic, but for us it was a unique moment when we put our first edition on newsstands, number 9 with Iron Maiden on the cover. We put bands like Krisiun, Korzus, and Torture Squad on the cover of a magazine for the first time, edition number 100 with the 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Albums and number 112 with the 50 best guitarists of all time. There was also edition 135 with a great article on Black Sabbath and edition 136 with Bay Area Thrash Metal. Another one to highlight is edition 150 with 150 reasons to see and hear Heavy Metal and Classic Rock and now the 15th anniversary edition with the 60 greatest Brazilian Metal albums.
Wikimetal: The 15th anniversary edition of Roadie Crew features a list of 60 great Brazilian Metal albums. From this list, which is your favorite album on the Roadie Crew list?
Claudio Vicentin: Sepultura – “Chaos AD”
Ricardo Batalha: This question is impossible to answer (laughs). Okay, I'll go with 'Última Noite' by Centúrias. If you asked me for a Brazilian Metal anthem it would be 'Salém (A Cidade das Bruxas)' by Harppia.
Airton Diniz: Tuatha de Danann – “Trova Di Danú”
Tony Monteiro: Harppia – “A Ferro e Fogo”
Wikimetal: What was the selection process for the 60 albums?
Claudio Vicentin: We in the editorial office, after talking with many people in the industry, created a list of approximately 120 albums. From that point, we analyzed the importance of each album at the time of its release and for the history of Heavy Metal in our country and abroad. From the very beginning to more recent albums. It was very difficult and painful to remove some albums, but there comes a point when you have to finalize the magazine and make the decision.
Wikimetal: Are there any albums that, due to space constraints, were left out but that you think are worth highlighting?
Ricardo Batalha: It's always very complicated and sometimes unfair to make lists because a lot gets left out. In my case, I would include Angra's 'Rebirth' or Almah's 'Motion' to showcase the talent of vocalist Edu Falaschi. From Sepultura, I would also include 'Schizoprenia' and 'Roots', and I would also like the work of bands like Karisma, Amen Corner, Sextrash, A Chave do Sol, Platina, Firebox, Skyscraper, Wizards, and Exhort to have been included, but I know it's impossible to include everything. My list would have more than a hundred, because I really enjoy our Metal. Well, at least now I can say that I won't die without seeing a whole edition dedicated to Brazilian Metal, something I've always dreamed of seeing. This edition could have twice as many pages!
Wikimetal: It was a really cool idea to ask the artists to comment on the albums. Is there any comment that was made that you would like to highlight?
Ricardo Batalha: Everyone was cool, but since I'm a big fan of Centúrias' EP 'Última Noite', it was interesting to see Jack Santiago from Harppia and Andre Matos saying that Edu Camargo was the best vocalist of the time. Viper played a cover of 'Portas Negras' early in their career, and two musicians from Harppia ended up joining Centúrias later. And furthermore, I would also put Centúrias' album 'Ninja' on the list, going back to your previous question. (laughs)
Claudio Vicentin: I liked Andre Matos' comment about Viper's album "Evolution," in which he says that it was an album he would have liked to have recorded. And that's it, it's a great work by Viper without Andre Matos.
Wikimetal: Of the 60 albums, did Roadie Crew select only the oldest ones, or are more current bands listed? What examples can you cite?
Claudio Vicentin: We tried to cover even the most recent years, after all we weren't talking about a specific era, but rather the 60 greatest albums regardless of when they were released. That's why you can see great recent works from bands like Híbria or Unearthly on the list, for example.
Wikimetal: The magazine features interviews with legendary names in Brazilian metal, such as Andreas Kisser, Andre Matos, Wagner, and Dick Siebert. Is there any important statement you'd like to highlight?
Ricardo Batalha: It's different when you've lived through all that and then talk to people you've always enjoyed watching the shows. People will see the important statements when they read all the interviews carefully. There's a lot of powerful stuff there that might go unnoticed at first. Keep in mind that this edition was made to be read and reread for pleasure. We didn't intend to force controversy to gain audience.
Wikimetal: Of the albums listed, which ones would you cite as the most influential on Brazilian Metal?
Ricardo Batalha: Many of the bands listed there are references for others, especially Sepultura, Viper, Sarcófago, Dorsal Atlântica, Vulcano, Korzus, Ratos de Porão, Angra, and Krisiun.
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