ANGER Interview

Portugal's Anger are an extremely original sounding act, blending power and harmony in order to manifest an overall sound that is powerfully impacting, yet accessable and memorable. Their latest effort,"The Bliss" offers listeners a broad pallette of aural colors that is appealing to fans of many different types of heavy music. Most of all, Anger know how to write a great song. Their skilled arrangements, combined with a refershing technique result in strong grooves throughout �The Bliss". Erin Fox talks to Anger drummer Afonso Carte-Real...

The Gauntlet: Tell us about the Portuguese metal scene. Is there strong support for bands of your style in your country?

Afonso Carte-Real: Although there are good metal bands in Portugal, the scene is a bit small, so the strongest support comes from the fans and not from the business people.

The Gauntlet: Who are the band's primary influences?

Afonso Carte-Real: We like a lot of various styles, so everything that's good can teach us something. But I would say that first influence were power metal bands of the 90's and all the classic metal bands. Nowadays we can't tell who the biggest influence is.

The Gauntlet: When recording the new album. did you have an easy time in the studio? Is the studio a comfortable environment for the group?

Afonso Carte-Real: The recording time was amazing. We think live is were you show your stuff, but in studio there's a peace of mind that helps you relax and do your job well. We and Tommy spent a great time working on this one. We took some time searching for the sounds we wanted without pressure, so the things got together really well.

The Gauntlet: Has the band toured extensively throughout Europe?

Afonso Carte-Real: We have already done two European tours, one with D.R.I. and another headlining with Vanity 4. The band has played in all of western Europe and in some Baltic countries. But we want play all over the world.

The Gauntlet: What have been the best memories of live performances to date?

Afonso Carte-Real: Our own country is known for having the hottest crowd around. All of the gigs have something unique, but I would say that opening for Metallica in a stadium was one the biggest thrills that we've had.

The Gauntlet: Please describe an Anger show for the readers.

Afonso Carte-Real: Our show in intensive, energetic, with a lot atmospheres trough the music.We make sets that try to control the energies of the public, from the smoothest to the hardest.

The Gauntlet: What types of things run through your mind right after a performance?

Afonso Carte-Real: Liquids! We think about if things went right, if the people got into the show. Where's the shower?

The Gauntlet: What is one band that you would love to go on tour with?

Afonso Carte-Real: A good one!

The Gauntlet: Who have been the individuals that have helped the group the most throughout your career?

Afonso Carte-Real: Our long time manager and the two producers we work with ( just to mention the main ones). But a lot of what has happened is result of the team work, not a sole individual.

The Gauntlet: What has been the greatest recognition of the group's work to date?

Afonso Carte-Real: Signing out with Armaggedon Music worldwide. They saw that the record had to get out from our little country. The reviews everywhere are giving us some credit and that's very important.

The Gauntlet: Anger is a band with a very modern sound. To what do you attribute this fact?

Afonso Carte-Real: Maybe our influences are more open that the classic metal bands. We try to innovate the best that we can, so it sounds fresher than others. The types of harmonies and sounds and the grooves are new shit.

The Gauntlet: What is the most exciting thing about being a musician for you on a personal level?

Afonso Carte-Real: Learning every time you pick the instrument, traveling to new places and meeting new people and the brotherhood of being in a band.

The Gauntlet: Have you gotten a great deal of feedback from U.S. listeners in regard to the record?

Afonso Carte-Real: I think the feedbacks are good and are increasing!

The Gauntlet: What is the best way for listeners to interact with the group?

Afonso Carte-Real: Live. After you hear the cd, you have to see the band live.

The Gauntlet: If you did not choose to play music, what else would you be doing with your time?

Afonso Carte-Real: I don't know. Music is in our life deeply.

The Gauntlet: Which artists do you look up to the most? Have these artist directly influenced your individual performances or do you harbor other reasons for your admiration?

Afonso Carte-Real: I separate the music in good and bad, only that. If I admire some musician, it has to be for their music and nothing else.

The Gauntlet: Is the group constantly writing material or does the band go into separate modes?

Afonso Carte-Real: It's depending on our working schedule. If we are doing shows in a row, we only play the set, but we are always jamming together, so there's always new material.

The Gauntlet: What would you most like for fans in the U.S. to know about the band?

Afonso Carte-Real: That we want to go there and play everywhere, to show the quality of Portuguese metal. You will find that we have a very personal way of making heavy music. See you soon, hopefully!