Shamelessly describing themselves as «La Bomba», Sao Paulo’s Are You God? have clearly opted to spit in the face of subtlety. As will be revealed in the ensuing interview, the band thrives on conflict and individuality, and they don’t seem particularly bothered by the fact that such outspokenness might put them at odds with certain factions of the underground. As I came across the term «free-style deathgrind» in their bio, it struck me as a very apt description for AYG’s characteristic sound. Incorporating such influences as Terrorizer, Napalm Death, and Soilent Green with somewhat «liberal» song structures, AYG allow themselves the space to create musical themes which are amazingly focused and non-derivative. Bassist Bernardo, drummer Carlos, guitarist Fabio, and guitarist/vocalist Joao recently devoted some of their time to discuss whatever topics I threw at them, thus proving to be very honest and well-spoken. Whether arguing the merits of latter-day Napalm Death albums, pondering the threat of organized religion, or considering the possibility of subliminal D.R.I. influence, the fine men of Are You God? made this interview a memorable affair.

- (CA) The first thing I would like to comment on is your lyrics. They are all well written, and seem to deal primarily with social and religious issues. Where do you get the inspiration?

- (C) Basically, from some movies and documentaries I watch. It’s interesting to see how humans do things without thinking.

- (CA) Can you comment on the lyrics to «My Heroes»? I thought the words to «Deep Rise» and «The Ticket» were fairly straightforward, but «My Heroes» seems a little more subtle.

- (B) «My Heroes» is based on the real story of a kid who apparently used to write to convicted serial killers, and was nearly killed by one of them in a visit to prison. Carlos saw that somewhere. We took it and created a small fictional exploration of the kid’s head.

- (CA) The song «Deep Rise» refers to a doctor who makes a professional error, then ends up going insane and doing time in jail. Was this song written about anyone in particular?

- (C) No, it was about my general knowledge of life in the country I live in, where the life of a human being is not worth anything.

- (CA) You guys are very critical of organized religion. What is it specifically that bothers you about it?

- (C) Well, religion here is treated like a commercial activity, money runs it. Entities like the one referred to in the lyrics to «The Ticket» are formed of corrupt people in disguise, ready to deceit the poor (who are the majority here). And, as always, nothing is done to prevent that.

- (F) In reality that subject does not have any kind of effect on our lives, however, we have the opportunity to inform people, and we try to make good use of that power.

- (B) I think I also speak for Joao when I say I couldn’t care less about organized religion, I’d say it’s highy overrated as an evil force.

- (CA) In your bio, you state that the band appreciates both old and new Napalm Death. I, for one, was glad to see this! Why do you think people slag the newer stuff? Shouldn’t these people stop living in the past?

- (B) I can see why a fan of older Napalm Death would have no interest in their post-Dorrian / Steer albums, but at the same time I think their death metal stuff is vastly underrated. If a band came out of the blue and released an album like «Fear, Emptiness, Despair» or «Utopia Banished», that band would get enormous respect, those were fresh and original releases, although different from the grind era. What bands sound like «Fear, Emptiness, Despair»? It’s not rehashed «FETO» and it’s not copied from anyone else, so, as far as I’m concerned, it rocks. On the other hand, when newer bands emulate old Napalm Death (and there are buckets of artists doing that), no one complains. «Utopia Banished» and «FED» are my favourite ND releases, the other guys in the band like «Words from the Exit Wound» better, I’m not a fan of that one. Carlos’ favourite is «Harmony Corruption». The new one is awesome, we all love it.

- (CA) I think I hear some D.R.I. influence in your music, but they are not listed in the bio. Do any of you listen to D.R.I., or am I just high on something? *lol*

- (J) We never made a conscious decision of having a D.R.I. sound in our music, but I like them, so it must have inflenced me somehow. Bands like Pro Pain and Crowbar are a much bigger influence, although it probably doesn’t show.

- (CA) The name Are You God? is interesting. It seems to be either a challenge, or a mockery of sorts. Am I right on this? How did you decide on using it?

- (F) I used to work in a place where I constantly clashed with my boss until she fired me. The band’s name was my way of having the last word, which I did. She died giving birth a few weeks after the beginning of the band, so we take it that the name also works as a curse. [Damn, don't fuck with these guys! —CA]

- (CA) The music on your demo is not overly technical, although it does employ some tempo changes and a few shifts in time signature. Do you see the band becoming more technical in the future?

- (B) Well, the newer songs are generally both a bit shorter and more complex than the ones in the demo, so I could say they are getting more technical. Technicality is certainly not the goal, though, more of a consequence. I personally hope we’re making these newer songs an interesting and intense ride for the listener.

- (CA) I understand that Joao and Carlos (guitar and drums, respectively) were originally in a band called Beegar. What was the musical style like? Similar to Are You God??

- (J) It wasn’t much like Are You God? at all.

- (CA) Bernardo, you currently play in another band called Dipnoi. What can you tell us about it? Does one band take precedence over the other?

- (B) It’s a totally different band from Are You God?, it’s also sort of metal, although in a rock’n roll / thrash vein. We started out around 1994 and I’m really happy with the musical direction it took. Check us out at http://www.mp3.com/dipnoi. I wouldn’t say there’s any precedence of one over the other, although AYG? has been much more active lately (Dipnoi’s drummer left recently).

- (CA) what is the scene like in Brazil? What bands do you think have the most potential?

- (J) I personally think what people call a «scene» is something we don’t have in Brazil, what we do have is hundreds of unprepared bands and a total lack of organization. Of course, if you ask those same bands the same question they will say there is a great scene. Also, if the brazilian scene is, musically, what is in the «Brazilian Assault» compilation, then I don’t think we’re a part of it.

- (F) There’s no scene here, just isolated hardcore and metal shows that are rarely well attended when there’s no foreign band involved.

- (B) There are a few bands I really like, but the average is pretty low. I guess that’s the case everywhere, though.

- (CA) Have you been contacted by any labels?

- (B) Yep.

- (CA) Would you care to provide any more info on this (i.e. who specifically has contacted you)?

- (B) I’d rather leave it at that to avoid jinxing it, hope you don’t mind.

- (CA) Not at all. What’s next for the band? A full-length release, perhaps?

- (B) If all goes well our next release will be an EP with our four oldest songs (the most straightforward stuff we’ve done), we’re planning on recording it around the end of July / beginning of August. It will either come out as a split or as a normal EP, that has not been decided so far, it depends on the other bands involved on the split idea. We want to have a full length of all new stuff by the end of the year, but I simply don’t know if that will happen.

- (CA) Any final words?

- (B) Thanks a lot for the research and thought you put into the interview, and also for your interest. For the people who are reading and haven’t listened to us yet, all the songs are freely available at http://www.mp3.com/areyougod, so go there and check it out. Thanks!

- (AK) We also thank you for contacting us, and we wish you the best in your musical and personal future. Good luck guys!

Visit official Are You God? site @ www.dipnoi.com/areyougod/

Listen to Are You God? @ www.mp3.com/areyougod

Listen to Dipnoi @ www.mp3.com/dipnoi

E-mail Are You God? @ areyougod[AT]ig.com.br

Snail-mail Are You God? @ Rua Orlando Ferraiuolo, 133 / Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil / CEP: 04158-040

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