Mystifier - From the Bowels of a Hellish Land

Known for their almost visceral connection to the genre of Black Metal, Mystifier's Armando da Silva Conceição - better known as Beelzeebubth - gives us a "lesson" on how Black Metal should be, and what their Music is about. Enjoy.

"Göetia" (full album)

First, thank you very much for the opportunity.

Beelzeebubth: I appreciate your contact for this interview, brother.

18 years off is really a long time. What was the reason for so much time away from recording?

Beelzeebubth: I had an introspective time, reflecting on the current Black Metal scene. Another thing was that we never stopped performing live. We did great tours around the World, even without recording a new album. This period in our underground career was very fruitful .

In the meantime, you signed a contract with Season of Mist. Do you believe it can take you even further, make you known to younger fans?

Beelzeebubth: Yes, absolutely. We hope that our alliance with Season of Mist yields good results. We met one of the production company's directors on our tour with Inquisition and Rotting Christ in 2016. It was a shame we did not perform in Portugal at that time.

"Protogoni Mavri Magiki Dynasteia" is your latest album, dating back to 2019. Are there plans on the horizon, or this pandemic has left you in a state of "creative inactivity"?

Beelzeebubth: Of course not. I am working on my solo project – Beelzeebubth – I'm working on Mystifier's first live album, and composing new tracks for our next album, which I hope will be released in 2021.

About my project, it will be titled "Sæculum Obscurum" , with four tracks. I invited friends from other Black Metal bands to participate. My aim is to sound as "real" to the Eighties as possible. Without those digital recording tricks that fool everyone (ridiculous).

What was the inspiring basis for your work? What led you to form Mystifier, still “feeds” your spirit today?

Beelzeebubth: I am more inspired than ever. In this work, I tried to bring my studies on Occultism closer to music. The root of Black Magick is in Africa, as the name says. Demystify many myths preached by Jews and the Catholic Church in the West (many lies, in fact). Yes, 666%. I had my creativity "hibernated" for a while, but now, be afraid of me.

Looking back, how do you see an album like “Wicca” nowadays? Do you think it aged well, becoming a classic of its kind?

Beelzeebubth: Sin sin Sin! Our debut album is one of our "best sellers", and it fills us with pride. I am not like many hypocrites who criticize their early work. This material was part of our legacy, and we have to be faithful to it.

South Americans are known for, when they play extreme Heavy Metal, taking it to real extremes. Mystifier, Sarcófago , Holocaust, Sepultura, and many others, all these bands were rough and aggressive, almost visceral. How do you explain it? What reasons led you to be so “violent”, musically speaking.

Beelzeebubth: I agree with your words. I believe that military and religious repression were the cause for all this “anger”, musically speaking. These were difficult years for everyone who had a direct relationship with the culture. Many artists were extradited to other countries. I am ashamed of this sad period in our history.

How important were Mushroom Records for the growth of the Heavy Metal scene in Brazil, and in Mystifier's growth? About 1 month ago, I had the opportunity to see a documentary about you – “Two days in the Metal Capital of Death” – and it was funny to see those who were behind so many albums, and so many influential bands.

Beelzeebubth: Yes, there is no doubt about their great importance for the growth of Heavy Metal in Brazil. João Guimarães and Patty from Cogumelo Records , invested in a segment that few believed, or cared about. Good to see that many bands have conquered their due space and are active. This documentary opened many doors for us, and it should open for others as well.

Can you explain to me the importance that “INRI” had for all the young people who, at that time, were lucky enough to live that moment? I ask you this because I know you were there when it all started, and you will know better than most what the real impact of the band and this particular album was.

Beelzeebubth: Amazingly, “INRI” had a greater impact abroad than in Brazil. Sarcófago had a big fan club in France, and never had the same in the homeland. It took Brazil a few years to understand the masterpiece that was born in the bowels of Minas Gerais (unfortunately). Due to the large number of bands that were directly influenced by this majestic work, we can imagine its importance to the world stage (Beherit, Blasphemy, Impurity, Mystifier, Black Witchery, Morbosidad, etc.). I will never forget the day I had the album in my hands, in 1986. Other "master-pieces" I would like to mention are Sepultura's "Bestial Devastation", and Vulcano's "Blood Vengeance".

Have you been following the current Black Metal panorama? What is your opinion about it?

Beelzeebubth: Yes, I have been following the world stage. There are many good, and bad, things. However, the good thing is that many bands had the opportunity to tour, record, international releases and so on. The downside is all this prejudice and political shit in the Black Metal scene.

I see that many imposters (charlatans) do this for marketing. Just aiming for easy money and success in the media (idiots). They do not understand politics and just want to deceive people. Death to this scum! We have to worry about our music, and maintaining our underground ideas and ideology. Fighting as we can, political and religious domination.

Which current Black Metal bands do you consider to be following in the footsteps of those who, like Mystifier, helped pave the way for the genre?

Beelzeebubth: Mausoleum, Vultus Vociferus, Grave Desecrator, Feretro, Shadows Hell, NecroSodommy, Amazarak, Ad Baculum, Defacer, and many others around the World. 

Do you still have those staunch, crazy fans, loyal to the genre like few others, or do you feel that younger fans do not live the genre the way you do?

Beelzeebubth: There are many orthodox Black Metal fans in Brazil, and they are "Vinyl Maniacs". They always buy material from underground bands, and attend concerts and festivals. Many international bands have been playing in Brazil, thanks to the large number of Black Metal fans we have here. 

In terms of Politics, how do you see this crescendo of Fascist ideologies in a genre that has always wanted, itself, to move away from Politics, be it Left or Right?

Beelzeebubth: I am an ANARCHIST! I do not need a priest, politician, judge or police officer, to tell me what I should, and should not do. Only people with "problems" in social life should live under such rules. That is what the lyrics of Mystifier try to emanate, FREEDOM! If someone has a pet politician as an idol, better imprison him in a cage so I do not kill him with my bare hands!

Is your vision of Black Metal still the same as in 1989, when you started with Mystifier? Did time come and change your position, and perspective, on life?

Beelzeebubth: I had to evolve, in every way, naturally. I do not want to look like a Neanderthal. I had a distorted view of the new Black Metal scene, especially the Norwegian one. Mystifier played at Inferno Fest 2014 in Oslo, and we were well respected. That is what matters, because with the support of the public, and producers, and magazines, any Black Metal band from anywhere in the world can express ideas and music.

What about Portugal and our Black Metal / Heavy Metal scene, what do you know about it? You were here a few years ago , at SWR, in Barroselas. How was the experience?

Beelzeebubth: I know few underground bands from Portugal. The most famous is Moonspell, I believe. Fernando Ribeiro seems to be a very charismatic person, and a lover of good old Heavy Metal. Already hear Decayed too. It was a great experience, our first performance at SWR Barroselas. I met friends from all over Europe and other continents. I had the pleasure of seeing performances by Bölzer, Black Witchery (Hails to Impurath!), Metal Church, WarHammer, and others.

What plans are there for Mystifier? Did this pandemic prevent you from touring, starting recordings, etc?

Beelzeebubth: Our tours in Europe, North America, and Asia, were canceled due to the pandemic. Nevertheless, as I said, we are working on a live album, just with songs from “Wicca” and “Göetia”, and some remakes. In addition, we are already writing new songs for our sixth studio album, which I hope will be released on Season of Mist.

Thank you very much for the opportunity. It is always a great pleasure to have occasions like this, to interview musicians with whom we identify, and whose work we appreciate. We hope to see you again in Portugal. Until then, cheers!

Beelzeebubth: Thanks for the great interview, and opportunity to express my appreciation for the Portuguese. Yes, we hope to return for another great performance. As Quorthon said, while on that tour promoting “Hammer Heart” in Portugal: “You were the first conquerors of the seven seas”. Thanks.

For more informations:

www.facebook.com/Mystifier666

@mystifier666

www.mystifier.com.br