Very few bands manage to harmoniously blend the delicacy and subtlety of symphonic elements with the brutality of extreme metal. Tellus Terror, a group based in sunny Rio de Janeiro, in the depths of the Brazilian underground scene, envisioned by vocalist Felipe Borges, is one of the few that can.
With their new album, released recently, they have gone through a few changes, both in the more technical aspects, such as their visuals and their sound, as well as more in the “backend”, shedding a few members. We discussed details of their new album, DEATHinitive Love AtmosFEAR, with Borges, Rafael Lobato (drummer), and Mauricio Belmonte (guitarist).
With so many members and such complex compositions, how does the studio dynamic work?
Felipe Borges: When it comes to composition, the entire band works together. Everyone participates without exception. My responsibility in the band is the vocals, lyrics, audio production at Tellus Studio, and video production, etc.
Rafael Lobato: The compositions of Tellus are done together, based on the things Felipe creates, with the creative urge to take people to a different atmosphere, a world, or a new dimension. In my case, I listen to the guitar riffs and start forming the rhythm in my head, starting with the basic groove and then adding elements like fills, crash cymbals, effects, etc. Once the idea is ready, I try to physically execute what I envisioned. With the new album, our creative direction shifted towards Symphonic Death/Black Metal. Some parts of each song can change the atmosphere entirely, harmonically and rhythmically, according to what the lyrics aim to express. For example, in “Lone Sky Universum”, we couldn’t express what the lyrics mean with maximum-speed double bass drums or furious blast beats; instead, a slower, musically denser rhythm was more appropriate.
DEATHinitive Love AtmosFEAR, the band’s second album, marks a shift towards symphonic blackened death metal. How would you describe the band’s evolution up to this point?
Felipe Borges: With the departure of some members, I was able to create what I always envisioned for Tellus Terror: a dark atmosphere with a strong Black Metal/Vampiric look, classifying the band with a unique Symphonic Death/Black Metal style, moving away from the mix of styles that the former members liked. Now, I can present something “explainable” to the public and bring a defined identity.
Just like the first album, EZ Life DV8, the artwork for the new release was done by Seth Siro Anton from Septicflesh. How did this partnership come about?
Felipe Borges: Back then, I simply found his number on his website and called him (laughs). I chatted with him, introduced myself, and talked about the album, etc. He liked it, and that’s how this great working relationship began, as his art fits perfectly with what we do.
The new album also came with a change in the band’s visual identity, right?
Felipe Borges: This visual change was necessary to create the atmosphere I envisioned for the band/our work. It has been very well received because now we have a clear musical identity, something we didn’t have before.
Mauricio Belmonte: It was well-received, considering the show we did just before the album’s release, as well as the feedback we got from the new music videos, band features, and our social media presence. We can say that live, it was very impactful—the atmosphere of the show was unique. As for the musical identity, it’s easier for fans of the genre to understand how the band is performing and know exactly where to find us, both physically and virtually.
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You’ve always been an unconventional band in terms of lyrical themes, focusing on life and more abstract concepts—connecting the delicate with the demonic.
Felipe Borges: I’ve always loved Black Metal and all the satanic art surrounding the theme. However, I like to write about common topics in a dark way that touches everyone, regardless of class, religion, or sexual orientation, etc. I like to talk about everything that involves humanity, our challenges, nightmares, and despair—even within a world focused on love, which is, in a conceptual and chronological sense, what DEATHinitive Love AtmosFEAR is about.
Mauricio Belmonte: Interesting question. It brings up two very important aspects: the concept album and the delicate vs. demonic theme. The album follows a conceptual line, dealing with various events and emotions over time. However, it’s not centred on a single human being and their struggles but on various characters, each in a different moment of their life—from birth, in “Amborella’s Child”, to an old man’s love story in “Empty Nails”, where he bids his final farewell to his wife. DEATHinitive Love AtmosFEAR indeed brings aggressive rhythms, instrumentation, and vocals, combined with unmatched lyricism in tracks like “Lone Sky Universum” and “Empty Nails”. It’s an album to listen to carefully, with the lyrics in hand, the old-fashioned way—ideally with the booklet in hand.
With the tour circuit in full swing across the country, do you plan to showcase your art live?
Felipe Borges: Absolutely! That’s the main part. We’ve already got some shows booked and announced, and we’ll be touring Brazil, with plans to announce other countries soon as well!
Mauricio Belmonte: The Rio de Janeiro audience has already had the chance to witness our pre-release show for DEATHinitive, where we also filmed three live music videos, completing our initial cycle with the album and ensuring a video for each of the twelve songs. Right now, we’re doing technical rehearsals, testing equipment, some of which are new additions to the band’s arsenal, as we prepare for our first shows of the semester.
Rafael Lobato: The band is working hard, rehearsing the full show and preparing all the production logistics. We’re very focused on delivering great performances and are eager to hit the stages of Brazil and the world!
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