CREATURES recently released their second album, Creatures II, to follow up their debut in 2021. The 4-piece band from Brazil is heavily influenced by ’80s hard rock and heavy metal bands like Judas Priest, Ratt, Ozzy, Dokken….and although I see no mention, lead vocals definitely remind me of Lizzy Borden. Creatures II features a new line-up, with the band lead by guitarist/songwriter Mateus Canteleano, who has answered my questions below. Bandmembers also included their ‘top 10’ album lists, as well as influences.
CREATURES consists of Mateus Cantaleäno, Marc Brito (vocals), Ricke Nunes (bass), and Sidnei Dubiella (drums). *Check out Creatures II, the interview, and the links below.
Can you guys tell me a bit about the band coming together and direction?
Mateus Cantaleano:
Basically, this lineup came together around 2022, a few months after the release of our first album, which was recorded only by me and the former singer, Roberto. After the release of the album, people started getting in touch with me asking about live shows, and since Roberto had moved to Canada, I invited Marc—at first just to sing the first shows—and CJ to play drums. The last one to join the band was Ricke, who became part of the band in 2023. We created a really strong connection not only musically, but also in our personal lives, and this naturally became the official lineup of the band.
What are some of the yours (bandmembers) favorite bands, musicians, influences that you grew up on?
Mateus:
For me, it was and still is bands like Judas Priest, Dokken, and Scorpions. As guitarists, I’d say Yngwie Malmsteen, Uli Jon Roth, and George Lynch.
Marc:
Halford, Jon Oliva, Udo, King Diamond.
Ricke:
Rush, Geddy Lee, Billy Sheehan, Juan Alderete, Felipe Andreoli, Bob Daisley, Jeff Pilson, Juan Croucier.
Are you able to give me a ‘top 10’ of favorite albums (each)?
Mateus (Top 10):
- Defenders of the Faith – Judas Priest
- Under Lock and Key – Dokken
- Trilogy – Yngwie Malmsteen
- Icon – Icon
- Taken by Force – Scorpions
- The Final Countdown – Europe
- Bonded by Blood – Exodus
- Down to Earth – Rainbow
- Bark at the Moon – Ozzy Osbourne
Marc (Top 10):
- Defenders of the Faith – Judas Priest
- Invasion of Your Privacy – Ratt
- Phantasmagoria – The Mist
- Absolut Country of Sweden – Anti Cimex
- Gutter Ballet – Savatage
- Tower of Spite – Cerebral Fix
- Ordem e Progresso – Azul Limão
- Floodland – The Sisters of Mercy
- Anything – The Damned
- Into the Pandemonium – Celtic Frost
Ricke (Top 10):
- Moving Pictures – Rush
- Ready to Strike – King Kobra
- Second Heat – Racer X
- The Ultimate Sin – Ozzy Osbourne
- Angels Cry – Angra
- Icon – Icon
- Back for the Attack – Dokken
- Welcome to My Nightmare – Alice Cooper
- Lean into It – Mr. Big
- Leftoverture – Kansas
What is the metal scene like in Brazil? What sort of venues and shows have you been playing? Any major festival shows or guest slots ?
Mateus:
Like I always say, I think Brazil in general is more focused on extreme/thrash/death/black metal bands and scenes, but we do have a small resistance within the traditional metal and hard rock scene. It’s not very big, but it’s loyal. Most of our shows here are as guests or opening slots for bigger bands—most of the time from other countries—or at festivals with local Brazilian bands. Sometimes we headline, and they are usually good shows in terms of audience.
A lot of excellent songs, such as Dreams, Devil in Disguise, Beware The Creatures, Nothing Lasts Forever…. This album doesn’t really slow down (til the last track). Any antidotes or stories behind some of the tracks? what stands out for you guys (individually)? and how much of this will the band be performing live on the road?
Mateus:
Thank you! Well, something curious is that I usually compose the full songs alone at home, record a complete demo with everything, and then pass it on to the band. Each member takes their part, studies it, and adds their own identity individually. Since Marc doesn’t live in the same city as us, we never rehearsed or played the songs together as a band before recording the album—it was all a surprise. Also, balancing our jobs and personal lives, it took us a few months to record everything, but we were extremely satisfied with the result. For me, the standout tracks are “Beware the Creatures” and “Nothing Lasts Forever.” They’ve always been two of my favorites and still are.
Creatures II is a great production, with some riffs, intros, harmonies….Can you tell us about the making of the making of this album, as far as how aware you were about making it a ‘big’ sounding album? and what you (if) you had any 80s records or productions in mind that you might’ve strived for?
Marc:
It took many, many hours of vocal recording on consecutive days, and there came a point where I was literally lying on the floor during every break between takes, even if it was just for a few seconds, lol.
Mateus:
Well, like I said, it took a lot of work, days, and energy to record this album. We put the best of ourselves into it, and we’re very lucky to count on our producer and mixing engineer, Arthur Migotto, who has all the technical knowledge to bring out everything we were aiming for. We also tried to keep everything as analog as possible—real amps, real pedals, real drums—to sound as close as possible to what we like to listen to.
How does Creatures II compare to the first album (or differ)?
Mateus:
First of all, I’m the one who recorded both albums, so this time we had almost a completely new band recording it. Over these four years, I’ve also greatly improved my knowledge of music, my skills as a guitar player, and mainly as a songwriter. I think the songs are much more mature on this album. Having a full band recording it this time—people who were already used to playing together and performing shows—also made a huge difference for the better. Musically, the new album goes into a darker territory, and I also think we have more heavy metal (and a little less hard rock) influences on this one.
Can you tell me about the albums artwork? Who created it? The ideas behind it, etc..?
Mateus:
I developed the concept, and the artwork was made by a guy named Velio Josto, who had already worked with a considerable number of heavy metal bands that we like. We were aiming for something simple, something that mixed all that heavy metal and horror aesthetic that we’ve always liked and embraced. I think it turned out great.
What’s coming up for Creatures in the near future? Any possibility of shows in North America?
Mateus:
Well, we have a few shows ahead. We’re going to play our first Creatures II show in a few weeks and do some more shows in Brazil. In April, we’ll play our first show outside Brazil, at the Keep It True Festival in Germany. We’ll actually be the first Brazilians ever to play this festival in its entire history, so this will be a historic moment for us!
About a show in North America, we would absolutely love to do it! I hope we can make this possible in the near future! 🙂
LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/creaturesheavymetal
https://www.instagram.com/creaturesheavymetal
https://creaturesheavymetal.bandcamp.com/
https://www.hrrecords.de/
https://highrollerrecords.bandcamp.com/
Outsider Rock 