When you get the opportunity to do a phone interview with no one less than Derrick Green, you don't need to think about it for a long time. Certainly not when you just have been listening to their new record 'A-Lex'.  Every spin it is getting better and I start to appreciate it more and more. Fortunately the connection between Holland and Brazil is good and I get a friendly Derrick on the line who is in a very good mood. 

Hello Derrick, congratulations with your birthday last week, did you have a big party?

Derrick: Thanks, yes we have been celebrating it with some friends and some of the guys and it got very late hehe.

Can you tell us something about the period before the new recordings?

Derrick: Last year we have not been playing a lot of shows, probably due to the economic crisis. Promoters and also the audience were very careful with their money. So because we did not have to play that often, we started practising and jamming for the new album.

Why did Igor leave the band?

Derrick: Well, we both came to the point that it was time to go separate ways. He wanted to do something different and felt not so comfortable anymore, going on tour and all the things that go with it. From both sides it was better to split and go our own way, we did not separate with a lot of troubles and are still friends.

Can you tell us something about your new drummer Jean Dollabella?

Derrick: A friend suggested to let him do an audition and we were very surprised and enthusiastic about him. He plays different styles, besides drums, he also plays guitar and bass. But the most important thing about him is that he has a good personality and is a nice guy to work with. Already on the new record we collaborated with him very good, he came with good ideas and there was a unity between us

The record was already finished in August 2008, why did it take so long before it was released?

Derrick: The mixing took longer than we expected, so we delayed the album. At first we wanted to release it in October, but we could not get ready in time. When it got ready we wanted to release it in December, but the label found it a better idea to release it in January 2009.

What is in your opinion the biggest musical change between A-Lex and Dante XXI?

Derrick: The sound is a little different, A-Lex has some more vibe and a more modern approach. Also my vocals are more aggressive. I wanted to express the frustration about what is going on in the world today. Also the concept story of the album asks for it. The story is based on the book 'A Clockwork Orange. Alex has the leading role in the story. The book and also our CD is defined in 4 different parts. Every part is starting with an A-Lex part I - IV. The first part is a young Alex in which he gets treated for his aggressive behaviour. The band has written songs that fit the story. In part II the music is more robotic and for example in part III, in which Alex is dealing with revenge the music gets again more aggressive. In part IV where Alex his free will gets restored we also get the song "Ludwig Van'. Beethoven was Alex his passion and although he was a coldblooded killer, he also had his human side. It is a song where heavy and classical music come together. It also expresses the controversial things in life. Alex for example could not understand, that when a soldier who fought for his country came home, got repaid by beating him up.

On the promo it is stated that the recording took place during some studio jams, is that correct?

Derrick: You have to separate two different things. First we come with some little ideas being on the road. Back home we go in the rehearsal studio and start rehearsing with the small parts we recorded on the road. We start jamming there and write the songs. When we have the songs totally written, we enter the recording studio. So we have all the songs already written for the final recording. Studio time is very expensive hehehe, so we need to work fast.

It took me some time to get used to this album, I had to listen to it several times before I appreciated it, do you understand this?

Derrick: Eh, yes, it is an album with a lot of musical variety in it. Also the songs differ sometimes a lot. But I'm glad you liked it in the end. The best records are those which have to grow.

Your European tour starts February 6th, I looked at the stages and came to the conclusion that it are not the so called big stages. How come?

Derrick: Well, that is because we are going to play in Europe 3 times this year. After this tour we come back to do some Summer Festivals and at the end of the year we are going to tour once again. No, we don't know yet which Summer festivals we are going to play. 

I come from Holland, and you are going to play in Holland three times. Looking at some other countries we get spoiled. Are you that popular in Holland?

Derrick: Hehe, We just love it!! The people are very open-minded and the fans are always very polite. But why we play Holland three times and other countries less, I don't exactly know, the promoter has arranged that..

Can we expect a stage show that has something to do with the concept of A-Lex?

Derrick: Yes, we want to do something with it of course. Also the fans can vote on our site which songs they want us to play. Sometimes I'm very surprised about the songs they choose. But it would also be a possibility that we play the whole A-Lex record, somewhere in the future.

At Waldrock 2003, you also played a U2 song called "Bullet the Blue Sky". Is U2 a main influence for Sepultura?

Derrick: We have also a video clip of that song. Back in 2002 we recorded an album called 'Revolutions' with some songs of bands that have influenced or inspired us. On that record are cover songs of for example: Hellhammer, Exodus, Massive Attack, Public Enemy and also U2.

How is the reaction of the press so far?

Derrick: I have done a lot of interviews last months and I get the most positive response on an album since I joined the band. But we are also very curious about the reactions of the fans when playing the new songs live. We can't wait to go on stage.

It is already 10 years ago since you joined the band, did it bring what you expected?

Derrick: Yes, it did and even more than that. I have been places where I would have never dreamt of. Going to Cuba for example was a dream come through. In the beginning I sometimes found it a bit difficult because I replaced Max. But I had never met him and so I tried not to focus on that fact. There were fortunately a lot of people who supported me, so that was the reality for me. Also I am glad that we still evolve musically, so I am a satisfied person.

I read that you also have a side project called Musica Diablo, can you tell us something about that?

Derrick: It has always been a wish to work on music with a lot of different musicians. With this project we play old school Thrash metal and we make a lot of fun and have a good time. We will see what it brings.

Derrick, you have had a lot of interviews with a lot of different questions. What question has no interviewer asked yet, but do you definitely want to answer and let our readers know.

Derrick: Pffff, that is a very good question my friend. I have had questions about lots of subjects, but this one is the most original. I have no idea what has not been asked yet. I probably would have to say: this question!

Well Derrick, I want to thank you for the interview and we will see you in Europe!

Derrick: Thank you too! See you soon on tour, bye!