Lutemkrat hails from Brazil and "The Last Survivor" - the current full-length - has recently been released through Bleak Art Records. So far I have only been able to listen to the tracks available on the Lutemkrat website and MySpace (see above for links), but those tracks are superb and really ignited my interest in the enigma that is Lutemkrat. I have been lucky enough to get some questions answered by the man himself. This process has strengthened my interest in his music and I hope to listen to the album in full very soon. If this interview intrigues you, please take the time to visit Lutemkrat's MySpace and website. Also, please fill free to start a thread about him on the Loucifer Speaks forum.

Lou: First of all, I'd like to thank you for this interview. I understand that you're not too keen on interviews, so I will try to keep this one as interesting as possible. I'd like to begin by getting a few of the run-of-the-mill questions out of the way. So, where does the name Lutemkrat come from?

Lutemkrat: Thanks. The word "Lutemkrat" is abstract: it carries the whole concept of my music and you can see what it is all about reading some lyrics.

Lou: How would you describe the music that you play?

Lutemkrat: Extreme music!

Lou: Do you have a vision for where you would like the music of Lutemkrat to go in the future? Do you have a plan of what you like to achieve or is it more spontaneous?

Lutemkrat: I think I have found the essence I always wanted on this new CD. I don't know for sure what I'm going to do on the future; it comes for me in a very spontaneous way.

Lou: I've only heard the tracks that you have available on your MySpace so far (but, believe me, I aim to hear more!), so I'm doing this interview a little bit blind - but I'm sure that can make all the more interesting! Even though I've yet to hear the album in full, there are a number of questions that I'd like to ask you about it. Are there any themes running through the album? Is there a message of any kind that you are trying to put across with it?

Lutemkrat: Sure! The whole album is conceptual. The title "The Last Survivor" explains for itself. For instance, you can note that "outro" points to the main concept of the title track, closing it. Yet, each song can be analyzed separately. There?s a strong message on each one of them, but I do prefer that the people try to interpret by themselves.

Lou: "Never Surrender" (your previous release) and "The Last Survivor" both have somewhat 'victorious' titles. Did you spend a lot of time in coming up with the perfect titles for these CDs, or did it come naturally?

Lutemkrat: I never wrote anything because I needed to. I can?t force this. Things must come naturally. Lutemkrat is also about this: victorious, strong feelings.

Lou: Do the titles reflect the music that is on the CDs?

Lutemkrat: Absolutely. They fit perfectly with the music.

Lou: I understand that Lutemkrat is completely a one-man band and that you play all of the instruments on the album. Do you feel that this limits you in anyway, or is it a completely positive arrangement?

Lutemkrat: I think this reflects the real Lutemkrat identity and its deepest feelings without interference from others.

Lou: Which, if any, musicians do you look up to?

Lutemkrat: I don?t know for sure.

Lou: Are there any other bands in the Black Metal scene that you especially identify with?

Lutemkrat: There's a lot of amazing and interesting bands out there, but I really try to do something unique.

Lou: Are there any bands/musicians that you would like to work with in the future? Perhaps as a one-off collaboration, rather than a full album?

Lutemkrat: I have some projects in my mind, but if this comes true you will know at the right time.

Lou: I've read on your website that you are a big fan of 80s metal, do you feel that your love of the music from this period has influenced the music you create now?

Lutemkrat: Yeah, I do like this kind of music and it has influenced me for sure. I grew up listening to many of these bands. Some people already said to me that some tracks reveal this "old-school" feeling.

Lou: Other than music, what else influences you? What do you tend to write about?

Lutemkrat: Some books or movies also influenced me. But the main themes I brought from my life experience, and I try to transform into subjective lyrics. Also, that way people can fit the lyrics in their own reality.

Lou: Do you feel that lyrics have a special importance in your work, or do you feel that the music itself holds the most importance?

Lutemkrat: Sure the lyrics are important too. I always try to fit the lyrics with the music concept. Everything should be connected. You can note this by listening to "The Last Survivor".

Lou: "The Last Survivor" is available through Bleak Arts Records. How did this deal come about?

Lutemkrat: I had contact with Igor since '04. Then he introduced me to Joe on the internet. That time, they were starting the label. They have supported me since beginning and I just can say: Thank you!

Lou: How long did "The Last Survivor" take to write and record?

Lutemkrat: Well, some songs were composed back in '04. The main riff from the song "Vengeance" was composed early in the year 2000, while the song "Silent Death" was composed in '07. There are a lot of ideas created since "Never Surrender" was released. "The Last Survivor" was recorded and mixed between February 20th and March 26th 2007 at Lutemkrat Studio.

Lou: Who produced the album? Did you do it yourself?

Lutemkrat: I did by myself.

Lou: Are you happy with "The Last Survivor" or is there anything that you'd like to change about it?

Lutemkrat: Yes, I am. I think I reached another level from the previous release. I?m very satisfied.

Lou: Which tracks from "The Last Survivor" are you most proud of?

Lutemkrat: Every time I listen to "The Last Survivor", I listen to the whole album. I like all songs: I think each one has a special and unique feeling, an entirely different soul. I'm proud of "Awaiting the Final Breath" and "Grieving Over the Dead", because both have some complex and diverse melodies.

Lou: Will you be touring to promote "The Last Survivor"?

Lutemkrat: No.

Lou: Is "Never Surrender" still available?

Lutemkrat: No. It became out of stock very quickly. Less than 200 copies were made: the first edition was limited to 66 copies hand numbered.

Lou: Do you have anything else you would like to add?

Lutemkrat: Thanks for your support.

Lou: Thank you again for answering my questions. It has been a pleasure to listen to your music.


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