Exclusive Interview: Wounded Not Dead talk “The Alchemist”!

The latest in a long line of long gestating records, “The Alchemist” is the sophomore album from Space Death Fusion trio Wounded Not Dead. Hailing from London, guitarist vocalist Thiago Carvalho, drummer Adriano Ferraro and bassist keyboardist Rimon Jaoude have been at work on the monstrosity for somewhere approaching six long years fires following debut “The Battles of Horus of Edfu”. Working with Wynter Prior (Countless Skies, Hand Of Kalliach, After Smoke Clears) at Sphynx Studios to recorded, mixed and mastered the follow up which was originally scheduled for 2021…

They say that good things come to those who wait and in the case of “The Alchemist” that is probably the understatement of the year! In the music videos released prior to the album it states that the record would drop in 2021, so does it feel like a weight off the collective mind to finally see it out in the World for everyone to enjoy?

Thiago: “Yes! The wait is over, finally. The album is out now, the collective mind and the infinite all are roaming free and expanding through time as one. Please, enjoy”!

Adriano: “We’ve been trapped in these last two years of madness but excited to show you the work that we’ve kept for you”

We’d describe the album as a pummelling piece of rhythmic viciousness delivered at the tempo of the damned; what’s the best description of the Wounded Not Dead sound you’ve heard or read?

Adriano: “Great! Thanks for your description man! We’ve got quite a few good ones. My favorite is “Felt like being in a spacecraft going through the journey of The Alchemist”.”

How did you come to choose to work with World famous Australian Deathcore embellishing Keyboard player Misstiq (who is now an integral part of Earth Caller) on “The Omega Point” chapters of the album? What was she like to work with?

Rimon: “Yes! Misstiq is a talented artist and is very active and supportive in the metal community. We had the idea to contact her for a collaboration and she accepted the invitation and most importantly she genuinely enjoyed our music. We are really happy with the outcome and what Misstiq brought to the song “Omega Point part 1 and 2 “ Misstiq was very professional and the flow of communication and ideas came naturally. It was great having her as a guest on the album The Alchemist”

If we are made up of our genes and our influences, what is in your jeans and who would you consider your influences?

Rimon: “We all in the band grew up listening to the main Thrash Metal and Death Metal bands from the 80’s and 90’s but we were also listening to Punk, Classic Rock, Heavy Metal, Progressive rock and Jazz fusion for an example, so our influences are very diverse”

You’ve mentioned looking forward to playing your live set across the UK and Europe, so given the choice between a one off festival appearance at Bloodstock (United Kingdom), Hellfest (France) or Summer Breeze (Germany) or a run of 10 shows opening for a band like Suffocation across the United Kingdom, what would you choose?

Thiago: “That’s a tricky one. I reckon being an underground band, for us to be given 10 shows opening for the legendary Suffocation in the UK would be an honour”

Adriano: “Man, give us any of those festivals and we can die happy hahaha”

What’s next for Wounded Not Dead?

Thiago: “Gigs!”

“The Alchemist” by Wounded Not Dead is out now via LA Riot Survivor Records