It’s unfair that Sepultura and Derrick Green should still be reminded of the shadow of their former – and now very distant – leader. After all, Green has already spent more time in the band than his predecessor. He has even turned out to be, alongside Andreas Kisser, a real motor for the band, allowing Sepultura to survive, to go forward, and, in the end, to revitalize themselves. Yes, the band has been through a few slow-downs, but for a few years now, and especially since Dante XXI, the creative machine has been back in sparkling form.

And this new album, The Mediator Between Head And Hands Must Be The Heart (say that three times in a row without lisping), won’t contradict that statement. The Brazilians have renewed with Ross Robinson, producer of the legendary Roots, who firmly believed in this vintage and its frontman. This is a virulent and creative album, with more obvious whiffs of tribalism and thrash. This is an album sublimated by the impressive skills of Eloy Casagrande, a young drummer who nobly walks in the footsteps of Igor Cavalera. In short, Sepultura has no use for nostalgia. After sixteen years, it’s time to move on, and the band hasn’t been waiting for latecomers to catch up.

We took this opportunity to chat with the vocalist, with whom we must confess to spending an amazing time. This is an enthusiastic, simple and thoughtful man. He talked to us in details about the making of this new record, and even gave us a few funny anecdotes. And because there’s more to life than just metal, it was also a good opportunity to talk about his surprising electro funk project, Maximum Hedrum – which has allowed him to work alongside Mister Funk himself, George Clinton.

Read the interview.