Victor Lima, the writer, guitar player and singer of Pentral, an upcoming Brazilian Progressive Rock Band who just released their debut album latest May, has taken the time to answer some questions to Kill The Music about Pentral’s music and how was the process of recording “What Lies Ahead Of Us”

“What Lies Ahead Of Us” is Pentral’s debut album. Why did you choose this title? What is this album about?

Right now, everywhere, we really have no sure where the world is going to. We’ve never been so close from the edge. Not only humans, but all living creatures are facing a constant threat, caused by greed and selfishness. When I started to write these songs, they kind of came to me. I really felt I had to grab the guitar, let my voice goes and put out songs that could tell a story that expressed the chaotic times we’re living in Brazil and even worldwide. That being said, “What Lies Ahead Of Us” describes a couple who is living in the woods and are confronted with land-grabbers that wanna burn the forest to the ground. The couple have a child and all of them are surrounded by a spiritual presence and even the trees try to communicate and help them to get away from that place, not necessarily towards a better life. 

Why did you choose to perform like a “power trio”? Did you think this is the best lineup for a rock band or  this happened unintentionally?

We do believe this is the best format. I’m the singer and guitar player and the drummer is my brother – Vagner, who is not only a great musician but someone that grown up with me listen to all sorts of music we could get back in the day. It was and it is so much easier to have just only one more guy to join the team, so we always preferred to have just one more member and Joe, our long time friend, is the best bass player you can get. Less people for us mean more freedom on the stage. Besides that, we always love the sound a power trio can produce, like Cream, Rush, The Police, King’s X. 

How were the recording sessions? Did you record this album in the middle of Pandemic outbreak in Brazil, right?

It was quite hard! As we’ve recorded between September and October of the last year, it was one of the biggest challenges we’ve ever faced in our lives. We’ve rehearsed a lot before getting into the studio. At first, my idea was to get a plane and meet the engineers and producer outside of Brazil, so that we could get a level of isolation that would allow us to make the best possible album, but this wasn’t possible due to the flight, so we had to record in Brazil in a great studio and get a remote co-production from the amazing Tim Palmer. These were and still are tough and weird times where you got to be aware of the risks, keep social distance, wearing face masks and concentrate on the best possible performance inside the studio. No easy at all, but this is the life – if you going to do that, you gotta love it!

What names in music move you as band? If you could describe Pentral’s sound in one short phrase, what would it be? 

We’ve been listening to all kinds of music. Our primary source inspiration is Rock Music but we really dig all good music that have been produced over the years. So, Jazz, Blues, Classic Rock, Metal and even Brazilian Music are the major musical elements we relate with. No matter if is heavy or gentle, if is acoustic or electric, if is visceral or sophisticated, if it sounds good we’re into it. It’s hard to put your sound into a pattern, but I would say our music is progressive alternative groove metal, if this ever existed out there.  

Your songs are heavy and some parts but calm in other sections, and there’s even as acoustic ballad on your debut album. Which is the best mood to define your music?

There’s no specific mood. I love this modulation and unexpected changes throughout a song. Is like being in a musical roller-coaster or even more exciting as you can’t foresee what’s upfront. It’s amazing being surprised when you’re listening to a new song for the first time and even more captivating when you kind of find out new elements at each new listen your give. There’s no formula and no containment, neither a clear understanding of how and when the writing process should come across and it’s wise to behave this way. I would say Pentral’s music express energy, hatred, hope, fear, consciousness, gentleness, love, and so many other feelings and sensations I can’t remember of, and this is what it’s supposed to be artistic expression! Freedom. 

What do you expect to happen in 2021 for the music industry?

We do hope things get better anytime soon. In second half of 2021, or more precisely by the end of the year we hope bands will be able to put out live concerts again and we do hope, the public feel safe to attend the shows and support their artists. Many people have their lives completely dedicated to the music industry, and specially for rock bands, perform live is even more precious as we need the public connection to make the songs gsin a new dimension. The experiences are quite different, and I’m pretty sure artists and audience are eager for that very moment of screaming out loud when you listen and interact with music you adore.

Share with us some of the big names that inspired you from Brazil and from all over the world?

This is not an easy question. But, mostly we dig the Rock bands from the 1960’s like The Beatles, 1970’s like Led Zeppelin, Queen, Rush, The Police, Genesis, Yes, 1980’s like Metallica, Iron Maiden, Slayer, Faith No More, mixing this influences with jazz names like Chick Corea, Return To Forever, The Mahavishnu Orchestra, The Mothers Of Invention and many Brazilian names like Caetano Veloso, Milton Nascimento, Chico Buarque, Tom Jobim, Lo Borges, Djavan. 

I’ve noticed you put a lot of effort on your music videos as well. Tell us why is this so important for you and your public?

I love cinema and I do believe music is more than a listening experience. You expect to have some visual element to enrich your feeling about it. Music videos are supposed to have a meaning, a relation with the song and as there’s a story going on behind each one of the songs, it’s strictly necessary to have such representation of the character’s drama. This is something that will be attached to your mind and elevate the overall connection you build with the tracks. 

What expect from Pentral for the coming years?

More music. New albums. I can say for sure that there’s enough new songs on the way to be shared through the years making people not only bang around but also think about how short and intense is our journey on this life, and that we really need to use it like a part of the whole than seeing ourselves like a stupid center of the universe. 

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