Exclusive Interview: Yutaza and the fury of Rio thrash
In 2023, the Rio de Janeiro underground scene witnessed the emergence of a formidable force: YUTAZA. Combining the experience of veterans who have played with iconic local acts such as Hicsos, Blockhead, Hexensabbat, and Liverking, the band arrives with a clear mission: to revive the fury and visceral essence of 90s Thrash Metal while injecting a modern, no-frills identity.
Drawing on the experience of having lived through the evolution of the domestic metal scene since its very roots, the group turned heads right out of the gate with the release of the single and music video for “Law of Silence”—a milestone in the Brazilian scene for its use of Artificial Intelligence to visually translate the aggressive nature of the band’s sound. Now, by compiling their previous releases alongside the new track “Future Song” on their self-titled debut EP, YUTAZA demonstrates that the flame of classic heavy metal is burning brighter than ever.
We spoke with drummer Marcelo Ledd about the transition following his 26-year tenure with Hicsos, the creative process with longtime scene peers, the use of technology in extreme metal, and the band’s next steps toward hitting the stage. Check out the exclusive interview below!
NoiseRed: Yutaza is comprised of seasoned musicians from the Rio de Janeiro underground scene, hailing from iconic bands such as Hicsos, Blockhead, Hexensabbat, and Liverking. How did this collaboration come about in 2023, and how did that collective background help shape the band’s identity?
Marcelo Ledd: Man, it was one of those things that just happens in life, completely unplanned. I had been let go from Hicsos, and Marcus Larbos was wrapping things up with Liverking. We were chatting on the phone, and since I’ve always been a huge fan of Blockhead, I asked him if he wanted to start a new Thrash Metal band! He got excited and immediately invited Luciano Drakkon, who also jumped right on board. Then I suggested we play a Blockhead song and reached out to the other guys to get the green light; while I was at it, I brought in Martus Varela, who had some material that was nearly finished but had been sitting on the shelf waiting to be completed. Experience helps a lot, though sometimes it can get in the way too, haha.
NoiseRed: Your stated goal is to revive the visceral essence of 90s Thrash Metal (Pantera, Testament, Overkill, Anthrax) but with a modern sound. What is your songwriting process like for maintaining that classic aggression from that era without sounding dated?
Marcelo Ledd: So, that essence is ingrained in us—after all, we’re guys who’ve been at this since the 80s, with bands active as early as the start of the 90s. The quest for the ideal sound goes back that far; now, it’s about combining the pursuit of a sound with a distinct identity without losing that 90s vibe!!
NoiseRed: Your debut single, “Law of Silence,” was accompanied by a music video created entirely using Artificial Intelligence. How did the idea come about to combine the organic brutality of your sound with such cutting-edge visual technology?
Marcelo Ledd: We initially thought about making a video with a storyline and characters, but—aside from the cost—several things just didn’t work out. Martus is a whiz with computers and suggested making one using AI; as far as I know, we were the first Brazilian artists to release a full music video created with the help of AI. So, all the brutality of the music was channeled into the video, creating that fusion.
NoiseRed: You released the singles “Law of Silence,” “John Doe,” and “Die for Me,” and have now gathered them all onto a self-titled EP, adding “Future Song” to the mix. What can you tell us about the creation of this new track and what it hints at regarding the upcoming full-length album?
Marcelo Ledd: Well, the idea was always to release the initial songs as singles and then put them all together on an EP alongside a new track. We chose “Future Song” because it has a unique power to it, and it was meant to follow a ballad—our “evil ballad,” haha.
NoiseRed: Marcelo, you bring with you the history and distinctive style of Hicsos. What has it been like crafting the drum parts for Yutaza? What changes—or intensifies—in this new phase behind the kit?
Marcelo Ledd: Man, everything about Yutaza is a challenge for me. It’s a completely different sound from what I’ve been doing for over 26 years, and being with two guys who were part of Blockhead adds a sense of responsibility to it all. I consider Blockhead the best Thrash Metal band from Rio in the 90s, and I’ve always been friends with the guys; when it all started, I knew the result would be high-quality.
NoiseRed: The Metal and underground crowds love physical formats and enjoy collecting material. Are there plans to release the EP or the future album on CD or vinyl, alongside Yutaza t-shirts and official merch? If so, how can fans secure or pre-order these items?
Marcelo Ledd: There will be a full CD once all the songs are ready, and it would be really cool to have it on vinyl too—who knows? As for t-shirts and other items, we’re definitely going to do them, though I don’t have a timeline yet. But people have already been asking about shirts. We’ll be announcing that soon!
NoiseRed: The Thrash Metal experience takes on a whole new dimension live. How can promoters, festival organizers, and event planners from across Brazil get in touch to bring Yutaza to stages in their cities? Who should they contact, and what is the official channel?
Marcelo Ledd: Unfortunately, it will still be a while before we play live due to a host of logistical complications, but it will happen as soon as possible. That said, people can still get in touch via our YouTube and Instagram channels.
Instagram: @yutazaband
YouTube: @Yutaza.Official
Email: yutazaband@gmail.com
NoiseRed: To wrap things up, what are Yutaza’s main goals for the coming months, and what message do you have for NoiseRed readers and the national metal community?
Marcelo Ledd: The main goal right now is to finish the remaining songs and release the album as soon as everything is ready. My message to everyone reading this is: subscribe to our channels, and leave a like and a comment on our YouTube videos. Also, seek out and support bands outside the national mainstream—there’s a lot of great stuff happening across all subgenres. That’s how the Rio and national scenes grow stronger.
Big thanks, thanks for the space, and Stay Heavy.
Follow and Listen to YUTAZA
- 📺 YouTube: @Yutaza.Official
- 📸 Instagram: @yutazaband
- ✉️ Contato / Shows: yutazaband@gmail.com
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