NEPHASTH

     The band formed as INTERIOR SOUL in Brazil in April 1997 with the line-up which has remained stable until today: Mauricio Weimar (drums), Fabio Lentino (bass, vocals), Rafael Barros (guitar) and Marcos Moura (guitars). Six months later the four recorded a self-titled, 5-track demo tape which instigated some interest in the Brazilian underground and earned the band first positive reviews and interviews in the local press as well as paved the way for their first live dates. Among those, gigs with KRISIUN and REBAELLIUN - the most famous of the country's death metal bands - proved to be the most decisive for the band's recognition. In late 1999 the musicians decided to change the moniker and record the new material. The name was now NEPHASTH while the session took place in Studio 1000, in Porto Alegre/RS, and resulted in the second demo entitled "The Merciless Face of Evil" featuring fresh and unbelievably brutal death metal with some notable MORBID ANGEL and SLAYER influences.

     The band released the material as a self-financed, limited album, which was sent out to record companies and promoters abroad. Some interest ensued and, on its strength, international press coverage and first concert offers from Europe. The tracks from the "The Merciless Face of Evil" MCD were also featured on Relapse Records' "Brazilian Assault" comprising most interesting underground acts from Brazil. In June 2000 NEPHAST initiated the talks with Massive Management (VADER, DECAPITATED, SCEPTIC, DIES IRAE) and in July began recording their debut album titled "Immortal Unholy Triumph." The Studio 1000 was used again while the mixing took place in the AB'Studios. Arno Brugalli handled the engineering duties and by late October the album was finished. It comprises 10 tracks, one of which will be also accompanied by a video-clip on the multimedia version of the album. October also marked the deal with Massive Management, which will now support NEPHASTH for the next two albums. On the strength of the contract, the album was mastered a month later in Studio 333 by Bartek Kuźniak, who had previously worked with VADER, DECAPITATED, DIES IRAE and many other Polish acts. Jacek Wiśniewski, another Massive co-operator, designed the packaging.

     Following the search for the label, NEPHASTH signed a two-album contract with Mighty Music (whose roster includes PANZERCHRIST, INIQUITY and SACRIFICIAL). "Immortal Unholy Triumph" will be released in Europe in April 2001. (In Poland the album will be released through Empire Records. There are also plans for licensing it to partners in both Americas, Japan and the rest of Asia. The tours in Europe and Brazil are also in the pipeline.