Scorpio: Hi, Diego. Let's begin. So, DAWN OF DEFIANCE is a one-man project. But on your site it says "We want to really thank...", "We are proud of it...", "We finished today the whole guitars..." Who is "we"? Who helps you, Diego?
D.: To be honest, nobody helps me out with this. The reason I use the word "we" when referring to DAWN OF DEFIANCE is because of the many prejudices out there among people about one-man band projects. So many people still think that music, especially rock and metal, has to be made by 4 or 5 guys, or even more, to sound COOL, or LOUD, or like a TEAM EFFORT. So when you tell everybody that you're doing it all alone, they start thinking, "Hmm... he probably isn't that good. How can he play so many instruments? It's not possible." I still often encounter these kinds of prejudices on the internet, among "friends," amongst all those who oppose me, and of course, in ignorant minds. So that's why I use the word "we" — as a shield against all those who think that composing and doing everything by yourself isn't possible.
S: Your songs are getting great reviews, and on mp3.com they're in the thrash top 10! That's a success. What can you tell us about the upcoming debut album?
D.: Well, I'm really amazed by the success I'm having across the internet, especially in the mp3.com charts. The same day "Haunted Dreams" was uploaded to the mp3.com charts, it jumped from position #1500 or lower straight to #21. Then, in less than 5 days, I was at #3 in the thrash metal rankings. The same is happening with "Summoning Death." I'm more than grateful to people for their incredible support, and to mp3.com for giving us this unique chance to get such exposure. What can I say about my debut album? I'm working on it. It will contain around 8 or 9 songs, will be released in late September (subject to change), and will feature very fast '80s thrash/death songs like "Summoning Death," while others will be more '90s doom/death metal in the vein of "Haunted Dreams," covering themes like life, death, betrayal, denied feelings, denied love, nightmares, demonic possessions, and many more things that inspire me every day. I've already got 4 new songs composed! One thing that's for sure is that I'm not here to make crappy commercial garbage. I'm here for the most true, fucking hard thrash/death metal, and to revive the good old days when metal was something unique — a true underground movement. When metal was listened to by headbangers and people who really felt what the fucking hell it was all about. Nowadays, almost every young kid can tell you, "Hey, I listen to metal, and I like it, it's cool. I also like pop." In the past decade you'd more likely get an answer like, "Hey, I listen to metal, I live for metal, I would die for it. It's the only thing I love listening to." You see, there's a huge difference between a loyal, die-hard metal fan and just some kid who listens to it because the media pressured them into it.
S: Do you still play your nylon classical guitar today? Just for fun?
D.: Nice question, man :-) Often, some of the acoustic intros I compose, I do on it, out in the woods. I'm not walking around with my electric guitar on my back all day. When I start composing, a lot of the time I go out to an old forest with a little piece of paper and write down whatever comes to mind. For me it's still a valuable instrument, and a valuable tool for writing some of my music. I don't compose every note on my electric guitar — that's more of a second step for me, the final one, the most important one when putting the music together.
S: When you become a famous musician and somebody wants to buy it for their collection, will you sell it? Or is your guitar too dear to you?
D.: Haha, never thought about it, man... I don't think anybody would be interested in buying my nylon guitar — it's not in great shape, I must admit. And anyway, I don't think I'd sell it. It means a lot to me. I started playing guitar on it when I was 5 years old and seriously returned to it again at the age of 18. That's a whole bunch of years, history... feelings (it also has the words Slayer, Metallica and a pentagram carved into it with a knife).
S: You returned to Uruguay with your wife at the beginning of this year. You were in Europe. What countries did you visit, and what problems did you face? Is it better to stay in your native country than move to another?
D.: I was in Spain (Madrid and Tenerife). What problems did we encounter? That you're treated like dirt in Europe when you don't have papers, when you're not a legal citizen, when you're just a fucking South American guy (even though both Tamara and I are blonde with blue eyes and very white skin). It doesn't matter to them. You're just like dirt. I think a dog might have better opportunities in Europe (at least in Spain) to find a job than an immigrant, a "cabecita negra," as they call us. It all comes down to the government restrictions they impose on everyone who's not a true European and doesn't have a fucking paper that allows you to work. It's definitely better to stay in your country, even if you're facing economic problems. It's way better to be here and to think and rethink and reinvent your life every day. As you can see, we returned and opened an internet cafe in December with my girlfriend. Currently, we live off that, and personally I give thanks to God every day for letting me achieve my dreams. I wouldn't be making music if my internet cafe didn't give me a minimum income every month, every single day.
S: What can you say about the metal scene and metal industry in Uruguay?
D.: Metal industry in Uruguay? Metal scene HERE? Don't make me laugh. There's no support here for our kind of music. But it's more than that — there are other things working against the metal scene, or even the rock music scene in general. Here, most guys and bands don't take music as a REALLY SERIOUS JOB. It's more like hanging out with your friends in the drummer's garage and having a cool weekend rehearsing. I was in bands, I created bands. It was always the same — I walked out of every single one. Nobody really wanted to keep it serious. This is one of the main reasons why we Uruguayan "rock" musicians can't grow, because of the laziness in the mind and soul. They get disappointed very fast when things don't go the way they wanted, or when they start thinking, "What the hell am I doing? I won't get a cent anyway. Screw it."
S: In Europe, very few South American bands are known, except SEPULTURA and SOULFLY. What other great bands are in your region?
D.: Honestly, I don't know that much about the South American metal scene. It's because of what I explained in the last question. Here in South America (especially in Uruguay), people don't think of music as the profession it is. Just to mention a few: Rata Blanca, Azeroth, Alma Fuerte, Malon from Argentina. Angra, Krisiun from Brazil. And Legend, Castigador, Lovercraft (now disbanded) from Uruguay.
S: Do European metal bands often come to South America, Uruguay? What was the last gig you attended?
D.: Hammerfall, about two years ago. It was really cool, even though I'm not much of a power metal fan anymore. But the guys were great. I remember going to the airport with a friend and some other metalheads to welcome them. We even got to talk face to face with the Hammerfall guys. It was awesome. By the way, European bands almost never bother visiting such a small metal scene. Do you know how many people went to see Hammerfall when they came? No more than 300! Do you know how many go to see a local Latin music show? They practically fill a whole stadium of 40,000 people! Now you see the difference and what kind of music really counts here.
S: You're a Scorpio by zodiac sign, like me (November 15). In the horoscope I read that Scorpios like horror, mysticism, and so on... So, the Scorpio sign is ideal for metal music. What do you think?
D.: I think you're totally right, man. I was born on November 2nd. Yeah, I love horror, mystical, spiritual things. I'm very attracted to the dark side as well. And yeah, I can't imagine myself making any other kind of music. Look, when I was 8 years old I was drawing barbaric comics — with medieval warriors and gladiators, swords, tons of monsters and lots of blood. Why do you think I was so drawn to heavy metal at 13, and it became a passion and a philosophy of life at 16? It was all a kind of inner, step-by-step process...
S: Your name can be read as "Die Ego." What is egoism in your understanding? Would you call yourself an egoist? (Just a little? :) ) I think not (DIE ego).
D.: Well, that's a strange question. I think that yes, I'm a little bit of an egoist, you're right, but I'd read my name as "Die-go" — kind of... "the way to death." It's just a Spanish name that I like very much. I think that when I was a fetus, I told my mother: "Hey mom, call me Diego. It's a cool name, I like it." :-)
S: You called Jesus a historical figure. Are you a religious man?
D.: I'm not a christian — I mean, I'm not into churches and stuff like that. I fucking hate churches, priests and money-seekers like them. I'm into the higher thing. I believe in destiny — we all have a fate, a mission to accomplish. I have a strong faith. If you really and truly believe something is going to happen, it HAPPENS. And God is behind the whole story. I think if you really believe in God, you're not just connecting to yourself but to a higher source of energy — the highest possible. Don't get me wrong: when you deal with this, you also have to accept that there's a dark side, stronger or weaker, within us all. It's your choice which way you go...
S: What do you think about the satanic image of some metal bands? Are they real satanists, or is it just for the crowds of metalheads?
D.: I know there is true satanism within some bands. But not only in bands — there is satanism as a religion among many people and cultures. There's a very underground movement supporting this. Some people use this image to be "cool," to play the "bad boy" role, and possibly gain more popularity among their friends. I think some of the true underground black metal bands are really deep into satanism. But... I doubt you keep that same attitude once you go mainstream.
S: South America is known for drug use. Have you ever tried drugs? What do you think about drugs and the people who use or distribute them?
D.: Well, that's not really true, man, since here in South America there's no big money to buy or sell drugs. I think you guys in Europe and the USA are where you'll find a bigger market for drugs. Sure, there are local dealers throughout South America — I can't deny that — but I don't see it as a major threat compared to other countries. And no, I've never tried, and I'm not interested at all. I think I've got more adrenaline, strength and power than I need running through my veins. I don't need more — it's more than enough.
S: South America is also known for soap operas: "Marianna," "Isabella," "Wild Angel"... Many people in the CIS, especially women, love them. Do you consider them stupid shows or great works of art?
D.: Honestly, I don't know anything about them, but I'm sure they're stupid and empty — just for very old people in high society circles. "Plastic people," as I call them.
S: Your favorite sports are yoga and walking. What about football, which is so popular in South America? Your players Gustavo Poyet and Alvaro Recoba play for European clubs, and quite successfully.
D.: No, I'm not into soccer. I never liked it that much, other than watching Uruguay in the World Cup and seeing how quickly we lose any chance to advance further. It's always the same story :-).
S: What have you heard about the CIS states (post-USSR): Ukraine, russia, Belarus?
D.: Want to know the truth? Nothing. I don't watch TV, and honestly there's almost no info or news about you guys.
S: What country do you dream of playing in?
D.: Sweden, Finland — some of those countries come to mind. You know, the paradise for all heavy metal. But anyway, I'm not that interested in playing live. I just prefer composing, recording and promoting my music, and spreading a message to people...
S: Any last words for your fans and our readers?
D.: You know who you are! (Do you remember those words?) Thanks for the interview, Vladimir. And to all DAWN OF DEFIANCE fans — I hope you continue supporting me in the years to come as you're doing right now. I hope you'll remember me when I'm dead and gone. You'll have my album finished by late September (subject to change), with 9 tracks of pure, raw, old-school thrash/death metal! Stay heavy!
S: We'll be waiting for the debut album! Good luck!