Interview

TheNwothm: Can you introduce the band and where you are from?

F.S: First of all, We highly appreciate the invite you guys have made. It will be great to share with you a bit of our history so far. Well, we are five ghouls haunting the metal world haha. Matheus Luciano is the frontman and songwriter, besides Lucas Licheski who’s the guitar player, songwriter and composer as well. Maurício “The Fox” it’s also a guitar player in the band and he brings a lot of his Hard Rock 80s School to the music. Ricke Nunes’s on the bass and Muhh Vastrinche at the drums, these are the ones who keeps the band heavy, technical and groovy.

TheNwothm: How did the four of you come together to form Phantom Star, and what’s the meaning or story behind the band’s name?

F.S: The Phantom Star started it’s history at the first half of 2024. It was idealized at first by Lucas Licheski and Matheus Luciano, after a long term partnership that lasted a decade before, working together in the Speed Metal band Hell Gun in a similar way of working together, but seeking now (with Phantom Star) a new sound, more focused in progressive and Classic Rock Elements mixed with Traditional 80’s Metal. The name itself represents both cosmic, ethereal, mystical, mythological and also the 80”s sci-fi and terror movies and literature vibes. This mysterious atmosphere is deeply connected with the lyrics within the band.

Right after the first month, Ricke and Muhh joined the band, bringing their heavy and  technical playing to the songs that were done. The last one to join in was Maurício “The Fox”, who brought a unique guitar timbre and accurate picking technique. It took around 5 to 6 months to all the 8 songs that will be in our debut album to be ready and by November we’ve had our first gig, being the support act for the legendary Vandenberg. 

TheNwothm: Who are some of your musical influences, whether as a band or individually?

F.S: Besides the individual influences that anyone in the band carries on it’s own musical background, the bands that are common to all of us are Mercyful Fate, Queensryche, Savatage, Kiss, Queen,  Blue Oyster Cult and Ghost. So you guys can wait something going this way, Hard N’ Heavy powerful songs with a Prog edge to it.

TheNwothm: Can you tell us about Curitiba (Brazil) where you are from an little of background about its culture and history?

F.S: Instead of talking specifically on the Curitiba’s heavy metal scene, I’d rather prefer to talk for the whole state of Paraná (which Curitiba it’s the capital). The state it’s the nest of a lot of GREAT bands such as Creatures and Gorgona. The heavy metal underground is full of gold, and it’s nothing that you must dig to find It, the bands here are awesome and doing things on their own way. That’s the place where Phantom Star is settled. A state of really amazing bands. Our city also have a powerful Extreme Metal scene wich is very influential to Brazilian Metal in general, with bands such as Amen Corner, Doomsday Ceremony and Necroterio. 

TheNwothm: How would you describe the metal scene in Brazil?

F.S: The Brazilian Metal in general is very unique and in latter years a lot of Brazilian old school bands are getting a certain Cult Status in the metal community around the world, In Brazil the extreme Metal is very important but theres also A LOT of great traditional metal bands that you might want to check out. Also as we are in a third world environment things tend to be really hard and things like getting a good instrument and travelling a wide country like ours  to tour are really not easy but we do it anyway cause we really love what we do! I’ll also make this answer the place to present you guys (and the ones who are reading to this interview) some bands that describe the brazilian scene far better than try to explain how the things work on here.

Tantum, Creatures, Gorgona, Hellway Train, Eletric Poison, Caixão, Evil Cult, Wild Witch, … Give it a chance and listen to it.

TheNwothm: Are there any other Brazilian metal bands you are following right now/ shared a stage with that you feel are making waves in the scene?

F.S: All the bands I’ve quoted above. Them all are great and each one carries it’s own bright and artistical aproach to the hard n’ heavy metal music.

TheNwothm: As a band what inspired your image?

F.S: We are really inspired by the 70’s and 80’s look, specially bands with a certain theatrical approach, like Savatage,  King Diamond, Rainbow, Magnum, 70’s queen surely are a big influence on how we want to look as a band and on stage!

TheNwothm: And can you tell us a bit about each of yourselves?

Matheus – I´m the singer and songwriter in the band, before Phantom Star Lucas and I was in a band called Hell Gun, which have been very active in the scene for about ten years, I started singing by accident and ended singing in Hell Gun, and had some singing lessons but I’m mostly self-taught. I got a graduation in Art and work at a record store. 

Muh – Self-taught drummer since i was 8, always interested about the instrument when i saw it on tv, magazines, then my parents took me to a show and the drummer of the band let me try it, it was like i’ve already played before and i’ve never stopped since then, started play professionally at 12 y.o. always on rock n roll bands and all your sub-genres, studying the drummers that makes my heart beats faster and my eyes glow, like John Bonham, Zoltan Chaney, Tommy Lee and the amazing singer that play drums, Phill Collins. Playing drums was like my childhood dream come true, and it still feels that way.

Ricke – This thing about talking about yourself is tough hahaha. I started playing bass in high school. My references are bass players like Billy Sheehan, Felipe Andreoli, Juan Alderete, Geddy Lee. I’m graduating this semester  from the MPB (Brazilian popular music) conservatory. In addition to bass, I also play a little keyboard. As a teenager I was self-taught, but there came a time when I felt that this was limiting me and so I started studying with a teacher and going to the conservatory, also resuming more theoretical studies as well.

Mauricio: Hi, I’m Mauricio. I’m 30 years old, originally from Curitiba, but I currently live in Bocaiúva do Sul. I’m a student of Information Technology and work for a tech startup as a customer service representative. I mostly learned through online resources and a few lessons with local teachers.

Lucas: I’m Lucas Licheski, guitar player, composer and songwriter in Phantom Star 👻🌟! I’ve been playing guitar since I was around twelve y.o. Today I work as a guitar teacher here in Brazil.

I first started studying as a self-taught musician, and only when I was around fifteen I took classes (I was invited actually) with Kiri Figueiredo, who’s the main responsable for introduce me to a lot of guitar gods and techniques.

You guys should listen to some brazilian stuff from the MPB’s era. There are amazing records like “Clube da Esquina”, “Acabou Chorare”, “Brazilian Serenata”, “Falso Brilhante”… That’s my main interest nowadays besides Heavy Metal. 

TheNwothm: Let us talk about your most recent single “Touch Of A Curse!” Your single has an intriguing title so what’s the story or inspiration behind it?

F.S: Touch of a Curse it’s the tale of a man being chased by an evil spirit that shows itself as a omen… But, during the storytelling two sides of this spiritual hunt are presented to the listeners. The spirit carries the terrible revenge feeling against the character, but is it something from another life? A spell that has being cast on him? It’s up to you guys to find out what happened, and the lyrics are not conclusive about this hunter and pray tale.

TheNwothm: Can you describe the emotions or themes you wanted to convey with Touch Of A Curse?

F.S: Touch of a Curse, although it has this dark atmosphere, it’s also a reflection about the demons that we carry all on through the way. Sometimes something can hit you hard and you don’t really understand why. But life’s like a mirror, constantly reflecting those things that we’ve shown. It’s like a note saying “hey, don’t forget to show the world your best, give your best, be the best friend and person you can”, this way, no “””demon””” can catch you up hahaha.

TheNwothm: How did you find the writing and recording process for the song?

F.S: The writing process are a formula that basically never changes, it’s a collaboration process being the riffs the first part, usually brought by Lucas, Them Matheus start the skeleton for a lyrical idea that usually the two will resolve and them bring it to the band that will contribute a lot in rehearsing the song and adding different ideas. And about the recording, its all done with the amazing producer Arthur “Arttie” Migotto at the Heavytron studio which is an amazing recording studio focused in Traditional meta and are producing some really amazing new bands in the last couple of months. 

TheNwothm: If each member of Phantom Star could collaborate with any musician—past or present—who would it be, and why?

Matheus (vocals) – Well I got a lot of heroes in Rock and Metal, some of them are already gone, like Freddie Mercury and Dio, some other’s have like a untouchable status like King diamond, Jon Oliva or Ian Gillan  and others are peple that I really aprecitte and are friends and I would love to have them in a song or two, like Marc Brito (Hellway train/Creatures) Chervona (Tantum)  Cassio Marcos (Alchmist)

Muh (Drums): Despite the challenge, cause i’ve never played something like it, i would love to do something with great legends of brazilian music, like Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, Alceu Valença (search these guys if you never heard about it, they’re absolute genius). I guess a experience like that would change my entire life in music.

Ricke (Bass): I would like to play with: Michael Manning, Billy Sheehan, Geddy Lee, Nuno Bittencourt, Paul Gilbert and the great Dio (apart from a huge list that I can’t even remember them all). It would also be an honor to play with a Brazilian bass player called Michael Pipoquinha, who would make me pick up the bass and not understand what I’m doing ahahahaha. If I had to choose just one, it would be Michael Pipoquinha.

Mauricio (Guitar): I would love to play with Slash, because he’s the one responsible for me picking the guitar in first place. 

Licheski (Guitar): King Diamond, Tony Iommi, Brian May, Michael Jackson, Elis Regina, Clara Nunes and Jason Becker.

TheNwothm: Moving to your live performances! What do you hope audiences feel or take away from a Phantom Star performance?

F.S: The public can expect for a really energetic performance, we put our hearts and souls on the stages at each gig. Surely you will see a young band full of fire and compromise with the art and entertainment.

TheNwothm: Do you have any pre-show rituals that help you prepare to hit the stage?

F.S: We haven’t a “ritual”, but we do some warming ups for the voice and body, getting ready to hit the stage with the most killer performance we can do!

TheNwothm: What touring plans do you have for 2025?

F.S: Well in first place we want to deliver new material but yes, touring are in our plans definitely.

TheNwothm: And musically, what is next for Phantom Star? Are working on an EP or album?

F.S: The Phantom Star’s debut album, which is already on the process of recording. In February we’ll hit the studio for the sessions!

TheNwothm: Any other surprises in the works?

F.S: We have something really special for you guys, but you will know when the time’s right hehe. 

TheNwothm: What are your new years resolutions for 2025?

F.S: Well we’ve been setting things up in most of 2024 and now in this new cycle is time fr us to really show to the world what this new band is all about, so you guys can expect loads of new stuff and hard work from us!

TheNwothm: Where can fans buy your music and merch?

F.S: Bandcamp, and soon we’ll set an official website available for buying merch. For now, anyone who has interest to buy our stuff can contact us in the Instagram’s DM.

TheNwothm: And follow you on social media?

F.S: You can follow us on instagram: @phantomstar_official and contact us via e-mail on thebandphantomstar@gmail.com and also don’t forget to support us via bandcamp: phantomstarheavymetal.bandcamp.com

TheNwothm: Anything else you would like to mention?

F.S: We really appreciate this invitation you guys have made us. Phantom Star wants to thank Arthur Migotto, Heavytron Studio, Brisista (the artist behind the “Touch of a Curse” cover art). And also, thank you all, all over the world who has listened to our music so far. We are on fire to show you what’s coming next! See ya!

Links:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phantomstar_official/

Bandcamp: https://phantomstarheavymetal.bandcamp.com/track/touch-of-a-curse

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565728872499

Photo Credits: Mateus Cantaleano.