Interviews About Albums: ZARRAZA - Kreated In Blood (2022)

1. What can you say about this new EP/CD?

It's a three-song EP with covers: KREATOR “People of the Lie”, GOJIRA “L'Enfant Sauvage” and SLAYER “Raining Blood” respectively. To make these songs different from other covers we added the Kazakh ethnic instrument qyl-qobyz to the arrangement. I was surprised – it fits perfectly with “Raining Blood” and this version makes me freeze. It is such a pleasure to play it live this way! Can't wait to perform it on the upcoming “Black Blood Fest” tour over Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan! 

2. What is the meaning of the EP/CD name?

Initially, we named it “Covered In Blood” and discovered later CANNIBAL CORPSE has released already cover EP “Blood Covered” decades ago. It was stupid to follow with almost the same title. That’s why we changed the name to “Kreated In Blood” - a nod to the KREATOR and SLAYER song. Looks pretty original I think. Some people blame us for recreating KREATOR artwork for the cover and now with the new title, we try to do the message clear: the EP is an homage to KREATOR, SLAYER, and GOJIRA from every point of view. The artwork is an homage too – the monster from KREATOR's “Coma Of Souls” artwork combined with tree branches from GOJIRA “L'Enfant Sauvage” and medieval massacre as a nod to SLAYER “Reign In Blood”. 

3. If you had to pick one song, which one would you pick?

“Raining blood” of course! when we have been recording kyl kobyz I was thinking the song «Raining Blood» has no space for ethnic arrangements but it became the best song of the EP at the end of the day. It gives me goosebumps every time I listen to it! 

4. Is there a special message in this EP/CD? If there is, what is it?

The first idea was just to treat our fave songs from our idols in a special way but later… The war in Ukraine and its atrocities prove the songs about hatred, nazism, and racism never get old! We just try to give them a new dimension, some kind of. 

5. Are there some lyrics that you'd love to share?

Yes. “Now I shall reign in blood” - it seems these words from SLAYER classics “Raining Blood” was taken by one infamous politician as the manifesto. The one who believes he defends his own freedom by ripping Ukrainian children apart.

6. Which inspirations have been important for this album? Like musically or friends, family, someone you'd love to thank especially? 

I would like to thank Anar Kassymova and Abzal Arykbayev for their great performance during the recording sessions! They played all ethnic instruments and put a lot of enthusiasm and passion into it. Metal music is not their favorite but Anar and Abzal were very open and ready to dive into dark depths of SLAYER riffs and GOJIRA screams. I am very proud of the final results – there are just no cover versions like this, believe me! Just give a listen!