Interviews: AUTREST

On this new occasion, we had the opportunity to interview the Atmospheric Black Metal project AUTREST from Brazil. Check out the interview and follow this project on his FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Burning Embers, Forgotten Wolves marks a new chapter for Autrest. How does this album differ from your previous work, and what vision did you have when creating it?

This album represents a step into new territory for me. While it still carries the same atmospheric intensity and riffs that defined the first Autrest release, I wanted to experiment with something different, even more immersive and, at times, touched by folk elements. It’s not necessarily the direction I plan for every future record, but for this one, it felt important to explore. At its core, Burning Embers, Forgotten Wolves is about deepening the connection with nature and allowing its beauty and harshness to shape the music.

2. The first single, “Forgotten Wolves,” sets an immersive tone. Why did you choose this song as the opening glimpse into the album?

It felt like the most complete representation of what the album is about. “Forgotten Wolves” carries both the aggression and the atmosphere that run through the entire record. Releasing it first gave listeners a strong sense of the path that awaits them.

3. Can you take us inside your songwriting and recording process for this record? Did you try anything new compared to past releases?

I start with fragments, riffs, melodies, and atmospheres and slowly build them into songs. For this record, I experimented with layering more acoustic textures and exploring dynamics in a way I hadn’t before. It was about finding space within the sound, letting silence and subtle details speak as much as the heavier parts. 

4. Was there a defining moment during the making of the album when you felt everything truly clicked?

I think that moment only came after the album was released. Before that, I had doubts about my own creation. But once I saw people’s reactions, that was when it clicked for me, and I realized everything had fallen into place.

5. The title combines imagery of destruction and memory—“burning embers” and “forgotten wolves.” What is the deeper symbolism behind it?

For me, the title represents what is left behind. “Burning embers” are the remains of something that once had intensity, and “forgotten wolves” reflect instincts and strength that are often pushed aside. It’s about memory and the traces that stay with us, even when time moves on.

6. Nature seems to play a central role in your sound and lyrics. How does the natural world continue to inspire Autrest’s music?

Nature is essential to my writing. The landscapes, the silence, the cold, the contrasts they all shape the atmosphere of the music. For this album especially, I wanted to reflect how nature can be breathtakingly beautiful but also unforgiving and bitter.

7. Do you view this album more as an exploration of inner landscapes, or a reflection of the outer, physical world?

It’s both. The outer landscapes of nature often mirror the inner ones. The forests, storms, and silence outside become metaphors for what I feel within. Burning Embers, Forgotten Wolves is about that intersection, where the inner and outer worlds meet.

8. Wolves are a recurring presence in black metal symbolism. What do they represent to you in this album’s context?

For me, they symbolize solitude and strength. In the context of this album, they reflect that feeling of being apart from the world, yet still deeply connected to something raw and essential.

9. Your music blends raw black metal intensity with atmospheric and cinematic elements. How do you find the balance between aggression and serenity?

I see them as complementary rather than opposing forces. The aggression gives weight and urgency, while the atmosphere allows space for reflection. The balance comes naturally; it’s about letting both sides coexist without one overwhelming the other.

10. What instruments, textures, or production techniques were essential in shaping the immersive soundscape of Burning Embers, Forgotten Wolves?

Guitars remain the backbone, but layers of clean melodies, subtle acoustic touches, and reverbs were essential. Production-wise, I wanted everything to feel expansive, almost like you’re standing in a vast landscape.

11. Were there any unexpected or non-metal influences that left their mark on this record?

Yes, definitely. Some folk-inspired melodies made their way into the compositions, and even ambient music influenced the way I approached the atmosphere. These elements added a different layer without taking away the essence of black metal. 

12. This release comes through Northern Silence Productions. What drew you to work with them, and how has the collaboration been?

I grew up listening to releases from Northern Silence. The first atmospheric black metal bands I discovered were through their catalog, and many of my influences came from there. So for me, it’s truly an honor to now be part of the label. The collaboration has been going really well; they’ve shown a lot of support and professionalism, and it feels like the right place for Autrest to be.

13. What kind of emotional journey do you hope listeners will experience when they hear the album from start to finish?

I hope they feel both the beauty and the weight of it. The record is meant to carry you through moments of intensity and calm, through reflection and release.

14. The Brazilian metal scene is both diverse and vibrant. How does your origin and environment in Brazil impact your music, if at all?

Living in southern Brazil, especially in the cold landscapes of Rio Grande do Sul, has a strong impact. The climate and the scenery all shape the atmosphere of my compositions. While my music doesn’t follow the traditional paths of Brazilian metal, the environment here is deeply present in it.

15. Do you have plans to bring these songs to the stage, or will Autrest remain primarily a studio project?

I do plan to bring these songs to the stage eventually, but it will take some time. I’ve already started organizing for it to happen, though there are no concrete dates yet. For now, Autrest remains a project rooted in the studio, but live performances are something I want to explore in the future.

16. Finally, looking beyond Burning Embers, Forgotten Wolves, where do you see Autrest’s sound and vision evolving in the future?

I see Autrest continuing to grow as a space where I can experiment with atmosphere and intensity. Future releases will likely explore different directions, but always with the same foundation. I don’t want to confine the sound to one path; I want it to remain alive, evolving with each chapter.