CEREBRAL REVIEWMENT:
Azerate, is that your name? what do you go by?
AZERATE NAKAMURA:
yes my name is Azerate Nakamura
How old are you and where do you live?
I am 34 and im originally from NY currently in california
How did you first get into extreme music?
I started listening to blackmetal and pornogrind in sixth grade. a few older girls i was friends with put me on Torsofuck and exposed me to limewire and isohunt. the rest is history. i was in a blackened thrash project in sixth grade it was my first band. we were called Hellion.
From social media I get the feeling that you are a spiritual person. Could you talk a little about that?
Everything is spiritual to me and it is everything I do is devoted to my practices yes. I have studied alchemy and the occult for many years. I was raised in christian cult and the indoctrination ran deep. I became strongly versed in sciences and discovered alchemy and the allegory of spiritual purification in junior high school. Observing the patterns and symbolism over and over, my life became horrifyingly responsive to everything I thought and said. I drove into all things taboo before long. It started a journey of inner exploration and soul searching before discovering witchcraft and luciferianism and both of these practices illuminated me. They saved my life. My eyes were opened to a different side of being.
I have been known to hit a endo-keo spin and then track stand until the light turns green. Why is your bike so tall? Have you been riding fixed gear for a long time?
I ride a tall bike for a lot of reason but being able to see so far ahead changes everything especially when you ride brakeless. It gives me some peace of mind because prior to it’s construction, I was in a freak accident on a vintage time trial pursuit and it changed my life. Believe it or not, I actually feel a lot safer on the tall bike. It’s exhilarating and extremely heightening of the senses. I lost a lot of confidence after getting hurt and it’s definitely helped me overcome a lot of personal barriers. I’m working on locking some of my tricks in on it. It’s definitely a challenge. To say it’s rewarding is an understatement. I've been riding fixed over 20 years and it’s my preferred mode of transportation.
Can you list all of your past bands?
past bands would be
Hellion
The Veil Thinning
Alchemia Hospital
Mindless Corruption
Oculus
Shapeshifting
Chapel of Autumn
Eternal Turtle
Cinnabar Island
Lakeborn
and a few others
live vocals for Esophagus
Can you list all of your current active projects you are part of?
present bands
Sumijigoku
Acharayim
1diazidocarbamoyl5azidotetrazole (c2N14)
Dilatation
Fetters
Shalicu
Wakaba
Silver Coil
and a few more i cannot mention at this time
It must be so hard to keep a sense of balance with so many projects and things going on? On top of a job or different gigs?! Any tips for people out there trying to juggle many things at once?
I had a pretty good handle on it but the tour kinda messed up my routine a bit so I’ve been making some changes. It’s important to know your own limits. People who tend to be selfless suffer in different ways from those who are more selfish.
Musically, I’d like to say my turn around is pretty quick but technology issues typically makes things a little less convenient than anything else. I try to stay organized, naming and dating things as you would in the kitchen or laboratory. I do a lot outside of music. The only time living my dreams isn’t working for me is when I neglect myself and my basic needs. I think the best bit of information I could offer anyone is “to take care of yourself first and your loved ones and foremost. have regular, healthy conversation with yourself and ask yourself questions. Prioritize what’s important and question everything especially in a group setting with a shared goal. Create realistic deadlines and goals that you know you can and will meet. Be kinder to yourself. Understand that occurrences unseen are a normalcy when we seek out to do anything. Otherwise, have no expectation. Take nothing personally. Keep learning! Things tend to get hard right before you meet a goal. Never give up! Keep your word and always follow through!
You do a good amount of features correct? How do those usually go? Are bands seeking you out or are you contacting bands you’d like to work with? Then they send you the song and you record vocals at home?
I do quit a bit. I’d say that’s pretty balanced. But these days a lot more people are reaching out to me than me to them and I feel a sense of accomplishment from that. Maybe five are so years ago I was more into directly contacting bands and artist I grew up listening to. Even now sometimes I shoot my shot and get shot down or left on read. It’s become easier to accept and it took me a while to get here. As I became more recently established, I have become more selective about approaching other artists. I’ve been contacted by quit a few extremely talented musicians to feature on their material or to even start a new project and it’s beyond flattering. I’m honored to work with all the people I’ve had the pleasure of creating with thus far. Everyone has taught me so much in ways they could never understand. Not to mention the praise I receive from them and their individual fan bases. It fuels so much inspiration to keep going.
Can you tell us your favorite vocalists?
I love a lot of different vocalist for a lot of different reasons
my top five are
-deep gurgle of Surgical Abnormalization
-BT of Knifefight
-Richard original vocalist of FLESH
-Hugo Ojeda of the original Esophagus
-Anon of Induced and Bleeding
I am also a big fan of Haruka, Larry, Angel, Don, Skuta and WHS
Are you totally self taught or did you have some mentors? Who would you say helped you?
My exhale guttural style is self taught as well as my grindcore croaking and gurgles.
I learned inhales recently and got some really good pointers from Deep Gurgle, Parasitic Infection, Victor of deformed Esophagus, Hugo Ojeda, and a few undiscovered fans who are extremely talented and coming to establish themselves in the community as well. I learned 3 different predator techniques this year. Two exhaled one inhaled. Currently trying to master them and have been developing my own way of implementing my style into using them.
You took over vocal duties for Esophagus on a tour. How did this come about? What was that experience like?
Around this time last year, I initially made contact with Victor. They were preparing for a US tour and getting ready to announce a new single. We talked on Instagram for a little while after I have responded to a few story posts. One was an inquiry about vocalists and since it was one of my favorite bands, of course I responded immediately. I was asked to do a vocal cover of one of their songs which I did and sent to him.
I seemed to get pretty good feedback on it then I was sent an instrumental and asked to record over that. I was urged to sound monstrous. I said I wasn’t confident in my ability to do the predator vocal sound and he told me that that’s OK because it isn’t necessary.
I did my best and sent the recording, I wasn’t very proud of it, and he seemed to be happy with it and asked me how I felt about performing with them live. Of course I was ecstatic. within a few weeks time, I was given a set list of songs to learn and rehearse. Leading up to us meeting in Houston these songs would be the only songs I listen to for three months.
In March, we met up at the Gulf Coast death fest 3. We had a great time but the initial tour that was set up was canceled and we only got to play at the festival. I definitely felt bad for the guys because they had come all the way out from Chile so I in communication with a few other people begin trying to plan a West Coast tour for them closer to the end of summer.
Little had I known a very prominent contact put us in line to travel in Mexico. I also didn’t know that the guitarist of Esophagus, Mauro, was a big fan of Ungraceful, and was encouraging Victor to give me a shot on the tour. I was weary and confused because I didn’t know what had happened with Hugo and every time I would ask questions it seemed to trigger a lot of tension. I wanted to initially reach out to Hugo and inquire directly, but I was advised from the drummer to avoid him at all costs so far as to block him. But I didn’t, and then the whirlwind of confused fans and unnecessary comments. I received quite a bit of passive support from Hugo and one of his bands when we started sharing videos of practice and performances in Houston. Likes on posts and stories. Still I had a lot of pressure on myself because I knew they were big shoes to fill and to add to that stress, a lot of the fans were talking. Despite Victor encouraging me not to do predator vocals I push to do them to give the fans what they wanted.
Being on tour is an amazing and yet horrifying feeling. It is truly a love labor. There is an immense amount of uncertainty that is as thrilling as it is stressful. We got to travel to so many beautiful places and we had the privilege of meeting so many beautiful and diehard fans. I have been all over the United States, but it was my first time leaving the country. MEXICO IS INCREDIBLE and we got so much love when we were there. It was quite an eye-opening experience. I ultimately had to drop out of the tour, as finances became an issue, and I had to be concerned for the well-being of myself and my partner, who was basically managing everything by the time we met up with the rest of the band. What started off great quickly turned into a nightmare, and we realized that we were being taken advantage of, money was being kept and withheld from us as well as important information. There was not a level of mutual respect, which made it difficult to remain on the same page with the drummer. The tour was unorganized and very unprofessional. There were many things promised prior that did not happen. We were not paid for anything and we were lied to about the band getting paid for shows. Language barriers. The list goes on. We lost majority of our savings in the process. But even still, meeting so many lovely people. Discovering new friends and family is unmatched and my heart swells for the bonds we made along the way.
Can you tell us anything about Hugo/Esophagus “fallout” if it’s even that kind of thing? Are band mates on good terms?
There isn’t much to say. Victor was why Hugo left. Mauro stayed with Victor and was trying to see things through. But I felt as if Victor should have started something new instead of trying to take the band from Hugo. Seemed spiteful. Ultimately, like most of us, I think Hugo inspired Victor and Victor wanted to be recognized in that same way. As far as I am concerned Hugo doesn’t speak to either of them. After what i experienced, I can see why.
What is your relationship with Esophagus like?
We do not speak. I am only associated with Hugo, the real Esophagus.
Which of your many many projects are you MOST excited about and focused on currently?
They are all exciting for their own reasons. It is difficult to say. I think the most anticipation I have for releasing a project is a secret one I recorded almost four years ago with Larry Wang. Tracked 12 songs in two days. That and the much anticipated return of Paimon.
Do you have one favorite band?
Ungraceful before I joined lol
Induced or Vile Discectomy
Do you have a favorite food or kind of food?
inarizushi,
taro shashu,
blue lotus, lavender and butterfly pea tea
Can you name 3 pros and 3 cons of touring?
--3 pros--
CONNECTION
Great way to meet your tribe, network, good exposure, helps develop people skills.
FOOD AND TRAVEL
I fell in love with so many new things and places.
CONFIDENCE
It will inspire you to strive for more. It makes it feel as if nothing is out of reach. Great for when you are chasing what you love.
--3 cons--
HYGIENE AND HEALTH
It’s hard to keep clean and to eat right. Not sleeping and being in public settings has its own list of concerns. I learned of my privilege very quickly.
DISCONNECTION
Sometimes people you think you know or are close to will show you different things in pressing situations. There can be confusion and frustration at times and it’s up to you to remain self disciplined in your integrity.
UNCERTAINTY
No matter how prepared you are, you cannot prepare for everything.
Thank you so much for these answers and bringing your positive energy to the scene! Can't wait to hear more from you! Any last words??
I appreciate you with the utmost gratitude. Stay tuned! Chaos governs us all.
Just a thank you to everyone. These last few years have been pretty dark for a lot of us. I wouldn't be here without all the love and support you all give me. In these ways I am rich so I seek to enrich.
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