HOLLYWOOD, CA (July 31, 2009) – Beloved guitar shredder Andreas Kisser of the legendary Brazilian metal band Sepultura releases his first solo project HUBRIS I&II on Mascot Records. This double album project will only be available as an import online or on iTunes as a download.

Since the release of “Roots” (1996) and the consecration of Sepultura, the world was introduced to a new form of metal guitar playing. Mixing blinding riffs, strong pounding rhythms, and clear & expressive tones, Andreas Kisser had created something very new. We named this style, ‘root guitar’, and it found its way around the world, having a transforming influence on much of the 90’s metal scene. It’s style & technique can be seen in what is now called ‘New Metal’ (or Nu Metal).

Just to clarify, Andreas Kisser is happy in Sepultura, with the same intensity and passion as always and has no intentions of leaving the band. However, he felt it was time to expand his horizons & the different challenges that lay in front of him. His first solo album release is called, “HUBRIS I & II”. Going beyond the usual ‘noise’, the album demonstrates influence of metal, musical education & disciplines, MPB (Brazilian popular music) and even “repente” (a form of improvisation, a style of music born in the streets of the Brazilian Northeast region). & all the while doing this without losing what is truly important: its musical identity.

There are 21 tracks divided into two volumes: a heavy side & the other less intense. The majority of the well-guarded ideas come from demons. “After Max Cavalera left Sepultura, I started to compose melodies while never reaching a completed song.” explains the Brazilian guitarist. HUBRIS I & II is a finalization of what I have written since 1997.” Despite this obvious contrast, the album as a whole has consistency & unity.

HUBRIS I
Here we have an interesting collaboration of tuning between guitar, bas & drums. The sound carries the ‘root’ feeling so familiar in his sound, its intensity only comparable to a high voltage shock. IN respect to the compositions, from the start there are varied surprises. From the introduction of the Brazilian ten string acoustic guitar called, “viola caipira” alongside the electric guitar and then quickly letting the listener know what is to come. And that is exactly what happens, as told by the guitarist: “This is a guitar record with an emphasis on tones. Although there are some solos, I preferred to work on the ambiances, almost as if I was doing a soundtrack for a movie.”

HUBRIS II
In general HUBRIS II keeps the nuances a little a little more daring. This will probably be the record that will surprise the public more accustomed to Sepultura. A fair part of the songs is instrumental, in which the big connection between them is the acoustic guitar as the protagonist. Yet Andreas advises: “This isn’t strictly an ‘unplugged’ record, with just acoustic elements. It has electric guitars, of course!” Who would think that Andreas could resist the temptation?

HUBRIS I & II brings to us the Andreas Kisser, exposed: the multiple sides as a musician, composer, arranger and producer. We can see all the various facets of this great guitarist, who has taught us where the root guitar comes from, as well as its origins and more importantly, what it spawned from Sepultura. Influences and identity collide in endless eclecticism, yet all of it comes from a strong point of view & common sense. This Andreas Kisser’s first solo project in his career, yet his story has just begun…

For more information go to www.myspace.com/andreaskisser or www.mascotrecords.com