Chipset Zero: Brazil’s Alternative Metal An Interview with Gino Alache

Brazil’s Chipset Zero emerged from São Paulo’s underground scene with a powerful blend of heavy riffs, alternative grooves, and socially charged energy. In this exclusive interview for Rockum, conducted by music journalist Gino Alache, drummer Jamil reflects on the band’s formation, their debut album Deep Blue, the Latin American rock scene, and their ambition to bring Brazilian metal to a worldwide audience.

Interview:

Rockum: Hi Jamil, I’ve been listening to your band and I think it’s a very strong proposal for the world. Can you tell us about the beginnings of Chipset Zero?

Jamil: Hello everyone, first of all we would like to thank you for the opportunity to show our work to the people of Peru. Chipset Zero started with Shark (vocals) and Claudia (former guitarist). They had just ended a band called Ódio, and I had finished my group Sórdidos. We didn’t really know each other well, but from there a great friendship and a new band were born.

Rockum: Where does the name Chipset Zero come from?
Jamil: It’s a combination of two ideas: Chipset (the computer’s processors) and Zero (the number zero).

Rockum: What is the current line-up of the band?
Shark – vocals and percussion
Ayka – bass and vocals
Ronny – guitar and vocals
Bozzo – guitar
Ale – samples
Rick – percussion
Jamil – drums

Rockum: How would you describe your debut album Deep Blue?
Ayka: It’s the result of six years of work and dedication. From the cover to the website and the music itself, which mixes all our influences and ideas. For us it’s amazing to hear the final result of this completely independent album. It has something for everyone: heavy tracks, fast songs, and blended sounds.

Rockum: Are you signed to any label?
Jamil: No! We are totally independent. Nothing signed at all.

Rockum: How do you see the music market in Latin America?
Jamil: It’s growing fast. I think we’re sitting on a bomb ready to explode. People are already tired of only hearing American and English bands. South America has much more to offer, and our culture is very rich. We need to explore that.

Rockum: Which bands inspired Chipset Zero the most?
Jamil: That’s a tough question because we all have different influences. But some that we all share are: Pantera, Metallica, Sepultura, Deftones, Nação Zumbi (Brazil), Slayer, Helmet, Biohazard. And yes, Sepultura was without doubt the shining star of South America.

Rockum: Do you think that, like Sepultura, Latin American bands need to sing in English, release compilations, and even move abroad to succeed?
Jamil: In Brazil it’s trendy now to sing in Portuguese, but we’ve always written in English because that’s what we grew up listening to. We believe that singing in English gives us a bigger chance to reach more people. Sepultura was always a light for us to follow.

Rockum: What bands have you shared the stage with, and where have you played?
Jamil: We’ve played extensively in São Paulo, both in the capital and the interior, and also in states like Belo Horizonte and Rio de Janeiro. We also spent 40 days in Buenos Aires, Argentina, playing 10 shows. We’ve shared the stage with Sepultura on TV, with Mortification at Cemento in Argentina, and with many underground bands.

Rockum: When will we see you in Peru or other South American countries?
Jamil: We really want to play everywhere in South America. We want to return to Argentina, and we already have contacts in Chile and Colombia. As for Peru, we would love to tour there too. If you can help us, that would be amazing!

Rockum: Do you have any distribution plans for neighboring countries?
Jamil: Not yet, but we are looking for serious contacts to help distribute our material. Meanwhile, anyone interested can email us directly, and we’ll send the CD. Simple as that!

Rockum: What do you think about music piracy in South America?
Jamil: I think it affects mainly the big record companies. Since artists depend on them, it ends up affecting us too. But those companies are going to collapse eventually because they’ve been selling lies and fake products. I believe the future belongs to small, authentic labels.

Rockum: How would you define the music scene in Brazil?
Jamil: It’s difficult. Art and music here reach only a small group of people. Rock is even harder because it’s less accessible. But the people who do listen are very passionate, and they’re hungry for new bands. It’s a segment that’s still underdeveloped and poorly managed.

Rockum: Do you believe that if Latin American bands united, they could compete globally like bands from the USA or Europe?
Jamil: Of course! We’re a powerhouse, and they know it. The internet connects us, and even though we speak Portuguese, we can easily understand Spanish. We must start a revolution, and it has to come from the bands themselves.

Rockum: Finally, what do you think about Rockum?
Jamil: It’s a great source of information. It has to keep growing more and more. Congratulations on the work, and we’ll spread the word in Brazil.