Miguel Vanzeler from Chants: "Music is both a confrontation with myself and with the world"
For over a decade within the extreme music scene, CHANTS has taken shape as a deeply personal and introspective project, rooted in black metal and driven by existential reflection. It channels themes of inner conflict, despair, and the search for meaning into a raw and immersive sonic form. With Echoes, CHANTS explores the darker layers of human consciousness while maintaining an uncompromising and honest artistic vision.
Place of birth: Portugal
What is the driving force behind your music?
The driving force behind my music is the need to understand and confront the darker sides of existence. Music has always been a way for me to process things that are difficult to express in any other form. With CHANTS, I try to channel that into something honest. It is not just about darkness for the sake of aesthetics. It is about exploring the emotions and questions that most people keep buried.
Before starting CHANTS I was part of another band in the same scene. I spent years touring and playing shows across many countries and continents. Those experiences shaped me a lot, both as a musician and as a person. I learned how the scene works, how to survive on the road, and how music connects people even when they come from completely different places. It was an intense period of my life and I am grateful for everything I lived during that time.
Starting CHANTS felt like going back to the beginning, but in a very conscious way. This time the project is entirely mine. I lead the direction, the pacing, the goals. There is no rush and no external pressure to follow a certain formula. Everything grows in a very organic and honest way. In a strange way, going back to zero felt like a kind of reset. A refactor of everything I learned before.
What led you to create Chants, and what kind of artistic space do you want this project to open?
With this project I wanted to open a more personal and introspective artistic space. A place where I could explore darker emotional landscapes, existential questions and the inner struggles that often remain unspoken. Black metal has always been a powerful medium for that kind of expression, and CHANTS gives me the freedom to approach it in a very honest and organic way.
It is also a space where time and direction are fully under my control. There is no rush and no pressure to follow expectations. Everything grows naturally, guided by instinct and reflection. In that sense CHANTS is not just a musical project, it is a personal journey that reflects where I am now and where I want to take this expression in the future.
How would you describe the core identity of Chants compared to your previous work?
The core identity of CHANTS is much more personal and introspective compared to my previous work. In the past I was part of a collective dynamic where decisions, direction and creative processes were shared. It was an intense and valuable experience that allowed me to tour extensively and understand the scene from the inside. With CHANTS the vision is entirely mine, and that naturally changes the way the music is created and developed.
Musically and conceptually, CHANTS dives deeper into the psychological and existential aspects that have always interested me. The themes revolve around inner conflict, despair, the search for meaning and the confrontation with the darker sides of human nature. The sound reflects that atmosphere, aiming to create something immersive rather than simply aggressive or technical.
Another important difference is the pace and the intention behind the project. CHANTS grows in a very organic way, without the constant pressure that often comes with touring cycles and fast releases.
What ideas or themes are shaping the music and atmosphere of the album Echoes?
The album Echoes is deeply rooted in themes of inner conflict, existential reflection and the constant search for meaning in a world that often feels indifferent. The concept revolves around the idea that every human being carries a kind of internal abyss, a place where doubt, despair and truth coexist. The lyrics explore those spaces, trying to give a voice to emotions that are often difficult to articulate.
Another strong element behind the album is the idea of echoes from past experiences, memories and personal transformations. Throughout my life, especially after years of touring and living within the intensity of the scene, I gathered many impressions of people, places and moments that stayed with me. Echoes reflects that accumulation of experiences and the way they continue to resonate over time.
Atmospherically, the album tries to balance darkness with a sense of introspection and awareness. It is not only about despair, but also about confronting it and understanding what lies beneath it.
When writing for Chants, do you approach composition differently than in the past, or does the same instinct still guide the process?
In many ways the same instinct still guides the process. The core of how I write music has always been very intuitive. I usually start from a certain atmosphere or emotional state and build the music around that feeling. That instinct has been with me since the beginning and it still plays a big role in how CHANTS takes shape.
What has changed is the level of control and reflection behind the process. In the past the writing was often influenced by the dynamics of a band environment, rehearsals, touring schedules and collective decisions. With CHANTS the process is more solitary and deliberate. I can take the time to develop ideas, explore different directions and allow the music to evolve without external pressure.
This also gives the compositions a more personal dimension. Every riff, every structure and every lyrical concept comes from a very direct place. The instinct is still there, but now it is combined with the experience I gained over the years, which allows me to shape the music with a clearer vision and intention.
How do you approach capturing the right performance in the studio while balancing spontaneity and structure?
Capturing the right performance in the studio is always about preserving the feeling behind the music. Technical precision is important, but for me the atmosphere and the intention behind the performance matter even more. When recording for CHANTS I try to stay connected to the emotion that originally inspired the song, so the performance does not become sterile or overworked.
At the same time there is still a clear structure behind everything. I usually enter the studio with a very defined idea of the song, its dynamics and the atmosphere it should create. That structure gives me a solid foundation, but within that space I leave room for small spontaneous moments that can happen naturally during the recording process.
Sometimes the best takes are not the most perfect ones, but the ones that capture a certain tension or energy. After many years recording and touring I learned that those imperfections often carry the real spirit of the music.
Outside of music, what disciplines or experiences influence the way you think and create?
A lot of the way I think and create comes from reflection and observation of life itself. Travelling and spending years on the road had a big impact on how I see the world. When you move through different countries, cultures and environments, you naturally start questioning things on a deeper level. Those experiences stay with you and slowly shape the way you interpret existence, and that inevitably finds its way into the music.
I am also strongly drawn to philosophy, existential thought and literature that explores the human condition. Ideas about purpose, identity, doubt and the search for meaning are things that constantly occupy my mind. They influence not only the lyrics but also the atmosphere I try to build, because black metal for me has always been a medium to express those inner conflicts.
Solitude and introspection also play an important role in the creative process.
Were there particular artists, books, or images that opened your mind to darker or more complex ideas?
Yes, there have been many influences that shaped the way I approach darker and more complex ideas. Musically, bands from the black and death metal scenes exposed me to intense atmospheres and emotional depth that go beyond technical skill. Those sounds showed me that music could be a vessel for exploring despair, introspection, and the extremes of human emotion.
Outside of music, literature and philosophy played a huge role. Works like The Denial of Death by Ernest Becker, which explores the human confrontation with mortality, and Thus Spoke Zarathustra by Friedrich Nietzsche, with its reflections on self-overcoming and existential struggle, opened my mind to ideas I might not have confronted otherwise. Art and imagery that evoke isolation, decay, or profound tension also inspired the aesthetic and atmosphere I aim for in CHANTS.
Your work often feels raw and uncompromising. In a time when much of the scene becomes polished or commercial, how do you preserve authenticity?
For me, preserving authenticity is about staying true to the vision and the emotions behind the music, rather than chasing trends or external validation. CHANTS is entirely my project, so I have the freedom to create without compromise. Every riff, every lyric, and every atmosphere comes from a personal place, shaped by experience, reflection, and instinct. That honesty is what keeps the work raw and uncompromising in my honest opinion.
Do you see music as a form of confrontation—with yourself or with the world around you?
Absolutely. Music for me is both a confrontation with myself and with the world around me. It’s a way to face inner fears, doubts, and the darker corners of my own mind, while also reflecting on the chaos, despair, and contradictions I see in society. Writing and performing allows me to process these things honestly, without filtering or compromise.
At the same time, it’s a confrontation with the listener, not in an aggressive way, but in a sense that it challenges them to engage with difficult emotions and ideas.
In the end, music is a mirror. It shows both personal and collective struggles, and through that confrontation, it opens the possibility for insight, catharsis, and even transformation.
Do you think extreme music still has the power to disturb or challenge listeners today?
Absolutely. Extreme music still has the power to disturb and challenge because it speaks to emotions and experiences that are often ignored or suppressed. It confronts listeners with intensity, chaos, and vulnerability in a way that more conventional music rarely does. Even in a world saturated with polished productions, there is something in raw, uncompromising sound that cuts through and demands attention.
Extreme music may have evolved, but its ability to provoke, unsettle, and open new perspectives remains. When approached honestly, it still connects deeply, pushing both the creator and the listener to confront truths they might otherwise avoid.
Has there ever been an idea or sound you wanted to explore but felt hesitant to pursue?
Yes, there have been ideas and sounds I’ve hesitated to pursue, mostly because they felt too exposed or personal at the time. Some concepts touch on experiences or emotions that are raw and uncomfortable, and I wasn’t always ready to put them into music.
Musically, I’ve also experimented with textures and atmospheres that initially felt risky or unconventional within black metal. At first, I questioned if they would fit or be accepted, but letting myself explore them organically has opened new dimensions in the music.
When I work on samples I often start with small fragments, such as field recordings, noises, or manipulated sounds, and experiment with how they interact with the main instrumentation. It can take time to find the right balance, and I often discard ideas that don’t feel completely natural. That hesitation isn’t a weakness, it’s part of making sure every element contributes to the overall atmosphere and emotional impact.
If you could remove one limitation from your creative process, what would it be?
If I could remove one limitation from my creative process it would be time. Often, the ideas I have require space to grow and evolve, but life, deadlines, and practical and personal constraints can force me to rush or compromise. Having unlimited time would allow me to explore every concept fully, experiment freely, and develop the music exactly as I imagine it.
That said, limitations also shape creativity in their own way, so it’s not about wanting an easier process. It’s about having the freedom to let every idea breathe and reach its full potential without pressure.
When someone listens to your music, what do you hope they will feel or understand from it?
When someone listens to CHANTS, I hope they feel a sense of honesty and emotional depth. I want the music to resonate with the darker and more complex parts of human experience, giving space to reflect on despair, inner conflict, and the search for meaning. It’s not about comfort, but about connection to something real.
I also hope listeners understand that the music comes from a personal journey. Every riff, atmosphere, and lyric is shaped by experience, reflection, and the moments that have defined my path. Ideally, it encourages them to confront their own emotions and thoughts, creating a shared space of introspection and intensity.