Band: Galväo Country: Portugal Genre: Post-Black Metal
1. AM: Hello! How are you?
Galväo: I’m feeling pretty rough, stuck at home with the flu, running a fever, and just trying to recover. Definitely not my favorite way to spend the week!
2. AM: What does "Galväo" mean? How did you choose the name for your band?
Galväo: “Galväo” is actually the name of my grandfather. He was a quiet, serene man who had this rare ability to bring calm to everyone around him. In many ways, that same sense of calm is what this project gives me. When I started it back in 2021, I felt that naming it after him would be a fitting tribute a way of keeping his presence and spirit alive through music. From now on, the project will also include Sérgio Ramos, who will be handling vocals and lyrics, marking a new chapter in Galväo’s music.
3. AM: What style do you play? How did it all start and how did you arrive at this form?
Galväo: The music we create falls somewhere within the realm of post–black metal a space where intensity and atmosphere coexist. There are moments driven by blast beats and raw energy, contrasted by passages that are more melodic, emotional, and immersive. We arrived at this sound in a very organic way, without any premeditated plan or rigid framework. It was a natural process of exploration and emotion shaping the music.
With our latest release Abismo De Almas Enfermas, that balance became even more evident. Sérgio Ramos’s vocals added a crucial layer of weight and depth that was previously missing, giving the songs a new emotional and sonic dimension.
4. AM: How is music written and arranged, and what audience is it intended for?
Galväo: Our music comes together in a very organic way. It usually begins with a single riff, a spark that sets everything in motion. From there, I start shaping the song around that initial idea, always trying not to repeat what I’ve done before. That’s the foundation, although I don’t follow it as a strict rule; the process remains open and intuitive.
For this EP, I wrote and structured all the instrumental parts first. Once the music was in place, Sérgio stepped in and created the vocal melodies and lyrics, recording them over the existing tracks. In one or two songs, after hearing his vocal takes, I went back and added some additional melodic layers to enhance the emotional texture and atmosphere.
As for the audience, I don’t think of a specific listener while composing, it’s more about channeling emotion and honesty into sound. But I believe our music will resonate with those who seek something raw yet introspective, where aggression and melancholy coexist in the same breath.
5. AM: Your first works were instrumental. On Abismo de Almas Enfermas, vocals were added. The artwork has also changed; it's now darker and less socially charged than before. What prompted these changes?
Galväo: Honestly, we’re not interested in following any aesthetic trends or creating something that feels socially acceptable or “beautiful.” We simply create what feels right to us in the moment and release it as it is. Our only real concern is authenticity, making music that comes from an honest place, without preconceived ideas or artistic limitations.
With Abismo de Almas Enfermas, the project entered a new phase. The addition of vocals brought a human presence and emotional intensity that transformed the way the music communicates. Sérgio’s voice became another instrument, carrying anguish, reflection, and vulnerability, emotions that were previously only implied in the instrumentals. The result feels more direct and visceral.
The artwork and overall aesthetic naturally evolved alongside this change. The imagery became darker and more introspective, reflecting the weight and depth of the record’s atmosphere. Abismo de Almas Enfermas isn’t meant to be pretty or comforting, it’s a descent into emotional and psychological spaces that are often uncomfortable but real. That honesty is what defines Galväo at this stage.
6. AM: What motivates you to do what you do?
Galväo: For us, this project is a form of liberation, an escape from the dull routines of everyday life. It’s a space where we can truly breathe and create without boundaries, without having to please anyone or fit into any defined mold. Making music gives us a sense of freedom that reality often denies.
There’s something deeply therapeutic about channeling everything, frustration, exhaustion, hope, into sound. It’s not about ambition or recognition; it’s about expression and honesty. Each song becomes a release, a moment where we can strip away the noise of the outside world and reconnect with something real inside ourselves. That’s what keeps us going, the need to feel free and to translate that freedom into music.
7. AM: How does music influence a person's life, and what is its meaning? What impact should your music have on the listener?
Galväo: Music has the power to reach places that words alone can’t. It can expose emotions we didn’t even know were there and help us make sense of what feels chaotic or undefined inside us. For us, music is not entertainment, it’s communication at its purest level. It’s an exchange of emotion, energy, and vulnerability.
With Galväo, we’re not trying to deliver a message or impose an interpretation. The goal is to create something that each listener can experience in their own way, whether it brings them peace, discomfort, or reflection. Abismo de Almas Enfermas isn’t about guiding emotions; it’s about opening a space where they can exist freely.
If the music leaves an imprint, if it makes someone stop for a moment and feel something genuine, even if it’s hard to describe, then it has already fulfilled its purpose. That quiet, invisible impact is what gives meaning to what we do.
8. AM: To what extent do you think your genre needs discoveries and revelations? To what extent should music be open to new things? Where is the line when it's not appropriate to cross certain boundaries?
Galväo: We believe that any form of art, especially within heavy or experimental music, should remain open to discovery. The moment you stop exploring, the music loses its soul. Black metal, post–black metal, or any related genre doesn’t need to reinvent itself completely, but it does need to keep feeling alive, to keep reflecting the inner world of those who create it. Innovation doesn’t always mean using new sounds or techniques, sometimes it’s simply about being honest and fearless in what you express.
At the same time, not every boundary needs to be crossed. Some limits exist not as rules but as a sense of respect, for the emotion, the message, and the integrity of the work. Crossing boundaries just for the sake of provocation often empties the art of meaning. For us, what matters is intention: if something new feels genuine, if it serves the atmosphere and emotion, then it’s worth pursuing.
In the end, music should evolve naturally, not because it’s trying to be different, but because it’s trying to be true.
9. AM: Who are your teachers? What inspires you? Specific works or people? Nature or the transcendental?
Galväo: Our teachers have always been the people we’ve played with and exchanged experiences with in the various bands we’ve been part of. Every collaboration, every rehearsal, every shared idea has been a lesson in itself.
As for inspiration, it comes from our everyday experiences, the music we listen to, and the moments when we discover a band or a piece of music that makes us think, “This is amazing.” One of our biggest influences is Nuno Verdades. Sérgio is part of one of his projects, Ethereal Wound, and I played with him for ten years in another band. The dedication, vision, and evolution of his work have been truly inspiring and remain a significant reference for us.
In addition to these human influences, we also find inspiration in more abstract or transcendental realms. Nature, for instance, teaches patience, resilience, and subtle complexity, qualities that often find their way into our compositions. And there’s a certain transcendental element in music itself: the ability to connect with emotions and thoughts that go beyond language or everyday reality. That space, between the tangible and the intangible, is where much of Galväo’s essence comes from.
10. AM: What meaning do you put into your songs?
Galväo: Our songs delve into the darker aspects of the human experience, themes like human decay, emotional turmoil, and existential despair. The title Abismo de Almas Enfermas (Abyss of Diseased Souls) encapsulates this exploration, portraying a descent into inner torment and confronting the sickness within both the individual and society.
The lyrics often depict scenes of grotesque rituals and spiritual cannibalism, where the act of consuming becomes a metaphor for internal destruction and the insatiable hunger for transcendence. For instance, in "Festim Infernal" (Infernal Feast), the banquet symbolizes a feast of human ruin, where the spectators become the consumed, reflecting a cycle of obsession and decay.
These themes are not just artistic choices but reflections of our own observations and feelings about the world around us. The music serves as a medium to process and express these emotions, allowing us to confront and understand the darkness within and around us.
11. AM: What's it like being a musician in Portugal? What's the local scene like? Has anything changed dramatically in recent decades?
Galväo: Being a musician in Portugal, especially within these more underground genres, is not an easy path. It often means struggling to make ends meet if you want to dedicate yourself fully to music. Financial stability is rare, and many musicians have to balance their artistic pursuits with day-to-day survival.
That said, the local scene is vibrant and full of creativity. There are always new projects emerging across the spectrum of extreme music, which is really encouraging. The scene feels healthy and alive, particularly in Lisbon and the northern regions, where there’s a consistent flow of concerts and events. In contrast, in areas like Alentejo, the scene is much weaker, with fewer opportunities for live shows or collaborations.
The internet and digital platforms have allowed bands to reach wider audiences and connect with international listeners, which has helped invigorate the scene. While life as an underground musician remains challenging, the passion and dedication of the community continue to sustain it, making it an exciting and rewarding environment for those willing to persevere.
12. AM: What are your creative plans?
Galväo: For now, our immediate plan is to continue recording in the same way we’ve been working so far. We aim to release another EP or possibly a full-length album at the beginning of next year. Beyond that, we’re also considering expanding the project by collaborating with additional musicians, which could bring new textures and perspectives to the sound.
Our focus remains on exploring and evolving organically, without forcing ideas or adhering to expectations. Every new release is an opportunity to deepen the emotional and atmospheric impact of our music, while still keeping the authenticity and rawness that define Galväo.
13. AM: Thank you for the conversation. Here you can convey a message to readers.
Galväo: We want to thank everyone who takes the time to listen to our music and engage with what we create. Galväo is a project born from honesty, emotion, and a desire to explore the darker and more complex aspects of human experience. Our hope is that our music can resonate with listeners in their own way, whether it brings reflection, catharsis, or simply a moment of connection.
Continue seeking what moves you, whether in music, art, or life itself. Stay open, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to confront both the beauty and the darkness around you. That’s where growth, understanding, and truly profound experiences often lie.
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October 2025
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