Melodic, experimental, liric and creative band coming from USA, AGHORA mixed progressive, jazzy and hindu influences in your great debut album. Krepuskulum interviwed Santiago (Guitars), the leader.

Krepuskulum: Firstly we would like that spoke a little of the history of AGHORA to the
beginning until the debut's release.

I always had the idea to form a group where together everyone was extremely tight and yet as individuals everyone would shine. The idea to create this band was cultivated while I was attending school in Berklee in 1995. At that  time, I was beginning to sketch ideas which later evolved into music for the  band. It wasn't until I moved back to Miami in 1997 that the band became a  reality. Originally the band consisted of Charlie on rhythm guitar, my  sister Danishta on vocals, Andy Deluca on bass and Sean on drums. Because Andy lives in Chicago and every one was extremely busy with school our rehearsals where limited. While we recorded the 98 demos we got to rehearse only once. For the 99 demos, we had to rely totally on faith in each member because rehearsal time was non-existent. At that time, Sean Reinert moved to Los Angeles so we only saw each other a few times in that year. When the opportunity came to work on the album we had to hurry and prepare everything
for the recording sessions. Sean came back to Miami for rehearsals. At this time, things didn't work out for us with Andy and we parted ways with him. Two weeks into the recording of the album during the summer of 99, we asked Sean Malone to join the band. His entrance helped AGHORA evolve towards the direction we wanted to go.

What is the meaning of AGHORA?

It’s a Sanskrit word that means to be within light, "Non Terrifying". It is also another name for Hindu deity "SHIVA". AGHORA was an ancient Tantric sect in northern India that strived to embrace the world, embrace impurity, embrace darkness and push through forcibly into light.


The music of your debut album have impressive arrangements that mix jazz and progressive rock. Which the musical formation of the band's members?

Well all of us listen to so many different styles and have studied various forms of music on our instruments. Sean Malone & Sean Reinert have a very strong jazz foundation in their styles of playing. I was never too much into straight ahead jazz. I respect it greatly but I am more drawn to fusion like the Mahavishnu Orchestra and Allan Holdsworth. Charlie is big on euro metal, Classical guitarists, Pop. Danishta listens to so many different things. One day you'll find her listening to Bobby Mcferrin and the next day she will be listening to Steve Vai. The coolest thing about everyone in the band is their
openness to music.

Some people accuse bands like DREAM THEATER of be virtuous and indulgent . What are your opinion?

I think that at times it can be very easy to get distracted with technicalities and the desire to be flashy. There is nothing wrong with "virtuosity" as long as the music is good. But the artist always has the right to express him or herself in the manner that he or she chooses.

The compositions and lyrics of your CD have a lot of references to the Hindu culture with names as SATYA, KALI YUGA and JIVATMA. Which your relationship with Hinduism and the oriental culture?

I am very much inspired by eastern philosophies such as Buddhism & Hinduism. I don't particularly follow one set religion but I enjoy learning from different sources. I think each one has a piece of the puzzle. I do however follow certain disciplines. Yoga has been a huge part of my life. I meditate frequently and practice Hatha yoga Tantra Yoga. Also recently I have been very inspired by martial arts particularly Jeet Kune Do (Bruce Lee's concept), and Muay Thai kick boxing. All these elements come out within the music. You can hear it in the melodies, the rhythm, and in the words. Satya means truth. Kali Yuga speaks of the darkened age that we live in where there is so much chaos and the only way out is going within. Jivatma means individual soul or spiritual seed which is reflected in our "in the moment jam". The whole album has an underlying message of looking within or "Unplugging".

The arrangements of music as Jivatma and Existence are extremely complex, with many guitar variations and an impressive work of the bass. How is the creative process of these music?

Thanks. Well, Jivatma was completely improvised. It was something created in the moment over a sequenced percussion loop. We later went back and added a few samples to help add textures. I usually start to write music with the rhythms. In my mind I usually hear a lot of grooves. I begin by with writing parts for drums and bass. There are a lot of ostinatos in the album.
You'll especially hear them in Existence. After the rhythm section is strong I begin work on the melodies and on the atmosphere which usually consists of  guitars or synths. After the song is sequenced I give the band their copy of a demo and charts. I then invite them to mold their sound and style into the music. After that we rehearse it and get it ready for the studio. Most
of the parts stay the same but some things end up coming out more and feel more alive. It ends up getting the band's sound.



Danishta Rivero is an impressive vocalist, with a melodious and deep voice. Which the singers that influence her?

Danishta listens to a lot of Bobby Mcferrin, Tori Amos, Bjork, Enya, Ella Fitzgerald, Stephen Sondheim, Bach, Mozart, and Debussy.

Which the 10 better albums of the music's history in your opinion?


God, there are so many to mention! 10 are not enough!!!!! I will try to keep the list at 10.

Peter Gabriel "Passion"
Cynic "Focus"
Bach's double violin concertos (Perlman & Stern)
Stravinsky's "Rite of spring"
Steve Vai "Passion & Warfare"
Allan Holdsworth "secrets"
Alanis Morrissette "Jagged Little Pill"
Tool "Aenima"
Bjork "Post"
SHAKTI
Mahavishnu Orchestra "Inner mounting flame" & "Visions Of The Emerald Beyond"
Metallica "And Justice for all"

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