1. how are you?

C: I am a little bit tired, but doing ok, thank you very much for asking. Not a very common way to start an interview, but it definitively makes me feel comfortable, being among friends. ;)

2. How did the birth of CENOBITA come about?

C: Well my friend this story is kind of long. But I will make it shorter for you. The project started in 1994 in Mexico City, formed by me, Claus Bita on machines and vocals and Omar Flo on vocals. We met on an alternative punkish band, and decided to make an electronic band, since the other project was not fulfilling our needs. We decided to create electronic music, with cyberpunk lyrics because William Gibson's literature was my devotion, and I think his concepts are pretty much close to what we are living in the future. Our influences (Skinny Puppy, Einsturzende Neu Bauten, Leather Strip, Mentallo & the Fixer etc...) merged with our own way of living in Mexico, and we had to come out with a harsh electronic band. Our first gig marked the starting point for Cenobita. We released two demo tapes on early years: "Cybertuality" and "Visiones", later on in 1999 Cenobita came out with the first full length CD titled "Neo Milenio". The new album is called "Metamorfosis" and it came out in Europe in late June.

3. You started CENOBITA as a duo, and now you are all on your own. Since this time, your sound has changed. What made you go through this direction?

C: Working on my own, has been the greatest thing it could happen to me and Cenobita. Now I feel completely free. Since the beginning I made all the music and about 50% of the lyrics, so I don't think that the fact of working alone, has done any considerable effect on the music, but it has caused a great effect in Cenobita's soul and attitude. Since I started working alone, all the best things have came along!!!! I have been working as a one man project for more than 1.5 years, and I think the sound has evolved not just changed. Neo Milenio was released originally three years ago, so I think it is pretty normal that my sound has changed during this time. Besides that, I wanted to do something more suitable for my vocal style, and also more dance floor friendly. I wanted people to be able to listen to the music at their house, car, walkman, and the club as well. I think this CD is very steady. I don't explore separate ways with Metamorfosis, and it is a personal statement as well. So far this album, has been the most fulfilling release for me cause I was in charge of full production, and also I enjoy being in the front of the stage, lol....

4. What inspired you to create your new CD "Metamorfosis"?

C: The same stuff that has inspired me since the beginning. I think my most influential issue is Mexico City. The city is just so great and so terrifying at the same time. Here, you can live a life in a split second, and never realized you were born. All my personal situation also influenced a lot into the music. That is the main reason, that the CD is the most personal release ever. All the ideas were being cooked for a period of time, but since I was not completely satisfied with the production details, I took a little bit more time to have it all done. Metamorfosis is a relevant part of my life, so when you listen to it, you can hear my soul speaking....

5. When I first heard "Metamorfosis" I ejected the CD from my player and said "man! this is CENOBITA" the sound was totally different than what I had expected. I guess this is why you chose this title for the CD?

C: Well I really hope you shove it again into the CD player, right after you ejected it and listen to the CD!!! This new Cenobita sound is a metamorphosis indeed if you compare it to the old sound. I changed a lot of equipment, and obviously the sounds are different. With this release everything is under a concept. I use less distortion on sounds, and I wanted to have cleaner melodies, my voice is quite different from Omar, and people seems to enjoy my singing almost as much as I do :) This album is cleaner and straighter than any other, the message is there, and you can see it in the design, the music, the soul.....I think that the only way to survive is evolution.

6. From "Metamofosis" which track was most emotional to write?

C: All tracks have a personal attachment to them, and I think that you are listening to my soul as I told you before. But maybe the most emotional one was On Line Trinity, I wrote it with tears in my mouth and screams in my eyes.....it has a very deep personal meaning. I have been asked a lot of times what is this song about. Just take whatever you can, and use whatever is useful for you. Like any other Cenobita's song, everybody is encouraged to understand the lyrics as they want to, and that is one of the basic concepts of the project.

7. In your spare time what music do you listen to?

C: Basically psytrance (minimal mostly) and also some IDM, power electronics, noise or a very few ebm bands. I have been listening to my old thrash metal stuff ;)

8. In the future will you be doing any remixes? or for other bands?

C: I have done a few remixes now. I did a remix for Aghast View - Fieldlights, featured on their new album, and I did label mates ASP Singchild's remix. I am working on a few remixes, including one for Lame Immortelle. I hope to have the time for remixing other projects, and have my own stuff remixed too.

9. To let us rest in peace (ha-ha) will there be a new album coming out in the years to come? and what can listener's expect?

C: I will definitively put out new stuff, don't know when. It would be too soon to say, but I hope to have something for next year. Let's see what happens. As for the expectation, mmmmm, I don't want to disturb the undead, but I really dont know either, I might do something noisier next time....but still it is uncertain for me too.....any suggestions?.....write me.

10. Claus it was a pleasure to have the opportunity to interview you and your musical project CENOBITA........

C: Definitively my pleasure too. I hope I would be able to meet new friends at any future concert here, there, anywhere. Feel free to drop me a line at: cenobita@internet.com.mx If you need any further info, please contact. www.cenobita.com Thanks again, and remember that evolution is needed to survive.