Brazilian guitarist Helena Nagagata, recognized as one of the leading heavy metal guitarists of her generation, has released her first original single, “Starlust”, ahead of the release of her self-titled debut EP. “Starlust” is an instrumental composition that offers a precise sample of Helena’s impressive technical and creative ability, reaffirming her talent and position as one of the greatest promises in the scene.
About the release of “Starlust”, Nagagata highlights:
I’m very happy and excited to officially release my solo work! It’s been over a year since I started working on it and now to finally be able to share with the world something that is 100% you, that you put your whole heart into, is very special! This is an EP that mainly reflects my work as a guitarist, but it also has my ion for soundtracks, orchestral music and progressive music. Later on I intend to explore other creative paths, such as guitar and piano, but for this first release, I’m very happy because I believe I’ve arrived at something that represents my identity as a guitarist and as a human being.
Helena Nagagata is a musician, composer, multi-instrumentalist and PhD student in music, whose talent gained a lot of visibility after ing Shamangra, a project that brings together former of the two biggest melodic metal bands in Brazil, Angra and Shaman, playing alongside true legends of Brazilian Metal such as Luis Mariutti, Aquiles Priester, Hugo Mariutti and Thiago Bianchi. Helena was also mentioned three times in the American magazine Guitar World, with special mention in a list of “30 Heroines of the Guitar” alongside other great names of the instrument. Helena also had the opportunity to learn directly from some of her greatest idols: John Petrucci (Dream Theater), Guthrie Govan (The Aristocrats), Tosin Abasi (Animals as Leaders), Andy James (Cradle of Filth, Fields of the Nephilim), Mike Mangini (Dream Theater), Jason Richardson (All That Remains), among others. She studied classical guitar and piano with virtuoso multi-instrumentalist Tony Macalpine (Planet X, Steve Vai, Vinnie Moore). Helena was also a member of the extreme metal band Sinaya, and has participated in several projects in different musical genres, from instrumental progressive to Brazilian music and jazz.”Starlust” is a pun on the expression ‘stardust’ and the word ‘lust’, reflecting our incessant search for something beyond ourselves in the universe – something that will magnify us and bring us light, but that will also reveal our smallness in the face of the cosmic immensity. The track alternates between frenetic moments, which capture our relentless search for grandeur, and more melodic ages, which translate our vulnerability in contemplating the ephemeral nature of human existence and the importance of the connections we form with each other.
“Starlust” was composed, produced, arranged, and performed on guitar by Helena Nagagata, with bass, orchestration, and additional arrangements by Fábio Adour, drums programmed by Otávio Quiroga (Hibria), mixed by Gabriel Lima, mastered by Fernando Delgado and Breno Amorim, and cover art by Raphael Efez.
Header image by Eduardo Firmo
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