Doomed Confessionary: Hugo Ferrão (Soul Of Anubis)
Photo credits: MJ Ferreira
Soul Of Anubis is a sludge/doom metal duo from Oliveira de Azeméis, Portugal featuring Hugo Ferrão on guitar and vocals, and Rui Silva on drums.
Formed in 2010 in Northern Portugal, Soul Of Anubis have carved out a distinct place within the European underground thanks to their explosive fusion of thrash, sludge, doom and post-metal. Their sound channels the raw urgency of Mantar, the primal energy of early Mastodon, and the relentless drive of High On Fire and Black Cobra, yet remains unmistakably their own – a visceral blend of aggression and dynamic shifts that refuses to be confined to a single genre.
Soul Of Anubis have just released their third full-length album »Ritual« on February 20th, 2026 via Time To Kill Records. The album promises to push their sonic boundaries even further, expanding upon their trademark blend of massive riffs, dark groove, and emotional gravity, while highlighting a newfound sense of urgency and compositional versatility.
Can you please say a few words about your band?
First of all, thank you so much for your interest in Soul Of Anubis, it’s great to be here! Initially, we were a three-piece band, but after the pandemic and the departure of the bassist, we decided to continue as a duo, maintaining the same essence. We just wanted to make music and play live, as we grew up in a generation, where being in a band was a common thing. So, it was a quick decision to continue with an even more direct, sludgy and doomy sound.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Well, learning how to get a bass sound through a guitar, without it sounding artificial, and create a wall of sound, with just one guitar, was one big challenge! In addition, checking if a duo (drums and guitar) worked live was also a factor we took into consideration. And after 2-3 concerts, we realized it was possible, which made us happy to be doing what we were doing.
What can you be most proud of so far?
Without a doubt, the continuity as a duo since 2022 is key. The band is stronger, more focused and looking to the future. Above all, our friendship is stronger than ever, and that makes me very proud! Besides the fact that we managed to record an album that leaves us very happy, belonging to the Time To Kill Records family is simply the icing on the cake!
What was your biggest regret?
It might be sad, since the person in question was our friend, but perhaps the decision to be a duo could have been made sooner. I feel we faced some obstacles in achieving certain goals in those times.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
Now, that’s a tricky question! We have many great concerts in our memories, with a fantastic audience, but perhaps the concert that marked me the most was one in Barcelona in 2022, where one of my guitar amps had broken down, so I borrowed one from a friend, an amp that was on steroids, and it was so loud it muffles the drums! It was a pretty crazy concert in terms of sound and crowd, and at the end, there was a huge line to buy merch! I was absolutely speechless!
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
For the past 3-4 years or so, I’ve noticed more sludge and doom bands with young kids! This is simply fantastic! Seeing a kid pick up an instrument and want to start a band makes me super happy and surprised.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
I’m quite biased, and people even tell me I’m always hearing the same thing, but lately I’ve been listening a lot to High On Fire, Horn Of The Rhino, Mastodon, Crowbar, Conan and so on. Basically, I put on playlists of sludge and doom metal that I have on repeat.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Stay focused and don’t give up! Continuous work will pay off! It’s something I always keep in mind and try to pass on. Furthermore, maintaining the DIY approach is something that has been with me since the beginning of this journey.
What are your guilty pleasures?
Wow, searching for and buying amps, pedals, and guitars drives me crazy! I’m constantly looking for cheap, used gear. Besides that, I’m constantly thinking and brainstorming about how to make amps, pedals, and guitars. It’s become so natural that in my free time, I’m working on these ideas.
Can you say something more about the current music scene in Portugal?
Well, I live in an area near Coimbra, Portugal, and there are some bands, but few concert venues. Something that has been happening throughout the country is the fact that there are fewer and fewer concert venues for metal bands in general. I feel that 10 years ago, there were many more places to play. However, there are still young people forming bands and trying to play, even if it’s in a garage with a limited number of people! Perhaps we are in a cycle where demand is starting to exceed supply and new venues will open.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
At the moment, we are playing in Portugal and North of Spain and planning to do a tour of 10 days in Europe. You can check all the agenda at our Instagram page.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
For now, our intention is to play as much as possible and then, perhaps around the middle of this year, get back to composing new songs to work on a new album. The main point is to enjoy our new album »Ritual« and see the positive reception from people.
How can people best support your band?
The best support we can receive from our fans and the general public is for them to come to our concerts, have fun, and buy merchandise. This allows us to continue doing what we love most and also helps us grow.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
To our fans, a huge thank you for your continued support, for following us, coming to our shows, and picking up our merch. You are an essential part of this journey, and without you, none of this would be the same. Much love to all of you, and once again, THANK YOU! To everyone reading this, we hope you enjoyed the interview and feel encouraged to support Soul Of Anubis. If you ever get the chance to catch us live near you, come say hello – we love talking, connecting, and making new friends. Much love to you as well, and THANK YOU!
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well