Leonardo Sabatto

I started making experiments with a neighbor just for fun, when I was very young, I never believed it was going to be some part of my life. That ´s now... Some of my first "experiments" were Rictus Sardónico and PPH made just ´cause I was tired of listening boring bands and music, I haven ´t had listened even experimental music, I don ´t know if it was empiricism, but that happened with no experience (at all).

Activities :

1991

Dos Semanas con Diarrea recorded their first tape release,a split cassette with another infamous Ecuadorian noise project, Gonorrea of Lips. This tape was distributed by mail .And if you are lucky enough you could find it.

After of been and help in several noise projects such as Malignant Circuncixion,Rictus Sardonico , Defecacion Bucal and bands: Matanza , NPH (His most known band in Ecuador, who has played several times in Ecuador), W, and the make his "ANTI MUSICA" zine ( focused in noise music), He decided to start a tape / trade label distributing new projects he was involved too, projects such as No Se, DAFOSM , Apathy , NTV and others friends works,He decided to experiment with proffesional studio recordings and Estratégias Destructivas Constructoras an experimental ambient band saw the lights.It was no until 1995 when Non Profit Tapes (He claims he does his stuff and label only for pleasure of doing it) after changed to Extreme Tapes turned to Bizarre Audio Arts. At that time ARMENIA ,his last experiment ,had two tapes out,the live split w/ ACERRIMAMENTE which was basically sound fields and the HATED tape which was only voice- built. I was shocked the time I saw Neubauten´s “Autobahn” on TV.I saw it in cable. Later I knew the name was also called ARMENIA,And I just put the name without doubting”. “I´ve thinking in changing the name ,but I don´t find a better one,I don´t know, but I don´ t believe in names, I think putting a name to a band or project is absurd , silly and nonsense. 

1995

Some old folks came to join the project, Fabian Torres and Douglas Coronel who used to live 7 hours each other. They were called YUKO- YUQUIN (their knick names),and they never went to a proffesional studio to create their original sounds that they created handly and with unmentioned techniques.Together they made “Sonic Experimentation Pt 1 + 2” , “Ebola” and some parts of "Viernes".

1996

Some interviews were made in Gaea Zine , Flagrum Zine and some reviews asking Sabatto new project. They decided to stop making submissions to the project in 96.In 1996 ARMENIA found another member: Guañushca (Anonymous artist) who performed live at SR studios together with ACERRIMAMENTE.And in the Uncivilizated Country at Leonardo´s Sabatto old place.Guanushca means "Death" in Quichua, a language only Ecuadorian Indians speak. After some releases,including a tape performance in WKCR radio in New York (the track was "Enigmatica Ilusion Tridimensional" from the split with Murder Corporation) he left the band without a reason. It was 97 and ARMENIA was invited by RRR Records (USA) to join a 4 way 7" ep,taken some parts from the "Historia Documentada" tape (the track title was "I will always be a looser" due to comments in my city about my interesting and tastes in music), released in the last December. 

1997

ARMENIA worked together with HERMIT in doing a limited edition ep in Garbage Society Communications / BAA with the name “New Fucking Year”(inspired in some bad moments at that time).This ep was made in Ecuador.For this year ARMENIA recording devices were very different from tape to tape using different studios and recording devices. Same year New Noise (Holland) asked Sabatto to make a split ep with HYWARE, the track title was “No name,no slogan”.It was also limited in 300 copies.

2001

ARMENIA was invited to perform in Spain with Jhon Duncan,Aube ,Cornucopia and others in the Observatori Experimental Fest,but for some problems he couldn´ t go.

Same year , ARMENIA / RUIDO DE ODIO CD is finally out.

2002

April 4th ARMENIA will perform together with NCH ,Dark Cavern,and Industria Masoquista at LA BUNGA in Quito.

ARMENIA new equipment consist of a Roland sampler , 4 new pedals, Digitech Studio and High resolution microphones.

July 19th La Bunga invited to join the “V.N.A.”noise fest with the same artists group.

ARMENIA´s MP3´s can be downloaded thanks to Tim Oliveira from STIMBOX.

December 31.ARMENIA mixed all his releases in a-unstop- 6 hour session jam for "Viaje a la Nada" MD.

Estrategias Destructivas Constructoras and DAFOSM began to recorded new material for an upcoming release.

2003

As a step and contribution to "Antiart" movement, Sabatto started making UNPLAYABLE items. Incredible ridiculous-Limited to 1 piece each.

New DAFOSM CDR´s and 2 SCD CDr´s saw the light after 10 years of silence.

ARMENIA track on Eklegein V.1 on Eklegein Recording (USA).

ARMENIA contributed mixing noises for a LATERAL AGRICULTURE ORDER release on his own label.

Several interviews in magazines such as "Barbie is a Bitch", "Night Science" and reviews in famous magazines such as "Bananafish" , "Voz Revelde" , "Hard News" etc...

Joe Lombardo (Famous American noise critic) reviewed some ARMENIA releases in forums in the web, Expressing “Diverse, Constant noise, blasting and powerful.

Friends contributed with equipment: STIMBOX and STRICT donated special high-tech pedals. He also built multiple attached microphones for live sessions.

Sabatto mixed sounds with Miguel Tipacti from Peru (Atrofia Cerebral) legend of noise in South America in the late 80´s.

ARMENIA played together w/INDUSTRIA MASOQUISTA, NCH,and Dark Cavern in a small town near Quito-Latacunga (home of Industria Masoquista´s guy). In front of 150 metal-heads, the flyer clearly advised "A Full Metal Night".

"Extreme Music from Chone" v/a CDr is out as a manifesto against people who rejects Ecuadorian noise - "What does make a band famous?".

ARMENIA played in Gomorrah Estudios (Quito) together with Datana , Transfiguration and Dark Cavern

2004

Sabatto´s girl Betty joined ARMENIA in vocals and manipulations during live performances, The first was in Latacunga´s “DOMINA Fest” together with I am DC, Dark Cavern and Transfiguration. People reaction was great.

“Limited to 10” is the name of the ultra limited edition CDR that ARMENIA put out against special package items-arty-farty noise people.

Emil Beaulieau / ARMENIA split CDr is out .

Two releases in German labels: Scrotum Records and Protest Products.

Sabatto´s ultra limited CDr is out now in Red Blooded Records (USA)

The Pedestrian Deposit / ARMENIA split 7" ep is released by Dada Drumming (USA) FALL || OF || BECAUSE - ASSESSMENTS - AUGUST 2004 Review: Armenia takes side A with "La Mejor Banda de Ecuador, sin Lugar a Dudas": About four minutes of blistering harsh noise with an unrelenting sizzle and a raw midrange attack. I can't say there's a great deal of detail or clarity here, as the only noticeable variations are shifts in thickness and the introduction of some fiery feedback. The piece is just driven by an overall sense of general chaotic movement and pure, unadulterated distortion.

That ´s just only a part of the story,

to talk about every single detail of each release,

track releases, 

inspiration, 

or recording source should be boring, 

stupid and senseless....

in my opinion.