EXCLUSIVE: Interview with Mexican Doom Metal Icons Matalobos

Few days ago, we posted an exclusive talk with Matalobos Guitarist E. Santamaria about their latest performance in Concreto Metal Festival! And as many fans here showed more interest in knowing more about the band. So, here is a bigger, more detailed interview with Matalobos again.

Performing Melodic Death Doom in Mexico! Many of usMiddle Eastern and Egyptian do not know a lot aboutthe scene in Mexico, How can you describe the MexicanMetal Scene?

We have a really strong Mexican scene I could say, we have lots of quality, lots of genres and not only speaking of Metal, it’s a rich country, opportunities are growing, places are opening their gates, we’re seeing a resurrection of Metal in Mexico, now bands need to believe in themselves and do things professionally.

I liked the title of your latest album “Until Time Has Lost All Meaning”! Tell us about the concept stands behind your album?

This production talks and focus all about death, this in a very traditional way in our country, death is a way to honor our fallen ones and celebrate their gone lifes, so we’re presenting 3 songs, each one pictures a part of the leaving process: pain, somatization and embracing.

In general, what are your main influences while writing your stuff? 

We take inspiration from many things from horror movies, depressing music, goth literature, death of course, personal situations, myths, popular legends or macabre histories, haunted places… and so on haha

I liked the idea of introducing acoustic sessions. Tell us more about this idea, and what are your favorite Doom Metal acoustic versions? 

Well this idea came up one year ago, we wanted to give an end of year local show, but trying something different and more intimate, since we’re fans of very versatile types of music, the opportunity came in August this year, and even bigger than we thought, presenting the show in the Puebla City Theatre, think it’s the most important and elegant show we’ve done to date. Speaking of our fave acoustic versions we have all Katatonia DVD, Clouds, Anathema, Green Carnation, Empyrium and why not mention Damnation from Opeth.

Are you planning to head to Europe or North America in near future? 

Yes we are, still having some plans, working with documentation and stuff… but it’s totally in our minds.

You started your career in 2014, why did you choose Melodic Death Doom Metal? And what are the mainhardships that face you?

Since the birth of the band our intention was actually to play Doom Metal to take out all this feelings we kept, this is a genre we all love so that’s the point that joined us as bandmates and friends, we are all one in Doom. When you’re a new band there’s always obstacles you have to go over it, believe in you, trust in promoters, look for opportunities with record labels, we’re very lucky to always have an amazing support from all people around us, we appreciate every demonstration of support, that’s the blood that keeps going this shattered heart called Matalobos.

I know that you are so active band in live performances! So, who are your closest Mexican Metal bands whetheras favorite ones or as friends? 

For sure we had have the pleasure to share stage with so many great and delicious bands, Friends and colleagues, but just for mention some of them we have: Dark Matter, Majestic Downfall, Tormental, Vst, Terror Cósmico, Martyre… among so many others.

What are the bands that you hope to share the stage with? 

Ppppfff national bands, we’re willing to share stage with Martyre next November 10th, but well international bands… Daylight Dies, Swallow the Sun, Empyrium, Novembre... well, it’s ok to dream, no? hahah

Finally, what do you think of the Middle Eastern Scene? And do you want to tell us as your Middle Eastern brothers and sisters any messages, feel free? 

I think, that we are kind of unaware of the metal scene over there, we know a band called Dark Matter (just like our Mexican brothers) they play a really tasty dark doom, and probably the best known band from there, Orphaned Land, but that´s pretty much it, but we would love to learn about the metal scene over there, so send us suggestions! And for our Middle Eastern brothers and sister, we just want to say, that we hope to be together in doom, in death and decay, keep fighting for what you believe, and keep dooming!

And finally, a big thank you to The metal sister, for this great work, and for giving us this space to talk about our music, you´re the best, doom on!

Originally published on 2/10/2018 at 10:42 pm