When Motionless In White brought to the world their combination of Metalcore and Gothic Industrial tinged metal, there were those in the metal industry who raised eyebrows and embraced a sceptical view of combining these music styles. Fast forward 2 decades and the combined sound is still riveting and being embraced by more walks of life than at first fathomed. The latest incarnation comes from Chilean ground-breakers We Are The Monster, whose ferocity is only matched by their pitch black darkness and brooding atmospherics. 

     Ahead of their maiden release with Spanish metal label Art Gates Records, the hotly-tipped and widely anticipated album "Born In The End" of which drops 29th January 2027, the sextet took time out of their duties to talk to Global Metal Apocalypse about their humble origins, their journey so far (including supporting Avatar, Jinjer and most recently Deviloof) and what the future ahead will bring arguably the greatest Chilean metal export since Pentagram (Chile) and Criminal. 

For those who have not heard of We Are The Monster, could you explain how you came to form the band - were you in previous bands to begin with?

     "We Are The Monster was born from the idea that a band could be much more than just music. We wanted to build a universe that truly represented us, one where crushing riffs, emotional atmospheres, electronic elements, a strong visual identity, and our personal story could all coexist.
Most of us came from different bands within the Chilean metal scene. Every project taught us valuable lessons and gave us important experiences, but over time we realised we all shared the same vision: to create a band with an international mindset from day one.

     We didn't just want to write songs; we wanted to create an experience that people could hear, see, and feel."


Individually could you tell us who you are, what you play / do in the band and how you got into playing music; are any family members musicians or inspirations?

     "Each of us found our way into music through different paths, but we all share the same passion for creating something that truly connects with people:-

• Zero - the founder, songwriter, and lead vocalist of We Are The Monster, is the person who brought the project to life. His vision was to create a band that combines modern metal, a dark visual identity, and a conceptual story inspired by our origins. Since childhood, music has been his way of expressing himself, and today he leads much of the band's creative direction.

 

• Anaxor - is our keyboardist, scream vocalist, and is also responsible for the synthesizers and makeup that has become a defining part of our image. Her contribution goes far beyond the music, she played a major role in creating the visual identity of We Are The Monster. She has always been drawn to heavy music and artistic concepts that blend powerful sound with gothic aesthetics.

 

• Leo - is our lead guitarist. His playing brings the aggression, technique, and melody that defines a huge part of our sound. He fell in love with the guitar and heavy music at a young age, developing a style that has become an essential part of the band's identity.

 

• Nick - is our bassist, provides the weight and foundation behind every song. He has always viewed the bass as much more than a supporting instrument, striving to give it its own personality and presence within our compositions.

 

• Jay - is our drummer. His energy, precision, and creativity are essential to both our live performances and our recordings. Music has always been his way of channelling his energy, and that comes across every time he sits behind the kit.

 

• Javier - is our rhythm guitarist. His role is fundamental in building the backbone of our sound, bringing power, consistency, and a strong connection with the rest of the band. His passion for guitar started at an early age, and he has become a key part of We Are The Monster's evolution.

     While some of us grew up in musical families and others discovered music on our own, we all share similar influences. Bands like Motionless in White, Bring Me The Horizon, Architects, and Spiritbox have all had a significant impact on us. We also draw inspiration from industrial metal and electronic music. That combination of influences is what has ultimately shaped the identity of We Are The Monster."


The Chilean metal scene is strong with some notable successful exports, could you consider yourselves the next wave of Chilean metal?

     "Chile has an incredible metal scene filled with talented, hardworking bands. We have nothing but respect for everyone who paved the way before us.

     Whether we're part of the next generation of Chilean metal isn't for us to decide, that's something time and the audience will determine. What we can say is that we work every single day to represent Chile in the best possible way and prove that world-class music can come from the southernmost part of the world. 


     If our journey inspires future Chilean bands to dream bigger, that alone would make us incredibly proud."


You recently released your self-titled single ahead of your 2027 album release "Born In The End", it sounds like you're taking a far heavier and darker approach to your craft, was this the plan?

     "Absolutely. "Born In The End" isn't just an album it's a story. Every riff, every synth, every lyric, and every visual element exists to build that universe.

     We wanted everything to sound darker, heavier, and more cinematic without losing the emotional side of our music. For us, the contrast between aggression and atmosphere is a fundamental part of who we are.

     Our self-titled single is simply the gateway into everything that Born In The End represents."


From hearing your music, there is a major leaning towards Motionless in White as a core influence, so how do you try to distinguish yourselves from them; I noticed there is more of a Metalcore approach?

     "Motionless in White has been a major influence on us, just like many other bands we admire. They've shown that heavy music can be massive, melodic, and visually ambitious. But influence is only the starting point.

     Our identity comes from blending modern metalcore with electronic music, cinematic production, and our own narrative inspired by darkness, emotion, and the experiences we've lived as people.

     Our goal has never been to sound like another band. We want someone to hear one of our songs and immediately say, "That's We Are The Monster.”

​Welcome to Born In The End.

​This is only the beginning, and we hope to meet all of you somewhere in the world very soon"

Right now the Modern Metal genre is massively hot with bands dabbling in pop, electronic music and other avant-garde genres that would otherwise make metal purists vomit in their mouth... guy's it's the 21st century, keep up... metal is evolving and so embrace it. Ember Falls have done exactly that and by bolting together the unmistakable sound of djent with pop and Groove Metal, the Finnish horde have crafted a sound that would be the ire of the elitists (who cares anyway, metal is about opening your mind and Ember Falls do exactly just that).

Now they are working on their new album which is destined to see daylight later this year or early next year, depending on the situation regarding COVID-19. GMA interrogated on their current plans, how COVID-19 has affected them, their past blessings in touring, future plans and what their sound consists of.

Latvia, one of Europe's forgotten metal scenes is alive and well in the underground, however it's on the surface that it lacks international recognition albeit for their torch-bearer's in the Pagan / Folk Metal band Skyforger. Focusing on the underground and you have bands like Stagnant Project, whose Modern Metal sound may be miles apart from the core Folk Metal sound that seems to engulf the national scene, but united they are with their fellow Latvian brothers and sisters. The quartet are not resting on their laurels having released their 2nd album "The Age Of Giant Monsters" back in 2018, they are in no doubt poised to release new material within the coming year, we will just have to sit and wait.

We therefore had to interrogate them, they elected Paul Rutkovsky to be the spokesperson. We spoke about the band's origins, the challenges that Latvian Metal bands face and have to overcome, their scene and what cool phrases fans tend to shout out at their shows.

It probably goes without saying that E-an-na are one of the most exciting and original metal bands to emerge out of Romania (if not Eastern Europe) for a while, it's not often you come across a band who mixes Folk Metal with Modern Metal in such a way it becomes mind-blowing. Despite this it's clear that E-an-na take everything in their stride, are very cool about their origins and where they are heading. Andrei Oltean (Vocalist and woodwind player) put himself forward for the interrogation as he discussed how the band was built on traditional Romanian folk music but with a sharp twist, why Wacken Metal Battle was more than just a competition and why as a band they treat their fans more like family (which is rather beautiful).

Those who know their geography will know that Moldova is a small country to the East of Romania and yet whilst their flags are similar, they both speak Romanian and share the same name for their currency, do not by any means confuse the two. Whilst their neighbours Romania have had the pleasure of bringing out Negura Bunget as flag-bearers, it's now up to Infected Rain of Moldova to shoulder the responsibility of being flag-bearers to the Moldovan Metal scene.

Here is a band who has been around for the past 11 years and yet only now has a record label picked them up, it should have happened a lot sooner. None the less, having signed with Napalm Records and gearing up to release their fourth album 'Endorphin', it's fair to say that this quintet are not resting on their laurels as Lena goes on to explain when speaking to GMA...

Spain has always had a decent metal scene manifesting in itself, with a handful of bands going on to establish international recognition. But what about it's Metalcore sect? It's hard to think of Metalcore existing in the Iberian nation, but it's bands like Flames At Sunrise who make it known - their infectious blend of Metalcore, Post-Hardcore, Nu Metal and Heavy Metal all come together to create a sound that is truly modern yet truly distinct as it cannot be easily classified as any one genre.

Having signed to Wormholedeath in support of their debut album "Born In Embers", this ten-legged rampaging bull needs to be tamed and thus it was right for GMA to give Flames At Sunrise a right grilling interrogation.

What does the song title 'Ill Faces' mean? Did you have any ideas to put forward for the music video itself?

     "'III faces' refers to a Japanese proverb that speaks about the three faces that each person has inside them: the first is the one you show to the world; the second is the one you show to your friends and family; and the third is the one you only know and defines who you really are. Thus, in the music video we try to expose the three faces of a character and how the real one, the one that defines you, drags you and ends up showing itself."


Will you go on tour in support of your debut album? What was reception like for the album?

     "Yes. We’re going to be touring in Spain and some places in Europe in the next few months. The reception of our album was better than we expected. We knew we were releasing an album with strange ideas and we didn't know how the public would react, but we were surprised by the wide acceptance of a single like 'III faces'."


Would you say the overall Spanish Metal scene has had more attention drawn towards it over the last decade or so?

     "We don’t think so. In Spain, most of the media attention goes to the greatest hits of the 80's and 90's and to the new stars of programmes such as Operación Triunfo. The metal scene continues to be nourished by old groups and tributes, but little by little it opens up to new experiences."


What plans do you have for the rest of the year?

     "We’re going to be touring and we’re going to be working on some new things that, with luck, you’ll be able to hear and see in September of this year. Thank you very much for the interview!"

Ever since Sepultura emerged on the scene, Brazil has been churning out metal bands left, right and centre and whilst a vast majority rarely break out of the wider South American Metal scene, they do in the own right build a name for themselves on their own continent. Mind, one could argue that with globalisation as it is, the novelty of discovering the first ever metal band from a country soon dies off when the scene reaches the echelons that the Brazilian Metal scene has done.

However bands like Leatherjacks are ensuring that the vibe doesn't die and that rock / metal carries on thriving. GMA spoke to vocalist / guitarist Mauro Cordeiro about the band's history, their debut album, challenges of being a Brazilian metal musician and what sights / attractions should metalheads check out in São Paulo.

What are some phrases metalheads should be shouting at a Brazilian Metal concert? Any phrases you could teach us?

     "Yeah! Lea ther jacks! Lea ther jacks! Go Jackeeeeers! Oleeee ole ole ole, Leather, Leather - Kiddin´ hahahah! But I always scream things like: AAAAEEEEEEEEEEEE PORRAAAAA / CARAAAAAALHOOOO (it´s like: OOOOOOOOHHH FUCK! but it´s dirty words haha)"

What do your parents think of your music? Are any of your relatives musicians?

     "Yeah! My mom doesn´t play piano any-more, but when she was younger, she was an amazing classical piano student. My grandpa never played any instruments, but he loved jazz and drums. And me too! Then my mom´s cousin (I call him "uncle") - He is responsible for teaching me acoustic guitar, MPB, Bossa Nova and stuff. I was 10 years in 1996, and I never stopped! Here I am now haha!"

What plans do you have for 2018?

     "I´m searching for musicians to make a definitive line-up and I think I will write more songs, and release a new album, but nothing 100% sure. Only some thoughts, ´cause I need to tour and to promote the first album. But any news, you will be the first ones to know, for sure!"

Finally are there any greetings you wish to send out?

     "I´m really thankful to you Rhys and everyone for the interview! It´s an honour, ´cause I like Global Metal Apocalypse a lot! I thank all of your readers too, and I really hope you guys headbang with LeatherJacks! Let´s F***ING ROCK!"

https://www.facebook.com/leatherjacksofficial/

Spanish Modern Melodic Death Metal outfit SynlakrosS have been rampaging around the block since 2008 and since then have released one demo and two albums, the second "Death Bullets For A Forajido" dropped back in May. With their sharp rise in the Spanish Metal scene and the line-up only changing the one time, things are looking bright for this hot property.

Check out their music video "Curly Wolves" below.

We aimed to keep the band cornered but as they ran and hid, the band's front-woman Patricia Pons was more than happy to seek the members up and bind them together, whilst she directed her answers to our questions.

BAND: Descent From Aten
LOCATION: Clacton-On-Sea, Essex (England)
GENRE: Technical Progressive / Deathcore
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/DescentFromAten

During the night of brutality, GMA's Rhys Stevenson slipped outside to have a natter with fellow county-men Descent From Aten. A five-piece Progressive Technical / Deathcore group who are progressing currently with the re-mastering of their EP and are also cementing the foundations for their new album. So this is what happened (you can hear the whole interview above, below are 6 questions we hand picked that we liked most):


Hey guys, so how long has the band been going and what does the band name mean?

Artis and I were researching conspiracy theories about Ancient Egypt and aliens, things like that and so we had written down a few names to do with the conspiracies and (another member takes over), the main meaning behind the band name is basically aliens ruling over Egypt at the time of
Akhenaten, when head binding began and all of that paraphernalia. The songs we do are about aliens ruling over Egypt so we try to get Egyptology in there as much as possible, I would say 'The Apostasy' kind of follows this because this means to lose faith in something. But basically the alien god Akhenaten told everyone to stop worshiping the other gods, so basically they are apostatizing because they are losing faith in all of the other gods.


Would you consider yourselves the harder or softer version of Nile?

(all moan), well they're Death Metal and we're more Technical Metal I'd say, (like Born of Osiris?), yeah that sort of Born of Osiris style really, we're more drifting towards that area of music, even Veil of Maya. Theme wise, well Nile for sure as the lyrics are near enough the same topic.


What non-music influences do you take on-board into your music and general life?

Perry King: I take a lot of influences from philosophers, I like philosophy a lot and like the Dalai Lama has a lot of things you can learn from. 

Member 2: I'm sort of an agnostic at the moment, I don't really care to be honest, I don't have any religious views apart from the band and games (laughs), I'm a bit of a nerd and guitar is my life so I don't really, I guess I'm just a guitar nerd and I don't differ out so I just play guitar, that's all I do basically. I play a lot of war games so I would liken myself to a chaotic guy, I just like to kill everyone... kill everyone... (laughs), as a guy I'm just a f**king joker, life is a big joke, that's me

Member 3: Well for me I'm not into much religious stuff either, I don't take many public figures really (another member interjects with 'Justin Bieber, another quips afterwards 'who doesn't?').

Patrick Barker: I agree with Perry and the whole philosophy thing because well I sort of appreciate people who can say things that mean something, that's just outside metal but with me I'm mostly just into music and stuff, playing bass and gaming as well, we're all nerds basically (all agree), I actually game quite a lot surprisingly, too much. (So you would have your own avatar in Skyrim if you could?): pretty much haha. (another member quips 'That's where I wish I was Trevor Phillips from GTA, he just gets away with everything, he probably wants to kill you just doesn't want to!'). Yeah again I'm not really religious, I can appreciate why people believe in religion but it won't make me believe in it, but honestly if someone said to me 'I believe in God because this random thing happened to me and since then my life has been great', I'd be like well fair enough, other things could have caused that (all laughs) but yeah I play a lot of games still, I'm just like a massive gamer like I'd also say slightly political at mind, sometimes maybe, but especially if it's to do with UK politics and American, so like what's going on in America, the whole Government shut down thing I thought that was ridiculous, that's given me an idea for a song (bus screeches). but yeah with the whole NSA case (libel remark made), they are going to know what you are looking at on the internet. (Perry interjects with: 'this is what happens every time Pat and I sit down, we'll always talk about one thing and then he'll divert and go onto something else like the surveillance, Xbox one, camera spying, etc, he's like this all the time').

Member 5: As for religion I don't really believe in anything, I was born as a Christian and was baptized and everything, but as I grew up I don't really follow it by heart, I'd definitely stay with the gaming as I play Skyrim, Battlefield and GTA quite a lot, (another member interjects with 'I'm not a gamer and that's because I can't afford a console', another replies with 'you're missing out white herbert, oh and if anyone's listening into this audio Perry looks a lot like Wade from GTA 5 (see below), if anyone plays GTA 5 and sees Wade he does look like him a lot, he just needs the clown paint and that's it, he'll be Wade').

^ Perry vs Wade, yup we see a resemblance


So as a group does it matter where a band comes from, so you have bands coming out from Africa, Asia, etc people say 'yeah its music that's all that matters', does it really matter where they come from?

I wouldn't say so, if you make music you make music man. Music is for everyone, I wouldn't say it was for someone who was from a specific country or area, do what you want to do, music makes you feel good about life so f**king crack on with it. (Even when you got countries with political regimes who state if you play metal you're dead?). Really? Oh, I wasn't actually aware of that, but my view on that personally is that's ridiculous, (members interject: 'to be honest if that's the case I would want to do it more', 'I think the whole point is it's about people rising up against the Government', 'I think music is everyone's right, it brings everyone together but yeah there's not many people in our home town, but when you play at a metal gig loads of metal people come from all over, you know it should be everyone's right', 'its like we've just summoned them', 'If you enjoy music in any form, then just do it, I don't understand why people are like 'urgh metal, going to kill that person now' (laughs); 'well no because everytime you walk down the street, you hear someone playing rap on their phone loudly, you know you don't just get the urge to stab them' (laughs).


So you know 2014 is practically upon us, what plans have you got next year?

New album. In the start of December (the 6th) we're going to be sorting out the drums for the album so yeah we're going into the studio to record our full length album, which should be out around Spring-Summer time really, but that's sort of a rough estimate of when it's coming out. I mean we've written it all out, but the thing is we have to line it all and perfect it basically, it's all written out theoretically and so we have to practise and learn it, some of the stuff we end up writing it takes time and so it could end up taking longer because of how technical the album might be. Compared to the EP the album is a lot more different, it blows it out the water and so we feel people will rate us more than they did with the EP.


Finally have you got any hello's, thank you's, greetings you wish to issue to your friends, fans, family, maybe your boss at work?

I just want to thank the metal community in general, I've had a lot of random metalheads add me on Facebook because they've heard our music and thought that we were good.

I'd like to thank people like Lewis cause he 'naked Lewis', because he knows who he is, all the fans who come to our local gigs, the main ones that got us going really so I would like to say thank you to them.

I want to say thank you to some of my band-members as well because they never really like my music but they're there to support the band the whole way through, I'd also like to thank my mum as well for giving me the courage to go on.

I'd thank my family, my nan and my grandad for just being supportive and I know they think the music is a load of s**t but there's no way to sugercoat that, I know they're always supportive and I'd probably thank my mum whose probably looking down at me like 'learn to sing normally', but also the guys in Acrania for putting a word in about us to get us on Night of Brutality, the fans for sure, all our supportive friends and basically the general metal community for being such awesome people.

I'd like to thank my friends for supporting me, with the band and everything and also the bands we gig with because all of the guys we meet are cool to get along with and we enjoy their music as well.


Cheers guys and stay metal \m/

Since their inception in 2008, Moldova's Infected Rain have been making waves across the European continent with their unique mix of Nu Metal, Melodies and elements spanning many other styles of metal. Their music video 'Me Against You' shifted their attention to a more natural and original sound and as such, their premier release "Asylum" carries on that unique sound that the quintet mustered over the five years. As they plan on expanding further outside of the Eastern European corner of Moldova and Romania, GMA shifted it's usual interview style to accommodate a new type of interview that involves free-thinking questions and answers as you can see below:


If you were stuck on a desert island and were only allowed one album, what would you choose?

Vladimir – 30 Seconds To Mars - A Beautiful Lie
Vidick – Korn – Untouchables
Sergey – Metallica – Black Album
Lena – Bring Me The Horizon – Sempiternal
Eugene – Rush – Hold Your Fire


Who in the band is considered the party animal? What is the craziest thing you have done?

Sergey is the craziest one of us at parties we go to. Once, whilst Vidick was driving the car, he was riding the roof of the car, he wanted to get some adrenaline rush and he got it because a police officer stopped the car… It’s a long story.


What hobbies outside of music do you as a band have?
Soccer, Tennis, Sex, Boozing, Dancing.


If you were in charge of the world for a day, what would you do?

Vladimir - I would save all the people from diseases
Vidick - I'd give myself the ability to fly
Sergey - I'll offer a beer for everyone
Lena – I’ll make all drugs disappear


How do you unwind after a gig? Do you watch a movie?
Party all night long


Your music video 'Me Against You', how was it to ride motorbikes?

We actually never rode any motorbikes that day, but it was such an amazing experience just watching the professionals doing their job.


What do you hope to achieve through Infected Rain?
Infected Rain it’s not a way to achieve something, it’s a way to say something.


If you could meet any famous person from any point in history, who would it be?

Lena – Marilyn Monroe
Vidick - Albert Einstein
Vladimir – Alexander Pushkin
Eugene – Kurt Cobain
Sergey – Nicola Tesla


Finally what are your phobia's? Your worst fears?

Vidick – Height & Insects
Sergey – Fearless
Lena – To be alone
Vladimir – Snakes
Eugene – Anybody playing with my drums


https://www.facebook.com/infectedrain?fref=ts