Sikario Interview

 

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording and release of the new album?

We really enjoy working on different things simultaneously. We believe that the success of a new record doesn't rely solely on the music or live performances.

In terms of live shows, we've been quite active promoting the album. In April, we supported Suffocation during their shows in Chile (Santiago and Concepción), and since then we've taken our performances to other cities across the country.

A couple of weeks ago, we released a new video for the song “Rotten Head”, and we're scheduled to shoot another video in July.

Right now, we’re planning the official release show for the new album. Our idea is to perform a longer set that includes songs from all our records—and maybe throw in a surprise or two.

2.In April you had released a new album, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

Musically, it's more straightforward and direct than our earlier albums, but it also reflects a greater level of maturity in how we create and perform music.

There are complex riffs, but the song structures on this record are more traditional. The album was conceived as a concept, so you'll notice instrumentals and other elements designed to take the listener through different stages and moods.

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the new album and also how would you describe your progress as songwriters over the years?

As always, we focus on human behavior. Each song deals with common emotions that we all experience at different points in life—rage, revenge, faith, repentance.

In terms of our growth, there's definitely been improvement. Today, we approach each song as a complete concept. Everything must align—the lyrics, the riffs, the mood. If the lyrics express anger, then we need aggressive riffs to match that tone. Our goal is to achieve a balance between rhythm sections, solos, and vocals to fully convey each idea.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Sikario'?

When we started as a band, one of our biggest inspirations was Criminal. For a couple of years, our name was Diabolical Interventus, but we eventually felt it didn’t reflect our ideas or our music.

Around that time, Criminal released their album Sicario, which we consider one of their best—and one of our all-time favorites. As a tribute, we decided to take that name, but we replaced the letter "c" with a "k" to make it our own.

5.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?

The artwork is very straightforward and closely tied to the album’s title. We wanted something simple but powerful: an elegant man with blood on his clothes.

It also reflects the album’s musical content—technically refined and elegantly executed, but also extremely aggressive and brutal.

6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?

Here’s our Top 5:

Suffocation (April 2024 – Santiago & Concepción, Chile):

We were honored to support Suffocation for two shows. We'd been playing regularly since returning from Mexico, so we were in great shape. The Santiago show had excellent sound, though we faced some minor technical issues—thankfully, our crew acted quickly. The next morning, we traveled to Concepción. Though there were delays and a rushed soundcheck, the production team was great and we delivered a brutal show. These were historic gigs for us—supporting one of the most iconic and brutal bands in the genre.

Terminal Prospect (Chile):

An unexpected invitation to play in a city four hours from Santiago, during a break with no rehearsals. The traffic was terrible, but the event turned out amazing. We gave a powerful, tight performance with no issues—and everyone was happy in the end.

Rotting Christ:

One of our first large-scale shows, opening for the legendary Rotting Christ during their 35th-anniversary celebration. It was a huge honor. We had a short set, but we played great and the crowd support was incredible.

Tianguis Cultural del Chopo (Mexico):

Our first show in Mexico, after a 14-hour flight and barely 3–4 hours of sleep. We performed in one of the most iconic cultural spaces in the country. While our performance could’ve been tighter, the experience was intense and meaningful—the perfect way to kick off our tour.

Shamrock (México):

Our last show of the Mexican tour. We were a bit tired, but everything clicked that night—the venue, the sound, the crowd. A truly special performance.

7.Do you have any touring or show plans for 2025?

We’re currently working on a European tour for 2026, but we're also considering a few shows in Latin America—or possibly a return to Mexico—towards the end of 2025.

8.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?

Yes, we’re actively looking for a label. One of the main goals of this album was to expand our reach and hopefully catch the attention of a label. We worked very hard with our producer, Erick Martínez, to achieve a professional sound, and we believe this release increases our chances of attracting label interest.

9.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of extreme metal?

That's a tough question, especially today when people often only listen to a few seconds of a song or video.

But among those who truly listen and engage with our music, the response has been very positive. Of course, we want to reach more people, but we know that takes hard work—especially with so many great bands out there around the world.

10.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?

Only Tomás and Alberto are involved in other bands.

Tomás works as a session drummer and is currently recording with a few projects, including the Chilean metal band Unbowel.

Alberto plays guitar and does backing vocals for the thrash metal band Cabrio, who just released a new album last month. They’re currently promoting it through videos and interviews.

11.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the fuutre?

That’s a big question…

We’re planning to continue with Age of Disease, an apocalyptic trilogy. Right now, we’re working on Chapters 2 and 3. The idea is to push our music to the limit—adding more technical death metal elements, more atmospheric sections, and possibly even some black metal influences.

12.What are some of the bands or musical styles the band members are currently listening to nowadays?

Diversity is key in this band—haha!

Lately, we’ve been listening to: Cryptopsy, Hate, Machine Head, The Haunted, Dawnbringer, Vader, and Chilean bands like Torture Machine, Diametral, and Neural Dissonance.

13.Before we wrap up this itnerview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

First of all, thank you so much for taking the time to explore our work—it means a lot.

Your support and the work you do to promote bands is essential for helping underground music grow.

To everyone reading this: thank you for giving new bands a chance. Keep supporting us and following us on our social networks… because you never know when Sikario will strike again.

https://www.sikario.cl
https://instagram.com/sikariometal
https://youtube.com/sikariometal
https://facebook.com/sikariocl
https://sikario.bandcamp.com

Dissentor Interview

 

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?

Aquib Rahman: We express the oblivious darkness of the psyche as an internal monologue that contradicts words and actions. We see the lies collectively believed without really understanding why they justify the greater good blindly. There is an ingrained assimilation of collective narcissism that tolerates no individuality. DISSENTOR is the mirror to this absurdity and the chaos within. It's the medium that lets us push our own boundaries within ourselves as to how we approach what we enjoy expressing most. As we started to collaborate as a two-piece, it became clearer that we are shedding our functioning within society. The ongoing hypocrisy will always fuel us to create our own meaning to condemn those who are weakened by self-inflicted deceit. 

2. In April you had released your first ep, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording?

Aquib Rahman: The approach in Flagella was to be relentless and suffocating to blend darker elements of music, whether it’s black or death metal, or classical. Our focus was to strip down our influences while still paying homage to the inspirations we grew up listening to, and finally creating something we can say our own. I also focused more on developing a cohesive structure of how one song flows into another naturally, both through lyrics and composition.

3. The band has been around since 2020 but waited until 2025 to release any music, can you tell us a little bit more about the song wait?

Aquib Rahman: As we began our remote collaboration in 2020, we immediately started looking out for drummers too. But all was in vain. I was also revising my approach to composing songs in standard A to standard E, to fit how Vedanta approaches his vocals. We would incessantly discuss our ideas, while I’d share countless drafts of riffs and arrangements. I had completed writing and arranging the songs I was finally satisfied with, back in 2022, along with Vedanta finishing up his vocals around the same time. I personally was in no hurry to release or even begin mixing without a drummer. As soon as Arun, our session bassist joined, he introduced us to many capable drummers who work remotely, of which, Krzysztof fit the best as he plays black and death metal so well. And since I mixed it, that also took some considerable time in terms of learning professionally and fitting into an extremely hectic schedule.

4. Most of the band members play in other bands, what is it that you bring into the music of 'Dissentor' that you have not been able to do with your other groups?

Aquib Rahman: Well, we are primarily a two-piece act with a session bassist and drummer. From the beginning, Vedanta wanted to explore his own voice here outside his other acts that are primarily death metal and sludge-like. Arun, too, comes from a tech-death background with a Carnatic influence. These two members do not play or have a background in black metal of this kind at all, so their approaches are fresh yet very extreme and atonal. Krzysztof is versatile and can handle black and death metal very well. As far as songwriting goes, I develop them by myself and I haven’t played with anyone ever since 2011, but create/jam on my own. It gets convenient for me to focus on writing tracks entirely because there is nothing else musically to seep in. I get to build a theme from scratch upon what I discuss with Vedanta or draw in from his vocal ideas to write the lyrics; and later in recording we both change some phrases as required. Once I complete the riffs and drums in midi, I send them. This helps us create songs in a particular mindset, flowing from one source, that can be changed anytime when the other members are adding something unique beyond mere improvisation but reworking as needed. I tend to revise parts of songs in the process, but the core remains the same without much change, and ultimately, Vedanta and I decide whether we like it enough or not to be in the record. So being too selective without that plurality of decision-making works for us. 

5. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored so far with the music?

Aquib Rahman: The EP’s arc is on reversing St. Augustine’s thought on the justified wrath of God, perverting the duality into a singularity of accepting evil. Underneath it, is how one starts believing in the metaphysical, scripting their imprints on their descendants to live life in pessimism and resentment. Even prayers begin to manifest evil which they can’t fathom, as they only wish death and an afterlife or reincarnation, the final reward of a purgatory that guides them to more sin, while the judgment of the Defiler awaits. They still justify this wrath, in eternal submission. 

6. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Dissentor'?

Aquib Rahman: DISSENTOR is the heretic’s condemnation of any deceitful belief harbored against individualism. It’s against all kinds of theism that institutionalizes meaningful expression because of a subconscious hive-mind that is unknowingly determined to go to Puritanical lengths to subdue that is not understood on the surface.

7. Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the ep cover?

Aquib Rahman: Flagella’s artwork is meant to be more direct than the lyrics. It magnifies the suffering as a gluttony of belief that neither martyrdom nor enlightenment cannot even solve. Reaching for the heavens while suffocating others through their own sacrifices of the eternal hunger to worship and fill their cups of salvation is the deception they all will carry forever, even after death. They give meaning to what they want to witness, and force others in the process.  

8. The band members live in both India and Poland, what impact does this long distance from the band members have on the musical style that you play?

Aquib Rahman: Great question. Three of us are from different parts of India, and we are pretty far apart. While Vedanta keeps coming to Delhi once or twice a year, I haven’t met Arun in real life. But we all share a common thread to play agonizingly heavy music. Krzysztof, being in Poland, fits through his capabilities through his years of playing like us all. Since, I solely write, it’s up to all the prolific members to merge their own styles in unexpected ways, and so far, this approach is what we intend to keep. 

9. Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?

Aquib Rahman: For the moment, we haven’t reached out to any label, as we wanted to do it all alone by ourselves. I, particularly, did not want to get to any, even though there are many good ones I follow and support. The EP run time is short, it may not be feasible with some, and we certainly did not want to get into a split release, as was suggested by one from Mexico. We chose to self-release and just promote it through Peter from SolidRockPR without asking for any label lookout as well. But for the future, we may be open to a good one whose vision matches our ethos.

10. On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black and death metal?

Aquib Rahman: It has been quite interesting and honest so far. Many do consider us mostly black metal, and we have found fans and listeners in France, Spain, Netherlands, parts of South America, Sweden, and Finland. 

11. What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?

Aquib Rahman: Oh, they are quite active with their releases. I believe Arun is in multiple projects besides heading his main tech-death project, Moral Collapse, while regularly playing live and recordings. Vedanta too has finished his vocal duties with his death metal band, Third Sovereign, for some new future material. Krzysztof, on the other hand, is busy with his other extreme metal collaborations across the world and lessons as far as I’m aware of.

12. When can we expect a full length and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

Aquib Rahman: I have begun writing new songs for our full-length. At the moment, we are setting up an approximate timeline of two to three years for the next one. This probably should take us less time, as the same line-up will continue, and we won’t have to go to headhunting another member. Our future sound will be more extreme and more focused, as we are now more grounded to the sound and the member dynamics we were looking for and are comfortable with.  

13. What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

Aquib Rahman: Slayer is my all-time favourite, but I personally have influences of Master, Profanatica, Desecresy, Adramelech, Absu, Disma, and earlier Deicide, Dissection, and Morbid Angel. Besides metal, I can always enjoy western classical music, especially Mozart and Wagner. These last few weeks, I’ve been re-listening to the Demoncy’s last work, Beherit’s live album, and Imprecation. Other than me, Vedanta has influences of Iron Maiden and heavy metal while Arun is more into technical death metal bands, such as Cryptopsy and Cynic.

14. Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?  

Aquib Rahman: Thank you for having us here, and for your review. I would encourage anyone bogged down by life’s struggles to be resilient and face challenges head on without desperately trying to escape the absurdity. Destroy others’ self-serving lies!

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Actus Septem/The Bleeding/Fatres Records/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Greece's  Actus  Septem  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a  blackened  from  of  doom  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  album  "The  Bleeding"  which  will  be  released  on  July  10th  by  Fatres  Records.

  A  very  dark  yet  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  also  bring  in  elements  of  doom  metal.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  along  with  the  vocals  being  mostly  grim  sounding  black  metal  screams  and  some  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  Clear  singing  is  also  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  album  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  recording  also  bring  in  a  decent  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  Some  of  the  tracks  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  some  of  the  riffing  also  adding  in  melodies  at  times,  clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  on  a  couple  of  songs.

  On  this  recording  Actus  Septem  goes  for  a  very  modern  style  of  blackened  doom  metal.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Anthropocentrism  and  Anti  Religion  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Actus  Septem  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  blackened  doom  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "A  Dark  Companion"  "Before  One's  Life"  and  "Transmitted  With  Evil".  8  out  of  10.

  https://actusseptem.bandcamp.com/album/the-bleeding

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1fA92LgK25EGZBhr9cgb3Z

https://www.facebook.com/actusseptem/

Protocol F40.1/Fatalritual/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Protocol  F40.1  are  a  band  from  Lithuania  that  plays  a  very  dissonant  and  blackened  form  of  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2025  album  "Fatalritual"  which  will  be  released  in  September.

  A  very  dark  yet  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  lot  of  dissonant  melodies.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  along  with  the  vocals  being  mostly  death  metal  growls  as  well  as  the  recording  also  mixing  in  a  great  amount  of  black  metal  elements.

  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  brutal  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  The  songs  also  mix  in  both  modern  and  old  school  influences  along  with  some  screams  also  being  utilized  at  times,  a  couple  of  tracks  also  adds  in  a  small  amount  of  spoken  word  samples  and  the  whole  recording  also  sticks  to  a  heavier  direction.

  Protocol  F40.1  plays  a  style  of  blackened  death  metal  that  is  very  dissonant  and  brutal  sounding.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  war,  sociophobia  and  horror  themes. 

  In  my  opinion  Protocol  F40.1  are  a  very  great  sounding  dissonant  blackened  death  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Fatum  Militare"  and  "Flagellent".  8  out  of  10.

Protocol F40.1 - R.B.M.K (Official video)

Imperishable/Revelation In Purity/Everlasting Spew Records/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Imperishable  are  a  band  from  South  Carolina  that  plays  a  blackened  form  of  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  album  "Revelation  In  Purity"  which  will  be  released  in  August  by  Everlasting  Spew  Records.

  A  very  heavy  and  brutal  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  blast  beats  are  added  into  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs.  Vocals  are  a  mixture  of  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls  mixed  in  with  some  clear  singing  on a  couple  of  tracks  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Throughout  the  album  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  the  music  also adds  in  a  mixture  of  old  school  and  modern  influences.  Tremolo  picking  is  also  added  into  some  of  the  faster  riffing  along  with  the  riffs  also  utilizing  melodies  at  times, when  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  dark  yet  melodic  style  as  well  as  some  clean  playing  also  being  used  briefly  and  the  closing  track  is  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.  

  Imperishable  plays  a  style  of  blackened  death  metal  that  is  very  heavy,  aggressive  and  brutal  sounding.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  death,  darkness  and  gore  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Imperishable  are  a  very  great  sounding  blackened  death  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Oath  Of  Disgust"  "Spewing  Retribution"  and  "The  Enduring  Light  Of  Reverence".  8  out  of  10.

  https://everlastingspew.bandcamp.com/album/revelation-in-purity  

Unaligned/A Form Beyond/Transcending Obscurity Records/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Unaligned  are  a  band  from  Florida  that  plays  a  very  atmospheric,  progressive  and  technical  form  of  blackened  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  album  "A  Form  Beyond"  which  will  be  released  in  September  by  Transcending  Obscurity  Records.

  Clean  playing  starts  off  the  album  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  before  going  into  a more  brutal  direction.  Vocals  are  a  mixture  of  death  metal  growls  and  black  metal  screams  along  with  the  music  also  getting  very  technical  and  progressive  sounding  at  times  and  blast  beats  are  added  into  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs.

  At  times  the  music  gets  very  atmospheric  sounding  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  along  the  fast  riffs  also  adding  in  a  good  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  the  clean  sections  also  return  on  some  of  the  later  tracks,  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Unaligned  plays  a  style  of  blackened  death  metal  that  is  very  atmospheric,  progressive,  technical  and  brutal  sounding.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  darkness  and  death  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Unaligned  are  a  very  great  sounding  atmospheric,  progressive  and  technical  blackened  death  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Entities  Of  Ash"  "A  Form  Beyond"  and  "Dreaming  in  Decay".  8  out  of  10.

  Official Video #1

Official Video #2

Unaligned Bandcamp

Unaligned Facebook

Unaligned Instagram

Blood Desecration Interview

 

1.Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?

Right now we are preparing for our summertime roster of shows. We also have a few riff ideas for potential new songs down the line. That’ll be awhile since we just released Demonvangelist in April. 

2.In April you had released an album, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording?

We wanted to hit along the lines of black metal and within the element of that style. We are a blackened death metal band so we wanted to incorporate all of our influences while remaining true our sound

3.A lot of your lyrics cover Occult and Anti Religion themes, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in these topics?

So the Demonvangelist album and concept came from over the years seen so much evil within all forms of religion. There’s so much death, violence, war, attacks against people and all sorts of shit all in the name of religion. Personally we don’t care what you believe in as long as you’re a good person and treat everyone with respect. So many people bash other people just because of religious beliefs which to us is fucked up. 

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Blood Desecration'?

 Basically we wanted to have a band name that included “blood” into it and we just came up with all sorts of names, we also checked to make sure no one else was using it and came up with this name (laughs) it just sounded badass and rolled off the tongue. 

5.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover? 

This artwork was created by a great friend of ours by the name of Trelane Crawford, CHECK HIS BAND MALIGNANT OUT! But he is also an incredible artist. Our vocalist/guitarist JT gave him the idea for Demonvangelist which was a demonic preacher overseeing his followers and leading them to hell, and he absolutely nailed it. 

6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?

We would say our favorites are when we opened for Whitechapel, Goatwhore twice, Vitriol, Internal Bleeding, and The Obsessed. Each show was just off the walls. We try to keep our stage show very crowd focused to where we want the crowd to interact with each song. There are some songs that we usually try to synchronize headbanging with everyone hahaha. 

7.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future? 

No tour plans as we just came off a tour back in May/June with our brothers in Cetragore. We have a whole roster of shows for this year and are planning into next year as we speak. 

8.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?

 We are currently working with From The Depths Entertainment which is a “hybrid label”. We would like to hopefully reach a bigger label. 

9.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black and death metal?

So far just about everyone has vibed with our material and given it praise. We currently started working with a PR company called Metal Devastation PR so that way we can put our music to a farther reach around the world 

10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

 We are currently creating more music and staying true to what influences us and making sure that we evolve while keeping the sound that got us out there. 

11.What are some of the bands or musical styles the band members are currently listening to nowadays? 

We all love Hypocrisy, Bloodbath, Nile, Whitechapel, Slayer, Dismember, and many others. Our drummer is a thrash lover along with our bassist who’s a huge Crowbar and doom metal fan. I love Swedish and Norwegian black/death metal along with Thrash Metal. Our guitarist also loves the same stuff. 

12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts? 

 Our final thoughts are, check out Demonvangelist, come see us live and support your local scene and support local music. Without you guys, we are nothing. We am also incredibly thankful for all the support the fans have given Blood Desecration and all the bands who believed in and gave us a chance. The road has just begun! 

https://www.blooddesecration.com

https://www.facebook.com/blooddesecration

https://www.instagram.com/blooddesecration

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxHpgdWGs9GMh-D4phLxfOA

https://blooddesecration.bandcamp.com/album/demonvangelist

https://open.spotify.com/artist/5yWkds2G8CMtYy2br6vS2z

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/blood-desecration/1743298733