Anialator returns with their highly anticipated album Death is Calling, blending old-school thrash roots with modern intensity. In this interview, the band discusses their journey and influences.
1. Death
is Calling marks your long-awaited return after decades of thrash dominance.
How does this new album differ from your earlier releases like Anialator and
Rise to Supremacy?
Alex Dominguez: For one, the production on the old EPs was quite raw, which
contributed to that underground feel, and the musicianship on those EPs was not
top-notch. However, the overall package served its purpose for its time. We
refer to the first EP as the "White Album" because its cover is
white; it was an all-out thrash speed assault. The second EP is called the
"Red Album" because it was released on red vinyl and later on blue
vinyl many years later. With that release, we slowed down quite a bit.
Fast forward to 2018: "Rise to Supremacy" was recorded in a better
studio and featured improved production and all new band members. I also
decided to tune the guitars down to C tuning to give the songs more depth.
After not releasing any music for 28 years, I wanted to make a statement with
this music. I aimed for the old fans to take notice and realize we were back
with a vengeance!
In 2020, I made the decision to bring in all new members and consciously return
to our roots by tuning the guitars up to D standard. The songs on the upcoming
release, "Death Is Calling," are well-structured thrash tracks that
capture the speed and aggression of the first two Anialator EPs. In my opinion,
the leads on this album are the best the band has ever recorded. JD De La Rosa
understood the direction I wanted to take Anialator in and crafted what is, by
far, the best Anialator album to date. Looking back, I think we lost a little
of our identity on "Rise to Supremacy" by tuning low, which made the
band sound a bit too modern.
2. Thrash metal has evolved since your formation in 1986. How do you feel
the genre has changed, and how does Anialator fit into the modern thrash scene
with Death is Calling?
Tony Gomez: Thrash Metal has definitely evolved since the 80’s and is
represented proudly in today’s metal world. I think bands like Municipal Waste,
Angelus Apartrida and Havok have kept thrash Metal thriving on the metal music
scene. They’re delivering speed, intensity and a relentless attitude in their
releases. And the OG’s like Exodus, Testament and Death Angel are putting out
some of their most destructive bangers ever!
As for Anialator, we fit right the fuck into todays thrash scene. We’re still
throwing down with deliberate aggressive intensity! And our newest release,
Death Is Calling, is evidence of the trashing mayhem we’ve bringing to every
stage we rage on!
Thrashers like Relentless, Battlefield Messiah and Kill Till Death on the new
album, prove Anialator is here to Thrash Till Death!
3. Could you walk us through the writing and recording process for Death is
Calling? Were there any particular challenges or standout moments while
creating this album?
JD De La Rosa: Alex had reached out to me to work on a new song he wanted
to add as a *bonus track* for an upcoming reissue of a previously recorded EP.
It was perfect timing for me, as I was flowing with ideas and was in a good
head space for writing. After playing death metal for so many years, the
opportunity to get back to my roots of thrash metal guitar was killer. I own my
own home studio equipment and have had a few years of experience producing
music (Negative Audio Studio). That allows the writing and recording process to
be EXTREMELY EASY and AFFORDABLE. My "one bonus track" was born with
twins! I wrote 3 songs, back to back to back. We got together periodically to
practice and fine tune the riffs for the recording. Working with Alex has
always been easy and fun. He's always encouraging creativity and productivity.
His input is usually very complimentary and always elevates the songs. The rest
came in waves of intent and ideas. I took 2 days to setup and record the drums.
I tracked the guitars in a day, and the solos in another. Alex tracked all his
parts 2 chunks and made it look easy. He drove the 6 hours to make it happen.
We mainly struggled to find a vocalist that was going to bring the band back to
the raging days of the past. I needed to keep the music angry and evil.
For that reason, we looked hard. Long story short, we lucked out and had a
chance to work with Tony G. again. That was a real highlight for me! I'll never
forget the first day of tracking vocals. I drove a few hours north to his town
for the first session, and brought over some recording gear to track him at his
home station. He pulled out a notebook FULL OF LYRICS! How rare is it
when you actually have TOO MANY LYRICS?! I call it "a great problem
to have." Tony is very creative yet open minded to outside ideas and
suggestions. The second session was done here at my studio. We easily produced
the rest of the album's lyrics and had an even easier time recording
them. His wide vocal range was a blast to work with too.
2+ years in the making. It flew by fast.
Alex Dominguez: The challenge for me was trying to put together a whole new
band. I live in Houston Tx. The plan was to fine people in Houston to play in
Anialator. The core members would be from here so it would be easier for me to
practice with the band and easier to load up the band in the van and travel 6
hour's to practice with JD. Right away I found a guitar player who was in a
couple of established bands here in Houston. He accepted the offer to play in
Anialator as second guitarist. Long story short the bands he was in we're
constantly touring Europe making it hard for him to find time to sit down and
help JD write the album. Same with vocalist here in Houston I asked a couple of
people if they would be interested in doing vocals on the album they accepted
the offer only to come back and tell me that they wouldn't be able to dedicate
their time and efforts into helping with the album. They we're fans of the band
and wanted to put in 100 % instead of 50%. So they decline the offer. While I
was still looking for members JD had already started writing riff and
structuring song. JD suggested to me he knew a couple of guys in his area one
of them was a guitarist he had played in a band with Fernando Salinas and a
drummer he had know for a long time Daniel Garcia and a vocalist who was a long
time friend. It took us a year to find this line up. The best thing that could
have happen to Anialator. Now the core of the band was from JD's city
which made it earlier for the band to start learning the song and getting them
ready to record. The vocalist didn't workout and JD had already written all 7
songs. 2 years had gone by and we needed to start recording, because of the
other members busy schedule it was taking to long for them to learn the
songs so I suggested to JD that he record the guitar tracks and drum track
himself. JD is not only an established guitar shredder but a phenomenon
drummer. He recorded the drums and guitars himself I came in and did my bass
tracks. In early 2024 I approached Tony Gomez who I knew and was in a band with
for many years when I lived in Corpus Christi Tx. Tony came in and nailed his
vocal tracks with ease. Tony as well as JD have helped Anialator before
,filling in when certain past members weren't able to play gigs.
4. You’ve faced legal battles over the band’s name in recent years. How did those struggles impact the band creatively, and what does it feel like to now fully reclaim the Anialator legacy?
Alex Dominguez: This legal battle was between myself and one former member and some temporary members. I kept all that bulshit crap and what was going on behind the scenes away from the rest of the band. JD and the rest of the band didn't care what was going on, their main focus and goal was to write and record a neck breaking ,skull crushing album that would melt faces!!
I glad it's over and behind me. Now it's time to get ready to promote and push our new album Death Is Calling on Xtreem Music. The album drops October 22, 2024!!!
5. The underground Texas thrash scene was pivotal in shaping your sound. How does the metal scene in Corpus Christi and Texas today compare to when you first started out in the 80s?
Alex Dominguez: There is no comparison. When we first started out in 1986 the genre thrash metal was new fresh and just starting to spread through out the United States. Kids in Corpus Christi Tx were hungry for metal. We would probably get bigger metal touring acts like Ozzy, Judas Priest ect once every 3 or 4 months a year. Devastation being the first thrash metal band out of Corpus Christi Tx started renting dance halls, ballrooms doing there own concerts every couple of months. They were the first band to jump start the local scene. There crowds went from 75 kid and quickly grew to 1000 kid just for a local show. This was happening all around Texas at the time. You had Rigor Mortis out Dallas Tx pulling in crowds that size or bigger. Watchtower and Militia out of Austin, Deadhourse out of Houston. We followed right behind them doing our own show pulling in 400 to 800 kiss a show. We were just a local band not even signed yet pulling in a crowd like that no big signed headliner to bring in the crowd just Anialator and 3 local openers. I moved out of Corpus Christi 7 years ago so I'm not up to date on what the metal scene is like in Corpus but I know for sure local shows don't draw those big number like we use to. Tony Gomez lives in Corpus Christi and tells me the scene is strong alot of promising bands of all genres.
6. "Kill Till Death" and "Memories of Terror" are already creating a buzz. Can you share some insight into the themes and inspiration behind these songs?
JD De La Rosa: Those 2 songs hit me at once. I was intentionally trying to write the openers with to-the-point riffs that push to maintain intensity throughout the songs. It's a workout just rehearsing those rippers. The harmonies on "Kill Till Death" are inspired by the dark melodies on various Pestilence tracks. The sudden tempo change into the verse riff on "Memories of Terror" was all inspired by South American maniacs like Attomica, Mutilator, and Sepultura. I'm a big fan of unexpected progressions, regardless if they are technical or just intense. There is a drum fill I played on "Memories …" that leads with the snare hit, then it repeats it 4 times. That's ALL Gene Hoglan inspired!
Ultimately, the story of the Anialator is that of a necromercinary. He lives and dies by the sword. The stress and pressures of war and survival evoke a sense of urgency and aggression. This is my intent for the album to communicate to the listener. I want the remind them that "The war isnt over!" Thrash!
Alex Dominguez: It feels great!! Knowing that anyone around the world at any given time who has access to some kind of mobil device, computer can stream our music and hear our album Death Is Calling!! As far as the multiple formats this band started around 1985, 1986 so every format mentioned Anialator has been on. It's very cool that Xtreem Music is releasing Death Is Calling on vinyl and cassettes. Those 2 formats is what I am most excited about. Taking Anialator back to the formats they released their music on. Our first and only demo was on cassette. Our first 3 ep's on Wildrags Records released on vinyl.
8. Thrash metal is known for its raw energy and intense live performances. Do you have any upcoming tours or shows planned to promote Death is Calling, and what can fans expect from Anialator on stage?
Alex Dominguez: Once the album drops we will start booking show for 2025. We plan on doing some West coast dates as well as playing all over Texas and any where else in the states we can play . Our goal in 2025 is to take Anialator overseas to do some summer festivals. Anialator live is all about aggression and headbanging!!
9. Anialator has influenced a younger generation of thrash fans, many of whom discovered you through platforms like eBay. How do you feel about the resurgence of interest in classic thrash, and what’s your message to these new fans?
Tony Gomez: I’m excited by the resurgence of interest in trash Metal music! I found thrash metal in Exodus’s Bonded By Blood and Metallica’s Kill Em Alll at 13 years old. I found the speed of the drums, tge shredding guitars and kick ass lyrics addicting! I wanted more and more! So I can understand how any new listeners of thrash, can get hooked and start listening to all the other great bands in thrash metal!
My message to these new fans is too deep dive into the history of thrash and enjoy the catalog of thrash metal from 83 up to right now. Anialator had their first thrash release in 87 and now in 2024, 37 years later we’re still thrashing fucking Hard! Check out the new album, krank it up and get thrashed!
10. Looking forward, what are your hopes and goals for Anialator’s future after Death is Calling? Can we expect more music, and where do you see the band heading next?
Alex Dominguez: To keep spreading our music worldwide and to continue to build up our cult following fan base. JD has already started working on riffs with the band for the next album. We will continue to destroy stages everywhere and continue to write thrash metal music to crush your skull in.This killing machine has no intention of slowing down.
Because the killing has just begun!!!
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