Interview Caballero

Caballero merges old-school heavy metal and dark power metal influences with themes of warfare and mythology. Their debut album explores the Aztec conquest, death, and timeless battles through a raw, savage sound.

1. Caballero’s journey began back in 2009 but has only now culminated in your debut album. What inspired you to resurrect the band and finally bring this project to life?

AGUIRRE: A couple of those old songs had been haunting me for years and simply had to be recorded. The initial plan was simply to record a demo or an EP, but it didn’t take long for the concept of the album to form in my head. Once the ideas started flooding in, it was clear that this album had to be made.

2. Your music has a unique blend of old-school metal and dark power metal influences. How did your love for bands like Jag Panzer, Brocas Helm, and Cirith Ungol shape the sound of this album?

AGUIRRE: Those bands were naturally a major influence from the start. For me Brocas Helm’s Black Death is the golden standard of heavy metal albums, and many aspects of that album influenced the songwriting process as well as the production (Defender of the Crown was another reference point along with the first Jag Panzer EP). Of course, the intention was never to sound like any of those bands, as that would’ve been completely pointless (and impossible). We have our own sound and our own style of songwriting. It’s simply that those bands are incredibly important to us, and their influence inevitably seeps into everything that we write – the essence of heavy metal is crystallized in albums like Crystal Logic and King of the Dead.

3. The concept of the album revolves around the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire and Aztec mythology. What drew you to this historical period as a source of inspiration for your music?

PIZARRO: The inspiration tethered to this particular phase in history has lingered since the inception of our band, a sentiment echoed in our Spanish name. The echoes of conquest still elicit fervent responses, woven through with captivating motifs: the time-honored quest for adventure, the relentless expansion of bold and fearless tribes; the titanic clash between two peoples, each bearing distinct heritages yet bound by a shared hunger for battle and glory; the profound celestial mythology of the Aztecs; and the intricate tension within Spanish culture, where ancient pagan codes lie buried beneath the surface, entwined with exoteric Christian symbolism. The ruthless, amoral wheel of history turns ceaselessly, pitting tribes against one another, granting opportunity to the mightiest, only to see them dethroned as an even more cunning and bloodthirsty clan rises to seize their ascendant glory.

However, it is essential to clarify that Spanish conquests and Aztec mythology may not always serve as the centerpiece of our future themes. We are currently crafting a new EP that delves into the realms of Greek mythology and the pantheon of war gods. Indeed, the metaphysics of battle will forever remain at the very heart of our lyrics, in all their diverse forms.

4. Can you tell us more about the recording process at Soundmix Studios in Oulu? What challenges did you face while tracking the album in such a short time?

AGUIRRE: Most of the recording process went rather smoothly, with all the instruments as well as some of the vocals being done in two days. The rest of the vocals as well as the mixing took place during a number of nightly sessions that quite honestly became pretty brutal with normal life getting in the way. It was our first time recording in a studio, so of course there were things that took more time than we anticipated, but I feel we made the right call to record the album the way we did.

5. The album artwork by Engla Jansson features Mictlantecuhtli, the Aztec God of Death. How does the visual element enhance the themes and atmosphere of your music?

PIZARRO: When a record is adorned with exceptional art and graphic design, these elements profoundly enrich the overall atmosphere, adding immeasurable value to the music while shaping how each listener perceives rhythm, melody, and lyric. The finest metal albums are holistic masterpieces where no single element can be stripped away without diminising the final sensation. We believe that Engla’s artistry on this LP is nothing short of extraordinary, enhancing both the music and the lyrics in a truly harmonious way. Undoubtedly, she stands as one of the most promising creators of metal artwork in our time!

AGUIRRE: Engla did a fantastic job in capturing the central themes of the album, with the two armies facing each other and death looming over both of them. The modern man is haunted by the fear of death and paralyzed by the thought of his own mortality, whereas the warriors of the past might’ve seen death as the ultimate goal of life, as per the philosophical tradition that extends from the days of Socrates and Plato to Medieval times and beyond. It’s the acknowledgement of death’s inevitability that drives men to transcend their own mortality and achieve great deeds – or seek immortality from a battlefield.

6. You mentioned that the songs are about warfare and its divine and mortal implications. How do you connect this theme to modern-day struggles or personal experiences?

PIZARRO: Since the dawn of existence, warfare – both personal and societal – has been deeply entwined with the divine in the myths, poems and traditions of our ancestors. This intrinsic connection is why metal music resonates so powerfully with our souls. Real metal serves as the soundtrack to the Iliad! Although we dwell in a culture that has tamed and civilised men, the thirst for adventure and the call of battle still pulse through our very spirits, this fervor can be awakened through art, philosophy, a rebellious lifestyle, or even through journeys to lands where no societal safety net exists to stifle the risks and challenges of life. Each individual carries their own calling and faces their unique struggles. True art is a priceless ally in the quest to discover this personal vocation, motivating one to break free from resistance, even when the chosen path proves arduous!

7. Several tracks on the album, like “The Moor-Slayer” and “Caballero,” date back to your earlier days, while others are more recent. How has your songwriting evolved over the years?

AGUIRRE: The songwriting has definitely become more complex and refined compared to the early days, but for this album things were intentionally kept relatively primitive to give the album an appropriately barbarous feel. Quite early on it was clear what kind of an album we were making, and writing the new songs felt like a direct continuation of what had come before. The above two songs (as well as “Lightning Conquest”, which is about 50/50 old and new stuff) represent the more straightforward side of the album whereas the newer songs perhaps lean towards the more epic side of things with more intricate song structures, but overall we feel that the new and the old stuff fit together seamlessly to create a coherent whole.

8. The album was primarily recorded live in the studio, except for a few additions. How does this raw, live approach reflect the spirit of your music and performance style?

AGUIRRE: It was the natural way of doing things for us. Warlike music requires warlike methods. Our producer Mika Pohjola immediately understood that and did a great job in capturing our sound with all of its rawness and imperfections.

9. Finland has a rich history of producing exceptional metal bands. How does Caballero fit into the Finnish metal scene, and what sets you apart from other bands?

AGUIRRE: There have been a number of great old school heavy metal albums coming out of Finland in the last few years, but those bands are mostly located in the Southern parts of the country. As such, I don’t exactly view Caballero as a part of any particular scene. While we and other bands undoubtedly share some of the same influences, I’ve yet to hear a band that has the same kind of dark, savage sound as we do. No fun retro stuff to be found here.

10. With the album set for release, what are your plans for the future? Can fans expect live performances or even a tour to support the record?

AGUIRRE: You should not expect too much in the way of live performances in the near future. We will instead be focusing our efforts on finishing our upcoming EP, which will be an epic and uncompromising effort intended only for the truest of maniacs!

Musique | Caballero