Interview with BLAST

We had a conversation with The Great Exmortis. Enjoy!

Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.

Tell us a few things about BLAST (Members, Starting Year etc).
Thank you very much for the space, hoping that readers will enjoy this interview. Blast started in 2011, we were a bunch of enthusiastic young rockers who were just getting started in Extreme Metal. But it was years later that we released our first demo, “The First Holocaust.” In those early days, we were Aggressor (bass/vocals), Butcher (guitar), and Necromaniac (drums). In 2014, Butcher left the band to become a cop (damn jerk), so Incubus joined to replace him. With him, we recorded three albums: “Under the Metal Attack,” the split with 666 Motosierras, “Street Metal Armageddon,” and finally, the demo “Witchcraft.” At the beginning of 2016, Necromaniac left the band and in recent years has been involved in some pretty good projects, such as VHS (D-Beat) and Histeria (Grind Core); Incubus abandoned music to pursue his dreams outside of metal. That same year, I (Aggressor) got involved in another band, where I met Anal Ripper (guitar) & Perversor (drums), with whom I kept the group active in parallel, playing some Live shows. In 2018, we played our last live show. In 2022, we resumed the project, but this time with Neo Barbarian on drums, Grave Assaulter on bass, Anal Ripper on guitar, and The Great Ex Mortis (formerly Aggressor) on vocals. With this lineup, we recorded the demo “Maximum Nigredo Terror” and the EP “Black Leather Necromancy.” Currently, Perversor has returned to play drums again.

In 2025 you have released your EP ''Black Leather Necromancy''. What was the feedback from your audience as well as from the press?
Before the EP came out, we did a few live shows where we played some of the songs that would be on it, and the response was good. First, it was released digitally, then a few weeks later it was released on CD by Inframetal Records (Mexico), on cassette by Metaltifus (Bolivia), and finally on mini CD by Violence Records (Costa Rica). Not exactly “press,” but some print media such as Morbid Faith, Bestial Desecration, and some digital media. We don't look for websites or media outlets to say, “Hey bro, listen to our band” or spam everywhere. We find that pathetic. We prefer to be found, as in the case of this interview.

The cover artwork has a killer atmosphere! Tell us a few things about it.
The cover was created by the great Cvmik, who has worked for King Volume, Total Death, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, etc. He had creative freedom and access to the raw recordings of the EP before anyone else, so it shows his vision of the band, and we totally agree with it.

And what about the lyrics?
The lyrics cover different situations and stages of Blast. Bestial Holocaust is just that, talking in a short and forceful way, without further ado. It's the First song we wrote, and clearly the structure is different, but it retains the original lyrics so that the listener can appreciate the band's transition. Hell Metal Supremacy is dedicated to Blasphemaniac, one of the bands that inspired us to
return to playing. It is a hymn to our devotion to True Metal. Midnight Rebel Angels is about the imaginary world where the Phoenicians take revenge on Christianity and the second crucifixion takes place. Chronicles of the Black Storm is about a person with dementia who is just waiting for the end. This story is my vision of it and also how I saw my grandmother die, and no matter how hard I tried to give her first aid, I couldn't do anything and understand that the body is only the tomb of the soul. I certainly wasn't going to write a love song, nor about the feeling that makes Human beings vulnerable; it is written from the gut. Under the Sign of Nero's Throne, although the name seems to refer to the Roman emperor, it is not. Nero is the pseudonym given to my grandfather on the streets, where he grew up wild, drinking and fighting. Macabre Hellbangers is a similar case to Bestial Holocaust. We wanted to keep the lyrics simple. It's about Blast fans, it's like a way of saying thank you.

What do you prefer, Label or DIY and why?
Both, because both are necessary and it also depends on the needs of each band. When we started out, we produced our own cassettes until labels came along to release our material. That's when we realized we had to grow, so we created Midnight Thunder Records to produce ourselves so that we could grow exponentially. Although this could be considered DIY, it was to support other bands, because if you have a label just to release your own stuff, then kill yourself, you're just another person looking for attention.I believe that in the specific case of labels or record companies, it is feasible to make contacts, because wanting to spread the message of the Metal vision is important.

Is there any funny or weird story from the recordings or from your live shows that you would like to share with us?
The stories we have are the same as any band might have. What might surprise us is that since our return and the few shows we've played, the Metal Maniacs in Mexico have really supported us, and that's something we appreciate.

Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD or Digital Format and why is that?
We like all formats. Of course, we try to collect what we like best and support physical purchases, but we're not against digital because that would be stupid since we have our music on some digital platforms. Using different digital tools is good; it's just that, a tool, not part of a whole.

Your music style is Black/Thrash Metal. Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
Venom, Poison, (old) Sodom, Bestial Invasion, Trench Hell, Blasphemaniac, Obssessor, Quintessenz, Nocturnal, Parabellum, Sacrilegio, etc.

Which things do you think a band should sacrifice in order to succeed? Have you ever sacrificed anything in your life for a better future for your band?
Well, I think beyond sacrificing, it's about putting a degree of responsibility into music, just like any aspect of life, I mean, you have to be responsible about learning the instrument, arriving early to rehearsals, committing to shows; giving 100%. I'd say that stupid fiction that bands say, "Oh, yeah, we're gonna get on stage and give 200%, 666%" for me it's like shut up and play, you idiot. Of course, there are things that have to be put first, right? Then we have to leave moments with family, work moments, and so on, but I think we've reached a certain age of maturity within our adulthood, where we know how to discern and give the degree of interest to each thing as I mentioned before; beyond a sacrifice, I consider it a responsibility.

Describe your ideal live show as a performance band. Have you already experienced that?
Considering something as ideal is utopian because each show is different, even if you have a certain perspective on how you want the show to be, it doesn't always happen, so we focus on the basic or classic stage presence, right? I mean, the attire, black leather (real) denim, spikes. Obviously, it's also ideal to arrive rehearsed, with the songs learned, as I mention in the previous point, everything based on responsibility and simply play, we don't get sidetracked and be like teenagers saying at shows "Oh, yeah, metal demons" and so much more stupidity, we've gone through that stage and now we want to transcend all that.

What do you think about the rise of AI in music production?
There's a big difference between production and composition. If tools are used to compose, as something that supports the artist to mix better, I think it's fine. Why? Because it's no different from someone using a program with a preset that already has digital amplifiers, digital pedals, etc. But one thing is production and another very different thing is composition, because that's where it changes totally. What's the point? Only that an AI composes a whole album and someone fronts the project. In how many cases aren't there, inside and outside of metal, ghost bands generating profits for producers on platforms like Spotify?

What attributes do you think that a new Black/Thrash Metal Band should have in order to gain identity and be unique?
In metal, a hermetic genre, clothing is key, everyone knows how to do it. Seeking rawness isn't the goal, in fact, doing it on purpose in 2026 is ridiculous. Recording with what you have is the only way to be authentic. You don't need a luxury studio just because a legend recorded there, that's bullshit. You have to find your sound with what you have: a crappy guitar, a drum kit falling apart... that's where you start. We've been sold the idea that metal requires the best, and it's a lie. From Latin America, where composing and recording is a challenge, we don't buy that story. "You have to go to this producer because the best bands recorded here", no thanks. You have to rip off that fucking veil once and for all. And the fans who painting he’s face like a clown
is for amateurs. Any idiot paints themselves and jumps off the stage thinking they're part of the show. That doesn't impress anyone, it just makes you look like a fucking cliché, an idiot trying to be something you're not. Look, I'm not saying you should stay stuck, this is when you're starting out, but as you mature and get more resources, it's about moving forward and taking the genre beyond just being metal, subverting it, making it your own, breaking molds. Authenticity is key, and if that means starting with the basics, so be it, it's part of the process. The idea is to evolve, not copy, not imitate, but create something new, something that reflects what we are and what we want to be.

Do you believe that Digital Platforms help the new Black/Thrash Metal Bands? Which, do you think, is the ideal way for a band to promote its work?
Of course it's a big help, but it's not everything. The physical format should be the main focus, and you shouldn't get carried away by the numbers either. It's useless to have 10k followers and 7k views if you don't have live shows, merchandise sales, and that connection with your real audience.

From your experience in the music industry, what would you tell to a new Black/Thrash Metal band to avoid or what to do?
Absolutely nothing. Everyone has to experience it and be their own judge or executioner. Who knows? Maybe a band that can't even tune their guitar can succeed by being a bootlicker, or by putting in the effort, being responsible and authentic, working hard, and waiting for all that effort to pay off. Its slow? Yes, but it's much better than taking the easy way out. Metal is very secretive, but a lot of fake stuff also manages to slip through.

Tell us a few things about the New Underground Metal Scene in Mexico (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs etc.)
We don't usually socialize with anyone, so it's a bit difficult to recommend anything. But we have a deep respect for Grindestroy, Total Death, Inframetal Recs., and Poisoned Specters.

What does Metal means to you? And give us 10 metal albums that run in your veins.
That's a difficult question, so divide it into 5 Mexican albums and 5 international ones.
Inquisidor - Inquisidor
RIP - Placer Insano
Khafra - Khafra (Disco Negro)
Bestial Invasion - Bestial Invasion
Next - Invasión Nuclear
Reencarnación - Reencarnación
Parabellum - Sacrilegio
Sodom - In the Sign of Evil
Quintessenz - Back to the Kult of the Tyrants
Venom - Welcome to Hell

Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?
From the scene as such, no, but we are fans of bands like Omega, Raw Poison, Boneyard, Slaughtered Priest, Flames.

What are your future plans?
In this new phase, we haven't set a clear path; we're just trying to enjoy ourselves and play as much as possible. We have some dates coming up, as well as special editions of previous works, so stay tuned.

Thank you very much for your time & keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
Thank you for this space, and I apologize that our responses weren't as "metal," but our approach is different, and we want to make that clear. We don't want our music and thinking to come across as a tantrum. It has to be a direct message, first for ourselves and then for the understanding of everyone who reads us. We wish you much success with this great project.

By Steve the Filthy Dog.

BLAST CONTACT:

https://www.facebook.com/blastmx888

https://www.instagram.com/blastmx_888/

https://blastmxevilmetal.bandcamp.com/music