Interview with EMISSARY
Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.
Tell us a few things about EMISSARY (Members, Starting Year etc).
We started in October 2023, just me (Michel) and Hlib Overchuk, the first song we ever did was The Shadows Lengthen in Carcosa. We went through many musicians but now we have a very stable and powerful lineup and couldn't be happier. This 2026 lineup is:
Michel Regueiro Guitar/vocals
Alejandro Zárate Guitar
Cosme Martín Bass
Hlib Overchuk drums
In 2025 you released your album ''Eldritch''. What was the feedback from your audience as well as from the press?
Better, some of the press were absolute cunts to us so fuck em. The general public has been mostly awesome.
The cover artwork has a great atmosphere! Tell us a few things about it.
Thank you! I really like it myself too, I remember looking at it and thinking it encapsulated the whole feel of the album perfectly and that we simply must have it. It was drawn by Alex Shadrin at Nether Temple design who is an amazing artist. Hails to him!
And what about the lyrics?
The lyrics deal with a bunch of topics regarding cosmic horror and looking at the abyss for too long. Some were inspired by authors like Lovecraft, Hodgson, Chambers and some others I came up with myself. Hobbs End is 100 per cent based on the movie In the mouth of madness by John Carpenter because Carpenter is the absolute best.
How did your cooperation with Fetzner Death Records occur? What do you prefer most, Label or DIY and why?
I contacted Alexander Fetzner before the band had any online presence or was announced to the public, back at the beginning of 2024 Hlib and I recorded The Shadows Lengthen in Carcosa and At the Throne of Chaos for what we hoped would be a 7 inch but Alex really liked the songs and offered us an album instead so when I finished writing the rest of the tracks we signed a deal and then announced the band to the world. We are very greatful for the opportunity that he gave us. I prefer being a label of course, it's good to have an ally to work side by side and in this world where bands nowadays need to be their own PR, video editors, bookers, managers, photographers, and everything in between instead of just musicians it feels great to have someone else take care of the records.
Is there any funny or weird story from the recordings or from your live shows that you would like to share with us?
We haven't had any Hello Cleveland or Stonehenge moments yet but for example the album was just recorded in 3 frantic days with plenty of outbursts.
Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD or Digital Format and why is that?
Any of those kills digital, digital sucks honestly. Vinyl has the best sound but I guess tape wins because the sound is amazing and walkmans were the shit when growing up, you had both the warm analogue sound and the mobility.
Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
Way too fucking many to be honest, from Ac/dc to 70s Skynyrd, George Thorogood, BÖC to early Metallica, Early Megadeth, Maiden, Judas Priest, Venom, Bathory, Dissection, early Necrophobic, V8, Mayhem, Beherit, Morbid Angel, Order from Chaos, Mercyful Fate, Annhilator, Darkthrone, early Destruction, Sodom and so many more!
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?
I think you need to plan ahead and give yourself and stick to deadlines, if not things stall and never get done and eventually everybody starts drifting apart because nothing is happening with the band. Yes I've sacrificed lots of time, effort, money and more and I wouldn't have done it if the band wasn't worth it.
Describe your ideal live show as a performance band. Have you already experienced that?
When the audience is engaged and not there to look cool on selfies and we've had a good soundcheck, and our merch and crew are in place and everything is alright. A decent catering and booze also help. Yep we have experienced that a couple of times.
What do you think about the rise of AI in music production?
It's an absolute abomination and not like the cool ones we sing about. We've been warned about this shit since the days of Philip.K. Dick and Asimov and even by mega blockbusters by James Cameron and yet we as humanity waltz right into it. What a fucking joke.
What attributes do you think that a new Metal Band should have in order to gain identity and be unique?
When it comes to sound I think one should really study your influences and what Influenced them to really understand how to make great songs like the old gods did, as for the rest I don't know... This whole social network popularity contest and algorithms is bullshit.
Do you believe that Digital Platforms help the new Metal Bands? Which, do you think, is the ideal way for a band to promote its work?
I guess they do but I really don't know. Anybody can release anything nowadays without any sort of quality control so the market is beyond overflowed and we are all fighting for the little scraps left, not to mention they pay less than slave labor.
From your experience in the music industry, what would you tell to a new Metal band to avoid or what to do?
Stick to a working plan, try to plan a year ahead and stick to deadlines, do not over rely on social media shit and always keep working on your music as it should always be the most important thing.
Tell us a few things about the New Underground Metal Scene in Barcelona, Catalonia (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs etc.)
Well truth be told I don't know that much as I'm from Buenos Aires and not a local, but I can definitely recommend Zines like Bathory zine, Metal Nightmare magazine, bands like Wicked Leather, Inverted Cross, Cruz, Redshark, Atonement, Estertor, etc.
What does Metal means to you? And give us 10 metal albums that run in your veins.
Metal is life, death, freedom, rebellion, light and darkness. Without any specific order ...
Ride the lightning
The Somberlain
Bathory
Welcome to Hell
Melissa
Peace sells... But who's buying?
Under the Sign of the black mark
Sentence of Death
De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas
Kill Em All
Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?
I know you guys have a killer scene and are one of the wildest audiences in Europe!! I don't know many Greek bands besides classics like Necromantia, Rotting Christ, etc... If anybody wants to send me cool bands please do so!
What are your future plans?
We got a couple gigs coming up and we are now signed with Black Lion Records (Swe) so we will be heading to the studio In a couple of months to record our second album which should be released around this fall. Other than that we'll be touring Europe later on this year but we are still scheduling that, It would be awesome to play in Greece so if anybody is interested please get in touch with us at emissarybcn@gmail.com !
Thank you very much for your time & keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
Thank you so much for your support!!! You guys fucking rule. Heed The Emissary!!!
By Steve the Filthy Dog.
