Interview with HELLCROSS

!!!BLASPHEMOUS SPEED METAL FROM CHILE!!!

Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.

Tell us a few things about HELLCROSS (Members, Starting Year etc).
HellCross was born in 2018 in Tierras Blancas, Coquimbo, Chile, influenced by bands like Venom and Motörhead, and by the need to hear a dark band with a really sharp guitar. At the time, the lineup consisted of Berserker Drums on drums, Riff Demon on guitar, and Olmonaizer on bass and vocals. In 2020, we released our first EP, Culto de Medianoche. Then, in 2023, Animal Mosler joined the band on drums, which considerably increased its speed. With this lineup, we moved forward with the creation of an album, Altares en Llamas, which marked the leap toward a darker and more blasphemous speed metal. Currently, following the departure of Riff Demon, who settled in Canada, we've managed to record a new EP, Ordo Serpentis, which is about to be released. It features faster, more violent tracks, reaffirming our commitment to dark and blasphemous speed metal. The current HellCross lineup is: Olmonaizer on bass and vocals, Animal Mosler on drums, and Mortus on guitar.

In 2023 you have released your album ''Altares en llamas''. What was the feedback from your audience as well as from the press?
I think the reception was quite good; we no longer have physical copies, and the album was distributed nationwide. It's currently only available digitally, through Spotify and YouTube. Among the reviews we've received, the power and speed we were able to capture on the album are highlighted.

The cover artwork had a killer atmosphere! Tell us a few things about it.
The artwork was created by Karime, a renowned Chilean artist and expert in pointillism. She perfectly captured what we wanted to convey: the cover depicts Cain murdering Abel. I was interested in this theme because it concerns the first act of murder in biblical history, motivated by envy or, depending on how you interpret it, a perception of injustice.

And what about the lyrics?
The lyrics address themes ranging from the blasphemous, the immodest, and the sexual, to mockery of Christianity and more outright violence. I invite listeners to decipher and enjoy each blasphemous story told in each song.

What do you prefer, Label or DIY and why?
Working with a label has been primarily in the area of distribution. We handled the recording and mastering independently. We're very grateful to the label La María del Tajo, which has released our latest albums and has done a great job with distribution. We believe that when you have a good label and good material, it's mutually beneficial for both parties.

Is there any funny or weird story from the recordings or from your live shows that you would like to share with us?
More than just a one-off anecdote, what always leaves us with a strange—but gratifying—feeling is performing outside of our region and seeing how people react. It's both intriguing and exciting to have people you've never met before learn about your career as a band. That reception has always been pleasant and meaningful to us.

Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD or Digital Format and why is that?
Nowadays, the digital format is very important, but it loses a lot of sound quality. In contrast, formats like vinyl, CDs, and even cassettes respect the essence of music much more. I've always said that listening to music is a ritual: sitting down, turning on the player, putting on the record, and enjoying the art, the lyrics, and the dark melodies. That's something sublime.

Your music style is Speed Metal. Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
I would define our style as dark and blasphemous speed metal. Our influences include classics like Venom, Motörhead, and Judas Priest, but we're also inspired by bands like Midnight, Celtic Frost, Darkthrone, and, in general, Canadian speed metal. Within the Chilean scene, we also consider bands like Hellpack and Acero Letal to be important influences, as they have been key influences for us.

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 a band has to sacrifice a lot to emerge, and in that sense, we still feel we owe them. Often, the only reward for their efforts is applause, and staying relevant in the underground becomes increasingly difficult. However, media outlets like yours, and the various zines—whether digital or print—that capture the essence of bands, are a great help in moving forward and not losing momentum.

Describe your ideal live show as a performance band. Have you already experienced that?
The ideal live show is when everything works: you're in tune, well-equalized, the venue is packed, and you can explode, give it your all. In most of our performances, we strive for that, and we achieve it: delivering that lashing of violence that is reflected in a powerful stage attitude. It's spectacular to see the bangers completely engaged, lost in that energy, because you manage to convey that feeling of damn violence... and that, for us, is everything.

What do you think about the rise of AI in music production?
Personally, I find the use of artificial intelligence in music production to be quite dishonest. I think if you can't create something as a band, you better not do it. Using AI is like copying riffs or imitating others: something I find quite miserable. To me, that makes you a poser. Music should come from identity, effort, and real creative chaos, not from an algorithm.

What attributes do you think that a new Speed Metal Band should have in order to gain identity and be unique?
A new band must be daring, master their instrument, and stop imitating or copying. You can be inspired by other bands, yes, but everything has its limits when your goal is to sound exactly the same. The context in which a band is born will never be replicable. We come from the periphery, from an area marked by violence; we grew up among drugs, alcohol, and poverty. We know what the streets are like, and that gives us our essence. Forming a band must include those elements: capturing a real, unique context and reflecting it in the riffs, the lyrics, and the overall sound. That's the only way to be authentic.

Do you believe that Digital Platforms help the new Speed Metal Bands? Which, do you think, is the ideal way for a band to promote its work?
Without a doubt, digital platforms help a lot. We've found that when we stop creating content on social media, we quickly fall behind. These days, it's essential to stay active. The important thing is to ensure that what you show digitally reflects what you experience in your live performances: intensity, attitude, and authenticity.

From your experience in the music industry, what would you tell to a new Speed Metal band to avoid or what to do?
First and foremost, believe in what you do. Stop imitating and trying to be like others. Strive to be original, forge your own path, your own sound, and your own attitude. And above all: what you are on stage, you must also be in real life. If you project strength, conviction, and authenticity onstage, make sure that it is consistent with how you experience and feel music offstage.

Tell us a few things about the New Underground Metal Scene in Chile (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs etc.)
Within Chile, the underground is more alive than ever. In the north, zines like Derrame de Odio and bands like Vísceras and Manto Funesto are doing an excellent job keeping the metal scene alive. Other bands like Speedhammer and Desolación also reflect that sense of authenticity, which is always welcome. Bands like Acero Letal and Asedio, among others, are setting the pace in speed metal. The scene is very much alive, full of attitude and real metal.

What does Metal means to you? And give us 10 metal albums that run in your veins.
Metal is our life, our essence. It's what we were born for and what we will die for. In no particular order, these are 10 albums that run through our veins and have deeply influenced us: Painkiller – Judas Priest Black Metal – Venom Walls of Jericho – Helloween Ride the Lightning – Metallica Eternal Pact – Lethal Steel Circle the Wagons – Darkthrone Overkill – Motörhead Show No Mercy – Slayer Agent Orange – Sodom Satanic Royalty – Midnight

Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?
The Hellenic scene has spawned true titans of underground metal, bands that exude darkness, mysticism, and pure fury. Rotting Christ, with albums like Thy Mighty Contract, left its mark on us with its ritualistic atmosphere and balance between brutality and profane spirituality. Varathron, meanwhile, embodies the rawest and most ceremonial essence of Greek black metal, with albums like His Majesty at the Swamp, occult anthems born of fire and tradition.

What are your future plans?
We're currently writing our next album. We're getting back to work after a year-long hiatus, and we hope our latest album, Ordo Serpentis, will be released very soon. We're back stronger and with clear ideas to continue hitting the ground running with our dark and blasphemous speed metal.

Thank you very much for your time & keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
Thank you so much for the space and for continuing to support the real scene. At HellCross, we remain steadfast, forging metal from the periphery, with the same rage, darkness, and conviction as always. To those who follow us, we say: Speed Metal is more alive than ever, and Ordo Serpentis is here to confirm it. See you in Hell, on the street, or on the next stage where blasphemy erupts!

By Steve the Filthy Dog.

HELLCROSS CONTACT:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063601235838

https://www.instagram.com/hellcrosscl/

https://hellcrosscl.bandcamp.com/