1. For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
Javier: Acero had its first steps as “LOUD”, a N.W.O.B.H.M-styled band founded by JAG back in 2007. It quickly adopted the ferocity of speed metal and started writing Spanish lyrics instead of English, as well as expanding its musical influences beyond classic British metal, and after all those stylistic changes took place Acero Letal was born.
2014 was the year when things definitely started to climb up for the band. I joined Acero Letal months after the Evil Confrontation gig (Opening for Satan (UK) and Bulldozer (ITA)), while the single was already half-recorded. After a successful –and short- bass and vocals recording session, I personally asked if I also could handle the production duties instead of the original idea, which was working with a pro-studio in Santiago. Two weeks later, and after a shitload of work in little time the single was done. We played a small gig in Valparaíso with the new formation, but it ended being the first and only show with that line-up.
Of course, this DIDN’T stop us in going on with our musical ambitions, so we sent a promo of the single to recognized international heavy metal labels and we quickly got signed. Now, under the support of a record label and being more experienced than before we immediately started working in the pre-production of our debut album, ‘Culto al Trueno’ which we HOPE to release this year or early 2016. It really depends on our inspiration, as we want to beat the single in every possible way.
JAG is the creative force of the band, main songwriter and lead vocalist. I’ll still play bass for studio recording, but we’ll both share the lead and rhythm guitar duties from now on. For our upcoming album we’ll work with drummer Martín Urbina to complete the studio line-up. He may -or may not- join our forces with us as a full member. (I fuckin’ hope so!!) Also, we’re auditioning a very talented bassist for live duties. If we feel he is the right person for Acero Letal, we’ll offer him a full member pact.
The future rests in our hands now.
2. Recently you have released a 2 song single, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
Javier: Most of our songs were written back in 2007-2008, so they don’t differ with the past at all. What makes these songs sound “fresh” is our own heavy/speed metal sound. Among a wide palette of production styles that we had in mind for the single, we had to decide what would fit the best for us (that was a very risky task if you ask me). We go from early N.W.O.B.H.M. classic heavy metal to full blast speed ala Savage Grace/Agent Steel from one song to another and even in-between songs. And to make things worse we also like to evoke a 70’s prog rock ‘feel’ and bring Priest/Accept/Scorpions mid-tempo rhythms also. Now, try to make everything sound RIGHT. What a fuckin’ nightmare. HAHA!!
3. This was the first new material to be released in 5 years; can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time period?
Javier: That’s a heavy conversation. Not today –thanks–
Jag: Hah, took so fucking long to make things happen in the right way. It’s part of this journey.
4. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
Javier: Metal, Rebellion, the Occult. Nothing too fancy nor subjective. Music comes first; lyrics are secondary to the power of our riffs. They’re rather simple, straight to the point. Our message is clear: to glorify the heavy metal life in every possible way.
We hope to write about more “deep” stuff like social issues, history, personal experiences and go beyond of what’s considered typical “metal” lyrics in the future, but it should be a natural process. Honestly, all we want to do today is to share our passion for 70’s and 80’s classic metal with OUR metal.
5. I know that the band’s name means "Lethal Steel" in Spanish, how does this name fit in with the musical style that you play?
Javier: It goes perfectly well with our violent, fast, in-your-face heavy metal.
6. What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
JAG: Every show is the best for me, because you are feeling the old spirit alive in the air. That’s everything to me, it doesn’t have anything to do with the number of people or the sound production for the show, it has to do with the tremendous feeling that means to play alive, it’s unique, always.
Our stage performance is pure Heavy Metal passion.
7. Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
JAG: Totally, but they aren’t so serious yet because we are 100% focused on our first LP, but then, the time will come and we want to go and play wherever we can.
8. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of heavy and speed metal?
JAG: It’s been fucking awesome, our 7’’ is getting a second press now, and we are damned honored. We just want to keep it real, keep doing honest music.
9. What is going on with some of the other musical projects or bands these days that some of the band members are a part off?
JAG: All the forces here are aiming to serve ACERO LETAL these days.
10. When can we expect a full length album and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
JAG: For a full length release this year I hope, or early 2016. The band’s heading to Speed Heavy Metal in the old sounding vein in the future.
11. What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
Javier: Maiden (80-84’), Priest (76-84’), Scorpions (75’-82’), Motörhead (77’-86’), Pokolgep, Aria, Rotor, Slayer (83’), Metallica (83’), Saxon (79’-83’), Accept (82’-85’) Agent Steel (early), Savage Grace, Hell (early), Raven, Tank, Jaguar, Satan, Omen (84’), Ostrogoth (83’-84’), Helloween (85’), Running Wild (84’-85’), Onslaught (early), GBH, Darkthrone (late), Metalucifer, Celtic Frost, Venom,..!!!
Spanish acts: Barón Rojo, Gillman, Retrosatán, Cuero y Metal, Metalmorfosis, V8, Rock Dam, BO2, Thor, Muro, Caid Deceit, Hermética, Ángeles del Infierno, Riff, Vixit, Luzbel, Megaton…
…and also lots of 70’s prog-rock!!!
12. What are some of your non-musical interests?
JAG: Reading novels (love dirt realism), use to write some stuff too. I really like Science. I like to share with artist that may not be into musical creation, it’s a very enriching experience.
Javier: I don’t have any interests in life besides music at the moment.
13. Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
JAG: Thanks to all the true Heavy Metal maniacs out there.
Javier: Behold the triumph of classic rock and heavy metal. Keep the RITUAL alive!!
Javier: Acero had its first steps as “LOUD”, a N.W.O.B.H.M-styled band founded by JAG back in 2007. It quickly adopted the ferocity of speed metal and started writing Spanish lyrics instead of English, as well as expanding its musical influences beyond classic British metal, and after all those stylistic changes took place Acero Letal was born.
2014 was the year when things definitely started to climb up for the band. I joined Acero Letal months after the Evil Confrontation gig (Opening for Satan (UK) and Bulldozer (ITA)), while the single was already half-recorded. After a successful –and short- bass and vocals recording session, I personally asked if I also could handle the production duties instead of the original idea, which was working with a pro-studio in Santiago. Two weeks later, and after a shitload of work in little time the single was done. We played a small gig in Valparaíso with the new formation, but it ended being the first and only show with that line-up.
Of course, this DIDN’T stop us in going on with our musical ambitions, so we sent a promo of the single to recognized international heavy metal labels and we quickly got signed. Now, under the support of a record label and being more experienced than before we immediately started working in the pre-production of our debut album, ‘Culto al Trueno’ which we HOPE to release this year or early 2016. It really depends on our inspiration, as we want to beat the single in every possible way.
JAG is the creative force of the band, main songwriter and lead vocalist. I’ll still play bass for studio recording, but we’ll both share the lead and rhythm guitar duties from now on. For our upcoming album we’ll work with drummer Martín Urbina to complete the studio line-up. He may -or may not- join our forces with us as a full member. (I fuckin’ hope so!!) Also, we’re auditioning a very talented bassist for live duties. If we feel he is the right person for Acero Letal, we’ll offer him a full member pact.
The future rests in our hands now.
2. Recently you have released a 2 song single, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
Javier: Most of our songs were written back in 2007-2008, so they don’t differ with the past at all. What makes these songs sound “fresh” is our own heavy/speed metal sound. Among a wide palette of production styles that we had in mind for the single, we had to decide what would fit the best for us (that was a very risky task if you ask me). We go from early N.W.O.B.H.M. classic heavy metal to full blast speed ala Savage Grace/Agent Steel from one song to another and even in-between songs. And to make things worse we also like to evoke a 70’s prog rock ‘feel’ and bring Priest/Accept/Scorpions mid-tempo rhythms also. Now, try to make everything sound RIGHT. What a fuckin’ nightmare. HAHA!!
3. This was the first new material to be released in 5 years; can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time period?
Javier: That’s a heavy conversation. Not today –thanks–
Jag: Hah, took so fucking long to make things happen in the right way. It’s part of this journey.
4. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
Javier: Metal, Rebellion, the Occult. Nothing too fancy nor subjective. Music comes first; lyrics are secondary to the power of our riffs. They’re rather simple, straight to the point. Our message is clear: to glorify the heavy metal life in every possible way.
We hope to write about more “deep” stuff like social issues, history, personal experiences and go beyond of what’s considered typical “metal” lyrics in the future, but it should be a natural process. Honestly, all we want to do today is to share our passion for 70’s and 80’s classic metal with OUR metal.
5. I know that the band’s name means "Lethal Steel" in Spanish, how does this name fit in with the musical style that you play?
Javier: It goes perfectly well with our violent, fast, in-your-face heavy metal.
6. What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
JAG: Every show is the best for me, because you are feeling the old spirit alive in the air. That’s everything to me, it doesn’t have anything to do with the number of people or the sound production for the show, it has to do with the tremendous feeling that means to play alive, it’s unique, always.
Our stage performance is pure Heavy Metal passion.
7. Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
JAG: Totally, but they aren’t so serious yet because we are 100% focused on our first LP, but then, the time will come and we want to go and play wherever we can.
8. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of heavy and speed metal?
JAG: It’s been fucking awesome, our 7’’ is getting a second press now, and we are damned honored. We just want to keep it real, keep doing honest music.
9. What is going on with some of the other musical projects or bands these days that some of the band members are a part off?
JAG: All the forces here are aiming to serve ACERO LETAL these days.
10. When can we expect a full length album and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
JAG: For a full length release this year I hope, or early 2016. The band’s heading to Speed Heavy Metal in the old sounding vein in the future.
11. What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
Javier: Maiden (80-84’), Priest (76-84’), Scorpions (75’-82’), Motörhead (77’-86’), Pokolgep, Aria, Rotor, Slayer (83’), Metallica (83’), Saxon (79’-83’), Accept (82’-85’) Agent Steel (early), Savage Grace, Hell (early), Raven, Tank, Jaguar, Satan, Omen (84’), Ostrogoth (83’-84’), Helloween (85’), Running Wild (84’-85’), Onslaught (early), GBH, Darkthrone (late), Metalucifer, Celtic Frost, Venom,..!!!
Spanish acts: Barón Rojo, Gillman, Retrosatán, Cuero y Metal, Metalmorfosis, V8, Rock Dam, BO2, Thor, Muro, Caid Deceit, Hermética, Ángeles del Infierno, Riff, Vixit, Luzbel, Megaton…
…and also lots of 70’s prog-rock!!!
12. What are some of your non-musical interests?
JAG: Reading novels (love dirt realism), use to write some stuff too. I really like Science. I like to share with artist that may not be into musical creation, it’s a very enriching experience.
Javier: I don’t have any interests in life besides music at the moment.
13. Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
JAG: Thanks to all the true Heavy Metal maniacs out there.
Javier: Behold the triumph of classic rock and heavy metal. Keep the RITUAL alive!!
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