1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording and release of the new ep?
Z-For sure. Since the EP has been released, we have been playing shows around the Atlanta and Athens area quite a bit, as well as playing in Spartanburg S.C. several times. We have had nothing but great reception and feedback at every show we have played thus far, which is always reassuring, especially since we are still a newer band. We have also stayed pretty active with writing new material and have been demoing songs for our next release, which we are planning on being a full length. Promoting the band has been a priority as well, as we are trying to reach as many people worldwide as possible.
2.Recently you have released an ep, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording?
Z- Well, obviously there is no denying the metal element. I think it is safe to say that all the members of TORO would agree that's our strong suit. It is the most obviously apparent sound to our music, but we are all influenced across the board by a variety of styles and bands. I for one proudly fly the metal banner, but we have no desire play metal by the numbers. We never want be typical or contrived. There is a lot of raw emotion on this EP, not just from a vocal stand point, but from the musicality of the guitars and drums. Every riff, hook, drum fill, bass line etc..has a point and a voice that says something. If I had to express one disappointment I have with a lot of metal bands that I hear these days, it is that much of it sounds too recycled. It seems so many bands take influence from one or two bands that they like, and it kind of stops there. We take influences from many bands and styles, and I think it shows on this EP.
3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
Z-Hmm. I was recently asked this very question, and I'm sure it's bound to be a mainstay in future interviews. I write the lyrics for TORO. I put a lot of care into how I approach the lyrics to our songs. The lyrics need to serve the music and vice versa. As I stated in the answer to the question above, one of our goals is to never be contrived. I don't approach the lyrical themes for the songs in a straight forward, typical, or obvious manner. The lyrics are all available in the EP booklet, and I'm sure upon reading them that most people could see right away that they are dark in their vibe, but I don't like to go into heavy detail about a song's message or meaning. I strive for the lyrics to be as intelligible and easy to understand vocally as possible, at least as much as my type of vocal delivery will allow. I would like everyone to take away a meaning from a song in a way that is personal to the individual listener. I know what the lyrics mean to me, but it's up to you to decide what they mean to you or how they make you feel.
4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Toro'?
Z-Picking a band name is always the worst, haha. We threw names around for what seemed like months. Bruno, our bass player, randomly suggested TORO one day, and it just felt right. I'm fairly certain we all agreed immediately. Obviously TORO means bull in spanish. I think the name is perfect for us. It encapsulates the intensity and weight of what we do. You have two options when a bull is chasing you. You either run like hell or stare it in the eye. Either way the outcome will have a major effect on you. I think our songs have the power that's akin to the force of a bull. From the vibe of the EP and our live show, it's confrontational, and it's unrelenting. TORO is the perfect name for us.
5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?
Z-From a personal view point, I think that our shows thus far have gone very well, and it seems to exceedingly get better every time. From recent memory, we played a couple of back to back shows with Mothership that would be a highlight to me. I would describe our stage performance as confrontational or even spiritual at times. I tend to go off the hinges quite often, and there has always been an element of danger at our shows. I don't see that going away anytime soon or at all. Already there have been a plethora of smashed microphones, constant barrages of self injury, and several people inadvertantley kicked in the head or face at shows. I can't stand still and hate it when I see heavier bands being stagnant on stage. And I can't convey enough how damn good the other guys in the band are! Pablo, Adam, Bruno and Jason are all masters at what they do. I have never played with a group of tighter musicians in my life. Not only do they own their instruments on stage, they also go for the throat with their presence. They have never failed to impress me, and they just keep getting better! There is no denying that we are sincere in what we do onstage. Love it or hate it, no one can argue that point.
6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
Z-We do want to tour in the future, and all of us plan to. We are very aware that will be a happening on the horizon. As of this moment, we only have two more shows booked for this summer: July 22 with Darkest Hour and Havok at the Masquerade in Atlanta, GA and August 19 with EYEHATEGOD, Negative Approach, and ANTiSEEN at Ground Zero in Spartanburg, S.C. After that we are going to take a mini "break" so to speak from playing shows. We are gonna spend a couple of months working on new material and recording, as we do not wish to be idle with writing and want to consistently be productive and produce new music. After the next two shows are behind us, we should be back to playing live, hopefully by late autumn or early winter of this year.
7.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?
Z- We have received interest and that is very flattering, especially this early on for us. I am not willing to divulge what label(s) we have been in contact with at this point, but let's just say we are all excited at the prospects and take them very seriously.
8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of sludge metal?
Z-We have received amazing feedback internationally, and we are very stoked about that! One thing about metal fans this day in age is that they are way more open-minded than when I came up. Not everything is so black and white anymore. There are so many shades of color to heavy music, and it seems people have enjoyed the diversity of what we offer. People have complimented us on our progessive elements, our more brutal moments, melodic sections, and of course the sludge factor as well. People from all over the globe have shown interest and appreciation for our band and that feels great! We have gained tons of interest in South America (mostly Brazil) Spain, Italy, Mexico, Lebanon, Canada...it's all extremely flattering.
9.When can we expect a full length album and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
Z-We are already in the process of undertaking writing and demoing songs for what we hope will be a full length. As of this moment, we have two new songs more or less written and are in the skeletal stages of demoing. As of right now, these songs are headed in a heavier direction than some of the stuff on the EP, which is exciting considering that the EP has no shortage of extremely heavy moments. But that's the thing with TORO. We approach song writing in many ways, so we never know where the song may end up and that is exciting as well. In recent talks
Z-For sure. Since the EP has been released, we have been playing shows around the Atlanta and Athens area quite a bit, as well as playing in Spartanburg S.C. several times. We have had nothing but great reception and feedback at every show we have played thus far, which is always reassuring, especially since we are still a newer band. We have also stayed pretty active with writing new material and have been demoing songs for our next release, which we are planning on being a full length. Promoting the band has been a priority as well, as we are trying to reach as many people worldwide as possible.
2.Recently you have released an ep, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording?
Z- Well, obviously there is no denying the metal element. I think it is safe to say that all the members of TORO would agree that's our strong suit. It is the most obviously apparent sound to our music, but we are all influenced across the board by a variety of styles and bands. I for one proudly fly the metal banner, but we have no desire play metal by the numbers. We never want be typical or contrived. There is a lot of raw emotion on this EP, not just from a vocal stand point, but from the musicality of the guitars and drums. Every riff, hook, drum fill, bass line etc..has a point and a voice that says something. If I had to express one disappointment I have with a lot of metal bands that I hear these days, it is that much of it sounds too recycled. It seems so many bands take influence from one or two bands that they like, and it kind of stops there. We take influences from many bands and styles, and I think it shows on this EP.
3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
Z-Hmm. I was recently asked this very question, and I'm sure it's bound to be a mainstay in future interviews. I write the lyrics for TORO. I put a lot of care into how I approach the lyrics to our songs. The lyrics need to serve the music and vice versa. As I stated in the answer to the question above, one of our goals is to never be contrived. I don't approach the lyrical themes for the songs in a straight forward, typical, or obvious manner. The lyrics are all available in the EP booklet, and I'm sure upon reading them that most people could see right away that they are dark in their vibe, but I don't like to go into heavy detail about a song's message or meaning. I strive for the lyrics to be as intelligible and easy to understand vocally as possible, at least as much as my type of vocal delivery will allow. I would like everyone to take away a meaning from a song in a way that is personal to the individual listener. I know what the lyrics mean to me, but it's up to you to decide what they mean to you or how they make you feel.
4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Toro'?
Z-Picking a band name is always the worst, haha. We threw names around for what seemed like months. Bruno, our bass player, randomly suggested TORO one day, and it just felt right. I'm fairly certain we all agreed immediately. Obviously TORO means bull in spanish. I think the name is perfect for us. It encapsulates the intensity and weight of what we do. You have two options when a bull is chasing you. You either run like hell or stare it in the eye. Either way the outcome will have a major effect on you. I think our songs have the power that's akin to the force of a bull. From the vibe of the EP and our live show, it's confrontational, and it's unrelenting. TORO is the perfect name for us.
5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?
Z-From a personal view point, I think that our shows thus far have gone very well, and it seems to exceedingly get better every time. From recent memory, we played a couple of back to back shows with Mothership that would be a highlight to me. I would describe our stage performance as confrontational or even spiritual at times. I tend to go off the hinges quite often, and there has always been an element of danger at our shows. I don't see that going away anytime soon or at all. Already there have been a plethora of smashed microphones, constant barrages of self injury, and several people inadvertantley kicked in the head or face at shows. I can't stand still and hate it when I see heavier bands being stagnant on stage. And I can't convey enough how damn good the other guys in the band are! Pablo, Adam, Bruno and Jason are all masters at what they do. I have never played with a group of tighter musicians in my life. Not only do they own their instruments on stage, they also go for the throat with their presence. They have never failed to impress me, and they just keep getting better! There is no denying that we are sincere in what we do onstage. Love it or hate it, no one can argue that point.
6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
Z-We do want to tour in the future, and all of us plan to. We are very aware that will be a happening on the horizon. As of this moment, we only have two more shows booked for this summer: July 22 with Darkest Hour and Havok at the Masquerade in Atlanta, GA and August 19 with EYEHATEGOD, Negative Approach, and ANTiSEEN at Ground Zero in Spartanburg, S.C. After that we are going to take a mini "break" so to speak from playing shows. We are gonna spend a couple of months working on new material and recording, as we do not wish to be idle with writing and want to consistently be productive and produce new music. After the next two shows are behind us, we should be back to playing live, hopefully by late autumn or early winter of this year.
7.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?
Z- We have received interest and that is very flattering, especially this early on for us. I am not willing to divulge what label(s) we have been in contact with at this point, but let's just say we are all excited at the prospects and take them very seriously.
8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of sludge metal?
Z-We have received amazing feedback internationally, and we are very stoked about that! One thing about metal fans this day in age is that they are way more open-minded than when I came up. Not everything is so black and white anymore. There are so many shades of color to heavy music, and it seems people have enjoyed the diversity of what we offer. People have complimented us on our progessive elements, our more brutal moments, melodic sections, and of course the sludge factor as well. People from all over the globe have shown interest and appreciation for our band and that feels great! We have gained tons of interest in South America (mostly Brazil) Spain, Italy, Mexico, Lebanon, Canada...it's all extremely flattering.
9.When can we expect a full length album and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
Z-We are already in the process of undertaking writing and demoing songs for what we hope will be a full length. As of this moment, we have two new songs more or less written and are in the skeletal stages of demoing. As of right now, these songs are headed in a heavier direction than some of the stuff on the EP, which is exciting considering that the EP has no shortage of extremely heavy moments. But that's the thing with TORO. We approach song writing in many ways, so we never know where the song may end up and that is exciting as well. In recent talks
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