Reign Of Terror. A name that inmediately brings ideas of brutality and agressive. This band brings that into music. Reign of Terror has opened for bands that are really important in the death metal scene, such as Deicide and Malevolent Creation among others. We talked to the members of the band (including now departed guitarist Dick Osmond) and they explained us their album "Inverted Beliefs of the Sanguine God".
How do yo see yourself as part of the death metal scene in the USA?
Reign of Terror : We'll we play the kind of music that we love and so far we've gotten a good response so hopefully we'll just get better - We believe that as long as you play your music because you truly feel the brutality, then it will come ouit in the music . . .
Which element do you think makes Reign of Terrorīs music different from the rest of the bands?
CJ : I think variation makes us different from the pack. I mean it's 2001 it's hard to be totally original these days but we strive to write catchy and brutal music.Musically we try to mix it up with all out hell blasts, mid paced chunky parts and suicidal doom parts. As for lyrics, we mix Satanic and gore stuff.
Do you think that you are influenced by eighties metal bands more than from those of the nineties?
Dick: The eighties have an effect on everyone, but you can't say that "Reign of Terror has a lot of Celtic Frost parts". In other words, all of the new great stuff that we hear filters in and mixes with our original ideas. You learn from the best.
Why is Dick Osmond leaving Reign of Terror? Do you have some replacement in mind?
Dick: Well, I'll answer that one personally. I decided to leave to learn a trade while I'm a young man. It may be a temporary departure until I have a decent occupation. Making $5.50 an hour and barely surviving is very hard.
How was the experience of opening the show for Deicide?
CJ: It was a great experience opening for deathmetal giants. To our surprise, Glen was a lot nicer than the first time we opened for them. The crowd was also really into it, making our time on stage totally kickass.
How different is "Inverted Beliefs of the Sanguine God" compared to "Traversing the realms of Acheron"?
CJ: "Inverted.." is heavier and is better produced. We've also evolved more into a pure Reign of Terror style.
Is there any new material ready to be released? Can you describe it?
Marc: At this time, we have 6 new songs ready for the next release, which is tentatively titled "Threnody of the Impaled". We plan on putting at least 9 songs on the next one. The new stuff can be best described as being far more dark and on many songs much more Satanic and christ-ripping...
Which are the ideas behind the lyrics of Reign of Terror?
Marc: Some of the subject matter is overtly Satanic and reflectively blasphemous, which I am. I personally can't stand "real" lyrics about "life on the streets", etc.
CJ: We also have some songs dealing with murder and mental perversity.
How did Gilbert Sanchez addition changed Reign of Terrorīs music?
Marc: Gilbert added a little thrash and technicality to the ROT sound - unfortunately he is gone now as well.
How are the songs composed? Is this approach going to change with Dickīs departure?
CJ: It's different with every song, but usually Marc and I come up with a basic skeleton of riffs and patterns, and then Rich (and or Gil) would contribute. Now, with Rich and Gil gone, Marc and I will continue to compose the songs.
Any final words for people in Argentina?
CJ: Thanks for your support. Hopefully we'll get our asses down there one of these days. Keep supporting the underground, METAL FOREVER!!
REIGN OF TERRORīS OFFICIAL WEBSITE:
http://www.geocities.com/rotdomain
Interviewed by Federico Marongiu
REIGN OF TERROR - DISCOGRAPHY
Traversing the realms of Acheron - CD (1998)
Inverted Beliefs of the Sanguine God - CD (2000)
ACTUAL LINEUP
CJ Holguin - bass, vocals
Marc "The Engine" Arredondo - drums
After the departure of Dick Osmond and Gilbert Sanchez the band is being helped by Alex Otero (exStonage) on guitars