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1. For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the solo project?
El Muerto is an aggressive, melodic solo metal project that channels personal darkness into intense, atmospheric songs rooted in myth and horror.
2. You have an EP coming out in November, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording?
The EP blends visceral aggression with melodic sensibility heavy, driving riffs and blast passages sit alongside mournful lead lines and melodic transitions. It’s raw in feeling but composed with a melodic approach rather than purely lo-fi black metal. Expect tension, catharsis, and dynamic shifts between fury and melancholic release.
3. A lot of your lyrics cover mythology and horror themes, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in these topics?
I’m drawn to Nordic mythology and classic horror, they provide archetypes and atmospheres that mirror human extremes. I use those stories to explore emotions I went through during my darkest moments, so the lyrics are both mythic and deeply personal.
4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'El Muerto'?
“El Muerto” literally means “the dead one.” The name grew out of a very dark period in my life and was conceived as a kind of final message a record to exist as if released by someone who’d already passed. It’s also a nod to my Mexican roots; the title carries respect for themes of death and remembrance rather than sensationalism.
5. Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the EP cover?
The cover is an interpretation of a map of Amsterdam. To me, during that time the city felt like a cemetery, a place I hated being. The artist translated that feeling into an image where canals and streets take on a funerary, oppressive quality. It’s an urban map that portrays death. Thanks to Francisco Torres Beltran, tobelart.com
6. Currently you reside in the Netherlands but are from a different country, can you tell us a little bit more about the move?
I moved because I needed a change of scenery. I wasn't happy where I was. I’ve always had close ties to my Dutch family and a deep interest in Dutch culture and history, so relocating felt like a necessary reset. The move influenced the project by placing me in a space of tension and distance from my roots.
7. Musically, how does the music of 'El Muerto' differ from your previous bands or projects?
El Muerto is far more personal and melodic. Whereas my previous projects explored different textures and collaborations, this project is a solo outlet for darker, more introspective material that balances aggression with melody. It’s less about fitting into a band’s established sound and more about channeling my inner thoughts and emotions.
8. On the EP you also have a few session musicians, can you tell us a little bit more about who they are and also their contributions to the recording?
One of my closest and most talented friends, Zigor Muñoz, played bass on the record. He has a really strong groove and brought not just technical skill but his own creative insight and style, which gave the songs more depth and weight. He is my right hand on this project. Beyond El Muerto, he’s also active in several projects, including Adarrak from Singapore and Thorndale in the Netherlands. Having him involved was essential, and his contribution was so impactful that he’s now officially part of El Muerto moving forward. The drums were performed by the incredible session drummer Rob Stone, whose precision and energy gave the record the backbone it needed.
9. Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?
I’m currently unsigned and open to conversations with labels for the opportunity to reach more people with my music
10. On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black and death metal?
Early private listening and feedback from peers have been very encouraging. People who are into melodic black and death metal have connected with the honesty and atmosphere of the songs. The response often highlights how melancholic and full of frustration the music feels, which is exactly what I intended this first release to encapsulate.
11. Where do you see yourself heading into as a musician during the future?
I want to keep writing and releasing records, develop the project’s sonic identity, and explore opportunities for limited live appearances or collaborations when it feels right. The priority is to keep creating honest music and to do so on terms that preserve the project’s integrity.
12. 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?
Influences include Immortal, Darkthrone, Emperor, Opeth and Mgła bands that combine raw intensity with atmosphere and songwriting. Lately I’m mostly revisiting classic black and death records Dark Funeral, Early Amon Amarth, Drudkh, Entombed, Deicide.
13. Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Thank you for giving El Muerto a platform.This EP was born from pain, anger, and the search for some kind of release, and I hope listeners hear something genuine in it. The debut comes out this November expect darkness, but also a glimpse of clarity. And to anyone struggling: don’t carry the weight alone, there’s strength in asking for help.
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