1. Tombs was born in 2007, little remains to this day of the band's first formation, but what led you to want to create Tombs? Is the name Tombs a veiled tribute to the name Entombed? What memories Do you have from that early period of the band?
Music is my life, it’s the only thing that I have consistently done without interruption. Jobs, relationships have all come and gone but I have always made music. Tombs was the next logical step in my path.
2. From the beginning Tombs made it very clear that their musical concerns went far beyond being a common black metal band, perhaps because of their proximity and simply because they have a more diverse and complex proposal like the New Yorkers Liturgy, do you? It was very difficult to carry the band forward in those first moments with such a personal sound? Perhaps the edition of “Savage Gold” in 2014 was the definitive accolade to establish the sound of the band?
Life is always an uphill battel, I’m not a stranger to adversity. I keep my intention on destroying my goals and moving forward. Any difficulties that the band may have faced has only strengthened my resolve to conquer them.
3. Tombs has recently undergone a major restructuring in their line-up about a couple of years ago, why this change in the Tombs line-up? Perhaps these new additions have helped define the sound of their new “Under Sullen Skies ”in more post terrain?
People come and go in extreme music. I get bored answering this question because so many bands have undgone lineup changes. Napalm Death, Morbid Angel et al. They have all experienced changes in personnel yet when I read interview with them, no one asks them this question. Playing his type of music at the level where we opérate is very difficult, there is Little financial rewards available so I understand when members can no longer contribute.
4. Always anxious and eager to take the sound of Tombs to extremes where styles such as hardcore, doom, thrash, rock, post metal, etc ..., how has the songwriting process and Recording of the new album? What brands of instruments have you used to record? How was the experience of being able to work at Fright Box Studios?
We exclusively use ESP guitars, particularly the LTD models with the Evertune bridges; we have a Good relationship with ESP. These days we all contribute material. In the past, I wrote al lof the material but it has recently become more of a collaborative effort.
Bobby Torres, the owner of Fright Box is a Good friendo of ours. He has worked with the other members on their other bands for over a decade so the vibe was friendly and easy. It was one of the most stress free recording experiences I’ve had in many years. He also has an incredible sense of humor which helped keep the mood during the session positive. We recorded the record during the height of the pandemic, so we all had quite a it of anxiety.
5. How would you describe the sound of the album for those who have not heard it yet? And for you, what is the main change with respect to your previous “The Grand Annihilation” of 2017? How important part do you think Bobby Torres has in achieving the final sound of the album?
Sullen Skies is the next logical step in the story of the band, it’s harsh, bleak and full of darkness. Bobby was a huge part in capturing the essense of the band, literally because he produced the record.
6. For this new album he has had the collaboration of several musicians: Dwid Hellion from Intregrity, Ray Suhy from Six Feet Under, Paul Delaney from Black Anvil, Todd Stern from Psycroptic, the former member of Tombs and current guitarist of Black Crown Initiate Andy Thomas, Sera Timms from Ides of Gemini / Black Math Horseman, and Cat Cabral. Was it very difficult to fit all this cast of musicians into the Tombs proposal? And more importantly, how was their participation decided, was it premeditated or spontaneous? What do you think they have contributed to the sound of the album?
These days with digital technology, its easy to collaborate on these types of things. It’s one of the only things I like about the online world we live in. You can instantaneously share ideas and home recording technology has made huge improvements so everyone can capture more or less profesión quality performances.
There was no grand design in how we asked people to contribute. I’m a huge Integrity fan and have admired Dwid for decades. Over the recent years we have gotten aquainted and discovered that we have quite a bit in common, so asked him if he was interested in doing some vocals. The song “Tormentorr” by Gehenna kind of put the idea in my head because its a mid-tempo song with Dwid doing some killer back ups in the chorus. Andy had to be involved in the record because he’s such an incredible musician, likewise wth Todd and Ray. Paul from Black Anvil is my boy, and I always like to involve him when I can. Sera has done vocals on a few our our recordings in the past; she’s my go to when I need beautiful, haunting femal vocals.
7. Why did you choose Valnoir for the album cover? What do you intend to reflect with it and how does it relate to the content of the album? Is there any connection to H.P. Lovecraft and design?
Valnoir and I have a working realtionship that dates back to like 2015. He’s done two other Tombs records. His style fits the band perfectly.
8. Somehow the new album is inspired by the most pagan and occult part of Christianity, where does your interest in these issues come from? And how did you come up with putting them on the album?
I grew up as a Roman Catholic but rejected monotheistic religión at an early age. At first I became more of an atheist but later became interested in pagan religions and Satanism more as a philosophy than a practive. I don’t practice any formal religión but the imagery is deeply meaningful and resonant with me. Lately, Catholicism has become interesting to me because of the overtly pagan origins, the reaction to the Roman Empire, etc. I think that the three big world religions, Christianity, Judaism and Islam have caused so much suffering and conflict that it is hard for me to look at them as Little more than a way to control people. Nonetheless, i find it all interesting Reading and there can be valuable insights to be learned from all of the religions.
9. “Under Sullen Skies” was released in full wave of Covid-19 worldwide, how do you think it has affected album sales? On the other hand, not being able to offer concerts has diminished contact with fans, how have you kept your fans satiated with news and updates about the band?
I try not to think about any this because its beyond my control. I know the álbum, and EP which came out earlier inthe year, both sold well.
10. A city as immense as New York is a hotbed of new trends and styles within music, is it difficult to stay true to a style within a melting pot of cultures or do you find it enriching? How would you define the scene New York black metal scene? Do you consider that this past 2020 the US black metal scene has claimed its place with the release of a good handful of albums?
I don’t live in New York City anymore so I have left any interest in that place behind me.
Yeah, absolutley a lot of killer records cameo ut this past year, not only in Black Metal but in a lot of different genres.
11. How were your beginnings in music: first albums you bought, first concerts you attended? At what point did you feel the need to dedicate yourself to music?
I started out listening to heavy metal and hard rock: Zeppelin, Sabbath, Scoprions, Judas Priest. From there is was the pretty typical tragectory: hardcore punk, extreme metal. Black Flag was a very influential band on me. I then started getting interested in bands like Swans, Fields of the Nephilim, Joy Division.
Some of the more meaningful show:
Motorhead, Neurosis – Eyehategod tour in 1997.
12. “Under Sullen Skies” was released by the French record label Season of Mist, how did the possibility of publishing the album through them come about? Are you satisfied with the final result obtained and the promotional work done by Season of Mist? Will there be a next release on cassette, a format in which the album has not yet been released?
Season of Mist also has a US office. I’ve always admired the label and the band son the roster. When it was time to find a new record company to work with, our management contacted them, there was interest and that was pretty mch the whole story. The guy that runs their US operations was also at Relapse back when we were working with them so we had a solid working relationship.
13. Which album defines the essence of black metal for you? What albums have you bought recently?
Mayhem – De Mysteriis…
Burzum – Filosfem
Watain – Lawless Darkness
Gorgoroth – As Majorem Sathanas Gloriam
I bought the first two Iron Maiden albums on vinyl yesterday at a local record store. Paul D’Ianno is my favorite Maiden Singer. I had both recrods on CD and cassette tape but I needed them on vinyl.
14. What immediate future plans do you have for the band in terms of reissues, concerts, new material?
A lot of that depends on what the situation is with Covid. We’re going to continue writing music.
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