Interview with Alberto of Mortuary (Mexico)

Questions by Sandi Mujanovic & answers by Alberto
(2024/04/18)


Question 1:

Before you started recording Blackened Images you released some demos, can you describe the demos to us, how they were recorded and what the line-ups were and are there still some unpublished recordings of Mortuary in your archive no one has ever heard of?
MORTUARY:
We only recorded one demo before Blackened Images; it was the demo Where Death Takes Your Soul, and it was recorded in December 1988. The line-up at the time of recording was:
Joel Alanis: Bass/Vocals
Pedro Guevara: Guitar/Vocals
Alberto Mortuary: Lead Guitar
Joel Leal: Drums


Question 2:
What is your actual debut album, Where Death Takes Your Soul or Blackened Images? Can you tell us a bit how those albums were received in the underground when they just came out? Were they only available in Mexico in the beginning?
MORTUARY:
Our debut album was Blackened Images; it was recorded in April 1990 and was originally released and distributed independently. The line-up that entered the studio to record the album was:
Joel Alanis: Bass/Vocals
Alberto Mortuary: All Guitars
Joel Leal: Drums
The album was received so well that several labels showed interest and contacted the band, but we decided that JL America was the best option, and in 1991 we signed a deal to release Blackened Images internationally in North America, Europe, and Japan.

Question 3:
What kind of label is Avanzada Metalica? I know they helped you release Blackened Images and it was later released by JL America too, were those labels friends of yours, you sent them some demo tapes for a record deal? How did the contact begin?
MORTUARY:
Mortuary never signed any type of deal with Avanzada Metalica, so we consider the Avanzada Metalica a bootleg release. The contact with JL America was by mail, and it was our singer Joel Alanis who made the contact and was in charge of checking all the details related to the deal.

Question 4:
You are the guitar player of the band correct? Already from the beginning? What does the line-up look like now, who is your best friend in the band, you rehease a lot together?
MORTUARY:
Yes, I am one of the Mortuary founders, together with Pedro Guevara, Joel Alanis, and Joel Leal. Anyway, we have had lots of line-up changes along the years, being only me who have been from the beginning and in all Mortuary recordings and all Mortuary shows.
Our current line-up is:
Coke Deadman: Bass/Vocals
Alberto Mortuary: Lead Guitar
Marcellus Luppssen: Guitar
Mando Opposus: Drums

Question 5:
How many times did you play in Europe so far, I know you played Germany for sure, what other countries have you played the live stage? Any countries you are planning to visit or play in the future?
MORTUARY:
Our show at the Never Surrender Fest in Berlin last December was Mortuary first time in Europe. So far, we have only played live in Mexico and the United States, but we are sure we will be back in Europe soon, and we are also planning to tour North, Central, and South America too.
Question 6:
What years were the strongest for death metal do you think, what were your favourite bands from the golden age?
MORTUARY:
I think every era has its strong bands. I personally like the late 80s–early 90s period. My favorite bands were Venom, Slayer, Bathory, Sacrifice, Exodus, Death, Sodom, Possessed, Destruction, Kreator, Autopsy, and Morbid Angel.


Question 7:
Have you heard of any upcoming talent in death or thrash metal that you can recommend to us?
MORTUARY:
There are so many excellent new bands around the planet that it would not be easy to make any recommendations, but I can recommend you take a look at old and new Mexican bands; many of them are amazing.


Question 8:
You released some stuff on Iron Bonehead from Germany I saw and I distributed some too, was it a success working with Patrick Kremer?
MORTUARY:
Yeah, absolutely ¡ I hope we can work with him again in the future.


Question 9:
Do you believe there will be a nuclear war in the near future because of unstable political relations between some countries?
MORTUARY:
Well, I consider humans to be a despicable and decadent species, so it would not be a surprise if it all ended in a nuclear war.
Question 10:
Why do you believe black metal believes more in suicide and death metal bands believe in eternal death? Do you have close friends in the metal scene that became suicidal because of their involvement in drugs and alcohol?
MORTUARY:
Sorry, no comments on this one.


Question 11:
What does the future of Mortuary look like, will you go on and record a new album in the future? Feel free to make a final promotiobal statement with future plans:
MORTUARY:
We are working on what would be an EP with 4 new songs and an LP with about 8 or 10 songs, most of them new and two or three re-recorded, and we hope to release all that material this year.
We are also planning, as I mentioned before, to tour as many countries as possible to promote our new releases.

Thanks for the interview; we really appreciate the support. Special greetings to all metal heads who have been supporting Mortuary throughout all these years and until today.

“The Abyss Angel is Reigning !!!!!!”