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BONDED BY BLOOD

MAURO GONZALES

Bonded by Blood was the name of Exodus legendary album but it's also the name of one of the most successful thrash metal bands in this new wave of thrash metal. They started in 2005 and has since then released one self released EP and three full length-albums on Earache Records. I have spoken to Bonded By Blood's new vocalist Mauro Gonzales.



Bonded By Blood


We can begin with a small presentation of Bonded By Blood.

We are bonded by blood an extreme metal band from Pomona (Los Angeles) California since 2005. This is Mauro (vocals)


Lets start from the beginning, How did you get in contact with Earache?

Well believe it or not it was actually through myspace before I was part of the band, (when I was just a fan/friend) Bonded by Blood made a hell of and impact in the thriving thrash scene in socal with a demo "4 Pints of Blood" then an EP called "Extinguish the Weak". This caught Earaches attention of course and ultimately got us signed to them. haha myspace...... good times...


It seems like all the "new" thrash metal bands that have made it relatively big is signed to Earache. (Evile, Municipal Waste, Gama Bomb, Vektor & Diamond Plate). Are they sucking up all the talents or what?

They do have a pretty damn good grip on all the modern thrash bands, but then again Earache has always had a hell of a catalog of extreme bands.



Extinguish the Weak (2007)


How does it feel to get lumped in with the whole thrash revival-movement all the time?

Well its cool don't get me wrong, but its pretty 50/50 some people are turned away and don't give us a chance because of it and we also gain a lot of followers because of it. But I think I speak for every modern thrash act when I say we hate the term "re-thrash" that a lot of people blindly label us as, if that mislabel could just die out there would be a lot more happy bands. (mini rant)


You won a music competition with over 250 groups competing, tell us a about that.

Well this was before I was in the band but I was there for this battle of the bands, I must have been about 16ish. There were a lot of great band that competed a few of which are actually signed bands too now but Bonded by blood had the best crowd responses of the whole competition.


Can we go through your discography? Please tell me a little about your albums.


Extinguish the Weak

This EP was were Bonded By Blood started to discover their style and sound.


Feed the Beast

This was our first album with earache where the guys really turned up the shred, they took their song and really formed it into a masterpiece of aggression


Exiled to Earth

this was our first concept album, on this album is where we started bringing a lot more technically to the table along with Jose really developing his sound sounding almost like a complete mad man giving the album its eerie vibe


The Aftermath

This was our first studio album as a 4 piece, and with new members Jessie on bass and Mauro on vocals and Juan Juarez taking over on lead guitar. On this album we incorporated some 7 string riffs influence from our first 2 albums, better production and really got the sound we were going for. This was my (Mauro) first studio full length album so it was a new experience for me.


In a few weeks you will go on a European tour called The Metal Apocalypse with Hirax and Nuclear, tell us a little more about that tour.

We are very excited to be returning to Europe, we always have a rad time overseas. We are also excited to finally tour with the legendary Hirax!! Katon and I hang out in the same scene so we always bring it up hey we should tour together sometime.... well the time is now Europe I hope your ready for this!!!




The Aftermath (2012)


Does the band get any shit for naming the band after Exodus debut album?

You would believe the amount of shit we get for it lol some people think were an Exodus cover band others just refuse to listen to us cause they are close minded elitist. We have had to explain ourself hundreds of times, Why bonded by blood? short and simple? Cause Gary fucking Holt fucker that's why! But in all seriousness its a dope album and a great name so why not.


There is only one original member (drummer Carlos Regalado) left in the band, has all the lineup changes been difficult for the band?

Well yes but lets not forget Juan Juarez, he sat out last years touring but he is still in the band and still writing music for the band. So technically half the band is original still, we've had a different bass player for every album but the most difficult change for the band was getting a new front man and loosing Alex Lee.


What bands are you guys influenced by?

Well we are influenced by a lot of different band obviously Exodus, Vio-lence, Megadeth, Testament, Overkill and Death Angel but also bands like Dream Theater, Meshuggah, Periphery, At the Gates, Soilwork, Jeff Loomis, Napalm Death etc.


What's the highlight of your career?

Well touring wise Exodus, Vader, Overkill, Death Angel, Kittie. as far as awesome times Barge to hell!!! that was just amazing the amount of awesome bands we played and partied with and just hanging out with fans and other metal heads on a cruise ship for five metal as fuck days!!!!! It was definitely life changing and we made a lot of awesome friends.


Will there be a new album soon?

Well hopefully if all goes as planned yes but for now we are still writing new material so stay tuned.


Have you got any funny story to tell, if anything weird has happened while touring or so?

Well many lol This one is actually pretty embarrassing, when we were on tour with Vader last year Peter asked me to go on stage and sing Reign in blood with them. I was extremely honored and nervous so what did I do to deal with the nerves instead of just practice the song and be myself?? I got piss drunk came of stage a drunken mess and fucked the whole song up it was beyond hilarious and it doesn't end there after that I dove off the stage, I made it about half way through the crowd before eating shit. Aborted and Vader made fun of me for atleast a week. As a California thrasher fucking up Reign in blood is just ridiculous lol


You recorded a thrash metal version of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles theme. I guess that you are eagerly awaiting the new Turtles movie? :)

hahaha Yes but sadly they did not use our version for the movie -____-


Any last words for our readers?

well its been a pleasure friends, keep an eye out for dates near you!! and keep a closer ear for more announcements.


Thank you!



By/Ruthless


(02-04-2014)




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