Interview with Marcos Gonzalez, vocalist for Altar, Salvaje, and La Paez System | “The Metal Scene in Argentina Is Very Good”
Talking with Marcos Gonzalez, current vocalist for Altar and several other projects such as “La Paez System” and “Salvaje” (the band of Jose Amurín, formerly of Logos) is like going back in time, at times. It’s inevitable to go back in time, like back in 2000, when I saw Altar for the first time in San Francisco Solano, in the southern part of Buenos Aires, and a vocalist who really rocked. Well, that vocalist is my friend Marcos Gonzalez, a true heavy metal fan with whom we have shared a lot over the years. I was interested in finding out about Altar’s current situation and the other projects he is working on. He is a really hard-working guy with a lot of guts, and he still has a lot to give. So this is what he answered to our questions…
First of all, it’s a pleasure to share this interview with you after so long, but first of all, I’d like you to tell us how you manage to divide your time between three bands, Altar, Salvaje, and La Paez System
“Thank you very much for the interview, it’s a pleasure for me after so long. Well, with Altar, La Paez System, and Salvaje, I organize separate dates so as not to kill my voice. I play with one band for a month, or if it’s the same month, I separate the dates by at least 10 or 15 days. As for rehearsals, with Altar we rehearse near my house in Florencio Varela, at the guitarist’s house. We do two or three rehearsals before the date, but we don’t need that much because we’re well rehearsed with the band. It’s mostly to go over the set for the date, some covers, recording or projection with the band. With La Paez, I rehearse a week before the date because of the distance. And the set also goes very well, and I don’t need to go that much, unless it’s to record a video clip or a new song. We pick a day or two, and that’s it. With Salvaje, we do a couple of rehearsals beforehand, maybe because we have our own songs and we want to make sure the set we’re going to play is good, in addition to the Logos songs, and the band is ready to play.
Before, it was all about spending many hours rehearsing, but times change, we all have jobs, families, etc., so we work with the bands in a more flexible way. Everyone practices their part at home, in my case, the lyrics, the musicians their part, and so on, so it’s simpler and when we get together in the rehearsal room, everything comes together more easily. Having the audio, the material for the songs, simplifies everything. Well, that’s how I see it in my case.”
Could it be that La Paez System is your most rock side, Altar your most Power Metal side, and Salvaje the Heavy Metal inside you? How do the three projects differ musically?
“La Paez System is my most Rock or Hard Rock side. I’ve always liked this style, it’s in my vocal range, so I enjoy it, you know. Altar is the most Power Metal, Classic Hard Rock, and Classic Metal side, which also suits my range. I’ve always liked those genres since I was a kid, so I enjoy it a lot. Salvaje is the Heavy Metal side that I’ve also always liked since I was a kid, and I really enjoy it. My vocal range is very wide. I always sang all kinds of music with my brothers, except cumbia, haha. I say this for those who didn’t know, never know!!!!! (Laughs).”
A little related to the previous question, what are your favorite bands or those that have influenced you? Which singers are your reference?
“My favorite bands are Heart U Heart, Stryper, WhiteCross, Petra, Guardian, V8, Logos, Barni, Ingwie Malmsteen, Rata Blanca, Narnia, Guns N’ Roses, Bride, Tourniquet, Velvet Revolver, etc., haha.” (Editor’s note: next time we’ll publish volumes II and III). And the singers who influenced me, both national and international, include Adrián Barilari, Mario Ian, Beto Zamarbide, John Schlitt, Scott Wenzel, Michael Sweet, Ozzy…”
How did you become the lead singer of La Paez System? Have you recorded anything yet?
“It so happened that Clo Paez, founder of the band Mike y Desafiados and the original guitarist, and I met in a rehearsal room in Ramos Mejía, before the “Todos por Gady” event at the Empire Theater, near the Obelisk in Buenos Aires. We exchanged numbers and became friends. One day I sent him a song I recorded with one of my bands called Obsesión, called “Hijo Del Viento.” He liked the recording for Paez. He didn’t have a singer at the time, so in 2018 we started Paez System, playing pure rock and hard rock. We have recorded several songs and singles, which are available on YouTube and Spotify, such as “Amor, Odio y Pasión,” “Sueños,” “Es Tiempo,” “Rezan,” and “Enemigo Virtual.” These songs were recorded, edited, and mastered during the pandemic. Then there are more songs, recorded live, from 2021 onwards, which are Mike And Desafiados classics such as “Libertad,” “Tengo El Control,” “Valor Recuperado,” “Tapón,” etc. We also have a video clip of the song “La Lengua” circulating, and I think that next month, another video clip of the song “Eléctrico!” will be released. So there is plenty of stuff for people to see and listen to us.”
Regarding Altar, the band we know you from, tell us a little bit about its history and what you have released so far…
“Altar was formed in 1999 with Richard López on lead guitar, Abraham Retamozo on keyboards, Elias Gonzalez, my brother, on drums, Javier Pereyra on bass, Luis González, my old man, on vocals, and me, Marcos González, on vocals. Our style is classic metal leaning towards power metal. Over the years, we’ve played alongside Boanerges, Stauros, Hugo López, Habacuc, etc. Over time, the members have changed. We recorded an album called ALTAR, which is available in digital format on YouTube and Spotify. That album features several of the band’s classics, such as “Cae El Fuego,” “Para Siempre,” “Asesino,” etc. We recorded this album with Emmanuel Roldan on guitar, Federico Coronel on second guitar, Matías Coronel on bass, Elías Gonzalez on drums and keyboards, Cintia Gonzalez, my sister, on backing vocals, and Luis Gonzalez on vocals for the songs “Yo Seguiré,” “Asesino,” and “Cae El Fuego.” Today, the band consists of Lucas Aybar on guitar, Matías Coronel on bass, Natanael Gonzalez, another brother of mine, on drums, Abraham Retamozo on keyboards, and me on lead vocals.”
Are there any plans to release a new album in physical format with Altar after so long?
“We have seven new songs, recorded in the studio, and some already mastered with video clips. Others are in the process of being finished. That would be the new stuff, and what we’ve been playing on our dates with Altar. The band is active with new projects.”
With Salvaje, you share a band with Jose Amurin, who was the bassist for Logos. How does it feel to play with him and sing Logos songs? How did the idea for the band come about?
“Salvaje is the heavy metal band we formed with José Amurin, former bassist for Logos!!! For me, it’s a dream come true to be able to be with him and sing Logos songs. It’s very emotional for me. The band was born out of a friendship with José, before a tribute to Logos that we were invited to and that ultimately didn’t happen. One day, Randy Fisher (a big name on the scene) organized a charity event and told José, ‘Why don’t you put something together with Marquitos and come and play songs by V8 and Logos?’, and that’s how the band came about, in 2021 with Tano Marciello, guitarist with Almafuerte, at Citybar, long before the anniversary of ‘La Industria Del Poder’ came out. We came out with S.A. L.V.A.J.E. (the latent essence!), playing songs from Logos’ albums, “La Industria Del Poder” and “Generación Mutante.”
Beyond playing Logos’ best-known songs, are there any songs made with Salvaje? What future projects are there with the band?
“In addition to playing Logos songs, we have our own songs with Salvaje, such as ”Salvaje,“ ”Cuenta Conmigo,“ ”Voy A Llegar,“ ”Avanzar,” etc. There are many more, but they still need to be polished. We are also in the process of recording. We have been playing around Buenos Aires, south and north, this year. We also played recently with Miguel Roldan. It was very emotional to share the stage with two former Logos members. I’m speechless. So this year we have dates in the interior of the country, in Mendoza and Rosario. We’re ready to go out and play on any date.”
After struggling for so long on the scene and experiencing so many things, how do you see the metal scene in Argentina today? What do you think it needs to grow?
“The metal scene in Argentina is very good. The bad thing is that sometimes the big producers take advantage of underground bands by asking for an unattainable fortune. They also don’t have the vision to give other bands opportunities to grow. To grow as a band, you have to make your own circuit of dates and move forward. Today, social media helps a lot, and it’s no longer necessary to have help from a third party to manage anything. The band can make it on its own, with struggle, hard work, and perseverance. That’s my point of view from all these years on the music scene.”
Although Altar is considered a Christian band, are your lyrics more about personal experiences or are they more religious? What is Altar’s specific message as a band?
“Yes, Altar is a Christian band with a different message, one of faith. Some lyrics are based on personal experiences. The specific message is that man can find God, fill his inner void, and find salvation.”
We appreciate your time with us and leave you with the last few lines to say whatever you want, and to tell us about upcoming dates with the three bands and future projects…
“Thank you very much again, Gustavo, for this interview. I am currently participating in recordings as a guest, as I did on Hugo López’s latest album. Last year, I recorded the song “Argentina Tienes Que Oir” with musician friends, which can be heard on YouTube. The cover of Stryper’s “The Way” is coming soon, with Sergio Free, Hugo López’s former drummer, and musician friends, and it will be released soon. Let’s move forward with a different message. We can change an entire generation that needs good values in life. Hugs and greetings to all, keep the music going. Blessings!!!”
To get in touch and see for yourselves what each of the projects Marcos Gonzalez is involved in is all about, here are his social media contacts so you can keep an eye on his dates, as well as some videos circulating on YouTube.
https://www.facebook.com/share/16kLbc2mk8
https://www.facebook.com/isaias.gauma
https://www.facebook.com/LaPaezSystem
https://www.instagram.com/lapaezsystem?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
