Interview with Pablo Lopez From Proyecto Grial | “Metal Can Be Powerful And Profoundly Human At The Same Time”
As part of our search for Metal music, we had the opportunity to come across Proyecto Grial. An EP released in 2018 caught our interest, so we listened to it and, of course, wrote a review. There we found some very interesting stuff from this band from the Argentine province of Córdoba. Power Metal and classic Metal with an epic feel and a strong focus on Metal. That was our conclusion. The logical thing to do was to contact Pablo López, vocalist of Proyecto Grial, to ask him about the band and several other questions.
Proyecto Grial began in 2016 as a recording project with an EP released in 2018, but it eventually became a brotherhood of musicians united by the same ideal: to transport their audience through epic battles, mystical landscapes, and immortal legends, unleashing their taste for the historical and fantastic aspects of medieval times, placing their lyrics and music in an epic setting!
During 2023 and 2024, Proyecto Grial had several live performances and was selected to be the opening act for major international Heavy Metal artists such as Paul Dianno, Tarja Turunen, Fabio Lione, and Mark Boals. Throughout their career, they have toured Buenos Aires, Santa Fe, and San Luis, and have shared the stage with several national Metal artists such as Entre el Cielo y el Infierno (formerly Rata Blanca), Renacer, Icaro, Ian, Mathras, and Lorihen, to name a few. They have participated in medieval and rock festivals within the province of Córdoba, such as La Cumbre Rock.
In 2025, he performed in the cities of Cosquín and Córdoba alongside the Brazilian band Gueppardo, as well as sharing the stage with emerging Argentine bands Arraigo, Cernunnos, and Conxuro in the city of Córdoba.
Now, we share the conversation we had with Pablo López, who kindly agreed to this interesting interview…
How did the band and the project itself come about? How did the band’s name come about and how is it formed?
“Proyecto Grial started back in 2015 or 2016 as a recording idea of mine. It was something very personal at first, a space to pour out songs and stories that I had been composing. But over time, that idea took shape as a stable band so that we could take the songs to the stage. The name has a very particular meaning: “Proyecto” (Project) was not chosen at random. For me, it represents an entity created to achieve something important, whether physical, musical, or spiritual. It is the union of different wills toward the same quest for perfection. And the “Grail” is precisely that symbol of the ideal, of the goal that inspires but is never fully achieved. That mixture of collective work and inner search is what has defined the band from the beginning. Today, the group consists of Nicolás Moyano on bass, Edgardo Medina on drums, Iván Montenovo on guitar, Mauro Amaya on keyboards, and me on vocals. We are the ones who defend the banner of Proyecto Grial in 2025.”
How would you define the style of Proyecto Grial and what influences do you have?
“The style of Proyecto Grial moves between Melodic Heavy/Power Metal and Classic Rock/Metal. We like to work with strong melodies, harmonic guitars, and that epic feel that makes you raise your fist in the chorus. If I had to name influences, I would say there’s a lot of Rata Blanca, Imperio, Boanerges, Barni, Lorihen, and from abroad, bands like Vision Divine, Stratovarius, and Rhapsody. Deep down, it’s Metal with soul, melody, and a message that moves us.”
In the band’s aesthetic, we notice an epic idea in both their lyrics and their music. How did that imprint come about and what is the goal behind it?
“First, the aesthetic comes from Dio, Rainbow, Rata Blanca, Andi Deris’ jacket, haha, or from the lady who sold it to me cheap… just kidding. (Editor’s note: we’ll have to go see that lady!). We always felt the need to tell stories. In our case, the epic doesn’t come from “fantastic heroism” but from the human side: the struggle, the resistance, not giving up. The ‘Grail’ is a metaphor, representing that inner and collective search that we all have. We didn’t invent any of this, of course, we simply adapted it to our way of feeling and living metal. The idea is to excite, inspire, and leave something that transcends the song.”
Following on from the previous question, we found the band’s lyrics very interesting, with positive messages about fighting and not giving up…
“Yes, that comes from times when music helped me overcome situations in life, and I sought to do the same. That’s my initial goal, and yes, absolutely. The lyrics of songs like “Puedes Creer,” “Ritual,” and “Héroes de Metal” talk about not giving up, about staying strong. It’s not about preaching, but about sharing real experiences with a hopeful outlook. Metal can be powerful and deeply human at the same time. We want listeners to feel strength, identity, and the desire to keep going.”
We heard about the 2018 EP simply called “Proyecto Grial.” Besides that, what else have you released?
“In addition to the EP, we released several singles and live sessions. For example, ”Como Relámpago en la Oscuridad“ with Javier Barrozo, and also ‘Ritual’ and ”Visión Etérea” in 2022 and 2023, both with music videos. There is live material from our performances with Tarja and Paul Di’Anno, all available on our YouTube channel: @proyectogrial. We are very active with that, we like people to see and feel the energy of the live show, so we invite them to connect to our show and live the Proyecto Grial experience.”
I understand that you are working on a new album. What details can you give us about it, and when will it be available?
“We are producing the new album at Matías Takaya’s AV Studios. The final arrangements and recordings will be in November and December 2025, and then, of course, there will be time spent in the same studio mastering/mixing and more. We plan to release it in 2026. It will be a 6-song EP loaded with classic/neo/power/epic Metal. I’ll just give you the names so you can imagine them until they come out: “Batalla Final,” “El Vuelo Del Fénix,” “Sueños De Luna Y Acero,” “Peregrinación,” “Juego Siniestro.” There’s also a ballad we titled “Recuerdo.”
How difficult is it for a band from the interior of the country, and in your case from the province of Córdoba, to make a name for yourselves? Do you feel there is a difference between you and bands from Buenos Aires?
“The reality is that it’s not easy. In Buenos Aires, there are more labels, media outlets, and big venues. We operate independently, working hard, earning every opportunity we get, from sharing the stage with international artists to playing with underground bands like us. No one gave us anything, but that also gives value to what we do.”
We really liked that Proyecto Grial released their EP in physical format. Is the idea to continue releasing stuff that way? What do you think of the dichotomy between that format and the digital format?
“Proyecto Grial opted for the physical format for its EP and took it to rock fairs and events, which helped us connect with the public (sales, merchandising, presence at medieval events and rock fairs, and what is sold after playing at shows). Many bands today combine both formats depending on their investment and distribution strategy, which we haven’t decided on yet, since physical formats have been very difficult to manage lately.”
For those who don’t know, what is the Metal scene like in Córdoba and what is your opinion of the national Heavy Metal scene in general?
“The reality is that it’s not easy and never has been. In Buenos Aires, there are more bands, meaning allies or competitors, depending on how you look at it and where you’re coming from. I’m from Buenos Aires but based in Córdoba, and I’d say it’s the same thing. Today, if you know how to use social media and invest, there’s no difference.”
You recently shared the stage with Mark Boals. Tell us about that experience…
“The experience was another dream come true, as Mark Boals is a musician who influenced us, like all those we were lucky enough to share the stage with, such as all the great international Heavy Metal artists: Paul Dianno, Tarja Turunen, and Fabio Lione, and national metal artists: Entre el Cielo y el Infierno (formerly of Rata Blanca), Renacer, Ícaro, Ian, Mathras, Lorihen, and Hugo Bistolfi, formerly of Rata Blanca.”
Beyond religions themselves, what do you believe happens after death, and what do you think about God?
“At this point, I speak for myself, Pablo López, the undersigned. I consider myself a diver of faith, and I say this with respect, as I have been active in many forms of searching. That path is written in my lyrics. Today, I believe that I have to worry about the life I live and the message I leave behind with my life. I think of God as a father who created me, gave me love, but he is not responsible for my free will.”
What future projects do you have from here on out?
“The next project will be to present our new material in all the places in the country where they want to hear it, while producing it as the path of ‘Grial’ dictates.”
Thank you for your time, and I’ll leave you with the last few lines for whatever you want to say to the reader…
“Thank you for your interest in Proyecto Grial. We are a band from Córdoba that has been working passionately on melodic Heavy/Power Metal: songs with an epic soul, lyrics of resistance, and the constant search to improve and reach more listeners. We invite anyone who wants to listen to the EP and singles on Bandcamp/Spotify, follow us on social media for upcoming dates, and, if you can, come to the shows to share the live energy. Proyecto Grial closes the year as guests of LORIHEN & Quantum Metal Argentina at the “Quality Espacio” in Córdoba, Argentina. #lamagiadelcaos will arrive once again! Your discounted ticket is available at “Pesadilla Rockeria” or through CoberRock 3518558438. See you at the next battle in the good fight!
It was truly a pleasure to share this conversation with Pablo Lopez from Proyecto Grial, a band from the province of Córdoba that has been fighting the good fight, and doing very well. Proyecto Grial is currently producing what will be their new album at Matias Takaya’s AV studios. They have a self-titled EP from 2018, as well as two singles: “Ritual” released in 2022 and “Visión Etérea” released in 2023.
We can also tell you that between October and November, the band will continue with the final arrangements and recordings for their new stuff, which Pablo has already told us about and even given us a preview of some of the new songs that will be recorded.
On December 13, they will close out a great year with their performance at Quality Espacio as special guests of the band Lorihen from Buenos Aires.
We recommend listening to Proyecto Grial’s stuff, particularly their EP released in 2018, which we review below. We also leave you with the official video clips for the songs “Visión Etérea” and “Ritual,” as well as the band’s social media coordinates…
https://www.facebook.com/proyectogrial
https://www.instagram.com/proyecto.grial
