Interview With Methal Kyrios | “We’re A Thrash Band Like Any Other”

La Pampa lies in the heart of Argentina. It is a province that many might overlook or simply consider a stopover on trips between the south and the center. A sparsely populated desert region, offering a perfect blend of vast fields stretching as far as the eye can see and the edge of the Patagonian desert, the province of La Pampa is much more than that. And despite the near-total lack of exposure for its music, there is an interesting scene there where various bands come together to express themselves through different styles of Metal. One of them is Methal Kyrios, with whom we had the pleasure of conducting this interview.
Methal Kyrios is not a new band. They’ve been on the scene for quite a few years now, with two studio albums under their belt and a third on the way, in addition to an acoustic set they released this year in digital format. The band—composed of Mauro Queupul on bass and vocals, Federico Montero on drums, and Santiago Robles on guitar—is an explosive trio playing pure Thrash Metal. Despite their undeniable influences, over time they’ve evolved into a unique sound that sets them apart and makes them a band worth watching.
We had several questions, and Mauro Queupul, vocalist and bassist for Methal Kyrios, took the time to answer everything we wanted to ask…

First of all, we’d like you to tell us a little about the band’s history—how it formed, what you’ve released, and how you’d describe Methal Kyrios’ style… specifically, what does the band’s name mean, and why did you choose it?

“Methal Kyrios is a band formed in the town of Santa Rosa, La Pampa, Argentina, in 2011. Over the years, we released several demos and singles, but it wasn’t until 2017 that we began releasing full-length albums, which include three studio albums and two live albums. We’ve also been posting several videos related to our releases for some time now.
The name Kyrios means ‘Lord’ in Greek and was suggested by a band member who didn’t realize there were thousands of bands with the same name, haha!!! The truth is that over time, we personalized the name by adding ‘Methal’ as a complement. We have some friends who call us the ‘Lord of Metal’!!!

Of the two albums you’ve released, “Disipando Tinieblas” and “Síndrome Oscuro,” what are the main differences between them? Which one more faithfully represents the sound of Methal Kyrios?

“Both albums represent Methal Kyrios at different stages. We believe that ‘Disipando Tinieblas’ is Thrash with Heavy influences, and that ‘Síndrome Oscuro’ is a more Thrash-oriented album, with old-school tendencies and a sharper intensity. I think they’re an excellent combination of how the band’s live shows unfold. That, combined with the new songs, creates a very complete sonic experience.”

Methal Kyrios is rooted in Thrash Metal, but beyond those influences, what other genres do you draw from when it comes to composition and the band’s style?

“We have many influences from different genres—from Blues, Heavy Metal, Groove, Death Metal, and Hardcore, to classical elements that we like to incorporate. Classical rhythms and melodies, tango harmonies and melodies, and rhythms from Argentine folk music—we incorporate them so subtly that listeners often find them excellent.”

The latest news we heard was the digital release of some acoustic sessions you recorded at a local FM station. Tell us how that opportunity came about and what the production process for that album was like?

“Yes, ‘Resonancias’ is our acoustic album, and the radio station approached us with the idea. We already knew each other because they’d interviewed us for a previous event, and that’s when the idea for the production came up—to feature a series of local bands on the radio. That’s when we agreed that Methal Kyrios should participate, but with a warmer, more intimate take on the songs. So we prepared a few songs in an acoustic format so that more people could access our music and appreciate our art from a different perspective—to show a more vulnerable side of the band without the power of distortion. The result, for us, is great.”

One thing we noticed is that the acoustic sessions gave Methal Kyrios’ songs a different feel—perhaps revealing a different side of each composition. What are your thoughts on that?

“We totally agree. It’s not just something we noticed; our fans who’ve known us for years noticed it too. It’s like we rediscovered the songs.”

When it comes to songwriting, what’s the process like? What inspires you in general, and what are the lyrics about?

“Usually we bring in a riff we’ve thought of beforehand, or we start jamming as we play. That’s where good ideas come from.
The lyrics cover a variety of themes: the immediate present, metaphors, human thoughts and struggles, politics, parallel realities, mental illness, autoimmune disorders, uncontrolled thoughts, and critiques of the new world order and the major political and religious powers. We also talk about God, good, evil, existence, and nature. In short, it’s been many years and we’ve covered a lot of ground. It’s impossible to sum up 15 years in a single lyrical theme.”

Do you also consider yourselves a Christian band? Or do you prefer to be known simply as a thrash metal band, regardless of the lyrical content? What is your stance on the whole “White Metal” or “Christian Metal” scene?

“We don’t consider ourselves a Christian band. It would be a lie to say we are. We’re a Thrash band like any other, but we dare to say things that go beyond what’s traditionally accepted or criticized within the genre.
Personally, I believe in Christ, and in some songs I’ve drawn heavily on what He means to me to complement a lyrical stance. But essentially, the band is a Thrash group on a quest for knowledge, reflected in the lyrics.
On the other hand, I think it’s great that an artist or band identifies however they want. In my view, over the years I’ve seen that many bands considered “White Metal” are listened to only by audiences who share the same mindset. I think the message they want to convey isn’t reaching a wider audience, and that’s something that needs to be reevaluated. But I want to make it clear that I’m just a humble contributor and listener (this is just my opinion).”

How difficult is it for a band outside of Buenos Aires to make a name for itself and get its music out there? What’s your experience been like in that regard?

“Ugh, it’s very difficult. Not just for people from the provinces but for the entire underground and emerging scene in the country. But yes, for a band from the provinces, it’s very, very difficult to travel, organize, and manage tours in other provinces across Argentina’s vast territory. We can say that we’ve made a lot of friends over these years on the road, and we usually travel to Buenos Aires two or three times a year to play shows. We’ve also been to Córdoba, Santa Fe, San Luis, Río Negro, Neuquén, Mendoza, Catamarca, and other provinces.”

We got to see and meet several bands from the province of La Pampa, each one more interesting than the last. Tell us a little about what the scene is like there for those who aren’t familiar with it…

“The scene in La Pampa is very diverse. There are bands playing Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Deathcore, Hardcore, Stoner, Desert, Alternative, Pop, Death, Punk, and more. But above all, there’s a sense of struggle to make ourselves heard, and to let the rest of the country know that La Pampa is in the heart of Argentina and is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves rock.”

We know how difficult it is for an underground band to record and produce an album, especially since Methal Kyrios managed to release two albums in physical format. What are your thoughts on the digital vs. physical release dilemma?

“From our perspective as a band, digitization has allowed us to be heard in different countries around the world. We believe it’s a powerful tool. That’s how we came to meet various labels from Mexico, Bolivia, and the U.S. that wanted to work with us—including an Argentine label like Cuervo Records, which placed its full trust in our work.
As for physical format, we also know there’s an audience that still prefers it—not just for the artwork, but for the satisfaction of owning your favorite band’s album in that format: looking at the photos, the artwork for each song, reading the lyrics, and disconnecting from the digital world. Even though it might seem crazy, we’ve seen our albums reach the U.S., China, Italy, Colombia, Honduras, Spain, Brazil, and other countries in this format.
Personally, I prefer that format because I like to collect albums.”

If you had to define Methal Kyrios’ message in a few words, what would it be?

“Resilience and commitment.”

Thank you for your time, and we’ll leave you with the final space to share whatever you’d like to express….

“I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to share my thoughts here. We know you’ve written some reviews of our albums, and we really appreciate it.
I’d also like to invite all readers to listen to our music through whatever medium is most convenient for them. We also look forward to seeing you at our upcoming shows.
Thank you very much and a big hug!!!”

As this article goes to press, Methal Kyrios is making headlines. The band has just released a second preview of their upcoming album titled “Ultra”, and the track in question is the one that gives the new album its title. They had previously released “Sombras Sin Identidad.” These two new tracks will be part of Methal Kyrios’s new album and are already available on digital platforms; of course, we’ve included them below so you can hear what they’re all about.
Methal Kyrios impresses with its quality, commitment, and the dedication and consistency they’ve built as a band over the years. As is often the case, they’re an underground band that works hard to make things happen, but they deserve more attention. The intensity on their albums “Disipando Tinieblas” and “Síndrome Oscuro” are a good example of this, and their upcoming album, “Ultra,” will be no exception. Keep an eye out for its release, and to help you do that, here are the band’s social media links….