1)Can you tell me a little bit about your band history? As in age(?) line-up(changes?) country.
I started the band in 1993 with my friend Artier Guzman, (R.I.P.) at that time, there were 4 members. I was playing guitar and Arturo was playing the Drums. Then, Arturo invited Edmundo Mondragon to play Bass, and we also included a close friend, Julio Briseño. Arturo died suddenly in an accident, and we were very grieved, but with God's strength, we continued.
Then I invited my brother Iram Gomez to join us. Iram played the Bass, and then Edmundo switched to the Guitar.
After awhile, Julio left the band, and then Marco Perez joined the ranks.
In late 1997, Marco left the band for personal reasons, and now I sing and also play Drums.
2)How would u describe your music? Death/Black metal??
We don't play death metal. We are very progressive in our music and we use low vocals, but I wouldn't peg us as death metal. I cal it very original, progressive, brutal music, extremely melodic, and with no tell tail musical influences. just because it's brutal, doesn't necessarily mean it's death metal.
3)Who are your influences?
I love the music of Iron Maiden, In Flames, King Diamond, Kostelli, Cordeli, Vivaldi, New Age, Helloween, Galactic Cowboys, Dream Theater, Unleashed, etc.
Lyrically, I write about things really real in my life, like racism and other similar human issues.
4)And what do you think of secular metal? Do you guys listen to secular bands?
Yeah, we don't just listen to Christians bands because there are many good bands in the secular scene. Music is universal and we love many different styles, Christian and not, no matter what their beliefs, we just analyze the music.
5)Do you guys think that a christian should listen to secular metal?
Well if they are strong in the Lord, and it doesn't influence them toward sin, I think they can, but they need know some lyrics or ideas have many bad things. If you just listened to the music for culture, it's OK, but remember all things are lawful, but not all things are expedient, each individual has to know their strengths and weaknesses.
6)Did
you guys play in any live performances.
And
how did the crowd react to a Christian metal band during the live performances?
In non-Christians scenarios, the people are really offended with us, especially when we talk about God. The non-Christian people don't believe in the power of God because they are blind toward their sins. Some people pay attention and ask us about God when the show is finished.
In Christian scenarios It's really cool! The people love what we are doing.
7)Does your Church support what Lament is doing?
Yeah,.. they pray a lot for us, and now they want to do a concert with us to save the lost souls, cool no?
Thank God the people in my church are open minded..
8)Have
Lament received any death threats from Satanists?
Or
did they show any hostility towards Lament??
No, not yet. God is with us and always takes care of us. Sometimes a phone call, and comments, but nothing's happened.
9)Are there any plans for any EPS or a new album?
Well, now we are working on new songs for a new album, and maybe this year we will record them in the USA in July. We hope to record a full album not an EP.
10)What do you think of the secular Metal Scene?
I think there's not any union between the bands, and the magazines, especially here in Mexico. The secular scene is big, but it doesn't amount to anything because they are doing it just for the money. They just love money and don't love the lives of the fans who need help.
11)And what do you think of the Christian Metal Scene?
Well in the Christian scene we have 2 sides, there is a lot of unity and support. Such as yourself, who are helping us a lot by including this interview in your magazine. The side of the Christian scene that bothers me is, some of the bands don't have the vision to preach, and It's about business and the money, and fame. Now the scene seems dead because some bands are concentrating on material things..
12)Do you think that most Christian metal can't compare to their secular counterparts?
No. I think the best bands are in the Christian scene,.. like Believer, Mortification, Paramecium, Vengeance Rising, Deliverance, Stryper, and many others. I think if the bands are not really popular, it's because they preach the gospel, and the lost and the devil don't like it.
I think Christians have the best scene because we preach GOD. .
13)Could
you share some of your lyrical concepts?
And
how did you get them?
One of our concepts is racism. Here we also suffer racism, indifference, and many bad things. We are really sad about the actual situation in all the world and Mexico too. We try to put this reality in our lyrics. I love poetry in general so I include it in my songs too.
We suffer indifference, racism, hate, we are made fun of, and other bad things so right now we want to talk about that.
14)What is the purpose (or goal) of Lament?
To
reach the souls for Jesus. We just want to preach and help in everything
we can, we are here to serve. .
15)Does Lament see itself fulfilling the purpose (goal)?
Our first goal and the only one is just reach many souls for the LORD JESUS we just serve GOD and we only see preach and serve this is the only reason that we are here.
16)What do Lament see itself 10 years down the road?
We see ourselves preaching and take care of our spiritual lives, with children, and wives, and much joy because we are in the Lord.
17)Okay, thank you so much for your time and any last words for your fans in Singapore?
Thanks for supporting us, and please pray for us. If you like us, please buy the new album, and get the "Tears of a Leper" CD.
Abel Gomez.