Mat delves into the new album b the US thrashers.. and catches up with Bass Player Alex for a little interview…

Interesting fact: although, phonetically, this Texas based band share the same name as a certain Canadian band; they are a much more gnarly, sun hardened breed of thrash.

So, here we are. With the phonetically spelt Anialator and their debut album, Death Is Calling. This is a strange one, as Anialator have been around (on and off) since 1986. That golden year when thrash metal had it’s renaissance.

You know how it went, let’s move on…they released two demos and a couple of EPs… and stopped in 1990. A few went on to form a Sufferance band for almost a decade, but that’s another story.

We kick off the album with Kill ‘Til Death, a track so full of assertion and vigor, one could imagine Dark Angel and Vio-lence spawned an unthinkable thing. The second track gives more of that crushing guitar goodness. Iron Grinder changes things up with its groove soaked, Kreator-esque sound. The rest of the album resumes Anialator’s punishing thrash, with Hear The Death Call blasting some hardcore shenanigans.

This is pretty much the trend on Death Is Calling, there is a harsh, almost death metal attack that bleeds through. Like the title of the  penultimate track, it is Relentless, yet tight and controlled with some highly satisfying solo work liberally peppered about. Closing with Terror Tactics was a good choice; it has a traditional feel, fit for any set finisher.

This is an album that has the sound of a band from over three decades ago, yet benefits from the experience and maturity of a band that have been around that long.

I reached out to Anialator’s bassist, Alex Dominguez for a chat, and he kindly offered some insights…

MAT: First of all, congratulations on a total banger of an album. This is your first proper LP as Anialator. You must be pretty hyped, right?

ALEX: Yes!! I am exceptionally happy to not only release Anialator’s first full length, but to finally get Death Is Calling out. Death Is Calling took a little over something like 3 years to write, record.

MAT: you’re the sole original member, correct?

ALEX: Yes. I formed the band back in 1986 and I am the sole member still carrying the Anialator legacy.

MAT: You’ve been going a very long time, on and off. How do you keep faith in carrying on?

ALEX: My love for metal music and just having fun doing this. As long as people are still buying or listening to our music I will keep Anialator going.

MAT: I noticed the song Iron Grinder has a certain groove to it. Is that the Texan breaking through?

ALEX: When I approached Jd De La Rosa, our guitarist, and mentioned to him that I would like to have a song that was a headbanger and I also told him to throw in a little Voivod influence into it. Jd is a huge Voivod fan. So he got to work and Iron Grinder is the result. If any Texas comes out in our songs, it would be the speed part of Texas music, Devastation,  Rigor Mortis.

MAT: Your style of thrash is very broad. You must draw from a deep well of influences?

ALEX: Yes definitely. Jd, Tony [Gomez, vocals], and myself are fans of 80’s thrash bands. Jd is really influenced, or should I say some of his influences comes from 80’s South American bands like Pentagram from Chile and very early Sepultura just to name a few.

MAT: How is the local scene? Do you have a good fanbase?

ALEX: I don’t live in Corpus Christi Tx any more, that’s where the band originated from so I really can’t comment on their scene. I now live in Houston Tx for the past 8 years. Houston Tx has a great scene. You have Helstar, Oath Of Cruelty,  Necro Blade, Imprecation,  Labyrinth, Nemesis, Necrofier, Haserot and alot more bands. Each band being a different genre but everyone supports each other.

MAT: Last question, and a bit of a calling card for me. What’s your favourite biscuit/cookie?

ALEX: What I like probably is a popular answer but oatmeal raisin and peanut butter cookie. Thank you for showing interest in Anialator and thank you for the support.  Cheers!!

If anything, we should thank Anialator for keeping it alive to this point. The fruits of perseverance are ripe and worth the wait. Death Is Calling is out now via Xtreem Music