Interview with Stratuz
Stratuz are a doom-death metal band from Venezuela who formed in 1984, they released their first demo in 1993 and a debut album in 1995, they quickly become the most recognized metal band in Venezuela and cementing their place as one of the pioneer bands of extreme metal. All answers by Leonardo.
Alicia
Can you Introduce the band?
Leonardo
Greetings. My name is Leonardo Rangel, I am the bassist of the group, of course! Stratuz was born in the city of Caracas, Venezuela, in 1984. Over time, we made a very personal style, combining trends from Doom to Brutal Death, loaded with drama and atmospheric environments. Our first demo was released in 1993. In 1994 we made a split-cd (“In Nomine…”), which managed to be well placed abroad. In 1998 Stratuz was invited to the “Festival del Sol” in Spain, along with the Finnish band Stratovarius, in turn, the Spanish label Repulse Records included Stratuz in the Repulsive Tour, throughout Spain and Portugal, together with the bands Centinex and Anasarca. Later the band went to Holland and then to the city of Cologne - Germany, where we were invited to participate in the Musikfestival Komm as headliner. Upon our return, we finished recording the album "The Last Angel" which was published at the end of 1999. This album achieved excellent reviews in Venezuela and abroad and we signed with the LSP-COMPANY label from Belgium, for a new album titled «Spirit Seduction». Stratuz dissolves due to the intense political conflict that shook our country in 2006. In 2019, after several attempts, we managed to reunite and relaunch the band, making a brief live performance as part of a documentary about the history of extreme metal in Venezuela. . And it was in that moment of inspiration that we decided to create our latest album, Osculum Pacis. The musicians that make up the group Stratuz are Franklin Berroteran on vocals and keyboards, Geronimo Egea on guitar, Diego Cabrujas on drums and me, Leonardo Rangel on the bass.
Alicia
Where did the name come from?
Leonardo
It was a play on Latin words and was given an internal meaning, the dividing line between good and evil.
Alicia
Your album just came out can you tell us about the recording process?
Leonardo
The recording process was very complicated for us since we were caught in the coronavirus pandemic, which forced us to work remotely. It was something that we suffered a lot since during that process we lost many dear friends, and family members, but thanks to the effort that helped us create this album which we are promoting now.
Alicia
Do you have plans to tour this release?
Leonardo
Yeah! We have already made some shows, and we are coordinating a tour outside our borders. We are very hopeful and eager to take our work everywhere we can.
Alicia
Can you tell us about the music scene where you’re from?
Leonardo
The scene in Venezuela is small due to its geographical position, the Caribbean, where the audience is more attracted to Caribbean sounds, but there is a number of bands and good musicians that make metal.
Alicia
Was music something you’ve always wanted to do?
Leonardo
I think I was influenced from a very young age since in my family there are Venezuelan folklore musicians and my father was a great lover of music like blues and rock and roll.
Alicia
How has tour been?
Leonardo
So far it is gratifying to see people interested in what we do. We still want to make ourselves known, so well continue promoting our work and look for dates and venues to tour Osculum Pacis.
You can check out Stratuz music and social links below