Since the late 1980s, Mortuary has been one of the most important and extreme bands to emerge from the Mexican underground. With an aggressive, dark, and violent sound, the group helped define Latin American death/thrash through classics such as Where Death Takes Your Soul and Blackened Images. Far removed from trends and opportunism, the band has preserved its essence intact for more than three decades, becoming an essential reference point for Spanish-speaking extreme metal. In this exclusive conversation for BN FANZINE / MIDNIGHT FUNERAL ‘ZINE, Alberto Martínez speaks about the band’s beginnings, the Mexican scene, the evolution of Mortuary, their new EP Great Black Earth, and the dark vision that continues to fuel the spirit of one of the fiercest legends of the Mexican underground. Answers by Alberto Martínez, lead guitarist and founder of the band.
Mortuary was formed in 1988 from the union of projects such as Pestilence and Butchery. How do you remember that foundational moment, and what vision did you have at the time for the sound you wanted to create?
A: Well, we simply wanted to express our discontent with all the rules and social conventions of our time, and that was partly what drove us, or at least what drove me in particular, to be in a metal band that was aggressive, noisy, and irreverent.
Your demo Where Death Takes Your Soul (1989) is now considered cult material. What did that release represent within the Mexican underground scene of the late ’80s?
A: We weren't aware of or had high expectations regarding the results of our work; we only saw that over time. We were simply looking for a sound that would be annoying, that would drill into people's ears, and that would obviously be to our liking. Fortunately for us, that recording turned out to be one of the best examples of the new metal being made in our country, and especially in our city.
Blackened Images (1990) is regarded as a classic of Latin American death/thrash. Looking back, what do you think made that album so special, and what was its creative process like?
A: As I mentioned before, we weren’t aware of the results of our work. We weren't really aware that we were part of any movement or that we would be considered pioneers of any movement. What made our Blackened Images special? I don’t know, we simply wanted to express ourselves and we did it by writing an aggressive, noisy, and irreverent album.
On a lyrical and conceptual level, Blackened Images conveys a dark and powerful atmosphere. What themes did you explore on the album, and what external influences (literature, film, social context) shaped that direction?
A: Our lyrics and sound just reflect who we are and what we want to express through our music. We are obviously influenced by music, movies, literature, etc. but it mainly shows our way of thinking.
Throughout your career, you have maintained a strong identity rooted in extreme sound. How has Mortuary evolved without losing that raw and violent essence?
A: There’s obviously been an evolution in our mindset and in the sound we are aiming for, as well as in our approach to composing music, but beyond that, the essence and energy remain. I'm not obsessed with keeping classic or old school metal alive, it's simply that I try to maintain the image and sound that characterize Mortuary, and if that sound of ours is considered old school or classic, well, that's the opinion of those who listen to us.
Being part of the split Triumph of Death alongside bands like Samael, Acheron, and Beherit placed you within an international extreme metal scene. What was the experience of participating in that release like, and what did it mean for you to work with the Turbo Music label at that time?
A: I guess it was good to be part of that compilation. It gave the band good publicity.
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| Carcass / Samael / Acheron / Beherit / Mortuary / Death Yell - Split CD 1992 |
You were part of a key generation in Mexican metal. Which bands do you consider the most important from the classic Mexican scene?
A: There were many great bands throughout Mexico and I wouldn't want to leave any of them out, but those bands know who they are.
Following that, which current Mexican metal bands do you think are carrying the torch and redefining the scene today?
A: As I mentioned before, whether in the beginning or today, there were many great bands that started this and there are many that carry the torch today.
In 1994, you had the opportunity to open for Slayer in Mexico City. What was that experience like, and what impact did it have on the band?
A: It was exciting and motivating to share the stage with the band that had the greatest influence on us. Slayer was by far our favorite band at that time, and it was very satisfying and motivating for us to be invited to be part of that lineup.
You recently signed with Horror Pain Gore Death Productions. How did that deal come about, and what does working with an international label mean to you at this stage of your career?
A: Thanks to the 2021 release of a compilation CD by MCDT Company and HPGD Productions called “Death Metal Power from Beyond,” which featured several international bands with one original song each, the opportunity arose to work directly with HPGD Productions. This led to us deciding to have them release our EP, “Great Black Earth.”
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| EP Great Black Earth 2026 - HPGD Prods. |
Your new EP Great Black Earth marks a powerful return. What can you tell us about the concept, sound, and energy behind these new tracks?
A: Well, it wasn't that we were trying to convey anything in particular or specifically; we were simply ready to release new material. We felt it was the right time, and so we did. On the other hand, our *Great Black Earth* speaks of the decline of humanity. It's my dark way of seeing the world, full of misery, mediocrity, and death. It speaks of the weakness of the human mind, yearning for power and wealth, and how that desire leads people to believe in an imaginary being who, in their minds, will provide protection. And then there are the “representatives” on earth of that imaginary being who offer humans that by worshipping him they can obtain in return the fulfillment of their desires.
In an increasingly tense global geopolitical context, with conflicts generating worldwide uncertainty, do you believe metal bands have a responsibility or a legitimate space to express political and social positions, or should the genre remain separate from these issues?
A: I believe we should remain separate from those issues.
I see that you had to cancel the South American “Seven Hells Tour.” What expectations do you have regarding visiting this part of the continent in 2026, or has that opportunity been put on hold indefinitely?
A: Yeah, it was put on hold and I hope we can visit South America soon.
Throughout your career, have you had the opportunity to perform in the United States or Europe? If so, what differences have you found between those audiences and the Latin American crowd?
A: We have toured the United States several times and we performed in the Never Surrender Fest in Berlin in 2023, so yeah we have had the opportunity to perform there, anyway since we have never performed in Central or South America we can only compare the experience to playing in Mexico, and yes, there is a big difference because the scene in Mexico is very good, but it is still growing and needs improvement, especially in supporting local and national bands.
After so many years on the road, what is the best part of touring for Mortuary? What continues to keep that need to play live alive?
A: Well, it's simply that we like to play live, we really enjoy that exchange of energy between the metalheads and the band, and I guess that's what keeps alive the need to play wherever we are invited.
LINKS DE INTERÉS
https://www.facebook.com/officialmortuarymx
listen the single "Black Superstition" en https://youtu.be/mbfiG-b5Pfk
more info: wholesale@horrorpaingoredeath.com
