Tyrants, the thrash metal powerhouse from Colombia, continues to rise with their bold and aggressive sound. Fronted by Juan Yepes, the band blends old-school thrash with elements of death and black metal, crafting a unique sonic experience. In this interview, Juan talks about the evolution of Tyrants, from their debut Kill or Die to their latest release, Warlord. He also shares insights into the band's creative process, influences, and future plans.
Serial Metalbums: Tyrants has established itself in the Colombian metal scene. For those unfamiliar, could you walk us through the origins of the band, introduce the members, and share what drove you to create this fierce and unrelenting music?
Tyrants: First, we would like to thank Serial Metalalbums for this space and for spreading metal. Tyrants was formed in mid-2019 by Juan Yepes in the city of Itagüí. Inspired by 80s thrash and speed metal, he began composing the music that would become the band’s first album. Later, Jonathan Pérez joined him on rhythm guitar and Mateo Gonzales on bass. The current members of the band are Juan Yepes (lead guitar and vocals), Mateo Gonzales (bass), Dave Garcia (rhythm guitar), and Manuel Pinto (drums). What inspired the creation of the band’s music was the tyranny in the world and its different representatives, which also influenced the band’s name.
Serial Metalbums: Your 2024 release, Warlord, delivers an intense sonic assault. How would you describe this album to someone who’s never heard Tyrants before? What message or atmosphere were you aiming to create with this record?
Tyrants: When the album Warlord was created, the goal was to achieve an aggressive and fast sound, but also with blends of death metal and even black metal. Melodic elements, acoustic guitars, and mid-tempo sections were also incorporated, creating a dark atmosphere.
Serial Metalbums: Can you share with our readers some insight into how this album came together? What inspired its themes and lyrics, and how did the process of writing and recording differ from your previous work?
Tyrants: As I mentioned earlier, the lyrics were inspired by tyranny. In the case of the Warlord album, they focused on stories from World War II and a certain German dictator. As for the music, the sound is different compared to our previous album, which had a more raw sound and was musically closer to speed metal and even heavy metal. The composition process can sometimes be complicated due to creative blocks. There are days when nothing comes to mind when you play, and other days when you just sit down and write an entire song. When recording, I tend to play the guitars as clearly as possible while creating them, and then I layer them, imagining, "This might fit here" or "This doesn’t work." Compared to the process of Kill Or Die, which had songs that were already created and recorded by Juan, even without lyrics, and were intended to have a dirtier sound.
Serial Metalbums: From Kill or Die to Warlord, Tyrants has shown significant growth. How do you think your music and approach have evolved between these two releases? Were there any major lessons from your debut that influenced the creation of your sophomore album?
Tyrants: We feel that Tyrants' music has evolved in terms of composition and sound, moving towards a more aggressive approach, more aligned with thrash, and even incorporating some progressive touches—basically, a more modern sound. As for whether any lessons learned influenced the creation of Warlord, I suppose it's the mindset of wanting to evolve to a new sound and do things in a better way.
Serial Metalbums: Your debut album, Kill or Die, introduced the world to Tyrants' sound and style. Looking back, how do you feel about this record today? Are there particular songs or moments from it that still resonate deeply with you and your fans?
Tyrants: The Kill Or Die album had some complications. It was an album entirely recorded by Juan Yepes, who initially wanted a heavier sound, so he looked for a singer for this album. Unfortunately, it is no longer available on platforms due to copyright issues with the mentioned singer. It's a shame because there are songs that still resonate, such as Kill Or Die or Fight For Your Life, which, in our opinion, were catchy tracks.
Serial Metalbums: What has been the most fulfilling part of your journey with Tyrants so far? Are there any specific moments—on stage, in the studio, or with fans—that stand out as particularly meaningful?
Tyrants: A satisfying part is hearing good comments about the album, showing our music to people we know, and having them say, "Tyrants, my father likes that band." It's great to know that our music is well-received by both old-school generations and new ones.
Serial Metalbums: Can you take us through what goes into creating a Tyrants album, from the earliest ideas to the final mix? How does the band collaborate during this process, and what keeps you motivated throughout?
Tyrants: The creation of a Tyrants album sometimes starts with a riff invented in the mind or simply by playing the guitar, which results in some interesting ideas. Juan is the one who takes charge of composing and recording everything in his studio, as it's where he spends most of his time, also dedicating time to recording other bands. The rest of the band adds their touch to their respective parts during rehearsals and concerts. Most of the time, a riff is composed and recorded as cleanly as possible, since demos or versions with only ideas are not typically created. Everything is recorded in the project that will become the final version, and the process continues until the song is complete. After composition and recording, a balanced mix and master are sought, and its character and sound depend on the types of amplifiers used, as well as the drum kit and the execution of the instruments. Motivation can sometimes come from a band rehearsal, after a concert, or simply from listening to music.
Serial Metalbums: Colombia has produced some incredible extreme metal acts over the years. How does the local scene inspire Tyrants? Do you see your music as representing a piece of Colombian metal culture, or is your aim more global?
Tyrants: In Colombia, there are many high-quality bands, but we’ve really been inspired by bands on a global level, some obvious and others less so, such as Kreator, Sodom, Slayer, Exodus, and even Scorpions, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and B.B. King. Although these sounds are somewhat different from thrash metal, they can still serve as inspiration for creating various types of music. I remember my father watching live concerts of Yngwie Malmsteen, which impressed and inspired me as a child to play the guitar. I was also inspired by my father, who was part of the band Nekromantie, a band from the "ultrametal" movement in Medellín in the 80s, a band that still exists today and who introduced me to some unknown bands. We also aspire to take our music to a global level.
Serial Metalbums: What’s next for Tyrants? Are there plans for touring, festivals, or new material already taking shape? Would you consider collaborating with other artists or producers in the future?
Tyrants: At the moment, there are two things coming up for Tyrants: a new album that is almost finished, and we will be opening a concert for the legendary Venezuelan band Arkangel, along with other great bands from Medellín. Of course, we are open to collaborating in the future with other bands and producers. We are always open to new opportunities and to doing new things.
Serial Metalbums: Is there anything you’d like to say to your listeners, especially those who’ve supported you through the journey from Kill or Die to Warlord?
Tyrants: We want to thank all our listeners and followers for their incredible support throughout this journey. From Kill Or Die to Warlord, every step has been possible thanks to you. We know it has been a path full of challenges and changes, but your loyalty and enthusiasm have given us the motivation to keep moving forward and evolve as a band. Every comment, every time someone tells us that our songs impacted or inspired them, is what drives us to keep creating and improving. To all those who have been with us from the beginning and to the new ones who have joined, thank you! See you on the road!