Doomed Confessionary: Tony Gallegos (Mosara)
Mosara is a sludge/doom metal band from Phoenix, Arizona. Now as a trio, Mosara consists of Tony Gallegos ( guitar, vocals), Chris Burns (bass) and John Quin (drums).
Originally founded in 2005, Mosara was reborn and rebuilt in 2019 with founder and original member, Tony Gallegos. They released their first official self-titled album, »Mosara« in 2021. In 2022, their sophomore effort, »Only The Dead Know Our Secrets« was released, receiving high praise from several prominent heavy music blogs for its progressive and haunting doom melodies. Mosara released the single track »Amena« in 2023 before hunkering down to write their most involved and evolved work to date, »Rumour Of A Funeral«.
Mosara’s new full-length album »Rumour Of A Funeral« was just released on July 11th, 2025 via Remorseless Records. Available now on CD, cassette and digital.
Can you please say a few words about your band?
Dreary, depressing, slow and definitely heavy.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Initially it was trying to find our groove. We all have different tastes in music. I think me and John line up pretty well with our heavy music likes. Christopher is very open-minded and very knowledgeable about different musical genres. The main challenge was trying to find a little space for everyone while trying to maintain my own musical objective with this band. When Nikos was in the band, we had a very funeral, melodic, death metal type vibe in some songs. He also likes progressive and off tempo chord changes. That’s way too busy for me. I come from the Cough/Electric Wizard/punk rock school of simple chord progressions. If I must think too hard about it, it’s not fun for me. My buddy used to say that doom was nothing more than slowed down punk songs. I couldn’t have agreed more.
What can you be most proud of so far?
Our latest album. Everyone was on point from the beginning of songwriting to recording the album onwards to the end of recording.
What was your biggest regret?
None. Everything here came out the way it was supposed to on its own time. I couldn’t have been more satisfied with zero regerts.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
Opening for Goya and Abrams. That show was stellar. I mean, it’s Goya and Abrams. Funny story: It seemed that every time Abrams has come to AZ, we’re on the bill with them. Cool dudes, great music, awesome live!
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
None really. I’ve been doing this for so long, nothing surprises me.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
I’ve been listening to »Tundra Rock« by Slomosa and the latest from Goya, »In The Dawn Of November«. Other than that, I don’t really listen to much of anything in the heavy musical realm. I listen to video game soundtracks, brown noise, my lo-fi beats playlist and lately I’ve been listening to a lot of Project Pat. That G is unreal! Not sure how I slept on him for all these years, but he’s definitely in heavy rotation.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Don’t take it too seriously. The days of million dollar record deals, backstage debauchery and endless days in a studio are over. Which is perfectly fine to me, anyways. Just plug away at it and do things the way you want to do them. Musicians have the means to record at a whim, distribution, and if you want to make it a lifestyle, make those contacts, treat everyone with respect, forge bonds and spend your efforts on touring and pushing your brand. If you have something worthwhile, people will find it and embrace it.
What are your guilty pleasures?
Video game soundtracks and EDM/house music. That shit is badass! I’m also currently obsessed with getting 100% completion on Rise of the Tomb Raider.
Can you say something more about the current music scene in Arizona?
Arizona has quite an eclectic music scene. Everyone seems to know someone that knows someone, so there’s really no shortage of musicians available if you need someone to come in or jam with. But I’m also one of the older guys on the scene so I don’t get out much unless it’s a really good show. But I do know everyone out here kills it. Whether it’s my bros in Bending Light, Dead Canyon, Fuzz Evil (Sierra Vista), Thra, Secrets Of Lost Empires, everyone goes out on that stage with their own twist and take on heavy music and throws it down. Nothing but respect and love for everyone in our scene, regardless of what genre they play.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
We’re doing shows as they come, nothing really set in stone. We’re probably looking to do a quick three day run through California by the end of the year just to get out there.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
We’re already talking about shaking things up a bit. It’s just us finding the time to get together and trade off riffs and drum beats. We’re pretty much at that point where we are getting good at reading each other’s minds. We’re a three-piece now so we can focus more on basic riffs and not so much melody oriented. Which kind of sucks in a way because Nikos was my songwriting partner for the last 12 years and he’s the melody machine. So, it’s going to be interesting to see how things work out without him there to guide the riffs for me. I do know it could, and probably will, change the musical direction of this band. Nikos can hear shit that I can’t and most of time I’d look at him with a, “How the fuck did you hear that in this???”
How can people best support your band?
Bandcamp, Bandcamp, Bandcamp. Download albums, pick up some merch. There ain’t much scratch to be made nowadays with streaming being the way it is, but direct support is buying merch and downloading from a band’s respective sites.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Our music is described as being depressing and depressed. There’s nothing wrong with embracing that feeling. Just don’t let it consume you. I spent a year fighting demons after my divorce, and it had a lot of influence on »Rumour Of A Funeral«. Everything is there, open and bare. I promise you, your darkest days will soon be behind you, so gut it out and hang in there. I know that all sounds cliché, but you can’t stress that enough. And to my dudes and fellow brethren; Don’t let anyone tell you nor reinforce that idea that as men we’re supposed to be “tough” and “manly.” Let your feelings show to your fellow brothers, embrace them, tell them you love them. They have gone through the same bullshit you have, and they inevitably will, if not.
Cheers!
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well