Doomed Confessionary: Antonio, Guillermo, Raúl, Moisés, Carmen & Robert (Honara)
Honara is a six-piece progressive/post-metal band from Asturias, Spain.
Composed of Antonio Alcaide (bass, vocals), Guillermo Villán (drums), Raúl Fernández (synthesizer, keyboards), Moisés Fernández (guitar), Carmen García (vocals) and Robert Lewis (guitar), Honara is a collective with diverse roots stemming from worlds as varied as folk, hardcore, stoner metal, and even classical music. In Honara, all these influences converge to form a post-metal project deeply inspired by progressive metal. Their music is highly diverse, traversing landscapes of extreme intensity while also exploring moments of delicacy and even psychedelia.
Honara have released their debut album »Resemblance« on January 7th, 2025. Available now on all major streaming services.
Can you please say a few words about your band?
Honara is a post-metal band from Oviedo, Spain, formed by Antonio Alcaide, Guillermo Villán, Raúl Fernández, Moisés Fernández, Carmen García, and Robert Lewis. Our approach combines influences from folk, sludge, progressive metal, and classical music, resulting in an intense, contrasting sound.
Honara balances power and subtlety in each composition. The lead vocals, male and female, intertwine over a foundation where guitars, bass, synthesizers, and drums work in perfect harmony. Our songs range from moments of visceral energy to more introspective landscapes, offering an immersive experience.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Managing the »Resemblance« project was a challenge from the very beginning. It was the first time we had faced a project of this magnitude, as from the outset, it was conceived as a more cohesive experience.rather than an album of disconnected songs. Thus, we had to learn and improve our production skills to achieve the final ideas we had in our minds. We did a lot of experimentation with daws, plugins, layers and riffs to shape the songs.
The drums were recorded at Julio Cernuda’s studio. This studio has a stone room with uneven walls, which helps achieve a very lively drum sound. Aside from that, we recorded the rest of the work in our home studios by ourselves.
What can you be most proud of so far?
The final result of the album has far exceeded our expectations in terms of production and sound. When you start a project of this nature, there are so many variables to be determined and challenges to face that it is difficult to define or know 100% the final result. Therefore, we are proud of every detail of the album and how it flows as you immerse yourself in the songs.
What was your biggest regret?
We’re deeply proud of every step we’ve taken with the project, as even the negative aspects have helped us learn and grow as a band. There are, of course, things we wish had happened differently though. For example, the pre-production and recording process for the album takes a long time. Recording, analyzing every detail of the tracks, their arrangements, the timing of the recording of each instrument, and then evaluating the results to make decisions about the direction the mix should take requires a lot of energy and forced us to focus solely on the album, thus is why we weren’t doing live shows during that period of time.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
We really enjoy each live show. We also put a lot of care and attention into preparing our set so that each show is different from the last. In January we played in Oviedo with Humo (Asturian instrumental post-rock) and Santacreu (Catalan post-metal) and the aura that was created between the three bands was incredible. We really enjoyed the concert and the audience, who were very involved in the concert. We recommend you check out these two bands.
Photo credit: Álvaro Amieva
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
Asturias has a very interesting music scene with a large number of bands and artists. This is essential as it enriches the scene and creates essential support networks so that people just starting out can gradually professionalize their work and take it to the next level. Furthermore, we have encountered an open audience that has welcomed us at every performance, making the concert experience almost familiar.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
With six members in the band, the amount of music we listen to is enormous. Today, bands that have deeply influenced us, such as The Ocean, Isis, Mastodon, and Cult Of Luna, remain on our playlists. Antonio, who is the most folk-oriented member of the band, has recently been enjoying listening to artists from the Asturian scene, such as Ferla Megia, Llevolu l’ Sumiciu, and Tania Pereira. He also mentions that the latest album by Mano de Piedra (a progressive sludge metal band from Vigo) sounds incredible. Raúl recommends the first album by Gospel, an American post-hardcore band.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
We believe that trying not to rush things is essential whether from the learning stages or when you have experience playing on your own or with bands.
We have learned the best lessons from watching bands and professionals work. How to create a solid professional profile to develop concerts and present our musical proposal.
What are your guilty pleasures?
The potato is the supreme vegetal being. We owe everything to it, our inspiration and our happiness. Long live potatoes! They’re an incredible source of energy and can fill your heart in any form.
By the way, we love potatoes.
Can you say something more about the current music scene in Asturias?
In Asturias we have a community of artists and musicians that is very prolific. Our musical roots came from celtic and folk music. Bands like Felpeyu, Tejedor or L-R represent that scene. Nevertheless, there’s a wave of peers in scenes closer to rock, metal, and electronic music currently shaking up the local scene. Some recommendations are as follows: Humo, Totengott, Jacques Monrad, Soundcrush and Azure.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
We have now completed the series of concerts we had planned for the first half of 2025 and are currently planning the following events for the end of the year and the beginning of 2026.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
We have now completed the series of concerts we had planned for the first half of 2025 and are currently planning the following events for the end of the year and the beginning of 2026.
How can people best support your band?
The best way people can support us is by listening to the album and if they feel right, then share it with the people they know. The most important thing is to have the opportunity to create connections between bands and listeners. The most important thing is to have the opportunity to create connections between bands and listeners.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
We really appreciate everyone who has read this interview and supported us during this year. See you at the concerts!
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well