Doomed Confessionary: Ariel, Rober, Germán & Emir (R U I D O)
R U I D O is a four-piece stoner rock band from Mendoza, Argentina. Formed in early 2023, the band currently consists of Ariel Karlen (guitars), Rober Aguilar (bass), Germán Trigueiro Soler (vocals) and Emir Alem (drums).
R U I D O’s sound ranges from the raw, desert-driven stoner of Kyuss and Fu Manchu to the dense sludge of Down. Within the national scene, the band draws strong influence from Los Antiguos in terms of power and intensity, as well as from Los Natas in both sound and the very essence of stoner rock.
Their music combines low-tuned riffs, powerful rock-solid foundations, and passages infused with 1970s psychedelia and a distinctive 1990s spirit. The overarching influence of Black Sabbath is, of course, unavoidable within this style. The band’s proposal aims for a straightforward, heavy, and unembellished sound, driven by a strong and distinctive identity.
R U I D O released their debut EP »Seis monedas para Caronte« on October 8th, 2025. Available now on all digital streaming platforms.
Can you please say a few words about your band?
Ariel: R U I D O is a very special part of us. It’s our grounding wire, what connects us to each other. It’s a band that brought us together as people, and today we find ourselves as friends, pushing in the same direction, with everything that comes along with that, always looking forward to rehearsal day so we can let ourselves go.
Rober: R U I D O is a project that started from scratch and grew more than we expected. It brings together three guys with many disappointments from previous bands but with an incredible desire to play. A strong bond was created between us, and it’s still there – you can feel more and more how much we enjoy rehearsals and live shows.
Germán: What can I say? This is love for noise. At this stage of our lives, we’ve already left many things behind, but noise, rock – that’s never an option to abandon. With an average age of nearly 50, the wind blows and the noise brings us together. That’s how we move forward with these dogs, barking at everyone until the end. That’s what I can say!
Emir: I haven’t been in the band for very long, but as for the individuals who make it up, their simplicity and unity make creativity and songwriting flow more easily. The rawness of the strings and the gritty texture of the vocals create a particular sound that fascinates me and, I believe, is what captures the listener’s attention.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Ariel: To keep moving forward after Horacio – the drummer who recorded our EP – stepped down in the middle of the mastering process. We were used to his power and to how the songs sounded with him, so it was very hard to trust someone else and place those songs in new hands. Fortunately, we found that trust in Emir.
Promotion has also been a challenge. We’ve encountered a lot of apathy from people in our hometown, but at the same time we’ve been very well received abroad. Nowadays, globalization allows us to reach a more specific audience.
Rober: I think the biggest challenge was finding the band’s identity – deciding which path to follow. Even though the style was defined, we had to search for a distinctive sound. Also, finding each member of the band was a major challenge.
Germán: The first challenge was agreeing on a conceptual idea – of course within stoner rock – and from there building an identity in terms of the sound we were looking for.
We also faced a very difficult challenge when we had to find a replacement for our drummer until mid-2025. When Horacio decided to leave after recording, we were left with the complex task of finding someone to take his place. It was a slow process that wore us down and even caused a pause where we felt maybe the best thing would be to stop playing altogether. But those who quit don’t get rewarded – one day Emir came to audition, and what can I say? Thanks to him joining the project, R U I D O continues its course.
Emir: On a personal level, adapting to a style that I’m gradually getting to know more deeply. As a band, I guess the challenge is for our sound to be appreciated in our own Argentine homeland.
What can you be most proud of so far?
Ariel: Our first studio release. It cost us blood, sweat, and tears – literally. We’re proud of that record because it has been very well received by specialized and underground media in Europe.
Rober: The EP that came out was something we all had pending – being able to capture our work in the studio and share it, to finally shape a dream we had for many years.
Germán: I suppose continuing forward, seeking new horizons through this noise.
Emir: Being a Boca Juniors fan!!! 🖤
What was your biggest regret?
Ariel: Not being able to present our album live yet. It’s been eight months since its release and we haven’t officially performed it – although we’re still in time, so maybe it’s not exactly a regret.
Rober: I have no regrets. Everything brings us to the right moment with the right people who should be in the band.
Germán: Not much to regret. Things move at their own pace, and if we made mistakes, we learned from them.
Emir: I try not to see things through regret. I believe everything has its path, and every success and every stumble is just another step along that destined road.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
Ariel: With R U I D O, our debut show. A small venue, yes, but packed with people, and the first time Rober, Germán, and I shared the stage.
As for a concert I attended: Megadeth at Pepsi Music in 2005, when they recorded “That One Night: Live in Buenos Aires.”
Rober: Our first R U I D O show was at a very particular venue, but going back to playing live after many years – with the brothers music gave me – was pure enjoyment.
Germán: I think the first show was one of the best. It wasn’t the cleanest performance, but my God, it was fun! We enjoyed it so much — we didn’t care about anything. Haha.
Emir: I haven’t played a concert with the band yet, but hopefully that will happen soon and each one will be equally incredible.
On a personal level, it would be a tour I did in Playa del Carmen, opening for Turf. We played with an amazing backline and I achieved the dream of playing a DW kit in front of 2,000 people. That was insane!
As for a concert I attended: seeing Metallica around 2009. The best of all time.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
Ariel: Whether I like it or not – and it’s far from what we do – what Catriel and Paco Amoroso are doing in Argentina. Also, the nu metal revival really surprised me.
Rober: For me, Ozzy Osbourne’s farewell.
Germán: No major surprises so far. Everything is work and consequence, right? It’s a project that hasn’t been around that long, and I assume the surprises we’re looking for will come.
Emir: The deterioration of the global music scene. There are still good bands, but mostly in the underground. Maybe the industry is to blame – it seems to aim for garbage instead of good musicians like in the past.
What is currently in your heavy rotation?
Ariel: When I sit down to work, I usually pick a band and play their Spotify radio to discover new things. I’ve been listening a lot to Blues Pills and Witchcraft, especially the album Legend. Also Acid Mammoth, a band I discovered a year ago. And from our country, Los Natas, TUMM, and Banda de la Muerte – those are bands I always keep in my playlist.
Rober: Los Natas, Melvins, Los Antiguos, TUMM, Soldati, Tool, some jazz, and the classics like Guns N’ Roses, Metallica, and others.
Germán: Los Antiguos daily. Brahamans. Todos Tus Muertos. Amenra.
Emir: I’m all over the place – classic psychedelic rock legends, ’80s and 2000s metal, jazz, and recently more bands within our own style.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Ariel: “Never trust a drummer who says we should play with a metronome.” (Band inside joke based on real events.)
Germán: I don’t know. Maybe never abandoning the noise – that’s something we reached by conviction.
Emir: Every piece of advice is valuable. Each one is like a puzzle piece that ultimately helps you grow as a musician.
What are your guilty pleasures?
Ariel: Mötley Crüe and Depeche Mode.
Rober: Asado.
Emir: Chocolate and pizza.
Germán: Overthinking. Silent mental spaces under the influence of alcohol. Stoner rock, my motorcycle, and the way I see life at this stage.
Can you say something more about the current music scene in Mendoza?
Ariel: In Mendoza, we lack venues with the necessary infrastructure to sound the way we want. There’s also a fair amount of indifference toward styles outside the mainstream, from both audiences and media. It’s a shame because Mendoza has been home to great artists, and there are excellent musicians and bands fighting every day.
Germán: Not much to say – although there’s a lot for us to do within this scene.
Rober: It’s complicated. There are many good bands in Mendoza but little promotion and few places to showcase their work. It’s a shame.
Where can we see you live this year?
Germán: Right now we’re creating new material. Once that goal is reached, we’ll take on whatever stages come our way – local or otherwise. Nothing confirmed yet.
What are your future plans as a band?
Ariel: We’re focused on creating new material, recording, and distributing our music again. We don’t rule out performing outside our province – or even outside the country.
Rober:
Now that the band is complete, we just need to polish details – but playing live is the priority.
Germán: Keep making noise until we die. Early next year, try to record a new release in a recognized studio in our country. Improve our live performance – there’s a lot on the horizon.
Emir: Keep writing, record another EP, and go out and play – hopefully across our lands and abroad.
How can people best support the band?
Ariel: By sharing and spreading our material online. We also want to highlight independent media – we’re very grateful to Doomed Nation for giving us space to show what we do.
Rober: Listening to our EP, sharing it, even a simple “like” helps us move forward and grow. We’re always grateful for the support.
Germán: By listening on streaming platforms, sharing our content, and attending live shows. I’m especially grateful to our friend Roberto Correa, who stepped up and took the new photos we’ll soon share.
Emir: Pay attention to us, get into it, spread the material – and if you want, pay us a monthly fee so we can dedicate ourselves to making mind-blowing music.
Do you have a message for your listeners?
R U I D O: We want to thank you infinitely for the messages we’re receiving. A lot of love is coming from overseas, which makes us feel we’re doing things right.
We also thank all the media outlets, both specialized and underground, who have given us space.
Everything we do is 100% independent and self-funded – it’s a lot of work. Applause may look different nowadays, but the recognition is very real.
So stay tuned – all of this has shaped our path, and soon you’ll be able to enjoy new material from us.
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well