Doomed Confessionary: Fabián Alvarado (Bitterdusk)
From the vastness of the desert to the rush winds of the end of the world, where sea meets the ice. The yelling of a new doom rock deliver is ready to set another milestone in Bitterdusk career.
»Guardián del Valle« (2024) will guide us towards the spirit of the ancestors through a journey settled in the deep roots of the ancient doom metal and the geniune traditions of the mysterious inhabitants of the unexplored lands of South American underground rock.
Following the path traced by their prior music efforts, »Guardián del Valle« unleashes eight new songs where heaviness and high octane loudness coexist in perfect balance with oniric atmospheres.
With five releases under the belt, Bitterdusk ain’t a newcomer into South American subterranean scene. Tours in Europe, Chile and Peru and participations as special guests with international acts such as Moonspell, Anathema and Lucifer, are some of the highlights in their journey through the obscure and loud paths of doom.
There is more to come. The guardian will never stops his journey. The South American doom force will strike Europe in late 2024 and Bitterdusk will be part of the bill in the obscure gathering Doom Over Vienna in Austria (November). More confirmations are on it’s way for other European territories.
Bitterdusk are Leonardo Alvarado (vocals, bass), Fabián Alvarado (guitar), Sebastián Puente (guitar) and Kurt Heyer (drums).
Can you say a few words about your band?
Hi Bojan and everybody in Doomed Nation planet. Being brief, we are a doom rock band, formed back in 1995 in Santiago de Chile, 1 EP, 4 albums, made up of 4 guys who like doom vibes, hard rock and late-night conversations.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Throughout these years, I would tell you keeping playing and enjoying every second of this thing called music, despite adversities and lifetime jokes. Hahaha.
What can you be most proud of so far?
I would tell you this: keep the essence of the band, its hallmark, which is create music from the guts, that makes you really travel to find the path, whether on a bike, or on an old V8 space machine. That is our pride.
What was your biggest regret?
Perhaps, having stopped playing for almost 6 years in between. Although it was necessary for many reasons. Anyway, the journey has been good and there are not many regrets.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
Hard to choose one, but I guess opening act for Moonspell in ’98, and last tour we did in Europe in 2019. Killer sound, tons of jokes, laughter, and meeting new friends.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
What I find a bit weird, in terms of big music industry, is that… today, it’s not about releasing an album and going out to promote it live, but about being hit on Spotify, and only then, going out. That’s bizarre.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
I listen lot of The Cult, Def Leppard, Morbid Angel stuff, and lately, 80s pop bands, like A Flock Of Seagulls and stuff.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
“Find your own sound, and believe in it.”
What are your guilty pleasures?
Pleasure and guilt, the dilemma of humanity, hahahaha. Besides buying books I won’t read, I think watching old cars videos while my work piles up is one of those pleasures. 😉
Can you say something more about the music scene in Santiago / Chile?
Chile has some great bands, and long history in underground and metal scene. There are bangers for every kind of genre, and generally, a lot of gigs every week. Great beer and wine too, so, it is a very good spot to listen music.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
We have some dates in Europe later this year to showcase our latest album. We’ll be in Germany, Austria and Belgium for now. We hope to add more dates in the coming days.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
By now, we are promoting our most recent album »Guardián del Valle« (Guardian of the Valley) both in Chile and in the rest of the world. It’s an album which we dedicated a lot of time and I guess we achieved a very good result.
How can people best support your band?
Going to concerts, and of course, listening to our music. We always appreciate that kind of support.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Thank you Bojan, and people who read these lines. We hope to see you at the upcoming shows!. Follow us on our social networks to stay tuned with the latest news.
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well