Doomed Confessionary: Gran Inquisidor, Alguacil & Calificador (Marble Orchard)

Marble Orchard, hailing from San Antonio, Texas, is a doom metal band that delves deep into themes of suffering, loss, and introspection. Masterminded by Michael Alcala (Black Jackal, ex-Goat Bong), the band combines heavy, harmonious guitars with church organs, choirs, and melodious vocals, creating a sound that is both haunting and evocative. Their music is a powerful exploration of Catholic guilt and worship through suffering, aiming to evoke strong emotional responses from their listeners.
The band is currently gearing up to release their second full-length album »Ruminations Of Ruin« on March 21st, 2025 via Morbid and Miserable Records.
Marble Orchard consists of Gran Inquisidor (guitars, bass, keys, vocals), Alguacil (lead guitar) and Calificador (drums).
Can you say a few words about your band?
Gran Inquisidor: Marble Orchard is an instrument of catharsis, remembrance and grief.
Alguacil: It’s a powerful, necessary mental and spiritual cathartic outlet for us personally. We’re all subject to dark times and painful questions about beliefs and the world around you and it’s certainly reflected here.
Calificador: Atmospheric. Ominous. Layered.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Gran Inquisidor: The biggest challenge is trying to get a label to take a chance on a band that hasn’t been able to tour. I’ve gotten so many responses, that our music is different and amazing but if we don’t come with a million song plays and a full tour catalog, they won’t touch us. Very frustrating.
Alguacil: Being seen and heard I think is the biggest challenge for any band, as well as maintaining the passion for it while being caught up with all of life’s various curveballs it throws at you. And there’s a LOT working against you. But if you want it bad enough, keep creating.
Calificador: Well, Mike and Dev live in the great nation of Texas. I relocated to Pittsburgh, PA from San Antonio a few years ago. So recording remotely was a bit of a challenge, I’m still learning, but we have made it work.
What can you be most proud of so far?
Gran Inquisidor: As the producer, engineer and composer, I’m proud of everything I’ve accomplished.
Alguacil: I’m most proud of any music/camaraderie I’ve made with people I consider my brothers and close friends, we’ve all seen each other grow as musicians and as people and that’s the part of life that I still cling to. It’s the only permanence in my life anyhow. But getting where we have based on raw, stubborn, brutish talent lets me know that the people I’ve chosen to surround myself with are among the most genuine you’ll find anywhere.
Calificador: The fact that we have put together two album in one year is a lot of work for anybody. Taking this concept and stretching it over a couple of releases in such a short time span is both intense and gratifying.
What was your biggest regret?
Gran Inquisidor: My biggest regret was not releasing any music videos to promote the first album. I’ve been really trying to wear my P.R. hat this time around.
Alguacil: Put simply, wasting time, not dedicating enough time to not only mine but our collective craft. A lot has been done to change that here recently, and it’s definitely helped a lot in that regard, so… onwards and upwards. Back to business.
Calificador: None. I am perfect. Next question. Well, maybe not adding a fill here and there.. still, perfect.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
Gran Inquisidor: Haven’t been able to tour seeing at how the band is currently resisting in two different states but we’re hoping that with the release of the second album and our drummer moving back to Texas, we can hopefully start jumping on festivals.
Alguacil: We haven’t played any shows yet as Marble Orchard, but I would certainly love to one day if it is worth everyone’s while.
Calificador: Eat me*
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
Gran Inquisidor: The fact that being a musician isn’t your primary job. Writing songs is a tiny portion of what it entails to be a modern musician. It’s incredibly exhausting trying to exist in a modern music industry sometimes.
Alguacil: Biggest surprise here lately in our local/state scene here in Texas for me was a band called Leather Church. Absolutely excellent band with plenty of attitude, something else that I wish a lot of bands would exercise a little/lot more of. Play it like you mean it, y’all.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Gran Inquisidor: I just got the repress for Inepsy and Slayer’s »Haunting The Chapel«, so those have been on heavy rotation.
Alguacil: At the time of writing this, a lot of Frank Zappa/Mothers of Invention, some modal/borderline free jazz stuff, 80’s King Crimson, and fittingly, I listened to a ton of funeral doom this past year. Throw in my usual dose of all sorts of metal, punk, tio rock, country, blues, etc and yeah. It’s all over the place really haha.
Calificador: It just depends on the mood. Solitude Aeturnus, Death, Sodom, Destruction, AC/DC, Carcass, Maiden. Same shit as always.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Gran Inquisidor: Write music for yourself.
Alguacil: As a buddy/old bandmate of mine once said one night before going on stage: “Never take this shit too seriously. If you do, you’ll end up 40 years old being the opening act for the fucking Genitorturers.” I still get a kick out of that one to this day.
Calificador: PRACTICE.
What are your guilty pleasures?
Gran Inquisidor: Comics, books, video games, movies…the typical shit.
Alguacil: The Grateful Dead. I don’t really feel guilty for it, but… I understand lol. Also, does the Bee Gees count? Whatever, they fuckin rule.
Calificador: Rallys chillie cheese fries, AWK, drum rig tour videos. *giggedy*
Can you say something more about current music scene in San Antonio / Texas?
Gran Inquisidor: I think the Texas scene has some great bands but it sometimes feel like we’re separated from the rest of the u.s. Thankfully Hell’s Heroes has out the spotlight back on Texas.
Alguacil: Right now it still seems a little grim at times (maybe I’m just being a pessimist), but it’s been coming back around. Some of our favorite venues around here on the main strip have been closed down, leaving less places to play for some artists. Covid definitely took its toll on the scene here and the city in general for a while, but there are some new cool places opening up in their wake that are keeping things going. As long as art and music exist, there will be places for them, so just gotta ride this wave and see where it goes from here.
Calificador: Fuck and science bless you.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
Gran Inquisidor: Nothing planned yet but we’re trying to jump on bigger fests.
Alguacil: We’ll let you know once we know haha. Just gotta make sure everything is in order.
Calificador: You never know. We may pop up on a festival if the chord strikes the right note.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Gran Inquisidor: Touring is the only thing I’ll be concerning myself with once the album releases.
Alguacil: To keep growing as people and artists really, anything that services this outlet for us as it demands it will be done. Playing live would be a big step for us, because this music deserves to be heard and shared, and just going from there.
Calificador: Hopefully, injecting more music into your ear balls. Maybe play some shows if the time and space match up. We’d love to give you the full experience.
How can people best support your band?
Gran Inquisidor: Share our band with your friends. Buy the album, available March 21 from Morbid and Miserable Records and but some merch at marbleorchard.myshopify.com.
Alguacil: All of the music is available through Bandcamp, Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, Deezer, etc. Spread it around as it will surely help grow some momentum.
Calificador: Word of mouth! Tell your people, social media!
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Gran Inquisidor: Thank you for your support and we’ll hopefully see you soon.
Alguacil: Thank you for all the support and for helping keep our creative flame alight. Keep on spreading it around to people you know and we’ll do our best to deliver every time. Cheers from SATX!
Calificador: Thank you for checking us out, taking this jack knife of a journey with us.
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well