Doomed Confessionary: Luis, Iñaki & Raúl (Terrestre)
Photos by Alina Starovoitova
Terrestre is a three-piece instrumental post-metal/post-rock band from Madrid, Spain. They just released their third album »Maere« on August 23rd, 2024 in cooperation with Dunk!Records, A Thousand Arms, Muerte Matar Records, Nooirax Producciones, Noizeland Records, Hombre Montaña and Lengua Armada.
On their new album, the trio deploys an instrumental soundscape that moves between the placid and the abrupt, the ethereal and the forceful, the continuous and the syncopated, framed in a general atmosphere that is rather unsettling and somewhat dark.
Delving into the balance of influences between postrock, post-metal, stoner and even doom, the songs were written after the line-up change that Carlos Prieto brought to the drums in 2020. »Maere«, the song that gives its name to the album, was written a long time ago during a brief stint with Andreu Bozada in charge of the drumsticks, and has been recovered and rearanged to the new formation.
Terrestre are Luis Granda on guitar, Iñaki García on bass and Carlos Prieto on drums.
Can you say a few words about your band?
Loud drums, loud amps. Reverb, delays and noise everywhere. Head banging, strong necks. Fuck shimmer.
We are a Spanish instrumental trio that makes something between post-rock, post-metal, and sometimes even stoner and doom.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Drummers quitting due to health problems and personal reasons.
There have been at least four drummers in the band, and sometimes it has been difficult and exhausting to find one and relearn songs that have their complexities.
However, it’s also true that the changes in drummers have shaped our music at each stage, with each one contributing something that remains in some way.
What can you be most proud of so far?
In general terms, our sound balance, which we’ve achieved over the years, and the way we’ve mixed several influences into a coherent musical experience with its own personality – a blend that feels like it belongs to no single genre (or to many).
Specifically, we are proud of our last album »Maere« and the beautiful vinyls we were able to produce for the first time with the help of several labels: Dunk!Records in Belgium, A Thousand Arms in the US, and Nooirax, Noizeland, Muerte Matar, Hombre Montaña, and Lengua Armada in Spain, who made it possible.
What was your biggest regret?
Not realizing sooner that we need more carbohydrates in our lives – like beer, for example.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
There are (or were, in some cases) some great DIY places in Spain where it’s always a pleasure to play, such as the recently lost “La Faena II” in Madrid. We once played at The Rincón Pío Sound, which is a kind of underground music paradise in an industrial estate on the outskirts of a small city in Extremadura. The people involved, and the place itself, are amazing. We’d love to go back there soon.
Also, our last gig presenting »Maere« in Madrid was special. It was the first time we played »Maere« in front of people who had already had the chance to listen to it, and the experience was different that way. We received so much love and good feedback. It was also in the same venue where Raúl debuted as our new drummer a year ago, and it was great to see how much confidence we’ve built with each other over that time. It sounded fucking powerful, hehehe.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
Being part of the Dunk! family has been one of the most surprising and rewarding things for us.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Luis: »Twin Dreams« by Glassing and »Snake Behind The Sun« by Shy Low.
Iñaki: »Live From The Downwhen Terminus« by The Supervoid Choral Ensemble EP and »May Our Chambers Be Full« by Emma Ruth Rundle & Thou.
Raúl: »72 Seasons« by Metallica and »Melodies Of Atonement« by Leprous.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
A mistake in time is not a mistake.
What are your guilty pleasures?
Watching Rafaela Carrà’s music videos – they’re awesome!
Can you say something more about current music scene in Madrid?
It seems like concerts have settled into two extremes: either enormous, overwhelming festivals where the same big names always play, or small venues, even DIY gigs, where you can discover what’s really happening. There’s almost nothing in between, with some exceptions.
We love the underground music scene in Spain. There are so many great bands playing that you’re always meeting new people, discovering new and old bands, and hearing fresh music. A bunch of people make it all happen – audiences, bands, labels, venues, designers, radio hosts, podcasters, bloggers, promoters, photographers, sound techs, magazines… Most of the time, these people do it just because they love it. No one is getting rich from this. In fact, most are lucky if they don’t lose money. It’s hard to make a living in music.
It’s a kind of ecosystem that survives on the margins of ultra-liberal capitalism. While everything costs money, no one is in it primarily for that. Everyone contributes their time and effort simply because they love what they do.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
We’re putting together some gigs in various places across Spain for the next few months. Check out our social media, Bandcamp, or Bandsintown for updates. We’d also love to play at Dunk! Fest in Belgium next year. Fingers crossed!
What are your plans for the future as a band?
To gradually expand our reach. We also want to see what new music emerges and what directions we take, and to translate that into a new album that’s even better than »Maere«. We always give our all to make that happen in every record.
How can people best support your band?
We love seeing people headbanging with their necks at our concerts – that’s the best support we can get! You can also listen to or buy our music, follow us on social media, or just tell your friends that you’ve discovered an awesome instrumental band from Spain called Terrestre, and that they should give us a try!
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Please sit in the most comfortable place you can find, have a beer or whatever you like, play our album »Maere« at full volume, and let yourself go.
And thank you for your support!
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well