Dino Cazares He is one of the most prolific and versatile musicians that the current metal scene has among his ranks. Among his wanderings within the industry we can shuffle names like Fear Factory, Divine Heresy, Witchcraft, Soulfly, Cypress Hill and many more, including his outstanding and extreme project, Assassin. Despite having been in our country a few months ago, they will return to Mexico as part of the Force Fest 2018 poster that will take place in October in Teotihuacán.
For starters, what every fan wants to know: when will we have a new Assassin material in our hands?
That is the number one question always-laughs. But I can tell you that we are already working hard on it. Things have been a little slow because right now Antonio (Tony Campos, bassist and vocal of the group) is on tour with Ministry and that has not allowed us to enter more fully. The tour ends in August if I do not remember and then if we go with everything with the new album.
Just recently you played in Mexico City in a small and intimate forum, but now you are returning to a great festival like Force Fest in front of thousands of people. Do you prepare this type of event differently? What type of concert do you like to play the most?
I like both experiences. In clubs you tend to be closer to the fans but of course, also playing in front of so many people is a huge showcase for Asesino. Imagine the honor of playing alongside great figures like Slayer and System of a Down and having all those audiences see you first. We prepare equally for any type of show. We practice and give everything in the same way, whether it is an event for our pure fans or a bigger festival.
Do you have plans to present something different at Force Fest than they played here a few months ago?
Yes of course. We are going to change the setlist and we are going to add some songs that we did not play that day. But I tell you that we are also planning to maybe play one or 2 of the songs that we already have ready for the next album. Actually already finished at 100% we have 2 songs. Many others are already finished but are missing final tweaks like the song title, and others if they need more final details. So we are likely to be encouraged to play them for Mexico at Force Fest.
Dino, we know that you suffered an injury that forced you to cancel at Knotfest Mexico. What exactly was the problem? Is everything ok now
All excellent, thanks for asking. I broke a bone in my leg and the injury actually involved a splint. I had an accident practicing BMX four days before the trip to the festival and the pain was unbearable and I had to cancel, in fact that's why we showed up months later to see all the fans who were left with the desire for Asesino. But after three months of recovery everything is fine and without any sequel so we are more than ready
You are a man with an infinity of projects. What else are you working on the rest of the year?
The main thing for me is to finish the album of Asesino this year. I am also planning to release my solo album, Dino Cazares album as such. It will have a sound that will be a mix between Fear Factory and Divine Heresy; but let it be made very clear that the highest priority is to release the new album of Asesino and not only that, but to put together a tour in which we visit of course, again Mexico.
“Juan Brujo le entra duro a las drogas y eso le afectó la cabeza.”
People often make mention of an enmity with Brujeria. Is that real in the present? Or is it more of a theme already driven by the same fans today?
It's actually more of a part of the Witchcraft members, you know? Assassin has no problem with them since we have our own style. For starters, they sing “Matando Güeros” as if dedicating it to, well, you understand: we are güeros. And we can play it just because we know people like it and we have fun. That can tell you a lot about it.
When I made material for Witchcraft back in 1989 I did it thinking about Witchcraft and now for Assassin I do things in their own style. And then many people come to tell me that we copied the style of Witchcraft: I was one of the creators of the style of Witchcraft! Am I copying myself or how?
Witchcraft has become a classic band, which lives off its classics. Asesino is a much fresher and more innovative project. And in fact we have proposed to do a tour together but they are the ones who refuse; I feel like the sorcerer is afraid. The sorcerer is a person who, as you know, sometimes gets hard on drugs and that you know affects the head. Can you imagine how successful a festival would be in conjunction with the 2 bands touring for example throughout Mexico? But the witcher does not want to, he seems to be more interested in talking pure shit than in thinking something that would undoubtedly be very attractive.
Finally, do you want to leave a final message for your Mexican fans?
Asesino is very happy and excited to finally finish his new album and take a new tour to Mexico. But not just once, we want to go to 10 cities or 15 or as many as possible-laughs. This time we want to tour in many cities in your country. So while we are very happy to return soon, since it is always an honor and a pleasure to visit them. We will see you there soon.
